This Song Rocks: The Ballad of the Mighty I

Original video located here. Accessed 24th August 2020

Song title: The Ballad of the Mighty I

Artist: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Year: 2015

Why I like this song:

So I got ahold of the Chasing Yesterday album of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. It was pretty good - once again proving that Noel can still pump a quality tune - but he left the best moment for last.

Personally? This is one of the best songs he's ever written. It can easily stand alongside the best songs he came up with in Oasis' heyday 

This Song Rocks: Joker

Original video located here. Accessed 17th August 2020

Song title: Joker

Artist: Soulsavers

Year: 2015

Why I like this song:

Lately I've been listening to the Soulsavers album Kubrick.
Now this was high concept: An album where every song is about a character from a movie by director Stanley Kubrick. This one being about Joker from Full Metal Jacket. 
Needless to say, the film geek in me was already keen. And as it happens, the songs were well produced and inventive.
But does it live up to it's ambitious concept? Well it's an interpretation of someone else's work yes and it certainly is effective but does it succeed? I guess that's a matter of perspective...

This Song Rocks: Golden Age

Original video located here. Accessed 8th May 2020

Song title: Golden Age

Artist: Beck

Year: 2002

Why I like this song:

Recently I've been giving Beck's Seachange album a listen. 

This is an album I've been coming back to. I must admit that when I first heard it, I found it quite the draining album. But then again, it shouldn't come as a surprise as this as gone down as one of the great 'break-up' albums. 
Still that this is a crushing listen shouldn't come as a surprise as Beck was doing something similar with the Mutations album. But even if it is a challenge to listen to, it certainly is a rewarding one.

Obituary: Strange Little Girl

Original video located here. Accessed 28th September 2021

Song title: Strange Little Girl

Artist: The Stranglers

Year: 1982

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Dave Greenfield

Keyboards may have no place whatsoever in punk but it worked with the Stranglers. Dave's presence certainly made them unique and a standout in the crowd.

Obituary: Europe Endless

Original video located here. Accessed 22nd April 2020

Song title: Europe Endless

Artist: Kraftwerk

Year: 1977

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Florian Schneider

It's the opening to their best album and announces a new age of electronic music. 

Truly a thing of beauty that remains untarnished by the destroyer that is time. 

The Asian Connection: Sweet Drops

Original video located here. Accessed 8th April 2020

Song title: Sweet Drops

Artist: PUFFY

Year: 2011

Why I like this song:

Lately I have been watching the anime Usagi Drop (not much else to do when you're in lockdown) and finding much to my liking. 
I'm also finding the opening quite cute - even though as I listen to it, I can't help but be reminded of the Clash's Rudie Can't Fail.
"How you get a rude and a reckless?"

Back to the Eighties: Carnival of Sorts

Original video located here. Accessed 5th April 2020

Song title: Carnival of Sorts (Boxcars)

Artist: R.E.M.

Year: 1982

Why I like this song:

Forty years to the day