Soft Metals - "Psychic Driving"

Soft Metals are a Portland duo featuring vocalist Patricia Hall and keyboardist/programmer Ian Hicks. They have recreated the 80's new wave synth sound perfectly with the use of analogue and vintage synths. However, there is clearly something modern or even futuristic in the mix. More cinematic than dance floor electro-pop.

Baxendale - "Music For Girls"

Indie nerd disco. Belle and Sebastian for the dance floor. Twee dance-pop. Add your own definition or just have a listen. This could get a cool party rocking! It could also clear out a Westie (bogan) party.

New Order - "Everything's Gone Green"

New Order were my other 80's obsession, after The Smiths. "Everything's Gone Green" was one of their earlier post-Joy Division tracks that consolidated my allegiance. It may have seemed inevitable that fans of Joy Division would automatically gravitate towards New Order but their style was quite different and became more so over time... so it wasn't a given. All they had to do was keep true to the cult reputation of Joy Division and not compromise. Which they did successfully. "Everything's Gone Green" is a place New Order were at ... somewhere between Joy Division and "Blue Monday".

Regina Spektor - "All the Rowboats"

I've always liked Regina Spektor's music but her last album was something special and on the strength of this single "All the Rowboats" her next album will be another must-have. "All the Rowboats" brings together all her talents... the classical piano, a perfect pop tune, beautiful vocals and compelling lyrics. With Regina Spektor you can usually expect some eccentricity and that is part of the reason I love her music. She doesn't let us down here either. Although, it could even be missed... but I am sure the heavy reverb/80's style percussion that bookmark this song, is vocally driven (beatbox). Good on you Regina!

Stan Getz, Astrud & João Gilberto - "The Girl From Ipanema"

I know "The Girl From Ipanema" now epitomizes elevator music and forgettable lounge music... due to the worldwide explosion of Bossa Nova music and the bad interpretations from the likes of Herb Alpert, Sergio Mendes and other lounge acts as bad as James Last. If you are old enough to remember that period of Bossa Nova lite you are probably no longer reading this. If, like me, you missed that and are not scarred for life... you may appreciate Bossa Nova as an interesting genre. Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto released the most famous version on their Getz/Gilberto album from 1964 and it featured Joao's wife Astrid Gilberto. She only got the opportunity to sing it after they had decided on an English language version while in the studio and she was the only one who could speak English well enough. She wasn't a trained singer and that may have been part of the charm. She became a huge star after the success of the album. It is a beautiful version which features the soft vocals of Joao Gilberto before Astrid adds another dimension to it, although, the single jumped straight to the Astrid vocals, which is a travesty... but I will have to concede that long singles didn't exist in the mid 60's... so I'm glad the album was a success so people could here it as it should've been heard. It also features the songwriter himself (the music - not the lyrics) Antonio Carlos Jobim on piano. The album is a classic that jazz purists and the general public all enjoyed without prejudice. If you don't own this album... you have some shopping to do. I won't hold you up any longer.

Sham 69 - "Hurry Up Harry"

Punk band Sham 69 from Hersham England had a big influence on the Oi! movement during the late 70's that actually led to them stop playing live after violent clashes at one of their 1978 shows. They definitely had a strong punk sound but also had a sense of humour and a pragmatic approach to their songwriting... these guys were more like football chanting lads than their university or art school peers. "Hurry Up Harry" is a good example of their punk with an element of fun added. You have to love a song with a chorus of "We're going down the pub"... I'll drink to that.

Spain - "Untitled #1"

Spain is a 4-piece band from Los Angeles featuring Josh Haden on vocals and bass. He is the son of Jazz legend Charlie Haden and brother of triplets Petra, Tanya and Rachel Haden. Petra and Tanya featured on Spain's debut album 'The Blue Moods of Spain' released in 1995. "Untitled #1" is from that album. The acoustic slow strumming and whispered vocals set up more than six minutes of melancholic bliss.
"Walked away - Released from all my crimes"

Anita Tijoux Ft Jorge Drexler - "Sacar La Voz"

Ana Tijoux impressed me so much with her 2009 album "1977" (the title track is on this blog) so it was a nice surprise to find out about her recently released new album 'La Bala.' 'La Bala' (The Bullet) is an apt title for a politically charged album and there is plenty of subject matter for her to concentrate on, namely, the student uprising in her native Chile. The personal theme may have changed to a political one but the rapping is still fast and furious and the beats sensational. You don't need to understand Spanish to enjoy this.

White Ring - "IxC999"

White Ring are a duo from New York. Their music is best described by me as goth/dance... but others call it witch house amongst other hybrid genre names. "IxC999" is a dance floor anthem for a goth party but not out of place at any occasion.... although, you won't get the average party pumping with this. The soft vocals from Kendra Malia combined with the industrial synth sound, the gunshot percussion, and the hip hop beats, work much better on record than on paper.

Kevin Drew - "Love vs. Porn"

Kevin Drew is a member of Canadian band 'Broken Social Scene'. He had already released his debut solo album as part of the series "Broken Social Scene presents' in 2007. His was the first in the series of solo albums by Broken Social Scene members. In 2009 he contributed a song to the Red Hot Organization's 'Dark Was the Night' benefit album. His song "Love Vs. Porn" suited the album well... because of the dark presence and haunting vocals. An integral part of a fantastic compilation album.



Lyrics

Well, I woke up and my mouth was a little dry
So I grabbed the moisturizer and tried not to cry
Spoke to my hand and then started to dream

You came into my bed and I tied you up
We went underneath and I taught you the cup
While people were watching how you and me breathed

And I got lost in the warm
And I got lost in the hole
And I got lost in the arms
The softness I'd stolen was never round to be loved

So, I got addicted to watching the screen
That kids today are kept pictures sex-clean
And all the time the body slowly broke apart

No one knows any more how to cum inside
It's all about the dirt we hide in our pride
And tissues become a slow and wasted heart

We'll get lost in the warm
We'll get lost in the hole
We'll get lost in our arms
The softness we stole was never about the love

Ladies on the screen can never replicate
All the fatty lines where the skin ought to take
We must fool our eyes before we even kiss

The joy, the joy used to be in all the books
Kids today think that hookers are the hook
And that hearts beat better in a bed when they're missed

And they'll get lost in the warm
And they'll get lost in the holes
And they'll get lost in the arms
The softness they stole will never ever be able to love

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - "When We Swam"

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down is San Francisco based musician Thao Nguyen and her band. "When We Swam" is from her third studio album 'Know Better Learn Faster' which is an album full of songs about break-ups, bad relationships and even the odd "fuck You" song. She has more than likely been through some shit since the previous album but that has only made her stronger... artistically, at least.



Lyrics

When we swam our love to pieces
We washed up on messy beaches
You cleaned dry, I would not drift yet
I should drink salt water to forget

Oh why, oh why, oh why
Won’t you sing

Bring your hips to me
Oh, bring your hips, oh, oh
Bring your hips to me
To me
Oh, bring your hips to me
Oh, bring your hips, oh, oh
Bring your hips to me

To me
To me
To me
To me

Well once I arrived, but you would not receive me
I wanted it all, you could not tell
Then I paid expensive attention to detail
The fall of your face, the wish of the well

The rush of the push
The length of the spell
And you won’t

Bring your hips to me
Oh, bring your hips, oh, oh
Bring your hips to me
To me
Oh, bring your hips to me
Oh, bring your hips, oh, oh
Bring your hips to me

To me
To me
To me
To me, ah, ah, ah, ah-ah

To me
To me
To me
To me

Oh, you tug so lightly on me
Work like you are on vacation
While I was swept wide
I wept for you across the nation

Oh, all my love I don't deny
When they place their hands on both my sides

When we swam our love to pieces
We washed up on messy beaches
You cleaned dry, I would not drift yet
I should drink salt water to forget

Oh why, oh why, oh why
Won’t you sing

Tom McRae - "You Cut Her Hair"

Singer-songwriter Tom McRae released his self titled debut album in 2000. The opening track and single "You Cut Her Hair" is a beautiful sparse dark ballad. It is certainly darker than it first appears... although, with a little less attention to detail, it can be just as easily enjoyed as a great pop song.

Hospitality - "Friends of Friends"

Hospitality are a fantastic new addition to our playlists on Bitter FM. "Friends of Friends" is a great song that puts the long distance relationship into perspective... or maybe just pits New York against Los Angeles. New York, as expected, wins of course, but the song itself is a great introduction to a band that we will hear a lot more from in the future.

Cults - "You Know What I Mean"

New York duo 'Cults' have been favourites here at Bitter FM since they arrived on the scene. They have a great formula when it comes to their sound... not completely unique but very enthralling. If I can use "You Know What I Mean" as an example... this is what I like about them. Take a Phil Spector produced 60's girl-group verse... add a quiet/loud early 90's indie rock chorus (the loud part) and repeat formula. Easy? Well, not really... great vocals and skillful songwriting helps and they tick those boxes. I'm sure You Know What I Mean.

Stereophonics - "Angie"

The Rolling Stones are hard to improve on when it comes to cover versions of their songs. But "Angie" by Stereophonics, although quite different to the original, gives the listener the same goose-bumps type of experience. Kelly Jones' gravelly voice seems perfect for this song... in this acoustic style, anyway. As a lot of people say, he could sing the local phone book and it would sound great... so give him a great song and it is pure gold.

Mirel Wagner - "No Death"

If you love dark music as much as I do... then it's time to get excited. Here is our utopia. Mirel Wagner may be the new queen of darkness. Her single "No Death" could possibly be the best necrophilia song?... or maybe the only necrophilia song? As chilling as it is wonderful. What's the time?... Obsession time.




My baby has a swollen face
long stiff limbs
them eyes are black pits
of a place where I've been
her hair is long
still smells like mud
she answered to my kiss
with a rotten tongue.

no death can
tear us apart
Repeats X3

Aaah ah aah

The body is cold
well it's gonna get colder
My love will ignite
what was left to smolder
I move my hips
in her I am home ,
I'll keep on loving 'till the marrow dries from her bones.

no death can
tear us apart

Repeats X3

Aaah ah aah

All day I stay by her side
the death has a claim and a ride to my bride
I shut the doors, licker tense
and hide
i've heard something moving
somewhere outside.

no death can
tear us apart
Repeats X3

Aaah ah aah

But death finds a sneaking through
the key whole
He's clever and he knows
beneath the floor board
Death comes to feast like
a hideous hungry beast
he wants it all
and here he crawls
here he crawls X3

The Joy Formidable - "A Heavy Abacus"

The Joy Formidable are a London based Welsh band with a formidable collection of dream-pop anthems. They seem to have been around for a long time but only released their debut album 'The Big Roar' last year... after an EP and a few singles prior. Their single "Whirring" has had plenty of airplay on Bitter FM and "A Heavy Abacus" is following that trend. "A Heavy Abacus" has something for all indie music lovers... and the vocals by Ritzy Bryan are sensational. Formidable Joy!

M - "Pop Muzik"

M was the musical name for Englishman Robin Scott at the time he released his hit song "Pop Muzik" in 1979. He had actually been in the music industry for 25 years when he released "Pop Muzik" In fact, it was written as a resume of the time he had spent in the music industry. I actually thought he was French... although, he was living in Paris as a producer at Barclay records at the time, so that may explain that. "Pop Muzik" was a number one hit in the USA but number 2 in the UK because Art Garfunkel's "Bright Eyes" couldn't be bumped off the number 1 spot... that's quite funny.

Husky - "Dark Sea"

Melbourne band 'Husky' are a beardy folk band with a sound not too distant from their compatriots Angus and Julia Stone... and 'Fleet Foxes' come to mind as well. They released their debut album 'Forever So' last year and promoted it with a couple of harmony driven singles "History's Door" and "Dark Sea". Not a bad introduction at all.

Amy Rigby - "Dancing with Joey Ramone"

Amy Rigby started her solo career in 1996 with a concept album 'Diary of a Mod Housewife' and her sense of humour continued throughout her career. "Are We Ever Going To Have Sex Again" was one such witty song that is played regularly on Bitter FM. Another is "Dancing with Joey Ramone" from her 2005 album 'Little Fugitive'. It is pure fantasy... but may be a homage to her younger days and influences from New York rock joints such as CBGB's. She married Wreckless Eric not long after and now they tour together on a regular basis.

Goon - "Have u seen my girl"

This is the greatest song that no one has heard of. In fact, to add to the 'Goon' mystery, I won't tell you a thing about them. Except that... no, I said I won't say anything.

Sonic Youth - "Computer Age"

"Computer Age" was from Neil Young's 'Trans' album from 1982. The album was a complete change in direction with the use of vocoders and synthesizers. It was his first album for his new label Geffen Records and the electronic 'Kraftwerk' musical style didn't impress them. He followed that up with a rockabilly album 'Everybody's Rockin' and that confused his fans even more. Geffen had decided it was enough and sued him for over $3 million, on the grounds that both albums were not commercial and in no way characteristic of his previous output. A countersuit put an end to it and they eventually settled out of court a few years (and albums) later. I don't think I would want to go near 'Everybody's Rockin' but 'Trans' had some credit to it, although, not as a complete album. One such example is "Computer Age" which I first heard covered by 'Sonic Youth' on a Neil Young tribute album.



Neil Young - "Computer Age" (original)

AMMP - "Ironman"

Our little town of Taupo hosts Ironman New Zealand and today was the day of this annual event. A record number of around 1600 athletes were ready to take over the town. A weather bomb, as they are called these days (which actually means...'a storm') decided to ruin the party and the race was cancelled and replaced with a half Ironman tomorrow. Here is the official song for Ironman NZ by Wellington band AMMP.... for the people who trained all year and now don't get the chance to cross it off their list.

SOKO - "I Thought I Was An Alien"

French singer and actress Soko has just recently released her debut album 'I Thought I Was An Alien' and the title track was an earlier single. She has collaborated with The Go! Team and Cornershop... as well as being sampled by Cee Lo Green. So not too bad for someone most of us have never heard of.

The Smiths vs Lana Del Rey - "This Charming Video Game" (mashup)

A mash-up featuring the greatest song of 2011 and a classic song from the greatest band ever... a complete surprise out of nowhere. But the biggest surprise is that it works so well.