A list of the albums I've listened to today:

Figurines: Skeleton
The Stone Roses: The Stone Roses
My Bloody Valentine: Loveless
Semisonic: Chemistry
South: With the Tides
Iron & Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days
Bright Eyes: Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds
David Bowie: Hunky Dory

Talk about an embarrassing moment!

I was zapping through the satellite channels yesterday morning trying to find something for my daughter to watch (a Winnie the Pooh cartoon would have been great), when I stumbled upon a music video. The song sounded really great, so I convinced my daughter that it was very, very important that daddy saw this video, so he could get the name of the singer/band.

How exactly do you think I felt, when I learned that the singer was no other than Kurt Nilsen - Mr. World Idol 2003?

I felt so embarrassed that I didn't even tell my daughter about this, even though she's just two years old and wouldn't understand it anyway. I guess that was just one of those moments in life that you really don't feel like sharing with anyone (Well - I just did - didn't I?).

Friday afternoon ramblings:

It happened again this morning! Another song from The Creek Drank the Cradle caught my attention. This time is was Bird Stealing Bread.

"The Swiss Connection" sent me a couple of MP3's by The Coral this morning. In The Morning is a brilliant song and the rest of the songs didn't sound bad at all either. Maybe I should check the new album out?

Another good one received from Switzerland is Work by Morning Runner.

I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever get the album by Sensuous that I ordered a month and a half ago. When asking for the album yesterday at my local CD store I was informed that the albums by The Stone Roses and Stars I've ordered a while back should arrive on Tuesday. Good news but I'm still impatiently waiting for that Sensuous album!

Last month I participated in a CD swap (I've previously written about it). One song I somehow failed to notice the first few times I listened to the CD's was Disconnect the Dots by Of Montreal. "What a mistaka to maka!" because it's really great! Oh I almost forgot! - you can download it for free right here!

I've put my WMP on shuffle mode (3458 songs to choose from) and I will make a short comment on the first 10 songs played. I'm hopeful that not too many embarrassing ones will show up?

1. Guns N' Roses: You're Crazy (Appetite for Destruction)
I've read so much positive about this album, so a while back I decided that it was about time that I tried to listen to it properly, because I've owned my copy for more than 10 years. So far the mission is incomplete and if this a typical song from the album it probably will stay that way for a long time.
I guess there are many ways to say that I don't like that song?

2. U2: So Cruel (Achtung Baby)
I just love that album (one of six albums I've given a 5 star rating) and this song is simply wonderful!

3. Counting Crows: Holiday in Spain (Films About Ghosts)
This was one of the first albums I bought this year, but so far I haven't listened to it. I don't even know if this is a new or old song, but it's a typical and nice song by the band.

4. Aaron McMullan: Don't Give No Fuck No More (120 Removed (April Songs))
Like I've done a few times before I still recommend that you try to listen to this stuff yourself. According to Audioscrobbler I'm his biggest fan!

5. The Clash: Brand New Cadillac (London Calling)
I found the CD at the library and ripped it, because I wanted to listen to it before actually buying it. I'm still undecided, because I'm not sure whether I really like this stuff or not!

6. Magnetic Fields: Bitter Tears (69 Love Songs)
Another album I found at the library and I still haven't worked my way through all of the songs (69 songs are quite a lot!). But first impression overall is very positive, so there is a good chance that I'll end up buying the album someday!

7. Steve Winwood: Come Out and Dance (Refugees of the Heart)
Unlike many other I quite like this album, though this is one of the weaker moments.

8. Belle & Sebastian: Sleep the Clock Around (The Boy With the Arab Strap)
I originally bought the album, because one of the songs was featured in High Fidelity. I used to enjoy listening to it back then, but the last few times I haven't been all that impressed. Pretty good song though this one.

9. Sigur Ros: Flugufrelsarinn (Agaetis Byrjun)
This a band that I'm working pretty hard getting into, but I'm rather unsuccessful so far. However this song is really beautiful, so maybe it's about time to give this band (another) closer look?

10. Bob Dylan: Simple Twist of Fate (Blood on the Tracks)
As described yesterday I'm also working on becoming more familiar with Bob Dylan. I believe that I'm a bit more successful with this project than the Sigur Ros one.

I don't know if everyone agree, but I think I avoided any embarrassing ones?

I will listen to Blonde on Blonde and Blood on the Tracks today. Two weeks have gone since the CD's arrived, so I guess it's about time?

Neither album knocked me off my feet like Highway 61 Revisited did, but pretty good stuff nonetheless. I'm gonna "go another round" with both albums this afternoon. I've been through "second round" now, but there's really nothing to add.

Check out this post by Chris aka "The Swiss connection" about some well-known songs from the 90's. It's hard to understand that some of those songs are more than 10 years old!

I've just ordered another 6 CD's. They are listed in the column on the right.

I recommend that you download and listen to these two songs by the Danish band Figurines:

Rivalry
The Wonder

I simply love this (makes my day every time it happens)!

I was listening to The Creek Drank the Cradle by Iron & Wine (bought it a while back) for the first time and I was a little bit disappointed, because this is supposed to be a fantastic album. Slowly I was starting to loose my interest in the music when suddenly my feet started tapping along to the music and my focus was immediately drawn towards the song playing. Seconds later I realized that this particular song must be a very special one, because it was able to catch my attention, when I wasn't really listening.

Right now Upward Over the Mountain is playing for the 12th time today! It's an absolutely wonderful song and to be honest I can't remember the last time I heard a song as beautiful as this.

So far I've played the song 26 times today and I will probably listen to it a few more times before the working day is over. Will definitely be the first song played on the stereo tonight!

*may the sunrise bring hope where it once was forgotten*

Moi Caprice: My Girl You Blush

This band writes the most wonderful pop songs that slowly creeps into your head and then simply refuses to leave again.

A month ago I was obsessed by To The Lighthouse and now I can't stop listening to the recent single My Girl You Blush.

I have previously described their music as "happy" and I really can't see no reason to change that. However I haven't really studied the lyrics, so there is always a risk that this is not meant to be happy at all. But when listening to the falsetto and those cheerful tunes (like I did in the car this morning) I really can't help smiling!
So I'm keeping this illusion for now :-)

Ranting:
When you look at the Danish Album Chart (Top 40) it's really difficult not to be embarrassed. There is so much great (Danish) music out there and still the Danes decide to buy music by old farts like Shu-Bi-Dua, Sanne, Bamse and Lars Lilholt or by pointless/stupid children's acts like Simone, Anne and B-Boys. Meanwhile talented bands like Moi Caprice, Figurines and Sensuous (just to mention a few) must work very hard to sell even a few copies. I'm seriously shaking my head in disgust.

New album added to my CD-collection:
Figurines: Skeleton

I will add some comments when I've listen to the album (hopefully today). In the meantime; check out these reviews.

I've listened to the album twice so far today and it does sound like one with a lot of potential (most of all it doesn't sound very "Danish"). But as always I need to listen to an album a whole lot more than this, before I'm able to settle for a final "verdict".

New album added to my CD-Collection:
Swing Out Sister: Kaleidoscope World

I used to listen to this album a lot when it was originally released (in 1989) and my old vinyl copy can be found somewhere in the attic at home. However I rarely listen to vinyl's these days (the wife don't want them in the living room and I'm to lazy going to the attic looking for them), so I believe that my last encounter with this album took place more than 8 years ago.

Yesterday we (wife and kid) attended one of those used-stuff (read: useless garbage) fairs and I was really thrilled when I found this album and only had to pay 10 Danish Kroner (less than 2 USD) for it. Though I hate going, I really should attend those fairs more often, because you never know what you might find!

Listening to the album this morning it brought back several nice memories from the days when I was studying in Copenhagen. Lots of beers, parties etc.

*those were the days*

Another Friday evening and the wife and kid are sleeping.

So I've opened a bottle (just one!) of Grimbergen Blonde and am trying to work my way through a pile of MP3's. Will add to this post if I stumble upon something worth recommending!

First one is Evergreen by Eskimo. This one was sent to me by my "Swiss connection" and is a great piece of music!

Paddington is a cute little bear, but The Paddingtons are not a group of bears. It's a rock band and the single Panic Attack is definitely worth checking out!

Another nice one is Somewhere Else by Razorlight. The band will be the warm-up for U2 in Copenhagen which is the reason why I checked them out in the first place. It will be interesting to see what these guys can do in front of 45000 people!

I've mentioned the band Cherryfalls in a previous post. I can't find exact information anywhere on when their debut album will be released (maybe it already has been?). Whenever it is, I will definitely buy it (if I can find it somewhere), because the songs I've heard so far sound really great.....

I just looked at the play counts in my WMP at home at this is the top 10:

1. Coldplay: Speed of Sound
2. Coldplay: Talk
3. Aaron McMullan: Song Bout if I Reach You
4. Led Zeppelin: Kashmir
5. Fans of Kate: I Don't Know What To Do With My Hands
6. Fans of Kate: A Brief Guide To Coward Rock (Demo)
7. Cherryfalls: My Drug
8. Sonic Youth: Teenage Riot
9. Tegan and Sara: Living Room
10. Adam Green: Jessica

I guess it's needless to say that I recommend all of the songs in my top 10 - isn't it?

Pink Floyd: On the Turning Away

I've been quite busy at work today (I hate that), so there hasn't been much time for listening to music (I hate that even more). But yesterday I had time enough for a small Pink Floyd "trip" and listened to Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here.

Both albums are excellent and I instantly became very nostalgic and started remembering the only time I've had the luck to see the band playing live. That was in Copenhagen in 1994 and the concert still ranks as the best one I've ever witnessed. The sound, the show, the music and even the weather was perfect that evening. Hopefully everyone who saw them on The Division Bell Tour will agree that it was a great experience? I also started to dream about a reunion but that thought was quickly laid to rest, because I can't see that happening. But of course we can always hope that they will run out of money someday and have no other option!

However the definitive Pink Floyd highlight yesterday was driving home right before sundown listening to On the Turning Away. I know it's a post-Roger Waters song, but nonetheless it's among my favorites by the band.

Time flies (what a surprise), meaning that it's already time again to take a look at the artists I've recently played on the computers at home and at work.

So far I've played a total of 6271 songs by 434 artists, which is an average of more than 14 songs per artist. 118 artists have had songs played 10 times or more, while 135 artists have had songs played just once!

Since my last statistical update, which took place on 15 April, I've played a total of 1797 songs by 203 different artists. Actually I've played a whole lot more, but Last.fm updates very, very slowly these days and even refuse to submit several songs I've played at home.

Top 15 artists for the period 15 April - 12 May:
1. The Raveonettes (152 plays) Pretty in Black is really great!
2. Fans of Kate (131) 5 songs played over and over again.
3. Radiohead (97) Primarily because of my day dedicated to the band.
4. The Lucksmiths (92) Thank you Scott for introducing me to this great band.
5. Carpark North (81) After all the new album is pretty good.
6. Kent (74)
7. Angie Aparo (45)
7. The Magnetic Fields (45)
9. Coldplay (41)
10. The Cure (40)
11. Bright Eyes (37) I'm starting to like Digital Ash......
11. The Bravery (37)
13. My Bloody Valentine (34)
14. The Smiths (30)
15. Thirteen Senses (26)

Looking through the list I'm really not getting any surprises, because 3 of the top 4 bands (not including Radiohead) are rapidly shooting up my (non-existing) list of favorite bands. I guess what I'm trying to say it that I'm starting to like these 3 bands a lot!

Summed up I've played songs by these 15 artists 962 times (average 64) the past 4 weeks. More specifically this means that 54% of the songs played on my computer during this period have been by one of the above mentioned artists.

Next update will be posted, when the number of tracks played is well above 7500.

*non-music-contents*
My soccer team won 3-2 last night, but I didn't score a goal (though it doesn't really matter as long as we win!). However I hit the crossbar with a nice shot and few minutes later I hit the post with a header, so I can't help being a little bit disappointed that a goal eluded me. Close but no cigar I guess?
My shape is not the very best, so my legs are really hurting, but nevertheless I'm playing another game tonight! It would be very nice being 23 again!

Four new albums added to my CD-Collection:
Bob Dylan: Blonde on Blonde
Bob Dylan: Blood on the Tracks
Iron & Wine: The Creek Drank The Cradle
The Velvet Underground & Nico: The Velvet Underground & Nico

Apparently it helped complaining/whining/whatever yesterday!?

New album (just one) added to my CD-Collection:
Adam Green: Friends of Mine

I'm experiencing all kinds of problems receiving my ordered CD's these days. It doesn't matter whether I place my orders on the web or at the local CD store - the answer (or problem) seems to be the same. Apparently waiting seems to be my only option, which really isn't good at all, because patience is a virtue I don't possess!

Good news is that Audioscrobbler seems to be working again!

Yesterday I made the decision that I would only listen to Pink Floyd today (probably inspired by my air-guitar solo to Poles Apart at 1 o'clock Sunday morning). But then last night Street Spirit by Radiohead, was used in a feature (showing the differences between the everyday life of Danish and African children) during our national collection for African orphans.

Inspired by this I changed my mind and decided that today should be dedicated to Radiohead instead. The plan is that I will listen (non-stop) to the 6 studio albums in order of the date released. According to WMP it will take 4 hours, 54 minutes and 45 seconds getting through this "project"!

In case you've forgotten; the 6 albums are (Comments will be added during the day):

Pablo Honey (1993)
I've never really listened to this album, because I only bought it because of Creep. It's really much better than I expected/feared and I will probably give it a few more spins.
The Bends (1995)
To me this is the best of their albums though it's unlikely (never say never!) that it will appear on any of my "best albums of all-time" lists. It really isn't THAT good!
OK Computer (1997)
This is the album that propelled them into stardom and by many voted as one of the best albums ever. The album does include 5-6 really great songs, but overall I think there are far to many weak moments (e.g. fitter happier) for it to deserve even modest consideration as the best album of all-time. Unlike some of the other albums I have really tried and have listened to this one many, many times. But so far I have failed to understand why it is so highly rated.
Kid A (2000)
I'm not sure if you can talk about a break-through, but today probably was the first time that this album didn't sound like complete rubbish. I'm still wondering what they were thinking when recording, though I'm a bit more optimistic now that I will see the light someday!
Amnesiac (2001)
Maybe if I listen to it 15 times in a row, it will start making sense. Right now I honestly believe that I've wasted 44 minutes of my life listening to it! But it's important to keep an open mind, so I will listen to again some other time!
Hail to the Thief (2003)
Another album I bought without listening to it more than a couple of times. It sounds like the band doesn't know if they shall continue the "new sound" or return to the old one. The result is a mix, which unfortunately never really convince me of its quality.

I probably have listened to more than 100 songs by the band today (gave several songs a second listen), so I guess I've had my share of Radiohead for a while!

Since I love making Top 5 lists, this is my

Top 5 Radiohead Songs:
1. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
2. Creep
3. Let Down
4. Fake Plastic Trees
5. There There (The Boney King of Nowhere)

"Immerse your soul in love"

Friday evening ramblings:

The child is sound asleep and so is the wife (that pregnancy is really wearing her down). I'm therefore trying to entertain myself by listening to a truckload of MP3's on the computer and drinking a (just one) bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale.

I will add to this post if I some of the music is worth recommending.

Tegan and Sara - I've recently listened to several songs by this female duo. This is definitely a band I will check out some more. I don't know how to define their music - maybe rock with a twist of country? Currently I'm listening to My Number and Living Rooms - a couple of really great songs!

Another good one deserving a closer look is My Drug by British band Cherryfalls. The song does somehow sound like something you've heard before (many British bands do that), but it doesn't prevent this from being a really nice one.

Please Stand Up by British Sea Power seems to be mighty popular among webloggers. No wonder it's popular, because this is another great tune!

Song Bout if I Reach You by Aaron McMullan. A funny story goes along with this one. This morning I received an e-mail from Aaron (a.k.a. The Duke) suggesting that I should try listen to some of his songs. Since I'm always interested in learning about new music I picked a couple of songs of his website (his a generous guy, since there are 43 songs (I think) to choose from). So far Song Bout if I Reach You (play count has just reached 11) is my favorite song followed by Don't Give No Fuck No More.
The songs are singing and guitar only, but unfortunately the sound quality isn't always the very best. Probably because the songs have been recorded in some kind of primitive home studio (Aaron please let me know if I'm incorrect). A couple of the 6 songs I've listened to so far will likely take a while to get "used to", but the above mentioned songs richly proves that the song writing skills are present.
Consider this chapter 1 of the saga, because I will definitely return to explore the works of "The Duke".

zzzzzzzzz - time to go to bed!

If you have a couple of minutes, I highly recommend that you check out these really great comments on (the brilliant) Pretty In Black album by The Raveonettes:

Summer's here
Blogcritics.org
Go home and bury your love tonight

and a couple of reviews (in Danish)

Politiken (Danish Newspaper)
Gaffa (Danish Magazine)
BT (Another Danish Newspaper)

and while you're at it

Jeremy's Top 100. A new entry at no. 1................The Raveonettes - Ode To L.A.

As I (nearly) promised in a previous post I was thinking of writing some comments on the album myself, but I believe that the 3 above mentioned posts pretty much sum it all up very nicely:

The feeling of summer and cold beers on the beach (not a word about beautiful women!). The wonderful vocal harmonies. The brilliant songwriting. The revival of the 60's. The immense talent of Ronnie Spector. Etc.

I don't really fell that any further comments are needed!

I just wish I would be saying this about one of my two favorite bands Kent or Doves, but so far (in my humble opinion) The Raveonettes has released the best album of 2005.

Best songs (or at least my favorite ones):
1) Love in a Trashcan
2) Red Tan
3) Ode to L.A.

It's been a while since I've posted my Windows Media Player play count top list (the one at work). As per today the Top 15 includes 10 songs by Kent (all of them from Du & Jag D�den), which indeed will be a very boring list to read.

So instead I've decided to post my Top 15 where each artist is limited to just one song! That obviously won't be the correct list, but hopefully it will be a bit more interesting?

This is the "adjusted" list (which really doesn't include any surprises, because I think I've mentioned all of them in earlier posts):

1. Interpol: Take You On a Cruise (Play count: 60)
2. Kent: 400 Slag (49)
3. New Order: Krafty (43)
4. Fans of Kate: Tape 23 (38)
4. OMD: Of All the Things We've Made (38)
6. The Dresden Dolls: The Jeep Song (33)
7. The Smiths: There is a Light That Never Goes Out (32)
8. Grandaddy: Now it's On (31)
9. Moi Caprice: To The Lighthouse (27)
10. The Arcade Fire: Rebellion (Lies) (25)
10. Coldplay: Talk (25)
12. Thirteen Senses: Into the Fire (24)
13. Wilco: Kamera (22)
14. The Stone Roses: I Wanna Be Adored (21)
14. Bright Eyes: Another Travelin' Song (21)

Just outside the list The Killers, The Lucksmiths and Prefab Sprout are lurking. I will post a new list once when we have arrived safely in June.

The Carpark North album just keeps getting better and better. Check out Best Day and Fireworks.

One of my colleagues has recorded a CD at his home studio and I've just received my copy. The 11 track CD is called Short Songs and Instrumentals, but (of course or (rather) unfortunately) it's not an official release. The CD primarily contains Spanish inspired music, but a superb bluegrass version of a Danish traditional (on my recommendation) and a very popular Danish Children's song are included as well. That guy can play guitar like a dream and I've often asked myself what he's doing here! He should be a recording musician and instead he's a software programmer! Talk about a bad career move!

This is not music related in any way, but I'm catching a cold. Therefore I'm drinking gallons of herbal tea. Since it tastes like sh!t I really hope it will run the cold "out of town".

Returning from a short weekend trip last night I (to my big surprise) found a "home-made" The Lucksmiths sampler in my mailbox!

I'm listening to the CD at work now (3rd listen) and I will add comments to some of the songs along the way. Actually I won't add any further comments, because they are getting pretty predictable. Who's interested in reading stuff like; "this one is good", "oh - this one is good as well", "great song this one" etc.? I assume that everyone gets the point? Will immediately start searching for albums to add to my CD-collection.

Track list:
Point being - The first song I ever heard by the band and the one that started it all.
Stayaway stars
Under the rotunda
What passes for silence
Southernmost
Edward, Sandwich hand
There is a boy that never goes out - The title reminds you a bit of The Smiths song - doesn't it? But it's a brilliant song nonetheless.
After the after party
Take this lying down
The chapter in your life entitled San Francisco - My favorite song by the band so far!
Little Athletics - Just another fine song!
Off with his cardigan! - It's probably just me, but I can't help thinking of That's Entertainment by The Jam.
Birthday present for Katrina
Requiem for the punters club

In case you're wondering how and why this sampler ended up in my mailbox - keep wondering - because I won't tell you!