Loopa Scava - "A Hot Day"

Two producers release a trip-hop, new-jazz, down tempo classic. Greek producer Ilias Mimilidis a.k.a. Loopa Scava recorded his debut album 'Up and Down' in 2008 with fellow Greek born producer Giorgos Bratanis a.k.a. Cayetano. I discovered the album opener "A Hot Day" from a compilation and a mild obsession became a craving for more. In other words, just another day in the life of this music lover... but certainly A Hot Day!

Randy Newman - "Short People"

Down in Wellington today was the world premier of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.' So we could have something old and traditional to celebrate, or even something 'new age' to set the tone. But this is much more suitable, don't you think?

Alt-J - "Something Good"

English indie band Alt-J (named after the Mac shortcut for the Greek letter Delta) impressed many critics with the release of their debut album 'An Awesome Wave' a few months ago. The album also won the prestigious Mercury prize. "Something Good" has plenty of melody and as many ideas going on. Definitely no Ctrl-Alt-Del on their keyboard.

Kindness - "Anyone Can Fall In Love"

How to take a tragic 80's song that came out of the 'Eastenders' theme song - with added lyrics and sung by a cast member, Anita Dobson... and make it your own?

Lesson 1. Do what 'Kindness' has done... you probably won't even recognise it.



The original by Anita Dobson


Eastenders Theme

The Sound - "Missiles"

This is a rare repeat song on this blog. For obvious reasons I thought it needs another posting. Good song, bad reason.

Moby - "Study War"

Sometimes a simple song can express more than an editorial, a rant, or a lengthy discussion.....

Metallica - "One"

With the help of the movie clips from 'Johnny Got His Gun' Metallica's "One" turned non metal fans on to metal. They didn't use the movie clips as a way to enhance the power of the song, the association was very close and therefore credible. The theme of the song is based on the anti-war novel 'Johnny Got His Gun' by Dalton Trumbo. The novel was about a soldier trapped inside his own body after losing his limbs, eyes, ears, teeth and tongue in a blast. Dalton Trumbo directed the movie adaptation of his own novel more than 30 years after it was first published. Put everything together and what we have here is a fucking great song with a fascinating video, kind of by default.

Olivia Broadfield - "Don't Cry"

English pop-electronic artist Olivia Broadfield released her debut album 'Eyes Wide Open' in 2009 and "Don't Cry" was the first single. "Don't Cry" is a mellow singer/songwriter style pop song that unexpectedly gets the effects/beats treatment at about quarter time. Why wait to be remixed... just do all the tweaking the first time. Not a bad introduction at all.

Grand Duchy - "Lovesick"

Grand Duchy is a project featuring former Pixies man Black Francis and his wife Violet Clark. I have already posted one of their songs on here so I won't repeat myself (please look them up under the the artists list 'labels' for a bit more info). "Lovesick" features Violet on vocals, except for Black Francis asking her what she is wearing. This is my favourite song off their underrated debut album 'Petits Fours' from 2009. Maybe some Pixies fans are too precious to accept this as credible... but they are missing out on something quite special.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - "Red Right Hand"

There are too many great Nick Cave songs to have an actual favourite but "Red Right Hand" would have to be in the top 5. The title is apparently from a line in a John Milton poem "Paradise Lost." Red Right Hand is from Nick Cave's brilliant 'Let Love In' album, which also features another classic "Nobody's Baby Now" but I might leave that for another day. Anyway, as I have said before, I know I am preaching to the converted... so basically nothing more needs to be said.

Demetri Martin

It must be time for some more comedy from Demetri Martin.

CC:Stand-Up
Get More: Jokes,Jokes of the Day,Funny Jokes

Perfect Sense (Trilogy)

1, Sight
I watched a fascinating movie on the Rialto channel called 'Perfect Sense' about an outbreak of an epidemic that robs people of their sensory perceptions. The protagonists, played by Eva Green and Ewan McGregor, start a relationship as the first cases of the worldwide epidemic emerge. As their relationship progresses, so does the chaos around them. Basically it is a love story set in the most extraordinary circumstances.



2, Hearing
I've raved on about Max Richter before on this blog... so it was an added bonus to find out he wrote the (score) soundtrack. Subtle at times and powerful at others - Max Richter will always make a great film even better.



3, Taste
While we are on the subject of Max Richter the composer, you may know that he decided on a musical project recently. It wasn't a big project, it was a fucking huge project. Recomposing Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' is a big call indeed and one that I think he managed to pull off. Some purists may have another opinion, but it was certainly done with respect and in good taste. It made Perfect Sense.

Straitjacket Fits - "So Long Marianne"

This great Leonard Cohen song has been covered by so many artists over the years and my favourite has always been Straitjacket Fits' 1988 version from their debut album Hail. In fact it was their only cover over the three albums they released. Unmistakably Leonard Cohen in song and unmistakably Straitjacket Fits in sound. Choice Bro!

Demis Roussos - "Forever and Ever"

Demis Roussos was a big star in the 70's. After originally being part of the Greek prog-rock group 'Aphrodite's Child' which also featured Vangelis, Demis Roussos started his solo career in the early 70's. He peaked internationally in 1973 with the hit singles "My Friend the Wind" and "Forever and Ever." It is easy to think that these days with social network sites from Myspace through to Facebook, and Youtube, we are in a unique position where anything is possible. But here is proof that it was the same back in the 70's (or any time) if the timing is right. Here was someone with the appearance of a Greek caveman, wearing a colourful kaftan as casually as the women of the day, with a voice somewhere between Pavarotti and Feargal Sharkey (a recent observation by me) who made the big time... singing MOR ballads. Funny that.



A Remix of "Forever and Ever"

Street Chant - "Frail Girls"

"Frail Girls" is from Street Chant's double A-side single with "Salad Daze" - which is available on purple vinyl for only $8.00 at the Arch Hill Store (click on link below - come on, you know you want to)... perfect for any cool record collection. This trio should be huge, but somehow I get the feeling they don't give a fuck.

Don't call me Shirley

It's Monday night, it's late, so all I've got is a classic one-liner.... surely not!

Angelo Badalamenti - "Audrey's Dance"

Twin Peaks was, by far, the greatest television series of it's time. The soundtrack by Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch was a big part of it's appeal. It certainly added to the surrealism that David Lynch's direction had already created. "Audrey's Dance" is a cool jazz number that set a different mood altogether.



The "Audrey's Dance" scene

Belle and Sebastian - "I Want the World To Stop"

Here is a live version of Belle and Sebastian's "I Want the World To Stop" taken from their 'Write About Love' TV show. The TV or televisual release was to promote the album 'Write About Love' prior to it's release in 2010. This is a perfect example of why they are the flag bearers of indie/twee pop.

The Eversons - "Marriage"

Here is a great idea for the next engagement party you get invited to. Don't bother with the traditional set of wine glasses. Give them the unconventional gift of a CD... not some cheesy romantic album, definitely not. It has to be 'Summer Feeling' by The Eversons. If they seem disappointed or slightly bemused - tell them you bought it because the album contains the greatest marriage song ever written. You will be very popular again... who knows, they may even slot it in between some tenors and a diva. Spread the love.