This Song Rocks: Deadman's Hand

Original video located here. Accessed 4th December 2015

Song title: Deadman's Hand

Artist: The Church

Year: 2009

Why I like this song:

Recently I got a hold of the Church's 2009 album, Untitled #23.

It's got the same psychedelic and jangle rock as I have come to expect from this band but at the same time it seems more angrier. The guitars sound more ragged and Steve Kilbey sounds more bitter. 
It's certainly an unexpected change of pace but hey, when you've had a career that's long enough to eild twenty three albums one is more than welcome to shake things up.

Choon of the Month: Honey

Original video located here. Accessed 28th March 2014

Song title: Honey

Artist: Bonjah

Year: 2014

Why I like this song:

Simply put: It had the power to knock one to the floor and gloat about it. How many other songs cna do that?

Explorations: Islands

Original video located here. Accessed 26th March 2014

Song title: Islands

Artist: The xx

Year: 2009

Why I like this song:

Recently I've been listening to the xx.
I knew of this band as their debut album made them darlings in amongst indie circles. So they should have something worthwhile to say, right?
Somehow this seems like the ideal song to laze around in bed on a rainy weekend....

Nineties Revisited: The Girlfriend Song

Original video located here. Accessed 16th December 2014

Song title: The Girlfriend Song

Artist: Tlot Tlot

Year: 1995

Why I like this song:

A song I enjoyed during High School. I've been looking for this years and I can't say how happy I am to finally find it (guess YouTube does indeed have everything)

This Song Rocks: Contact

Original video located here. Accessed 19th March 2014

Song title: Contact

Artist: Daft Punk

Year: 2013

Why I like this song:

Following on from last week, here's another album that I've been meaning to get around. And, like last week, it was a gem with the standout track coming at the end of the album. Unlike last week however, this left the opposite impression.
If I Appear Missing was about getting up and pushing forward, this is the sound of a rebirth: Triumphant, wonderous, heralding a new dawn, leaving the cradle of Earth and roaring off into space (particularly during the climax).

But really, this song is a case of being in the right place at the right time: I was going though a bad time prior to hearing this (if the last few posts are some indication) but when I did, I found it to the the pick me up I needed. And that's what music should do.
The phoenix has risen again....

This Song Rocks: Uprising

Original video located here. Accessed 15th March 2014

Song title: Uprising

Artist: Muse

Year: 2009

Why I like this song:

Driving to the voting booth and what's on my car stereo? This.
Read into that what you will

This Song Rocks: I Appear Missing

Original video located here. Accessed 12th March 2014

Song title: I Appear Missing

Artist: Queens of the Stone Age

Year: 2013

Why I like this song:

I got off my slack arse and sought out ...Like Clockwork. Better late than never: I found it much to my liking. 
But then there's this: The second last track and, in my mind, the best of the lot.
It spoke to me as it's the sound of getting up off the ground, having been beating down by adversity, and shuffling forward, bloodied but not beaten. 
I've previously said I'm a sucker for a pump-up anthem so perhaps this is the inverse: Moving forward - not because you want to but you have little other choice. 
Or at least that's how I saw (heard?) it.

Explorations: Xtal

Original video located here. Accessed 30th October 2014

Song title: Xtal

Artist: Aphex Twin

Year: 1992

Why I like this song:

Lately I've been listening to Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works 85-92.

Sometimes you surprise yourself and this is no exception: My introduction to Aphex Twin was the nightmarish Come to Daddy and it's equally freaky video. One wouldn't think it would be enough to warrant a further examination but I've heard good things about Richard James' first album so, for some reason I don't understand, I sought it out.

And I can't stop listening to it. 

Listening to this after Come to Daddy is a shock: Instead of the noisy abrasiveness, we have something more moody and expressive - indeed it should be noted that Richard James has since dismissed Come to Daddy and I can agree with him: This is loads better. 
And it certainly sounds worlds apart from the electronic music both at the time and since: No big beats just plenty of synths to create a thing of beauty. It may not have the propulsion that defines EDM but it still sounds a delight to hear. 

Nineties Revisited: La Di Doh

Original video located here. Accessed 12th August 2023

Song title: La Di Doh

Artist: Ed Kuepper

Year: 1994

Why I like this song:

In listening to Ed Kuepper, it is fascinating to see just how out of step his material is when compared to what else is going on at the time.
And that certainly is the case here: The choice of instruments is striking (harmonica, jaw harp and didgeridoo) and the whole thing is sparse, establishing a mood akin to heading out to the desert.
Through in some lyrics dealing with, what seems to be, distrust and mob rule and we have something that is different and all the better for it.

This Song Rocks: Reflektor

Original video located here. Accessed 5th March 2014

Song title: Reflektor

Artist: Arcade Fire

Year: 2013

Why I like this song:

I said I'll investigate Arcade Fire further and with fresh ears so here we are.
It's funky and is indeed a snappy tune. Sure the eccentrics Arcade Fire are known for but here it works in a, dare I say, palatable manner. But who cares? This song is great. If this song was made to generate new interest in the band then to succeeded better than anyone could've hoped - after all, there is me.  
And having David Bowie helping out on vocals doesn't hurt either

The Asian Connection: Trust

Original video located here. Accessed 3rd March 2014

Song title: Trust

Artist: Salia

Year: 2000

Why I like this song:

There was a period of time, early 2002, when I felt a bit lost. I had seen End of Evangelion the year before and it left a bad taste in the mouth. I needed something new. Something fun. 
Enter Vandread.

Needless to say, I have a permanent spot in my heart for this theme. It's fun, energetic and was exactly what I was looking for.
And from there, I was a fan. It led to me founding fansite The Vandread Library and was a way to build a budding relationship. 
So yeah, Trust represents a time and place, my twenties, like nothing else. Why wouldn't I adore it?