Somewhere Over The Rainbow

...and this, darlings, is a musical rainbow.


1. Kumm, Red Coffee
Angels & Clowns (2003)

One of the best songs written by a Romanian band. It has a wonderful instrumental: the violin, the keyboards, the drums and the guitars blend together just perfectly. But the main beauty of it is actually given by lyrics (an example: "turn off the light and fill me up with coffee, let me undo your skin from my hands"). It is the kind of song you have to listen with somebody else at your side, at least at a live concert. That is if you don't want to sink into a never-ending sadness.


2. R.E.M., Orange Crush
Green (1988)

According to Michael Stipe, Orange Crush is the story of a young American football player, who leaves his home for the war in Vietnam. The song's title is a reference to a chemical defoliant used in the Vietnam War (Agent Orange). It is a catchy tune, and its lyrics are really ironical at some points ("we are agents of the free, I've had my fun and now it's time to serve your conscience overseas").


3. The Raconteurs, Yellow Sun
Broken Boy Soldiers (2006)

This is a love story, another one of those stories where he is a shy guy who is in love with her, and she is just a bitch with a cold heart. However, the song is not a lament (it would have become really annoying otherwise). It actually keeps a very light tone, due to instrumental, but also due to the vocals.


4. Pink Floyd, Green Is the Colour
More (1969)

This is one of the Pink Floyd songs that appear on the soundtrack of More (a 1969 film, which is about a young student who tries to forget about his conservative life and ends up tragically). It is a gentle acoustic ballad and it gives a very peaceful feeling. Roger Waters stated in a concert that the song is about Ibiza (which is the main location of the movie).


5. Placebo, Post Blue
Meds (2006)

The title represents a metaphor for "deep helplessness". It is the story of a person who is so much in love that forgives every mistake the partner does, because he or she is the sole reason for living. It has also references to drugs ("bag of golden brown", which means heroin). As singer Brian Molko said, "Our lyrics are more twisted. We talk about impossible love, complicated love, destructive love. As destructive as drugs."


6. Duke Ellington, Mood Indigo
(1930)

A very well known jazz composition, this song has been sang by many artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Nat "King" Cole. On the original recordings, Ellington turned upside down the traditional jazz arrangement, putting the trombone right at the top of the instrument's register, and the clarinet at the lowest. The song is performed both as an instrumental and as a vocal (the verse "I'm just a soul who's bluer than blue can be" makes me shiver).


7. Coldplay, Violet Hill
Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)

This was the long expected comeback of the band, back in 2008, and it is the first anti-war song written by them. It starts with a piano line performed by Chris Martin, with the rest of the band joining him short after. The lyrics are not just a protest against the war, but also a story of a man in love with a woman who does not love him back ("If you love me, why'd you let me go?")

Our Musical Week

Because every day has its song. Right?


1. New Order, Blue Monday
B-side on The Beach (1983)

This, darlings, was the beginning of the dance era, I tell you. The anthem. It was considered such a great song that it was released and re-released several times – but the most interesting version remains the first one (that drum machine kicks ass, man). And it's definitely a great way to start your week.


2. Counting Crows, Barely Out Of Tuesday
Unreleased track

There is only one known recording of this song, from a live concert, which is a real shame, because this is a very good song. Of course it's about depression and insecurity and the feeling that nobody wants you. Hell, it's Adam Duritz, what are you expecting? But his voice sends shivers down my spine and the instrumental is pure love.


3. Jimmy Eat World, Wednesday
Jimmy Eat World (1994)

Ah, old good punk rock days. This is the seventh track on Jimmy Eat World's debut album (which is currently out of print, unfortunately). That's all I can say about this song, I'm currently too busy jumping up and down in my room while listening to it. So excuse me...


4. David Bowie, Thursday's Child
'hours...' (1999)

Yeah, it was a nostalgic era for Bowie, and the whole album proves it. The title of this song is inspired by the autobiography of actress Eartha Kitt, which was also called Thursday's Child. It's very introspective, but also hopeful (yes, my cynical friends, that's because the song is about pure true love that can save you from this misery called life. Aw). It features Holly Palmer on backing vocals.


5. The Cure, Friday I'm In Love
Wish (1992)

"I don't care if Monday's blue, Tuesday's gray and Wednesday too, Thursday I don't care about you, it's Friday, I'm in love..." You know the story. I still didn't manage to figure it out why only Friday. Second thought, I don't have to, actually. Love is always a mystery, right? Yeah, I should stop babbling.


6. Suede, Saturday Night
Coming Up (1996)

A tender note on an album full of irony and hedonism, this song reminds you that there are precious moments in life that you have to share with that precious someone. Or, if you're lonely as hell, it reminds you that you should forget about work at least once in a while and get the hell out. That's why it makes you happy, and not only on a Saturday night.


7. The Velvet Underground, Sunday Morning
The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967)

This song was supposed to be recorded with Nico on lead vocals, but at the last moment Lou Reed decided he will sing it himself (not a bad idea at all, if you ask me). It's a nostalgic, but also calm contemplation of the past – actually the whole song gives the impression of peace, feeling strongly accentuated by the use of celesta.


And now the week can start again.

Cherchez La Femme

It's all about women… man.

1. The Beatles, Hey Jude
B-side on Revolution (1968)

Rumours say that McCartney wrote this song to comfort Lennon's kid, Julian (Jules), who was suffering during his parents' divorce, and that Jules became Jude, because Jude it was easier to sing. Other rumours say that this song was actually referring to McCartney's failed relationship with Jane Asher. Whatever the answer is, a woman is certainly involved.


2. The Doors, Miss Maggie M'Gill
Morrison Hotel (1970)

This song, which is believed to be about a prostitute, had been released in an era when you weren't allowed to sing about certain things – The Doors were banned on Ed Sullivan Show because they dared to sing "Girl we couldn't get much higher". Now, a part of you might protest in the name of freedom of speech, but sometimes it's more interesting to guess, rather than to hear.


3. The Rolling Stones, Angie
Goads Heat Soup (1973)

This track also has a background story – it is believed that Angie is David Bowie's then wife, Angela, with whom Mick Jagger had an affair. Whether this is true or not is rather irrelevant for the meaning of the song. It illustrates perfectly the pain that lingers in you when you still care about your lover, but you know that there is no chance in hell for a happy end.


4. The Ramones, Sheena Is a Punk Rocker
Rocket to Russia (1977)

Hm, should I say any more words about this song? I guess the title says it all.


5. Nirvana, Polly
Nevermind (1991)

Based on a real event, the song tells a story of a girl who is brutally raped and tries to escape by flirting with her captor. In its slow version, it is simply heartbreaking. Apparently, not all of the fans understood the song's message – after the release of Nevermind, a similar thing happened to another girl; moreover, the assaulters sang the lyrics while raping her. Kurt Cobain called the two men "wastes of sperm and eggs" and wrote "I have a hard time carrying on knowing there are plankton like that in our audience."


6. The Cure, A Letter to Elise
Wish (1992)

Broken promises, painful words, painful silences, tears, alienation – this is the eternal, well-known and painful story of two people that cannot understand each other properly. And the interesting thing is that, at the first listening, while being captivated of the instrumental, you don't even realise how damn sad this song is.


7. The Smashing Pumpkins, For Martha
Adore (1998)

The lyrics are referring to a dead person – and certainly, the grief can be strongly felt while listening to it, even if there is at a certain point some hope that someday a reunion will be possible. Billy Corgan wrote this song in memory of his mother, Martha, who had died in December 1996.


8. Franz Ferdinand, Jacqueline
Franz Ferdinand (2004)

I'm still not one hundred percent sure about the relationship between Jacqueline, Ivor and Gregor, but I know for sure (and I bet you all agree with me) that is always better on holiday.


9. Manic Street Preachers, Emily
Lifeblood (2004)

The song has political content – "Emily" refers to Emily Pankhurst, a leader in the British woman's suffrage movement. In his well-known style, Nicky Wire said it expresses "the idea that an icon of Pankhurst's standing, who really tried to do something good, who got women's suffrage and got women the vote, can be replaced by someone as obviously empty as Princess Diana as a feminist icon." Ouch.


10. The Horrors, Sheena Is a Parasite
Strange House (2007)

You can also call it a twisted version of Sheena Is a Punk Rocker.

Literature 101

Five songs that were influenced by books

1. Boo Radleys – Wake Up, Boo (remember To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee?)
2. Babyshambles – La Belle et La Bete (well, this is obvious)
3. Manic Street Preachers – Patrick Bateman (b-side to their single Life Becoming A Landslide, based on Brett Easton Ellis' American Psycho)
4. The Cure – Killing An Arab (pretty much fanboying Albert Camus' L’etranger)
5. Pete Doherty - Salome (because Doherty is one of the last Wilde-like stars)

Lovely Allen

Nine song titles that mention other bands.

1. The Wombats – Let’s Dance To Joy Division (and we all did so)

2. LCD Sounsystem – Daft Punk Is Playing At My House (any indie kid's wet dream)

3. CSS – Let’s Make Love And Listen To Death From Above (I'm not sure ALL of us did this onew)

4. Pull Tiger Tail – Tom Waits For No Man (I know, stupid pun. But you liked it)

5. Ali Love – Shangri La (yeah, one of those three gals The Horrors love so)

6. George Pringle – I Know Who Mogwai Are Too, Darling (But have you listened to their music? this is the real question)

7. Adam Green – Jessica (as in Simpson. As in 'I know it's tuna, but is it fish or chicken?')

8. Brand New – Me vs. Maradona vs. Elvis (my bet's on Jesse Lacey)

9. Camera Obscura – Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken (Lloyd as in Lloyd Cole and his song Are you ready to be heartbroken?)

Sight And Sound

1. The Road

Instead of writing something about this, here is what the man in charge, Mr. Nick Cave said about its creation: "The movie is about the loss of things, the absence of things, the lack of things. The lack of the wife/mother is present in every frame of the film. The delicate edifice of the film holds the ache of her absence, tenderly and by the tips of the fingers. The music was composed as a direct response to the film. A light, haunting, simple score with a sense of absence and loss at its heart."

2. Twilight: New Moon

Did you have any doubt?! The greatest pie ever made from one artist after another. Everybody gave their best and everybody shined on this soundtrack. I want to thank every artist with a big smooch on both cheeks and one for Alexandra Patzavas as well.

3. 500 Days of Summer

I can’t believe I’m going to use this adjective about a soundtrack but that is what my synapses issue here, this soundtrack is so cute, as in kitty cute. Regina Spektor and The Smiths grace the soundtrack with two creations each, The Temper Trap are mesmerizing and I’ve listened for the first time to Carla Bruni and I liked it. One of the bonus tracks is She&Him’s cover of The Smiths’ Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want. Adorable.

4. Where the wild things are

One of the most anticipated movies of this year (for me) provided as soundtrack Karen O’s musical imagination. When I first heard about her and this movie I failed (mea culpa) to see the connection for such a choice. Failed or not, she pulled it off completely and achieved to expand the childhood/fantasy feeling of the story into the sound as well.

5. Whip it

Drew Barrymore’s movie is a fun badass chick product. The soundtrack is exactly the same. You dive from one cool song into another, I just didn’t know which one to listen over and over again, everything just rocks. Yeah that’s the feeling. The combination of tracks is so diverse and quite atrocious in terms of tempo, but it works. I’m not going to give you any names. Just listen to it.

Original Scores that were worth it:

Twilight: New Moon - Alexander Desplat (fabulous, the only thing besides the image in the movie that is spectacular)

Coco Avant Chanel – Alexander Desplat (he strikes and shines again)

The International – Tom Tykwer, Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek (a great musical trio)

Angels and Demons – Hans Zimmer (not matter what musical note that man throws at me, my ears squeal in delight)

We've Got The Vision

1.The Big Pink – Dominos

Simple, confusing and snow falling down in pink light. I adore it. Made me want to inhale all that air from the video since the first time I saw it. Same angles like The Whip's Trash , yet stands successfully like something cool. And the ice statues shattering, beautifully done. The director of the video, Tim Saccenti, is an amazing artist, a brilliant photographer and image director.


2.Depeche Mode – Wrong

Best video for 2009 my opinion, as a music video and as a short film. I say Los Angeles looks divine in the night, for a city that I hate. That Ford rolling backwards is genius and perfect. And the band’s appearance as passerbys seen by the guy in the car is a divine idea. The video director Patrick Daughters is an icon, regular client of Yeah Yeah Yeahs (among many, he did Gold Lion) and Kings of Leon videos, not to forget videos for Muse, Feist, Bright Eyes, Interpol and many others.


3.Florence + The Machine – Drumming Song

The location is the queen of the video: marble, wood and white concrete – charming combination and architecture! Florence has perfect outfits and the hair’s new shade of red is great. The song fits the location and vice versa. Many applauses for image clarity and palette of colors.


4.Mika – We Are Golden

That room looks like the inside of my imagination if it were materialized, it’s the kind of video that made me want to watch it over and over, discovering a new cool item each time. The song is one of my favorites this year in terms of lifting up your mood and goofing around in the living room - oh yeah, I did!


5.Gossip – Heavy Cross

What can I say, it’s a childhood fantasy image: someone blowing glitter in special/cool lightning. Beth looks atrociously stylish (I used one of my moms golden lipsticks to smooch my bathroom mirror, before I made the weekly cleaning) and the Indian dudes look abstractly fit for the video.


Aside the list:
Kings of Leon – Notion (the superposition of images and tones make the video quite nice).

Madonna – Celebration (editing at its finest and in perfect synchronization with the beat; editing shots with choreographic moves seems for me a killer and titanic work).

Lady GaGa – Paparazzi (video by Jonas Akerlund – he did Pink’s Sober and Madonna’s American Life among others; love the video for Alexander Skarskard and that cool shot in that wood corner and GaGa with the feather hat and film wrapping outfit).

This Be The Verse.

What, you thought an Albums of the year would be missing? Pff, naive people you are indeed.

Manic Street Preachers – Journal For Plague Lovers

It’s kind of hard not to regard Journal as a follow-up to The Holy Bible: the lyrics were written by Richey James, the cover is a painting by Jenny Saville, the album has 13 songs. But instead of lines about hate and nihilism, the lyrics are about finding peace with oneself and a strange serenity. It seems James has finally found the answers to the questions he had on The Holy Bible. And where the 1994 album had a suffocating sound, Journal seems to be more of a relief: every chiming guitar, every piano chord, even the harp on Facing Page: Top Left is cathartic. Yes, the lyrics sound like a time capsule but this only adds to the sense of nostalgia and somehow make the loss easier to bear.

The Horrors – Primary Colours

The Horrors are like the 1977 punk movement: few followers initially, many after the initial blow. Critics still exist, people who say these five Southenders just borrow. Sure, the album can be regarded as a tribute to various bands: My Bloody Valentine, Neu!, Jesus and Mary Chain, Joy Division, even Interpol. But The Horrors manage to take each influence, each chord and make them their own and completely fresh. Even when they are paraphrasing The Shangri-Las, use keyboards that remind one of The Who or guitars that are just are suffocating as Joy Division as Warsaw. After all, they are the same music nerds who wrote Strange House and who find references to older songs mandatory.

The Flaming Lips – Embryonic

To say Embryonic is just an album is a huge mistake: this is a statement. Sometimes you might get the feeling it’s just a collection of random songs. But The Lips give you hints to prove this is actually a whole: the lack of traditionally structured songs (verse – chorus – verse), the drums that take over your speakers and the heavy almost stoner rock bass. Some songs turn into a different one half way through (from jazz to ambient music, from noise to electronica), some songs contain references to those before (a chord, a bleep, a line). And this album also has two of the best featurings ever: Karen O (who imitates animals on one track and on another plays with a gun) and MGMT (who turn Worm Mountain into one of the most explosive tracks on the album).

The Twilight Sad – Forget The Night Ahead

This is an album that leaves a hole in your stomach. It’s an album that throws you into a story whose characters are alone, isolated, hopeless. People who, just like the lead James Graham, wish the day would end before it even begins. The instrumental only amplifies the pain and fear. The Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine-styled distorts are almost always there. You also get moments of calm that are there only to prepare you for the storm that’s about to come. And sometimes, the tension grows steadily while sonic elements (a piano, a web of distorts) make their way through the musical structures. And always Graham amazes you with the passion he puts into each story he tells.

Hatcham Social - You Dig The Tunnel, I’ll Hide The Soil

Indie pop taken straight out of the ‘80s, those of Josef K and C86. Stories about crocodiles (Crocodile, Superman) and Lewis Carroll’s monsters (Jabberwocky). Shoegaze-titled songs (Sidewalk) and Morrissey-like ones (I Cannot Cure My Pure Evil). Songs that give you diabetes and lyrics that are as bitter as a lemon. Lost bits of experimental electronica (Superman) and noise (I Cannot...). Songs that have references to the ones before (from So So Happy Making and its hint to Wonderland and the lines of Jabberwocky, to a lost chord). A dazzling British accent. And, most important of it all, the reassurance that nowadays alternative bands make the most delicious pop.

53rd and 3rd

New York is the birthplace of punk. It’s the place where Andy Warhol and all the pop artists spend their time. Where CBGB’s was and where the ’70 meant more then disco. Hell yeah, we love New York. L.O.V.E. So here are thirteen songs about New Amsterdam.

1. Velvet Underground - Waiting For The Man

2. The Wombats - Moving To New York

3. Ryan Adams - New York, New York

4. The Strokes - New York City Cops

5. !!! - Me And Guliani Down By The Schoolyard

6. Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side

7. LCD Soundsystem - New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down

8. Leonard Cohen - Chelsea Hotel No.2

9. Le Tigre - My My Metrocard

10. The Moldy Peaches – New York City’s Like A Graveyard

11. The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York

12. Interpol - NYC

13. Sophie Ellis Bextor - New York City Lights

Musical Orgasms

Translation: la crème de la crème. Or the best gigs I've been to this year.


1) Placebo (21.06.2009, Romexpo, Bucharest)

We all know what kind of show these guys can do, if they are in the mood. And, lucky us, the concert in Bucharest happened to be right at the beginning of their Battle for the Sun tour. That equals a really good mood. The sound was simply perfect, and Molko and the gang did their best. Hell, they made me jump even on Ashtray Heart (I told you once that I hate this song, and I still do, by the way). Of course, we must give the proper credits to the audience, which was simply great (or, in Molko's words, "a fucking amazing audience"). All in all, it was a concert very close to perfection, and definitely the best concert of the year.


2) White Lies (01.07.2009, B'estFest, Bucharest)

I was really impatient to see White Lies live. Not only because they were the revelation of the month-year-century yada yada, but also because I was madly in love with their song To Lose My Life. Right before their concert, a really big storm started, and for a half an hour (or even more) I was afraid that they will cancel. Fortunately, the rain calmed down, so they were able to play. Unfortunately, the sound suffered a little. Fortunately again, the public was very warm, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they actually have fans in Romania. Apparently, they were too, as they announced they'll come back as soon as possible.


3) The Killers (01.07.2009, B'estFest, Bucharest)

Their concert started a few minutes after White Lies played their set. So yes, it was still raining, the sound was still bad, and, because I had been in front row at White Lies, I was now really far from the stage. However, I forgot everything when Human started. I know "Are we human of are we dancer?" might sound stupid (and it actually does), but it sounds great live. Flowers' voice seemed really different to me – he tends to sing higher than he does it on albums. I liked the way he walked around the scene as he was singing – he was pure energy. And I also liked the way people reacted to All These Things That I've Done. That almost made me to forget about their damn umbrellas. Almost.


4) Franz Ferdinand (03.07.2009, B'estFest, Bucharest)

They started to play right after what it should have been the Klaxons set. Don't ask now about that, I don't want to remember. About their concert I'll say just one thing: when I entered Romexpo that day, Franz Ferdinand was a nice band. When I left Romexpo, Franz Ferdinand was an amazing band. Yes, their show was that good. Oh, and remember I told you Flowers was pure energy? Triple that and you'll start to have an idea about what happened on stage while these guys are singing.


5) IAMX (01.10.2009, Fratelli Studios, Bucharest)

Quoting myself: "An IAMX concert is always more than just a live show, and anyone who had the chance to see Chris Corner on stage will agree on this matter". I had IAMX on repeat for a month after this concert. And I dream at the day when Chris will come back to play with our minds again. Pray with me for a better sound.


Worth mentioning
Anathema (29.04.2009, Sala Palatului, Bucharest)

The British ex-doom metal, now atmospheric/alternative rock band, happens to be one of my guilty pleasures. My expectations were really big, considering their first concert I've attended (an acoustic set in 2008) – and I wasn't disappointed at all. These guys are damn great live; Vincent Cavanagh's voice is as good as on the albums (and that's something). Plus, they know how to communicate with their public. So the promise Vincent made at the end of the show that they will come back in 2010 to sing some new songs made me really glad. By the way, what the hell is going on with that album, you guys?


It could have been: Klaxons
They were going to play at B'estFest, before Franz Ferdinand, but their instruments were stuck on the road between Oslo and Bucharest. Yeah, I know, it sucks. Well, I still hope I'll have the chance to see them again.

Songs on repeat

I was going to make a list of five songs that came out this year and I loved, but alas, I happen to be a music fanatic so five is a far too small number. As always, no particular order*, just what I consider la crème de la crème of 2009

1. Animal Collective – On A Highway

This is how a dream sounds.

2. The Big Pink - Velvet

A magnificent piece of organized chaos.

3. Biffy Clyro – God & Satan

Perfect lyrics, perfect melody. One piece of sheer wonder

4. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Done All Wrong

Blues-garage acoustic piece that only proves BRMC are such a great band (not that we needed further proof)

5. Brand New – In A Jar

Ambiguous biblical references, post-hardcore elements, post-rock infusions and a great American rock band.

6. Dananananaykroyd – Some Dresses

Handclapping, cheers, a great solo towards the end of the song, lyrics that are spit out not sang.

7. Depeche Mode - Wrong

So right.

8. The Drums – Let’s Go Surfing

Fun and bubbly to the very last chord.

9. Friendly Fires – Kiss Of Life

Those falsettos, the dance moves in that video (giving a new meaning to the expression ‘hips don’t lie’), the tribal drums.

10. Future Of The Left – You Need Satan More Than He Need You

The raw bass is mesmerizing and the lyrics will make you choke with laughter.

11. Girls – Lust For Life

It’s bubbly, it’s fun and it makes you want to sing along.

12. Golden Silvers – True Romance (True No.9 Blues)

Brilliant accent. Look up the lyrics: they’re sure to put a smile on your face.

13. Grizzly Bear – Slow Life

Endless swoon. End of.

14. Hatcham Social – Jabberwocky

Fans of Lewis Carroll, unite!

15. The Horrors – Sea Within A Sea

For god’s sake, the intro lasts three minutes and a half and it has the most Who synts.

16. Iggy Pop – Party Time

Iggy going electro?! Mhhhhmmm.

17. Julian Plenti – Fun That We Had

Further proof Paul Banks is a great tunesmith.

18. Lady Gaga – Bad Romance

The big chorus, the ‘vertigo stick’, the line in French. Rarely does mainstream pop sound so good.

19. Lord Auch – To The Shithouse

Sexy to the bones.

20. Los Campesinos – The Sea Is A Good Place To Think About The Future

Leaves a hole in your stomach just like any Smiths song.

21. The Mae Shi – R U Professional

The sound bite is insane, the Christian Bale movies name dropping is pure genius.

22. Mando Diao – Gloria

Incredibly disco, incredibly rock’n’roll.

23. Manic Street Preachers – All Is Vanity

This could actually be any song off Journal For Plague Lovers. But this one and its urgency will make many heads turn.

24. Maximo Park – Let’s Get Clinical

Extremely intelligent band showing off their goods yet again

25. Morrissey – I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris

Yes, he can do no wrong.

26. R O M A N C E – The Art Of Losing

Dark, a bit bluesy. A band to watch.

27. Simian Mobile Disco – Audacity Of Huge

Why? The combo of words, Chris Keating’s voice, ‘B-b-baby, it’s choice’

28. Them Crooked Vultures – Dead End Friends

We could go on about Josh Homme’s voice, about the riff, about how we’re all so happy Dave Grohl is back on drums, when we all know there is but one word on our minds regarding this song: sex. Really, really sweaty sex.

29. The Twilight Sad – That Birthday Present

Filled with anger. A tiny guitar chord that sounds a bit like Blink 182’s Adam Song. A great Scottish accent.

30. The XX - Shelter

Calm and so heartbreaking.

*ok, so the order was alphebetical.

Panic On The Streets Of London

London. Also known as the place I’ve been planning to move to since I was about seven. However, I’ve only been to London once and rather late, meaning last summer (when I was 20… 20 minus seven. Do the math yourselves). And, much to my distress, I realised I was not mistaken: I need to move there. I say ‘distress’ because it was great and I didn’t want to leave but I had to and … yeah, you know the deal.

So it was my utter and complete love for this tiny, tiny town that made me do a list of songs about London and various places on and about the city.

1. The Clash – London Calling (Yes, shocking, this song on a list about London.)

2. Lily Allen – LDN (again, I keep making controversial choices)

3. White Rose Movement - London's Mine (electro-sleaze. Lovely)

4. The Clash – London’s Burning (it’s not my fault they wrote songs about the city)

5. The Lambrettas - London Calling (no, not a cover, but a great mod-revival piece)

6. The Smiths – London

7. Patrick Wolf – London (yes, artists have no creativity when it comes to song names)

8. The Kinks – Lola (yes, it all happens in LDN)

9. Madness - Mr Speaker (Gets the Word)

10. Pulp - Mile End

11. Elvis Costello - I Don't Want to Go to Chelsea

12. The Small Faces - Itchycoo Park

13. The Clash - Guns of Brixton

14. The Stranglers - (Get a) Grip (on Yourself)

15. The Jam - Eton Rifles

16. The Jam - Down in the Tube Station at Midnight

17. The Kinks - Dead End Street (about a bedsit in Kentish Town. A crappy bedsit)

18. The Kinks - Dedicated Follower of Fashion (and Carnaby Street)

19. Morrissey - Come Back to Camden ( to be more specific, I want to move to Camden. Walking cliché I am)

20. Sham 69 - Cockney Kids are Innocent

21. The Jam - Carnaby Street (I wonder what this is about)

22. Babyshambles - Black Boy Lane

23. Pulp - Bar Italia

24. Babyshambles - Albion (various London districts are mentioned. Cause, like, Albion means just London

25. The Rakes - 22 Grand Job

26. The Jam - 'A' Bomb in Wardour Street

27. The Clash – (White Man) in Hammersmith Palais

28. Bloc Party ­ - Waiting for the 7.18 ("the Northern Line")

29. Dirty Pretty Things - Tired of England

30. XTC - Towers of London (really now)

31. Pulp - Sorted for E's and Wizz (or how Jarvis got lost in Camden)

32. Secret Affair - Soho Strut

33. Jamie T - Sheila (she does drown in Thames)

34. Madness - Primrose Hill

35. Babyshambles - Pentonville

36. Television Personalities - Part Time Punks

37. The Rakes - Just A Man With A Job (“Three floors below from Piccadilly”)

38. Good Shoes - Morden

39. Larrikin Love - Downing Street Kindling

I'm A Weirdo

I mean… these are weird, man.


1. The Cure, Lullaby (1989)

I don't think any of you would like to wake up covered in web and sweat, and see a strange creature in the corner of the bed with black eyelids and messy hair. And discover afterwards that you have a few more limbs than you should. And to live this nightmare over and over and over again.


2. Klaxons, Magick (2006)

Now, kids, what have we learn today? You shouldn't ever stand in front of a wall writing things on it when you have Jamie and James right behind you. That, if you don't want to end up with your eyes covered, your hands tied and a strange fluid substance flowing on your cheeks. Got it?


3. MGMT, Time to Pretend (2008)

Just Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser pretending to be members of a tribe, hunting some cartoon animals, riding on cats and stuff. And the nice thing is that it starts very normal, with them on a beach, dancing around a fire with some more people. I guess nothing is what it seems to be.


4. Nine Inch Nails, Closer (1994)

Bugs, pieces of meat, a beating heart on a chair, a naked lady with a cross on her face, Trent Reznor in chains, a crucified monkey, a pig head with an apple in its mouth, Trent Reznor with an apple in his mouth... Translation: one of the cutest, brightest and uncontroversial videos you've seen in your life. Some scenes had to be cut so the video could be aired (including the monkey scene).


5. Tool, Prison Sex (1993)

It's almost painful to watch due to the implications. A broken doll, without legs, is imprisoned in a strange place and tortured by another doll, almost ripped to pieces, but never destroyed. The images are very violent, suggesting child abuse – so of course MTV banned it.

Sympathy For The Devil

Simple. Some songs that mention the one down there.

1. Biffy Clyro - God&Satan

Simon Neil says he speaks to both of them. So, is the conversation something like 'Simon, would you please tell Satan I'm still not talking to him cause he like disobeyed me’, ‘Simon, please tell God to leave that soul alone, cause like it’s mine?’

2. Future of the Left - You Need Satan More Than He Needs You

Especially if you're a sad 14 year-old who wants to scare some old and really religious ladies.

3. Sonic Youth - Satan Is Boring

On the other hand, I heard God will be going to the NY Public Library to see Lou Reed, Moe Tucker and Doug Yule talking about The Velvet Underground. How cool is that?

4. Morrissey - Satan Rejected My Soul

Yeah, Satan rejected your soul because you're too cool for Hell.

5. Beck - Satan Gave Me A Taco

True story apparently.

6. Mogwai - Mogwai Fear Satan

Smart boys the guys from Mogwai.

7. Teenage Fanclub – Satan

It actually features Satan on guitar.

(As it happens, some of us get sick. In this case, yours truly which means that you shouldn't expect reviews or any serious articles written by me anytime soon. A high fever usually affects one's capability of concentration and creativity. )

I'm Medicated, How Are You?

Danger. Addiction.


1. Blur, Beetlebum
Blur (1997)

The song's title seems to be a reference to "chasing the beetle" which means to inhale the smoke from heated heroin that has been placed on a piece of tin-foil. Lyrics are strongly related to drug abuse ("Beetlebum, get nothing done, you beetlebum, just get numb") and sex. It is believed by many that the lyrics are about heroine experiences lead singer Damon Albarn shared with his former girlfriend, Justine Frischmann (ex-Elastica).


2. IAMX, Nightlife
The Alternative (2006)

The drug use is presented here as being part of the nightlife, some kind of a mysterious and daring element that keeps you alive and helps you to see the truth. However, this (somehow) positive approach is attenuated by the phrase "I want to know how to survive in the nightlife", which implies the idea that things aren't actually what they seem to be.


3. Jesus and Mary Chain, Some Candy Talking
Psychocandy (1987)

At first sight, it seems that the lyrics are about heroin use, but lead singer Jim Reid denied that, telling it is just a misunderstanding. Hm, let's see.
"I'm going down to the place tonight
To see if I can get a taste tonight
A taste of something warm and sweet
That shivers your bones and rises to your heat"
No, this has nothing to do with drugs. Right.


4. Nick Drake, Been Smoking Too Long
Time of No Reply (1987)

This is not just about drug abuse, is more about the feeling one has after the drug effects end and he's again all alone with himself. Drug is seen as a shelter, but the hero knows that this shelter is only temporary, and he'll eventually have to face reality again. It's a very pessimistic song; the way Drake sings it makes it even darker. Don't try this when you're too depressed, it might have very negative effects.


5. Placebo, Special K
Black Market Music (2000)

"It's comparing the rush with falling head over heels in love or being infatuated with someone and coming upon controlled substances of any kind." says Brian Molko about this song. This parallel between ketamine and love got the single banned in UK; however, it remained one of the most famous Placebo songs to date. It's such a strong piece, that even the pa-dam-pam-pam-padadadam thing becomes pure perfection.


6. Queens of the Stone Age, Feel Good Hit of the Summer
Rated R (2000)

"Nicotine, valium, vicodine, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol… Co-co-co-co-co-cocaine" – now that speaks for itself I'd say. The band managed to convince their record label to let them include this song on the album, saying that it doesn't actually have references to drug use. Americans didn't buy that one and the song hasn't been released as a single in the US.


7. Suede, Heroine
Dog Man Star (1994)

This one is even more interesting and poetic than Special K. At the first listening, it seems that it's nothing more than another obsessive love song, but Anderson & co go farther away than that. A double addiction, to the loved one and to the drug, is suggested not only lyrically ("I'm aching to see my heroine"... "I'm with her and nobody knows") but also through the title (heroine, which is very close to heroin).


8. The Velvet Underground, Heroin
The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

The band had been accused of glorifying drug abuse on this track. However, the song is actually descriptive rather than glorifying; lyrics are written from a junkie's point of view, presenting the feelings he has every time he uses the drug ("Heroin, it's my wife and it's my life"). Not only journalists misunderstood the meaning of this song. Lou Reed was hesitant to play it live due to fans that were coming at him and saying they "shot up" while they were listening to Heroin.