Nineties Revisited: All of These Things

Original video located here. Accessed 28th July 2016

Song title: All of These Things

Artist: Ed Kuepper

Year: 1996

Why I like this song:

During my twenties, I did develop a keen interest in the work of Ed Kuepper. I was indeed aware of him in my teens but he always struck me as one of those artists that smart people / older brothers listened to. You know, the kind of people who are onto something you may not be aware of and that something guarantees immediate cred. And how it could it not? For Mr Kuepper is indeed unique and has certainly churned out some interesting songs in his time.

Which brings me to this: Musically, it may owe a sizable debt to Sgt Pepper but it strikes me how this song is indeed an odd marriage of the celebratory and the sarcastic. I will admit I like songs that convey a mood of reveling in giving up and this is indeed one of them.

Or at least that's the vibe I get from it.

Nineties Revisited: Forty Six and Two

Original video located here. Accessed 26th July 2021

Song title: 46 and 2

Artist: Tool

Year: 1996

Why I like this song:

I can't say I'm a major Tool fan. Having said that though, I have to admit they must be doing something right as Tool commands a fan-base that is loyal, passionate and remarkably patient.

Still I do have a soft spot for this song: Mostly because it rocks. Hard. Sp notice must go to that breakdown that climaxes the song before closing out with that Dun-Dun-Dun-Dun-Dunnnnnnnnn (okay so that may not work in text but still).

Aggressive and strangely beautiful - a combination that doesn't come along everyday

Choon of the Month: Bermuda

Original video located here. Accessed 4th October 2022

Song title: Bermuda

Artist: Hey Geronimo

Year: 2016

Why I like this song:

I've been saying glowing things about Hey Geronimo and they have delivered with their debut album.
And this was the standout track: A glorious sense that everything is going wrong but it's still worth celebrating. 

Classics: A New Career In A New Town

Original video located here. Accessed 20th July 2016

Song title: A New Career In A New Town

Artist: David Bowie

Year: 1977

Why I like this song:

And now we reach the Berlin Trilogy - Seems you can't tackle David Bowie's oeuvre without addressing these three. A career highlight and often regarded as his best work. So let's talk about the one that wasn't recorded in Berlin: Low.

Listening to Low one thing that strikes me is it's familiarity. If the Bowie albums I've listened to prior sound perplexing to me, this is one that sounds like something I've heard before - largely due to to the fact that it has been replicated many times since: Having grown up with Icehouse and the Cure, I can see (hear?) their DNA in this album. I have even picked up Not Drowning Waving's approach of half pop songs/half instrumentals. 
But even if this album spawned a host of disciples, it still sounds fresh and timeless. Indeed, if the seventies were indeed a fertile period for music then this could well one of the standouts. 

In fact out of all the Bowie albums I've heard, this could well be my favourite. 

Explorations: Halcyon On and On

Original video located here. Accessed 18th July 2016

Song title: Halcyon On and On

Artist: Orbital

Year: 1993

Why I like this song:

I've heard some good things about Orbital's 1993 album (the Brown album) so I thought it warranted a look.

I already knew of Orbital as my brother had The Altogether album and he thought highly of it. But apparently much has gushed about the Brown album so it warranted further investigation.

Turns out, the rumours were indeed true: This was a thing of beauty and has aged remarkably well, sounding just as fresh as was twenty seven years prior. Which is indeed a difficult thing to accomplish. Very danceable and very hypnotic at the same time - just as the above track demonstrates.

Nineties Revisited: X-Files theme

Original video located here. Accessed 15th July 2016

Song title: X Files theme remix

Artist: Triple X

Year: 1996

Why I like this song:

Yes it's a blatant cash-in on one of the most popular TV shows on at the time but that beat still hits hard.

Nineties Revisited: Mother Mother

Original video located here. Accessed 8th July 2016

Song title: Mother Mother

Artist: Tracy Bonham

Year: 1996

Why I like this song:

I thought this was hilarious as a teen and I still enjoy it as an adult - largely due to the older I get, the more relatable this song becomes. 

Funny thing: This is such an unhinged song. Right from the word go, the descending chord pattern establishes the mood and the lyrics don't paint a very positive picture. And let's not forget: that scream is the chorus is potent. 

The Asian Connection: In Memories Kotowari

Original video located here. Accessed 18th August 2018

Song title: In Memories Kotowari

Artist: Taku Iwasaki

Year: 1999

Why I like this song:

I am a big fan of Rurouni Kenshin, like a lot of other people, and I regard the OVAs, Trust and Betrayal, very highly. And this, it's theme, fits in very well with it, being moody and tragic.
Iwasaki may not reach the level of distinction reserved for Yoko Kanno and Joe Hisashi but he can certainly deliver the goods.

Nineties Revisited: Buy Me a Pony

Original video located here. Accessed 1st July 2016

Song title: Buy Me a Pony

Artist: Spiderbait

Year: 1996

Why I like this song:

Full throttle indeed.

My first encounter with Spiderbait was Monty. Didn't think much of it but this was what really won me over. 
And as it happened, it's parent album, Ivy and the Big Apples, was essential listening to my mid-teens. It spoke to me, with it's mixture of aggression and cuteness, and is pretty much a quintessential teen album. If you disagree, then you were clearly never were a teenager.