Song: Point That Thing Somewhere Else
Artist: The Clean
Year: 1981
We'll run like we're awesome, totally genius...
Showing posts with label new zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new zealand. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2016
The Indie Anthology 69: essential songs
More immortal tunes for the anthology section! Today we go back to the "magical indiepop land" that is Dunedin, New Zealand, to recover one of their finest bands and make a humble tribute to some of their geniuses. Deep down under is the place to be!
Song: Point That Thing Somewhere Else
Artist: The Clean
Year: 1981
Discovered The Clean around 2002-2003, when 'Anthology' was released (and I was discovering the never ending, unmissable, Flying Nun catalogue). I remember that I got instantly hooked by the second CD, the one with the bulk of 'Vehicle' ('Drawing to a Hole', 'Someone', 'The Blue'... oh dear). But the first CD was a bit too rough, may I say a bit too punk to my ears then, making me rating them a bit lower than my beloved Chills and Bats... Blame first impressions, because that first half includes 'Point That Thing Somewhere Else', which originally appeared on debut 12" EP 'Boodle Boodle Boodle' and its mesmerizing. Co-written by the late (and forever missed) Peter Gutteridge, this is indiepop at their best: jangle drowned into delay and fuzz in what ranks as one of the best guitar works of underrated master David Kilgour (legend, legend, legend), an almost kraut rhythm (courtesy of his great brother Hamish and the bass of Robert Scott). Here's the mystery, the edge, the spell, the sense of adventure, the immediacy, the melodic power, the open landscapes, the bewitchment of a sound that once hits you, never let you go... Luckily.
Song: Point That Thing Somewhere Else
Artist: The Clean
Year: 1981
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
The Indie Anthology 51: essential songs
We reached another Blog landmark: 50 tunes on our Indie Anthology. So number 51 had to be something special. Very special. So I decided to go even more personal, openly confessional (apologies if I get a bit cheesy) with next tune. Not just a great tune from one of my favourite pop composers of all time. Along with R.E.M., probably the reason this Blog exists...
Song: Instinct
Artist: Crowded House
Year: 1996
The first record I bought was 'Recurring Dream' the greatest hits compilation album Crowded House released as their (then) swan song. It's hard to believe today, but the record got quite a lot of buzz in Spain (there was even a TV ad) and radio airplay and, on a time that now seems ages ago, the video of 'Instinct', was frequently on programs like 'Los 40 Principales' or 'Sputnik' (check the vid). I got abducted by Neil Finn's masterful ability to create eternal pop tunes. Romantic but with a darker twist, funny, carefree (ok, sometimes a bit silly too) and power-pop numbers cohabiting with melancholic and moodier ones, not afraid of dealing with riskier subjects. Middle eight melodies capable of getting epic without crossing the annoying line, always with a fragment ready to reach you in a way you wouldn't want the rest of the world know. Can sadness be uplifting? Try Crowded House... Of course I ran to grab a copy to almost every album (try asking for Splitz Enz debut in Barcelona before the Internet arrived), lost single and book (first music biography I ever read in English). I followed Neil Finn's solo career and saw him presenting the lovely and surprising 'Try Whistling This' album in Barcelona, my first gig, joined by my father, who was really surprised how different his sons could be (my brother was into Depeche Mode then, 'Ultra' era). But then I just couldn't stop, so I went deeper, on his music style, influences and origins... then the Pandora's box opened: The Bats, The Verlaines, The Chills, but also Marr & Morrissey, and then... umm you pretty much have a clue of the rest if you follow this Blog. Although time has put Crowded House on a different perspective to me, I still would carry 'Together Alone' with me to a desert island, and I still have goosebumps every time I hear 'Distant Sun', 'Fingers of Love' or 'Weather With You'. To put it simply, Crowded House are my Beatles. "Your instinct can't be wrong"...
Song: Instinct
Artist: Crowded House
Year: 1996
The first record I bought was 'Recurring Dream' the greatest hits compilation album Crowded House released as their (then) swan song. It's hard to believe today, but the record got quite a lot of buzz in Spain (there was even a TV ad) and radio airplay and, on a time that now seems ages ago, the video of 'Instinct', was frequently on programs like 'Los 40 Principales' or 'Sputnik' (check the vid). I got abducted by Neil Finn's masterful ability to create eternal pop tunes. Romantic but with a darker twist, funny, carefree (ok, sometimes a bit silly too) and power-pop numbers cohabiting with melancholic and moodier ones, not afraid of dealing with riskier subjects. Middle eight melodies capable of getting epic without crossing the annoying line, always with a fragment ready to reach you in a way you wouldn't want the rest of the world know. Can sadness be uplifting? Try Crowded House... Of course I ran to grab a copy to almost every album (try asking for Splitz Enz debut in Barcelona before the Internet arrived), lost single and book (first music biography I ever read in English). I followed Neil Finn's solo career and saw him presenting the lovely and surprising 'Try Whistling This' album in Barcelona, my first gig, joined by my father, who was really surprised how different his sons could be (my brother was into Depeche Mode then, 'Ultra' era). But then I just couldn't stop, so I went deeper, on his music style, influences and origins... then the Pandora's box opened: The Bats, The Verlaines, The Chills, but also Marr & Morrissey, and then... umm you pretty much have a clue of the rest if you follow this Blog. Although time has put Crowded House on a different perspective to me, I still would carry 'Together Alone' with me to a desert island, and I still have goosebumps every time I hear 'Distant Sun', 'Fingers of Love' or 'Weather With You'. To put it simply, Crowded House are my Beatles. "Your instinct can't be wrong"...Wednesday, August 6, 2014
The Indie Anthology 48: essential songs
After Indietracks Festival, it was bound to happen. The next tune included in our Indie Anthology is one of the most haunting songs ever made, 30 years after its release, I was finally able to see it live. Folks, we are going down under once again... to the mysterious and bewitching Dunedin Sound...
Song: Pink Frost
Artist: The Chills
Year: 1984
Where does it comes from? What stars aligned when Martin Phillipps (a genius so criminally underrated, at least in Spain-Europe) composed this captivating song? Well, it's not just one song. It's an assemble of atmospheres resulting in something so much bigger than the sum of its parts. First, we have a sort of upbeat but intriguing 23 seconds intro, where a chiming guitar seems to salute you. But as promising as this start was, the listener is never prepared for what comes next. A haunting shift towards wilderness, to darkness and a moody, nightmarish atmosphere where dreams are scary. 32 seconds (sorry if it looks it seems I dissected each section of the tune... I did) of dour, gloomy jangle before Phillips throws its vulnerable, desperate vocals into the obscure. It goes even better, when, at the mark of the 2.29 minutes 'Pink Frost' shows its last transformation, with the spooky, echoing "She's lost, she's lost" before the songs advances into its final part, although you have the feeling the song could last forever. Flying Nun's finest hour. Period. And watching/listening The Chills playing it live, in expansive, full form at Indietracks, now has completed the circle for me.
Song: Pink Frost
Artist: The Chills
Year: 1984
Where does it comes from? What stars aligned when Martin Phillipps (a genius so criminally underrated, at least in Spain-Europe) composed this captivating song? Well, it's not just one song. It's an assemble of atmospheres resulting in something so much bigger than the sum of its parts. First, we have a sort of upbeat but intriguing 23 seconds intro, where a chiming guitar seems to salute you. But as promising as this start was, the listener is never prepared for what comes next. A haunting shift towards wilderness, to darkness and a moody, nightmarish atmosphere where dreams are scary. 32 seconds (sorry if it looks it seems I dissected each section of the tune... I did) of dour, gloomy jangle before Phillips throws its vulnerable, desperate vocals into the obscure. It goes even better, when, at the mark of the 2.29 minutes 'Pink Frost' shows its last transformation, with the spooky, echoing "She's lost, she's lost" before the songs advances into its final part, although you have the feeling the song could last forever. Flying Nun's finest hour. Period. And watching/listening The Chills playing it live, in expansive, full form at Indietracks, now has completed the circle for me.Tuesday, May 20, 2014
The Indie Anthology 43: essential songs
The next episode on the Anthology was an easy one. I finally was able to publish the report on the new Dunedin scene for Indienauta, thanks to the patience and support of Fishrider Records and an ace trio of bands part of its hyper-addictive roster. Of course, being New Zealand, and specifically these city, the Flying Nun reference was mandatory. So back to listen all those memorable bands... This little tribute was bound to happen. Sure you'll enjoy...
Song: North by North
Artist: The Bats
Year: 1987
'Daddy's Highway' is a majestic album, one that will never feel outdated and probably my favourite Flying Nun release. It's pure jangle pop, straight to the heart, with absolutely no filler (they even left out of the album the glorious tune 'Calm Before the Storm'), all pop gems. So why I have chosen 'North by North'? Might be the vocals from the distance. Might the slight touch of darkness in the lyrics. Pretty sure the cascade of shimmering guitars have something to say too. And what about Alastair Galbraith's dancing violin? Oh, that solo is a killer. The whole song has a unstoppable nerve, an irresistible edge, an infinite energy.
Song: North by North
Artist: The Bats
Year: 1987
'Daddy's Highway' is a majestic album, one that will never feel outdated and probably my favourite Flying Nun release. It's pure jangle pop, straight to the heart, with absolutely no filler (they even left out of the album the glorious tune 'Calm Before the Storm'), all pop gems. So why I have chosen 'North by North'? Might be the vocals from the distance. Might the slight touch of darkness in the lyrics. Pretty sure the cascade of shimmering guitars have something to say too. And what about Alastair Galbraith's dancing violin? Oh, that solo is a killer. The whole song has a unstoppable nerve, an irresistible edge, an infinite energy.Sunday, January 5, 2014
Discoverer 81: new indie findings
New year, new discoveries! And to make a flamboyant start, we're heading to Oceania with three bombastic findings. Follow us in this music trip!
Courtney Barnett. Hailing from Melbourne, this singer-songwriter and guitarist started her own label, Milk! Records, in 2012, releasing her debut EP "I’ve Got A Friend Called Emily Ferris" that April achieving immediate praise in Australia. A follow-up EP, "How to Carve a Carrot into a Rose", arrived in October 2013, quickly packed together into a full-length entitled "The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas", which propelled the buzz about Barnett worldwide. Folk-pop with GREAT LYRICS (yes capital letters) sung in deadpan style, 60s-70s sunny vibes and loose melodies. You don't even know me dear Courtney, but I clearly see you're going to be "soundtracking" my life quite a bit. Thanks for that.
The Native Cats. South to Hobart, Tasmania, to meet Julian Teakle and Peter Escott, a duo active since 2007. Debut LP "Always On" came out in February 2009, and a year later the 7" single "Catspaw / Lemon Juice". Sophomore album "Process Praise" kept the work pace in 2011, with latest adventures to date being a split 7" with UV Race and third LP "Dallas" in 2012 and this past summer respectively. Self-defined as electronic pub rock, they recall early New Order, or the gloomiest moments of The Fall using a Nintedo. A razorblade bass, toy electronics and incisive, anxious words. 21st century post-punk meets excitement.
The Prophet Hens. Couldn't be any other way: we end our trip in Dunedin, New Zealand, this time to meet a lovely four-piece, formed in 2012, when songwriter and guitarist Karl Bray stayed at home recovering from a serious injury. He began writing songs with local musician John White, and an album, finally entitled “Popular People Do Popular People”, took form before the band shaped into its actual quartet form. Released on (of course) Fishrider Records past August, the LP is pure jangle gold, with Karl's and Penelope Esplin's harmonies shining all over, recalling Flying Nun's tradition, but also UK's indiepop classics, full of melodic hooks and well crafted tunes. Another gem from NZ!
Courtney Barnett. Hailing from Melbourne, this singer-songwriter and guitarist started her own label, Milk! Records, in 2012, releasing her debut EP "I’ve Got A Friend Called Emily Ferris" that April achieving immediate praise in Australia. A follow-up EP, "How to Carve a Carrot into a Rose", arrived in October 2013, quickly packed together into a full-length entitled "The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas", which propelled the buzz about Barnett worldwide. Folk-pop with GREAT LYRICS (yes capital letters) sung in deadpan style, 60s-70s sunny vibes and loose melodies. You don't even know me dear Courtney, but I clearly see you're going to be "soundtracking" my life quite a bit. Thanks for that.
The Native Cats. South to Hobart, Tasmania, to meet Julian Teakle and Peter Escott, a duo active since 2007. Debut LP "Always On" came out in February 2009, and a year later the 7" single "Catspaw / Lemon Juice". Sophomore album "Process Praise" kept the work pace in 2011, with latest adventures to date being a split 7" with UV Race and third LP "Dallas" in 2012 and this past summer respectively. Self-defined as electronic pub rock, they recall early New Order, or the gloomiest moments of The Fall using a Nintedo. A razorblade bass, toy electronics and incisive, anxious words. 21st century post-punk meets excitement. 
The Prophet Hens. Couldn't be any other way: we end our trip in Dunedin, New Zealand, this time to meet a lovely four-piece, formed in 2012, when songwriter and guitarist Karl Bray stayed at home recovering from a serious injury. He began writing songs with local musician John White, and an album, finally entitled “Popular People Do Popular People”, took form before the band shaped into its actual quartet form. Released on (of course) Fishrider Records past August, the LP is pure jangle gold, with Karl's and Penelope Esplin's harmonies shining all over, recalling Flying Nun's tradition, but also UK's indiepop classics, full of melodic hooks and well crafted tunes. Another gem from NZ!
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