Crowded House - Better Be Home Soon

So there I was sitting in the pub at lunch, waiting for two mates to come and meet me when this tune comes on and, BAM, I'm taken straight back to my childhood.

I can hear the song rolling down the hallway from the lounge room stereo, it's pitch black, and there's Neil's soft voice relaxing me into my childhood slumber. I certainly didn't appreciate it at the time, and it still took me plenty of hears to understand all this 'old people' music my parents listened to was actually wicked.

Anyway, yeah, this song brings back memories of my childhood and happy family times. And although It's so long ago now and I ain't gonna 'be home soon', this track is like a big memory hug to me, and that's why it made my day a little bit more special.


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Frightened Rabbit - Swim Until You Can't See Land

Frightened Rabbit are a pretty cool Scottish band. To be honest I didn't actually know of them until a few months ago, when they released their latest album, Winter Of Mixed Drinks. Safe to say, I'm now a fan.

They've been around since 2003 and sound beautiful - a slice of UK indie heaven. The song I've selected is off their latest album and it's easily one of my favourite tracks of the year so far. The rest of the album has shades of Idlewild, Build To Spill and Okkervil River, so as you could imagine, it's pretty damn good.

I had the chance to interview them for work when they were out here in Australia as part of the Laneway festival. That's why I've got two clips for today, one is the official song clip, and the second is filmed accoustic on the beach at Bondi, and the band is right, that is Sam from Home and Away.

He he, enjoy.

Tapes 'n Tapes - Cowbell

This song burst onto my iPod this morning, and got me thinking. Where have Tapes 'N' Tapes been hiding? It's been two years since the release of their last album and five since this awesome track came along.

Cowbell is easily my favourite tune of theirs, it's very catchy but has a bit of a dark side to it that's really intriguing. Plus he chucks a Mumma joke in there for good measure.

Hopefully we'll hear from them again soon, it's been too long.

The Beatles - Good Day Sunshine

A wise man once told me that this song is the perfect Sunday morning song, and it's impossible not to smile when hearing it.

The same wise man also woke me up on a hazy Sunday morning after a night on the turps, by busting out some improv dancing with his girl at the end of our bed, while they both sung the song and cranked it as loud as they could.

As I lay there slightly grumpy for the fact I'd been woken from my Sunday morning slumber, I couldn't help smiling at the happy song and their ridiculous dancing. So I guess in the end, he was right.

So enjoy this song, and get it ready for this Sunday morning, I promise you'll smile.


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Poor Ringo thinks he's a jinx.

The Futureheads - Hounds Of Love

I'm sitting by my phone contently waiting for a call from Ross from The Futureheads, so I can do an interview, thought why not give them song of the day!

I love, love, love this song from The Futureheads debut album, yep, and it's a cover. Originally a Kate Bush song, but brought back to life by The Futureheads.

They've got plenty of wicked tracks but this is still one of my faves.



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Foals - Cassius

Foals were one of my top ten albums of last year, from start to finish it gets me amped up. So you could imagine my excitement when I discovered that they're playing the Splendour In The Grass festival this year. In fact it seems that everyone is playing Splendour this year, it's one of the best line ups I've ever seen for an Aussie festival. Pumped!

Anyway today's song is Cassius, I'm not entirely sure what the hell is going on in this film clip or what's up with the hearts hanging from strings, all I know that this song is addictive, and I love it with all of my heart.

Enjoy!

Phoenix - 1901

The French get a hard time for the rest of the world. All I ever heard about the french from other European or UK people was that the food is crap, the people are snobby, it's over priced and no one is friendly.

Well it couldn't have been further from the truth. I found out that the French are lovely and it's truely the language of love. Don't believe me, then think of these points. The best way of kissing is called a French kiss, they gave the world the ménage à trois, and a little band that goes by the name of Phoenix. I think you'll agree that all three are pretty rad.

I love this clip, it takes me back to the cobbled streets and bridges of Paris, the laid back feel, awesome coffee in tiny shops, eggplant and goats cheese stacks, patisseries, and the lovely French not knowing where my accent was from.

Enjoy this clip, and just imagine how mind-blowingly awesome it would have been to stumble across Phoenix busking on the street.


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Guns N Roses - Sweet Child Of Mine

Tomorrow is National Record Store Day, a day put aside to celebrate local indie record shops that no doubt will go out of business unless you go along and actually buy something soon. So please do!

I thought it was a good chance to ask the readers what was the first album you ever bought from a record store. Mine was a second hand copy of Guns N Roses Appetite For Destruction (thanks Mum and Dad), I reckon I would have only been about 8 or 9, and I was so pumped, I made the whole family listen to it all the way home. I still have the tape and it's one of my prized possessions.

So here's one of the tunes from said album, which has stood the test of time, although we can't really say the same for the film clips or their newer tunes. But Axle did sort of go nuts so I guess that's expected.

Anyway, hope you enjoy this crackin' tune. And please comment on this page and let me know what your first album was.


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Pearl Jam - Jeremy

Wow! What's not to like about this one. Has to be one of the all time greatest songs. Eddie and the lads were young and wild, the world was just discovering a new genre called 'grunge', and Pearl Jam gave the world the 'Ten' album.

The film clip and lyrics are so damn powerful. It's the way music should be, evoking emotions and discussion. None of this two second flash in the pan muck with no meaning or soul.

Yep, that's exactly it, this music has soul. It means something and Eddie gets that across with his stunning voice and heart-felt lyrics. You know he's putting his all into it, and it sounds amazing because of it.

And take point in the clip, don't bully, be kind, love all, dance and hug.
Much love to all.


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Gyroscope - Some Of The Places I Know

The WA Aussie rockers have returned with their fourth album, and yet again they've hit the nail on the head with another great Aussie rock album.

These lads are my little guilty pleasure, they always get me pumped up and ready for action. Gyroscope fit 'The Living End' mould of a rock band that consistently realeases solid album after solid album without getting bigger than their boots and becoming average very fast (We're looking at you Wolfmother).

They are consistent, and in today's fast paced, get famous quick then burn out by album number two times, it's good to see a bunch of decent lads finding some longevity to their music careers.

Love this clip! The visuals are so damn great, I'm not sure where it's all filmed but I'm hoping it's WA, and they're representing for the West side. So listen to their latest single, get back to nature and enjoy the scenery.


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Late Of The Pier - Space And The Woods

So Late Of The Pier aren't that massive in Australia but their album was one of my favourites last year, and this song was up in my top five singles. It's a great party tune, it's got the power to make anyone an instantly talented dancer, er well that's what I think anyway.

It's my favourite party tune of the last 12-months, and seeing as I'm flying back to SA for my bucks show this afternoon, I thought a party tune was in order. The film clip is a bit trippy and messed up, and I'm pretty sure that's exactly what my mind will look like this weekend. Yew, bring it on.


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Bloc Party - Banquet

Oh what's that, your party is lame and no one wants to dance? Then chuck Bangquet on you fool, and the dancefloor will be filled in seconds.

I love how it's damn near impossible to keep your legs still while this song belts out of the speakers (no paraplegic jokes here please). With Kele about to bring out some solo stuff, and Russel joining Ash as part of their live touring band I thought that some old-school Bloc Party was in order.

Sure it's going back a few years now but still rates up there as one of my all time played songs on my iPod, actually correct that, it is the most played song on my iPod. Plus it's certainly one of Bloc Party's all time greatest tunes.

Play it loud!


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Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

Yep, I loved their debut album, All Hour Cymbals, back in 2007 and it's awesome to see Yeasayer back in 2010 with what could possibly be the album of the year. I know it's pretty early to be making these sort of calls, but I might as well get in early.

This clip is best served on Acid! Dark horsemen, strange paint blob guys, worm-hole heads, and nude desert runners. Yep, it's got it all!

Just a straight up awesome track from a wicked album. Now bust out the body paint, nude up and get amongst it kids!


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The Soft Pack - Answer To Yourself

I've been smashing the crap out of The Soft Pack's debut self-titled release lately.

I'm really into the whole surfer rock that's going around at the moment, and Answer To Yourself is my pick of The Soft Pack's killer album.

When I'm listening to this one I just want to climb up into the sand dunes and take in the view of the waves crashing on the shore while the spray from the waves blows onto my face. By the looks of their album cover that's exactly what these lads have been doing - bonus points for guessing what they're passing around in that circle...


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UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!
The Soft Pack single has a new clip featuring the cast of Kick-Ass!

The Libertines - What Katie Did

The one thing stronger that Pete's love for drugs, is the chemistry that Carl and Pete share musically. Which is why I always had that feeling deep down that they'd get back together, and thankfully it's finally happened.

What Katie Did has to be one of my all time favourite songs, sure it's actually about Kate Moss and came out just as the Libertines and Pete Doherty were self destructing, but it just makes me smile and want to dance and jump around like a fool (just like Kate Moss in this clip).

I guess my love for the song may also have something to do with my beautiful future wife, and the fact that Carl Barat did try to have a crack at her back stage at the Annandale Hotel once.

Sorry Carl better luck next time. Who knows maybe he'll have better luck on their next Australian tour.

Anyway, I'm ranting, but put this song on your stereo, and a smile on your face.


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