Madonna - "What It Feels Like For A Girl"

"What It Feels Like For A Girl" was from Madonna's last great album (IMHO) 'Music'.... I think she has had some moments since, but 'Music' was a truly great album. "What It Feels Like For A Girl" even has a sample from 'The Cement Garden' movie, featuring the voice of Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Back to the song and the album..... oh, the video has been muted, by the record company I presume, and because there is nothing else on youtube other than remixes etc. - I seem to be wasting my time. So I apologise to them for trying to promote their artist and I promise I won't do it again.
So let's carry on with 'The Cement Garden' instead. The film was an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Ian McEwan. Directed by Charlotte's uncle Andrew Birkin... so it is keeping it in the family in more than just subject matter. I haven't seen the film but have read the book. The novel is definitely not for everyone but if you love modern fiction and don't mind a story dealing with a taboo subject - this one is for you. Although, I haven't yet found an Ian McEwan novel that has disappointed me.



The Cement Garden trailer



Oh the irony!


I love the irony here. The video has been muted because it includes the Madonna audio track. But the reason it was even put here on youtube is because Madonna borrowed part of the original film's audio (legally) for her song. However, the copyright owner of the music has stopped us even hearing the original film audio they borrowed.... priceless!

She's So Rad - "Better Off On Your Own"

She's So Rad are an Auckland band who have recently released their second album 'Tango' and it's something quite special. It's been the go-to album since trialling the new Apple Music streaming service. She's So Rad are actually a duo featuring Jeremy Toy and Anji Sami (Anji is also a member of The Sami Sisters). The album is a mixture of 80's synth, Swervedriver, 90's Alt rock and a bit of something from the current indie music scene. The opener, and earlier single, "Levels" is a catchy indie/pop song that has constantly been on Bitter FM playlists from the day it arrived on the Kiwi Hit Disc. On "Better Off On Your Own" they bring the 80's synth sound to the fore. Jeremy Toy and Anji Sami have both been making music for a while now - but I honestly think they bring out the best in each other creatively as a duo.

Jamie xx - "Loud Places" (ft Romy)

There is no doubt that the new album from Jamie xx is anything but excellent, but for me it's the guest appearances from fellow 'The xx' band members that got me interested. "Loud Places" featuring Romy on vocals is like a little gift while we wait for their new album.

Northern State - "Trinity"

Northern State are a trio of white rappers from New York.... sound familiar? Well not quite, but these ladies may have only known of one rap band when they started and that would be the Beastie Boys. "Trinity" is from their debut album 'Dying in Stereo' from 2002. They formed in the 90's as a joke, not even taking themselves seriously - but we've heard the same story since the start of popular music and like many of those other stories - Northern State found an appreciative audience.... and like the Beasties, their fans were more than likely from the indie rock side of the music genre ledger.

The Myrrors - "Juanito Laguna"

The Myrrors, from Tucson, have finally released their second album about eight years after they released their debut. The new album 'Arena Negra' is a slow moving, yet exhilarating listening experience. "Juanito Laguna" has a hypnotic bass line and a gothic drone that gets into your head. Their music is sometimes labelled desert-rock, but this is the desert in complete darkness.

Rose Windows - "Wartime Lovers"

The debut album 'The Sun Dogs' from Rose Windows was one of my purchases at the Re-Spin record fair on Saturday, a local bi-monthly record fair. Seattle based Rose Windows are an interesting six piece band with traditional instrumentation and not a laptop in sight. Singer Rabia Shaheen Qazi can belt out a number like Grace Slick or tone it down beautifully, as she does here on "Wartime Lovers". It was no surprise to find out that the album was produced by Randall Dunn from the band 'Earth' because of the similar indie/metal elements throughout. Throw in some traditional folk, folk rock, psychedelic rock, Indian and Persian styles, usually blended, and the result is something quite uniquely gorgeous. Thanks Re-Spin.

"Pop Music Masterclass"

Today we have a mixture of music and pop song analysis or deconstruction. The analysis is very interesting so I hope you stick with me.

Part 1/Lesson 1.
Chilly Gonzales' "Pop Music Masterclass" featuring Lykke Li's "No Rest For The Wicked"

The musical genius we know as Chilly Gonzales explains the song structure of various pop songs in a series called "Pop Music Masterclass", which can be found on his website, Vimeo or Youtube. Lykke Li's "No Rest For The Wicked" is the subject of our first lesson.



Part 2/Song 1.
Lykke Li - No Rest For The Wicked



Part 3/song 2.
Chilly Gonzales - "Greens Leaves"

Chilly Gonzales' new album 'Chambers' is a collaboration with the Kaiser Quartett. It is piano and chamber music - just think of "Rain" by Ryuichi Sakamoto and that should put you at ease. Bitter FM's introduction to Canadian born Chilly Gonzales was a duet with Peaches which we first playlisted many years back. His musical career has been very eclectic and it is very clear why he is regarded as a musical genius. "Greens Leaves" is from the 'Chambers' album.



Part 4/Lesson 2.
Back to class. This time it's for a deconstruction of "Greens Leaves" and chamber music in general.