Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo

Monday, January 31, 2011

The Pigeon Detectives - "I'm Not Sorry"

"I'm Not Sorry" was one of four singles taken from 'The Pigeon Detectives' debut album 'Wait For Me' released in 2007. The album ended up going platinum in the UK for the band from Leeds. They have an energetic laddish attitude and they don't vary their sound much at all.... but if it is good in the first place, that's good enough for me. Like fellow Leeds band 'The Cribs' they aren't here to change the world and like the song title says, they are not going to apologize about it either.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Greenhornes [Feat. Holly Golightly] - "There Is an End"


The Greenhornes are a garage rock band from Ohio with a lot of connections musically. Current members of 'The Greenhornes' are associated with so many other bands (The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs, Blanche and Loretta Lynn's 'Van Lear Rose' band... add past members and the list goes on forever) it is hard to believe they have time to tour as 'The Greenhornes' but somehow they find the time because they recently played Big Day Out dates. They also have a new album **** or 'Four Stars' out now. This song "There is an End" from their 2002 album 'Dual Mono' features Holly Golightly from 'Thee Headcoatees' on vocals... the perfect guest for a 60's sounding garage rock gem. The greatest 60's song released this century.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Girls - "Heartbreaker"

'Girls' are a San Francisco band who made a big impact in 2009 with their debut album called 'Album'. The single "Lust For Life" still gets a lot of airplay on Bitter FM. The main members of 'Girls' are Christopher Owens and Chet "JR" White and the interesting thing about the singer Christopher Owens' musical career is how he seems so at home in this alternative side of the industry, considering his upbringing. His mother joined a cult called 'The Children of God' before he was born and he was brought up within that cult and obviously thought it was normal. They never heard any music from the outside world, although they performed christian songs themselves. It wasn't until he was in his early teens that some of the older cult kids, including his older sister, had secretly taped some songs from the radio.... the songs were nothing groundbreaking (Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Michael Jackson) but must have seemed it to them. This was the first wave of teenagers in the cult that started getting curious about the outside world and they started leaving the cult not long after. Interesting indeed, but time to get back to todays blog song.
"Heartbreaker" is a new song from their 'Broken Dreams Club' EP released late last year. It may be a song about heartbreak but musically it is really quite uplifting. Should've been the hit of the summer.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Tegan and Sara - "Alligator (Toro y Moi remix)"

I've never been the biggest 'Tegan and Sara' fan.... well, that was before I heard this remix by 'Toro y Moi'. This remix still keeps the vocals at the forefront and you cannot deny the brilliance of their vocal ability.... but it is the expertise of 'Toro y Moi' that make this an essential piece of music on the whole. I have to admit that I struggle to listen to the original now after first hearing this remix, purely on the strength of this. For the 'Tegan and Sara' fans, this is a great addition to their catalogue and for everyone else, this is a good place to start.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Les Savy Fav - "Lets Get Out of Here"

'Les Savy Fav' are an indie art/rock band from New York with five albums under their belt. The latest album 'Root For Ruin' was released in 2010 and "Let's Get Out of Here" was it's first single. They have always had plenty of energy in regards to their sound and stage antics of singer Tim Harrington but they have gradually developed into more of a cut diamond than the rough diamond they once were. But don't let that put you off... this song "Let's Get Out Of Here" may be catchy but it is still much too cool for the mainstreamers. Perfect for a station like Bitter FM.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Interpol - "Rest My Chemistry"

Interpol are a New York indie rock band with comparisons to post-punk bands like 'Joy Division' with their dark but rhythmic sound. I can hear a strong 'Television' influence through some of their songs, which is one of many reasons why I like them so much. "Rest My Chemistry" is from their third album and first with a major label 'Our Love to Admire' from 2007 and is one of the standout tracks on an album that had a slight change in direction.... particularly with the addition of keyboards. It also has some elements of soul, in a similar way to our own 'The Checks' with their soul infused indie rock sound. "Rest My Chemistry" is closer to the 'Interpol' we had already known and it shines brightly. Sweet!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Jenny Wilson - "Only Here For The Fight"

Swedish singer/songwriter Jenny Wilson is a relatively new discovery for me and subsequently the Bitter FM playlists. The perfect introduction to Jenny Wilson is this song "Only Here For The Fight" from her second album 'Hardships!'. She has worked with fellow Swedes 'The Knife' and is signed to The Knife's record label. 'Hardships' was a great return to music after having her second child in 2006 and that was what inspired her and encouraged her creatively. "Only Here for the Fight" may sound more than a bit R&B but the attitude is definitely indie rock. Let's keep her our little secret.... shhh.

Deerhunter - "Helicopter"

'Deerhunter' are a four piece indie rock/ambient band from Atlanta with a fast growing fan base, particularly after the release of the 2010 album 'Halcyon Digest'. The lead singer and songwriter Bradford Cox also records solo material under 'Atlas Sound'. 'Halcyon Digest' is an album of nostalgia... like a digest of memories, as Cox has described it. "Helicopter” is a haunting reflection... a well constructed piece of indie pop that was one of the highlights of 2010.



Take my hand and pray with me

My final days in company
The devil now has come for me
And helicopters circling the scene

And I pray for rest
Could you pray for us?
We know he loves you the best
We know he loves you the best

The light's inside my cave
I'm tired of my cave

Oh, these drugs, they play on me these terrible ways
They don't pay like they used to pay
I used to make it day to day

No one cares for me
I keep no company
I have minimal needs
And now they are through with me

Now they are through with me

Saturday, January 22, 2011

NO TAG - "No Tag"

'No Tag' were a short-lived Auckland punk band from the early 80's. They only released one 12" single 'Oi Oi Oi' in 1982 on Propeller Records. Actually, there was a live album as well but I never tracked it down. I've only just converted my vinyl copy of the 12" to digital... so now "No Tag" and "Legalised Dogs" are getting some long overdue airplay on Bitter FM. While "No Tag" has all the punk credentials of the time, it is as catchy as hell and still sounds great now. A forgotten Kiwi punk classic.



A live version below.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Anaïs - "Mon coeur mon amour"

French singer Anais released her debut album 'The Cheap Show' in 2005, which was recorded live and a loop pedal was featured extensively. She integrated the loop pedal into her live shows perfectly by recording and looping vocals on stage and layering them until it was as if she had a full backing troupe. "Mon Cœur, Mon Amour" was on the album but a studio recording of it was released as a single. You certainly don't need to understand french to enjoy the talent of Anais. I can see why she sold 500,000 copies of 'The Cheap Show' predominantly from word of mouth.


The video below is a great example of her loop pedal use and vocal ability.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

The Chills - "I Love My Leather Jacket"

Dunedin band 'The Chills' started in 1980 and still perform on the odd occasion now. They were on a creative high between 1982 and 1992 with early singles like "Rolling Moon" and "Pink Frost", followed by a string of classic EPs and LPs. They were a big part of what became known as 'The Dunedin Sound' from the 'Flying Nun' stable. The key member of 'The Chills' is the singer songwriter Martin Phillipps and over the years there have been so many line-up changes, it would be easy to think that every Dunedin musician has played with Phillipps in 'The Chills'. However, one such member was drummer Martyn Bull and the circumstances were much more unfortunate, with his death from leukaemia. Martin Phillipps was devastated and he even briefly changed the band name. Phillipps was given Martyn Bull's leather jacket and he wrote and dedicated this song "I Love My Leather Jacket" to his friend.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Jayhawks - "Trouble"

The Jayhawks are a Minneapolis band that have been releasing catchy alt-country music since 1985. The core members are Mark Olson and Gary Louris (both vocalists and guitarists) and I could confidently say that they were a big part of the alt-country rise during the early 90's, which included bands like Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Son Volt and Lucinda Williams to name a few. "Trouble" is from their 1997 album 'Sound of Lies' and was the first post Mark Olson album after his departure. Gary Louris takes control and the results are fantastic. A melody drug with no danger of an overdose.... more please.

Madita - "Ceylon"

Madita is an Austrian singer and actress. In fact, she may be known more as an actress in her home country and if that is the case, her musical career sounds more accomplished than the typical Hollywood actress/actor doing the same.... although, my view is from an unenlightened point of view and is based solely on the music of hers that I have heard. She is definitely in the overcrowded chill-out/downbeat market but is up there with the best. "Ceylon" is a single from her self titled debut album from 2005. The song has everything a downbeat electronica song should have to interest the listener... the beats, of course, and these beats really lift the song to great heights, thudding bass, nice piano and fantastic vocals. As beautiful as the Austrian Alps.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Morningwood - "Nth Degree"

New York band 'Morningwood' released their self titled album in 2006 to mixed reviews. The single "Nth Degree" probably deserved more attention than it received, considering the video and it also the fact that it was possibly the first time a wider audience had got to see the energetic and extroverted lead singer Chantal Claret. It's an alt-pop song that stays with you for a long time... definitely on the catchy side of the alt-pop scale. Anyone with a vinyl collection would have to love the video. I'm sorry the record company won't let me attach the official video. You can search for it on youtube if you want to. I apologize to the record company for giving one of their artists free publicity.

Here is a music only version.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Talk Talk - "HAPPINESS IS EASY"

"Happiness is Easy" is from the third 'Talk Talk' album 'Colour of Spring' from 1986. This album was my very first CD purchase, after finally adding a CD player to my stereo. It was the perfect album to kick-start the digital age for me... the sound production is fantastic. Even the children's choir in "Happiness is Easy" is spine-tingling... the absolute best song featuring children in the chorus (yes, better than "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2"). 'Talk Talk' released five great albums in their ten year existence (1981 to 1991).
They started off as a synth-pop band and ended up an experimental band... and the 'Colour of Spring' album was them at this perfect place between the two.


Friday, January 14, 2011

R.E.M. - "Orange Crush"

R.E.M. released their album 'Green' in 1988 a year after their breakthrough album 'Document' and they built on the new found popularity they had deserved, but without any compromises after signing to a major label. Michael Stipe was continuing on from 'Document' with politically charged lyrics on 'Green' and "Orange Crush" was him addressing the Vietnam war. The so-called orange crush of the song title is actually 'Agent Orange' which was the notorious defoliant used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam war. It was a highly toxic chemical herbicide that was sprayed to defoliate a large forested area to eliminate cover for the guerrillas, while also forcing the peasants away from the same areas, as they were part of the support and supply base of the guerrillas... basically a form of forced draft urbanization. They sprayed about 80,000,000 litres during the herbicidal warfare program. They destroyed about 20,000 square km of forests and even crops. The effects on the Vietnamese people was so devastating, with millions of people affected. The figures vary between the Red Cross and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but either way, the numbers are huge... with up to 400,000 people killed or maimed and between 150,000 to 500,000 children born with birth defects... and we are talking about extreme deformities here. Many U.S. soldiers were also victims of Agent Orange. I've only touched on this subject but maybe it's time to get back to the song. "Orange Crush" was also about an American footballer leaving his safe haven for the Vietnam war... but it is quite clear the political message is at the core. A fantastic moment in pop about a terrible moment in time.
I may have a happy song for you tomorrow.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Mary Gauthier - "MARCH 11, 1962"

Mary Gauthier had always been an artist on the fringes... Bitter FM was limited to only a couple of songs "I Drink" and "Camelot Motel" until this album 'The Foundling' came along and I now feel as though I had cheated myself... but I do have some great catching up to indulge in. 'The Foundling' would have to be classed as a concept album... but the story and characters behind this are real people and the emotion is so true, it is hard not to feel it and be completely moved from the first time you hear this album... and every time after that. 'The Foundling' is about someone born to a struggling solo mother and after the first year at an orphanage she was adopted. But after growing up without really finding a place that felt like home, she left her adoptive family at 15 years old and was unsettled for years after. She searched and finally found her birth mother when she was 45 years old, but was denied meeting up with her because her mother had kept it a secret and could not face up or let the secret out after all those years. This is Mary Gauthier's real life story and it is a heart-wrenching story that is told through an album by an artist at a creative peak. The song featured here is "March 11, 1962" which is obviously named after her birth date and has her phoning her mother after all those years of searching.... and if you don't feel the emotion in this song.... you better check your pulse. The surprise album of 2010.



Below is a short description from Mary Gauthier of the story behind the album.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Fleet Foxes - "Mykonos"

Seattle band 'Fleet Foxes' released their self titled debut album in 2008 after a couple of EP's. They built up a huge following from their myspace page and touring... and the release of the album rewarded their growing fan base. The album is very heavy on the harmonies and had comparisons to 'The Beach Boys' and 'Animal Collective' which would make any new band happy. In fact, to prove how good they are, this song "Mykonos" pre-dated the album and was released on the second EP 'Sun Giant' and also released as a single. So to leave this off the debut album speaks volumes really.

TRASH PALACE - "YOUR SWEET LOVE"

Trash Palace is a musical vehicle for prolific French producer and DJ Dimitri Tikovoi. Trash*Palace was originally a club night run by Dimitri Tikovoi at various Paris clubs and he released one album 'Positions' in 2002 under the same name. 'Positions' had many guests involved.... including Brian Molko, John Cale, Asia Argento and Alison Shaw on "Your Sweet Love". Alison Shaw is from English goth band 'Cranes' and her layered vocals are so beautiful and dreamy. It has a slight trip-hop sound and also reminds me of "Underground" by 'Sneaker Pimps'. Pure Bliss.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Magazine - "Shot By Both Sides"


Manchester post-punk band 'Magazine' was started by Howard Devoto after he left the successful punk band 'Buzzcocks' in 1977. Their debut album 'Real Life' is now regarded as a classic and was certainly inspirational at the time of its release in 1978. The first single from the album was "Shot By Both Sides" and was their biggest selling single. Magazine moved away from the punk sound of the time and had a more experimental side to them, however, "Shot By Both Sides" was more in that punk style and the chorus was partly borrowed from a previous 'Buzzcocks' song "Lipstick" and for that reason there is a writing credit to fellow Buzzcock Pete Shelley. So whether you call this punk or post-punk.... it was still one of the best songs of that time.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Demetri Martin - "Sames and Opposites"

Here at Bitter FM we play a lot of comedy on air and Demetri Martin is one of our favourites... in fact, he suits radio because of his regular use of guitar and harmonica in his comedy routines. His humour is deadpan and heavy on the one-liners. Here on "Sames and Opposites" has him explaining some things that are the same and opposite... like Earrings and Sneezes.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Conner Youngblood - "Monsters"

Conner Youngblood is a young artist from Dallas with a banjo in hand and an electronica/dubstep soundtrack.... so I suppose his music is what could be described as genre bending. I am definitely not comparing him to 'Hayseed Dixie' or "Cotton Eyed Joe" by the 'Rednex'.... this is not novelty music. This a guy who knows his way around a set of decks, Garageband or Logic and a banjo.... as simple as that. "Monsters" is a fantastic example of what he does. Although, the banjo is more subtle here. I'm sure we are going to hear more from Conner Youngblood in the future.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Kimbra - "Settle Down"

Tomorrow I'm off to the opening day of the first cricket test match between New Zealand and Pakistan in Hamilton. So that is a good enough reason to have an artist from Hamilton on this blog. Kimbra had also created interest in Australia at a young age and is now signed to Australian label 'Forum 5 Recordings' and released this song "Settle Down" with them. I love quirky artists (Regina Spektor/Bjork) and Kimbra has quirkiness by the truckload. This is the only song of hers that I know and it won me over straight away.... I now look forward to her forthcoming debut album. The video of "Settle Down" captures her beautiful quirkiness so well and if you thought Janelle Monae had a unique dance style in her "Tightrope" video.... wait until you see Kimbra at the end of this video. A true individual with a promising future.

The Brotherhood - "One Shot"


While British dance music has been around for yonks, British hip-hop seems to have been more recent with Roots Manuva and Dizzee Rascal.... but it also dates way back and one band that caught my attention in 1996 was this London hip-hop outfit 'The Brotherhood' after the release of their debut album 'Elementalz'. It was as good as hip-hop got at that time and somehow should have been a huge breakthrough for them.... but it wasn't and that's history now. "One Shot" was one of the three singles released from a very strong album. Brit-Hop at it's best.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Lightning Dust - "Take It Home"

'Lightning Dust' are a Vancouver band featuring Amber Webber and Joshua Wells. They are both members of 'Black Mountain' so technically this is a side project of theirs. I am also a big fan of 'Black Mountain', they are more hard/psychedelic rock than Lightning Dust, but I always seemed to prefer their songs with Amber Webber on vocals (she shares vocal duties with Stephen McBean)... so it was great to hear about this side project. Here they have an opportunity to explore their more melodic side and the results are fantastic. They released their self titled debut in 2007 and followed it up in 2009 with 'Infinite Light' which was Bitter FM's top album of that year. For me, it is not just the quality of Amber's vocals, but also her vibrato warble, which just comes natural to her. There are possibly some people that don't like her vibrato vocal style... but I personally can't get enough of it. "Take It Home" is from the album 'Infinite Light' and is close to the perfect pop song. The vocals are fantastic, the rhythm section, particularly the drums, are great and if you love strings in a pop song like I do, the second half of this song is so beautiful, I never want it to finish. This is what heaven may sound like.... if we are lucky.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Strawpeople/The Swingers - "One Good Reason"

Strawpeople started in Auckland around 1988 as a duo featuring Mark Tierney and Paul Casserly. They must have been one of the first studio based bands in New Zealand, who relied on guest vocalists.... this type of production team is now commonplace the world over. Paul Casserly is now the sole member and last released an album 'Counting Backwards From 10' in 2004. Their debut album 'Hemisphere' was released in 1991 and featured the single "One Good Reason" which was a cover of fellow Kiwi band 'The Swingers' minor hit. It featured a 16 year old newcomer Merenia from Whakatane, who had released her debut single "Confessions" in 1990. Merenia seemed to have a bright future but disappeared from the music scene not too long after. However, she is now based in Sydney and is back in the music business with a wide range of styles.... latin, hip-hop, dance and funk. Now back to the song "One Good Reason" where Strawpeople have actually slowed the song down and added all the production techniques of the time, which surprisingly still holds up well.



The Swingers released this original version of "One Good Reason" in 1980. The Swingers featured three well known musicians of the late seventies... Phil Judd (ex Split Enz), Bones Hillman and Buster Stiggs. They scored a huge hit on both sides of the Tasman a year later with "Counting the Beat".

Monday, January 3, 2011

Josh Rouse - "Street Lights"

Josh Rouse is an artist who has been consistently good throughout his career. His debut album 'Dressed Up Like Nebraska' from 1998 was probably my top album of that year. I have to admit I haven't got all of his dozen or so albums & EPs since, but the half dozen I do have are all good. His style hasn't always been the Alt-Country/Folk we know and love from him. There has been a retro 70's album, even with shades of disco, aptly named '1972' and he isn't afraid of the concept album angle... as with his 'Under Cold Blue Stars' which is said to be about a small-town southern couple in the 1950's. Josh Rouse was originally from Nebraska and moved to Tennessee before he started his musical career. He then moved to Spain around 2006 and has also released material under the name 'She's Spanish, I'm American' with his Spanish girlfriend Paz Suay. "Street Lights" is from his 2005 album 'Nashville' and has all the classic trademarks of his music refined perfectly. The vocals and lyrics shine as per usual, as does the acoustic guitar, but it's the addition of strings that does it for me. Beautiful!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Sara Lov - "A Thousand Bees"

American singer/songwriter Sara Lov had an eventful upbringing. She was kidnapped (along with her brother) from her LA home by her father and was taken to Israel for a decade before being returned to the USA. It was actually that event and the long custody battle that turned her towards music... as an escape. Some of her songs were inspired by those events in her life. After some time in duo 'Devics' she released her first solo EP and debut album in 2009. The album 'Seasoned Eyes Were Beaming' features this song "A Thousand Bees", which has been constantly played on Bitter FM since the first time I heard it. There have also been some email enquiries to the station about the song, which tells me that it has a universal appeal. I am sure this song is about her father and is possibly a letter of forgiveness. Unfortunately the story of her upbringing took another turn, when she was 16 and already reunited with her mother, her father took his own life. So the lyrics (as below) do seem like some kind of forgiveness.... but that is just my view.
A beautiful song from an underrated artist. Spread the Lov.



(Lyrics)
How sweet is the revenge
When you don't want it anymore?
How meaningless the defense
When you're not fighting anymore?

I've given up the wanting,
How it seems to want me still.
Like lovers wanting others,
Dancing on the lovers' hill.

Photographs, beautiful photographs.
Can't go back, can't take it back.
Photographs, beautiful photographs.
Can't go back, can't take it back.

To see a younger girl like me
With eyes all wide and wandering,
Will she awaken just like me?
A thousand bee stings covering
A heart that doesn't need their wings.

You stung me, you stung me.
You stung me, you stung me.
You stung me, you stung me.
You stung me, you stung me.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

1990s - "The Box"

"The Box" from Glasgow Indie Rock band '1990s' brings to mind images from old b-grade horror movies. I think it is just the band having some fun and that could possibly be when this band is at their best.
In February a young Wellington lady named Nicola, decided to help the Haiti earthquake victims with an inventive challenge. She was to wear only a cardboard box all day... from her walk to the train, train ride, 20 minute walk to work from the railway station, have lunch in the central city and have clients booked all day... and then home again on the train. She had originally hoped to raise $1000 for the cause and ended up raising over $6000. At the time, Bitter FM dedicated this song to her when we played it on air.