Category: Pop

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New Wave Pop Post Punk

Public Image Ltd. – Hawaii

Former Punk Rock firebrand turned turgid reactionary John Lydon throws his hat into the Eurovision fiasco, for some reason. He has stated himself, this week on RTE’s Radio 1, that he has never watched a single broadcast of the event, which has run since 1956, branding it as ‘awful’ and ‘disgusting’. Lydon hopes to represent Ireland in the heavily politicised song contest. Hawaii is just kind of fine. Nothing special, kind of average. Lydon’s vocals are blank and uninspired, lacking his former acerbic edge. The backing track sounds like the peak 80s power ballads that Phil Collins is probably still living off of to this day. This is a shame as it is reportedly inspired by his wife’s battles with Alzheimer’s and, according to Lydon, is “also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.” Not something that aligns particularly well with his more recent public outbursts. I really wanted to like this. Oh how the mighty have fallen. 

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Electronic Music Experimental Pop Rock

Radiohead Japanese Kid A advertisement

Thanks to Redditor u/XtalHedphelym for uploading this excellent image.

I initially found this fantastic image on a Facebook group dedicated to the excellent Spookypasta known as The Backrooms. For me, this image doesn’t really get at the core characteristics of The Backrooms but it’s still a wonderful example of Radiohead’s satirical take on Capitalist Realism. The original post on Facebook incorrectly gave the date as 1997, potentially due to the font used for the bands name, though careful examination of the image after finding this better version of it on Reddit, confirmed the date to be 2000-2001. Hope you like it.

Here’s (probably) Radiohead’s most Backrooms energy track:

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Dream Pop Indie Rock New Wave Pop Post Punk Song of the Day

Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral): The Jesus & Mary Chain – Head On

Day 27. This is actually the second time this particular song has appeared during a Song of the Day series. The first time was during the Cover Versions series, in the form of the excellent cover by Pixies. This original version is a solid piece of dark Post Punk Pop, late ’80s style. The Reid brothers are on top form here. Stylish synthetic bass rhythms & stupendous rhythms are central to the composition, with the distorted swirls of electric guitar adding colour depth.

As soon as I get my head around you
I come around catching sparks off you
I get an electric shock from you
This secondhand living just won’t do
And the way I feel tonight
I could die and I wouldn’t mind
And there’s something going on inside
Makes you want to feel
Makes you want to try
Makes you want to blow the stars from the sky
And I can’t stand up
I can’t cool down
I can’t get my head off the ground
As soon as I get my head around you
I come around catching sparks off you
And all I ever got from you
Was all I ever took from you
Yeah, the world could die in pain
And I wouldn’t feel no shame
And there’s nothing holding me to blame
Makes you want to feel
Makes you want to try
Makes you want to blow the stars from the sky
And I’m taking myself to a dirty part of town
Where all my troubles can’t be found
I said yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
And I’m taking myself to a dirty part of town
Where all my troubles can’t be found
Makes you want to feel
Makes you want to try
Makes you want to blow the stars from the sky

Looking for some great music? Why not check out the Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral) Spotify playlist.

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Folk Indie Rock Pop twee

Belle & Sebastian Black Sessions 1998

I felt the need to share this VHS-rip of a full Belle & Sebastian set from 1998 because it is, quite frankly, marvellous. The band were at the peak of their powers during this period & the set includes songs from their first three albums and EP’s.

The sound quality has a few issues at times, being a rip of a VHS tape which was recorded from the TV 23 years ago, but is generally quite good. Well worth the few minor imperfections.

Tracklist:

1 The Boy Done Wrong Again

2 Dog On Wheels

3 Paper Boat + Seeing Other People

4 Century Of Fakers

5 I Know Where The Summer Goes

6 Mayfly

7 The Wrong Girl

8 Dirty Dream Number Two

9 Poupee De Cire, Poupee De Son

10 Slow Graffiti

11 I Don’t Love Anyone

12 Sleep The Clock Around

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Art Pop Electronic Music Experimental Pop Song of the Day

Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral): múm – Green Green Grass Of Tunnel

Day 19.

I just love this great tune by múm & was shocked to see it hadn’t made it into any of my previous Song of the Day series. It’s glorious, melancholy, Scandinavian Electronic Pop music par excellence. Skittering percussion, lush melodies & sugar sweet vocals combine to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Interestingly, the YouTube video titles the track as ‘Green Grass Of Tunnel’ instead of ‘Green Green Grass Of Tunnel’. A favourite band of mine, British Sea Power, also recorded a cover version of the song & they used the former, shorter title.

Down from the ceiling leaks a great noise

It drips on my head through a hole in the roof

Behind these two hills here there’s a pool

And when I’m swimming in through a tunnel

I shut my eyes inside the cupboard

I make sounds and through the tubes I send this noise

Behind these two hill here I fall asleep

And when I’m floating green grass of tunnel

It flows back down from the ceiling, leaks a great noise

It drips on my head through a hole in the roof

Behind these two hills here there’s a pool

And when I’m swimming in through a tunnel I shut my eyes

Looking for some great music? Why not check out the Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral) Spotify playlist?

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Electronic Music Indie Rock Pop Song of the Day Synth Pop

Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral): Saint Etienne – Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Day 18.

I’ve always loved this superb cover of the Neil Young classic Indie Popsters Saint Etienne. I originally heard it on a compilation titled The Best Album In The World…Ever! (pic below because there was a whole series of these and they were unnumbered).

I’ve been hearing it a lot at work recently as we often listen to Absolute Radio ’90’s, which plays it extremely regularly. If you’ve been following this series of Song of the Day, you’ll know that Absolute Radio ’90’s has been a fairly reliable source of inspiration. Interestingly, the album from which this single was taken, Foxbase Alpha, will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in September of this year, so look out for a blogpost about it nearer the time.

When you were young
And on your own
How did it feel to be alone
I was always thinking of games
That I was playing
Trying to make the best of my time

But only love can break your heart
Try to be sure right from the start
Yes, only love can break your heart
What if your world should fall apart

I have a friend I’ve never seen
He hides his head inside a dream
Someone should call him and see
If he can come out
Trying to lose the down that he’s found

But only love can break your heart
Try to be sure right from the start
Yes, only love can break your heart
What if your world should fall apart

I have a friend I’ve never seen
He hides his head inside a dream

Yes, only love can break your heart
Yes, only love can break your heart
Yes, only love can break your heart
Yes, only love can break your heart
Yes, only love can break your heart

Looking for some great music? Check out the Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral) Spotify playlist.

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Art Pop Indie Rock Pop Song of the Day

Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral): Superorganism – Something For Your M.I.N.D.

Day 17.

This plodding, downtempo Indie Pop gem first came to my attention during the first episode of the third season of the Marvel Comic’s TV adaptation Legion. This bizarre but wonderful series implements music & performances throughout & the band themselves appear in the scene, performing the song.

I’ll include below both the original video & the scene from Legion. Both are fantastic.

I know you think I’m a psychopath
A Democrat lurking in the dark
This sucks, I’m the K-mart soda jerk
Cirque du trash, I kept the stash
Of cocoa candy straight from Japan
Hologram Anne, she was never as near
I think you know what I need to get by

Something for your mind (mind), mind (mind), mind (mind)
Something for your mind (mind), mind, mind (mind)
Something for your mind (mind, mind, mind) (무엇인가 정신에 집어넣으세요)
(마음에 어떤 것 필요합니까?)
Something for your mind (mind, mind) (정신에 집어넣으세요)
(정신에 집어넣으세요)
Something for your, for your
M-I, M-I, M-I-N-D
M-I, M-I, M-I-N-D

I know you think I’m a sociopath
“My lovely prey, ” I’m a cliche
Make way I’m in my Pepsi mood
Mama needs food, how about a barbecue?
For us the bourgeoisie, so carefree
Remember when we?
I don’t know what you need to get by

Something for your mind (mind), mind (mind), mind (mind)
Something for your mind (mind), mind, mind (mind)
Something for your mind (mind, mind, mind)(무엇인가 정신에 집어넣으세요)
(마음에 어떤 것 필요합니까?)
Something for your mind (mind, mind) (정신에 집어넣으세요)
(정신에 집어넣으세요)
Something for your, for your, for your (for your)
M-I, M-I, M-I-N-D
M-I, M-I, M-I-N-D

Looking for some great music? Why not check out the Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral) Spotify Playlist?

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Dream Pop Folk Indie Rock Pop Song of the Day

Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral): Phoebe Bridgers – Motion Sickness

Day 15.

Apologies for the long delay between Song of the Day posts. Due to a hectic schedule I’ve fallen behind a little but I’ll attempt to remedy that going forward.

This song (& its great video) have been coming on a lot recently when I just leave YouTube playing & as such it’s getting stuck in my head quite a lot recently. Great song by a great artist that everyone should be checking out if they haven’t yet. Her recent album, Punisher, is a strong contender for album of the year.

I hate you for what you did
And I miss you like a little kid
I faked it every time, but that’s alright
I can hardly feel anything
I hardly feel anything at all

You gave me fifteen hundred
To see your hypnotherapist
I only went one time, you let it slide
Fell on hard times a year ago
Was hoping you would let it go and you did

I have emotional motion sickness
Somebody roll the windows down
There are no words in the English language
I could scream to drown you out

I’m on the outside looking through
You’re throwing rocks around your room
And while you’re bleeding on your back in the glass
I’ll be glad that I made it out
And sorry that it all went down like it did

I have emotional motion sickness
Somebody roll the windows down
There are no words in the English language
I could scream to drown you out

And why do you sing with an English accent?
I guess it’s too late to change it now
You know I’m never gonna let you have it
But I will try to drown you out

You said when you met me you were bored
You said when you met me you were bored
And you, you were in a band when I was born

I have emotional motion sickness
I try to stay clean and live without
And I wanna know what would happen
If I surrender to the sound
Surrender to the sound

Check out the Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral) Spotify playlist.

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Indie Rock New Wave Pop Post Punk Song of the Day

Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral): Wire – Kidney Bingos

Day 14.

A fellow member of a Facebook group, the best indie album ever, posted this video tonight, asking if anyone else was into mid ’80’s Wire. Oh yes, I certainly am. I love this period of Wire , this song is a personal favourite & I was surprised to see so little Wire in previous series of Song of the Day (except for Outdoor Miner way back in the A-Z series). As an added bonus, I have included a live version recorded for KEXP in 2011. Enjoy.

Natural splits sunburn jets pride marks smart bets
Strikers luck pitch backs heap tips pit slacks
Dressed pints demon shrinks bread drunk dead drinks
Stretch clubs models box draw skin black shocks

Money spines paper lung kidney bingos organ fun

Flag stunt rock stone dole axe crash dive
Breath thrift take speed double take weekends
Skull row drugs hall colour bars sex calls
Sparkle finds rented rings pretty things clipped wings

Gold street spy fleet scandal food poor treat
Fire run club gun rule mob burn some
Bomb time pop crime stock frame steady climb
Fresh name donor game fair meat all the same

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Art Pop Dream Pop Pop Song of the Day Synth Pop

Song of the Day (Chaotic Neutral): Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill

Day 7.

Another one that came on the radio at work. I’ve never been a big fan of Kate Bush, but when I heard this again for the first time in years, it really hit me what a great song it is. Don’t really have much more to say about it than that. I’m just really digging it at the moment.

It doesn’t hurt me
Do you want to feel how it feels? 
Do you want to know, know that it doesn’t hurt me? 
Do you want to hear about the deal that I’m making? 
You, it’s you and me

And if I only could
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building 
See if I only could, oh

You don’t want to hurt me 
But see how deep the bullet lies
Unaware I’m tearing you asunder 
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts

Is there so much hate for the ones we love? 
Tell me, we both matter, don’t we? 
You, it’s you and me
It’s you and me, won’t be unhappy

And if I only could 
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
Be running up that road
Be running up that hill
Be running up that building 
Say, if I only could, oh

You 
It’s you and me
It’s you and me, won’t be unhappy

Oh come on, baby
Oh come on, darling 
Let me steal this moment from you now
Oh come on, angel
Come on, come on, darling 
Let’s exchange the experience, oh

And if I only could
I’d make a deal with God 
And I’d get him to swap our places 
I’d be running up that road
Be running up that hill 
With no problems

Say, if I only could
I’d make a deal with God 
And I’d get him to swap our places
I’d be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems

So if I only could 
I’d make a deal with God
And I’d get him to swap our places
I’d be running up that road
Be running up that hill
With no problems Say, if I only could 
I’d be running up that hill 
With no problems

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