15/03/2019
Aotearoa.
It's so hard to believe.
You're so beautiful.
Aotearoa.
Lake Taupo
Monday, March 18, 2019
Monday, January 7, 2019
Perfect Radio Songs (Part 1) Middle Kids - Edge Of Town
A perfect radio song is very subjective. In my opinion there wouldn't be many in that category from commercial radio and some people would say the same about the more alternative stations like Bitter FM. However, there would have to be times when a song comfortably fits in both camps.
I'm not sure if these songs were played on commercial radio but I expect they were. Anyway, they certainly found their way onto a lot of Bitter FM playlists and are worth celebrating for being the great radio songs they are.
Part 1, Middle Kids - Edge Of Town
This song "Edge Of Town" by Aussie band Middle Kids could possibly be the (quintessential) perfect pop radio song. It is a 'stop what you are doing and enjoy every second of it' song when it's heard on the radio. Hannah Joy's vocals are sensational and she takes it to a dazzling climax....... check it out and enjoy.
I'm not sure if these songs were played on commercial radio but I expect they were. Anyway, they certainly found their way onto a lot of Bitter FM playlists and are worth celebrating for being the great radio songs they are.
Part 1, Middle Kids - Edge Of Town
This song "Edge Of Town" by Aussie band Middle Kids could possibly be the (quintessential) perfect pop radio song. It is a 'stop what you are doing and enjoy every second of it' song when it's heard on the radio. Hannah Joy's vocals are sensational and she takes it to a dazzling climax....... check it out and enjoy.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Dead Stars - "Crawl" (Live)
Dead Stars are a band from New York with a 90's alt rock sound. "Crawl" comes from their 2014 album 'Slumber'.
"Crawl" starts off with a Sonic Youth fuzzy intro and quickly turns into Nirvana heaven or Nirvana nirvana.
You could call them a 90's alt rock tribute band but that wouldn't do them justice.
Just good old rock n' roll with a 90's influence.
"Crawl" starts off with a Sonic Youth fuzzy intro and quickly turns into Nirvana heaven or Nirvana nirvana.
You could call them a 90's alt rock tribute band but that wouldn't do them justice.
Just good old rock n' roll with a 90's influence.
Monday, September 3, 2018
Alela Diane - "Ether & Wood"
Alela Diane released her fifth album 'Cusp' earlier this year and it quickly became a favourite. I still play it constantly. It is undoubtedly my album of the year, so far.
A broken thumb nail apparently moved her away from the guitar and to the piano for most of the songs on Cusp. A move that was inspiring and at the same time it changed the way she approached her songwriting... maybe in a similar way to what Conor Oberst did with his 'Ruminations' album.
She came close to dying during the birth of her second child and the album title comes from that experience, "Life and death meet in a cusp" as she commented.
She even admits that writing songs about motherhood is a musical taboo, however, she doesn't apologise here. And she has no reason to apologise. The emotions are deep, but assured, and there are no hints of saccharine slipping in. Nothing short of stunning from start to finish.
"Ether & Wood", which was released as a single prior to the album coming out, is about the different lives that are lived within a lifetime.
Treat yourself and check out 'Cusp' now.
A broken thumb nail apparently moved her away from the guitar and to the piano for most of the songs on Cusp. A move that was inspiring and at the same time it changed the way she approached her songwriting... maybe in a similar way to what Conor Oberst did with his 'Ruminations' album.
She came close to dying during the birth of her second child and the album title comes from that experience, "Life and death meet in a cusp" as she commented.
She even admits that writing songs about motherhood is a musical taboo, however, she doesn't apologise here. And she has no reason to apologise. The emotions are deep, but assured, and there are no hints of saccharine slipping in. Nothing short of stunning from start to finish.
"Ether & Wood", which was released as a single prior to the album coming out, is about the different lives that are lived within a lifetime.
Treat yourself and check out 'Cusp' now.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Nine Inch Nails - "God Break Down The Door"
Nine Inch Nails' final instalment of the EP trilogy has come to light with the release of 'Bad Witch'.
Over the six songs we get a bit of a snapshot of Trent Reznor's full musical repertoire - going back to his industrial beginnings. It's the experimental jazz that kind of brings it all together on parts of this release. Particularly on "God Break Down The Door" with the sax as a bed of minor chaos and combined with the vocals it has David Bowie's BlackStar written all over it.
As we well know the influence Bowie's music has had on artists through most of his career - it's nice to know that even his last album may have been inspirational to another of the musical heavyweights.
Over the six songs we get a bit of a snapshot of Trent Reznor's full musical repertoire - going back to his industrial beginnings. It's the experimental jazz that kind of brings it all together on parts of this release. Particularly on "God Break Down The Door" with the sax as a bed of minor chaos and combined with the vocals it has David Bowie's BlackStar written all over it.
As we well know the influence Bowie's music has had on artists through most of his career - it's nice to know that even his last album may have been inspirational to another of the musical heavyweights.
Monday, May 21, 2018
BERNIE GRIFFEN and the Thin Men 'MY BRAIN EXPLODED'
"My Brain Exploded" is the first taste of what's to come when Bernie Griffen's third album 'Doors Wide Open' is released shortly. His self deprecating lyrics about his ADHD with lines like “I’ve given up the H, now just struggling with the ADD, it drives me crazy!”... and his long time life partner and musical partner on this album, Kirsten Warner, would probably agree with all that he is saying, affectionately, of course.
Bernie's voice can't hide the signs of his emphysema - but just like Dylan, the songs are for that voice and that's what we expect.
The Gothic Country/Folk artist is on top of his game and from what I've heard from the album so far (from live sessions), I think it will be one of the year's best.
A great contribution from Kirsten and the band 'The Thin Men' needs to be acknowledged as well.
Bernie's voice can't hide the signs of his emphysema - but just like Dylan, the songs are for that voice and that's what we expect.
The Gothic Country/Folk artist is on top of his game and from what I've heard from the album so far (from live sessions), I think it will be one of the year's best.
A great contribution from Kirsten and the band 'The Thin Men' needs to be acknowledged as well.
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Hookworms - "Negative Space"
Hookworms are a Northern English indie band named after a parasite that you don't really want to know about. Their third album Microshift is a stunner. The opening track "Negative Space" is an example of their shift in direction... more than a microshift anyway.
It starts off like an old school krautrock classic and ends up being an indie rock anthem. The change is seamless enough to go along for the ride all the way.
There is also an underlying LCD Soundsystem influence throughout.
It may be about depression but the outcome is pretty positive to the listener.
It starts off like an old school krautrock classic and ends up being an indie rock anthem. The change is seamless enough to go along for the ride all the way.
There is also an underlying LCD Soundsystem influence throughout.
It may be about depression but the outcome is pretty positive to the listener.
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