Fiona Apple - "Every Single Night"

I was sure Fiona Apple's third album 'Extraordinary Machine' was untouchable and while I looked forward to her follow up - I didn't expect her to match it. Well, I was so wrong. The album is as impressive as the title is long. Known now as 'The Idler wheel' but the full title is 'The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do.' Her quirkiness, if anything, has increased over the years... and here is a great example "Every Single Night" or two examples if you count the video.

Miriam Clancy - The Best

Miriam Clancy is New Zealand's best kept secret. Her debut album 'Lucky One' in 2006 was practically unnoticed and her second album 'Magnetic' suffered much the same in 2009. However, those that did notice either of them would be, I assume, quite happy that they kept it as their little secret. But fuck that, let's tell the world about Miriam Clancy. Her latest single "The Best" may be a good, if belated, place to start.

Sherbet - "Howzat"

Just watching some cricket and not getting much else done. Here is a quick, in between innings, post. Aussie band Sherbet had a big hit with "Howzat" in 1976. It is not exactly a cricket song but it does have a cricket title - so that's good enough for me.

Isaac Hayes - "Shaft"

Isaac Hayes was many things in his brilliant career... he was the Soul Man, the Black Moses, the deep bass vocalist, the Bacharach cover artist (but not like any of the others), the king of Blaxploitation, the actor and the voice of Chef on South Park. But best of all he was the man behind "Shaft" - one of the greatest movie themes ever and one that still sounds great today, while it also defines that 70's blaxploitation period.

The Golden Palominos - "Victim"

The Golden Palominos enlisted New York Spoken-word artist Nicole Blackman for their 1996 album 'Dead Inside' and the result was something quite different to their previous albums. The opening track "Victim" is the most powerful song I play on Bitter FM... not in terms of the volume but in terms of the poetry/lyrics. This is a chilling first person account from a victim of an abduction. I could go on forever with adjectives like 'harrowing' or 'disturbing' but it's much better to let the song do the talking. One thing is guaranteed - you will be moved.

The Smiths - "Bigmouth Strikes Again"

There are so many reasons to love "Bigmouth Strikes Again" by The Smiths. Here are five of them.

1, The opening lines are priceless... "Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking
When I said I'd like to smash every tooth In your head

Oh ... sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking
When I said by rights you should be Bludgeoned in your bed"

2, The Joan of Arc references... "Now I know how Joan of Arc felt
As the flames rose to her roman nose
And her hearing aid started to melt"

3, Morrissey's self-deprecating chorus "Bigmouth strikes again
And I've got no right to take my place
With the Human race"

4, Johnny Marr's guitar(as always)

5, It is from one of the greatest albums ever 'The Queen Is Dead' released in 1986.

I won't bore you with the other 95 reasons.

The Mynabirds - "Generals"

'The Mynabirds' are a musical project led by former 'Bright Eyes' touring member Laura Burhenn. 'Generals' is their second album and it's name comes from a photo with the title "Generals of the Daughters of the American Revolution" by Richard Avedon. And that kind of sums up the concept of the album. It is part protest, part political and definitely pays tribute to the women who stood up against their oppression. The title track "Generals" is a melting pot of genres - 80's retro, blues, indie rock - to name a few. With lyrics such as... “Callin’ all my generals, my daughters, my revolutionists” you get a clear idea about the theme of the album, as mentioned earlier. This would've been the perfect song to be posted on Women's Suffrage Day (19th September)... only a few days late.

Bob Dylan - "Scarlet Town"

Bob Dylan's 35th album 'Tempest' was released recently and I'm happy to say, as you probably already know, he is still on a roll. Okay, it's not quite another 'Highway 61 Revisited' or 'Blonde On Blonde' but it is up there with 'Time Out Of Mind', in my opinion. On "Scarlet Town" Bob Dylan has added banjo and fiddle to the acoustic guitar and piano. It has such a beautiful melody and even the late period Dylan croaky vocals add to the beauty. He is one of the very few veteran rock stars that doesn't live off the past... he is much more about the present. Legend!!

Sigur Ros - "Agaetis Byrjun"

In 2006 Sigur Ros went back home to Iceland for a summer tour. The unannounced homecoming tour was made into a film, 'Heima' (at home), which was released in 2007. The double DVD is a must-have for any Sigur Ros fan... or music fan. Quality music is best described in two words... Sigur Ros.

Tom Verlaine - "Yonki Time"

True fans of 'Television' more than likely progressed on to some of Tom Verlaine's solo material. However, his self titled debut solo album may have been overlooked by some of them... it's never too late to make amends. The album was released in 1979 and I bought it 2nd hand sometime in the 80's. I didn't know what to expect - but was blown away. This album had everything... some inevitable 'Television' moments, definitely some Velvet Underground influences coming through, and some great Tom Verlaine guitar, which was very much expected and relished. I still play this LP a lot and I am now asking myself why I haven't downloaded a digital version. I love every song passionately and most of them bring back 80's memories instantly. "Yonki Time" is probably the closest to a throw-away song... but not filler - just a bit of fun. It starts off sounding like Lou Reed and then it turns into something you've never heard before. From when I first heard Yonki Time, to this day, if I get asked "what time is it?" I always feel like shouting out "It's Yonki Time"... and occasionally I do.

Steve Harley - "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)"

Steve Harley had his biggest hit in 1975 with "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" from the album 'The Best Years of Our Lives' - It was released under the band name Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel. The stop-start song structure gives it a lot of drive and highlights the beauty of the melody. Glam rock at it's very best.

TEEN - "Better"

TEEN are a new band from New York. Former member of 'Here We Go Magic' Teeny Lieberson, set up her own band with a couple of sisters and a couple of friends. Their debut album 'In Limbo' was released recently... but we had a bit of a taster earlier in the form of "Better" and let's hope the album matches the brilliance of that song. "Better" has an 80's keyboard riff that is more than a little hypnotic. Somehow "Better" sounds as modern as it sounds retro. They "do it better than anybody else" yeah.

Rhys Darby - "Transformers"

Another busy night. Tomorrow I will be back with another piece of musical genius. But for now... have yourself a bit of a laugh.

School Of Seven Bells - "The Night"

New York band 'School Of Seven Bells' invited budding film makers to submit a video for their song "The Night" and the winning entry may have introduced us to a future star. 'The Night' is a beautiful ghostly song from School Of Seven Bells and not a bad place to start for anyone unfamiliar with the band.

I have pasted the introduction of the winning video by the band from their website...

This video really stood out for us in a big way. While there were so many amazing submissions, this one really did what music videos do best. It found a particular nuance in the song, and expanded upon it in a way that only the visual medium can. In a sense, being left behind makes children out of all of us. The conflict of the loneliness that suddenly comes over us in that situation, combined with the ecstasy of finally feeling free, is a really tough thing to capture, and we were so happy to see it brought to life in such a beautiful way. The casting is unbelievable! Not only is the resemblance incredible, the emotion in this girl's face is beyond her years, and her performance nearly had us both in tears the first time we watched it together. I'm not sure I'll hear the night again without imagining this girl either dancing her heart out, tormented and trapped in a corner, or casting a dark spell over whoever left her there alone. It's exactly what this song is meant to look like.
(taken from School Of Seven Bells website http://sviib.com)

Fast Crew - "Suburbia Streets"

Fast Crew were a bit like South Auckland's version of Black Eyed Peas. Dane Rumble's alter ego Kid Deft was a key member before he had the image change. "Suburbia Streets" was their 4th single and the only one that has survived the evolution of the Bitter FM playlists. It is the performance from Rebecca (Becks) that steals the show... like a beautiful vocal crescendo. While Fast Crew are now practically long forgotten, this song should keep their flame burning for a little while longer.

Wonderwall in 4 parts

The movie 'Wonderwall' was released in 1968. The soundtrack was by George Harrison. The soundtrack was obviously the inspiration behind Noel Gallagher's song of the same name. One of the many connections between Oasis and The Beatles.



Noel Gallagher writes "Wonderwall" and Oasis release it in 1995. It becomes a worldwide hit... also topping the charts here in New Zealand.



Cat Power's beautiful version brings it to aching proportions.



Ryan Adams' version consistently moves people... Noel Gallagher is one such person.

Dinosaur Jr. - "Watch The Corners"

Luckily Dinosaur Jr. haven't strayed much from their grungy Neil Young guitar based alt rock beginnings, which was some time in the 80's. So for that reason, there are two camps... Camp A, every song they release is a classic. Camp B, every song sounds the same. So here is another classic from Dinosaur Jr... oh, unless you are in fucking Camp B!

Phantogram - "Don't Move"

"Don't Move" is an uplifting trip-hop/pop song from Phantogram's 2011 EP 'Nightlife.' It has all that is expected from Phantogram but with horn samples and a great vocal loop throughout. At the right moment, this song is as satisfying as music gets... aural candy for a sweet tooth.



Live version below



For Your Information (or FYI for the tweens)...
A Phantogram is a 2D image made to look like a 3D image. Like cricket ground sponsor logos and the time lapse video example below.

GOTAN PROJECT - "La Gloria"

Who took Tango to the club dancefloor? Gotan Project, that's who! Oh, you want proof? Well, I have it right here.

THE GUILT - A Short Film by David Victori ...

Here is the film that won youtube's Your Film Festival.



The finalists in Venice for the announcement.

Miranda Lee Richards - "The Long Goodbye"

Miranda Lee Richards is a Californian musician who was taught how to play guitar by Kirk Hammett from Metallica. The least surprising part though, was that he taught her to play Mazzy Star songs... an influence that carried through to her debut album 'The Herethereafter' released in 2001. She sang with 'The Brian Jonestown Massacre' for a short time before she recorded her debut. The album is an indie folk gem. "The Long Goodbye" features sweet strings, melodic vocals and acoustic guitar, and some slide guitar to seal the deal. Sweet as!