When I set about writing this blog, I was keen to make most of the posts positive. I’m about to break that unwritten rule.

This cover version – which I was able to tolerate only around a minute of – is overblown rubbish. Yes, the voices are in tune, and it’s based on a good song. But I don’t understand how people can eke any enjoyment out of this, and I challenge you to listen to the whole thing.

I am looking forward to the new Garbage album though – hopefully it’ll be worth the wait.

In the meantime, this is how it’s supposed to sound. I swear this come out earlier than 1998, mind:

Glee-esque Garbage cover: overblown rubbish is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog

Do great band members make good solo artists?

That’s the question I’ve found myself pondering in the last 10 minutes or so, since stumbling on Gomez (or, as it sounds like, just Ben Ottewell) doing their (or his) version of Wichita Lineman.

Ben Ottewell released his own solo album – Shapes and Shadows – at the start of this year. Comprising of 9 songs, it’s a tidy album, but it’s lacking a certain something. Could it be the rest of his band mates?

Thom Yorke released a solo record, The Eraser a few years back. It’s good, but it’s not a patch on Radiohead’s output.

And what about David Gilmour, Roger Waters or Mark Knopfler? Has any of their solo output matched that of Pink Floyd or Dire Straits?

Here’s a challenge for you: name a solo artist that’s better on their own than they were in their band. I’ve got a few up my sleeve, but I’d like to see what you can come up with first.

Do great band members make good solo artists? is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog

What makes a good cover version? Is it authenticity to the original work, or taking the canvas of the original and painting over it with something entirely different?

I think there are good examples of both.

Mark Cox, regular commenter on this fine blog, recently introduced me to the mighty fine The Civil Wars. Check out this version of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. It’s completely different, an far more enticing than the original version in my humble opinion.

At the other end of the spectrum, I also recently enjoyed Weezer’s take on Radiohead’s Paranoid Android, which is quite authentic when you compare it to the original.

But, like any balanced individual, I reckon something in the middle often makes the best cover. Gomez’s rendition of Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine is simply wonderful.

What cover versions have you enjoyed of late?

Good cover versions is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog

I had an interesting revelation not too long ago. Needing to concentrate at work, I put on my headphones. Deciding I needed something different to listen to from my usual day time fayre - that usually being 6 Music or random tunes on Spotify – I put on a spot of Dvořák.

Yes, you read that right. Dvořák.

Imagine my surprise when I heard the Hovis music strike up during the New World Symphony, as heard in the famous advert. Another factoid I’ve just uncovered – this was directed by Ridley Scott. I assume that’s him of the Alien and Gladiator directorial fame.

This is just one example of a piece of music being composed by someone you didn’t expect. Which songs have you learnt were written by someone you weren’t anticpating?

Incidently I’ve been on a Dvořák spree of late, lapping up the 5th to 9th Symphonies in recent weeks. Stirring stuff, and highly recommended for when you need to concentrate at work! All thanks to my colleague Ben, who prompted me to get better acquainted with Dvořák’s wonderful work.

Discovering music is written by someone you didn’t expect is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog

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 by unexpected covers – Muse doing Where the Streets Have No Name with The Edge at Glastonbury the most memorable other example. The Magic Numbers’ in particular though was brilliant. It was faithful to the original, but still drenched in a whole heap of Magic Numbers greatness.

It made a top set all the more fantastic.

There are loads of famous covers by established artists –  Thom Yorke often offers excellent Neil Young song renditions - and I’ve just found this excellent version of Tell Me Why, tagged on to the end of Radiohead’s own Faust Arp.

I do love getting to see covers at gig. They’re regularly top moments in music.

The unexpected cover – Magic Numbers doing Cowgirl in the Sand is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog

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 pancakes in the kitchen at some point today.

Super Furry Animals – White Socks/ Flip Flops
Deus – The Real Sugar
U2 – Lemon

Have you got any more to add?

Songs for Pancake Day is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog

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 discovered Kraftwerk’s Neon Lights on Radcliffe and Maconie’s excellent Radio 2 show:

That’s encouraged me to go and check out more of the Kraftwerk back catalogue.

The time before that, it was probably Midlake, who unbeknown to me had realeased two quality albums on Bella Union. I’ve enjoyed checking out their latest – their third – on Spotify, and I’ve got their second, The Trials of Van Occupanther, on it’s way from Amazon.

Have you got any more recommendations for me?

Discovered any good music lately? is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog

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 song is normally what grabs me most – however, Fyfe Dangerfield’s impassioned statement, starting at 0:17, really grabs me. And the very start of the intro, featuring alarm clocks and melody that de-tunes to its chimes ain’t half bad either.

Watch this video on YouTube or buy Through the Windowpane, the album it features 0n from Amazon and check it out for yourself. It really is a cracking moment from an amazing song.

I’m looking forward to hearing Fyfe’s solo which is released soon too.

Guillemots: Made Up Love Song #43 is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog

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 solos. Magical moment comes at 1:24 as Jim James’ vocal kicks in.

Highly recommended – check it out in this live video.

My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog

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 outro, which is this songs moment.

It starts at 3:38. Watch this video from Rock Werchter 2008 (which, incidently, I was at!) and enjoy the layered guitars that guide this song to its conclusion.

Buy The Ideal Crash from Amazon – it’s worth it!

Deus – Instant Street is a post from: Moments in Music - a music blog