Showing posts with label yuck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yuck. Show all posts

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Spike Another Carpenter Day (September 30th - October 4th)

Hello and welcome to Work Tunes.

I'm at home today (it's Friday, in case I don't finish this until tomorrow) looking after a swollen Miss 7 who appears to have either the mums or an infection in her lymph node on one side of her face. I'v used the time while she watches Mr Maker and before I have to make her lunch to get this list happening. And here it is. 

Besides the second disc of Bootleg Series 10 to finish it up, I've just been hipped to the new Arctic Monkeys album through @sunky's Song of the Week. In other new releases, I've got the latest from Mazzy Star, Haim and also Yuck. I am giving Beezwax a long overdue spin, plus selecting the Golden Era Mixtape from 2011 which is great but I haven't heard in full since release. Also in overdue listens, Elvis Costello's excellent Spike (a choice inspired by enjoying latest collaboration with The Roots on my list last week) and Counting Crows' second album which came out far too long after their brilliant first. Lastly, from the early 90s, I have the Carpenter tribute featuring great bands like Sonic Youth, Shonen Knife and Babes In Toyland doing Carpenters covers.

Check it out:
  1. Bob Dylan
  2. Brother Ali
  3. Talking Heads
  4. (Please) Don't Blame Mexico
  5. Van Halen
Song of the Week : Elvis Costello & The Roots - Wake Me Up


My SOTW comes from the unlikely pairing of Elvis Costello and The Roots. Who'd have ever thought that the jazzy nerd songs of Mr Costello would make such sweet sweet love to the groovy hip hop musicianship of Questlove and co. But it really does. 

I chose Wake Me Up because it's a track that is equal parts a standard EC song (with complex lyrics, historical references and Costello's iconic voice) and the solid funk soul groove of The Roots. I like the horn blasts and the little key riffs that punctuate Elvis' constant low jazz vocal babble and I dig that there's a clanging consistent guitar riff throughout that calls to mind an old train (and the words 'iron frame' are used in the lyrics, like it's deliberate). 


There's a lot to like about this coupling, not the least of which is renewed creative energy from Elvis Costello. The Roots have been the go to backing band for every two bit soul or r&b singer for years now, but this is the first time I've heard them play for an old fogey like EC. And I like what I hear.


Αντίο

Well the big game is tomorrow; Hawthorn vs Fremantle in the 2013 AFL Grand Final. I'm not really supporting either team, because they're not the Eagles. On the other hand, there are good reasons for either team to win. The Hawks have been the best team all year, our family has an association with Lance Franklin that goes back a ways, plus if they win Clarkson may be more likely to leave for West Coast. As for Fremantle, Pavlich definitely deserves reward for years of staunch loyalty to the purple freaks, Ross Lyon deserves a flag for taking those same freaks from rabble to riot in 2 years and I am a Fremantle (the city) person to the core. So whoever wins, I'll be happy, but most of all I'll be glad it's over and the Eagles can start interviewing for coaches.

It's a long weekend this week for the Queen's birthday (in WA) so if you're doing anything nice, have a great time and play safe. 

Go Hawmantle. Hasala malakim.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Playlist : January 16th - 20th, 2012

Hello and welcome to Work Tunes.

Usually about this time every year, I tend to check out some albums I slept on the year before or just didn't get around to hearing. If you can believe it, this year that means I have picked Adele - 21. I know, right?! But too many people whose opinion I trust told me this girl can really sing. 


Fear not, it also means I'll check out Yuck, Kurt Vile and Wild Flag and finally get around to Shabazz Palaces - Black Up. I've got some Cream in there, Tom McRae, a compilation or two (including NPRs best artists of 2011 which you can download free from the link) and Boy and Bear's great Moonfire LP from last year. That should just about do me.

  1. R.E.M.
  2. Camera Obscura
  3. The Beatles
  4. The Dø
  5. The Avett Brothers


Musically this week, I have been on somewhat of a Camera Obscura bender. So, sticking with the spirit of SOTW, I thought it was only fair I chose a song of theirs. If you don’t know them, they are a 5, sometimes 6 piece “twee folk” outfit from Glasgow. Lead by Tracyanne Campbell, the band makes sentimental sounding pop tracks which I really like.


This track Forests and Sands is a slow shuffling, sweetly breathed song about a road trip. I think Campbell’s accent adds to the sweetness of the song. I especially dig the way she phrases the refrain. Phonetically it’s almost:


“But if the blood pumpin through ma veins cud freeze like a reever in Tauraunto then I’d be pleased…”


Scottish accents aside, I really like the melody of the song and the overblown sentimentality of the lyrics. Not sure why I’ve been stuck on the band all week, but I have enjoyed listening to all four of their albums. Hope you enjoy this track off their last release from 2009.

Toodle-oo
There you have it. Wish me luck on the whole Adele thing (takes off cynical music snob hat). Hopefully you'll find something worth listening to.

Play safe out there kids. Until next week - be excellent to each other. Hasala malakim.