My iPod #206: Paul McCartney - Coming Up

What's up everyone! New year, new me, new year, new me. How are you all? I'm very well.

So it has come to this. Only a few more hours until the new year. I never thought when I started the blog in February that could have the energy or the mental capacity to write about one song each day (more or less). It has been good fun. I may have sounded repetitive on many occasions; you have to give me a break though. Has anyone done anything like this before? Probably. But I haven't seen it, so it hasn't as far as I know.

How's the change in design? Thought the blog needed some spice and crap. So it will stay like this for the foreseeable future.

"Coming Up" by Paul McCartney was released as the first single from his second solo album "McCartney II" in 1980. It is a track of pure optimism. The ascending melodies played on the bass and the keyboards along with McCartney's manipulated vocals combine to produce a cheerful tune about looking forward to the times ahead. If you need a friend, McCartney tells you it's coming up. You want a love? Paul says it's coming. You want peace? Paul says it's coming... like a flower. We just have to believe! I made that up, I don't know what I am saying anymore.

Have a happy new year!

My iPod #205: Panda Bear - Comfy in Nautica

A very recent addition to my iPod. Maybe one or a couple weeks ago, I took on the experience of listening to "Person Pitch", the third album by Panda Bear. Panda Bear is a cool guy, who performs with a cool band called Animal Collective. He also made an appearance on Daft Punk's new album. Do check out Animal Collective in your spare time though.

Getting back to the subject, "Comfy in Nautica" starts "Person Pitch" off with a sample of some sort of tribal chant which repeats throughout. While this is all happening, Mr. Bear sings a mantra on how to live your life. He doesn't really sing, he changes the pitch of his voice on a new syllable. Which is further accentuated by a large amount of echo. That echo doesn't go away for the rest of the album. It is still very effective, and a very simple melody that you'll never forget.

The only bad thing I about the track is the really long and out of tone note at the end. But that's about it really.

My iPod #204: Feeder - Comfort in Sound

The title track from Feeder's fourth album is one that has an ambiguous effect on me. Sometimes, it fails to raise a positive emotion in me. Sometimes I hear the song and I feel sad for no reason and quite dispirited. Other times it's a song I would play when I'm with my friends or family and think "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than where I am right now, at this point in time."

I told you the context of the album already with "Come Back Around". Whilst that song (although having somewhat of a similar message to this) excites me with its pace and forceful instrumentation, "Comfort in Sound" stops me where I am and makes me think about life... about what I'm doing presently, about making most of the time I have.

I do love the song. Lazily looking upon the lyrics now, it has a positive and heartwarming aura. It is about finding solace in the things that surround you. Mostly in the things you hear. Its mid-tempo pace and the key(which was altered for the single release, and is the version I have) make me feel at home... and really warm inside.

My iPod #203: The Beatles - Come Together

When I come to a Beatles song, I always approach it quite apprehensively. What could I possibly say about their songs that hasn't been said on Wikipedia, on the countless fan sites dedicated to the band, or even YouTube comments where the person copy and paste everything and try to post it as their own original facts?

I can't. That is my answer. All I can tell you is that this track is one of the most grooviest, laid-back and badass tracks to ever exist through time. Also a contender for one of the best tracks to start an album.

"Come Together" is the opener for The Beatles' "last" album "Abbey Road". Every time I see that famous album cover, that track always pops into my head. I think the track just sums up everything when your eyes witness it. The four guys all in time... in unison. Never missing a beat right up to the end.

I was walking to my friend's house in my suit earlier this year when it was prom day, and I felt so cool listening to this song on my iPod. I have never experienced such a feeling since.

One theory about the song, written by John Lennon, is that each of the four verses describe the members of the group in their own abstract and surreal way. Another theory is that all the verses are about John himself. Lennon, apparently, stated that it was inspired by American politics.

I'll carry on believing that it's the first option, because to write those verses and then back it up with such tight instrumentation - with each member being at their best too - it's almost as if they are saying "Yep, we're good baby we know it". Even though they weren't getting along so well at the time. But still. Listen to it.

My iPod #202: The Offspring - Come Out and Play

I was born a year after "Smash", The Offspring's breakthrough album came out. I first heard "Come Out and Play" when its video played on MTV2.

One main thing went through my head whilst watching it. That was why Dexter Holland thought that having dreadlocks was a good look. All the time I saw an Offspring video, he had spiked up hair and to see the previous hairstyle he had before was a bit strange.

Apart from that the song was much different to any Offspring song I had heard before. I was a big fan of songs like "Pretty Fly", "Hit That" and "Original Prankster" to name a few, and they were all songs with quite comedic and sarcastic subject matter.

"Come Out and Play" is more menacing in tone, but is made cooler by the Arabian-sounding guitar that plays during the instrumental break. The song is simply about gang culture, I can't say anymore on that. It is a song of a very serious matter, no matter how engaging the song's title is.

My iPod #201: Feeder - Come Back Around

Today has been such a bore; I haven't done anything of any use at all. I am thinking that this has been the case for many other people out there.

We all get so excited at Winter awaiting Christmas Day. Children get excited and start making the lists for Father Christmas, decorations are put up, food is prepared. The day comes, the food is eaten and the presents are received and we all sit around watching our favourite soaps and films on the TV. Then it is all over, and then follows.... Boxing Day erghh. Boxing Day is the absolute worst. Just because the intense build-up of enjoyment disappears. Christmas is gone. Bargains are going on in plenty of shops. Now we wait another 364 days to do it all over again. It is going to take a while to come back around. (I think that should be a suitable indication to start talking about the song).

"Come Back Around" was the first single from the Welsh band Feeder's fourth album "Comfort in Sound", released in 2002. Their drummer Jon Lee had sadly died earlier that year, and the album is an expression of lead singer and main songwriter Grant Nicholas' feelings on the loss of his friend.

The track is one of determination and self-perseverance. About losing oneself in a moment of desperation, but still remembering to snap back into reality. At least that's what I get from the verses anyway. The chorus is Grant's call out to Jon, a constant reminder that he misses him and will never forget the times they shared. It is very sad and yet musically, it is very uplifting.

It reached #14 in the UK.

In the video, Nicholas jumps while holding his guitar before the finial choruses. Freeze it when that happens and you have the album cover for "The Singles". You can also pause it when he sings "burning away" at Taka, the bassist, is bowing down with his instrument. Then you have the image on the back of the liner notes.

That's a magnificent album cover.

My iPod #200: Nine Black Alps - Coldhearted

SONG'S HERE. CAN'T GET VIDEO ON.

Merry Christmas! I hope you are all having a wonderful day.

It did not feel like Christmas was coming for the past few days. There has been terrible weather over in the UK, along with no snow (but we are used to that anyway). Christmas television hasn't been so great, surprisingly. Except for a few Pixar films.

But now I'm with my family and I have opened my presents and stuffed myself with food. I can definitely say Christmas is here.

After that sentimental start I can now talk about today's special song to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. "Coldhearted" by Nine Black Alps!

Yeah, that was dumb. It has nothing to do with Christmas or Jesus.

No official studio version of this track exists. It has only been released on the EP the band released after their debut "Everything Is", and it was recorded live at a performance the band did in France. That explains the "Merci beaucoup" that is said when the band finish and the audience claps with appreciation.

There is a demo of "Coldhearted" that is available on Nine Black Alps' website, which may mean that it was in contention to be a track on their first album. I can only assume this did not happen because they could not get a good take that was good enough. But don't believe me on this, it is just a theory.

This is a great performance of a track which is one of the lighter songs that the band has ever done. No mentioning of weapons, or bodily harm. Just a simple rock song about nothing important in particular.

My iPod #199: Eminem - Cold Wind Blows

"Cause some things just don't change
It's better when they stay the same
Although the whole world knows your name
So on a bigger stage they came to see you spit your game
It shouldn't be difficult to explain
Just why you came back again, you hate the fame
Love the game, cold as ice you remain
Fuck em' all, tell 'em all eat shit, here we go again"

..............................

*beat drops* Me: Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

"Cold Wind Blows". The first song from Eminem's 2010 album "Recovery".

"Relapse" was Eminem's first album after five years away from music, and although everyone was glad to have him back it didn't hide the fact that the tracks on there were not up to the standard that people were expecting from the rap god. Except for "Beautiful", I could listen to that track all the time.

After the album's release, Em revealed that he had so many beats left over that didn't make it onto the album. There was going to be a sequel, appropriately named "Relapse 2".

Fast forward about a year later when Eminem said 'fuck that', got rid of the concept and instead decided to name it "Recovery". Hype was built. June came. The album leaked. I downloaded it. This was the first track I heard, and the introduction above was pretty much the reaction in my head when the beat came in with the descending piano melody and the "Guess who's back's" ringing in my ears.

"Cold Wind Blows" is a bold start to "Recovery". It is another song to mark a 'comeback' which doesn't really make sense seeing that he had already done that a year earlier; it never really gave us much of a chance to miss him. Seeing as critics weren't too impressed with "Relapse", this was probably meant to be his 'real' comeback.

Nevertheless, "Cold Wind Blows" makes a few things clear. Eminem was back. People should be worried. People shouldn't try and mess with him because he will humiliate them in one of his songs. He doesn't know why he's so cold, it's probably us who made him this way.

Oh yeah, and happy Christmas Eve.  :D

My iPod #198: Nine Black Alps - Cold Star

Skip to 10:07 of the video. It's the whole album if you want to hear it! But 10:07 is when the song starts.

So I was out yesterday. Went to my friend's house to play a bit of FIFA and watch the Arsenal match (which was terrible). I was out for almost half the day, and so could not do my post.

But here is the first one coming today! I have plenty of Nine Black Alps songs on my iPod, and I could talk endlessly about all of them. This one I'm not so sure about. I'm only kidding! Let's go.

"Cold Star" is another track from Nine Black Alps third album "Locked Out from the Inside" which was released in 2009. I've made it clear on two occasions before that it was a return back to form after the somewhat disappointing "Love/Hate", and "Cold Star" only made things so much better when I was listening to the full thing for the first time on the Internet.

Instrumentally, it's another three minute shock of loud and relentless, crunchy guitars and a stomping rhythm section. This and violent, depressing imagery such as 'tired faces', 'bleeding' and' 'amputation scars' altogether combine to make a song about hopelessness which is over before you even realise. All of this is done with a Beatles reference in the chorus too. Unbelievable.

A bit unrelated... but good news is that they have a new song out! "Novokaine". Hopefully, a sign of a new album to come.

My iPod #197: Blur - Coffee & TV

"Coffee & TV" is a track by Blur from the band's sixth album "13". It was written and sung by guitarist Graham Coxon, who is joined by Damon Albarn in the chorus.

I've known this song for a long time, even though I didn't listen to all of Blur's discography until earlier this year. That's only because it was a single, and a lot of people know it for its memorable video directed by Hammer & Tongs.

I can't really listen to this song without thinking about that milk carton. The music video has nothing to do with the message of the song, which is more about wanting to break away from uncomfortable social situations and living the simple life without any worries, but it just fits. I couldn't imagine the song having any other video.

Did you know that the solo in the song wasn't even meant to be in the final version of the song? Apparently it was a placeholder until Coxon could think of something better, but it just got to the point where they couldn't because it was too late. That's a good thing to bear in mind.

Enjoy.

My iPod #196: Maxïmo Park - The Coast Is Always Changing

"The Coast Is Always Changing" is a track from Maxïmo Park's first album "A Certain Trigger" which was released in 2005. The eighth track on that album if I remember correctly.

It was a single too. Their very very very first single. Like even before "Apply Some Pressure". I didn't know this song existed until the video played on MTV2, and that was way after the album had been released anyway.

One thing that irks me about this song, and others on "Trigger", is that it sounds a lot different from "Apply Some Pressure", "Graffiti" and "Going Missing". Has anyone else noticed this apart from me? In terms of production this song, "I Want You to Stay" and "Signal and Sign" for example sound really rough. A bit like demo recordings. Whereas the former three sound really polished. I don't know if that's just me. Maybe it is.

I do like this song though, however different it sounds to the other singles.

My iPod #195: Hot Club de Paris - Clockwork Toy

Hot Club de Paris is a band that you have probably never heard of before.

Well, I will take you back to 2007 when MTV Rocks was called MTV2. I still don't quite understand why it changed, but that's not the point. The point is, videos by the band were played on this channel. "Clockwork Toy" was one of them.

"Clockwork Toy" was the last single to be released from the trio's first album "Drop It 'til It Pops". That was the last time I heard anything by them. I haven't bothered to listen to anything else that was released after that. My bad. I wasn't very interested in them.

But the three songs of theirs (including this) I do know are good enough.

My iPod #194: Coldplay - Clocks

What a day it has been. Two words. Anchorman 2. A must-watch. See it as soon as you can. One of the best movies out this year. Seriously, you guys. No more can be said on fantastically funny and bizarre this film is.

Today's song is "Clocks" by Coldplay, the third single from the group's second album "A Rush of Blood to the Head". It almost didn't make it onto the album due to time restraints and could have been released on "X&Y", but they managed to record it very quickly and it now stands the test of time as track number five on their 2002 release.

This contains a notable piano melody which repeats throughout most of the song. You have heard it before. I must have heard it in an advertisement before I knew what the song was called or who performed it. If you didn't know where it came from, you know now.

My iPod #193: Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood

Hi everybody.

Just came back from my presentation evening where all my former colleagues and I received our A-Level certificates. It was really nice. I was dreading going to my old school - just because, well.... it's kinda crappy. But seeing all my friends and catching up was cool. All in all, a good night was had.

That is why today's post has come quite later than usual. It's "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz, their first.... let's say 'proper' single ever. You may also know it as the 'Sunshine in a Bag' song? Ring a bell?

I can barely remember actually being five/six and seeing this on the TV. Just about. But it's one of those tracks you've heard in an advert, or one which your friends mentions in passing and you instantly know what they are talking about.

The music video did leave me confused on whether Noodle was a boy or a girl. I later found out that she was indeed female, but I do not know how her design in this video was meant to show that.

The track also features Del the Funky Homosapien, the rapper with the song in Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3. He and Damon Albarn collaborated quite a bit during the early years of the last decade.

My iPod #192: Eminem - Cleanin' Out My Closet

"Cleanin' Out My Closet" was the bitter, and brutally blunt second single from "The Eminem Show" after the humorous chart-topper "Without Me" in 2002.


Up until the album's release Eminem's previous albums contained lyrics alluding to his mother's incompetence as a parent and his crappy childhood, but this track is the culmination - basically a direct verbal attack at her. Do not worry though, it's all for justifiable reasons which he makes very clear in the song.

He has now apologised for the song, and has confirmed that he won't perform it at shows and cringes when it comes on the radio.

Every rapper really loves their mum.

My iPod #191: The Clash - Clash City Rockers

British punk rock at its very finest. Not much should have to be said about The Clash. I will assume you already know what it is, who the members are/were, the importance of their music. If you don't I can't elaborate enough on how much you are missing.

"Clash City Rockers" is... obviously a track by The Clash. It came out as a single in 1978, but was not originally released on an album. The United States sorted that out by putting it as the opening track on the country's version of the band's debut album.

The first and numerous following times I heard it was when it played randomly whilst I was playing the DS version of "Tony Hawk's Proving Ground". That's a good game. Very addictive. Got that for my 13th birthday. The DS version actually got better ratings then the previous gen consoles so don't judge me.

I always think of the track as the band's 'theme tune'. Even though they grew out of the 'simple' punk and went on to explore further sounds and influences, it just captures the whole essence of what the band is.

My iPod #190: Arcade Fire - City with No Children

"City with No Children" came at a point in my life where I had no idea what my future held in store for me. I'll tell you more, I just have to state the basic information first.

Ahem... The song is on Arcade Fire's third album "The Suburbs" from 2010, and was released as a single too.

So as I was saying earlier, "City" came at a time when I was... quite depressed actually. I hadn't done so well in my AS levels but did well enough to get back into the second year of sixth form. Every day I went into school wanting to be somewhere else. It was not fun anymore. My friends were the only thing that made the sixth and three quarter hours bearable. I was always thinking towards the future because of uni and everything else. Times were bad.

I'd known the song was on "The Suburbs" and I downloaded the album right when it came out three years ago, but it was in September last year when I decided to listen to the album the whole way through again. The track was the one that caught me on that second listen, just because it was so calming and relaxing. It took me away from everything, you know? You know.

To a lesser extent, the song felt great as the seasons changed from autumn to winter. It seemed to fit the atmosphere perfectly.

My iPod #189: They Might Be Giants - Circular Karate Chop

"Nanobots" is They Might Be Giants' sixteenth studio album which the band released earlier this year in March. I was already hyped for its release due to being a massive TMBG fan, and due to the fact that the four songs that the band had revealed before its release date assured me that good things were to come.

The band then went on to stream the whole album their SoundCloud account a week before the album was officially released. How swell. My excitement could not be contained. I went onto that site as soon as I heard.

"Circular Karate Chop" is the second song penned by John Flansburgh to appear on the album after "Black Ops". It is a real rocker in contrast to the latter, which goes for a more... 'experimental' approach. By 'real rocker', I mean it contains electric guitars, hard-hitting drums and keyboards which remind me of something I have heard in a cartoon before. Maybe Scooby-Doo, I can't remember.

It is probably my favourite Flansburgh song off the album. Just a cool pop rock track. Sounds similar to something from the "Factory Showroom" album.

My iPod #188: Test Icicles - Circle. Square. Triangle

One of the best dance-punk band to come from the UK, and before I appreciated their material they had already split up.

I was ten years old when "Circle. Square. Triangle" first appeared on MTV2, and was repeated quite frequently too. I could not stand it. The lead singer's weird and annoying American accent that was put on when he sang, screaming all the time.... I thought it was terrible.

Then my sister borrowed their album "For Screening Purposes Only" from her friend later in the year. Didn't listen to it. Why would I have done? I didn't like them. Why would I have like any of their other songs?

Shows you how much of a shit I was at that age. This song is great, I was dumb. You know when I realised how good Test Icicles were? When I was FIFTEEN. I listened to that album in full, and it took me five years. The band hadn't been together for four years at the time. Damn.

I miss Test Icicles, even though I was a hater initially. This track is catchy, addictive and groovy as anything. My ten year old self was very foolish.

My iPod #187: System of a Down - Cigaro

........ Where could I possibly start? How could I?

This song rocks; it's subject matter is humorous as fuck. I don't understand what is going on.

Still, "Cigaro" is definitely a highlight from "Mezmerize" for me. System of a Down can really produce some crazy material, and this track is up there as being one of the most... 'special' pieces that the band has produced.

I got "Mezmerize" for Christmas in 2009 and heard the song when I put the disc into my computer, so there's not much I can tell you on how it has affected my life or so. It's just a song that makes me laugh every time I hear it. You need to hear it.

My iPod #186: Green Day - Christian's Inferno

I thought "21st Century Breakdown" was a real bore of a first listen. Being available as an exclusive on we7.com, when the site was actually useful, I took the opportunity to hear Green Day's new album. It was their first in five years, you know.

But I didn't think it was too great. At least from what I can remember anyway. I already didn't like "Know Your Enemy" - thought that was quite a disappointing first single - and I wasn't amazed by anything much on the album. Everything sounded the same production-wise.

I did download it eventually later on in 2009. Feelings improved a bit. I still didn't think it could be regarded as one of the band's finest albums though. But the number of songs I was able to memorise did increase.

Then Green Day: Rock Band came out the following year, and that helped me a lot to work out the melodies and 'guitar patterns' of the whole album. It made me appreciate the album that bit more.

I am still very confused about what the concept of 21st Century Breakdown is. I probably mentioned this in a previous post. Still not quite sure who Christian and Gloria are, or what they are meant to represent. I am not sure why Christian is so full of wrath in this particular track either.

"Inferno" is a belter though. Not one of the best tracks on the album, with a repetitive chorus and theatrical, maniacal laughter by Billie Joe which doesn't have any emotional effect on me whatsoever. But.... I don't know, it's just something to jump around and go crazy to when no one's around.

My iPod #185: System of a Down - Chop Suey!

Ah, Chop Suey... I was confused as fuck when I saw the video for this. System of a Down freaked me out just a bit.

I change the channel and suddenly there are these half-naked guitarists pulling faces at the camera, a singer with a huge beard yelling, screaming and saying gibberish in the verses. Quite creepy. But I saw it again and again and wasn't so perturbed by it anymore. In fact, the more I watched it the more I understood what the song was about. The more I liked it, too.

Back then, I probably thought the band members were just being weird. But it's probably the passion they put into performing the song if anything. The video is pretty cool; the song is...... Well, I'll just say if mood swings were to be composed into music then this is the piece captured in three and a half minutes.

"Chop Suey" was the first single from the band's second album "Toxicity" in 2001. I did not hear the song until years after.

It is very hard to say exactly how I feel about the song. Only because a lot of things happen in it. If you haven't heard it, where have you been?

But really if you haven't heard it then you should watch it above because.... it is something.

My iPod #184: Snow Patrol - Chocolate

"Chocolate" was the first song I ever heard by Snow Patrol. The video played on MTV, or one of the music channels I can't exactly remember which one it was, and I just liked it from that moment. That snare drum that plays throughout the whole song, the guitar and xylophone riff that plays during the breaks and Gary Lightbody's vocal just all worked together. Those made the song very memorable.

This along with "Spitting Games" are the two songs I really like by the band. The rest that followed all kind of sound the same. They all sound very sad. Lightbody's voice only emphasises that emotion. It has never really changed either. He still has the 'breathy, sighy' singing voice. So, I can never feel anything but depressed when listening to a Snow Patrol song - apart the two songs I've mentioned are better, so listen to those.

That's it.

Oh yeah, "Chocolate" was released as a single from the album "Final Straw".

My iPod #183: Battle - Children

Who remembers Battle? Yeeeaaaaahhhhh - wait, no? I can't blame you. The band wasn't around for too long. Two years apparently. And this is the only song of theirs that played on any kind of medium as far I can recall.

"Children" did not make it onto either of the two albums that Battle made, being a single-only release.

The video played on MTV2, and I thought it was alright. I remembered the line, "If we are the only ones, I will disappear" for a while. I wasn't able to listen to it for some time once the video stopped circulating on the channel, cos downloading sites had no idea who the band was and YouTube had only just become a site.

I was amused when the lead singer randomly started screaming too..... Thinking about it, screaming probably isn't the right word. If there is a word for putting a lot of effort into the delivery of lines, it would have been useful.

Here are other songs the band have written.

My iPod #182: Blur - Chemical World

I undertook on a Blur marathon earlier this year. Putting my Premium Spotify account to good use, I decided to listen the band's discography. It was not a continuous action so marathon may not be the right word, but it took me a weekend to get from "Leisure" to "Think Tank". It was not just those original albums either; they included the bonus discs including B-Sides, demos and live material that accompanied each album as part of the "Blur 21" compilation. It was a lot of hours well spent. That 'event' also helped me to realise how much good music the band actually made. Before, I just had the Best Of compilation and thought that was fine, but the deep cuts are just as good. Buy albums. Compilations are useless. Blur is probably one of my favourite bands now, and it only took a weekend of their music to make me see the light.

That's enough of that.

"Chemical World" is a tune from the band's 'fuck you America' album "Modern Life Is Rubbish". It was also released as its second single in 1993.

Like many other songs I have on my iPod, this was one that I first heard/saw when its video played on MTV2. Then, I didn't think much of the song. That's how I feel with pretty much everything I listen to. But its chorus was quite memorable and embedded itself in my head, even though I had no idea what Damon was singing in the verses.

Fast forward a few years later and do what I describe in the opening paragraph, I couldn't wait for the song to start because it was the only song - apart from "For Tomorrow" that I would be familiar with. Well, that and "Sunday Sunday" but that's a different story.

Listening to the lyrics now, still not sure what it's about. I initially assumed it was a song about the environment seeing as it was called "Chemical World" and mentions of "putting the holes in". It may be about drugs - it's all very metaphorical.

My iPod #181: Tokyo Police Club - Cheer It On

When watching MTV2 in 2007, the video for "Cheer It On" played in a program showing all the brand new music that was coming out at the time. I heard it that one time and liked it a lot, but the video was barely played on the channel again. I saw the last few seconds of it by chance when I switched the TV using the remote, but then never saw it the channel again.

Thank goodness for YouTube, which at this point did exist, as I could watch it over and over again without having to wait for another music video to finish. The song is only two minutes long, is performed at a rapid rate and the video has no fancy concept so the track never got tiresome.

Essentially the tune is the band's theme song - being released on their first EP as the first track.

I was hoping the band would become one of my new favourites but it was not meant to be. I was very excited when "Your English Is Good" came out, that is a fine piece, but... I don't know. Maybe I should listen to "Elephant Shell" again. It is not too late.

My iPod #180: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cheated Hearts

It is 2006 again, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs release their new album "Show Your Bones". MTV2 were really happy that the band had returned. It was three years since YYYs released their debut, and the channel dedicated a day to the band by showing the video for "Gold Lion" every hour.

But this post isn't about that song. No. Obviously. It's about "Cheated Hearts". Fast forward a few months later after the album's release, and the video for the new single was being shown quite frequently.

The band appear in it for a few seconds, but it is mostly made up of clips of fans who are imitating them. They make a real effort of it too.

MTV2 censored a part when some dudes look like they are using an iron on someone's back, and when the same three people each show the 'fuck off' sign to the camera, even though they are meant to be symbolising the YYY sign. It was all very strange.

But yeah, the video would play on the channel and I eventually grew to like the song. I present it to you now.

My iPod #179: Supergrass - Cheapskate

This is one of my favourite songs by Supergrass. It is one of my favourites from "In It for the Money". The only problem I have with it is that compared to other songs on the album, it is too short. It is probably for the best though.

I am very sure that "Cheapskate" was in a holiday advert from years and years ago that was on the television. I know it has been used in a film or two, but I am certain I remember it being played for about 30 seconds somewhere else...

The music video was never shown in the United Kingdom. It was a US only single though and got into one of the many music charts that the country has. The band also chose not to release the video on their 'best of' DVD for reasons unknown.

The opportunity for me to see the 'lost' Cheapskate video was back when I was twelve or so. I randomly searched 'Supergrass - Cheapskate' into YouTube, and to my surprise it was there. The version here is what I watched, and is quite different to the one above. The speakers for the family computer were busted, so I had to make do with opening iTunes and playing the song along with the video. A minor inconvenience, yes, but it all worked out well in the end.

But why do I like "Cheapskate" so much? Well the song starts off with this funky groove, apparently influenced by Kool & the Gang according to the band themselves, which carries on through the verses before launching into an atmospheric chorus where the guitar blares out its chords and the overall volume of the song just rises. That along with its lyrics, "I need someone to be around 'cos I'm breaking into life/Somebody stop me, 'cos I'm looking for my high.", just makes me feel warm and very happy inside.

What is the song about? Haven't got a clue. Why is it called "Cheapskate"? The word isn't mentioned once in the lyrics, so your guess is as good as mine. What matters is, I like it, you should probably listen to it, and try and find that advert that I talked about because it is really bugging me just thinking about it.

My iPod #178: Blur - Charmless Man

"Charmless Man" was released as the final single from Blur's fourth album "The Great Escape", the album which (I am not afraid to say) I actually prefer to "Parklife". What are you going to do about it? I thought so.

I saw the music video on the TV when I was about 10 or so. I thought it was quite funny. The band stalks a man, he then runs over them, but he ends up in the room where they are playing the song. You probably have to watch it to become more enthused than when you just read my description of it.

Yeah, I think the song is okay. It is not my favourite from the album; the 'na-na-nas' hook can become a bit annoying, but I guess it reinforces the whole message behind the tune. And it reminds me of a time when I could just watch music television without feeling I had something more important to do.

My iPod #177: Kings of Leon - Charmer

After the seven minute epic that opens the third album by Kings of Leon comes one of the hardest rockers that the band have produced to this day.

"Because of the Times" was allowed to be streamed on the band's MySpace (remember that) before it was originally released. I couldn't begin to tell you what I thought of the song when I first heard it; I was just waiting for "On Call" to start. I just remember it being very loud. I can tell you more now though.

"Charmer" begins with a looming and ominous bass which repeats its pattern throughout most of the song, whilst the guitars play various riffs which make the overall sound quite dissonant and strange. Caleb Followill screams a lot in the track which was compared to those of Black Francis from Pixies by critics, if I remember correctly.

My favourite part? The breakdown when the rhythm section plays, then Caleb joins in on guitar which ultimately segues into a piercing solo before the song ends on its final chorus.

My iPod #176: 2Pac - Changes

"Changes" by 2Pac was posthumously released on his "Greatest Hits" compilation in 1998, two years after he had died due to wounds caused by a drive-by shooting.

I am not into 2Pac so much, but this song coincidentally played on the radio when I was being driven to my first tuition class for the 11+. The lyrics really got into my head; things were never going to be the same from that point on. Now I actually had to study at home for an actual valid reason. I would be going to secondary school in a year and a bit. The thought of it was daunting.

The actual song's message hits on more important topics though. They obviously weren't written for a ten year old who was too busy thinking about growing older. I realise that I have been using the word 'observational' in a few recent posts, but it is another one of those songs from the point of the rapper. He questions the possibility of a black President of the United States, the treatment of black people by the police amongst other things and makes the statement that we need to make changes, but is disappointed by the fact that these 'things will never change'.

A song with powerful meaning overall. If you haven't heard it, listen to it now.

My iPod #175: David Bowie - Changes

"Changes" is one of David Bowie's most recognisable tunes. It is the opener to his 1971 album "Hunky Dory".

The first time I heard the song was when it appeared in "Shrek 2", but it was not in its original form. That version was a cover sung by Butterfly Boucher.... with Mr. Bowie featuring on vocals too.

There is not much I can say about it. I do like it obviously, but I feel as if I cannot go into much depth as to why I do. Mostly because I really listened to Bowie's original version earlier this year. I will just say it's the subject matter. Songs about time and aging really get to me for some reason.

My iPod #174: Beastie Boys - Ch-Check It Out

"To the 5 Boroughs" was the Beastie Boys' long awaited release after a six year wait from 1998's "Hello Nasty". "Ch-Check It Out" was the first single to be released from it, and is probably the song that introduced me to the group.

There is nothing better than three old guys who could rap very well and act silly in their video when you are nine years old, and I watched it over and over again on the Windows Media Player. After a few more listens, and a look at its lyrics I was able to memorise the whole song. Something I can, just about, still do to this very day.

Very sad that we may never hear new material by the group due to the passing of "MCA" Adam Yauch, and if there unexpectedly is it definitely wouldn't be the same.

My iPod #173: They Might Be Giants - Certain People I Could Name

Today has been very unproductive. Had my breakfast about one, a shower at four.... apart from that I have just stayed in bed. All this because I was out last night for a very special event which I can barely remember going to now. What a shame.

That also meant I was could not type up my daily post. But it is all fine now, I am putting up another one later on.

It's They Might Be Giants again, this time with the song "Certain People I Could Name" from their 1999 album "Long Tall Weekend", the first full-length album to be released exclusively on the Internet if you didn't know.

It was originally recorded for the previous album "Factory Showroom" but was left out.

The band's website states this about the track: "A piano driven song with subtle charm from the Factory Showroom era. Don't really know how this got put aside, but I suspect it was probably more due to its mid-tempo than its high quality."

I cannot really add much to that. Listen for yourselves. :D

My iPod #172: They Might Be Giants - Celebration

Here is another celebration. This time by They Might Be Giants, for about the fourth time already in the 'C' series. The fun never ends.

"Celebration" is a Flansburgh penned 'They' song, and is an observational commentary of a night out in a club but filled with imagery and vocabulary use that only the two Johns could ever think of. That's about all there is to it, really. I make it sound very tame, but the disco beat of that chorus, Flansburgh's vocal manipulation and the catchy 'oh-oh-ohs' are only a few of things that make the tune one of the most enjoyable from "Join Us".

Listen out for a Phil Collins drum fill that occurs near the end.

My iPod #171: Kanye West - Celebration

While we all wonder on what Kanye was thinking when he was about to shoot the video for "Bound 2", it seems quite fitting that today's song is one of his most underrated from arguably his second best album.

"Celebration" from "Late Registration" is a track where Mr. West actually sounds like he is having fun, and not trying to prove a point about how awesome he is, or how people should gaze and bow at his presence whenever he walks into a room. He may not rap about that last part explicitly, but he might as well do.

No, "Celebration" is a good ol' mid-noughties hip-hop track about appreciating the good times we share with one another. It actually shows us that Kanye could be funny too; the line where he tells his 'child' that he was a mistake because he didn't use protection, but then saves it by calling it his 'favourite accident'? That's priceless.

My iPod #170: Supergrass - Caught by the Fuzz

Supergrass' first official single as a band. Sounding like it was recorded in a few minutes in cramped and compact room, "Caught by the Fuzz" is an autobiographical account of lead singer Gaz Coombe's first time of being arrested by the police when he was only 15.

The song is very quick. Quite punk-esque, with a semi-talking verse and a belter of a chorus which all end with the word 'tonight'. Well, it's not really a chorus. But if you listen to it, you will understand what I mean.

The film "Hot Fuzz" has this track playing during the credits, so if you wanted to know what that song was called.... here it is.

It is the second song on the band's first album "I Should Coco", a bit of Cockney rhyming slang for those of you who aren't familiar.

My iPod #169: Pavement - Carrot Rope

This song has been in the back of my mind since I started "My iPod". Ever since I started from 'A', the thought of doing the article for this track has been stirring in the brain. It is one of my favourites, by my other most liked band apart from They Might Be Giants. I could chat so much rubbish about it. This may be a long post.

I can remember watching the video for the first time like it was yesterday. But it was in June 2010, when my sister was preparing to come back from her first year of university. I could not be bothered to join my mum on the ride there; she went with my aunt instead. But I went onto YouTube to watch some Pavement videos, and I realised that I had never heard any other singles by the band that weren't "Cut Your Hair", "Shady Lane" and "Stereo". "Carrot Rope" appeared on the side, I clicked on it and the rest is history.

The video begins with a shot of the band in bright yellow raincoats, and then skips to the band dancing along to the song in front of blue tarpaulin. That is the whole video. But it is so enjoyable to watch them goofing off.

When watching it for the first time, I got the idea that this must have been their last single before they broke up in 1999. That is not just because Stephen Malkmus is joined by, not only Spiral Stairs, but the bassist Mark Ibold on vocals in the first verse, but the sound of the song itself gave off a real 'we've been Pavement, it has been fun' feeling. It is very heartwarming.

What is the song about? No one knows. The lyrics are quite surreal and confusing at times, but it is not to think over them so much.

"Carrot Rope" is the last song on the band's last album "Terror Twilight".

Jamie.

My iPod #168: The Futureheads - Carnival Kids

There is an official music video for this song somewhere. It's just not on the internet. I remember watching it on the television too. That's a shame.

"Carnival Kids" is a track on The Futureheads' debut album and is sung by rhythm/lead guitarist Ross Millard. It is fast-paced with a lot of vocal harmonies occurring during the verses and sudden stops and starts which make the song very hard to keep up with sometimes.

That's all fine though. It is the sheer force that all of this is delivered to your eardrums that make the song so infectious and sharp. Plus it has a coda that you will eventually find yourself singing randomly. It is one of those songs that you should really make most of the time of when listening to it, because it is finished before you know it.

Jamie.

My iPod #167: The Zombies - Care for Cell 44

When I should have been revising for my A2 exams, I found myself listening to random albums on Spotify. "Odessey and Oracle" was an album I stumbled across thanks to this site, and "Care for Cell 44" is the song that starts everything off.

"Care..." is one of the happiest songs I have ever listened to in my eighteen and a bit years of living. Following on from the dainty piano that plays in the opening seconds is an upbeat, bouncy rhythm helped along by a melodic bass-line and almost child-like vocals of Colin Blunstone.

For a band named "The Zombies" I was expecting their sound to be a lot more 'noisy', to put it in a weird way. But I was pleasantly surprised to hear such an uplifting track, especially one to begin such an enjoyable album.

Jamie.

My iPod #166: They Might Be Giants - The Cap'm

"The Cap'm" is the second most popular They Might Be Giants song from "The Else" according to TMBW, coming in at #40 on the overall song rating chart. Why is this? Well, I can't speak for all of the fans who rated it. What I can tell you is why I like it though. That is probably what you expect, as that is what I have done for every song on my iPod since February.

What is probably the most interesting aspect of the song is the incongruous relationship between the lyrics and everything about the music. The music itself sounds very uplifting, from the chord progressions to the vocals. But the lyrics are from the point of view of a pretentious and egoistic narrator. Almost like "And Your Bird Can Sing" by The Beatles.... That's another song I like. Maybe, more bands should go with that formula, because the two songs I know of that use it have done no wrong.

Jamie.