Hello enormous listening world,
I really hope that those of you reading this via the website can see it. Blogger, which is owned by Google, has been up and down all day and I really hope that it doesn't disappear into the ether.
As I write this I am waiting for the plumber to arrive. There's water gently seeping up between the floorboards at my front door. Who knows what this means but I imagine it's not a good thing. I haven't quite felt the need to build an ark yet but my swimsuit and goggles have been located.
The Muppets - In The Navy - https://youtu.be/MTwq1_9VH68
And before Weird Al made fun of everything, there was this....
The second part of AC/DC's history of Back In Black has been released on YouTube. This is worth a look if nothing but for Malcolm's description of how they decided to have a bell at the start of the album. Gold! Watch here at about the 2 minute mark. I'm still laughing and I've watched it about five times.
AC/DC - Hells Bells - https://youtu.be/etAIpkdhU9Q
I've listened to a bit of Nik Kershaw this past week. His album, The Riddle, from 1984, has a slew of great tracks and I guess a lot of it made up the soundtrack of my teens. Nik combines pop melodies with loud guitars and lyrics that range from dark to amusing. The whole album is worth a spin if you've got some time. I did find some cover versions of his tracks but to be honest, they didn't do much other than play the songs as Nik would have.
Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't It Be Good (live 2019) - https://youtu.be/A3ybtb2JEkA
Nik Kershaw - Wide Boy - https://youtu.be/dLcabC_osCo?t=137
From my list of Australian bands that should've been much more successful worldwide come the Hoodoo Gurus. Whilst their influences seem rather obvious, they manage to play songs that sound unique to them and quite Australian as well. I've been in bands where we've played, and thoroughly, enjoyed The Right Time and Miss Freelove but I've never quite managed to convince anyone to cover this next track. It's a bit rockabilly meets surf meets b-grade horror and, well, it's just great fun.
Hoodoo Gurus - Dig It Up (live 2012) - https://youtu.be/DBfHOoHAyO0
Last week I played a track by the band A Formal Horse. During the week I've had a good listen to their album and EP and it's been great. Their music is noisy, eclectic, rocky and proggy as well. That might sound chaotic but it's not. I found it surprisingly accessible despite the time signatures that hurt my brain. I was once told that I didn't need to count the beats, just feel them...but 15/8 time???
A Formal Horse - Made In Chelsea (Apocalypse in 15/8) - https://youtu.be/9NKFlLisISI
Bob Mould (Husker Du, Sugar) has a very successful solo career and another album coming in late September. I was fortunate enough to see him play live a few years ago in Sydney. H and DJManofHats witnessed a three piece band make an amazing amount of noise. Bob plays loud and fuzzy but the hooks, choruses and melodies are the key to his songwriting. I'll play one of his older tracks here and when I've heard some new ones I'll come back with a recommendation.
Bob Mould - Star Machine - https://youtu.be/fgHmTcYqWts
James Reyne hasn't released a studio album for eight years until a week or so ago. The Australian Crawl frontman and solo artist has a new record called Toontown Lullaby. If you like James' previous work then I doubt you'll be disappointed. Unlike many of his contemporaries, James' voice is still very strong and the songs are catchy and memorable. I've put the album on my playlist to spend more time with. Even after just a couple of spins I'm hooked with this one. Oh, and the cover of the CD reminds me of an early 80s surfing advertisement; all that's missing is the Quicksilver logo!
James Reyne - Trying To Write A Love Song - https://youtu.be/legWfCED61M
I have a new colleague who likes Slayer. He likes them a lot. I think he's listened to them every day this week in the car coming into the office. And after all that he's such a chilled dude. Slayer are not chilled, they are the opposite; angry, frenetic, aggressive and loud. If something has gone wrong then Slayer is one of my goto bands to help me feel better. If the plumber doesn't call soon then I'll be playing a lot more Slayer.
Slayer - Expendable Youth (live 1991) - https://youtu.be/C10ApktuaCI
And I'll finish this week with some fingerstyle guitar. I watch far too much random stuff on YouTube but sometimes it pays off. Recently I began watching some videos from the next artist and they are very. very good. Not only can Justin play very well, he obviously enjoys himself and makes it look oh so easy!
Justin Johnson - Joelene - https://youtu.be/EHb6rNsm-AA
Justin Johnson - Amazing Grace - https://youtu.be/cZ-M3dvw20Q
Still no plumber. Off to look for my flippers and snorkel.
Rock on,
Rob
"...he believes in God and Elvis...", Working Class Man, Jimmy Barnes, 1985.
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