Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - "Enola Gay"

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark released the single "Enola Gay" in 1980. It is now remembered as one of the great synth songs from the 80's. In fact the synth sound was so good it took care of the chorus by itself. However, as you all probably know, the theme of the song is quite different to the uplifting pop sound. The title itself is taken from the name of the B-29 bomber that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Named by the pilot Colonel Paul Tibbets after his mother Enola Gay Tibbets.
It is as much an anti-war song as it is a protest song, I suspect. Margaret Thatcher had allowed US missiles to be stationed in the UK at the time and it may have also coincided with talk of the Smithsonian Institution putting the plane on display. Something that did eventually happen decades later at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Black Mountain - "Heart Of Snow"

Black Mountain are a band from Vancouver. They could be called a collective - due to all the other bands associated with the members (Lightning Dust is one of them, and one that has been featured on this blog). However, Black Mountain is the principal band of the members. The key members are Stephen McBean and Amber Webber. They are heavily influenced by the 70's heavy metal sound of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath - but there is so much more to this band... there's some Psychedelic and even some Velvet Underground going on. Black Mountain's self titled debut album was released in 2005 and I think "Heart of Snow" is the perfect introduction for anyone who hasn't crossed their path. It starts off acoustically and turns sharply into some prog-rock territory for a couple of moments. But it's Amber Webber's vocals that is the real highlight. I experienced her signature vibrato vocal style for the first time through this song and it was a revelation. I highly recommend her side project 'Lightning Dust' as well.

Noah Gundersen - "Jealous Love"

"Jealous Love" is from the new album 'Carry the Ghost' by Noah Gundersen. It is an emotional song with a video that takes that emotion to much greater heights. Proceed with caution.... NSFW if you don't want to be seen with a tear in your eye.

K.Flay - "Make Me Fade"

Kristine Flaherty, known as K. Flay, is an Illinois artist who seamlessly crosses over many genres. It's no surprise then to find out she has toured with Snoop Dog and Passion Pit - but being part of the 2014 Vans Warped Tour confirms her versatility musically. Her debut album 'Life as a Dog' was released in 2014 and was funded through PledgeMusic by her fans. The single "Make Me Fade" gives us a taste of her genre crossing credentials brilliantly, from hip-hop to R & B and electronica to indie. Wow!!

REDTRACK - "CATCH ME OUT"

This is for all those people who signed up to a certain website.

Skywatchers - "The Curious Village"

When the guys from the wonderful Sheffield band I Monster met fellow musician Kevin Pearce - Skywatchers were formed and it was a match made in heaven. I Monster are a fantastic electronica band with a special fondness for the past... their band name is taken from a 1971 horror starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, their label is 'Twins of Evil', presumedly named after the brilliant Hammer Horror movie from the early 70's, and they have plenty of songs about vampires etc. But it's also the music that borrows from the past - they use vintage instruments and all things analogue. So the addition of a real singer and a more pop style song structure made their album 'The Skywatchers Handbook' one of best albums of recent times... but criminally overlooked. With Skywatchers, I Monster haven't lost anything - and we have gained significantly.



I Monster with a variation named "The Plague Village"

The Phoenix Foundation - "Give Up Your Dreams"

"Give Up Your Dreams" is the title track of the new album by The Phoenix Foundation, only just released. This Wellington band have become an institution - with so many essential albums and even the solo albums from the many members have been solid. I've said it before with the 'Buffalo' album and I'll say it again with this album - this may be their best yet... their magnum opus. "Give Up Your Dreams" is a pessimist's anthem. With its hypnotic beat, you could even say groovy, to the cool vocals and pop surroundings - it sure picks you up and gives you a lift. But the message is clearly a different story. Maybe it's for the realists or just a message to the dreamers to tone down their dreams and aspirations a bit. But a song this good and humourous could never be negative in my book.