Thievery Corporation - "Radio Retaliation"

Thievery Corporation are dance-electronica legends. They have mixed so many musical styles with their downbeat electronica to perfection. From bossa nova, jazz, Indian and Middle Eastern to dub and reggae. The title track to their highly political 2008 album 'Radio Retaliation' is from the reggae or dancehall dub side of their musical spectrum and features Sleepy Wonder on vocals. This is proof that they pick their collaborators well.

Gangstagrass - "Western" (feat. Kool Keith)

Gangstagrass are exactly what you expect from their name. Gangsta Rap combined with Bluegrass Country... it's not completely new but the previous attempts mostly fit into the novelty basket. But these guys are serious, and I must add, they are seriously good. Novelty acts wouldn't get the likes of Kool Keith on board... so no more needs to be said about credibility. "Western" is a taste of what to expect from their forthcoming album 'Rappalachia' out in early June. The album title is another hint at the hybrid genre they specialize in. Yeeehaa Homie!

Grimes - "Vanessa"

Grimes is the musical name adopted by Claire Boucher, a Canadian electronic/indie pop artist. She supported Lykke Li on an American tour last year and it seems like she will be a bigger star before too long, if not already. The release of her new album 'Visions' earlier this year has certainly helped this rising star gain much more attention. Before the release of her third album 'Visions' she put out a split EP with fellow Canadian d'Eon called 'Darkbloom' and her song "Vanessa" was the pick from that EP. On "Vanessa" she has let some light in... a nice pop moment from this princess of darkwave.

Beach House - "Lazuli"

Beach House have a new album 'Bloom' out now and I am officially smitten by it (her). 'Bloom' is my new companion. I sleep with her, I take her to work, I take her for a walk, I have a drink with her, I introduce her to my friends, and she may even meet my psychiatrist.

Future Loop Foundation - "A Very English Summer"

It is not far away now before London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games and let's hope it is "A Very English Summer."
Any official music relating to a large sporting event is usually cringe-worthy, although I must admit, I am not sure what the official song of the upcoming Olympics is. However, "A Very English Summer" can be the unofficial Olympic song on Bitter FM.

George and Queen - "Didn't Mean It That Way"

Indie twee-pop band 'George and Queen' formed in 2004 after the four members met at Otago University in Dunedin and a few years later they moved to Auckland. They took their name from the main streets of those two cities (No it is not George Michael singing with Queen). Their debut album 'City' was self released in 2007 and featured a fantastic and unique single "Didn't Mean It That Way" which has the most amazing (word free) vocal chorus.... this song needs wider exposure. Wahowahowaho!!!!

Lene Lovich - "Lucky Number"

With our own queen of quirkiness 'Kimbra' starting to breakthrough internationally with her debut album Vows, it is a good time to celebrate another artist, from a generation or so earlier, who was less conventional but managed to find fame all the same. Lene Lovich had been in choirs, attended art school, been a cabaret and go-go dancer, was part of a West Indian soul band and even played saxophone for a couple of bands. So you could say that she put in the hard yards well before becoming a pop star. The first song she recorded was a cover of "I Think We're Alone Now", which Stiff Records wanted to release but they needed a B-side, which she and her writing partner Les Chappell had to come up with quickly. The so-called B-side was "Lucky Number" which ended up as an A-side... and the rest is history.

Alabama Shakes - "Hold On"

I heard a lot about 'Alabama Shakes' before I actually heard them... and did they live up to the critical acclaim I was bombarded with? You better believe it! "Hold On" is nothing short of sensational. The singer/guitarist Brittany Howard sounds a bit like The Kings of Leon, with a bit of Jack White... but otherwise she could be leading a 60's psychedelic/soul band. The pace may be reasonably slow but the raunchiness is powerful.

My Bloody Valentine - "Soon"

'My Bloody Valentine" were the other legendary shoegazer band... along with 'The Jesus and Mary Chain.' In fact, my best description of 'My Bloody Valentine' would be "The Jesus and Mary Chain and Stereolab in a jam session"... an unintentional but beautiful blend. Highly influential, My Bloody Valentine created the template for many to follow. Even as the British indie scene moved towards dance music, the influence of My Bloody Valentine can be heard in bands from that movement... the likes of 'Happy Mondays' being one example. I've only just got around to downloading their classic album 'Loveless' because I always meant to convert my vinyl copy to digital but didn't. So I'm really enjoying reliving this classic. The greatest Irish band ever!!!

Axelle Red - "Faire des mamours"

Axelle Red is a Belgian singer, lawyer and humanitarian. She released her debut album in the same year she graduated as a lawyer. The success of the album probably meant that music, not law, was to be her career. As her musical career grew she became more involved in humanitarian work, which is an impressive CV in its own right. Her first album was recorded with a bunch of Stax musicians, including Isaac Hayes and Steve Cropper, in Memphis. My first taste of her music was in 1999 with the release of her third album 'Toujours Moi' and there is still some old soul present... along with franco-pop gems like "Faire des mamours."

Air - "Seven Stars (ft. Victoria Legrand)"

I am excited about the new 'Beach House' album, which has just been released. But I have just recently posted a song "Myth" from that album on here... so here is the next best thing. French band 'Air' have a new album called 'Le voyage dans la lune'(A Trip To the Moon). A soundtrack to the restored sci-fi silent movie classic of the same name. With the brilliant cinematic soundtrack they created for 'The Virgin Suicides' behind them, this project was perfect for them. "Seven Stars" is not just cinematic...it has some prog-rock elements, it is theatrical, and best of all, it has the wonderful vocals from Beach House's Victoria Legrand.

Adam Page - Instrumental

I have already raved on about Adam Page on this blog and I am doing it again because he played in Taupo as part of the Erupt Arts Festival. For me, he was the highlight of the festival, which was rich with a variety of quality acts. Adam Page is the king of the loop pedal. He is a multi instrumentalist who creates music by layering loops on stage with incredible ease... basically on a whim. A musical genius.

Memoryhouse - "Walk With Me"

Memoryhouse are continuing a trend that is becoming more and more common on Bitter FM playlists. That is.... coming from Canada, boy/girl duo, dream-pop, signed to Sub-Pop, and I could go on. Memoryhouse are Evan Abeele and Denise Nouvion and what started out as a multi-media collaboration between Evan's musical compositions and Denise's photography gradually changed shape. Somehow their worlds combined and the beautiful vocals from Denise Nouvion were an inevitable gift to us all. They have recently released their debut album 'The Slideshow Effect' and the title refers to the photographic aspect. In fact, this release appears to be more suited to the white vinyl LP package... for the best of both of their worlds.

The Church - "Under The Milky Way"

Australian band 'The Church' were on top of the world around the time this single "Under The Milk Way" was released in 1988. Although, they had already charted in Australia and New Zealand in 1981 with the single "The Unguarded Moment" ... and we will save that for another day. "Under The Milky Way" was the first single from the 'Starfish' album. It has such a haunted atmosphere about it, which is rare for a mainstream cross-over hit. Acoustic rock had never sounded so good.

Mojave 3 - "Give What You Take"

Don't be put off if you can hear similarities to America's "Horse With No Name" on "Give What You Take" from Mojave 3's 1998 album 'Out of Tune' because there are definite similarities. However, while they may be a mellow acoustically driven band, it would be unfair to put them in the same MOR category as the aforementioned America. Mojave 3 rose from the ashes of shoegazer's 'Slowdive' with members Neil Halstead, Ian McCutcheon and Rachel Goswell going through the transition between bands. The move to an alt-country/dream pop sound was key to Neil Halstead's growth as a songwriter. It is surprising to me that they didn't reach a wider audience... particularly with this excellent 'Out of Tune' album.

Radiohead VS Dave Brubeck

Today we have a mash-up of a great jazz classic and a modern Radiohead classic. The blending together of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" and Radiohead's "15 Steps" is pure genius. Most mash-up artists try to be too clever and they clutter the internet... but keep it simple and this is what can result.



The Dave Brubeck Quartet - "Take Five"
The jazz purists hated it - everyone else loved it - it has a cool drum solo... and it still sounds fresh today.


Radiohead - "15 Steps"
This is Radiohead... do I really need to say anything?

Bessie Smith - "Cemetery Blues"

Everyone knows this song in one form or another. Possibly not Bessie Smith's original recording... more than likely a pub band or similar. The inspiration for me to post this song on hits and myths was a recent concert, as part of the 'Erupt Arts Festival, here in Taupo, by an Auckland band 'Tom Rodwell & Storehouse' who covered this song in a dark and beautiful fashion. They had a guest vocalist by the name of Coco Davis and she belted out the best version you could ever expect to hear. Although credit must be given to the band as well. Their version was so dark and atmospheric that I was practically looking behind to see where David Lynch (a la Twin Peaks) was.



Lyrics

Folks, I know a gal named Cemetary Lize,
Down in Tennessee;
She has got a pair of mean old graveyard eyes,
Full of misery!
Every night and day,
You can hear her sing her blues away:
I'm going down to the cemetary,
'Cause the world is all wrong!
I'm going down to the cemetary,
'Cause the world is all wrong!
Down there with the spooks to hear 'em sing my sorrow song.
Got a date to see a ghost
By the name of Jones,
Got a date to see a ghost,
By the name of Jones,
Makes me feel happy to hear him rattle his bones!
He's one man
I always know just where to find!
He's one man,
I always know just where to find!
When you want true lovin', go and get the cemetary kind!
He ain't no fine dresser,
He don't wear nothin' but a sack;
Yeah, he ain't no fine dresser,
He don't wear nothin' but a sack;
Everytime he kisses me, that funny feeling creeps up my back!

Lou Reed - "Charley's Girl"

"Charley's Girl" is a track from Lou Reed's 'Coney Island Baby' album from 1976. After the previous album 'Metal Music Machine', which most people now accept, was a fulfillment of a contractual obligation, rather than a joke, although he has never confirmed either of those... instead, he states it is a serious album (some people believe it is a work of art, haha), Lou Reed fans would've approached 'Coney Island Baby' with trepidation. But 'Coney Island Baby' was (this time) a work of art. It was not as dark as 'Transformer' and 'Berlin' and was more sparse and pared back. With "Charley's Girl" we are told about a new girlfriend of a mate that cannot be trusted... well considering they are all junkies. Kind of takes you back to "I'm Waiting for the Man" territory.

Parov Stelar - "Charleston Butterfly"

Austrian musician/DJ Parov Stelar is the king of electro swing... possibly the founder of the genre. He is probably more well known for his downbeat chill out offerings included on more than 700 compilations... but when he picks up the pace and gives classic swing another lease on life, he could get any party moving. Check out "Charleston Butterfly" and you will know what I mean.



Here is another example - with a brilliant video to match

Hooded Fang - "Tosta Mista"

Toronto band Hooded Fang's second album 'Tosta Mista' is a breakup album like no other. This deals with the breakup of two of the bands members, Daniel Lee and April Aliermo... but it doesn't get in the way of an uplifting jangle-pop album. The title track is a garage/surf-rock gem that could get any bachelor pad swinging.

HOLY OTHER - "Touch"

'Holy Other' is a producer/man of mystery... so I haven't got too much to tell you. The label is Tri Angle and the musical style is a little bit of James Blake and a lot of Burial. Best enjoyed with the lights off and a glass of tawny port in hand. Oh, if you are afraid of ghosts - turn it off right now!

Robert Wyatt - "Shipbuilding"

Robert Wyatt's version of Elvis Costello's "Shipbuilding" actually pre-dated Costello's. Well, there is a reason... the music was written by Clive Langer (supposedly for Robert Wyatt) and while in discussion with Elvis Costello about the lack of satisfactory lyrics, Costello came back with this brilliant Falklands War tale of prosperity and loss. "Shipbuilding" is about the prosperity that a war, such as the Falklands War, may bring the shipbuilding areas of Britain, but with the possibility of losing some of their own people on the same ships in the war. Written and released during the Falklands war in 1982. Elvis Costello's own version was released on his 1983 album 'Punch the Clock'. A true classic!

Beastie Boys - "So What Cha Want"

I just heard about the death of Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (MCA). He will definitely be missed. A hip-hop legend!

Cornerstone Roots - "Journey"

Cornerstone Roots are a roots reggae band from Raglan. The key members Brian Ruawai (Vocals/Guitar) and Naomi Tuao (Bass) have recruited their 12 year old son Reiki Ruawai on vocals and his contribution on "Journey" is outstanding. The positive message that is "Journey" is quite uplifting. This should have been the hit of our recent summer.

De-Phazz - "Cut The Jazz"

De Phazz created a beautiful down-tempo classic from a sample by Ella Fitzgerald. "Cut The Jazz" comes from their debut album 'Detunized Gravity' released in 1997. The sample is from "Love For Sale" by Ella Fitzgerald. They were ahead of the pack with their jazz/lounge beats.... considering this is about 15 years old now. I love the fact that a sample of just a few seconds can result in something as beautiful as the original... yet completely different.



Ella Fitzgerald - "Love For Sale" If you want to hear where they got the sample from - you will have to wait until the 5 minute 31 second mark. But don't skip to it because it is a great journey getting there.

Suede - "She's In Fashion"

"She's In Fashion" is my favourite Suede song. It is from their fourth album 'Head Music' released in 1999. The swirling strings-like synth sound is sensational and gives this beautiful pop song a degree of lushness. The absence of Bernard Butler may have been a concern to Suede fans prior to the release of 'Head Music' but after the first listen, all of that was forgotten.