The Adverts - "Gary Gilmore's Eyes"

"Gary Gilmore's Eyes" by The Adverts is a true classic punk song. Released in 1977... the defining year of the punk movement. There is no doubt about punk being the savior of music when it was much needed and the Adverts were an important part of that, while possibly not remembered for it so much today. They had so much energy and they also liked to poke fun at themselves as well as what was going on around them. "One Chord Wonders" and "Bored Teenagers" are a couple of examples. If you had to pick only one song from their arsenal - it would have to be "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" for sure. "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" is about the American murderer, Gary Gilmore, who was executed the same year of this release. Gilmore had requested that his eyes be donated to science after his execution... stating that they would probably be the only body part of use. So the point of view* taken in the song is from the recipient of the eyes after a transplant. Proof that punk was more than a 'fuck you' to the establishment.
Where is the "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" movie? Come on Peter Jackson.... the soundtrack is already written for you.




* Pun intended.

Melanie De Biasio - "I'm Gonna Leave You"

Melanie De Biasio is my latest discovery that I can't get enough of. The Belgian jazz chanteuse released her second album 'No Deal' last year - but it is more of a recent discovery for me and I can't stop playing it. I love jazz, admittedly in smallish doses, but this one takes me to the other end of the ledger. I was originally hoping to get the vinyl version for Record Store Day, which is this Saturday, but I can't find it anywhere online in New Zealand and I'm too impatient to order it from Europe.... so an iTunes download did the trick. "No Deal' is a must for all fans of Billie Holliday, Nina Simone, Portishead, Velvet Underground and Nico, Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks), Talk Talk, Jeff Buckley... I could go on forever and there still wouldn't be an uninteresting artist listed. The album is dark, sparse and haunting throughout its thirty something minutes. "I'm Gonna Leave You" is a stunning Nina Simone cover. I don't want this to be my obsession alone....

Emily & the Complexes - "You Won't"

On the song "You Won't" by Emily & the Complexes, you hear about a strained relationship or more so, a relationship that is just plodding along. She appears frustrated by his nonchalant attitude.... but whether it adds to her frustration or actually comforts her, she knows he won't leave.
Before I go on, there is something that needs to be explained - it isn't Emily singing from her heart, in fact there isn't an Emily in the band at all. Emily & the Complexes are four guys based in Columbus, led by Tyler Verhagen. Tyler tells the story from a female's perspective. It is quite convincing too, because he fooled me.
"You Won't" is from their 'Dirty Southern Love' EP from 2014. At only $5, you have to download this.... but she says "You Won't".