That's so good - that should have been mine: Music that moved me in 2013

At the request of good friend Michelle Matthews, I present a few thoughts as to what music did it for me in 2013.

This year Pop music fought back. I'm not talking that shite that pollutes American radio waves, I am referring to the good stuff. Not bad considering this is a year that Phoenix came up short creatively.

Speaking of coming up short, Kanye decided to toss off some rhymes at the last minute which cheapened a record that went places musically - into NIN territory. Thankfully for all concerned, Trent Reznor returned to remind us all that there is a right way to grow old gracefully. If only Jay-Z had taken notes...

So on to the albums that I listened to (a lot) this year:

Vaudeville Smash - Dancing For The Girl

Funky Australian outfit that has some big cajones and bravado. Don't believe me?




The 1975 - The 1975

They breed them well up in Manchester. Their debut album is full of killer singles. Here is one of them.




St Lucia - When The Night

Anthem for the Summer (and the following one as well). I assume Peter Cetera's lawyers are filing papers as we speak.




City and Colour  - The Hurry And The Harm

Four albums in and not a dud amongst them. Continuing to explore new sonic territories, Dallas Green now serves only one master - himself.



Jen Cloher - In Blood Memory

Full disclosure: I contributed to her Pozible campaign to complete and release this album. Of course that doesn't guarantee a successful product. Jen's third album is her most complete and her most ambitious. At only 7 tracks, she says what other bands take a double album to do.




The National - Trouble Will Find Me

Sure they are a bunch of miserable bastards, but damn it they give good music and lyrics:

"When I walk into a room
I do not light it up.
Fuck."

Haim - Days Are Gone

Not only is this the best pop album this year, it is the best album this year full stop. Haters can take their Wilson Phillips comparisons and shove it.

You know how to make a Venetian Blind?

This really has nothing to do with The Stooges sadly.

Over the summer break I read the new Springsteen bio by Peter A Carlin. It was a nice (but by no means thrilling) stroll through the history of The Boss and, as such, it prompted me to go back and listen to all his albums in chronological order.

Because I have oodles of time to spare.

The musical journey did allow me to finally appreciate albums that I had previously given short shrift (Tunnel of Love and The Ghost of Tom Joad) whilst confirming my utter dislike of others. It also made me realise that, deep down, the double release turkey of Human Touch and Lucky Town would have made a passable single album if Bruce had only called in an editor.

One of the songs that would make that mythical track list is a bitter sweet tune called 'I Wish I Were Blind'.



It's a classic tale of jealousy as a man pines over a girl who is unfortunately with someone else. In this case sung to the tune of 'Under The Boardwalk' slowed down just a fraction.

But there are others that would also be willing to lose their sight over the same situation.

Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly released a great little ditty a few years later called 'I'd Rather Go Blind'.



Paul gets extra credit for referencing both Dr Dre and You Am I as well as hoping that his ex-lover has become a lesbian: "You know I can't compete with that all"

Not to be outdone, Paul nicked the title from the Etta James classic.



It is refreshing to know that women can feel the same way when it comes to this subject.

YOLO APOLLO?

Dear Soul Gods,

What have I done to deserve your scorn and contempt?

Have I not worshipped you appropriately?

Have I not bowed down at the foot of Sam Cooke? Read the Gospel of Marvin? Sung (albeit badly) the Psalms of Pickett?

I once more make my pilgrimage to your Mecca on 125th Street to tour your hallowed theatre only to be once more denied entry.

I know you work in mysterious ways but to reschedule a tour when I only have one chance to see you is just cruel.

So I trudge back to mid-town, head slumped like Charlie Brown and get ready to hop on a plane home, having once more failed to see the inside of the grand Apollo.

Always yours,

Disco Stu

P.S. Harlem is looking swell.

High Culture meets Low Culture

No doubt displaying movie posters from his long and stellar career, such as Bad Boys and...umm...Bad Boys 2.

The rebuild

"Progress is slow but I am in it for the long haul." - Will McAvoy

Exporting shite since 1888

I see that not even New York is immune to crappy publications.

The First Casualty Of War

The bad news is that my shampoo exploded in my suitcase during the flight. The good news is my luggage has taken on a nice sheen and is relatively dandruff free.

Only one solution: Off to the pub.