Fiona Apple - "Every Single Night"

I was sure Fiona Apple's third album 'Extraordinary Machine' was untouchable and while I looked forward to her follow up - I didn't expect her to match it. Well, I was so wrong. The album is as impressive as the title is long. Known now as 'The Idler wheel' but the full title is 'The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do.' Her quirkiness, if anything, has increased over the years... and here is a great example "Every Single Night" or two examples if you count the video.

Miriam Clancy - The Best

Miriam Clancy is New Zealand's best kept secret. Her debut album 'Lucky One' in 2006 was practically unnoticed and her second album 'Magnetic' suffered much the same in 2009. However, those that did notice either of them would be, I assume, quite happy that they kept it as their little secret. But fuck that, let's tell the world about Miriam Clancy. Her latest single "The Best" may be a good, if belated, place to start.

Sherbet - "Howzat"

Just watching some cricket and not getting much else done. Here is a quick, in between innings, post. Aussie band Sherbet had a big hit with "Howzat" in 1976. It is not exactly a cricket song but it does have a cricket title - so that's good enough for me.

Isaac Hayes - "Shaft"

Isaac Hayes was many things in his brilliant career... he was the Soul Man, the Black Moses, the deep bass vocalist, the Bacharach cover artist (but not like any of the others), the king of Blaxploitation, the actor and the voice of Chef on South Park. But best of all he was the man behind "Shaft" - one of the greatest movie themes ever and one that still sounds great today, while it also defines that 70's blaxploitation period.

The Golden Palominos - "Victim"

The Golden Palominos enlisted New York Spoken-word artist Nicole Blackman for their 1996 album 'Dead Inside' and the result was something quite different to their previous albums. The opening track "Victim" is the most powerful song I play on Bitter FM... not in terms of the volume but in terms of the poetry/lyrics. This is a chilling first person account from a victim of an abduction. I could go on forever with adjectives like 'harrowing' or 'disturbing' but it's much better to let the song do the talking. One thing is guaranteed - you will be moved.

The Smiths - "Bigmouth Strikes Again"

There are so many reasons to love "Bigmouth Strikes Again" by The Smiths. Here are five of them.

1, The opening lines are priceless... "Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking
When I said I'd like to smash every tooth In your head

Oh ... sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking
When I said by rights you should be Bludgeoned in your bed"

2, The Joan of Arc references... "Now I know how Joan of Arc felt
As the flames rose to her roman nose
And her hearing aid started to melt"

3, Morrissey's self-deprecating chorus "Bigmouth strikes again
And I've got no right to take my place
With the Human race"

4, Johnny Marr's guitar(as always)

5, It is from one of the greatest albums ever 'The Queen Is Dead' released in 1986.

I won't bore you with the other 95 reasons.

The Mynabirds - "Generals"

'The Mynabirds' are a musical project led by former 'Bright Eyes' touring member Laura Burhenn. 'Generals' is their second album and it's name comes from a photo with the title "Generals of the Daughters of the American Revolution" by Richard Avedon. And that kind of sums up the concept of the album. It is part protest, part political and definitely pays tribute to the women who stood up against their oppression. The title track "Generals" is a melting pot of genres - 80's retro, blues, indie rock - to name a few. With lyrics such as... “Callin’ all my generals, my daughters, my revolutionists” you get a clear idea about the theme of the album, as mentioned earlier. This would've been the perfect song to be posted on Women's Suffrage Day (19th September)... only a few days late.