Snob Scrilla- "Houston"

After first hearing this song, which was one of the better iTunes' weekly free downloads, I thought "shit, this guy is so clever with his use of the well known NASA line to describe the poverty, crime and bleak future for the youth in which is probably his home town of Houston".... fuckin' genius. But no, turns out he is an Aussie rapper on a cool indie rock label 'Ivy League'. He was born in California and moved to Australia at the age of 18. But like we also do here in NZ, the Aussies claimed him as their own quite quickly, and fair enough. "Houston" came from his debut album 'Day One' which was released last year. Going by this album, Snob Scrilla has some indie rock credentials as well. One of the great discoveries, courtesy of iTunes. His message is still powerful, regardless of where he is from.... so it's still a work of 'Genius'.

Anima Sound System - "Shalom"

We get a few emails at Bitter FM about this song. It's so good that after hearing it, you have to have it. Anima Sound System are from Hungary and have been around since the early 90's. "Shalom" is a down-beat masterpiece that has elements of Hungarian folk music along with some captivating strings and beats... even electro pigeon sounds. Well, that's how I hear it anyway. It is hard to explain on here why I love it so much.... so it's best you have a listen and lets hope you love it as much as I and some of our listeners at Bitter FM do.

The Jim Carroll Band - "People Who Died"

Jim Carroll released "People Who Died" in 1980, which was a single from his debut album 'Catholic Boy'. He is probably more known for the autobiographical book 'The Basketball Diaries' he wrote and published in 1978. Particularly when it was made into a movie featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jim Carroll. 'Catholic Boy' had a real New York punk sound and while I didn't know it at the time, it sure sounded like it was from some literary/poet beatnik with street cred. As it turned out, he was a junky at 13 years old and would've seen a lot of people die much too young, while in that environment. That may be why the song is so strong and really comes from the heart. Sadly, he died recently and now this song, to me, is as much about him. Jim Carroll and your long lost friends RIP.

Grenadine - "This Girl's In Love With You"

Grenadine were a side project for Jenny Toomey of 'Tsunami' and Mark Robinson of 'Unrest' along with Rob Christiansen from 'Eggs'. They released two albums in their six or so years together. This side project was a little different to their regular bands, with some songs going back as far as the twenties in sound and inspiration. This song "This Girl's In Love With You" is an interesting cover of the classic easy listening standard "This Guy's In Love With You" which was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Herb Alpert. It has probably been covered by many people... but I don't think I will hear a better one than this. It is a haunting and heartfelt version that seems to come from a much darker place than the sunny MOR/Pop original. The sparse production also adds to it's charm. An Original Cover... how is that for an oxymoron.




Here is a rare video of the original, which features the worst trumpet mime ever. Interestingly, Herb is introduced by Karen and Richard Carpenter.... Thank You Youtube, once again.

The xx - "VCR"

"VCR" came from one of the albums that made 2009 so good. The album was 'xx' by London band 'The xx' and was a critics favourite and it definitely lived up to the acclaim it received. Their sound is indie/dream pop with a retro, post punk era feel. The girl/boy hushed vocals work so well on VCR... in fact, as with a lot of the songs on the album. Ask anyone that has this album what their favourite song is and they could all have a different answer. That's the strength of this album. Perfect dream pop.

Jet - "Look what you've done"

This has to be the best Beatles song they didn't write. This one song by Aussie rock band 'Jet' was closer to the sound of the Beatles than 'Oasis' ever got in their whole career of trying. It sounds similar to, and even borrows a line or two from "Sexy Sadie" but this is too good... so I'm not going to get into that argument. They were rocking it with the the best of the new wave of garage bands at the time.... which made this even more surprising to me when I heard it for the first time and found out it was them.




Here is Sexy Sadie by the Beatles. I'm not saying Jet ripped this off. More for the inspiration they may have got from it.

Urbantramper - "Wishing Bliss" (The Broccoli Song)

Wellington band 'Urban Tramper' are an indie folk band that are overlooked far too often and deserve some more exposure. I'm possibly not going to change that much with this blog.... but I will do my bit. "Wishing Bliss" was a single from 2008. It starts off as a slow acoustic number and then turns into a big 'sing-a-long' when the chorus kicks in. It's no ordinary chorus either, with a great line like this, "Eating Broccoli is Eating Properly". Try it at a drunken party and I bet they won't be able to resist singing along. Download it for free from their website www.urbantramper.com and then spread the word.

1 Giant Leap - The Way You Dream (Feat, Michael Stipe)

What do you get if you mix together.... REM's Michael Stipe, Indian Bollywood star Asha Bhosle, Kiwi singer Whirimako Black, traditional instruments including the Maori flute (Putorino) and African harp (Kora) and add some beats? I presume you've already guessed the answer is this song. 1 Giant Leap is the result of Duncan Bridgeman and Jamie Catto traveling the world and recording an assortment of artists and this is an example of how successful and creative they were. "The Way You Dream" is a unique blend of Indian, Maori and English singing to a mix of old traditional and modern instruments and electronica beats. On paper you could easily think that there are far too many ideas for it to work, but the result is fantastic. Asha's voice is sensational and I can now see why 'Cornershop' wrote "Brimful of Asha" about her.
This is proof that the World is a beautiful place.

JEM - "They"

This song "They" from Welsh singer Jem was released as a single from her album 'Finally Woken' in 2004. It uses beats really well without being over produced and the song is still the main focus. There is a sample of the Swingle Sisters doing Bach as well... just to add some credibility, especially when it comes to the use of samples. It was a bit of a hit in the UK and the US, where she was first discovered and offered a record deal. She was very close to becoming a crossover star of pop and trip-hop. She is very much like Beth Orton but also could have gone the Dido way....and even if she does, this song (and album) will always stand up with the best of them.

Jenny Owen Youngs - "Fuck Was I"

Jenny Owen Youngs self released her debut album 'Batten the Hatches' in 2005 before it got the reissue treatment on the Nettwerk label after this song "Fuck was I" was used in an episode of Weeds. She has a voice as sweet as apple pie and the cello and guitar compliment it so beautifully. It actually seems to be out of kilter with the title. But then again, she is just stating exactly what needs to be said in the situation she finds herself in. It wouldn't be the same if she said "What the hell was I thinking". This song is too good not to be played and much too good to be censored. Unfortunately she must've allowed them to do just that with the video for it. Although, it was clever the way they did it, I would rather have art the way it was intended.

Here is the song as it was intended to be heard.



The censored version....I've seen the following comment online about this version... "What the fuck were they thinking when they censored this"

Tom Waits - "What's He Building?"

Tom Waits has always been a master of painting a picture through his songs. Whether it is from a smoky bar at 3.00am or from the streets on the wrong side of some seedy town.... the story is usually dark and always sounds like he could already be on his 2nd bottle of bourbon. But that's also the reason we like Tom Waits. We sure don't want to hear some happy love song from him. The brilliant thing about "What's He Building" is that he has combined the neighbourhood weird loner stereotype with the garage homebody tool guy. But of course, this guy isn't restoring a car or anything like that.... he must be up to something sinister. It recalls so many images from childhood of reclusive neighbours in unkempt houses and even scenes from movies. It also reminds me of the murderer in Alice sebold's novel "The Lovely Bones" but that may just be me and other people might connect it with something else. It is fascinating in the same way Hitchcock's "Rear Window" was... we don't have any evidence of anything untoward going on, but in the mind of the observer, there is so much going on. Paranoia has never sounded so good.

Fang - "Something Good"

Fang are an Auckland based band on the indie label 'Arch Hill'. To me, the Arch Hill label is doing what 'Flying Nun' was doing in the 80's and 90's.... continually adding interesting bands and releases to their roster. Fang includes a couple of experienced Kiwi musicians in Sonya Waters who fronted 'The Instigators' in the punk days.... and Ben Howe from 'Superette'. Both of them also make up 'White Swan Black Swan'. "Something Good" was on the third Fang album 'Swim Up Stream' and is an indie pop song that will stay with you longer after each listen. Fang are one of NZ's best kept secrets.

Harry McClintock - "The Big Rock Candy Mountain"

This song by Harry McClintock goes as far back as 1897, when he was busking with the early version. He recorded it in 1928 and thanks to the Coen Brothers it resurfaced in the 21st century on the soundtrack of the movie 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' and was given a new lease on life. It is a song about a hobo's mythical paradise. While it sounds like a children's song, it is far from it in reality, going by the lyrics.... the cigarette trees... the lake of whiskey... the lake of gin and so on. According to Wikipedia, there have been sanitised versions recorded for children.
In an age where we call something from the 90's a classic.... this is a true CLASSIC!

Sleigh Bells - "Ring Ring"

This song "Ring Ring" is currently the number one song on 'Best Bitter', the Bitter FM Top 10 show and I'm sure it is no surprise to the converted. For those who aren't.... prepare to be converted. Sleigh Bells seemed to come on to the scene from nowhere, with the release of their debut album 'Treats' very recently. They had made an impact in New York, where they are based, with some early releases and they offered downloads on the net. But they were new to me until the release of "Treats". However, this version (which is also the one we play on Bitter) is actually a demo I tracked down... the new version on the album is called "Rill Rill".
It is quite hypnotic and very hard to get out of your head.

The Raveonettes - "The Last Dance"

The Raveonettes are another Danish indie rock band of note. Scandinavia is definitely an indie rock hot spot at the moment and there will be plenty more to come on this blog. "Last Dance" is a single from their 4th and latest album 'In and Out of Control'. The band is now a duo and consists of Sharin Foo and Sune Rose Wagner. The subject matter of "Last Dance" is quite morbid when you take in the lyrics.... but it is such a catchy and upbeat song that you could be forgiven for ignoring that and just enjoying the song.
Turn this up and let it sweep you away.

Ryan Adams - "Two"

Ryan Adams is a prolific songwriter and has released about twelve albums since his band 'Whiskeytown' broke up and he went solo in 2000. A couple of them were double albums as well and he has also released albums under pseudonyms. "Two" was a single from his "Easy Tiger" album that had a more mellow and sober Ryan Adams persona in charge. The chorus of "It takes two when it used to take only one" isn't a new concept but true in too many ways in my life... coffee, beer and the list goes on. A nice country pop ballad from a more mature Adams. Remember this is the same guy that stopped a concert mid song when a cheeky audience member shouted out for "Summer of 69" (which was all too common at Ryan Adams concerts from smart-ass fans) and it had finally got the better of him. In a tirade of expletives, he insisted the lights be turned on and he found the guy, paid him a $30 refund and kicked him out... although, I can't help liking that side of Ryan Adams' unpredictability.... he was so Rock n' Roll.

X-Ray Spex - Oh Bondage! Up Yours!

X-Ray Spex were a punk band with a hell of a lot of attitude.... particularly in the form of their vocalist Poly Styrene. They only released one album "Germ Free Adolescents" and along with debut single "Oh Bondage, Up Yours!" they certainly left their mark on the punk scene. They might not get much radio play anymore (except on Bitter FM, of course) but the album and this single are still regarded as classics and are remembered as important components of the punk era. The use of saxophone was a big part of their sound and became quite common in punk rock at the time. Poly Styrene had a lot to shout about and consumerism seemed to be at the top of the list.
"Oh Bondage, Up Yours!" was such an original song at the time... it had to make an impact. Poly Styrene went on to release a solo album 'Translucence' which included a great single "Talk In Toytown' that can also be heard on Bitter FM.

Curse of Millhaven /Przeklenstwo Millhaven - Nick Cave - Kinga Preis

With the recent documentary on Robin Bain on NZ television. I thought I would revisit the murder song genre and it is hard to go past Nick Cave's contribution to murder songs. He had an album dedicated to them... simply called "Murder ballads" and it was great. Some critics thought it was tacky at the time. But they either didn't see the funny side of it as well as the artistic merit. It was full of great songs, regardless of the subject matter. He even re-wrote the Stagger Lee legend with his tongue firmly in his cheek. One of my favourites was "The Curse Of Millhaven" partly because it was similar to the novel that his band 'The Bad Seeds' were actually named after. The novel I am talking about is 'The Bad Seed' by William March and is one of my favourite novels. It was also made into a movie in 1956, which is also worth tracking down. Although, I'm not sure if it is available on DVD in NZ. Loretta from the song and Rhoda from the book, were very similar and I wonder if Nick Cave wrote the song with Rhoda in mind. The video below is a live version by Nick Cave. However, the story itself may not come through so well, so I have included the lyrics further down the page. While I was putting this blog together I found a great version by Polish actress Kinga Preis and I just had to add it here. Her performance is exceptional with her acting skills coming to the fore. It is from a live album of Nick Cave songs translated into Polish.... which actually features him on a couple of tracks. If you are a Bitter FM listener you would know that language is no barrier regarding the songs we play. So we will be adding some of these Polish versions real soon. You can probably tell, by the length of this blog, how much I love this song and the 'Murder ballads' album. Forget CSI and the like, download or buy this now.

Nick Cave Live


I found this photo of Paul the psychic octopus recently and thought it was appropriate to add it to this blog.




Above is the Kinga Preis version.

Lyrics below....

I live in a town called Millhaven
And it's small and it's mean and it's cold
But if you come around just as the sun goes down
You can watch the whole town turn to gold
It's around about then that I used to go a-roaming
Singing "La la la la La la la lie"
All God's children they all gotta die

My name is Loretta but I prefer Lottie
I'm closing in on my fifteenth year
And if you think you have seen a pair of eyes more green
Then you sure didn't see them around here
My hair is yellow and I'm always a-combing
La la la la La la la lie
Mama often told me we all got to die

You must have heard about The Curse Of Millhaven
How last Christmas Bill Blake's little boy didn't come home
They found him next week in One Mile Creek
His head bashed in and his pockets full of stones
Well, just imagine all the wailing and moaning
La la la la La la la lie
Even little Billy Blake's boy, he had to die

Then Professor O'Rye from Millhaven High
Found nailed to his door his prize-winning terrier
Then next day the old fool brought little Biko to school
And we all had to watch as he buried her
His eulogy to Biko had all the tears a-flowing
La la la la La la la lie
Even God's little creatures, they have to die

Our little town fell into a state of shock
A lot of people were saying things that made little sense
Then the next thing you know the head of Handyman Joe
Was found in the fountain of the Mayor's residence
Foul play can really get a small town going
La la la la La la la lie
Even God's children all have to die

Then, in a cruel twist of fate, old Mrs Colgate
Was stabbed but the job was not complete
The last thing she said before the cops pronounced her dead
Was, "My killer is Loretta and she lives across the street!"
Twenty cops burst through my door without even phoning
La la la la La la la lie
The young ones, the old ones, they all gotta die

Yes, it is I, Lottie. The Curse Of Millhaven
I've struck horror in the heart of this town
Like my eyes ain't green and my hair ain't yellow
It's more like the other way around
I gotta pretty little mouth underneath all the foaming
La la la la La la la lie
Sooner or later we all gotta die

Since I was no bigger than a weavil they've been saying I
was evil
That if bad was a boot that I'd fit it
That I'm a wicked young lady, but I've been trying hard lately
Oh, fuck it! I'm a monster! I admit it!
It makes me so mad my blood really starts a-going
La la la la La la la lie
Mama always told me that we all gotta die

Yeah, I drowned the Blakey kid, stabbed Mrs. Colgate, I admit
Did the handyman with his circular saw in his garden shed
But I never crucified little Biko, that was
two junior high school psychos
Stinky Bohoon and his friend with the pumpkin-sized head
I'll sing to the lot, now you got me going
La la la la La la la lie
All God's children have all gotta die

There were all the others, all our sisters and brothers
You assumed were accidents, best forgotten
Recall the children who broke through the ice on Lake Tahoo?
Everyone assumed the Warning signs had
followed them to the bottom
Well, they're underneath the house where I do quite a bit
of stowing
La la la la La la la lie
Even twenty little children, they had to die

And the fire of '91 that razed the Bella Vista slum
There was the biggest shit-fight this country's ever seen
Insurance companies ruined, land lords getting sued
All cause of wee girl with a can of gasoline
Those flames really roared when the wind started blowing
La la la la La la la lie
Rich man, poor man, all got to die

Well I confessed to all these crimes and they put me on
trial
I was laughing when they took me away
Off to the asylum in an old black Mariah
It ain't home, but you know, it's fucking better than jail
It ain't such bad old place to have a home in
La la la la La la la lie
All God's children they all gotta die

Now I got shrinks that will not rest with their endless
Rorschach tests
I keep telling them they're out to get me
They ask me if I feel remorse and I answer, "Why of course!
There is so much more I could have done if they'd let me!"
So it's Rorschach and Prozac and everything is groovy
Singing La la la la La la la lie
All God's children they all have to die

La la la la La la la lie
I'm happy as a lark and everything is fine

Singing La la la la La la la lie
Yeah, everything is groovy and everything is fine
Singing La la la la La la la lie
All God's children they gotta die

Regina Spektor - "Laughing With"

The reason I love Regina Spektor so much (other than being a fantastic musician and singer) is her eccentricity, which regularly comes through in her lyrics and singing. Although, this song "Laughing With" comes from the more serious side of Regina Spektor. I don't know if it is a religious song or just an observational piece about people suddenly crying out for god in times of need. Either way, it is a beautifully written song... a bit like Joan Osborne's "One of Us" but with much more credibility, in my opinion. "Laughing With" is from her most recent album 'Far'.

The Smiths - There is a light that never goes out

One thing about being a Smiths fan is that there is no middle ground... it's all about either loving them or just plainly not getting it. My friends during the short time the Smiths were around, couldn't really understand my obsession. I have to say, obsession is putting it lightly... this was life changing for me. When I bought the first album, it was the start of something I could never shake and while I was in a minority here in NZ, I could see the same obsession, with people (and the press) in the UK. To me Morrissey and Marr were the same as Lennon and McCartney or Jagger and Richards to a lot of other people.... a pairing that doesn't happen too often. When it comes to the greatest albums ever lists, forget about 'Pet Sounds', 'Revolver' and to a lesser degree 'Highway 61 Revisited' (my number 2), 'The Queen is Dead' is always on the top of my list. "There is a Light" is from that album, which came out in 1986 and is a classic slice of Johnny Marr's jangly guitar and Morrissey's wry lyrics and unique singing style that they had perfected by this album. Unfortunately they never ever toured here and when I was in the UK around the time this was released, they weren't touring at the time. I did get to see Morrissey on a solo tour here and Johnny Marr with The The and then with Neil Finn more recently.... but never Morrissey and Marr together. The 80's shouldn't be remembered for synth pop... the 80's should be remembered for THE SMITHS!!!

Ghostdad - "Vuvuzela Beat"

We are now at the business end of the world cup tournament... so I better get this song in now while it's still relevant. I'm hoping the vuvuzela's will be remembered only as something from the South African world cup and not something in every stadium in the future. As painful as they are, we still couldn't resist playing this song on Bitter FM. Although, maybe not for much longer. I don't know anything about Ghostdad and to be honest, I don't really want to know more.... it's just a novelty song that I thought I would share with you. This song is just a case of... "someone had to do it" and here it is.
"Please do not blow the vuvuzela's"



I couldn't resist adding this hilarious video below.

EELS - "I Like Birds"

After a couple of murder songs, it is time for something a bit more chirpy. EELS are led by Mark Everett, who is also known as E. They are probably not the obvious choice for an uplifting song but that is exactly what this song is. A nice little ode to birds. It actually took them until their third album to sound this upbeat.... after a couple of previous albums full of melancholy, heavily tormented and personal songs. "I Like Birds" was on the 'Daisies of the Galaxy' album from 2000 and sounded like E was finally in a happier place.

Jim White - "The Wound That Never Heals"

Ok, I admit I like a lot of dark music so I can't resist another murder song. This time by Jim White.... an alternative country/folk artist or I like to call him 'the king of southern gothic tales' and this song is as dark as any tale told. It is from his album 'No Such Place' which came out in 2001 on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label. "The Wound That Never Heals" is the story of a female serial killer. A child abuse victim that grew up a murderer of her lovers... a problem she called "the wound that never heals". As much about an abuse victim destroying everything they love, as it is a murder tale. I remember reading that he got the idea after reading about the real life serial killer Aileen Wuornos, but it was not about her as such. By the way, it came out before the movie 'Monster' (about Aileen Wuornos) was released.

Teddy Thompson - "Psycho"

Sorry I've been away for a couple of days and didn't have any internet access. So that's a good reason to have this song with a couple of extra versions. "Psycho" has to be the greatest murder song ever... and that is a big call, I know. Because there are plenty of them out there and by some top names like Johnny Cash and Nick Cave. It was written by Leon Payne in 1968 after going to the movie "Psycho". It has been stated elsewhere that he wrote it about the University of Texas shootings in 1966 by Charles Whitman... but Leon's daughter Myrtie Le Payne has confirmed that it was actually after her father had been to the movie and it had nothing to do with the Texas shootings. The lyrics are just fantastic and it's hard to believe it was written in the 60's. Eddie Noack was the first to record it in 1968 and quite a few others have since. This version by Teddy Thompson is the favourite of mine... from the versions I have heard. Elvis Costello also did a great cover of it. The Teddy Thompson version was on the 'Psycho' (remake) movie soundtrack from 1998. In fact, the only good thing about that remake was the soundtrack itself. Anyway, back to the song "Psycho"... it has some of the best lines you will ever hear and in particular the final line, which is nothing short of genius.




The final line, as I mentioned above, is the final blow that really finishes it off. "Mama why don't you get up?"

The version below is the originally recorded one by Eddie Noack.



The version below is the Elvis Costello one.

BANG BANG ECHE - 4 To The Floor

Bang Bang Eche are from Christchurch and are probably more well known in the USA than they are here, due to their high rotation on college radio with this song "4 to the floor" and their touring of America in 2008. They are a band that isn't trying to sound like any other band... they are just doing their own thing and having some fun doing it. The biggest problem they have is living up to this song. Where do you go from here, after releasing an indie classic so early in their career. I have faith in them to even out do this.... so only time will tell. But until then, lets enjoy this.

PAVLOV'S DOG - "JULIA"

Pavlov's Dog were an American band from the 70's and are often listed as a Prog Rock band but that can be a bit misleading. There is definitely a bit of a prog rock thing going on.... but there are no 20 minute epic yawn fest's like some of their peers. This song "Julia" was from their debut album "Pampered Menial" which came out in 1974. The album was in a 'Top 40 Cosmic Rock Albums' list in Mojo magazine and I think Cosmic Rock is much more suitable. The lead singer David Surkamp has a unique high pitched voice, which I could say was like no other. But coincidentally, the lead singer of Rush, from the same era, had a similar singing voice. There is so much to love about "Julia" other than the voice, which really is something special..... like the harmonies, the piano, the strings and rhythm section. Even the flute solo. Yes, you heard that right and if that hasn't sent you running, then I urge you to check it out. If you haven't heard of them, you may be pleasantly surprised.