"To be loved like that makes all the difference. It does not lessen the terror of the fall, but it gives a new perspective on what that terror means. I had jumped off the edge, and then, at the very last moment, something reached out and caught me in midair. That something is what I define as love. It is the one thing that can stop a man from falling, the one thing powerful enough to negate the laws of gravity." Paul Auster (Moon Palace)

Monday, December 8, 2025

Neil Young - like a hurricane live weld, 1991

"Weld (1991) is a live album with Crazy Horse that was recorded on the 1991 tour following the release of Ragged Glory. Several songs from that album are featured, plus Young favorites such as “Powderfinger”, “Cinnamon Girl”, “Tonight’s The Night”, “Like A Hurricane”. It also includes a memorable cover of Dylan's "Blowing In The Wind".

Ride - vapour trail, 1990

"Vapour Trail" is a song by British shoegaze band Ride. It is the closing track of the band's debut album, Nowhere (1990), released on Creation Records, and was later released as a single in the United States in early 1991. Written by lead guitarist Andy Bell (but credited to the whole band), the song features a distinctive swirling guitar riff, a strong, fill-based drum beat, and a coda that includes a string quartet."

Suede - broken music for broken people, 2025

“Broken music” is the closest thing to a classic Suede song as this album gets but it is bigger and more epic, every rimshot, every guitar lick, every hip shake dialled up to eleven. It is an anthem, a call to arms, celebrating the broken people, rather than looking down on them. And it’s not singling anyone out. We are all broken people in our own sense, with our own histories, but we are shined on in a positive light. We are all in this together."

Wedgy - i can't address it, 2025

"On the surface, I Can’t Address It is a combination of shoegaze and grunge, and these elements are quite clear. They’re there, but there’s much more bubbling beneath."

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Paul McCartney - here there and everywhere live unplugged the official bootleg, 1991

"It was the very first time Paul had ever performed the song live (not even The Beatles played it in concert)."

The New Pornographers - high ticket attractions, 2017

"It's filled with hooks linked in the most straightforward way possible. The drum beat just drives through with minimal transitions, the vocals are fast and dance around harmonies. Just enough guitar, just enough synths."

The Beach Boys - california dreamin cover, 1986

"The Beach Boys' 1986 version of “California Dreamin’” is a seriously underrated gem. They took a folk-pop standard and gave it that warm, polished, late-period Beach Boys treatment, with richer production, those impeccable harmonies, and a slightly rockier edge that suits the mid-80s vibe. Carl Wilson’s lead vocal is especially soulful; he was in great voice during that era, and you can hear the emotional weight he brings to lines like “All the leaves are brown…”. Al Jardine complements him perfectly, and having Roger McGuinn reprise his signature 12-string Rickenbacker sound was a brilliant touch. It ties the song back to the jangly Byrds-influenced sound of the original era while still feeling fresh. It was recorded for Mike Love’s side project but ended up credited to The Beach Boys, and released during a period when they were having a bit of a commercial resurgence (thanks in part to “Kokomo” a couple years later). Though it only reached #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, it’s aged really well and holds up as one of their stronger covers in their catalog. Fun fact: the music video even featured McGuinn, John Phillips, and Michelle Phillips, which gave it a nice passing-of-the-torch feel between the two iconic California acts.Definitely a version that deserves more love. Great song, great voices, great arrangement."