Disordered Thoughts and Curmudgeonly Ramblings
Here’s a riddle -what do you get if you cross the riff from Louie Louie, the verse from Prince’s 1999 and the chorus from from the B52s’ Roam?
You get Transvision Vamp!
This was a big hit back in 1989, probably more from Wendy James jumping around in a skimpy dress than for any musical merit, although I must admit it is rather catchy.
That is all.
Observing the current DDOS attacks on the US via Norse makes me feel like a submarine commander in a Cold War movie, watching World War III play out.
Here’s some music to go with it
Not live blogging the countdown this year, I’ve got better things to do with my time. But I am listening to it and can state with confidence that even without Taylor Swift it’s not a great year. Too much dull/shouty faux-gangsta rap, folky wailing and repetitive nauseous bollocks for my taste. But we’re only down to number 35, so maybe it’ll improve.
In any case, two of the tracks I voted for have come in so far. Here’s my full list along with the numbers they’ve come in as, which I shall update as appropriate.
Hopium – Dreamers {Ft. Phoebe Lou} – Number 82
First Aid Kit – My Silver Lining – Number 38
Banks – Beggin For Thread – Number 27
Sia – Chandelier – Number 9
Art vs Science – Create/Destroy
Asgeir – Torrent
Bertie Blackman – Run For Your Life
Bertie Blackman – War Of One
Sky Ferreira – 24 Hours
Megan Washington – My Heart Is A Wheel
Since I’m already complaining about how kids today don’t know good music when they hear it and how Triple J is nowhere near as good as it used to be, I suppose I should go full grumpy old man and mention the songs I totally couldn’t stand this year. There are two real stand outs – Grandma’s Hands by Meg Mack and Pickles from the Jar by Courtney Barnett. Both are actually decent tracks, but they played them so freakin’ much that every time I hear them I want to throw up. Needless to say, both have already turned up in the countdown, but hopefully this prove their last hurrahs before they’re shuffled out of rotation.
Hmmm, down to 30 and still no more of my choices. This could be bad…
So, four of my songs got in, and the winner was Chet Faker. Again. A bit much Chet Faker and way too much Alt-f’ing-J. Bah!
(I’ll do it all again next year though.)
Apparently my apartment complex has been invaded by snakes. Or possibly snake. There are posters up everywhere advising that a snake has been seen around the back of some of the units and that if seen again the local snake catcher should be called. I didn’t even know we had a local snake catcher, but nonetheless find myself reassured by his existence.
In any case, time for some snake music…
There’ll be some more regular posts soon, but in the meantime, happy Christmas to you all!
Sometimes the brain experiences something so strange, so weird, so outside of normal, everyday expectation that it simply shuts down in protest. For example…
Let us not go to Japan. It is a silly place.
Here’s something to try. Put on your headphones, load up Rooms on Fire by Stevie Nicks, then mentally block out Ms Nicks’ gravelly singing and just listen to the music.
Knock out the jingly bells, sharpen up the quality a bit and it’d sound just like Ladyhawke wouldn’t it? (Or more accurately Ladyhawke would sound just like it).
Pip Brown has learnt her lessons well!
And Bertie Blackman hits it out of the park once again with War of One…
Is there anything she can’t do?
What. The. Actual. Heck!?
Order! Order! The Court of Ancient Grievances is now in session!
It is hereby alleged that on or around the 9th of October 1998 the music reviewers of the Sunday Times newspaper stated that the song Thunderbirds are Coming Out by TISM contained “speculation about the sexual proclivities of the Thunderbirds puppets”, indicating that said reviewers had either not listened to the song, or when listening to the song did not pay even cursory attention to the lyrics.
It is furthermore alleged that on or around the 26th of February 2001 the music reviewers of the Sunday Times newspaper stated in relation to the song Heat Seeking Pleasure Machine by Paul Mac that “Paul Mac has a sexy voice”, indicating that said reviewers did not carry out any research or even bother to read the back of the CD case – both actions that would have uncovered the publicly available fact that the vocalist on said song was Tex Perkins of the Cruel Sea.
It is also alleged that on or around the 12th of June 2002 the music reviewers of the Sunday Times newspaper stated that the song Satisfaction by Benny Benassi was a cover of the Rolling Stones song (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, indicating that said reviewers either failed to listen to the Benny Benassi song, failed to listen to the Rolling Stones song, or equally likely failed to listen to either.
Therefore, it is the opinion of this court that the music reviewers of the Sunday Times between the years 1998 and 2002 were a bunch of complete fart-artists labouring under the weight of a total and systemic contempt for music, the music listening public and their responsibilities as employees of the Sunday Times.
How plead the defendants?
(Note: The Court of Ancient Grievances acknowledges that this all happened a long time ago, and that it might in fact have been the music reviewers of the West Australian Newspaper who carried out these crimes against fact. If so, the Court apologises unreservedly to the music reviewers of the Sunday Times who presumably did not have their heads completely up their arses.)
