We liked the same music - we liked the same bands

When a 12 track album contains no less than 7 Top 10 U.S. singles, you know the album tracks are going to be quality.

The song 'Bobby Jean' from Born In The U.S.A. wasn't a single but the tune probably means more to a fan of The Boss than any of the others on that monster album. The casual listener assumes it is another tale of a girl leaving a boy but it is actually about Springsteen dealing with the departure of his right hand man, his 'Blood Brother', Little Stevie from the band.

Yesterday I said goodbye to my good friend David who starts the next journey of his life in Toronto. David is an immensely talented musician and his heartfelt songs on love and life should sit comfortably with a North American audience in front of him.

So to my own 'Blood Brother' - Good luck and goodbye. This one's for you Mr Gillespie:

Canada: Rest assured, you're adored

A couple of months back I let fly with a barrage of insults towards the great nation of Canada.

I apologise. It was inconsiderate and ill-advised and I can only hope you will forgive me. If not, at least make sure my good friend David is treated kindly when he moves to your fine country in a month from now.

Where was I again? Oh yes, The Tea Party:



Answer me this - How is it that Nickelback infect our nation's airwaves and sell obscene amounts of records whilst fellow Canadians The Tea Party are forever judged as the Terry Malloy of the music industry?

First convincing answer wins a prize.

A call to anyone half smart in the music industry

I was watching (once again) a great little indie flick from 1990 called 'Cadence' starring Charlie Sheen, Laurence Fishburne and former President Bartlet.

One of the highlights of the film is the appearance of a Mr Harry Stewart who plays the role of Harry 'Sweetbread' Crane. Now 'Sweetbread' doesn't talk in the film but boy can he sing.

Here is a snippet from the film:



Now I'm not a religious man (Jeebus can back me up on that) but you must be dead not to feel the emotion in that song. A song mind you that Harry Stewart wrote himself.

With a song and a voice like that, he should have made it big in at least the Christian Music charts let alone the secular. Because Harry Stewart dropped off the face of the planet not long after 'Cadence' was released, the interweb is full of conjecture of his whereabouts but the most consistent story is that he lives in a shelter and not doing too well.

What an absolute shame that a talent like that is wasted to the world. If anyone out there has any sort of clout - find Harry Stewart.

We would all be grateful.

No correspondence will be entered into

Rock On
Originally uploaded by violent visions of setting sail

I'm not a hair metal expert (thank Christ) so perhaps I am not qualified to talk on the subject of power ballads. However they were created so that coked-out bands could get a hit on radio and as we all know, radio is the realm of pop music - a topic of which I can hold my own in.

Therefore I give you the 5 best power ballad songs from the years 1988 to 1992:

5. When I See You Smile - Bad English

4. The Flame - Cheap Trick

3. Wind Of Change - Scorpions

2. More Than Words - Extreme

1. To Be With You - Mr Big

Ryan Fucking Adams

I'm currently 0-2 with seeing Mr Adams live in concert. That's the nature of the beast when it comes to Ryan (sometimes he is on fire, other times you wish you were elsewhere) but somehow he never fails to deliver when he is on Letterman.

He marks his umpteenth appearance on the The Late Show with a cracking version of 'Fix It' from the new album Cardinology:

She'll make her way...

Besides being a kick-arse tune, 'Wonder' by Natalie Merchant immediately reminds me of Saturday Night Live in the mid 90s: Will Ferrell and Tim Meadows especially. The reason being, I taped the episode she appeared in as a musical guest (David Schwimmer was the host) and watched it to death thanks to her performance of 'Wonder' and 'Carnival'. The VHS tape is long gone but thanks to some searching I bring you October 21 (hey my birthday!), 1995 all over again.

By the way, the guitarist in her band Jennifer Turner is an absolute talent and it is a shame she never hit the big time. Like Kanye said: A&R's lookin' like "pssh we messed up":

click here to see more videos like this

My Curtains Are Not Fading (A Sun Dance)

The decision to bring forward the start of Daylight Savings in my part of the world is perplexing. We are barely 6 weeks into Spring, what's the hurry? Besides, the first couple of days with an extra hour of light have been so gloomy we haven't had a chance to enjoy it yet.

Well you can't fight city hall that's for damn sure. So in order to help bring a little sunshine into the world and remove the dark skies I offer the following.

Hopefully it will do the trick (it worked for the Summer of '99):

25,000 words and a title

Please exit in single file off the roof
Originally uploaded by NathanaelB

Some of you may know that I have been writing fiction on and off for a number of years now. Some of it has been in my former guise as a journalist (I'm half kidding of course) but the bulk has been exposed to only myself and Microsoft Word.

Last Sunday I hit a milestone of 25,000 words, that's about a third of a novel done and dusted. My thinking is, if I get to roughly 70,000 words and send it out to publishers (who will be courteous and tell me to continue whatever it is I do when I'm not wasting their time) then that is the very definition of giving it a shot.

I am spurred on by the words of a much more talented gentleman than I could ever be. Jackson Pollock once said:

"The pictures I contemplate painting would constitute a halfway state and an attempt to point out the direction of the future - without arriving there completely."

Contemplate being the key word.

The title will be called 'Exit' and I hope that one day you can read it.

The Peak Of Billy Ocean

For mine, the brilliant music career of Billy Ocean started at the top and went down from there. I'll grant you that songs like 'Caribbean Queen', 'When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going' & 'Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car' are pretty good tunes, but to paraphrase Sick Boy: "They are merely blips on an otherwise downward trajectory".

To fully appreciate the genius of Billy Ocean, you can look no further than his debut single from 1976. Everything else that followed was shite in comparison.

Recognise fools:

A Retraction of Soundtracktion

In the interests of full and frank disclosure, my iPod has brought it to my attention that I do own more than one soundtrack album, something I vehemently denied a few days ago.

Not soon after watching the film Once at the cinemas last year I went out and purchased its brilliant soundtrack.

I humbly apologise for misleading you in my previous (and rather rash) post.

As a peace offering, I give you the following:



Friends again?

I don't get no respect! Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk

Take That, Shaggy, Deep Blue Something? Sorry but if someone says 'name your favourite pop songs of 1995' I go straight for these 2 gems. Say what you will about my choices but I will take them over 'Boombastic' and 'Breakfast at Fucking Tiffanys' any day of the week. Both songs received only scant play on radio but I enjoyed what little attention they did receive. The two bands had already had their big moments in the sun back in the late 80s/early 90s so to score big again after such a long time away was asking for far too much.

Still...

'Over My Shoulder' by Mike & The Mechanics



and 'Come Back' by Londonbeat

The best U2 song you haven't heard/Soundtracktion

First and foremost, the above song 'The Ground Beneath Her Feet' is the fookin' bollocks (why do I always take on the persona of Noel Gallagher when I write?). Mercifully tacked on to the end of All That You Can't Leave Behind it was originally from the soundtrack to the heavily criticised film The Million Dollar Hotel. Despite being a big fan of U2, I am yet to see the film nor do I own its soundtrack, but I have already spoken at length elsewhere in cyberspace about the commitment of being a fan so let's move on to the real reason for this post.

When's the last time you bought a soundtrack album? I thought so.

I currently own one album of songs from or inspired by a film. Just the one. That honour goes to the music from Into The Wild, a film I am also yet to see (due to laziness on my behalf) and was only bought without first listening to it because I thought it would be great to hear an Eddie Vedder solo album.

It wasn't.

The two best songs on the album are covers versions ('Hard Sun' and 'Society') while the rest feel like half finished works. Perhaps I might gain a better appreciation of the music once I get around to watching the film but for now let me use it as solid evidence to prove my point: I care little for soundtracks.

Before my rash decision to purchase Into The Wild, I had already discarded the two other soundtracks I had ever owned: Empire Records and Space Jam. Empire Records I admit I still miss because it had that great song by Gin Blossoms, but Space Jam is unforgivable and my only defence is that it was purchased during those heady couple of months when the Quad City DJ's were cool.

These days music for films (Tarantino's works aside) have become particularly uninspiring, whether they be songs created especially for the movie or older songs compiled by some bright spark at the studio (Every 10th romantic comedy must include 'Someone Like You'). In fact it has been television shows like The Sopranos and Life On Mars (UK Version) that have led the way with their impressive song selection more so than their Silver Screen cousins.

So is there hope for me buying a soundtrack in the future? Better selection of music would be a big first step but I doubt it would sway my opinion. I guess it comes down to enjoying the particular songs with the visual.

Perfect example: 'Free Falling', to me, will always be associated with the following:



Tom Cruise opinions aside, that song loses its lustre when heard on a soundtrack with other songs that aren't sung by Tom Petty.

For me it is the complete package or nothing at all.

The Greatest Song Of All Time - Official

After months of deliberations by a panel of experts, it has been declared that the following is officially the greatest song in the history of recorded music:



This author can confirm that, despite its title, the song is not about him.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise

Recent events have made me think about High School. Not in a nostalgic, Big Chill, kind of a way (God forbid) but more of a jeez I'm acting like I would if I was in High School kind of a way. Now being 27 years of age, that would be fine if I was starring in a teen drama. But seems I missed out on a role in the relaunched 90210, then that shit ain't cool.

Now I was an awkward kid growing up (sources close to me will argue that little has changed) but I can look back on my silly antics with some sense of humour because really it is what makes me the person I am today (for better or worse).

Only I could think that slow dancing to 'Please Forgive Me' by Bryan Adams with my girlfriend would be the height of romanticism, despite the fact that it was at a school run disco...in the middle of the day...in the multi-purpose shelter. Throw in the fact she soon ditched me because she had eyes for my good friend (or so I was told) and it really is a memory one would rather forget.

Keep in mind it was 1993 and I had just become a teen so you can cut me a little slack.

The same can't be said for the time that I thought the best way into a girl's heart was to buy her a thoughtful present for her 16th Birthday. Unfortunately that thoughtful gift was Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill - the most man hating album of the 90s. Suffice to say the girl did not become mine.

Perhaps I'm not to blame. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that both Bryan and Alanis are Canadian. It is their Canadianess that has made these moments turn into a junior version of Curb Your Enthusiasm, not my lack of suaveness.

I knew there was a reason I fucking hated Tal Bachman.

From now on I am done with the Canadians. I am deleting my Martha Wainwright albums from my iPod and am never watching my DVD of The Last Waltz by The Band ever again. Except for the Van Morrison chapter when they perform 'Caravan'. That's the bomb.

My collection of records by The Tea Party? Gone. That one semi-popular album by The Watchmen? Farewell. Arcade Fire? As much as it pains me.

Time to get this bilingual speaking monkey off my back once and for all.

Now I'm acting my age.

Suicide Is Not Painless

The sudden death of Actor Mark Priestly this week once again brought to the fore the terrible affliction of depression.

I consider myself very lucky that I have never been in such a dark situation as experienced by Mark. If anything, his death is yet another tragic reminder that if I needed it, there is someone there to talk to.

I am a big supporter of organisations like Beyond Blue and make every effort to support their cause - even if it makes me look like a seedy Mexican Pimp. But my hope is that, if I was ever in such a space in my life, that I could call upon my close family and friends to talk about things that were bringing me down.

I know that is easy to say with foresight, but when I see the consequences of such terrible actions, I believe the pain of discussing your demons is much more tolerable than the pain of leaving behind loved ones trying to make sense of it all.

In closing: Talk to one another more.

Why I continue to dig slacker rock

I was explaining to someone the other day why my Father refers to me as Garfield. During the mid-90s I spent far too much time on the couch on weekends watching Television when I should have been outside exercising. Luckily I am not obese these days (thanks to a gradual decline of decent programming) but the sort of songs and bands that epitomised that laziness I still hold close to my musical heart.

Nearing the top of that list is The Lemonheads. The song 'If I Could Talk I'd Tell You' from 1996 was their last big hit and is a great advertisement as to why crack is bad.



Top tune though...

Big Block Of Cheese Day Part 2

Over 2 years ago I wrote a blog called 'Big Block Of Cheese Day'. Inspired by the semi-regular event on The West Wing, the idea of the blog was to let out any inane and trivial thoughts previously lodged in my brain. Focused primarily on music, I made bold claims about not owning any Beatles albums (no change) and (very) loose connections between ABBA and Autism.

This time around I will touch on other areas of Pop Culture so that you may gain a further understanding of what goes on in that melon of mine. Or perhaps you couldn't care less.

I'm guessing the latter.

- More songs I can do without ever hearing again: 'Don't Dream It's Over' Crowded House, 'My Happiness' Powderfinger, 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' Anyone

- My favourite opening line of any novel: Evelyn was an insomniac so when they say she died in her sleep, you have to question that. Pontoon by Garrison Keillor

- Based purely on how many times I watched it at the movies (5), Heat is my all time favourite film. That's about 15 hours folks. I'm neither proud or ashamed at that.

- Why is it that more people would rather a new Lauryn Hill album than Guns N Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' yet the latter is more likely to happen?

- I take comfort in the fact that 'Chinese Democracy' can be nothing but a spectacular failure.

- As long as Danny Wallace and Dave Gorman keep writing about 'silly boy projects', I'll continue feeling comfortable about my lack of maturity.

- Midnight Run is a shining example of Robert De Niro at his comedic best, though he is clearly overshadowed by the delightful Charles Grodin.

- Essential live versions: 'Clarity' John Mayer (from As/Is), 'Round Here' Counting Crows (from Across A Wire: Live In New York City - 2nd disc), 'Bring It On Home To Me' Sam Cooke (from One Night Stand: Live At the Harlem Square Club)

- The Sopranos: Not one wasted word. Perfectly scripted right up to its thrilling end.

- Memo to the Dave Matthews Band: Stop entertaining stoned American college kids in never ending summer tours and record a new album. A new studio album.

- Diminishing returns: Chuck Palahniuk's novels

- Dramatically diminishing returns: Cameron Crowe's filmography

- Never ending returns: Bruce Springsteen's deep back catalogue

- If American sitcoms only lasted 2 seasons with 6 episodes per season like British sitcoms, do you think they would be held in higher esteem? Think about that one.

- Favourite songs that happen to cover the delicate issue of abortion: 'Brick' Ben Folds Five, 'Driving With The Brakes On' Del Amitri, 'Choir Girl' Cold Chisel.

- Once now occupies equal top ranking as my music film of choice. The other is The Commitments which also happens to feature Glen Hansard.

- Vampire Weekend? New York can keep them.