63 Trees - darkness this is manchester, 1990

"This Is Manchester - 14 Songs From The North West"

Paul McCartney - band on the run live tripping the live fantastic, 1990

"Band on the Run" is a classic Wings track from their 1973 album of the same name, written by Paul McCartney during a challenging period in Lagos, Nigeria. It became one of McCartney's biggest solo-era hits, blending rock energy with a narrative escape theme. In 1990, McCartney revived it for his first major solo world tour (1989–1990), which marked his return to live performances after a decade-long hiatus due to family priorities and legal issues with the Beatles' catalog."

Of Monsters And Men - hunger, 2015

"Beneath the Skin takes an anthemic approach to Of Monsters and Men’s familiar output of modern folk rock. However, the album fizzles out before it has any room to take hold. For a land known for doom-impending volcanoes, harsh winters, and rotten fish, Iceland sure has a lot to say. I can always tell when an Icelandic artist hits the airwaves. No, it’s not the accent — which, I still can’t quite grasp. It’s not even Icelandic pop’s knack for weirdness, like Bjork’s army of bell wielding children."

Nada Surf - question cover, 2010

"Rather than attempting to distil all of their influences into one covers record, major label rejects-turned independent mainstays Nada Surf have chosen to capture the songs that were, as you might expect, in their hi-fis at the time of recording. Consequently and unlike most covers records, If I Had a Hi-Fi (which, rather neatly, is a palindrome) sounds wonderfully fresh and easy, but also yields some unexpected pop trinkets. Chances are this is because the range of artists covered is wide enough and, crucially, the record sounds like it would’ve made a good mix-tape even if they hadn’t recorded it themselves."

Peter Bjorn And John - silicon valley blues, 2018

"When Peter Bjorn and John recorded their 2016 album Breakin’ Point, they recruited big-name pop producers Paul Epworth (who’s worked with Charli XCX and Robyn), Greg Kurstin (Adele, Sia), and Emile Haynie (Lana Del Rey, Bruno Mars), presumably in the hopes of a releasing a smash hit. The reception was much more modest, but like Franz Ferdinand and their single “Take Me Out,” Peter Bjorn and John have lived in the shadow of their 2006 breakthrough hit “Young Folks.” Breakin’ Point, and to a lesser extent 2011’s Gimme Some, were both upbeat and accessible pop albums saturated with radio-friendly tracks, yet neither came close to regaining their mid-2000s attention, let alone containing another “Young Folks.” As an expected yet unfortunate consequence, they have edged onto some one-hit wonder lists, always with that perennial disclaimer of “the band continues to make music.”

Pet Shop Boys - closer to heaven shell and straight dave, 2001

"In the musical, the song "Closer to Heaven" appears multiple times in different contexts: First rendition: A duet between Shell (played by Shell Christian in the original London cast) and Straight Dave (played by Paul Keating). Shell is a young woman dealing with her rock-star father's death and her own vulnerabilities; Straight Dave is an Irish immigrant and aspiring dancer working as a bartender at a Soho club. This version captures their initial heterosexual attraction and budding romance, blending synth-pop with emotional longing."

Nada Surf - agony of lafitte cover, 2010

"Nada Surf — a band no stranger to being screwed over by Elektra Records in the ’90s — did a commendable version of “The Agony Of Laffitte” on the 2010 covers record If I Had A Hi-fi. Spoon, of course, found greater fame (and respect) in the early ’00s after landing on Merge Records — giving the band the last laugh after being chewed up by the major label machine."

Pet Shop Boys - i wouldn't normally do this kind of thing beatmasters seven inch version, 1993

"Neil was embarking on a day trip from London to Edinburgh, and on his way via taxi to Heathrow Airport he thought to himself, "I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing"—that is, fly from one place to another and back in a single day. He couldn't get the phrase out of his head, and it soon evolved into a song. He and Chris created the demo for it in the studio the very next day."

Of Monsters And Men - human, 2015

"Human" marked a slightly darker, more electronic-leaning evolution from the folk-pop sound of their debut My Head Is an Animal (2011)."

Neil Young - powderfinger live rust, 1979

"I had subconsciously neglected this song for the past seven years because of my horror at learning an Australian band had stolen its identity – that’s not a reflection on the band in question (whom I’ve never listened to), but more a reflection of my stubbornness at the time. This song was my secret. How dare they publicise it to the world!"

Pet Shop Boys - domino dancing seven inch version, 1988

"After taking some delightless turns in recent months, Tennant and Lowe swoon, yup swoon, back with their most exquisite offering for many a moon. It looks as weightless as a kite up there. It comes complete with a spoken interlude that wakes up the glowworms inside me for the first time since that heavenly respite in the middle of Human League's 'Louise'."

Nada Surf - you were so warm cover, 2010

"Dwight Twilley (June 6, 1951 – October 18, 2023) was an American pop/rock singer and songwriter, best known for the top 20 hit singles "I'm on Fire" (1975) and "Girls" (1984). His music is associated with the power pop style. Twilley and Phil Seymour performed as the Dwight Twilley Band through 1978, and Twilley performed as a solo act afterwards."

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - if you leave, 1986

"If You Leave" is a song by the English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD). It was recorded for the soundtrack to the film Pretty in Pink (1986), in which it is played prominently during the final scene. Along with 1980's "Enola Gay", the track has been described as OMD's signature song. "If You Leave" is the group's highest-charting single on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it reached number four in May 1986. The song was also a top-five hit in Canada and New Zealand and charted at number 15 in Australia. A defining track of the 1980s, it was described by Interview as "one of the most influential, zeitgeist-capturing songs ever to be written".

Nada Surf - evolucion cover, 2010

"Spanish band formed in 1995 by former Surfin' Bichos guitarist Joaquín Pascual. The band released a series of well-loved albums before breaking up in 2005."

Of Monsters And Men - crystals, 2015

"Crystals" is a song written and recorded by Icelandic indie folk/indie pop band Of Monsters and Men. It is the lead single for their second studio album, Beneath the Skin. The single and album artwork was created by artistic director Leif Podhajsky."

The New Pornographers - backstairs, 2014

"after periods of difficulty, I'm at a place where nothing in my life is dragging me down."

New Order - sub-culture seven inch version, 1985

"Torn between my optimistic tendency to want to love everything that New Order produces – particularly (the vast majority of) their remarkable singles – and worrying that this may be tainting the truth that some tracks are just not that great."

Pet Shop Boys - it's alright cover seven-inch version, 1989

"It's Alright" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on 26 June 1989 as the third and final single from their third studio album, Introspective (1988). It reached number five on the UK Singles Chart. Written and originally recorded by Sterling Void and Paris Brightledge, the song came to the attention of Pet Shop Boys on a house compilation issued by DJ International Records in 1987."

Neil Young - my my hey hey out of the blue live rust, 1979

"Kurt Cobain quoted that exact line in his suicide note, which gave the song an even heavier cultural shadow. Neil himself later expressed mixed feelings about that—said he wished he could’ve talked to Kurt, told him there’s more to the story than just those two choices."

Nada Surf - whose authority live acoustic, 2008

"The song explores themes of personal autonomy, questioning external influences, and the frustration of seeking validation from others."

Noah And The Whale - i have nothing, 2009

"Once a knock-about indie act from central casting, they're now full bodied and sophisticated, skilled with massed choirs, pedal steel, church bells and anything that comes to hand."

The New Pornographers - whiteout conditions, 2017

"Clearly this one came through a period of being depressed and dealing with the double-edged sword that is modern medicine, which can pull you back from the brink, but the dosage is often a bit of a crapshoot, rendering an otherwise talented and motivated person a total zombie barely capable of driving themselves to work in the morning."

Nada Surf - all is a game, 2005

"Nada Surf have composed fine songs for free-thinking, analytical, and pensive individuals, without being overly complex. The result of all this experience and reflection is that Nada Surf and producer Chris Walla have made a great pop/rock record. It's more of an emotive affair, with soft-hued guitar layers, hushed harmonies, and frontman Matthew Caws' signature aching, bittersweet vocals. From the gloomy orchestrations of "My Legs Grow" and the shiny hopes of "All Is a Game" to the more unapologetic, rollicking moments such as "Blankest Year" and "Armies Walk," the disc never loses momentum. The Weight Is a Gift is Nada Surf's most honest and earnest record to date."

Neil Young - i am a child, 1968

"This song, “I am a child,” comes from the last of the Buffalo Springfield’s non-retrospective albums, “Last Time Around” (1968). It is, of course, a Neil Young composition, and Young for once got to sing lead vocal. I doubt that most Buffalo Springfield or Neil Young fans would have this on their list of favorites, but I find it wonderful. Imagine this being a rock song in 1968, and written when Young was only 23."

Peter Bjorn And John - breakin point, 2016

"The integration of whistling on the track was initially unintentional. Morén whistled the tune while recording the song at Ingrid Studios in Stockholm, and the recording ended up being kept for the final version. Morén explained they were originally reluctant to include the whistles as they felt it might be viewed as "so obvious" considering their breakthrough single "Young Folks" from Writer's Block (2006) was heavily built upon whistling.[4] As "Breakin' Point" was conceived near the ten-year anniversary of Writer's Block, Morén described the whistling aspects as a "nice tribute" to "Young Folks". The band preferred a tribute record over issuing a "big deluxe" re-release of Writer's Block or an anniversary tour. An "early version" of the song, sans the whistles and solely produced by the band, is included on the deluxe edition of the album."

Nada Surf - no quick fix, 2002

"I remember calling that song “No Quick Mix.” It had something cool going on, but I don’t think it ever really hit its mark."

Pet Shop Boys - i don't know what you want but i can't give it anymore album version, 1999

"Aside from that fairly clever narrative device, simply taken as a song—that is, only as melody, chord structure, and lyrics—it's one of the dimmer lights in the Tennant-Lowe catalogue, particularly among their singles. Yet it's performed with such tragic, even epic grandeur that you can't help but admire the thing."

Paul McCartney - band on the run live wings over america, 1976

"Basically, there are two things that rock bands do: they make an album and they go on tour. Since Paul McCartney fervently wanted to believe Wings was a real rock band, he had the group record an album or two and then took them on the road. In March of 1976 he released Wings at the Speed of Sound and launched a tour of America, following which he released Wings Over America, a triple-album set that re-created an entire concert from various venues. It was a massive set list, running over two hours and featuring 30 songs, and it was well received at the time, partially because he revived some Beatles tunes, partially because it wasn't the disaster some naysayers expected, and mostly because - like the tour itself - it was the first chance that millions of Beatles fans had to hear McCartney in concert properly (the Beatles had toured, to be sure, and had played before millions of people between 1963 and 1966, but as a result of the relatively primitive equipment they used and the frenzied, omnipresent screaming of the mid-'60s teen audiences at their shows, few of those present had actually "heard" the group)."

New Order - regret live reading festival england august twenty-nine nineteen ninety-three retro disco four, 2002

"This performance is a standout from New Order's set at the Reading Festival (held at Little John's Farm, Reading, Berkshire, England), which took place on Sunday, August 29, 1993. It was one of the band's final shows before their first breakup, capturing them at the peak of their Republic era (the album from which "Regret" is the lead single)."

Nada Surf - hi-speed soul, 2002

"Reacquainting myself with “Hi-Speed Soul” after a couple of decades was a pleasure. It’s a nice blend of pop and slightly punkish guitar. What really drives it for me is Ira Elliot’s masterful drumming … especially his cymbal work. I’m torn between focusing on the music and the slightly disaffected lyrics, because it’s all luscious. The song’s bridge blends ethereal lyrics/vocals and insistent percussion … and then it breaks down to a tasty bass riff leading into an extended outro that could go on for another five minutes of jamming without any complaint from me."

The Mary Onettes - wdwhl, 2025

"The album starts with a weird sample, but immediately kicks into the dream-pop sound The Mary Onettes have always perfected. On this song "WDWHL" I could swear I was listening to a new Slowdive record."

Pet Shop Boys - yesterday when i was mad coconut one twelve mix, 1994

"An abbreviated (2:12) version of this mix appears on Disco 2"

My Sad Captains - in time, 2014

"Best of Times is the third studio album released by the English band My Sad Captains on 17 March 2014 through Bella Union Records. The album was recorded in London and mixed by Larry Crane in Portland (OR). A single, 'Goodbye' was released on 29 January with a video directed by Dan Davis featuring Vincent Meehan (aka Lavinia Co-op)."

Cocteau Twins - cherry-coloured funk, 1990

"Guthrie’s layered guitar work provides a dense harmonic backdrop, while Raymonde’s bass contributes a melodic counterpoint. Fraser’s vocals—at once emotional and cryptic—serve both as a lyrical and instrumental element, emphasizing sound and tone over literal meaning. The song’s title and repeated phrases evoke vivid, synesthetic imagery that reflects the band’s interest in abstraction and mood rather than narrative."

Nada Surf - beautiful beat, 2008

"Lucky sounds like a celebration of the band's good fortune. Somber songs are still present, most notably the plaintive closer "The Film Did Not Go 'Round," but most of the album is dominated by steady, mid-tempo pop/rock."