Pop Evil – waking the lions
From their album “Pop Evil” which was released in 2018.
It was the first song I heard today. It gave my day a lot of positive attitude.
From the album “Onyx” 2013
Apparently this genre is called metalcore or alternative metal. Who knew?!
Felix Räuber – road to chaos
This song was released in July 2020 on Every Motion Records, which is Felix’s own label. He is an artist through and through, an extraordinary vocalist and his interviews show an intelligent man who cares about life and the state of this earth. Felix is probably better known to a broader audience as the singer of the band Polarkreis 18, they had a huge hit single with the song “Allein Allein” in 2007. Definitely an artist to watch. Hearing him live is a treat too. I saw him years ago at a gig with Maximilian Hecker. 36 people with the staff manning the bar… a gem of a gig that I will never forget.
Enjoy your day. xx
Pink Floyd – hey you
From the album “The Wall” (1979, Harvest). The song was written by Roger Waters. This one is a bit heavier, melancholic even, yet there is hope too. But I like the lyrics a lot.
Hey you, out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you, standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Hey you, don’t help them to bury the light
Don’t give in without a fight
Hey you out there on your own
Sitting naked by the phone
Would you touch me?
Hey you with you ear against the wall
Waiting for someone to call out
Would you touch me?
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Open your heart, I’m coming home
But it was only fantasy
The wall was too high
As you can see
No matter how he tried
He could not break free
And the worms ate into his brain
Hey you, out there on the road
Always doing what you’re told
Can you help me?
Hey you, out there beyond the wall
Breaking bottles in the hall
Can you help me?
Hey you, don’t tell me there’s no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall
Cathy’s Top 5 Pink Floyd songs:
1. Comfortably Numb (1979, The Wall)
2. Sorrow (1989, A Momentary Lapse of Reason)
3. High Hopes (1994, The Division Bell)
4. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (1975, Wish You Were Here)
5. What Do You Want From Me (1994, The Division Bell)
Many people think that Pink Floyd is challenging to get into. And I agree. Some of their earlier stuff is unbearable – for me. I can’t listen to most of “The Dark Side of the Moon” and I haven’t in a while, maybe it is time to give it another spin. However, “The Division Bell” is one of the albums I listen to all the time. The songs I shared are accessible, or so I think. Most are live versions, which gives it a nice touch. If I ever get a chance to see David Gilmour (guitarist and lead singer of Pink Floyd) in concert, I will make sure to buy tickets. He is 74 years old by now… The chances are slimming down. By the way, David Gilmour discovered Kate Bush and produced her first record.
Have a great night.
xx
REM – leave
From the record “New Adventures in Hi-Fi” (1996, Warner Bros Records), which was the 10th studio album REM released.
Apparently, this is one of the band’s best records; I wouldn’t know. I just know this one song from it, and I adore it. My favourite REM album is “Automatic for the People” (1992). The song is sombre, heavy even, and the lyrics get to me. Once in a while, I tear up when I hear it, because of the way Micheal Stipe sings these lyrics:
(…)
That’s what keeps me
That’s what keeps me
That’s what keeps me down
To leave it, believe it
Leave it all behind
Lift me, lift me
I attain my dream
I lost myself, I lost them
Heartache calling me
I lost myself in sorrow
I lost myself in pain
I lost myself in gravity
Memory, leave, leave, leave
That’s what keeps me
That’s what keeps me
That’s what keeps me down
To leave it, believe it
Leave it all behind
(…)
“Leave” is on the soundtrack of “A Life Less Ordinary” (1997), a movie with Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz. It was written by John Hodge (who wrote the screenplay for Trainspotting) and directed by Danny Boyle (who also directed Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire). I always tend to forget how much I actually like that movie. To me, it is magical. It is funny, tragic, sad… And it has a great soundtrack.
My day was long and filled with lots of work. 11 hours today. Usually, I work 20 hours in one week… I guess this week; I am making over time. I am reminded of how much I love my work, though. I am doing stuff with the kids, random things, and I am reminded how fun this is and that I really like it, I wouldn’t want to change it, even if I complain a lot. Unfortunately, the many hours I put in last Friday and today are taking a toll on my shoulder. It’s in pain again. I will have to see how much longer I can keep the pace.
Wish me luck for tonight, finding sleep was hard these last days.
Tomorrow is the National Holiday in Luxembourg. When Corona is not paralysing the world, we celebrate our Grand-Duke’s birthday on June 23rd. (Even though his real birthday is in April – 16th, 1955)
Good night…
Elen – 5 Meter Mauern
From the record “blind über rot” (Universal Music) which will be released tomorrow – June 19th, 2020. Elen is a young German musician from Germany who started out as a busker. A talent scout found her on the streets and persuaded her to take part in the German version of The Voice. She got as far as the Battles where she was eliminated. From there her career took off.
This song is about someone who has built walls around themselves. There should be a palace, but it became an inescapable prison; no one gets in and no one gets out. She describes the feeling of not being able to be alone for fear of hearing one’s own thoughts too much.
Many people know this, I do too.
I know, listening to music in a foreign language is weird, but for many it is normal. Enjoy… 🙂
Can we take a moment to acknowledge the absolutely brilliant intro to “Money for Nothing” by the band Dire Straits?
The song was on the album “Brothers in Arms” (Warner Bros, 1985). Mark Knopfler had support from Sting to do the vocals of the song.
I grew up hearing this album, and I never gave it much thought. Just like the song that is still on the radio quite a bit. Unfortunately, they rarely play the intro on the radio. It starts with Sting singing in his falsetto “I want my MTV”, in the background Synths hint at the melody of the guitar in quite a Pink Floyd-esque manner. The drums kick in and with that, the famous guitar solo that is repeated throughout the song takes us in.
Now, I know the song has some controversial lyrics and apparently, as I read moments ago, is banned in Canada for the use of the word “faggot” since 2011. Money for Nothing was written in 1985, I won’t make up excuses for it, but we were less educated and less tolerant of diversity back then. At the same time, the song is about guys watching music videos and making snarky comments about what and who they are seeing. The use of the slur shows the jealousy of the men watching TV.
By the way, Money for Nothing was the first song ever played on MTV Europe in 1987.
That intro though… Phew.
Spencer Yenson & the Fever – hold me down
This single was released in 2019 and can be found on Spotify and Soundcloud. The San Diego based musician dropped his first EP “in Fever” in 2017 and is busy ever since.
I first heard this artist on a vinyl compilation. I subscribed to it via Vinyl Moon. Every month, I receive music that is new and fresh to me, pressed on coloured vinyl, and with exciting artwork. It reminds me of the mixtapes we made for friends back in the day. They ship worldwide from the US, and the price is okay too. Every LP comes with a sheet introducing the artists, including the songs’ lyrics.
So far, I received two records. The first one was more electronic; the last one was more indie. I am looking forward to the next release. Usually, the records are shipped on or around the 17th of each month – with the time it takes to arrive at my doorstep, I am almost always a month behind. But that’s okay, really. I like this way of being introduced to new music. It suits me.
Dead Nature – fire in your soul
From the album “taking my shadow” (2019, dead nature records). This song is my second highlight of the record I mentioned above. Dead Nature is the project of Tarek Musa, a musician from Liverpool. I quite like the upbeat sound of the song. I hope you enjoy it too.
Therapy? with James Dean Bradfield – die laughing
This song appears on a Greatest Hits album (2020 version). The album is also known as “the Abbey Road Session”, but due to naming conflict, this live in-studio album had to be renamed. It was released in March 2020 on Marshall Records. Therapy? is an Irish trio that has been around since the early 90s. James Dean Bradfield is the lead singer of the Welsh band “Manic Street Preachers”. Two icons of the British music scene teaming up is too good to ignore. As I mentioned before, the song is live, and I quite like the way Bradfield makes the song his own, and yet it hasn’t changed much from the original.
“Die Laughing” first appeared on the album “Troublegum” (1994, A&M Records)
Something new for your ears… Gavin Simpson as “sourfish”
sourfish – what do you say?
This is a link to the EP of the same name that was released today. Four songs, eight minutes long. (which is shorter than most postrock songs) But totally worth your while. The genre would be alternative/ singer songwriter. “What do you say” is an upbeat song with a pop song melody. It makes you move in your chair and puts an easy smile on your face. It was written in 2019 with the hopes of writing a suitable song for a TV / advert placement, which didn’t happen. But it inspired Gavin’s podcast. (more about that later)
The highlight is certainly “Angel of my Eye”. The lyrics are simple yet poetic – something I really like. It is a song that evokes emotions. It was originally written as a finger-picking guitar piece that turned into a piano-driven piece. The first line “Three words – it’s over…” sets the tone for this break-up song. Sad, but real and telling the story of a situation we all went through at one time in our lives. And when Gavin sings in the chorus “Angel of my Eye, I want to say one more goodnight” I cannot help but think about the moments I sat with my phone in my hand, wanting to send a message to an ex just to be able to say goodnight one more time and missing them so much it breaks my heart every time anew.
Between “What Do You Say” and “Angel of My Eye” sits “Swim Against the Sea” a little demo/shortened song that is not quite finished but has lots of potentials. I’d say, give it some time to grow.
The last song is short and instrumental, using strings and guitar. Perfect for an add on TV, was my first thought. It is Gavin’s first self-produced song and it is called “Fowk”. But why “Fowk” you ask? Well, Gavin was raised in the Scottish highlands and this is their pronunciation of the word “folk”. And just like that, you’ve learned something new.
Gavin also has a podcast called “what do you say?”. The first episode is online and has an interview with Amanda Palmer. It’s a nice interview, a conversation really, that is fun to listen to. (coming from someone who is usually not too keen on podcasts). Here’s a link to the first episode.
And as I am alone, sitting outside and waiting for the sun to go down, I can’t help but think that Sourfish shows many facets of his talents on this EP and I hope to hear more of this talented artist in the coming months.
See what Sourfish (Gavin Simpson) is up to here:
Pearl Jam – Black
From Pearl Jam’s debut album “Ten” (1991, Epic Records).
In my opinion, this is the best, most wholesome Pearl Jam record. They have an extensive back catalog of songs though. Lots of gems. Their lyrics are poetic and intense. Real and raw. Just the way I like it.
Cathy’s top 5 Pearl Jam songs:
Nothing as it seems (my favourite of this band)
Bonus: Pendulum
Any thoughts about my picks? Any song I should hear or consider?
xx
Time for me to catch some sleep. It was a long day and work was exhausting, but awesome. I missed the kids at the nursery a lot more than I thought. xx
