Nineties Revisited: Political Prisoners

Original video located here. Accessed 8th August 2026

Song title: Political Prisoners

Artist: iNsuRge

Year: 1995

Why I like this song:

They say that your tastes in music will forever be defined by what you listened to at age 14. And I certainly agree with that notion. And thus, we have a song from that period of time, me at age 13-14, when i realised there was indeed a world outside the bubble that was commercial radio.

At the time, there were two things that struck me about this song. Firstly it was proof that heavy guitars and electronics can indeed work together. And secondly, just how angry the song is.

In fact I wonder how this song will fare if it was released today. I mean rallying against corporate greed is a surefire way to guarantee an immediate audience, right?

The Asian Connection: Jane Doe

Original video located here. Accessed 9th July 2021

Song title: Misako Aoki and Merry Merly

Artist: Jane Doe

Year: 2017

Why I like this song:

Given that this is a meeting of lolita minds, this is truly elegant.
It must be that piano.

This Song Rocks: Pursuit of Happiness

Original video located here. Accessed 8th July 2021

Song title: Pursuit of Happiness

Artist: Kid Cudi with Ratatat and MGMT

Year: 2009

Why I like this song:

This is a strange song: Taken on a surface level, it talks up doing what you want with no regrets and knowing it will eventually turn out to be the right decision - which was appeal enough for me.

But on closer examination, this outlook is being applied by a protagonist in an unhappy situation. And that's what makes it even better.

A pro-hedonistic song with depth? Who would've thunk it?

This Song Rocks: Park Benches

Original video located here. Accessed 7th July 2021

Song title: Park Benches

Artist: Belles Will Ring

Year: 2007

Why I like this song:

Well someone's been listening to their Go-Betweens records.

But that's not a bad thing: After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Or something. I love the opening chords, the harmonica solo and the vibe this song gives off. It's kind of like the thing one would listening to when going around Battery Point.

Plus the line "Judi Dench is on the phone and she wants to talk to you" never fails to get a smile out of me.

This Song Rocks: Hotel Yorba

Original video located here. Accessed 5th July 2021

Song title: Hotel Yorba

Artist: The White Stripes

Year: 2001

Why I like this song:

Seven Nation Army may have been the bigger hit but I doubt it would've got noticed if this song blazed the trial.

For me there are two points of interest here: Firstly how this song finds glory in it's own amateurishness.

And secondly, how the whole thing comes across like being from the soundtrack to an unmade Tim Burton/Addams Family movie.

This Song Rocks: Cataract

Original video located here. Accessed 4th June 2021

Song title: Cataract

Artist: Elephant Gun

Year: 2000

Why I like this song:

Call this a no-hit wonder. It went overlooked in it's day and is pretty much forgotten now - but I haven't. I thought it was awesome back in the day, what with the arresting guitar riff and the somewhat bitter lyrics.

It may be easy to write these guys off as a Powderfinger wannabe (perhaps to this singer sounding similar to Bernard Fanning) but that doesn't take way from the fact that this song does indeed rock hard

This Song Rocks: The Good News

Original video located here. Accessed 3rd July 2021

Song title: The Good News

Artist: Philadelphia Grand Jury

Year: 2009

Why I like this song:

Some songs remind you of a particular time and place. In this case, it was 2009, where I had left home and was living in a flat in Clifton Hill, Melbourne,