50/14 - You've Done A Number On My Heart

I don't know man, compared to the amazing 2013, the year of 2014 has been a bit of a disappointment music-wise. But it did manage to scrape together 10 albums + 10 songs worth listing:

TOP 10 ALBUMS of 2014

Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels II

The best album of the year. No competition.

St. Vincent - St. Vincent

The coolest of the year.

Sharon van Etten - Are We There

My big new favourite (/crush) of the year.

Scott Walker + Sunn O))) - Soused

The best late-night-in-the-studio album of the year

Kent - Tigerdrottningen

Not their best album, but some of the lyrics that really hit home this year.

Sun Kil Moon - Benji

Difficult for casual listening. But something really happens when you settle down and listen to it from beginning to end.

Swans - To Be Kind

Another one that might not be for every day, but has the potential to really knock you off your feet when you give in to it.

TV on the Radio - Seeds

Reassuring craftmanship of the year.

Azealia Banks - Broke With Expensive Taste

A few brilliant highlights and a surprisingly satisfying eclecticism.

Todd Terje - It's Album Time

A guarantor for smiles and happy feet.










Big disclaimer: Due to no good soundsystem during the latter part of the year I have not yet listened to Aphex Twin - Syro. Obviously I'd expect that to otherwise be high on the list.

TOP 10 TUNES of 2014

Run The Jewels ft. Zach De La Rocha - Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)

It's like everything El-P and Mike do best for 3 relentless minutes, AND THEN, as a big tasty cherry on top, from out of the wilderness Zach De La Rocha returns and completely slays the track with Miles Davis-references and Philip K. Dick puns.

The only thing that close faster than the caskets be the factories!

St. Vincent - Digital Witness

There is no more awe-inspiring person on the planet right now. And this track wins out over Birth In Reverse by the irresistible Annie Clark delivery of "yah" and the year's styliest video.

Future Islands - Seasons (Waiting On You)

Instant classic. One of those songs that seems like it should have been written decades ago, because it's so simple, so to the core and so very, very effective.

Sharon van Etten - Your Love Is Killing Me

During 8 minutes or so, this summer in Slottskogen, Sharon's voice seemed like the only voice in the world. At times it still does.

Sbtrkt ft. Ezra Koenig - NEW DORP. NEW YORK

Did I want to dance this year? Did I listen to this track this year? The two questions converge.

Kendrick Lamar - i

This year's best jazz-bassline, smuggled in the year's most upbeat hip hop-track.

TV on the Radio - Careful You

Everything at once.

Ubre Blanca - Escape From Terminal Island

The best drumbeat drop of the year. Courtesy of Glasgow of course.

Nils Frahm - Unter – Tristana – Ambre

The moment when Tristana moves into Ambre at 8:15 was and remains the most beautiful transition in music 2014.

Wu-Tang Clan - A Better Tomorrow

Not an easy year to stay positive about the world in, but when the clan managed to turn anger into energy I felt positively embarrassed about lapsing into hopelessness.


Did you think I was gonna end on a cheesy upbeat note? NAH. This is the future:

49/14 - Our Locust Fingers Clicking Neverending In Our Laps

I fell ill. I've lost a week. Dammit. Well, only 10 more days and then I can start over with high aims for a complete Top 5 2015. Here's last week's:

Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels

You know you're in for an awesome concert when the DJ spins this intro. I don't know many hip hop track where every single line falls with such perfection as here.

Panda Bear - Boys Latin

This is glorious.

Alexander 'Skip' Spence - Weighted Down (The Prison Song)

This has been playing in the studio for a few weeks. Love how isolated and beyond caring Skip sounds.

J. Tillman - Singing Ax

This is what I listened to when I had fever, to try and steer my fever dreams in a rural, comforting direction. But..

I can't recall a single memory from our universal past

Leonard Cohen - The Partisan (live)

One of few missteps Leonard has taken in his career is letting his band draw out his songs with tedious masturbatory instrumental solos on his latest tours, but all that can be forgiven when something as powerful as this comes along in the setlist.

48/14 - The World Is Getting More Iller Than Ever

Term over! And the soundtrack to the final week's late nights in the studio was:

Battles - Dominican Fade

Clap, clap, clap, clap. This album will forever be in the shade of its amazing predecessor, but there are some gems to discover on revisiting it.

Aesop Rock ft. Mr Lif - 11:35

Love it when rap's most dexterous linguist suddenly goes old-school storytelling hip hop.

Billy was a coke-fiend, Maggie was a COP

Wu-Tang Clan - A Better Tomorrow

Like Calum said: Didn't think they had it in them these days. But I'm listening to this track every day and it just gets better and better. The video too:

Billie Holiday - I Loves You Porgy

I want to be your Porgy, Billie! I want someone to drawl out the syllable of man like that when they speak of me.

Bob Dylan - Last Thoughts On Woody Guthrie

I know it sounds a bit teenagey to say that one of my favourite poems is by Bob Dylan. But just gonna say: This gets me, right in the chest area, every time. Sometimes it seems to say almost everything.

Who am I helping, what am I breaking
What am I giving, what am I taking
But you try with your whole soul best
Never to think these thoughts and never to let
Them kind of thoughts gain ground
Or make yer heart pound
But then again you know why they're around
Just waiting for a chance to slip and drop down

47/14 - I Declare It A New Age

I think this is a really good list. Of course I think all my lists are good. But this one just gelled in such a poignant way. I think.

Public Enemy - Prophets of Rage

#Ferguson

Keren Ann - In Your Back

Strong sadness. Delicate fleshy arrangement. A self. An other. A strain but then a reassertion.

Modest Mouse - Parting of the Sensory

Some day you will die and somehow something's going to steal your carbon!

TV on the Radio - Could You

Well could you? COULD YOU? Hm, I doubt it. Love this though. The hornssss.

Scott Walker + Sunn O))) - Herod 2014

In the basement studio, late at night, Scott directs the atmosphere to a dark, dark place. It's albums like this that renews my faith in art. Even though they "refuse to be blinded by Rubens or Poussin"... Everything is just so, so great and powerful. The lyrical juxtapositions, the eerie screaming sounds, the slow slow guitar riffs... Oh and apparently she's hidden her babies away.

46/14 - You Can't Make It Without Ever Even Trying

Ubre Blanca - Hyperion

One of many things that I miss about Glasgow: Andy Brown's drumming.

Dawn of Midi - Dysnomia

Taking any track from this album out of its context doesn't quite do it justice, but as a taster this is still excellent. You'll need the whole glorious 45 minute trip though!

Justin Timberlake - Losing My Way

I keep losing my way!

Jose Gonzalez - How Low

Invasion after invasion
This means war 

Whereto will you relocate
Now that it's war?

Karen Dalton - Something On Your Mind

Take me back to Greenwich Village in the late sixties. Let me hear Bob Dylan sing duet with Karen Dalton.

44-45/14 - I Caught A Glimpse, Now It Haunts Me

It's not often it happens, but now it has; I've completely failed my commitment to weekly music-updates. To set the record straight and make up for lost time, I shall post a double-list: 10 songs to represent the past two weeks.

The Knife - Silent Shout

Me and Nick went to see the Knife play Brixton Academy. And now they are no more. A flawless band bookended with a flawless tour. They were everything a music act should be: experimental, critical, joyous, political, unafraid, steeped in culture, dance- and fury-inducing.

Azealia Banks - Desperado

I was prepared for disappointment, but how can you say no to a beat that sounds like a happy Burial and Azaelia hitting you with that acid tongue.

I'll be in the mirror looking luxe n' plush

Wildbirds & Peacedrums - Keep Some Hope

Bob Dylan - In My Time Of Dyin'

I'm in an early Dylan period again. They're quite frequent.

Esbjörn Svensson Trio - Pavane (Thoughts of a Septuagenarian)

Oh, Esbjörn, why did you have to go and drown? I crave more exquisite piano jazz like this.

Leonard Cohen - I Can't Forget

All-time favourite song.

I got this old address
Of someone that I knew
It was high and fine and free
Ah, you should have seen us
And I can't forget but I don't remember who

David Bowie - The Bewlay Brothers

The kings of oblivion.

Tom Waits - Rain Dogs

Rain, darkness, cold. This will be a long season.

The Kinks - Harry Rag

Really into rhyming slang lately. Kind of wish I'd grown up with it so I could speak it. Harry Rag = fag = cigarette.

Talking Heads - Born Under Punches

And the heat goes on...

43/14 The Gates of Hell Are Pugnaciously Pacin'

Spent the entire day hungover for the first time in ages. Which finally gives me time to post this week's list.

Fugazi - Combination Lock

How's that for a riffing beginning.

Run The Jewels - Blockbuster Night Part I

It's here! And it's awesome! A bit more temperate than the first album, which makes it fall short of topping that fistful of rhymes, but with bangers like this, I'm not gonna nitpick.

MF Doom ft. Mr Fantastik - Rapp Snitch Knishes 

Digging a classic album on my way to school.

The Jam - Going Underground

Mark Fisher had a talk on Post-Punk on Thursday and used this song as describing the point when the left gave up the mainstream and left the field open to neoliberals and fascists.

The public wants what the public gets
But I don't get what this society wants

Nils Frahm - Unter-Tristana-Ambre

Oh and I turned 32, went to the Barbican and saw this charming german closing his set with a breathtaking medley much like this one; ad-libbing a little bit of Happy Birthday to my favourite composition Ambre. It was perfect.

42/14 - You Don't Want To Get Out Of Bed

Fuck it. Fuck it Fuckit

Kent - Beskyddaren

Det är då själve fan att man aldrig ska växa ifrån den här biten.

The Fantasy - Summer Night In Harlem

I wanna dance to this at a party. On a summer night. In harlem.

The Decemberists - 16 Military Wives

Fifteen celebrity minds
Leading their fifteen sordid wretched checkered lives
Will they find the solution in time
Using their fifteen pristine moderate liberal minds?

Panda Bear - Mr Noah

Best new release for some time.

Mogwai - Death Rays

Send me death rays.

41/14 - Blow Steam In The Face Of The Beast

Palindromic week. A list that gives no quarter.

Rage Against The Machine - Wake Up

I should have this as my alarm clock. Soooo tired all the time.

Patti Smith - Revenge

This is how you use a guitar solo in service of a song and its message.

Duffy - Live And Let Die

When you've got a job to do
You gotta do it well
You gotta give the other fellow hell

Moloko - Pure Pleasure Seeker

It takes genius to base a whole six-and-a-half minute track on a brass-riff.

Kendrick Lamar - i

The second Run The Jewels is shaping up to be a match to the first. I.e. pretty goddamn awesome.

Oh and this is still, the best. It does not get worse by a little sprinkle of those classic tracks Spottieottiedopaliscious and Monster:

40/14 - Redefine Happiness

Here is a list from the pits of despair. Bad case of creative block is making me wake up with anxiety.

Blue Öyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper

Tried to hold out and make it last longer, but I've now watched the final episode of the second season of OITNB. Now starts the wait for next season. But what an amazing outro to the season this was. And what an amazing outro this has.

Caribou - Our Love

As if I wasn't already holding back tears...

Kode9 & The Spaceape - Autumn Has Come

R.I.P. Spaceape.

Jay Electronica - Exhibit C

Love it so much.

That FOI, Marcus Garvey, Niki Tesla
I shock you like an eel, electric feel, Jay Electra

Radiohead - How To Disappear Completely

My morning song, before I've gathered strength to put my head down and soldier on. I've been through this before. An idea will come.

39/14 - Through The City With Criminal Stealth

School has started. I'm posting this from my new studio, on a balcony overlooking the Laurie Grove Baths. But soon I'll go home, hopping the trains of the London underground. And for that, this week I'm listing five songs I've found extraordinarily suited for evening travels on the tube.

Future Islands - Seasons (Waiting On You)

You know when people change
They gain a peace but they lose one too

James Blake - CMYK

Samples and rhythms; the core of this city and the core of this list.

Kendrick Lamar - Backseat Freestyle

It's go time!

Burial - Near Dark

THE obvious album-choice for nights in the London suburbs.

Earl Sweatshirt - Chum

Much love for that outro. I hope I don't meet a giant frog tonight...

38/14 - I've Come To Smell The Seasons Change

Hello. I live in London now. That warrants thematic bookends to this week's list.

Kent - En Helt Ny Karriär

The always Bowie-referencing swedes doing their version of Low's lyrical theme on classic b-side.

The The - Heartland

For the scots. So disappointed with the referendum result. We could have had change, but now there'll be another winter in the land where nothing changes, waiting for hell to freeze over. Discovered this through JD Twitch's wonderful independence mix.

Cat Stevens - Trouble

I've had Mona Bone Jakon in my headphones for a couple of weeks now. This is so damn elegant. Such simple flourishes lifting the arrangement higher and higher. Single bass-notes, a tinkling piano, a cymbal... and then the sudden but poignant end after I don't want no fight, and I haven't got a lot of time.

Joni Mitchell - Tin Angel

James Blake played this in his latest BBC-session, and I held my breath. As so often when Joni sings, everything achieved a different shimmer and I could feel my heart for a couple of minutes.

David Bowie - A New Career In A New Town

Now, let's go conquer London.



...as if I needed even more of a spring in my step. Kendrick provides.

37/14 - Can't Recognize Our Poverty

Uuuuh. Leaving for London today. Feeling a bit wobbly. This list says nothing about that though.

Lowkey - Alphabet Assassin

Trust the old RHMB (Radiohead Message Board) to turn me on to some new music for its 15yr anniversary.

Todd Terje - Alfonso Muskedunder

For Alex, who was here with Emma, and as a heavenly gift, Todd Terje was played at the club we went to.

Girls - My Ma

Dedicated to a summer of parental care.

Dirty Projectors - Offspring Are Blank

For the very depressing swedish election results...

There is a darkness I feel coming down
And shadows that lengthen from the sky to the ground
And a silence that can swallow sound

Billie Holiday - Born To Love

With a promise to meet the future wide-eyed and naive.

Here's a nice cover, by a master of the medium.



And for everyone in Scotland: Good luck tomorrow! I hope you grab the opportunity – for a reinvigorated democracy, for an alternative to a stale system, and for trying out paths towards a better future for our civilisation.

36/14 - The River Speaks Of Times To Come

Alright folks! It's time for Top 5 yet again! This week; crooning and electronics.

Majical Cloudz - Turns Turns Turns

Love me some carpets of vocals to warm up on a sunny September-morning.

Miguel - Do You...

Possible moral hesitations aside; isn't "I wanna do you like drugs tonight" just an amazing line to finish a slippery song like this on?

The Similou - Where The Wild Things Grow

When your friend suddenly releases an EP out of the blue, it's obviously gonna be on heavy rotation. Go rediscover the slick power of The Similou!

Oneohtrix Point Never - Explain

This is an odd one. Or rather; I've come to expect much odder things from Oneohtrix, and then suddenly the album ends with a lovely harmonic thing that sounds like an upgraded Brian Eno-tune.

Haim - My Song 5

Another surprise deep cut. Who knew those ladies did crazy vicious St. Vincent-esque riffs too.

35/14 - My Light Pours Out Of My Mouth

It's coming up to election times, both here and there. I'm attempting to stare the political depression this gives rise to straight into the eyes, and wrestle with it.

Cornelis Vreeswijk - Ballad På En Soptipp

It's ridiculous that every verse in this song rings as true now as when it came out 50 years ago. But then again, as Mr. C says:

Törhända ni jagar standard? Ja, jäklar vilket skämt!
Den varan är såsom såpa som man häftigt försöker ta

Bobby Hamilton - Crazy Eyes For You

I don't know if I've ever loved a series more than I love Orange Is The New Black, three episodes into the second season. I can't wait til I get to see them all again tonight.

I am a garden rose

Swans - The Seer Returns

OMG I've finally discovered Swans. I feel like some kind of dam has broken. And will continue to break.

Titus Andronicus - No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future

You will always be a loser
You will always be a loser
You will always be a loser
You will always be a loser

Beyoncé - XO

Nah. Beyoncé says it's all ok. It will all be ok.

You can turn my lights out

34/14 - The Searchlight Slumps Over, So Sick Of The Night

What I listened to while the end-of-the-summer-rains fell.

Sun Kil Moon - I Love My Dad

Because it was my dad's 65th birthday on Thursday.

Jamie xx - Sleep Sound

Because I discovered this fantastic video:

Destroyer - Bay of Pigs

Because it reminds me of so many things; none of which I can put my finger on, but all of which make me feel warm inside.

Spoon - Knock Knock Knock

Because of brilliant use of guitars.

Kent - Innan Himlen Faller Ner

Because thunderstorms coincided with a shitstorm in the world.

Allt som sågs som farligt och avantgarde,
det bleknar, trubbas av tills det är normalt
Allt som nu är fel det var rätt en gång
Allt som var vitt blir svart imorgon
Allting som är gammalt var nytt ett tag
Även vi som är så unga ska dö en dag
Det man ger är värt mycket mer än det man tar
Vår trasiga värld blir ert ansvar

And well, I couldn't not include Beyonce in this entry:

Get More: 2014 VMA, Artists.MTV, Beyoncé, MTV VMA Video Vanguard (Medley), Music, More Music Videos

33/14 - Educated Criminals Work Within The Law

Nostalgia and political frustration, wrapped up in a fist.

Morrissey - The World Is Full of Crashing Bores

The ultimate Moz-song really. Politics, pop-star-bashing, self-pity and defiance, all in one.

It's just more lock-jawed pop-stars
Thicker than pig-shit
Nothing to convey
So scared to show intelligence
It might smear their lovely career
This world – I am afraid – is designed for crashing bores
I am not one

Audrey - We Thought We Were Ghosts, But We Are Feathers

I once had a mighty crush on the drummer in this band. She lived close to me and we went for coffee a couple of times, but nothing more. Then, on the last night of last week's festival I ran into her again, after eight years of no contact. It was a strange, lovely moment, and the next day I dug out this EP and its nostalgic romantic shimmer has never been stronger.

Jonathan Wilson - Future Vision

Another crumb left from the festival. Didn't see him perform this particular tune, but it's got a hazy post-60s feel to it, a fantastic bridge at 2:20, and a prettyy nice guitar solo too.

Björn Afzelius - Valet

ISIS aren't primarily muslims; they are primarily fascists. The Israeli state isn't first and foremost Jewish; it's first and foremost right-wing. Parties who combine the word democrats with a national prefix rarely rate democracy highly; they most often suffocate it under nationalism and xenophobia. Fight the far Right, before it's too late.

Arcade Fire - Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out)

Best systemfighting bass-riff since RATM.

The power's out, in the heart of man
Take it from your heart, put it in your hand!

31-32/14 - Things Are So Passionate, Times Are So Real

In the past three days I've seen the following artists live:
Tinariwen
Motörhead
The National
Darkside
Queens of the Stone Age
High As a Kite
Jonathan Wilson
Sharon van Etten
Bill Callahan
Mapei
Janelle Monáe
Outkast
Deafheaven
Planningtorock
Seasick Steve
Jaakko Eino Kalevi
Neutral Milk Hotel
Jenny Wilson
Mos Def
Robyn
Nils Frahm
Daniel Hope & GSO
Holly Herndon
...and as a majority of them were bloody awesome, and as I'm late with last week's list, I'm cheating on my own rules and putting together a double list of the top 10 from Way Out West.

Janelle Monáe - Electric Lady

Janelle rules my heart forever after this gig. Coolest. Tightest. Happiest. Best. A friend described it as James Brown meets Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. She even did a pitch perfect cover of I Feel Good.

Ooh, shock it
Break it, baby
Electric Lady, Electric Lady

Darkside - Paper Trails

I could spend a whole festival just watching these guys. There's something so sensually perfect about every note and every light effect it almost gives me a boner.

Queens of the Stone Age - Feel Good Hit of the Summer

I've seen them before, but I've never enjoyed it this much. The latest album is so good live. But this... what a singalong

Nils Frahm - For – Peter – Toilet Brushes – More

Last night of the festival. A lone german guy, two pianos, a couple of extra keyboards, a breathless opera-house. Pure magic.

Sharon van Etten - Your Love Is Killing Me

That voice, live. I am so in love.

Daniel Hope & Berlin Chamber Orchestra - Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Recomposed by Max Richter: Summer, III

Another spinetingling moment in the operahouse. The perfect ending to the festival.

Mos Def - Auditorium

I love going to old school hip hop concerts at festivals. Just a superb MC, a DJ, some roses and a lovely pick n' mix of beats, tunes and rhymes. Heartwarming, unassuming, and cool as fuck.

Outkast - The Whole World

Was so tagged for this. Was a bit disappointed. Dre seemed to be going through the motions, looked like he more or less hated playing Hey Ya, and on top of that had some tasteless sexist backdrops. But the first run of hits (B.O.B., Gasoline Dreams, Rosa Parks, Skew It On The Bar-B, Da Art of Storytelling) was superb, and then they saved face a bit in the end with this joyous offering.

Deafheaven - The Pecan Tree

Is there a better way to start a day at a festival than with an early afternoon metal-blow out? Will definitely be listening to this album a lot after this.

Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over The Sea

The rain started falling. The poncho-crowd huddled in front of the stage, but then Jeff came out and all sang along to every single word he belted out.

How strange it is to be anything at all...

30/14 - The Spinal Cord of JFK Wrapped in Marilyn Monroe's Negligee

The world is falling apart. But, as Patti said at her gig last night; we have the power.

Mavina Reynolds - It Isn't Nice

Thanks to Athena Farrokhzad and her excellent radio program for reminding me of the good fight, of poetry, and of this song.

Suede - Lazy

They're reminding us there's things to be done
But you and me, all we want to be, is lazy...

Nina Simone - New World Coming

There's a new world coming
And it's just around the bend
There's a new world coming
This one's coming to an end

There's a new voice calling
You can hear it if you try
And it's growing stronger
With each day that passes by

Grinderman - The Palaces of Montezuma

The final episode of the second season of Luther. It ruled. And it ended perfectly with this song.

SBTRKT ft. Ezra Koenig - NEW DORP. NEW YORK

Crank this up in the car on a hot, sunny day. Waaay up.

29/14 - I'll Bottle Sounds of Me for You

A few songs for warm warm days.

Múm - We Have a Map of the Piano

For slumbering in the hammock.

The Modern Jazz Quartet - Concorde

For looking at clouds.

Lisa Ekdahl - I Tveksamhetens Tid

For indulging in pleasant nostalgia.

Yeasayer - Sunrise

For waking up in a sweaty sleeping bag.

Queens of the Stone Age - I Sat By the Ocean

For sitting by the ocean.

28/14 - This Is A Never Dug Disco

Here's some fresh stuff

Antipop Consortium - Splinter

But first old favourites. Magicians with words.

Staggering like four legs on one man

Aesop Rock - Freeze/Honeycomb Interlude

And another.

You should have shot yourself in the foot when it was in your mouth...

Timber Timbre - Beat the Drum Slowly

'

Sharon van Etten - Our Love

*crush*

Woodkid - The Golden Age

 

27/14 - These Songs Lick My Soul, Lick It Free

A list dedicated to that rare bit of heaven that is Swedish summer.

Doris Day - Over The Rainbow

Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Nicolai Dunger - Soul Rush

Sunny days lick my soul, lick it free 
With days like this and nights like weeping songs 
‘cause they belong to anyone who’s felt the need for a rush

Songs: Ohia - Just Be Simple

This whole life has been about: try to be simple again

The Cardigans - Higher

This is a singular album. One of those recordings when a band breaks with its past, creates a completely new sound, makes a cohesive statement, and then moves away again, free. I might love later Cardigans even more, but picking this album up now it astounds me how different it sounds. Beautiful and chilly at the same time.

Marta Acuna - Dance, Dance, Dance 

Bring it on! I can take even more summer!

26/14 - There's a Highway That Is Curling Up Like Smoke Above His Shoulder

The week I left Glasgow after five years of calling it my home.

Marissa Nadler - Firecrackers

Leonard Cohen - The Stranger Song

The ultimate leaving song of all time.

John Jacob Niles - I'm Goin' Away

Bought the Boone-Tolliver Recordings the other week. A splendid investment.

Stuart A. Staples ft. Lhasa - That Leaving Feeling

We all have dreams of leaving
We all wanna make a new start
Go and pack a little suitcase
With the pieces of our hearts
All those worries and those sorrows
We can just dust them away
Buy a coffee and a paper
And go step on to a train

Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika

This wonderful homely tune has been the national anthem of no less than five african countries (currently three)! I really wanted to include this Namibian version, but any children's choir will do.


Ok... the bridge or some place later, eh?

25/14 - Populate!

Last week in Glasgow.  I'm trying not to get too emotional.

Charles Mingus - Song With Orange

The intro!

Aesop Rock - Cook It Up (ft. P.F.A.C.)

The words!

DJ Cam, Cameo - Love Junkee (J Dilla Remix)

The beat!

R. Kelly - Share My Love

The slightly uncomfortable love-message.

Bing Crosby - The Best Things In Life Are Free

Another amazing Mad Men (half-) season over. Another gorgeous final scene. With this song.

Cool video from them Liars:



Liars: Pro Anti Anti on Nowness.com

24/14 - Your Sword's Grown Old and Rusty

Packing up my belongings. Feeling light but old.

 

Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Funeral Face

Such a good pop-album. I wonder what they're doing today.

Vampire Weekend - Giving Up the Gun

Never gonna grow old. Always gonna seek new adventure. To that bassline.

But if the chance remains to see those better days
I'd cut the cannons down
My ears are blown to bits from all the rifle hits
But still, I crave that sound

Michael Nyman - The Garden Is Becoming a Robe Room

Continued my recent Peter Greenaway-obsession with watching The Draughtsman's Contract. Pure brilliant, as always. I love the soundtrack-titles his films inspire too.

Lhasa De Sela - Con Toda Palabra

Had all but forgotten this old pearl in my collection. The voice of summernights past.

Tom Waits - Flower's Grave

Botanically morbid.

23/14 - Good Googly Moogly

Last art endeavour for a while is over. Now I'm just packing at my own leisure.

bob hund - Sista Beställningen (live)

Summertime is, as always, bob hund-time.

The Doors - Wishful Sinful

Was watching the Doors Soundstage Performances, and was struck by how much better Robbie Krieger's songwriting is than Jimbo's.

Bat For Lashes - Siren Song

There she is, Pearl, getting progressively more dischevelled in one of the darkest dreamiest scenes in cinema:

MF Doom - Change The Beat

The Inhumanz remix is what I've been listening to.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Aeroplane

Jamie and John came over late one night with a bottle of whisky and two cigars. Flat classics were played. 90s rock predominantly.

Great video to Jack White's latest:




And James Blake took to cover the song I had on a list two weeks ago. Beautiful.

22/14 - Catch The Wind, See Us Spin

My room is a tip. I'm waiting for the rain to stop so I can go into the backyard to char some wood. Meanwhile, here's a slightly haphazard list:

Dusty Springfield - Just A Little Lovin'

If only...

The Larks - Shadrack

Glad to see old Nebudchadnezzar flicker by in a song. Tough name to fit into a rhyme...

Allen Toussaint - St. James Infirmary

Discovered amongst the layers of this fantastic mix:

Lykke Li - No Rest For The Wicked

Every time I listen it seems that first apocalyptic rumble of the chorus kicking in becomes more and more powerful. Darkmooded, self-accusatory fistpumping.

Led Zeppelin - What Is And What Should Never Be

What is that?
Oh how I love that little solo at 1:47. And John Paul Jones amazing basslines throughout... 

21/14 - Lately I'm Pleading With The Air

It's been a dark week. Glasgow School of Art on fire and fascists celebrating victories in Europe.

William Basinski - Melancholia I

The feeling of looking up at the Mack's charred walls and skeletal windowframes.

Bob Dylan - The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest

It's not a house, it's a home

Vashti Bunyan - Lately

Been working a few nightshifts. This is what I play quietly for myself in the wee hours.

Add your footsteps to the wear
For a tiny dent in every stair
Will let them know that you’ve been there

Kent - Svart Snö

Have not been a fan of Kent's turn towards Depeche Mode-synths, so was surprised to feel the new album creeping under my skin lyric by lyric...

Och det här är ingen mardröm, det är ingen fas
Det här är nåt som händer varenda dag
Det känns som om vi vaknat plötsligt i någon sorts skymningsland
Vi är levande döda, stapplar fram hand i hand
Och alla här vill leda men vi följer ändå blint
I ljuset från små skärmar kryper rädslan långsamt in

Bill Withers - Hope She'll Be Happier

Snapped up from James Blake's mix at BBC.

Maybe the lateness of the hour 
Makes me seem bluer than I am

Maybe we'll just power through. Like we always do.

20/14 - It Was Just That the Time Was Wrong

Worried week. Familiar tunes.

Pink Floyd - One of These Days

Finally got around to watching Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii after many years. Gave me a flash of my late teenage obsession with this music. Look at Nick Mason thundering away like a hero:

Mayssa Karaa - White Rabbit

An elegant cover my studiomate Nat turned me on to. Even though the music's more or less the same, the language totally changes the whole feel of it.

Grizzly Bear - Ready, Able

Time is cast once; and far alone.
Hope I'm ready, able to make my own.

The Knife - Without You My Life Would Be Boring (Shaken-Up Version)

Well, it's not boring. Can't say that.

Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet

Been having these gentle romantic dreams. Then I wake up sad.

NOT COOL!

19/14 - The Future Hides and the Past Just Slides

Flashes of nostalgia, days of elation, nights of anxious worry.

Cypress Hill - I Ain't Going Out Like That

A bass-line that deserves being repeated any number of times.

St. Vincent - Regret

Eagerly anticipating Friday's concert. Shred Annie, shred!

First Aid Kit - My Silver Lining

I won't take the easy road...

A very nice video:

Jackson Browne - Something Fine

Rediscovery is one of the perks of growing older. My good friend Björn turned me onto this album back in our late teens, and I used to borrow it from the library, but never got around to buying it. The other day I found it at Mono Records for 3 quid and listening to it again now was overwhelming.

And you know that I'm looking back carefully ”
Cause I know that there's still something there for me

John Martyn - Go Down Easy

Trying hard to keep calm and enjoy myself, despite big life changes ahead.

18/14 - I Need Ice Cold Water

Echo & the Bunnymen - My Kingdom

This is a good song. That's all I've got to say about that.

The Moog Cookbook - Whole Lotta Love

And this is a great cover. Cheesy, yes. But also brilliant. And I love that the little synth-effect from Pink Floyd's On the Run introduces the midbit.

Kelis - Friday Fish Fry

YES. Her voice! Raspier and more soulful than ever!

Planningtorock - Human Drama

And here's another voice I'm completely in love with at the moment. Especially after seeing her live on Friday night in a spooky archway.

Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass

One for and from the winner of 'The Largest Vocabulary in Hip Hop'.




AAAAH! New stuff from Savages! So in awe.

17/14 - You Found A Way To Break Out

Nice times. Eagerly waiting for summer to hit.

tUnE-yArDs - Water Fountain

It's art o'clock!

Janelle Monáe - Dance Apocalyptic

Smash, smash, bang, bang
Don't stop, chalangalangalang

Greg Diamond - Inertia

It's great to have flatmates. Hayden provides me with a never-ending stream of links to things he thinks I might like. This is one of his New York-friends, and I do like. Guitar-bit is especially awesome.

Ravi Shankar & Philip Glass - Offering

Another offering from Hayden, on the subject of Godfrey Reggio's new film.

Getatchew Mekurya - Eywat Setenafegagn

Getatchew is my new favourite guy discovered through Awesome Tapes From Africa. Tried to find this excellent album on my streaming services, but ended up finding this track instead. Seems like he doesn't do anything below excellent. Listen to this, then download the album from here, and chill out the rest of the season.

And hooray! Kelis is back!

16/14 - I'mma Ride My Fuckin' Bike, Or Walk

Warmth. April. Friends. City.

Sepultura - Breed Apart

Sunshine and angry music is a surpsisingly tasty combination. Was strolling down Sauchiehall Street on a gorgeous spring day and Max Cavalera made me feel full of purpose.

Savages - City's Full

Yeah, so it's been sunny, as I said, and as per usual this time of year, city fills up with sissy, pretty love... damn that stuff.

Prince - Darling Nikki

Sexuality invades. I fend futilely. Then succumb to these succulent screams.

Future & Andre 3000 - Benz Friendz

Andre! <3 Something magical happens every time he graces a track with his presence. Is this a 44 years late retort to Janis Joplin? I don't give a fuck about a Benz, bitch...

She go and told these folks I'm goin' broke,
a smile poured from my lips, cuz if I'm broke, it's only hearted

Charles Mingus - Far Wells, Mill Valley

Wizard with a double bass.

Lovin the new Lily Allen video actually:





And this. Vote Yes.

15/14 - This Isn't My Turf, This Ain't My Season

It's starting to sink in now. I'm starting to get quite nervous and worried about this now. Excited as hell, but anxious...

Fiona Apple - Sleep To Dream

What a fight song.

Darrell Scott - You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive

Watched the series finale of Justified the other day, so been listening to this tune in different versions after, Boyd and Raylan moving ominously through my mind.

The Band - Acadian Driftwood

One of Joanna Newsom's favourite songs I happen to know. I can see why. Wonderful storytelling.

Rufus Wainwright - Going To A Town

A fine mix of bitter disappointment and uplifting defiance.

Spiritualized - I Think I'm In Love

I'd forgotten how good this was! What a classic.

I think I can fly,
probably just fallin'
I think I'm the life and soul,
probably just snortin'
I think I can hit the mark,
probably just aimin'
I think my name is on your lips,
probably complainin'
I think I have caught it bad,
probably contagious
I think that I'm a winner, baby
Probably Las Vegas

Lastly, here's a surprisingly solid mashup:

14/14 - Go Get Me A Knife, You're Looking Like Steak

Fuck yes. I came through. I won. I'm moving to London after summer.

Paul McCartney & The Wings - Jet

Monday was a day of triumph. My installation came up really nicely, and I got a positive letter from Goldsmiths.

Climb on the back and we'll go for a ride in the sky

The Who - Who Are You?

Watched an episode of Louie, where Louis CK sings along to this in the car. Very much defined it as geeky dad-rock, but also a wonderful depiction of abandon and relief.

Goldfrapp - You Never Know

The yodelling bit. Stirring stuff.

Queens of the Stone Age - Smooth Sailing

It's gonna be all smooth sailing from here on out.
Amen.
This video man...

Kendrick Lamaar ft. Jay-Z - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe (Remix)

OK. I'm gonna stay on this roll now. Don't you dare try to bring me down.



Can't stop listening to this either. My two musical highlights of 2014 meeting in a gloriously uncompromising collision:

13/14 - My Thoughts Were So Loud, I Couldn't Hear My Mouth

My body is aching, I'm losing weight, and it's not fun making art anymore. "Take me away from here, I'm dying" is the lyric I've got on my mind. But not gonna put that song on my list. Gonna focus on the positive:

Modest Mouse - The World At Large

I almost want to quote this entire song because it's so damn good.

I like songs about drifters - books about the same
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane
Walked on off to another spot
I still haven't got anywhere that I want
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?

Darkside - Freak, Go Home

Saw Darkside, and it felt like I was saved. One of those concerts when you feel like "screw it, as long as this exists I don't care about the rest". Fucking wonderful it was. Like the sun breathed into my soul. The only downside being that it was so good, the amazing, amazing album actually sounds a little bit duller in comparison now. Still... soundporn.

Omar Souleyman - Wenu Wenu

Also made a little time to go see Four Tet DJ at Sub Club, where this was one of many highlights on the remorselessly packed dancefloor. What an impeccable taste that man has.

Saïan Supa Crew - Objectif

In my headphones when walking to the workshops with heavy steps. Helped a bit.

Riceboy Sleeps - Daníell In The Sea

Another of the highlights this week was taking a nap, listening to this and just drift away for a few minutes.

12/14 - I Fear the Sentence of This Solitude

Songs for strength, or for losing it.

Bert Jansch - Reynardine

Never go a'roving, and shun bad company!

Joni Mitchell - Come in From the Cold

When I thought life had some meaning
Then I thought I had some choice
And I made some value judgments
In a self-important voice
But then absurdity came over me
And I longed to lose control
Oh all I ever wanted
Was just to come in from the cold

Antony & the Johnsons - Fistful of Love

I feel the whip
and I know it's out of love

Scott Walker - We Came Through

We observe the naked souls of gutters pouring forth mankind
Smothered in an avalanche of time
And we're giants as we watch our kings and countries raise their shields
And Guevara dies encased in his ideals
And as Luther King's predictions fade from view
We came through

Battles - Race : Out

11/14 - Vaccine Instead of Medicine

These are this week's tunes. I'm exhausted.

Kings of Convenience - Homesick

As a direct consequence of being stressed and tired out I had an attack of acute homesickness. Take me to a lake in Sweden! I feel like nothing is ever going to top sitting in a rowboat in the middle of one. But then again, you can't listen to Kings of Convenience from loud speakers out there...

A song for
someone who needs somewhere
to long for

Alexandre Desplat - Canto at Gabelmeister's Peak

A new wonderful Wes Anderson-movie equals a new wonderful soundtrack. That is one Pavlovian association that never fails. This is even more genius than usual; the combo of 'pom-pom-pom'-choirs and church choirs is so amazing, and it only gets better from thinking of superfast ski-hunts as well.

Michael Nyman - Knowing the Ropes

As if I had not had enough of obsessive scenography and brilliant ensemble-drama after Grand Budapest Hotel I decided to watch Drowning By Numbers; the blueprint for almost all Wes Anderson films. Down to the whimsical specially composed soundtrack and all.

Christian Kjellvander - Live Ones

My homesickness didn't start with KoH. It started with this.

I swear that I have had too much to think

Phoenix - Fences

The new album doesn't appeal to me at all. This one does.

10/14 - That Was Hazy Cosmic Jive

This is a FUN list. Let's have FUN.

Penguin Cafe Orchestra - Yodel 2

Desmond Dekker - Hippopotamus

So random. So abstractly political. Hypocrites. Hippopotamus. What goes up comes down. Wicked. Ok.

The Byrds - Mr. Spaceman

Woke up this morning, I was feeling quite weird
Had flies in my beard, my toothpaste was smeared

...cause that's what happens when aliens visit you!!

David Bowie - Starman

One more on the same theme.

PJ Harvey - 50 ft Queenie

She's so cool.