Giant Sand - "Jumpin' Jack Flash"

Giant Sand are an Alt-Country band from Tucson, Arizona led by Howe Gelb. Giant Sand also features John Convertino and Joey Burns who have a side project band called Calexico (probably more well known than Giant Sand.) I heard a review on National Radio the other day of the new album from the expanded version of the band... aptly named 'Giant Giant Sand.' Howe Gelb's baritone/bass singing voice was mentioned during the review and although I am well and truly aware of that fact, the song that came to mind that typifies that is their version of The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash." It's like a 45rpm single put on at 33rpm and the treble turned down and the bass turned up to 11.

Mercury Rev - "Holes"

This song is so cinematic, so ethereal, so orchestral, so dreamy and beautiful... in fact I could go on forever. Let's just say it is a masterpiece. The first time I heard this I was on my way home from work and had to stop to pick something up and this song came on at that time. I couldn't get out of the car until it was finished and luckily the bFM DJ announced who it was. I was obsessed, and remember, in 1998 you couldn't just go home and download it. So I (probably the next day) went to Real Groovy Records and bought the CD. I had heard of Mercury Rev but had never taken the time to listen to them. After hearing "Holes" I kind of felt that I had robbed myself of something good. The album 'Deserter's Songs' was a fine work of art and I remained loyal thereafter. The start of a beautiful relationship.

"Start the Engine and Reverse"

Today on this song blog we will have a short film interlude. This is a short film from the 'Your Film Festival', which is at the voting stage now. You can find the 50 semi-finalists on youtube. "Start the Engine and Reverse" is a chilling one-shot film from Russian entrant Andrey Zagidullin.
The music will be back again tomorrow.

Public Image Ltd - "The Room I Am In"

"The Room I Am In" has Public Image Ltd's John Lydon in a poetic guise. This track from the recently released PiL album 'This is PiL' is in a speak-song style and is about the isolation and despair of council estate living and drug taking, of course. There is not much middle ground when it comes to this song, I suspect... either compelling (like it is to me) or just annoying. Let's hope you are in the former category.

Mark Ronson - "Stop Me (If You Think You've Heard This One Before)"

STOP!!!

Scout Niblett - "So Much Love To Do"

Scout Niblett is an English singer-songwriter now based in America. She certainly wears her American influences on her sleeve.... Catpower being one such example. She has also duetted with Will Oldham on a few occasions, which kind of makes sense because her own music shares the same gothic nature. "So Much Love To Do" is minimalist at best but the strength is in her voice. An outstanding artist who has for too long been under the radar.

Kora - "On My Mind"

Kora are a Whakatane reggae/dub/funk band featuring four brothers and a friend. From the very first time I heard this song "On My Mind" I could hear some classic Prince mixed with some Che-Fu. However, a mate of mine couldn't find an ounce of Prince in this song at all. There isn't really a point to where I am going with this... except that we can all enjoy great music even if we can't agree with the influences we hear.