Saint Etienne - language lab, 2002

"By the new millennium, Saint Etienne had pivoted towards ambient music on Sound of Water (2000), while Finisterre (2002) and Tales from Turnpike House (2005) distilled these stylistic diversions and a return to their early influences. The 2010s, with Words and Music (2012) and Home Counties (2017), saw a contemporary update of their sound. The band incorporated samples for the first time in nearly two decades on I've Been Trying to Tell You (2021), which became their highest-charting album since 1994 at number fourteen."

James - protect me, 1992

"big, brash, unafraid, unashamed but also miserable, paranoid, eccentric and epically confused"

The Cure - lovesong acoustic version, 2001

"Smith originally wrote the song for his long-time girlfriend and then fiancée, Mary, as a wedding present."

REM - be mine, 1996

"At sound checks and ad hoc local studios, Michael Stipe preaches and exhorts more than he rambles or muses, Mike Mills spelunks with keybs, and Peter Buck pumps the folk-rock jangle that broadened Amerindie's first wave. Nothing epochal, and there's poetry in that--the poetry of a nominal community that has learned how to keep its dreams modest and enjoy them that way."

The Postmarks - eleven fifty-nine cover, 2008

"synthesis of the Dixie Cups and the Electric Prunes"

The House Of Love - beatles and the stones, 1990

"As one who loves the first half of the House of Love’s career, particularly the Creation period, believe me when I say that the performance on “Beatles and the Stones” is impeccable: it’s shuffly proto-Britpop loveliness with great vocals and moments of mellow-cello half-psych that border on charming pastiche."

Seapony - with you, 2011

"Seapony has the bleak sunniness of the end of summer, when the rays that have beating down for months start to feel almost feel oppressive and the world has a soft shimmer that needs to be viewed through a tight squint."

Cocteau Twins - bluebeard, 1993

"Bluebeard" marks a noticeable shift from previous Cocteau Twins releases, primarily in the form of Fraser's vocals that appear to be more understandable and less reliant on the "mouth music" approach that Fraser had adopted in previous recordings. Speaking about "Bluebeard", band member Robin Guthrie stated “Things don't influence us directly, but things do get through. To me, ‘Bluebeard’ sounds nothing like country music. It just sounds like us playing a twangy guitar. So it was really a guitar that created that song. A big guitar. It's just that if we do country it comes out sounding like Cocteau Twins. If we do anything it comes out sounding like Cocteau Twins.”

I'm From Barcelona - violins live, 2016

"Long awaited new cd from the Swedish group - and it is absolutely fabulous. As usual Emanuel Lundgren dominates, providing all the lyrics and music, producing and mixing and even providing the artwork for the excellent booklet.. His voice is as good as ever and the arrangements are once again imaginative and ear catching. Dig the tremendous bass figure on the opener Violins which also has the signature catchy chorus of IFB."

The Housemartins - the light is always green, 1987

"'The Light Is Always Green' offers a sharp critique of modern society's obsession with speed, materialism, and superficiality. The lyrics paint a picture of a world where people prioritize appearances and possessions over genuine human connections and meaningful experiences."

Stars - my radio am mix, 2001

"Stars reveal an obsession with stylish '80s rock on Nightsongs; the most obvious evidence is the band's cover of the Smiths' "This Charming Man." But that doesn't mean the Montréal group's debut sounds like it's from that decade. Drawing equally from new wave and the sophisticated electronic pop of acts such as Saint Etienne and Momus, Stars make every note painfully romantic."

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - dream of me based on love's theme, 1993

"Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in July 1993 by Virgin Records as the second single from their ninth studio album, Liberator (1993). The song uses a sample from "Love's Theme", a 1973 instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. It was remixed by Gregg Jackman for release as a single and reached the top 30 in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom."

Cliff Richard - please don't tease live, 1960

"Please Don't Tease" is a 1960 song recorded by Cliff Richard and the Shadows. Recorded in March and released as a single in June, the song became their third No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart spending three weeks at the summit. The song was written by the Shadows' rhythm guitarist Bruce Welch together with Pete Chester."

New Order - regret sabres slow n low mix, 1993

"New Order's "Sabres Slow 'n' Low"" from the Weatherall Mixes, released in 1993 in tandem with the "Sabres Fast 'n 'Throb" remix". Today. we're feeling more "slow n' low"."

Marillion - misplaced rendezvous demo, 1998

"Touching upon his early childhood experiences and his inability to deal with a slew of bad breakups exacerbated by a never-ending series of rock star-type "indulgences," Misplaced Childhood would prove to be not only the band's most accomplished release to date, but also its most streamlined."

Stars - hold on when you get love and let go when you give it, 2012

"The song starts with whisper-like vocals and by the end it’s emotive; vocals want to burst out of the speakers. The single’s sound has a tinge of New Order, who the band has cited as an influence before."

Damien Jurado - onalaska, 2016

"Father John Misty talks about how you’ve almost created a religion. You’ve spoken about Maraqopa as a place of the mind. In the liner notes for the new album you write “All glory and praise be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Frazier Chorus - never wake up, 1991

"Brighton’s Frazier Chorus never got a whiff of top 40 action, and for at least the first act of their career it was largely down to bad timing. This is one of the more vexing things about pop – it’s entirely possible to record a brilliant album that’s completely in tune with the times, but by the time it’s actually released it’s hopelessly out of step with current trends."

The National - graceless, 2013

"‘Graceless’ sums up what makes the band so special – their ability to achieve (relative) success and exposure without compromising on their own artistic values. Any album since Alligator could have seen them stray toward the commercial end of the musical continuum, but instead they somehow managed to ignore the notion entirely and just produce high quality songs that seem designed for no purpose other than being as good as humanly possible."

The Decemberists - the legionnaire's lament, 2002

"The song takes place in a desert setting. Since the legionnaire is himself French (a sizable minority of legionnaires were not actually "foreign"), this desert is unlikely to be in Algeria, as that was considered part of France. It is probably intentionally vague."

Marillion - market square heroes alternative version, 1997

"the "market square hero" is a "would-be revolutionary with all the necessary charisma and presence of a leader without direction or goals, just a sense of frustration and anger"

Keane - the lovers are losing, 2008

"Now, I’ve never paid them much mind, let alone bought any of their guitarless records, but every bedwetter has its day and Keane’s arrived when they decided to beef up a bit, tighten up the songs and listen to a shedload of A-ha records. Because that’s what the best bits of Perfect Symmetry are – Scoundrel Days ‘08. ‘Spiralling’ was the eye-opener, the rather too eager Bowie-aper that put down an emphatic marker saying, “We’ve changed! We’re still pop, only more so, and look – guitar!” (seriously, it said that), but ‘The Lovers Are Losing’ has one of the most startlingly great choruses of the year so here it is."

Pet Shop Boys - here, 2002

"This song traces its genesis back to the Boys' musical Closer to Heaven. Originally titled "Home" (which does strike me as a more appropriate title), it was going to be sung by the characters of Vic and Billie to Dave as they try to console him after the death of Lee. Dave is seriously considering shucking it all and hopping back on the next boat back to Ireland. But Vic and Billie ask him to stay, persuading him that he has indeed found a home in London with his new friends and his new life: "You've got a home here." Neil, Chris, and their collaborator on the musical, Jonathan Harvey, decided to cut this number late in the show's development. Instead, it appears here in a modified form. The lyrics simply extol the importance of having a place you can call "home," a place where you feel safe, comfortable, and contented. The narrator is telling someone—obviously someone about whom he cares a great deal—that home is "here" with him."

Belle And Sebastian - the book of you, 2015

"We were living as cheaply as possible, but in that void of life ideas came in, and spirituality. I found God on the dole! I do wonder how our band would exist nowadays. The slight upside is that, with technology, people can record themselves to an amazing degree."

Hooverphonic - out of sight, 2000

"The band first set out to re-record "2Wicky" with Liesje's vocals for Stealing Beauty and that demo version was the one that was used in the movie and subsequently on the soundtrack. Hooverphonic began recording their first album in their home studio and in Galaxy Studios. British producer/mixer Roland Harrington (Soul II Soul, Björk, Simply Red, Catatonia) mixed A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular at Whitfield Studios in London. The album was released in Europe on July 29, 1996 and had its U.S. release on April 15, 1997."

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - gentle sons, 2009

"pure indie-pop to hold close to your heart."

Saint Etienne - tonight, 2012

"I confess to not being a huge Saint Etienne fan but great art has to be acknowledged and given credit for what it is worth. “Tonight” is one great pop single that the year 2012 will undoubtedly be remembered by for those that measure the greatness of music solely on the basis of its artistic merit."

Jethro Tull - requiem, 1975

"The album's title refers to the use of a minstrel's gallery in the great hall of castles or manor houses, inspired by a balcony in the recording space which is shown in a photo of the band on the back cover of the original LP. The minstrel analogy is used thematically in the lyrics of the title track and "Baker St. Muse". "Cold Wind to Valhalla" is based on elements of Norse mythology, such as the afterlife hall of Valhalla mentioned in the song's title and lyrics."

James - ring the bells, 1992

"Ring the Bells" was released as a single on 23 March 1992, with "Fight", "Once a Friend", and remixes of "Come Home"; the music video for "Ring the Bells" was directed by Scammell. In June 1992, the band performed at the Glastonbury Festival. James played their only UK headlining show of the year at an open-air concert at the Alton Towers leisure park on 4 July 1992, where they performed to a crowd of 30,000, with support from Public Image Ltd. Galliano was also due to support but had to pull out after weather conditions threatened to destroy the stage's roof."

Beach Fossils - caustic cross, 2013

"Imagine Joy Division, and now imagine that they were actually enjoyable to listen to and not dark and depressing"

Barclay James Harvest - spirit on the water, 1977

"Holroyd's 'Spirit on the Water', a very nice slow number, firmly rooted in the British pop- rock tradition, but wisely taken to an art rock level thanks to Wolstenholme's keyboard parts and the clever use of simplicity in the guitar riffs"

The Lightning Seeds - fingers and thumbs, 1996

"Fans of early Lightning Seeds hits like "Pure" and "Life of Riley" will recognize hints of them in the catchy "Like You Do," although Broudie has spiced things up considerably with a bit of techno."

The Cure - boys don't cry acoustic version, 2001

"Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by English rock band the Cure. It was first released in Japan on 7 November 2001, before being released in the UK and Europe on 12 November and then in the US the day after. The band's relationship with longtime label Fiction Records came to a close, and the Cure were obliged to release one final album for the label. Lead singer Robert Smith agreed to release a greatest hits album under the condition that he could choose the tracks himself. The band also recorded a special studio album released as a bonus disc to some versions of the album. The disc, titled Acoustic Hits, consists of the eighteen songs from the North American release re-recorded using acoustic instruments."

Neil Young - thrasher, 1979

"Thrasher" was written while filming Human Highway in New Mexico with Dennis Hopper. Young remembers in a 2022 post to his website: "After leaving Taos with Carpio, a Native American friend I had met during the filming of Human Highway, sitting in the front seat of his car, I wrote this song, "Thrasher". Driving through the magnificent beauty of New Mexico, the words just kept coming to me. I saw the eagles circling, the deep canyons, the road ahead, reflecting on my journey through recent years, and thankful to be where I was." The song's music bears similarity to Young's previous song "Evening Coconut," which he wrote about his boat. In the song's lyrics, he uncharitably describes his CSNY bandmates as "dead weight." Young explains in a 1985 interview: "Well, at that point I felt like it was kind of dead weight for me. Not for them. For me. I could go somewhere and they couldn't go there. I wasn't going to pull them along, they were doing fine without me. It might have come off a little more harsh than I meant it, but once I write I can't say, 'Oh, I'm going to hurt someone's feelings.' Poetically and on feeling it made good sense to me and it came right out. I think I'd be doing a disservice to change it based on what I think a reaction would be. I try not to do that." Young chose not to perform the song for several years after its initial release, due to his reaction to a particularly harsh review of the song. He would tell a 2014 audience "This song, you know, I did it, I haven't done it that much in my life because at a very vulnerable moment I read something about it. Just like the worst fucking review I've ever read. So for all your reviewers, if you feel like your words don't mean anything, you're probably right, but in that case, in that case they were damaging. So, anyway, I think I got this, I think this it's the one here. I hope so."

Beirut - when i die, 2019

"The members of Beirut unite for a series of therapeutic group experiments in their intense “When I Die” video. Multimedia artist Brody Condon directed the clip inside a Berlin Futuro house, guiding the musicians through meditative scenarios. They move around the floor in dramatic poses, sprawl out on their backs and lay their hands on each other — culminating in a scene with songwriter Zach Condon collapsing under their collective weight. “After the psychosomatic session that inspired the [cover art for Beirut’s recently issued LP, Gallipoli], I ran another session with Zach to guide a new video for ‘When I Die,'” Brody Condon said in a statement. “Something was missing. Later I learned the song was loosely about a fictional suicide cult, so I facilitated a group encounter with the band before their show in Berlin. I was surprised by their willingness to test each other’s boundaries, and spontaneously embody elements of Zach’s inner zone. They told me these intimate processes didn’t feel so differently from what they already do on stage.”

Stars - hope avenue, 2017

"Does no one fall in love under fluorescent light? Pretty sure that's not true, as many an office romance could attest. But as a statement in support of love's delusions, we will stand by it. In love, the lights are different, softer; the air has more oxygen in it; and for a second, all you need is a good chorus to believe this might be the one."

Saint Etienne - you're in a bad way, 1993

"despite the song’s bright and spritely joy, the lyrics address a man who’s been beset by the humdrum of life and has let it get him down. But have no fear, our good friend Sarah will save him (and us) with that golden voice of hers."

Simon And Garfunkel - homeward bound live, 1982

"New York City's Central Park was in a state of deterioration in the mid-1970s. Though Central Park had been designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962, at the start of the 1980s, the city lacked the financial resources to spend an estimated $3 million to restore or even to maintain the park. The nonprofit Central Park Conservancy was founded in 1980, and began a successful campaign to raise renovation funds."

New Order - true faith ninety-four, 1994

"True Faith" is a song by New Order, co-written and co-produced by the band and Stephen Hague. It was the first New Order single since their debut "Ceremony" to be issued in the UK as two separate 12" singles. The second 12" single features two remixes of "True Faith" by Shep Pettibone. Both versions of the 12" (and also the edited 7") include the song "1963". "True Faith" is one of New Order's most popular songs. The single peaked at No. 4 in the United Kingdom on its original release in 1987. In the United States, "True Faith" became New Order's first single to chart in the Hot 100, ultimately peaking at No. 32. A "True Faith" remix 12" single and CD single were released in 1994, and another "True Faith" remix 12" single and CD single were released in 2001. The 1994 remix charted in the UK at No. 9."

Prefab Sprout - appetite acoustic, 2006

"Although they sold millions of records during their heyday in the 1980s, deservedly so, UK "sophisti-pop" band Prefab Sprout is not really a household name despite their excellent and compelling music. A visually striking band, guitarist/singer-songwriter Paddy McAloon and girlfriend Wendy Smith gave the band a certain glamour rooted in humility. McAloon has suffered serious health issues in recent years, which may explain why the band has not had much promotion since the height of their career."

The Smashing Pumpkins - ava adore, 1998

"Ava Adore" is a song by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. It was the first single from their fourth album, Adore, and exhibited a new sound from the band which integrated traditional instruments with loops and electronic music. "Ava Adore" and the B-sides were written by Billy Corgan. When released as a single in May 1998, "Ava Adore" reached number one in Iceland, number two in Greece, number five in New Zealand, and the top 20 in Australia, Canada, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100, number three on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number eight on the Mainstream Rock chart."

Soft Cell - what, 1982

“What!” came a few months after “Tainted Love” and Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret‘s release, a non-LP single to mark time until Soft Cell’s next album. While non-album single releases were a regular thing in other parts of the world, it was still a relative rarity in the U.S., which may explain why it failed to chart, since record labels tend to ignore songs that don’t promote album sales. “What!” also had a fun, Pop Art-inspired video that despite being pretty fabulous got scant airplay – that didn’t help matters much."

Moby - help me to believe, 1992

"Moby's melodic sense developed much quicker than other early techno producers; despite the criticisms leveled at his later direction (or lack thereof), his first album is a masterpiece of challenging, unrepetitive, beautifully programmed rave-techno."

The House Of Love - thirty-second floor, 1990

"Between the Smiths/Echo and the Bunnymen and the Britpop resurgence, this London quartet briefly caught England’s late-’80s imagination on the strength of stunning early singles, leader Guy Chadwick’s forceful, smart persona, lead guitarist Terry Bickers’ array of powerful, echoed sounds and the sustained promise of importance and (or) greatness."

Belle And Sebastian - family tree, 2003

"While Stuart is usually my favorite B&S vocalist, Isobel Campbell does a great job with this one."

Barclay James Harvest - the world goes on, 1976

"The "red side" (which opens the presentation here on both CD and DVD) featured just three songs. Les Holroyd's poetically ruminative ballad "The World Goes On" employed CSN-style harmonies over shimmering strings provided by Ritchie Close, while John Lees' "May Day" delivered a political message as it imagined what the British reaction to a totalitarian government might be."

The Radio Dept - freddie and the trojan horse, 2008

"Sweden’s new-wave shoegazer outfit presents the perfect summer song from their wonderful new EP. It’s sweet like a popsicle."

Renaissance - can you understand, 1973

"With electric guitarist Andy Powell sitting in on the title track, Renaissance delivered its best, and first fully formed album, mixing Russian, French, and Indian influences in musical settings that are both lively and elegant. The title track is one of the few lengthy progressive-rock pieces of the era that holds up, and the rest of the material runs the gamut from folk ("Carpet of the Sun") to Impressionist ("At the Harbor"), all of it hauntingly beautiful and enlivening."

Mike Oldfield - ringscape, 2005

"2005 Light and Shade: It could be retitled "Mike Oldfield: Bite Sized!" Little nuggets of Oldfield brilliance, like Angelique and Our Father, Resolution and Ringscape. He used mostly computer programs and plugins for this album (exactly the kind of method he protested and fought against for so many years), and as a result it sounds like everything else out there."

King Hüsky - wish I had a dog, 2025

"Kvelertak guitarist Vidar Landa has been kicking out surprisingly poppy rock tracks under the name King Hüsky ahead of his self-titled debut album, tapping into an entirely different side of Norwegian musical history."

Veronica Falls - teenage, 2013

"The ideal encapsulation of Veronica Falls; perfectly balancing joyous melodic pop with undercurrents of sadness and adolescent yearning. The vocal harmonies are pure heaven, and the economical playing and arranging showcase a band operating at a level of skill and craft not often found in today's indiepop scene. Plainly put, "Teenage" is perfect pop and sure to be one of the finest singles of 2013."

The Techniques - world without love, 1964

"McCartney wrote the song when he was 16. When he moved into the London home of his then-girlfriend Jane Asher in 1963, sharing a room with her brother Peter Asher, who asked McCartney if he could use the song after he and Gordon Waller had signed a recording contract as Peter and Gordon. McCartney described John Lennon's reaction to the song: "The funny first line always used to please John. 'Please lock me away –' 'Yes, okay.' End of song." Lennon said of the song that "I think that was resurrected from the past. ... I think he had that whole song before the Beatles. ... That has the line 'Please lock me away' that we always used to crack up at."

Postiljonen - supreme, 2013

"Swedish/Norwegian trio Postiljonen, a staple as of always, returns with their latest single ‘Supreme’. Following up on their last release ‘How Will I Know/All That We Had Is Lost,’ they’ve continued to move away from the slow and brooding nature of some their earliest songs like ‘Vi var en gang’ and ‘Skyer’ in favor of bigger beats. I couldn’t be happier — Postiljonen take it one step closer to that sun-soaked, Air France/Southern Shores/Korallreven irresistibility with this latest jam."

Echo And The Bunnymen - hurracaine, 1997

"Hurracaine (not sure how the atrocious spelling got past everyone) Is like bridge between the old and the new for me. It opens like a track I might have expected post Ocean Rain but pre Grey Album. In fact, it could have easily sat on the B-Side of Bring On The Dancing Horses nicely."

The Mary Onettes - once i was pretty, 2009

"Music that is meant to stay will stay. Bands that do something really meaningful will most likely reach its crowd. People should just learn to trust their instinct, not always the hype. But sometimes the hype is okay."

Belle And Sebastian - ever had a little faith, 2015

"‘Ever Had a Little Faith?,’ was written by Murdoch before he even formed the band, under the heavy influence of The Velvet Underground. The band recorded it shortly after Lou Reed’s death."

Sufjan Stevens - sugar, 2020

“Sugar” is ultimately about the desire for goodness and purity (and true sustenance). On the surface the song is just a string of clichés, but the message is imperative: now is the time to gather what is good and pure and valuable and make it your own, and share it with others. Feed your soul and speak new life into those around you. Give each other love, respect and sacrifice. Relinquish all the old habits, all the old ways of thinking and doing, all former practices — “business as usual” — and bring new life to the world. This is our calling."

Barclay James Harvest - one night, 1975

"Time Honoured Ghosts is an album of transition. The period heralded a trio of albums that followed from Everyone Is Everybody Else, often placing as one of the top ranked in fans polls and the rawer live sound immortalised on Barclay James Harvest Live"

The New Pornographers - crash years, 2010

"Ah, the old bait and switch. The first leak from the New Pornographers' forthcoming fifth album Together, the sorta-title track "Your Hands (Together)", was OK, and its brawny guitars had obvious to those turned off by the gossamer melodies of 2007's underrated Challengers. But the song's lack of a central hook - the kind that made 2005's Twin Cinema the band's finest moment - left some wondering if Carl Newman and his band were overcompensating, perhaps as a result of the tepid critical reaction to Challengers. Together single "The Crash Years" proves that notion wrong. Like a lot of the band's best work, almost everything here seems designed to hit a pleasure center, from the Bridge on the River Kwai-like whistling that follows the chorus, to Neko Case's typically compelling lead vocal take, to Newman's unmistakable penchant for non sequitur songwriting. Yes, the presence of a cello suggests that Newman hasn't given up his more orchestral ambitions just yet - but here, the instrumentation is used to drive the melody forward, providing a low-toned counterpoint to Neko Case's upper register. Breezy yet professional, intricate yet immediate: when the Pornos are at the top of their game, as they are on "The Crash Years", not much else is this satisfying."

The Cure - in between days, 1985

"It has the bittersweet feel of a New Order record, with a hyperstrummed acoustic guitar for depth. The boys even offer a genuine glimmer of hope, and the tune fairly breezes by on its own momentum."

Saint Etienne - public information film, 1997

"Continental isn’t a real album. Not in the sense that anyone thought of it as a studio album when it came out, anyway. Initially released two decades ago this week, but only in Japan, this follow-up to Tiger Bay (1994) compiles highlights from the singles, compilations, and other bits and bobs that appeared during the group’s first wilderness period. But then in 2009, it got a surprise inclusion in Saint Etienne‘s series of deluxe edition albums, so now we get to enjoy it as a real album after all."

Band Of Horses - islands on the coast, 2007

"When Band of Horses surfaced in 2006 with Everything All the Time, the band's rugged take on rock & roll drew quick parallels to My Morning Jacket and early Neil Young. That's mighty nice company for a young band, but co-founder Mat Brooke nevertheless left the lineup that same summer, choosing to blaze his own trail with Grand Archives instead. Ben Bridwell, Brooke's musical partner for nearly a decade, was left in control of Horses - a daunting position for the former Carissa's Weird bassist, but one that ultimately resulted in a sophisticated, mature, and altogether superior follow-up."

The Sundays - cry, 1997

"Cry" is a song by English alternative rock band the Sundays. Written and produced by guitarist David Gavurin and lead singer Harriet Wheeler, the song was recorded for the band's third and final studio album, Static & Silence (1997), and released on 10 November 1997 as the second single from the album. The song reached number 43 on the UK Singles Chart."

Dido - don't think of me, 1999

"Don't Think of Me" is a song by English singer-songwriter Dido. It was released as the second single from her debut album, No Angel (1999), exclusively in the United States on 7 February 2000. The single gained enough airplay to peak at number 35 on the US Billboard Adult Top 40 in May 2000. "Don't Think of Me" also charted in Romania in 2002, peaking at number 62 that June."

Pet Shop Boys - winner instrumental, 2012

"The instrumental version of Winner is AMAZING."

Mar de Sintra, Praia do Magoito, ontem de manhã

Electronic – when she's gone, 1999

"The writing and recording of the album was a reaction to the protracted sessions of its predecessor Raise the Pressure, which had taken a year and a half to complete. Johnny Marr and Bernard Sumner remained the only official members of the band, but were joined by Doves frontman Jimi Goodwin on bass and Black Grape drummer Ged Lynch. The sound of the album reflected this back-to-basics approach in terms of the line-up, although subsequent production and mixing incorporated additional beats and samples. Twisted Tenderness was co-produced by influential New York City club DJ and dance producer Arthur Baker, with whom Sumner had previously worked on New Order's 1983 hit "Confusion", amongst other songs." 

 

Such a great summer morning song!

Stars - take me to the riot, 2007

"The song follows a street dealer and his many returning, partying clients as they chase after highs and fall from the comedown."

One Republic - good life, 2009

"Not only does "Good Life" have lyrics that anyone can relate to — "... what the hell is there to complain about ..." — it also has a unique musical delivery that allows the song to stand out on a radio full of same-sounding songs."

The Radio Dept - heaven's on fire live at pitchfork, 2011

"Songs like “Heaven’s On Fire” turn into singalongs, casting light on the fact that The Radio Dept. have reached a broader fanbase then anyone might realize. And, the journey continues as they play next weekend’s Pitchfork Music Festival. Sure, it will likely again be in the daylight, but the other likelihood is that it will be crowdpleasing, and memorable."

Tindersticks - boobar come back to me, 2008

"Arguably the standout track from the Tindersticks' latest long-player The Hungry Saw, 'Boobar Come Back To Me' is a potential classic within the band's considerable canon of works. Starting off as a brooding, darkly intoned ballad the song soon develops into something far more sophisticated and elegant, with a gorgeous, almost orchestrally-proportioned arrangement and a production for which all dials have been set to the position marked: 'swoon'. Going beyond the moderate grandeur of chamber pop convention, the song is more akin to bombastic '70s croon tunes like 'MacArthur Park', and despite the title, is presumably unconnected to the famous cartoon Elephant."

Del Amitri - keepers, 1985

"The lead singer (and main songwriter) of Del Amitri, Justin Currie, is quite simply one of the greatest troubadours I have ever heard. I've only seen him live once on a recent tour for his third solo album, but it was transcendent experience to say the least."

Band Of Holy Joy - evening world holiday show, 1990

"Evening World Holiday Show was a boisterously rampant, sometimes breathless, pop song the likes of which I could not previously have considered existing without at least two guitars. The Band of Holy Joy had precisely none. The single version was produced by Martin Hannett and sounded like the party I saw on stage; a less exuberant Nick Tauber-produced version would reveal itself later..."

Pet Shop Boys - the truck driver and his mate, 1996

"The line "Taking coals to Newcastle," unfamiliar to some, is an oft-used metaphor for doing a pointless job—sort of like taking sand to the Sahara—since Newcastle is in the heart of England's coal-producing region. (In addition, Neil spent much of his youth in Newcastle, which could conceivably provide another layer of meaning.)"

The Cranberries - when you're gone, 1996

"When You're Gone" is a song by Irish band the Cranberries. It is the third single from their third studio album, To the Faithful Departed (1996). The music video was directed by Karen Bellone and was released at the end of 1996. The song was first played during the North American leg of the No Need to Argue Tour in late 1994. Upon its release, the song peaked at number four in Norway, earning a platinum disc there, and reached number 15 in Canada. It additionally peaked within the top 30 in France, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic, stripped-down version on the band's Something Else album. The song was played at the end of Dolores O'Riordan's funeral on 23 January 2018, following her sudden death a week before in London at the age of 46. It was also played by the majority of Irish radio stations at the same time during the funeral."

The Mary Onettes - your place, 2014

"This time the mood is a bit more subdued, shoegazey and ethereal at times, and demands close and repeated listens to capture it's full glory."

Saint Etienne - summerisle, 2002

"‘Language Lab’ and ‘Summerisle’ recall the ambient style of ’Sound Of Water’, while ‘Stop And Think It Over’ would not have been out of place on ’Good Humor’ or its predecessor ‘Tiger Bay’."

Stars - the last song ever written, 2010

"They know bombast and melodrama, which makes a decent amount of their latest effort, The Five Ghosts, all the more off-putting. For the first time in the band's career, they sound defeated. There's not much urgency, or even a range of emotion, for that matter; rather, much of the record blurs together, forming a single streak of gray."

Frazier Chorus - prefer you dead, 1991

"By the time of Ray's release, Frazier Chorus had gone from relatively edgier work on 4AD to a crisper, cleaner sound via Virgin, something emphasized further by Ian Broudie's typically to-the-point production on the album (it's not hard to imagine Broudie immediately doing this on the heels of the first Lightning Seeds effort)."

Belle And Sebastian - winter wooskie, 2005

"Judy Is a Dick Slap" is the first instrumental released by the band while "Winter Wooskie" is the third and final song featuring lead vocals from former bass player Stuart David, who left the band in 2000. All three tracks from the single were later collected on the Push Barman to Open Old Wounds compilation."

Guillemots - up on the ride, 2012

"Guillemots music has been described as “indie rock” (Wikipedia), “avant-garde pop and indie rock” (Last.FM) and “a cappella/pop/big beat” (Guillemots official Facebook page). The last of those is definitely different but, unfortunately, it’s also very misleading. There are no a cappella tracks on any of Guillemots four albums (although Blue Would Still Be Blue comes close) and I certainly wouldn’t call them a big beat band."

The Beatles - all i've got to do, 1963

"Lennon said he was "trying to do Smokey Robinson again," and Ian MacDonald compared it to "(You Can) Depend on Me" by the Miracles, both musically and lyrically. Richie Unterberger of AllMusic said it sounds like Robinson but also Arthur Alexander. Beatles biographer Bob Spitz said the song is "restlessly dark and moody", and compared it to the Shirelles' "Baby It's You" (a song the Beatles previously covered) and early Drifters recordings. It was one of three songs Lennon was the principal writer for on With the Beatles, with "It Won't Be Long" and "Not a Second Time". Lennon said that it was written specifically for the American market, because the idea of calling a girl on the telephone was unthinkable to a British youth in the early 1960s. For instance, Lennon said in an interview regarding "No Reply": "I had the image of walking down the street and seeing her silhouetted in the window and not answering the 'phone, although I have never called a girl on the 'phone in my life! Because 'phones weren't part of the English child's life."

Stars - privilege, 2017

"We made this record for ourselves, for our kids, and for you. And we are so happy and grateful that you’re still listening to our music."

Mark Knopfler - whistle theme, 1983

"The tune appears on four separate tracks with a different arrangement on each. The first one, "Wild Theme" is almost a solo acoustic piece starring Knopfler's gentle guitar. The second rendition, "The Ceilidh & The Northern Lights," is played by The Acetones, a Scottish folk band. Then Straits member Alan Clark simulates the beautiful Celtic tin whistle on his keyboard with Knopfler strumming behind him on "Whistle Theme." Finally, there is the most famous version, "Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero)," the one Dire Straits often used to close their concerts. This rock band arrangement, led by Brecker's saxophone, is played over the closing credits of the film. In any context it is the most memorable melody Knopfler ever wrote."

The Mary Onettes - god knows i had plans, 2009

"The title Islands came up because I see the tracks on the album as small islands in different shapes and forms where every song is like a record of it's very own. Johan on Labrador Records suggested the same title without having heard me mentioning the idea, so that was a coincidence too good not to pursue. The songs are almost too personal and I've had a hard time playing them for friends. It's like all I want to do is keep them to myself".

Suede - the sadness in you the sadness in me, 2023

"Of course, there was leftover material from Suede. How could there not be? The Sadness in You, the Sadness in Me, progresses the remarkable statement made on Autofiction with some bits and pieces which do not quite fit – but are far too good to rot away in the archives. Unbending and unwavering with a lighter swing and a sharper guitar piece, Brett Anderson and company stick to the tender and open themes found on their latest album and build up another song challenging the band and their listeners. In comes a dedication to a shared grievance – The Sadness in You, the Sadness in Me does as its title suggests it will – bring together heartbroken people under one umbrella."

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - secret, 1985

"Secret" is a 1985 song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released as the second single from their album Crush. Paul Humphreys sings lead vocals on the track. It became their second US Billboard Hot 100 entry, peaking at number 63, and also made number 34 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was featured in the 1988 movie Arthur 2: On the Rocks and on its soundtrack album; it was also re-released to radio in the US as the follow-up to The Best of OMD track "Dreaming", approximately one month prior to the movie's premiere. Though it received renewed airplay on several US contemporary hit stations, it did not re-chart on the Hot 100."

The House Of Love - feel, 1992

"Been playing this loads recently. I think it is something of a ‘lost classic’. Funny old band the House of Love, led by Guy Chadwick who appears a bit of a strange cat if you listen to his songs. He’d spent much of the 80s driving around London in his day job as a shop fitter whilst fronting unsuccessful bands in his spare time until he broke through into the “indie scene” with the House of Love in 1987. Two previous albums, both of them confusingly self-titled and referred to respectively by fans as ‘the German Album’ (88-on Creation) and ‘the Butterfly Album’ (90 on Fontana) had cemented a strong following and regular forays into the indie chart with songs such as ‘Shine On’, ‘Christine’ and ‘Beatles and the Stones’ progressively bringing them closer to what looked like mainstream success."

My Morning Jacket - lowdown, 2001

"There's something so cathartic and catchy about this one. It's played in my head in various intervals for years."

Cut Copy - feel the love, 2008

"The album is a lot more realised than the first one. I think all of us, when we think of the first one, we agree we sort of got half way there. But on the new one we got a lot closer to the sort of sounds we're after. There are some different aspects to it – more layered, more dynamic, as well as some more loud, dance-y sections to it. And with the guitar there were many-layered sections as well. It got the real highs and lows, the real floaty bits, which I think is sort of a secret to our sound, with a lot of segues so that it just sort of flows together. And I think it's a lot more, kind of... complete."

Death Cab For Cutie – stable song, 2001

"The band was originally a solo project by Gibbard, who expanded the project into a complete group upon getting a record deal.[2] They released their debut album, Something About Airplanes, in 1998. The band's fourth album, 2003's Transatlanticism, broke into the mainstream both critically and commercially; its songs were featured in various TV series and films. The band's major label debut for Atlantic Records, 2005's Plans, went platinum. Founding guitarist Chris Walla left the band in 2014 after 17 years. The band's tenth and latest studio album, Asphalt Meadows, was released on September 16, 2022. Alongside their ten full-length studio albums, the band has released four EPs, two live EPs, one live album, and one demo album."

Pink Floyd - waiting for the worms, 1979

"At this point in the album, protagonist Pink has lost hope ("You cannot reach me now") and his thinking has decayed ("no matter how you try"), telling his listeners to "walk on by" before the song takes a more aggressive turn. In his hallucination, he is a fascist dictator, fomenting racist outrage and violence"

Moby - we are all made of stars, 2002

"every time I listen to this song, it makes me smile. I made the song, I've heard it a million times, but every time the chorus comes, it makes me smile."

Tracey Thorn - femme fatale cover, 1982

That was 30 years ago, when I was 19 years old. The songs are more or less all about Ben [Watt, her husband and long-time musical collaborator]. We had met on our first night at university, but he had a girlfriend back home, and things dragged on for a while, as they do. There were lots of scenes, tears, letters. Perfect inspiration for the kind of songwriter I was turning out to be. It was well received at the time and has proved enduringly popular, and I think that's because it's such a passionate record. It wears its heart very much on its sleeve, and is short enough to get away with doing so.

Fine Young Cannibals - blue, 1985

"The lyrical content on most cuts isn't terribly complicated, one thought turned around a few times; but the sparseness lays snug next to the inlays and wrap-arounds of Gift's voice, along with the more than competent instrumental work, forever keeping the vocals buoyed up."

James - seven, 1992

"a record that married the ambitious scope of the lyrics with a grand, anthemic feel."

Genesis - blood on the rooftops, 1976

"Blood on the Rooftops" is a song concerning "the tedium and repetitiveness of television news and the overall mocking disgust that must sometimes accompany watching the news happen". The music to its chorus was written by Collins with Hackett writing the music to the verses, the song's lyrics and its classical guitar introduction. According to Hackett, the song was a love song originally. He explained, "When I heard the other lyrics on the album, there was a bit of a romantic tinge anyway, so I decided to go right the other way and make it as cynical as possible." It also addresses some political issues, which Genesis had previously stayed away from. Banks and Rutherford both claimed it was Hackett's best song as a member of the group."

The Band Of Holy Joy - real beauty passed through, 1990

"As ever, the manic-depressive Holy Joy sing tales of love, drink, and loss. Unlike the claustrophobic feel of the previous albums, Positively Spooked is far more optimistic, something the band attributed to touring the former Soviet republics."

The Triffids - jerdacuttup man, 1987

"Mid-80s and among current bands my music choices run to The Smiths, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Pogues, New Order, Talking Heads, The Fall, BAD, Propaganda. Happy Mondays and the revolution they’re going to bring about in my taste and my life are a couple of years in the future. But there’s one other band who I, my brother and a few mates are into and all know are going to be huge, and they’re The Triffids. Successors to the Birthday Party as Australia’s best band but nowhere as in-your-face because as well as new wave influences there’s folk and traditional blues in there, even a bit of folky psychedelia."

Club 8 - when lights go out, 2003

"The album has been described as "arty experimentation....breezy, Cardigans-styled dream-pop with a decidedly retro-continental flair".