This Song Rocks: Found That Soul

Original video located here. Accessed 19th September 2022

Song title: Found That Soul

Artist: Manic Street Preachers

Year: 2001

Why I like this song:

Following on from hearing Smashing Pumpkins Machina album(s) in a new light could the same be said for the Manics?
I did purchase the Know Your Enemy album when it first came out but I found it quite the perplexing listen - it was long and very scattershot, as if it was a double album trimmed down into one (much like Machina).
With retrospect I can understand the problem facing the Manics at the time: do they keep going with the new audience they found through Everything Must Go and This is My Truth Tell Me Yours? Or do they fall back on the original audience they may have alienated with recent success? In which case, such intentions would have worked as a double album with both targets being satisfied but it didn't turn out that way.

Which now brings me to the recent release of the remastered version of Know Your Enemy: It has been remade into the double album it should've been all along. With this in mind, if we redo the track list of Know Your Enemy in accordance to this new track list what do we get?

A more cohesive listen that's for sure. And the original intention with Know Your Enemy becomes so clear. Guess it is possible to appeal to two audiences at once. 

Obituary: Took the Children Away

Original video located here. Accessed 1st August 2022

Song title: Took the Children Away

Artist: Archie Roach

Year: 1990

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Archie Roach

I did manage to see Archie Roach live when he was playing support to Rodriguez. I recall after his set he was out in the foyer of the DEC. I saw him chatting to fans, signing autographs and looking genuinely happy.
And that's how I wish to remember him.

The Asian Connection: Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru

Original video located here. Accessed 6th June 2022

Song title: Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru

Artist: Akari Akase

Year: 2022

Why I like this song:

Lately I've been watching the anime My Dress Up Darling. Its a fun series and very relatable - indeed I know quite a few people who are like Marin - and it caps off with this rather cute closing theme. 
"Nom-Nom-Nom..."

Obituary: Enjoy the Silence

Original video located here. Accessed 25th May 2022

Song title: Enjoy the Silence

Artist: Depeche Mode

Year: 1990

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Andy Fletcher

Still a unique sounding song years later. In fact, I think I like it better than Personal Jesus

Obituary: I'm Stranded

Original video located here. Accessed 11th April 2022

Song title: (I'm) Stranded

Artist: The Saints

Year: 1977

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Chris Bailey

When it comes to the first wave of punk rock, the U.K. had the Sex Pistols, the U.S. had the Ramones but we Aussies had the Saints. Simply put, this still has a roar that has rarely been beaten,

The Asian Connection: Lend Me Your Voice

Original video located here. Accessed 4th March 2022

Song title: Lend Me Your Voice

Artist: Kylie McNeill

Year: 2021

Why I like this song:

I recently saw Belle. Very good movie it was too.
I have seen plenty of anime over this life across many genres. But the more I think about it, there are not a lot of anime musicals. Maybe it's a cultural thing but no-one seems eager to try. So when someone DOES try it's worthy of notice.

So yes this may be aiming for an international audience and yes it may be an attempt at beating Disney at their own game but DAMN does this soar. Remarkable.

Obituary: Nearly Lost You

Original video located here. Accessed 23rd February 2023

Song title: Nearly Lost You

Artist: Screaming Trees

Year: 1993

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Mark Lanegan

I recall my brother watching a clip of this rage and he had one of those lightbulb moments. You know: A "Who's this!?" moment.
Of course I would later became further aware of Mark through his collaboration with the Queens of the Stone Age. But that doesn't take away from the brilliance of this song.