Wednesday 18 April 2012

The Beards - You Should Consider Having Sex with a Bearded Man

Well there really isn't a whole lot that needs to be said about this song. The Beards are a folk rock band form Australia who base their music on the positive attributes of having...yes you guessed it...a beard. This is just one of many other songs that promote and raise awareness for ..well..bearded folk.
Genius? That's your choice but listen to it!
 

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Xavier Rudd - Solace amongst the Sin

A song that perfectly embodies the movement of a generation. I feel that the lyrics apply to my life with immense accuracy and the emotional magnitude that the theme of the song creates is both creative and manipulative. Whatever way you choose to interpret the song it is still remarkable and beautifully apt.
The usual acoustics of Xavier Rudd are ever present throughout the song highlighting his vocal brialliance. It is not a song to blare from your stereo as you set yourself up for a night on the tiles. Listen to it in the right context, better still listen to it as you drive up the coast and the sun is setting!

Peace to you for now, we will share again.

Sunday 15 April 2012

Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes

Sometimes you will come across an album that you will fall in love with, listen to every day on your commute to work, add it to your favourite playlists and become so addicted that you not only know the words to every song but you know what song follows every other one. You will not become sick of it but slowly move away when a new album and with it a new obsession comes along. It is the magical moments when you become reaquainted with said album that reminds you why you became so obsessed in the first place.
Merriweather Post Pavillion was one of those albums for me when it came out in 2009. My 'most played' playlist on my iPod was saturated with Animal Collective songs and the sondtrack on my route to work was pretty much monopolised for months.  A signigicant length of time passed until I listened to it again but when 'summertime clothes' came on the radio on my drive home last week it reappeared on my iPod radar and the soft fuzzy feeling that I got from their motley collection of Brooklyn vibes, fluid lyrics and earth grounded electrics came back and I am glad to share it once more.

Friday 16 March 2012

Luke Kelly - Song for Ireland, The Pogues- Body of an American

This one more or less explains itself. It is Saint Patrick's Day and although I was just about to swing towards a party Pogues song I feel this lament has much more of a poignant meaning in this era where many of us have been forced to leave our green home. I have not made it to the pub to sip on a pint of green food dye yet so I am taking advantage of appreciating and missing my homeland.

This may be where it stops for the day and the party kicks in so I felt the need to bring up the mood and include one of my favourite Pogues tune which unfortunately is still very poignant and topical but at least you can dance to it and raise your arms (and drinks) and be proud.

Friday 2 March 2012

Sigur Ros - Vid spillum Endalust

A song that genuinely pulls you out of a rut and gives you a desired kick up the rear end to bounce about in your seat at work, car or do a little dance. I can't pretend to sing along to it either which some people are probably quite glad of, I imagine I would sound quite silly trying to pull off Icelandic.
It comes from their very successful 2008 album 'med sud i eyrum vid spilum ndalust'.
The album transcends all musical ideals and paradigms from recording techniques to style. Whilst other bands are forcing themselves to sing in their second or third languages, we should celebrate that they do not only stick to their origins but also construct a genre that provides a unique autonomy in a world gone mad on competition. Seeing Sigur Ros live is an experience that everyone should try and be a part of. In fact, the lyrics for this song, along with all of the other tracks in the album were originally intended to be in English but opting for what feels more natural and genuine they chose to record in Icelandic, a decision that I applaud and celebrate.

Thursday 16 February 2012

Bliss N Esso - Where The Wild Things Are

So this tune may be a little skewed in comparison to some of my other picks but I can't help but turn up the radio when I hear this tune. Bliss N Esso are an Australian (in an effort to keep my facts straight one of the members stems from the US and moved to Australia when he was 13 and another is of Moroccan heritage but for arguments sake, they are Aussie trough and through) Hip Hopact that jumped into my life at a music festival last year. Clearly not new to the rest of Western Australia as the local the crowd reached a level of mental that had not been seen throughout the rest of the weekend.
At first, my cynical ways almost automatically rejected this group. Aussie Hip Hop?? Huh! Turns out I was well in need of a slice of the humblest of pies and a lesson was imbedded into my brain. Australian HipHop is an autonomous genre full of unique and influential groups banging out pretty cool tunes.
This one is an oldie but a goodie.

Monday 6 February 2012

Active Child - Sweet Dreams

Its 7am on a Monday morning. Your eyes are heavy and your legs a little wobbly on the drive into work. You have stayed up late watching Ireland V's Wales in a Six Nations defeat so needless to say are quite unexpectedly emotional and irritable.
This song pops on the radio and you can't help but tap the steering wheel and belt out your own version. Even better, you are stuck in traffic and you look to your left and right, the drivers in the cars either side of you are also listening to the same song and clearly getting as much out of it as you are as they tap their own steering wheels and shamelessly sing in their cars. You can't help but giggle to yourself and suddenly your Monday is a little brighter.
Thanks Active Child.

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/media/s3422556.htm

Friday 3 February 2012

The Descendants - Sountrack

It is rare that a soundtrack matches a movie in its genius.
Whilst watching The Descendants it is impossible to ignore the stunning slack-key music that combines elements of Hawaiian guitar rhythms and melodic riffs. The music and the plot are so intertwined that at all moments of revelation and inspiration in the script we as viewers and listeners are treated with emotion arousing acoustic beauties.
I enjoyed the deliberate parallel between the musical heritage of Hawaii and the scripted history of the protagonist's family in the movie.
The emotional elements of the soundtrack will not help those that are likely to be teary-eyed. It will inevitably improve your experience of the movie and arouse immense feelings towards all of the characters.

Tuesday 31 January 2012

The National - Fake Empire

The lyrics at the start of this song jerk you awake and drag you in whether you like it or not. They are a remarkable group that continue to create an endless array of stunning songs.
I was blessed to see them last year at the Southbound Festival and without a doubt it was one of my favourite acts of the year if not the decade.
Matt Beringer's voice is truly unique and although he is not the sole reason why The National are so successful, I can't imagine it hurts to have a hot, charismatic skilled front man like Berringer.

Monday 30 January 2012

Bruce Springsteen - Youngstown

A song that resonates right here right now.
Similar to the comeback in airplay of Christy Moore and Bob Dylan tunes, the lyrics in this song touch at the blight of the working class as the business owners and share holders look for cheap labour, profitable production methods and low corporate tax.
The fact that the lament is almost complete with the lyrics alone means it is enhanced dramatically by the lingering voice of The Boss. He captures the poignancy of the whole sector. This poignancy transcends the past and is just as relevant now as it was when it was written.
If you don't know this song, sit down and listen.

Sunday 29 January 2012

Gotye - Somebody that I used to know

Choosing this song was pretty easy for a number of reasons.

1) It is everywhere. You can't drive to work without it coming on a least once and the fact that it still doesn't feel overplayed is a big credit to the song.
2) It was this years Triple J's Hottest 100 number 1 against very stiff competition.

A relatively new name to the scene, Gotye is bound to be one of the greats selling out big stadiums and drawing an eclectic crowd.
Nice one.

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Bon Iver Hollocene

The sultry mesmerising voice of Bon Iver is quite addictive. This song in particular has an air of transcendence into greatness, greatness as a musician and greatness in musical achievement.
His voice will inevitably stop you in your tracks. It won't prepare you for a night out on the tiles or an early morning sprint but your speedy set off down the track in a hectic world will slow down to a pause. It has earned him the enviable accolade of song of the year and the album of the same title also awarded with album of the year.
It is the quintessential headphone song. Slip on a set of noise cancelling headphones and hear every lyric, musical phrase and the grain of Bon Iver's voice himself.
'At once I knew I was not magnificent'.

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Pearl Jam - Just Breathe


A song title that holds purposeful associations with the struggles of life in a world overcrowded with news reports and sensationalist articles about economic struggles and fear.
The music of Pearl Jam as an autonomous collection plays as an eclectic mix of acoustic folk and electric rock. This song in particular is not the most melodic of the lot but it's addictive repetition absorbs your sense and your mood until all that you are doing at that minute of the day is listening..
A song today that inspired me to sit and have a cup of coffee. Not the most inspired action for most but on a day when you are borderline overwhelmed a cup of coffee can have a massive impact.
Thanks for this one Pearl Jam.


Sunday 22 January 2012

My Song of The Day

I sat down in front of my laptop yesterday evening with a definite sense of reluctance. Reluctance not only to write but reluctance to be creative. Faced with this crippling need for artistic redemption I pondered hard about what to do.
I have recently sold my lyrical soul to the gods of salaries and bonuses. Most of the writing that I have been undertaking of recent as a result is that of a commercial nature; reviewing businesses, writing to predetermined titles and fulfilling the requirements of specific magazines.
Don't get me wrong, such developments in a step to a writing career are not only welcomed but enjoyed most of the time. There comes a time though when such strict subject and style becomes more of an endurance than a blessing. Hence, my return to the world of blogging, the freedom to write as I wish and stress my own personal opinions that I myself have constructed.
Unlike anything I have penned before, this blog will (aim to) be a daily glimpse into the musical stylings of anything that takes my fancy. My Song of The Day will share with you a song from anyone and anything that might enlighten my day, arouse a lament or simply allow me to listen and think 'now thats a good song'.
I welcome criticism about the song. Comments about an odd choice or an inspired discovery (remarks about inspiration are most definitely welcome) are encouraged and should you feel the need to share with me any similar findings well then go ahead.
All I have to do is play my part in choosing and sharing these songs and 'legally' promoting their musical genius.