Category: Music

Here we go:

Mother and the Addicts are a Glasgow-based band who I first heard this week. This is a track from their new album (their 2nd), called Science Fiction Illustrated. Their music definitely has the sort of Neo-NewWave vibe happening: Mother and the Addicts – “So Tough.”

While on the subject of Neo-NewWave, I realize that I haven’t posted any White Rose Movement in a while. This band really captures the kind of vibe that Duran Duran had (well, and still has, if the last time I saw them in concert is any indication). Thanks again to for introducing me to this band. White Rose Movement – “Love is a Number.”

Kula Shaker are back with their third full-length album (it’s been something like 5 years since the release of their last). The new album, Strangefolk doesn’t have the Indian influences of earlier work, but still sits solidly in the realm of new psychedelia, echoing the sounds of the late 60s. This track is a good example, with its very Doors-esque bassline: Kula Shaker – “Dr. Kitt.”

In honor of Republican Senator “Bathroom Footsie” Craig, I present the following, without additional comment: The B-52s – “Private Idaho.”

I’ve always used music in my RPG sessions. Back in the early 90s, I ran a game of Cyberpunk — the music I used there was a mix of electronic, punk, and tracks like the following, which really confused some of my more drastically suburban players, expecting more of the “hair metal” vibe that the rulebook illustrations seemed to encourage. Seems tame now, but at the time, it apparently came off as scary and threatening to some. Go figure. I thought it just had a bangin’ beat. LL Cool J – “Mama Said Knock You Out.”

Lastly, the track that has been firmly established as the “Jason Bourne theme”, used particularly well at the closing of the latest film, The Bourne Ultimatum. Moby – “Extreme Ways.”

There you go. Enjoy.

Back from GenCon, and back on schedule….

Bruce Springsteen’s got a new album of original music (as opposed to his Pete Seeger recordings, which filled the last album) releasing in October. The first single has leaked (or is that “leaked”?) onto Teh IntarTubes. It’s definitely got earworm potential. Bruce taking us all to task for not being angry enough: “This is Radio Nowhere…Is there anybody alive out there?” Bruce Springsteen – “Radio Nowhere.”

Children of the CPU are a band that references everything from 80s synthpop to 8-bit videogames…which is a combination sure to get my attention. Here’s a track from their album Back to BASIC, named after one of my favorite early video games: Children of the CPU – “Omega Race.”

While I’m on the subject of the 80s, I realize that I haven’t posted nearly enough Squeeze. Their mid-80s best-of collection, Singles, 45s and Under was a constant accessory of my high-school years…so much so, that I wore out two cassette versions of it. Here’s one of the tracks, which always sounded to me like Squeeze covering Elvis Costello, or perhaps vice-versa: Squeeze – “Another Nail For My Heart.”

Sticking with the 80s, here’s a track for , which I know is one of her favorites. From Suzanne Vega’s first album (which I still consider her best work — the intimacy of the instrumentation is far superior to her later, “bigger”-sounding albums) — Suzanne Vega – “Small Blue Thing.”

This song is bizarre, and beautiful. They’ve taken the vocals and backmasked them, so that they become meaningless walls of pure sound, filtered through effects until they become just another instrument in the overall mix. Then, they composed new music, to fit the key and the overall “melody” of the backmasked vocals. Hard to describe — just listen: Siobhan Donaghy – “ghosts.”

Also in the realm of the unusual — a South African cover of Marvin Gaye’s 70s classic “Inner City Blues”, except translated entirely into the Xhosa language. Very cool. Lungiswa – “Inner City Blues (Xhosa Version).”

Lastly, a positively wicked mash-up by DJ Earworm, combining Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s “Relax” with Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music” — it really, really grows on you. DJ Earworm – “Funky Goes To Hollywood.”

There you have it. Another week, another mix. More next Friday.

A great mix this week. I’m particularly pleased.

First off — a band out of the UK that combines the shabby exuberance of 80s post-punk with the best excesses of 90s “Cool Brittania” and the current Indie scene. All this, and the band includes a friend’s brother! Keen. The Stabilisers – “Wanna.”

It’s been long enough. The political environment is ripe for it, and so Public Enemy is about to release a new album —How You Sell Soul To A Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?— and the first single has come out. This country has needed to hear Chuck D delivering the line: “If ya don’t stand for nuthin’, You’ll fall for anything.” I *love* this. Public Enemy – “Harder Than You Think.”

An absolutely amazing alt-country/rock band who describe their music as “Other.” The song starts faint and distant, like it’s coming from a vintage victrola, before kicking in, and carrying me along with it. Ghost Buffalo – “Hell Here.”

In April of 1968, Stephen Stills recorded some demos at a New York studio. These songs would form the genesis of Crosby Stills and Nash, and now, he’s releasing the original demo tape as a new album, Just Roll Tape. This, the original version of my favorite CSN song, sounds strange with just Stills and an accoustic guitar….lacking the soaring harmonies that I’m used to….but it’s amazing in its intimacy. Stephen Stills – “Suite Judy Blue Eyes.”

A bit of classic UK Jungle, which some of you might recognize from the soundtrack of Sasha Baron Cohen’s Ali G In Da House. Big up to the massive — this should get you moving at your desk….M Beat (feat. General Levy) – “Incredible.”

I was an afficianado of the late-90s/turn-of-the-millennium “neo-soul” movement which mixed R&B, soul, hip-hop and jazz, and this was one of my favorite singles from that period, which I hadn’t heard in a while. Jill Scott – “A Long Walk.”

A great single from the latest album by the electronica group Hybrid, I Choose Noise. They’re joined on this track by Jane’s Addiction and Porno For Pyro’s frontman Perry Farrell. Hybrid (feat. Perry Farrell) – “Dogstar.”

Lastly, another high-energy track. This one always reminds me of my hellish commute during the last days working in the corporate world — the track was getting radio play at the time, and along the path that I travelled every day, there was a billboard advertising the band and the album. Corporate memories and record-industry marketing aside, I loved this song, which remains the only Icelandic rap/rock fusion I’ve ever heard: Quarashi – “Stick ‘Em Up.”

There you go, kids. Enjoy.

A brief reminder — there will be no Friday Music next week, as I will be geeking out with 35,000 of my fellow gamers at GenCon in Indianapolis, Indiana.