Obituary: Blitzkrieg Bop

Original video located here. Accessed 4th November 2019

Song title: Blitzkrieg Bop

Artist: The Ramones

Year: 1976

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Tommy Ramone
All four are gone now....

The Asian Connection: Always With Me

Original video located here. Accessed 18th July 2015

Song title: Always with me

Artist: Ayaka Hirahara

Year: 2001

Why I like this song:

So many people have seen Spirited Away, both inside and outside the anime/Ghibli fandom, so I believe it's fair to say that this should be immediately recognisable. 

Funny how such a visually creative/bizarre anime ends on such a simple note. But personally> The simplicity makes it all the more striking. 

Explorations: It's a Shame About Ray

Original video located here. Accessed 17th April 2022

Song title: It's a Shame About Ray

Artist: The Lemonheads

Year: 1992

Why I like this song:

Lately I have been listening to the Lemonheads. 

I do recall these guys being a big deal in the mid-nineties and even that was off the back of the winning single If I Could Talk. But for whatever reason I never investigated further. 
Recently however I have heard the above song for the first time and it did pique my interest. It may sound very much like a early nineties guitar pop band but it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to imagine many bands hearing this and think: 'Hey I can do that too'.

As for this songs parent album, of the same name, one gets the feeling that it defined guitar pop of the early nineties. In fact, it doesn't surprise me that the Lemonheads had close ties with the Australian band the Hummingbirds as they both sound like they were cut from the same cloth. 

Choon of the Month: The Runner

Original video located here. Accessed 27th June 2014

Song title: The Runner

Artist: Airling

Year: 2014

Why I like this song:

When someone gets successful, it should come to no surprise that soundalikes will inevitably follow in their wake. Certainly you could make the argument that this song wouldn't have stood a chance without Lorde making it big, but this stands out for me for the ominous vibe it gives off. Throw in an off-kilter beat and a winning lyric ("And do you know what it's like to be sober?") and this is indeed a gem.

Obituary: Wars or Hands of Time

Original video located here. Accessed 13th June 2014

Song title: Wars or Hands of Time

Artist: Masters Apprentices

Year: 1967

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Jim Keays

Were the Masters Apprentices Australia's answer to the Rolling Stones? Well I'm calling it anyway.
This certainly does stand out, even when compared to the Masters' two watermarks (Turn up Your Radio and Because I Love You) and has a rawness that would make later efforts hard to match up to.

Nineties Revisited: M+Ms

Original video located here. Accessed 6th June 2014

Song title: M+Ms

Artist: blink-182

Year: 1994

Why I like this song:

I was never a fan of blink-182. It may be an unpopular opinion but I was less enthusiastic to their hits and more favourable towards their serious songs (I Miss You, Adam's Song, Stay Together for the Kids). 
Having said that however I still have soft spot for this: It was my first exposure to them and yes, it did speak to me as a teen. It was fun and kinda cute. 

The Asian Connection: Try to Wish

Original video located here. Accessed 2nd June 2014

Song title: Try to Wish / What You Need

Artist: Saori Mishihata

Year: 2000

Why I like this song:

The Ah My Goddess movie is indeed magnificent and this is how it sticks the landing: With a wonderful end credits theme.
Why do I love this? I love the melody, the chorus and how every jpop production trick is utilised. It does what it does and it does it so well. 
One gets the feeling that, seeing as the movie went through numerous delays, the people behind it wanted to bring the best job possible to the end result. Well, they succeeded with flying colours.