Tonight, listening to a few songs, I was reminded of the unexpected pleasure that was the Magic Numbers bursting into a glorious cover of Neil Young’s Cowgirl in the Sand when I saw them recently at Tapestry Goes West at Shenley Park. There’s been a few times recently, including this one, where I’ve been impressed [...]
As it’s Pancake Day today, I thought I’d see what pancake-related songs I could find in my collection. (Un)fortunately, I don’t appear to have an songs directly about pancakes, but I do have some that feature pancake-related items in their titles. So, without further ado, here’s a short soundtrack for you while you’re flipping your [...]
This isn’t a blog about any particular song, album or gig. It’s more about the joy of discovering a new song or band for the first time. Let’s face it, there’s too much good stuff out there to be aware of it all, but finding something new you like is always a pleasure. Most recently [...]
I love you through sparks and shining dragons, I do. And now there’s poetry, in an empty Coke can. Those lyrics open up the Guillemots’ Made Up Love Song #43, and is one of the most arresting lyrical introductions to a song I’ve heard. I’m not normally a lyrics man – the music behind a [...]
This is a cracking song. While I was hard at work yesterday, this came blaring out of my iPod. I’d forgotten how good it was and hand to rewind it to listen to again at least twice! It starts with a frantic, extended intro, then breaks into a superb blues-rock number with some cracking guitar [...]
Ah, Deus. Who’s heard of them? Sadly, I don’t think they’re as well known in the UK as they ought to be. I was introduced to them by two good friends. I’m pleased I was. They herald from Belgium, but sing in English. Instant Street is six-minute-plus epic of a song, thanks to the elaborate [...]
Ah, here’s a blast from the past. Riding home on the train today, I decided to spin up a track I’ve not head for ages on my iPod: Zuton Fever. This song’s moment comes at 0:00 – yes, that’s right – at the start of the song. A simple guitar intro, 12 seconds long, each [...]
One thing that always impresses me with music is fine musicianship, whether that’s a particularly talented performer or the cleverness of the song. The National’s Fake Empire, on their 2007 album Boxer, is doubly impressive as it’s a very clever song performed by talented musicians.
First blog, first artist. Who’s going to feature? No question – my favourite band, Radiohead. How to Disappear Completely is a momentous song. Written about their experience of playing Glastonbury 1997, it really is a defining moment in Radiohead’s back catalogue. What’s this song’s moment? For me, it comes in the final furlong of the [...]
All about moving moments in music.