Dudley Benson - "It's Akaroa's Fault"

Dudley Benson is a Christchurch born artist who adds a unique voice to the musical landscape. He is described by some as an 'indie chamber-pop choirboy' and that sums his musical style up so well... so I'll go along with that. He is a former chorister (head soloist) at the Christchurch Cathedral, which is sadly now in ruins. He grew up in the Port Hills/Banks Peninsula area and the 'Akaroa' of this song's title "It's Akaroa's Fault" is the harbour town on the Banks Peninsula... about 80km from Christchurch. It is a beautiful French settlement and like Taupo, the population escalates in the summer. His ancestor Etienne Francois was one of the earliest settlers of Akaroa. "It's Akaroa's Fault" comes from his debut album 'The awakening' released in 2008 and is even more of a Christchurch album than Scribe's 'The Crusader'.... with references throughout. There is so much happening on "It's Akaroa's Fault" but there isn't an instrument in sight... it is an incredible vocal performance like no other you will ever hear. The lyrics combine Southland murderer Minnie Dean (The only woman in NZ given the death penalty) and the South Island faultline somehow. Although the line "the fault that runs across the South Island" is probably not so much about the seismic fault in the context here... however, it is so haunting now after the recent earthquake. It may take on a new meaning.

Flip Grater - "Your Suit Hangs Well"

Christchurch singer/songwriter (now based in Auckland) Flip Grater has been on the fringes of the recognition she deserves for a while now.... but it's only a matter of time before the world beyond us music geeks discovers her. "Your Suit Hangs Well" is from her 2008 album 'Be All & End All' and it is a beautiful acoustically picked or plucked indie folk song that is quite hypnotic. She also runs her own label 'Maiden Records' and it's not surprising that this album was released by that label. Flip Grater toured the country in 2006 promoting her debut album and she collected recipes and some interesting stories on the way... which was published as 'The Cookbook Tour'... featuring 48 recipes combined with her tour diary notes. She ended up doing the same around Europe a couple of years later, so expect another book 'The Cookbook Tour of Europe' in the near future.



Here is a short video about the The Cookbook Tour.

Faith No More - "We Care A Lot"

"We Care A Lot" was the title track from Faith No More's debut album released in 1985... although a re-recorded version was released as a single and on the follow up album 'Introduce Yourself'. This was all before the introduction of Mike Patton on vocals. The vocalist for these two early 'Faith No More' albums was Chuck Mosley and it is quite clear that he isn't the vocalist Mike Patton is... however, this is still one of their greatest moments.

CHRISTCHURCH - Trilogy

Another day has gone by since the earthquake on Tuesday and the sadness seems to have compounded. Bitter FM would like to send our sincere wishes to the people of Christchurch affected in any way... our thoughts are with you.
This blog is a trilogy of songs that I have chosen that reflect the tragedy in Christchurch and are all from Christchurch artists.
Before I get into that I would like to tell you about a site that has organised a fantastic compilation album to download in exchange for a minimum donation of $5 for the Christchurch Earthquake Relief... it's so easy to do and the tracks donated by the artists keep on growing. The address is here...
http://musichype.com/songs-for-christchurch-donation/ or go to http://musichype.com and click on the cassette image below to take to to the donation page.


Part 1, The Bats - "Tragedy"
The Bats are a well known Christchurch band on the Flying Nun label and this song of theirs says it all!


Part 2, Pop Mechanix - "Jumping Out a Window"
Pop Mechanix were a Christchurch post-punk band from the 80's and this song was their big single... this is for the survivors who were lucky enough to escape... miraculously in some cases.


Part 3, The Eastern - "Get Right"
The Eastern are a great christchurch band... in fact they are actually from Lyttelton, which was the epicenter of the earthquake. I think they are the perfect band to finish this trilogy. In this context "Get Right" is for the future of Lyttelton and Christchurch... although we are currently in the rescue and recovery stage, we have to be positive about the future of this great city... so let's all do our bit to help Christchurch "Get Right"


Please visit http://musichype.com/ for your $5 donation and music downloads in exchange.

Echo and the Bunnymen - "Rescue"

The devastation of the Christchurch earthquake is still the main focus for us here in NZ. It is possibly our worst disaster ever. The rescue operation has been stepped up but unfortunately for the hundreds missing, it is getting more grim by the hour.
This song is for the missing and the hope of further rescues.

Dance Exponents - "Christchurch"

There isn't really anything to say about the Christchurch earthquake that hasn't been said already.... either on the news, at the local pub or even on social network sites. It's totally devastating to all New Zealanders.... so the best I can do is dedicate a song that celebrates the beautiful city of Christchurch to the people of Christchurch.

The Stone Roses - "I Wanna Be Adored"

The Stone Roses' self titled debut album came out in 1989 and the British press went completely nuts... and the British press aren't always on the money with their hype ( remember Suede's debut album was supposed to be the best thing ever... does anyone play that now, and don't forget the Oasis/Blur battle that they were fixated with, while the rest of the world could see much more credibility in Radiohead.) but in this case the music lived up to the hype. The album was a classic slice of alt rock that is still consistently on best ever album lists. This was the start of the Madchester scene and they could never live up to it. "I Wanna Be Adored" is the perfect opening track to such an important album.

Luger Boa - "Lazy"

Auckland band 'Luger Boa' featuring former member of 'The D4' Jimmy Christmas released "Lazy" last year as a single which followed on from their debut album 'Mutate Or Die!' which arrived on the scene in 2008 and we couldn't get enough of it here at Bitter FM. "Lazy" is an alt-rock/pop song with a chorus that won't go away and some of the lyrics even remind me of my life in so many ways... sad but true. This song was in the top 10 of the 2010 Best Bitter show. Brilliant!

M.I.A. - "XXXO"

Since the last blog had mentioned M.I.A, I thought it was about time we featured her on Hits and Myths. I'm sure you all know about M.I.A but here is a quick overview... she is a British singer/rapper of many styles and a lot of her material is politically charged. Often the activist for oppressed people the world over... particularly the Tamils, Palestinians and African Americans. She was born to parents of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her three albums to date are consistently good and worthy of the critical acclaim. Her third and more recent album 'MAYA' was possibly the weakest critically... but for me I couldn't find much fault at all. Admittedly it doesn't have another "Paper Planes" but the material is very strong. Maybe the political messages were wearing thin with the critics, especially with her move to an affluent part of Los Angeles. I'm a fan of political/protest songs and of musicians using their art as a vehicle to express their strong feelings or of oppression... but less so with the artist's themselves ranting and raving on at their concerts (anyone that's been to a U2 concert must have cringed or shouted out to Bono to "shut the fuck up"). I remember a concert in Auckland years ago by 'Public Enemy' which was going fine until 'Flavor Flav' started telling us how fucked up our race relations are and our miss-treating of the Maori people here.... I wasn't there to get a lecture from some guy that just stepped off a plane and was probably flying out the next day. Sorry, I've digressed a bit but my point here is that politics and music fit together well but that's where it should end... and that is where I fit with M.I.A. I love her music and respect her politics within the music. "XXXO" is an unlikely catchy pop song with an angle possibly about the naivety and exploitation of teenage girls. The line "You want me be somebody who I'm really not" speaks volumes in that context. Nice pop from an anti-pop star.

Santigold - "Unstoppable"

I got a bit sick of hearing about the 'M.I.A' similarities when 'Santigold' released her debut album 'Santogold' (she had to change her original name of Santogold to Santigold for legal reasons... a fucking infomercial jeweller Santo Gold threatened legal action). I have to jump on the bandwagon and agree that this song "Unstoppable" does have some 'M.I.A" similarities but the album as a whole is very much her own. "Unstoppable" is indie dancefloor dub which succeeds with her aim to cross boundaries and prove that she isn't just another black woman singing R&B.
A genre bending star in the making.

The Mighty Diamonds - "Pass The Koutchie"

Jamaican roots reggae band 'The Mighty Diamonds' formed in 1969 and after releasing their debut album in 1976 they have hardly had a break since.... going by the material released since. The highly prolific members are Donald "Tabby" Shaw, Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson. However, this song "Pass The Koutchie" was written by Leroy Sibbles and Jackie Mittoo and became well known for its pro cannabis stand. I'm not sure if it was a hit for 'The Mighty Diamonds' when it was released in 1982 but in another form it became a huge worldwide hit for 'Musical Youth' in the same year as "Pass the Dutchie". They altered the name from "Kouchie" which is a cannabis pipe to "Dutchie" which is a Jamaican cooking pot... quite a radical change but the main reason was because the members of 'Musical Youth' were aged between 11 and 16 years old and for radio play as well. They also changed some other lyrics to remove all the drug references from the song.



Here is the Musical Youth "Pass the Dutchie" version below...

The Bats - "North By North"

The Bats were part of the 'Flying Nun' stable from as early as 1982. Robert Scott was a member of Flying Nun legends 'The Clean' and formed 'The Bats' along with Paul Kean, Malcolm Grant and Kaye Woodward. Robert Scott has recently released a great solo album and the last 'Bats' album a short time before that and side projects galore. On top of that, 'The Clean' still get together to record and play live.... so he is definitely a prolific artist. It is hard to pick one Bats song over another but "North by North" is a good place to start. It comes from their debut album 'Daddy's Highway' which followed on from some great EP's. 'The Clean' started what became known as 'The Dunedin Sound' and 'The Bats' refined it beautifully and this is a great example.

Unbunny - "Winning Streak"

Jarid Del Rio's musical project under the name 'Unbunny' is bleak and beautiful at the same time. His lyrics reveal another miserabilist... but like Morrissey and Elliot Smith, we love self deprecation in music. "Winning Streak"from the 2010 album 'Moon Food' is not quite what it seems when you take in the lyrics. So in other words, negativity has never sounded so positive.

Slow Club - "There Is No Good Way to Say I'm Leaving You"

It may be Valentine's day and while it is ideally an opportunity for secret admirers to come clean or for others to show some affection, it can also be a day for people to assess their own situation regarding their relationship and make some changes... and that is where we are going with this blog today. 'Slow Club' are an English indie pop/folk duo featuring Charles Watson (vocals, guitar) and Rebecca Taylor (vocals, guitar, percussion). Their debut album 'Yeah So' from 2009 features this song "There Is No Good Way to Say I'm Leaving You" which is a depressing relationship ending dilemma that no-one would want to be in... either side of the ledger. Genuinely sad and very touching.

Fat Freddy's Drop - "Ernie"

I know that Bitter FM listeners would know 'Fat Freddy's Drop' well enough, but let's face it, you can't have a NZ based music blog and not include these guys at some stage. "Ernie" is the opening track from their hugely successful debut album 'Based On a True Story' and it starts off with a long piano intro before the horn section joins in and then the cool laid back dub/reggae takes over. By the time Joe Dukie even sings a note you will already by high on this Fat Freddy's drug. Nothing happens quickly here but your patience will be rewarded greatly. This album didn't go 7 times platinum in New Zealand for nothing.... and it wasn't hype, it was all word of mouth.

Jaguar Love - "I Started A Fire"

Jaguar Love is a band featuring members of 'Blood Brothers' and 'Pretty Girls Make Graves' and they sure know how to rock! More than likely, the greatest party band you will ever see live.... although, less chance for us way down here in NZ. The vocalist Johnny Whitney can shriek like a banshee and scream like a class of hyped up kids.... shit, don't let that put you off though. "I Started A Fire" is the greatest confession you will ever hear. Next time you are feeling a bit lethargic... you could either grab a strong coffee or put this on and turn it up fucking loud!

Max Richter - "Infra 5"

Considering Max Richter's body of work, it is amazing he is not more widely known... I admit to being a late comer myself. But we are making up for that now at Bitter FM. German born Max Richter moved to Britain at a young age where he trained in composition and piano. Since then he was part of the contemporary classical ensemble 'Piano Circus' and has worked with more diverse artists like 'The Future Sound of London' and 'Roni Size'. He wrote a piece for a Royal Ballet commission "Infra" where he collaborated with choreographer Wayne McGregor and artist Julian Opie. His 2010 album 'Infra' is an expansion of that piece and is spread out over 13 tracks. The musical style of this album has been described in so many different ways and so many sub-genres but the one I think best describes it is 'electro-acoustic chamber music'. "Infra 5" builds up beautifully like a time-lapse flower blooming. Stunning!

Bang Gang - "Don't Feel Ashamed"

Bang Gang is yet another Icelandic band played on Bitter FM. The band is basically just Bardi Johannsson and guest vocalists, although there have been other band members in the past. "Don't Feel Ashamed" is from their third album 'Ghosts from the Past' and features another Bitter FM regular Keren Ann who shares the vocals. Both of their own styles blend so well together on this song... so it was no surprise to find out they had previously collaborated as 'Lady and Bird' with a self titled album released in 2003. A beautifully crafted pop song.

Electronic - "Getting Away With It"

'Electronic' were my supergroup of the late 80's. The coming together of Bernard Sumner of New Order and Johnny Marr of The Smiths was totally unexpected and their first single "Getting Away With It" ended the decade on such a high note. Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys was a guest vocalist as well. It is a synth pop classic but also included a full orchestra. It certainly filled the gap regarding my New Order craving but unfortunately what was missing was the trademark Johnny Marr jangly guitar sound... but to be completely honest, he was moving ahead and wasn't going to be a jangly guitar novelty act for the rest of his life. All in all, a fantastic song then and still great now.

Bella Kalolo - "What Love Can Do"

Don McGlashan has done it again. The singer songwriter and leader of 'The Mutton Birds' and 'Blam Blam Blam' wrote a breathtaking gospel hit for Hollie Smith "Bathe In the River" a few years back and now he has written and produced "What Love Can Do" for the 'Matariki' soundtrack and this time it is 'Bella Kalolo and the GLCC Youth Choir' on vocal duties. Bella Kalolo has been providing vocals for a large number of NZ artists over the years... including 'Fat Freddy's Drop' so to a lot of people, her strong vocal performance here was no surprise at all. "What Love Can Do" is a prodigious Pasifika gospel number that bears all the hallmarks of the aforementioned song. The choir arrangements are fantastic... but the glue holding it all together is the ukulele.

The Rolling Stones - "Memory Motel"

The Rolling Stones released their album 'Black and Blue' in 1976 and it was the follow up album to 'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll'. This album marked a few changes in personnel and style... they were recruiting a new guitarist to replace Mick Taylor and Ronnie Wood was one of the recruits that played on it and eventually joined the band. Musically, the Stones added some funk and reggae to their arsenal with this album. For some reason it wasn't received that well critically... Okay, it isn't 'Beggars Banquet' or 'Exile on Main Street' but for me personally, it is one of my favourite Rolling Stones albums. Although it charted well and even had a hit single "Fool to Cry" it now seems like a lost or long forgotten classic. "Memory Motel" at more than seven minutes long was never going to be anything but an album track... but it is one of their finest moments. A beautiful ballad with both Mick and Keith sharing the vocals. I suppose you could call it a road song about touring America (Boston, Baton Rouge and Texas to name a few places) but the theme is more of an obsession with a particular girl after a one night stand in a motel. She sang to him "you're just a memory" but she was a memory he could not get out of his head. The tour carried on but the partying stopped and the extrovert turned into an introvert... was she real? If Mick didn't really go through that pain... then give the guy a fucking Oscar.




Hannah honey was a peachy kind of girl
Her eyes were hazel and her nose was slightly curved
We spent a lonely night at the Memory Motel
It's on the ocean I guess you know it well
It took a starry night to steal my breath away
Down on the waterfront her hair all drenched
in spray

Hannah baby was a honey of a girl
Her eyes were hazel her teeth were slightly curved
She took my guitar and she began to play
She sang a song to me, stuck right in my brain
You're just a memory of a love that used to be
You're just a memory of a love that used to mean so
much to me

She got a mind of her own and she use it well, yeah
Well she's one of a kind
got a mind
She got a mind of her own, yeah, and she use it mighty fine

She drove a pick-up truck painted green and blue
The tires were wearing thin she done a mile or two
And when I asked her where she headed for
(Back up to Boston I'm singing in a bar)
I got to fly today on down to Baton Rouge
My nerves are shot already the road ain't all that smooth

Across in Texas is the rose of San Antone
I keep on a feeling that gnawing in my bones

You're just a memory (just a memory) of a love that used to mean so
much to me
(just a memory)
You're just a memory of a love that used to mean so
much to me
You're just a memory girl, you're just a sweet
old memory
And it used to mean so much to me

Sha la laa la
Sha la laa la
Sha la laa la
Sha la laa la

You're just a memory of a love that used to mean so much to me

She got a mind of her own and she use it well
Mighty fine she's one of a kind
She got a mind of her own
She's one of a kind and she use it well

On the seventh day my eyes were all aglaze
We been ten thousand miles and been in fifteen states
Every woman seemed to fade out of my mind
I hit the bottle and I hit the sack and cried
What's all this laughter on the twenty-second floor?
It's just some friends of mine and they're busting
down the doors

It's been a lonely night at the Memory Motel

You're just a memory girl just a memory
And it used to mean so much to me
You're just a memory girl you're just a memory
And it used to mean so much to me
You're just a memory girl you're just a sweet old memory
And it used to mean so much to me
You're just a memory of a love that used to mean so
much to me

She's got a mind of her own and she use it well yeah
Well she's one of a kind

Mick Harvey - "Pink Elephants"

Mick Harvey has been associated with Nick Cave from 'The Birthday Party' days and right up until very recently with Nick Cave's backing band 'The Bad Seeds'. But he has done a hell of a lot in-between as well... and one of his projects in 1995 was a solo album of Serge Gainsbourg covers... but translated and sung in English. The album 'Intoxicated Man' was a great introduction to Serge Gainsbourg for some, an understanding of his lyrics for us non French speaking fans and/or an addition to an ever growing collection for any keen Gainsbourg fan, like myself. He followed that album up with a second collection of Gainsbourg (English) covers in 1997 with 'Pink Elephants' and that even had a fantastic English version of "Je t'aime... moi non plus" ("I Love You...Nor Do I") sung by Nick Cave and Anita Lane. However, the unlikely surprise on the album was the title track which was an original instrumental by Mick Harvey and Bertrand Burgalat (the only non Serge Gainsbourg song)... it set the tone for the album and has been a Bitter FM favourite since the station started. The only problem with this song is that it isn't long enough.

Patti Smith - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Rock n' Roll icon Patti Smith decided to record a covers album later in her career and this cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was a highlight. The album 'Twelve' was released in 2007 and featured songs from a wide range of artists including Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix, Paul Simon and even Tears for Fears... amongst many others. For me the album was a mixed bag... with some songs a recreation of the original and while not having the young brashness of her ultimate cover from 'Horses' which was Van Morrison's "Gloria", they still worked well. While other songs just didn't do it for me... my expectations were very high, so overall it wasn't a bad album. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was completely reinvented with banjo, fiddle, stand-up bass and guitar with Smith's vocal performance as good as any time in her career. She even throws a poem in the middle of it and turns an American classic into a timeless American classic. Artistically brilliant.

Solid Gold - "Who You Gonna Run To?"

'Solid Gold' are an Indie/Electronic band from Minneapolis and "Who You Gonna Run To?" is from their debut album 'Bodies of Water' released in 2008. Their blend of indie pop and electronica dance music is different to a lot of current bands doing the indie/disco thing. The use of synthesizers definitely tells us that their influences go back to the 80's but they also manage to stray from becoming an 80's tribute band. The synths are just one part of an otherwise modern sound. A musical journey well worth taking.

OP8 - "Sand"

OP8 was yet another side project for members of 'Giant Sand' Howe Gelb, John Convertino and Joey Burns (the latter two are also the main members of 'Calexico'). OP8 only released one album... although I think the idea originally was to release more with a range of guests. The album 'Lush' was released in 1997 and I was going through a 'Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood' rediscovery period at the time so this album was a godsend for me. "Sand" was a Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood original and OP8 did it justice. The guest on 'Slush' was Lisa Germano and she works so well with these guys. I know I have stated before about the so-called new Nancy and Lee coming along here and there but in 1997 Howe Gelb and Lisa Germano owned that title.

Emiliana Torrini - "Thinking Out Loud"

Icelandic singer/songwriter Emiliana Torrini released her breakthrough album 'Fisherman's Woman' in 2005. Before this album she was more known for her dance genre collaborations and solo material... so this album was a complete change of pace. 'Fisherman's Woman' is Icelandic in so many ways... from the title, the breathy and sparseness of it, to the creaking sounds underneath. The vocals are practically whispered and the acoustic soundtrack doesn't try to make up for it. The result is a beautiful set of songs that fit together nicely and it is better as a complete album than individual songs on an album. It is hard to pick a favourite song from an album like this but "Thinking Out Loud" has so much charm in it's chorus line... "Sorry it was me... Was I thinking out loud" that it brings you closer to what is going on in the mind of the protagonist.
Sorry, am I making any sense or am I just thinking out loud?

Sonic Youth - "Teenage Riot"

With what has been happening in Egypt over the last few days.... the revolution IS televised. An appropriate song would be a revolution song but this song still fits the bill... and it's so fucking good. Even the best bands in the world have a song that defines them and becomes their yardstick. Although they may emulate it or even excel at sometime during their career, the particular song still stands out as their defining moment. So after all that explaining, this has to be Sonic Youth's defining song... "Teenage Riot" from their 1988 album 'Daydream Nation'. Every riot needs a soundtrack.