I don’t appear to have done a single one of these this year. No idea why I stopped, as they’re fun things to do even if they are strangely an absolute sod to format and I’ve yet to work out why.
I do need to start doing these more often though, as the rest of the blog is becoming, well, a bit of a chore. And if it’s a chore to write (or contemplate writing), then it’s going to be even more of a grind to read. Truth is, there’s been a real shift in the way I’ve been looking back at the past (which was the sole reason for me starting this in the first place), and I seem to have spent most of the year avoiding it wherever possible. So what I’m sort of hoping to do is try to get as far as the end of the year in whatever mode gets me there (providing the “Best Of…” list doesn’t finish me off), and then attempt something more organised and altogether silly next year.
From Mute Records' RSD Sampler
Josh T. Pearson – Singer To The Crowd
Notable because it’s a Josh T Pearson song that clocks in at a blistering sub-three minute running time. Introduced at his recent live shows as a song that “I stole from a Frenchman”. Wherever he plucked it from, it describes his close relationship with his audience perfectly. Albeit without a couple of verses of drummer jokes.
From 'Angel Dust'
Faith No More – Everything’s Ruined
All the sniffier articles lately about Nevermind’s 20th anniversary would have us all believe that rock died in 1991. Some of the crapper elements were given a bit of a biffing for certain, but that didn’t stop Faith No More from popping up in 1992 with the wonderfully contradictory Angel Dust. Hopefully next year won’t be so crass as to give this a repackaging (as with Nirvana’s 2nd, it doesn’t need one for any reason other than commercial), but an occasional remembering will never go amiss.
From 'Pearly Gate Music'
Pearly Gate Music – Bad Nostalgia
If the last few months has taught me anything at all, it’s that this song, in conjunction with a (not necessarily-)decent bottle of red and a bag of Monster Munch is the blokey equivalent of watching Beaches with a towel on one’s head and varnish drying on one’s toes. Something that’s been a bit of a boost lately, and with the added bonus of Bette Midler being nowhere near it.
From 'Happy Accidents'
Doughboys – Intravenus de Milo
Been re-burying myself in my all-time favourite record and its collection of bizarre song titles. I still have no idea what Jon Cummins is singing about here (and it’s rather astonishing that this honey-voiced vocal is now the brilliantly unhoneyed voice of three Bionic albums), and I don’t care.
From 'On A Dark And Barren Land'
The Angelus – All Is Well
And finally, a newie. Hailing from Denton, Texas and being produced by the aforementioned Mr. Pearson, this is the incredibly portentous intro to their new album, coming a mere seven years after their debut EP. By Josh’s yardstick, this may well seem a bit of a hasty follow-up, but it’s been worth the wait and could well be the heir to Lift to Experience’s thorny crown. More on this gem hopefully before the end of next week.
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