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 2,Dan Auerbach - "King Of A One Horse Town"
When Dan Auerbach released his 2017 solo album 'Waiting on a Song' we expected yet another album not unlike his hugely successful band The Black Keys. But this one was quite different altogether. The Blues was replaced with acoustic guitar and a laid back country rock/soul sound.
"King Of A One Horse Town" is such a perfect example of what a radio hit sounded like in the 70's when radio was AM - or what a hit should've sounded like. The strings instantly bring back that era.
Most people are, at least a little bit, afraid of stepping out of their own zone in life - through fear of failure, regardless of vocation or lifestyle... and that's exactly what "King Of A One Horse Town" is about.
Perfect song in any decade.
Lake Taupo
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Maarja Nuut and Ruum - 'The Lost Geese'
This a real gem - from a Live Session for RNZ recently. Maarja Nuut and Ruum are a duo from Estonia and "The Lost Geese" (Haned Kadunud) is from their album 'Muunduja'.
They mix traditional, classical, experimental and dance music with sensational results. Here we have Maarja Nuut on vocals and even a breathing loop to add a layer of hushed percussion - while Ruum builds the atmosphere slowly with his beats. Then when Maarja adds some live violin loops it gets to an unexpected peak.... mesmerising!
They mix traditional, classical, experimental and dance music with sensational results. Here we have Maarja Nuut on vocals and even a breathing loop to add a layer of hushed percussion - while Ruum builds the atmosphere slowly with his beats. Then when Maarja adds some live violin loops it gets to an unexpected peak.... mesmerising!
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.
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