Back again with another mix of new stuff I’ve discovered, and older stuff that I just like a helluva lot. Admittedly, this week sees more old than new, but that’s OK, because it’s all good stuff.
For example — this is one of my all-time favorite songs from The Cure, but certainly doesn’t get as much attention as their bigger singles. I prefer the 12-inch single to the radio edit, so here you go: The Cure – “Primary (Extended Mix).”
Here is a new artist that I discovered because *COUGHCOUGH*i’ve been watching ‘american idol’, and katherine mcphee sang this song a few weeks back *COUGH!* Now, where was I? Ah, yes. KT Tunstall is a Scottish woman of partial Chinese ancestry, who does a really amazing alt-country-indie-singer/songwriter thing. This song has been getting a bunch of radio play recently (in fact, because of that,
Something to get your ass moving on a gorgeous Friday, and a lovely “Shawn of the Dead” moment as well: Grandmaster Flash – “White Lines.” Rang-dang Diggity Dang-de-dang…. *Urnhhh….*
This is a good example of a contemporary Christian song done so well, that a non-Christian like me can listen and enjoy it, without feeling like I’m being preached at — In fact, when this broke into the pop charts in the late 90s, I had no idea that the group was a fairly well-established Christian band. Sure, there are obvious biblical references to the 40 days of rain of the Noah story, but again — NOT PREACHY, hence I can listen without annoyance…. plus, I love the harmonies on this track – Jars of Clay – “Flood.”
Another new song, that I first heard on the radio last weekend (twice, in fact — once while we heading out to help
The first song I ever heard by the band The Church, a few years before they hit big in the US with “Under The Milky Way” — my high-school girlfriend gave me a mix-tape, and this was the first song on it. I recently tracked it down, and so here it is: The Church – “Unguarded Moment.”
An often-overlooked 80s song by a late-60s band. The Kinks had a come-back of sorts with “Come Dancing”, but I really preferred this single, which didn’t get nearly as much play, but is much more serious. The lyrics are a perfect snapshot of the bleakness of outlook for those living in Thatcher’s Britain….a similar outlook shared by many (70% or so, according to the last polls) living in Bush’s America today: The Kinks – “Living On A Thin Line.”
Michael Penn doesn’t get the attention he deserves. He gets written off as “Sean Penn’s brother,” or “Aimee Mann’s husband,” or “that one-hit wonder who did No Myth (“What if I were Romeo in black jeans…”).” He’s an extremely talented singer-songwriter. This is my favorite track of his, which is from March, the same album that “No Myth” appeared on: Michael Penn – “This and That.”
Lastly, here’s a track by Seal that I’ve been listening to recently — the usual high-quality soul with amazingly tight production, and some lyrical content that speaks to me as of late. Seal – “Prayer For The Dying.”
Hope you enjoyed this week. A quick note: There will be no Friday Music next week (5/26), as I will be basking in the joy of being away from my desk, attending the Heartland Pagan Festival. Friday Music posts will resume in June.