These are the unsung heroes of my music collection. They all form an integral part of my music, but none of them get much of a mention from me. Some because the bands aren't one of my favourite bands in general, some because they do not feature any of my contenders for greatest song ever, some because I've simply never mentioned them in a blog post.
There are some bands, and some albums, that get a lot of 'screentime' from me. These do not, so here they are.
Doves - The Last Broadcast
Feeder - Pushing the Senses
Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way
Sixpence None the Richer - Divine Discontent
Stoney - The Scene and the Unseen
Temper Trap - Conditions
If you get a chance, listen to these albums.
Showing posts with label Sixpence NTR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sixpence NTR. Show all posts
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Friday, December 31, 2010
Soundtrack of 2010
Following my soundtracks of 2008 and 2009, here is 2010. It's a shorter list than normal, I'm not sure why. Links go to Youtube videos. Alternatively, search Spotify.
Anberlin - Dismantle.Repair
Classic Anberlin - quality rock music and lyrics with depth. The drums alone are excellent, but the vocals and guitars complement them and each other perfectly. The relentless repetition of the chorus from 3.15 onwards is brutal and inspiring. D.R links wonderfully with 'Fin', the following track on the album.
Athlete - In between 2 states
This track has no lyrics so it is unexpected that it draws my attention so strongly. For some reason, this song just got inside my head this year. It's the best instrumental opening track to an album that I know of. I only wish it lasted longer!
Athlete - Rubik's Cube
What excellent imagery (listen to it and you'll understand)! Genuinely superb. Very clever, and the song builds brilliantly. A song you can lose yourself in. A high point of the Black Swan album.
Evanescence - My Immortal
An old song, but wow. The simple piano, the famously haunting vocals, the subtle build through the bridge, and *that* crash at 3.04 - the best musical explosion ever? Certainly a contender I think. This song not only made my soundtrack of the year, but also entered my 'contenders for greatest song of all time' list.
Hurts - Devotion
This song makes the list because I think it is the only song I've ever heard that treats lust as a problem to be dealt with. A refreshing change from most popular music. It also has an interesting (and I think very wise) idea of how to battle it. Big respect to Hurts for this one.
Jesus Culture - Your love never fails
Jesus Culture both inspire and annoy me, but this song definitely falls into the 'inspire' category. Musically and lyrically it does everything that Jesus Culture do best. As a congregational song it could work but would be tricky, but as a standard piece of Christian rock worship, it is exemplary.
Muse - Invincible
Yes, I know you know who Muse are and I know you know this song. It's one of their most famous. But I just love the unabashed positivity. It brings a nice change from Muse's usual mood. It has the upbeat optimism of cheesy pop, but without any of the cheesiness or poppiness. A great example of Muse's quality.
Muse - Map of the problematique
Very different from Invincible, but no less excellent. Musically, possibly my favourite ever Muse song. It is not possible for me to not get excited about this song. The beat, the drive, the riffs, all of it. And at 2.18, an incredible moment of music.
Sixpence none the richer - Still Burning - sorry for the lame video, it was the only one I could find!
Lovely, just lovely. I struggle to find other words. Beautiful song. I won't try to preach from it at the moment, but one day I might.
Sixpence none the richer - Tension is a passing note - video is a cover but an ok one
What an interesting idea...'tension is to be loved when it is like a passing not to a beautiful chord'. This song never ceases to make me think.
StrangeDay - Wonderful - no video available
A wonderfully positive song. Fun, catchy, upbeat, great melody, and a really good message. Unfortunately you can't hear it, but trust me, it's a great song.
Anberlin - Dismantle.Repair
Classic Anberlin - quality rock music and lyrics with depth. The drums alone are excellent, but the vocals and guitars complement them and each other perfectly. The relentless repetition of the chorus from 3.15 onwards is brutal and inspiring. D.R links wonderfully with 'Fin', the following track on the album.
Athlete - In between 2 states
This track has no lyrics so it is unexpected that it draws my attention so strongly. For some reason, this song just got inside my head this year. It's the best instrumental opening track to an album that I know of. I only wish it lasted longer!
Athlete - Rubik's Cube
What excellent imagery (listen to it and you'll understand)! Genuinely superb. Very clever, and the song builds brilliantly. A song you can lose yourself in. A high point of the Black Swan album.
Evanescence - My Immortal
An old song, but wow. The simple piano, the famously haunting vocals, the subtle build through the bridge, and *that* crash at 3.04 - the best musical explosion ever? Certainly a contender I think. This song not only made my soundtrack of the year, but also entered my 'contenders for greatest song of all time' list.
Hurts - Devotion
This song makes the list because I think it is the only song I've ever heard that treats lust as a problem to be dealt with. A refreshing change from most popular music. It also has an interesting (and I think very wise) idea of how to battle it. Big respect to Hurts for this one.
Jesus Culture - Your love never fails
Jesus Culture both inspire and annoy me, but this song definitely falls into the 'inspire' category. Musically and lyrically it does everything that Jesus Culture do best. As a congregational song it could work but would be tricky, but as a standard piece of Christian rock worship, it is exemplary.
Muse - Invincible
Yes, I know you know who Muse are and I know you know this song. It's one of their most famous. But I just love the unabashed positivity. It brings a nice change from Muse's usual mood. It has the upbeat optimism of cheesy pop, but without any of the cheesiness or poppiness. A great example of Muse's quality.
Muse - Map of the problematique
Very different from Invincible, but no less excellent. Musically, possibly my favourite ever Muse song. It is not possible for me to not get excited about this song. The beat, the drive, the riffs, all of it. And at 2.18, an incredible moment of music.
Sixpence none the richer - Still Burning - sorry for the lame video, it was the only one I could find!
Lovely, just lovely. I struggle to find other words. Beautiful song. I won't try to preach from it at the moment, but one day I might.
Sixpence none the richer - Tension is a passing note - video is a cover but an ok one
What an interesting idea...'tension is to be loved when it is like a passing not to a beautiful chord'. This song never ceases to make me think.
StrangeDay - Wonderful - no video available
A wonderfully positive song. Fun, catchy, upbeat, great melody, and a really good message. Unfortunately you can't hear it, but trust me, it's a great song.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Heat - Can I See Heaven?
Heat are a smallish worship band who, as far as I know, are still together. I saw them at Spring Harvest about 8 years ago and got their EP 'Can I See Heaven?'For the last 8 years or so I've listened to the album every now and then, but in the last week I've realised how good it is. Only seven tracks, but all of them are beautifully put together. The general theme is prayer - crying to God for what we want to see in the world and in our own lives. The lyrics are fairly simple, but heartfelt and passionate. I don't know what the rest of Heat's music is like, but I expect this album to, 8 years belatedly, become one of my albums of the year.
Isn't is strange how this can happen - you listen to an album for years before realising how good it is.
For me, this has also happened with:
DCTalk - Jesus Freak
Killers - Sam's Town
RHCP - Californication
Sixpence NTR - Divine Discontent
Various Artists - Hungry
I expect there are more to come.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
10 albums you should listen to
Having harped on about my favourite album, No Name Face, I’d like to share another 10 albums with you, and say a few words about why they’re so good. The criteria for getting onto this list included excellent music, excellent lyrics, and that ‘something extra’ that means that an album really affects me personally. So, in alphabetical order by artist:
British Sea Power – The Decline of British Sea Power
British Sea Power are one of those unique bands that sound like no-one else. This is there first album and, after the first three slightly unusual tracks disappear within 5 minutes, the next 8 are stupendous, with soaring guitars, haunting vocals that manage to combine a scream and a whisper, and poetic imagery like you’ve never heard before.
DCTalk – Jesus Freak
This album is lyrically just so blatant and unashamed with songs like 'Jesus Freak' and 'Like it, Love it, Need it', but also raw and intimate with 'What if I Stumble' and 'Mind’s Eye'. The music is so (there’s no other word for it) cool, and In The Light has probably the funkiest intro of all time.
Easyworld – This Is Where I Stand
This album is packed full of catchy riffs, exciting tunes, and solid, driving rhythms, but the thing that makes it special is the vocals, which reach notes I didn’t think even existed. This is one of those albums that has a couple of ‘good’ songs, and the rest is absolutely brilliant.
Enya – A Day Without Rain
Enya’s music is just beautiful, and this album in particular. There’s not a weak track on it and it’s actually full of variety from the Latin chant 'Tempus Vernum' to the slow 'Only Time' to the upbeat 'Lazy Days'. The genius is that she does it all herself – all the instruments and all the vocals. The only word is beautiful.
Idlewild – The Remote Part
Idlewild are one of my favourite bands and this is their best album. It’s full of hits (You held the world, Modern Way, American English, Stay the same etc), and is one of those rare albums that doesn’t have a weakness. The melodies are inspired and the music uplifting. And the lyrics are typically beautifully obscure.
Matt Redman – The Friendship and the Fear
By far my favourite worship album, although only a couple of songs have ever been picked up for congregational use. This album is rawly intimate with both introspective and extraspective songs, and it’s the rawness that makes it so special - it's far more real and intimate than any other worship album. It’s also really long at a whopping 72 minutes!
Mew – Frengers
From the opening crash of 'Am I Wry' to the final epicness of 'Comforting Sounds', this album is full of really excellent songs, both heavy and soft. It’s one of those albums that you hear, and then you listen to nothing else for a month. Incredibly addictive, with beautifully written lyrics and wonderfully arranged music.
Sabio – Escape
Sabio only ever wrote 8 songs, but they’re all immense. This is a very honest album about chasing after God, and the lyrics are very open and real, with no messing about. The music varies from electronically influenced rockiness to mellow acoustic ballads, covering everything in between. 'Mother' is one of those songs that, when listening to it while driving, I’m always surprised that I manage to maintain control of the vehicle.
Sixpence None the Richer – Divine Discontent
Sixpence always make good music – simple, easy to listen to, music that practically anyone will enjoy – but what I love about this album is how it always makes me feel good about life. It’s not all happy music, but it always leaves a positive message, and some songs in particular on this album reach the beauty usually only produced by Enya – high praise! It’s also great to have a female vocalist for a change.
Stellastarr* – Harmonies for the Haunted
This album is just full of absolute tunes. The music is solid and incredibly catchy, with no pansying about, and the combination of male and female vocalists produces a unique sound. It is not possible to not get into these songs, making this one of my favourite albums for almost any situation.
British Sea Power – The Decline of British Sea Power
British Sea Power are one of those unique bands that sound like no-one else. This is there first album and, after the first three slightly unusual tracks disappear within 5 minutes, the next 8 are stupendous, with soaring guitars, haunting vocals that manage to combine a scream and a whisper, and poetic imagery like you’ve never heard before.
DCTalk – Jesus Freak
This album is lyrically just so blatant and unashamed with songs like 'Jesus Freak' and 'Like it, Love it, Need it', but also raw and intimate with 'What if I Stumble' and 'Mind’s Eye'. The music is so (there’s no other word for it) cool, and In The Light has probably the funkiest intro of all time.
Easyworld – This Is Where I Stand
This album is packed full of catchy riffs, exciting tunes, and solid, driving rhythms, but the thing that makes it special is the vocals, which reach notes I didn’t think even existed. This is one of those albums that has a couple of ‘good’ songs, and the rest is absolutely brilliant.
Enya – A Day Without Rain
Enya’s music is just beautiful, and this album in particular. There’s not a weak track on it and it’s actually full of variety from the Latin chant 'Tempus Vernum' to the slow 'Only Time' to the upbeat 'Lazy Days'. The genius is that she does it all herself – all the instruments and all the vocals. The only word is beautiful.
Idlewild – The Remote Part
Idlewild are one of my favourite bands and this is their best album. It’s full of hits (You held the world, Modern Way, American English, Stay the same etc), and is one of those rare albums that doesn’t have a weakness. The melodies are inspired and the music uplifting. And the lyrics are typically beautifully obscure.
Matt Redman – The Friendship and the Fear
By far my favourite worship album, although only a couple of songs have ever been picked up for congregational use. This album is rawly intimate with both introspective and extraspective songs, and it’s the rawness that makes it so special - it's far more real and intimate than any other worship album. It’s also really long at a whopping 72 minutes!
Mew – Frengers
From the opening crash of 'Am I Wry' to the final epicness of 'Comforting Sounds', this album is full of really excellent songs, both heavy and soft. It’s one of those albums that you hear, and then you listen to nothing else for a month. Incredibly addictive, with beautifully written lyrics and wonderfully arranged music.
Sabio – Escape
Sabio only ever wrote 8 songs, but they’re all immense. This is a very honest album about chasing after God, and the lyrics are very open and real, with no messing about. The music varies from electronically influenced rockiness to mellow acoustic ballads, covering everything in between. 'Mother' is one of those songs that, when listening to it while driving, I’m always surprised that I manage to maintain control of the vehicle.
Sixpence None the Richer – Divine Discontent
Sixpence always make good music – simple, easy to listen to, music that practically anyone will enjoy – but what I love about this album is how it always makes me feel good about life. It’s not all happy music, but it always leaves a positive message, and some songs in particular on this album reach the beauty usually only produced by Enya – high praise! It’s also great to have a female vocalist for a change.
Stellastarr* – Harmonies for the Haunted
This album is just full of absolute tunes. The music is solid and incredibly catchy, with no pansying about, and the combination of male and female vocalists produces a unique sound. It is not possible to not get into these songs, making this one of my favourite albums for almost any situation.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
No Name Face
There are some albums that sometimes I just need, that’s medically need, to listen to.
These are:
Escape (Sabio)
The Friendship and the Fear (Matt Redman)
Divine Discontent (Sixpence NTR)
A Day Without Rain (Enya)
Jesus Freak (DCTalk)
No Name Face (Lifehouse)
The greatest of these is the last. No Name Face is Lifehouse's first album from 2000.
Of 14 tracks, only 1 (Somebody Else’s Song) does not make me think ‘I LOVE this track’, and it’s still a really good song.
A total of 6 of the songs (Hanging by a Moment, Sick Cycle Carousel, Simon, Quasimodo, Everything and Fool) are of the level that makes me liable to crash while driving. These 6 would all be contenders for a 20-track CD of my favourite songs ever. 6 out of 20 from one album is insane.
The other 7 songs (Unknown, Trying, Only One, Cling and Clatter, Breathing, Somewhere In Between, What’s Wrong With That?) are all easily in my ‘amazing’ category. These are all songs that would dominate many albums, yet they’re all on this one album, and aren’t even in the top 6 on the album!
My latest attempt to rank the 14 tracks, for anyone who cares (that’s you Joe), is:
Quasimodo
Simon
Sick Cycle Carousel
Everything
Fool
Hanging by a Moment
Only One
Breathing
Cling and Clatter
Unknown
What’s Wrong With That?
Trying
Somewhere in Between
Somebody Else’s Song
But that’ll probably change. Anyhow, the album is amazing. It is also, interestingly, the most expensive album I have ever bought - £16.99. Bargain!
These are:
Escape (Sabio)
The Friendship and the Fear (Matt Redman)
Divine Discontent (Sixpence NTR)
A Day Without Rain (Enya)
Jesus Freak (DCTalk)
No Name Face (Lifehouse)
The greatest of these is the last. No Name Face is Lifehouse's first album from 2000.
Of 14 tracks, only 1 (Somebody Else’s Song) does not make me think ‘I LOVE this track’, and it’s still a really good song.
A total of 6 of the songs (Hanging by a Moment, Sick Cycle Carousel, Simon, Quasimodo, Everything and Fool) are of the level that makes me liable to crash while driving. These 6 would all be contenders for a 20-track CD of my favourite songs ever. 6 out of 20 from one album is insane.
The other 7 songs (Unknown, Trying, Only One, Cling and Clatter, Breathing, Somewhere In Between, What’s Wrong With That?) are all easily in my ‘amazing’ category. These are all songs that would dominate many albums, yet they’re all on this one album, and aren’t even in the top 6 on the album!
My latest attempt to rank the 14 tracks, for anyone who cares (that’s you Joe), is:
Quasimodo
Simon
Sick Cycle Carousel
Everything
Fool
Hanging by a Moment
Only One
Breathing
Cling and Clatter
Unknown
What’s Wrong With That?
Trying
Somewhere in Between
Somebody Else’s Song
But that’ll probably change. Anyhow, the album is amazing. It is also, interestingly, the most expensive album I have ever bought - £16.99. Bargain!
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