Most played songs (at work)
December 04 - June 05:
1. Interpol: Take You On A Cruise
2. New Order: Krafty
3. Kent: 400 slag
4. Fans Of Kate: Tape 23
5. OMD: Of All The Things We're Made
6. The Lucksmiths: The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco
7. Iron & Wine: Upward Over The Mountain
8. Moi Caprice: My Girl You Blush
9. Moi Caprice: To The Lighthouse
10. Fans Of Kate: Brief Guide To Coward Rock (Demo)
11. Carpark North: Best Day
12. The Smiths: There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
13. Mew: Apocalypso
14. The Dresden Dolls: The Jeep Song
15. Norton: Ladybug
Bullets (Play count is rising fast):
Hard-Fi: Hard To Beat
Kent: Utan Dina Andetag
Diefenbach: Favourite Friend
Sensuous: Down
Maria Taylor: Song Beneath The Song
(information collected from WMP)
June 30, 2005
June is almost over, so it's time to take a look at the Top 15 artists of the month of June according to Audioscrobbler (Last.FM).
I've played 1965 songs by 224 artists, which is exactly 65.5 songs/day or close to 5 albums/day.
Top 15 artists for June 2005:
1. Coldplay (184 plays)
2. Sensuous (128)
3. Mew (72)
4. Moi Caprice (61)
5. The Magnetic Fields (57)
6. Figurines (55)
7. Oasis (48)
8. Stars (48)
9. Interpol (39)
10. Hard-Fi (37)
11. Angie Aparo (35)
12. She Wants Revenge (34)
13. Iron & Wine (32)
14. The Jesus and Mary Chain (30)
15. Carpark North (26)
Unfortunately several submissions were lost during the month, but since what they offer is a free service, I'm certainly not going to complain!
I've played 1965 songs by 224 artists, which is exactly 65.5 songs/day or close to 5 albums/day.
Top 15 artists for June 2005:
1. Coldplay (184 plays)
2. Sensuous (128)
3. Mew (72)
4. Moi Caprice (61)
5. The Magnetic Fields (57)
6. Figurines (55)
7. Oasis (48)
8. Stars (48)
9. Interpol (39)
10. Hard-Fi (37)
11. Angie Aparo (35)
12. She Wants Revenge (34)
13. Iron & Wine (32)
14. The Jesus and Mary Chain (30)
15. Carpark North (26)
Unfortunately several submissions were lost during the month, but since what they offer is a free service, I'm certainly not going to complain!
At lunch I read an article in the newspaper about how people today seem to seek advice/coaching on just about everything. It doesn’t matter if they want their house decorated/furnished or if their marriage is ailing. People need/want advice on everything.
Since it is no secret that I think that most people buy really shitty music, I was wondering if there isn’t a market for a company that give people advices before they go shopping for music?
It has always baffled me that the same people who want their house, car, clothes etc. to be ever so cool, willingly accept that their music collection is nothing but pathetic.
We've got to change that :-)
Since it is no secret that I think that most people buy really shitty music, I was wondering if there isn’t a market for a company that give people advices before they go shopping for music?
It has always baffled me that the same people who want their house, car, clothes etc. to be ever so cool, willingly accept that their music collection is nothing but pathetic.
We've got to change that :-)
June 29, 2005
The 3 albums aside (marked with x yesterday) I also found the following CD's at the library:
Cocteau Twins: Heaven or Las Vegas
The Stooges: The Stooges
The Strokes: Is This It
The Strokes: Room on Fire
This morning in the car I listened to my lone Tom Waits album - Blood Money, on which he performs the songs he (and Kathleen Brennan) wrote for (the musical/stage play) Woyzeck. The songs definitely worked better on the stage as part of the play than on the album, which made it a mixed experience listening through it. But the song Coney Island Baby stood out on the stage and sure does so on the album as well.
Cocteau Twins: Heaven or Las Vegas
The Stooges: The Stooges
The Strokes: Is This It
The Strokes: Room on Fire
This morning in the car I listened to my lone Tom Waits album - Blood Money, on which he performs the songs he (and Kathleen Brennan) wrote for (the musical/stage play) Woyzeck. The songs definitely worked better on the stage as part of the play than on the album, which made it a mixed experience listening through it. But the song Coney Island Baby stood out on the stage and sure does so on the album as well.
June 28, 2005
A list of 10 albums (older ones) I definitely have to check out:
Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (x)
Elvis Costello: This Year's Model (x)
The Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers
Tom Waits: Rain Dogs
Talking Heads: Remain in Light
Belle and Sebastian: If You're Feeling Sinister
Bruce Springsteen: Born To Run (x)
Patti Smith: Horses
P J Harvey: To Bring You My Love
Nine Inch Nails: The Downward Spiral
I went to the library tonight and found 3 of the albums (marked x).
Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (x)
Elvis Costello: This Year's Model (x)
The Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers
Tom Waits: Rain Dogs
Talking Heads: Remain in Light
Belle and Sebastian: If You're Feeling Sinister
Bruce Springsteen: Born To Run (x)
Patti Smith: Horses
P J Harvey: To Bring You My Love
Nine Inch Nails: The Downward Spiral
I went to the library tonight and found 3 of the albums (marked x).
Friday I received the EP Place Unknown by the Danish band Sense. (The number of CD's bought in 2005 is therefore 65 and not 64 as posted yesterday).
I thought it was a good idea to support the band, so I decided to buy the EP (and a copy for my "Swiss Connection"), but if you want to save your money, you can download the EP and three other songs for free from their webpage. I suggest that you check out the title track (Place Unknown) and Just Like U, because both of them are pretty good songs.
I thought it was a good idea to support the band, so I decided to buy the EP (and a copy for my "Swiss Connection"), but if you want to save your money, you can download the EP and three other songs for free from their webpage. I suggest that you check out the title track (Place Unknown) and Just Like U, because both of them are pretty good songs.
June 27, 2005
A breakdown of 2005 so far
I've bought 64 CD's (61 Albums + 3 EP's) meaning that I now am the owner of more that 1000 albums on CD.
20 of the albums are 2005 releases. (A good guess is that 41 albums are older ones!)
6 albums are by Danish artists (and 3 by Swedish artists).
I think that the best album I've bought in 2005 is the debut by The Stone Roses. Other really good ones are After the Gold Rush by Neil Young, The Queen is Dead by The Smiths and Funeral by The Arcade Fire.
The best album released in 2005 (of the ones I've bought) is probably Pretty In Black by The Raveonettes and the worst (or the one I like the least) is Silent Alarm by Bloc Party.
Candidates for best album of 2005 include Kent, Coldplay, Sensuous, Figurines, Moi Caprice and Bright Eyes.
Oasis are the biggest surprise, because Don't Believe the Truth is much better than I expected. Doves are (unfortunately) the negative surprise, because, even though Some Cities is a fairly good album, it is not nearly as great as I hoped!
I've been to 4 concerts (not a lot - but a whole lot more than the last few years). As a comparison I've been to the cinema just once!
I've "discovered" (started to like) Bob Dylan, Interpol, Neil Young and Iron & Wine (just to mention a few).
Audioscrobbler has revealed to me that I like Pink Floyd a whole lot more than I thought!
The participation in a CD swap introduced me to The Lucksmiths and Of Montreal.
I've listened to more music the past 6 months than I've ever done before in my life (approximately 60 songs or 5 albums a day).
20 of the albums are 2005 releases. (A good guess is that 41 albums are older ones!)
6 albums are by Danish artists (and 3 by Swedish artists).
I think that the best album I've bought in 2005 is the debut by The Stone Roses. Other really good ones are After the Gold Rush by Neil Young, The Queen is Dead by The Smiths and Funeral by The Arcade Fire.
The best album released in 2005 (of the ones I've bought) is probably Pretty In Black by The Raveonettes and the worst (or the one I like the least) is Silent Alarm by Bloc Party.
Candidates for best album of 2005 include Kent, Coldplay, Sensuous, Figurines, Moi Caprice and Bright Eyes.
Oasis are the biggest surprise, because Don't Believe the Truth is much better than I expected. Doves are (unfortunately) the negative surprise, because, even though Some Cities is a fairly good album, it is not nearly as great as I hoped!
I've been to 4 concerts (not a lot - but a whole lot more than the last few years). As a comparison I've been to the cinema just once!
I've "discovered" (started to like) Bob Dylan, Interpol, Neil Young and Iron & Wine (just to mention a few).
Audioscrobbler has revealed to me that I like Pink Floyd a whole lot more than I thought!
The participation in a CD swap introduced me to The Lucksmiths and Of Montreal.
I've listened to more music the past 6 months than I've ever done before in my life (approximately 60 songs or 5 albums a day).
Nothing new under the sun! Tjeklisten is still a joke, but since Doves are one of the candidates for next week's list, I decided it was a good idea to vote nonetheless. It would be great to see them enter the chart, but chances are way below zero, because people in Denmark who enjoy bands like Doves certainly aren't listening to that radio program!
I voted for the following 5 songs:
Doves: Snowden
Coldplay: Speed of Sound
Karen: Undtagelsen (trivia of the day - 20 years ago Karen lived in the house next door to me)
Carpark North: Best Day
Tears: Lovers
I voted for the following 5 songs:
Doves: Snowden
Coldplay: Speed of Sound
Karen: Undtagelsen (trivia of the day - 20 years ago Karen lived in the house next door to me)
Carpark North: Best Day
Tears: Lovers
June 23, 2005
My "Swiss connection" has sent me 8 new (or at least unknown) songs today. Too many to mention, but 5 of them have already made their way onto my playlist/current favorites list.
Non-music-contents
I scored 2 goals in last night's football/soccer game and only missed one scoring chance! If I wasn't a 100 years old (at least my body feels like that today), I'm certain that AC Milan, Man. Utd. etc. would be on their knees begging me to sign a contract ;-)
Non-music-contents
I scored 2 goals in last night's football/soccer game and only missed one scoring chance! If I wasn't a 100 years old (at least my body feels like that today), I'm certain that AC Milan, Man. Utd. etc. would be on their knees begging me to sign a contract ;-)
June 22, 2005
Angie Aparo: Alone
Apparently Alone was written during the recording of the album The American, but never recorded to be included on it. Instead it later appeared as an extra track on the single Spaceship.
The American is one my favorite (top 5) albums, but it has always been a mystery to me, why Angie decided not to include Alone on it. Even though that album is pretty damn close to being flawless, this song (amazingly!) would have made it even better.
Listen to Alone or watch the Spaceship video.
Apparently Alone was written during the recording of the album The American, but never recorded to be included on it. Instead it later appeared as an extra track on the single Spaceship.
The American is one my favorite (top 5) albums, but it has always been a mystery to me, why Angie decided not to include Alone on it. Even though that album is pretty damn close to being flawless, this song (amazingly!) would have made it even better.
Listen to Alone or watch the Spaceship video.
The Magnetic Fields: 69 Love Songs
I've read a lot of positive things about this 1999 release, so when I found this 3 CD album at the library a couple of months back, there was no doubt that I had to borrow it.
69 songs is a lot, which made me a bit reluctant/skeptical in the beginning, because most artists have problems writing just 12 good songs for an album. So what was this guy (Stephin Merritt) thinking, when he believed that he could write 69 songs for just one album?
Though there obviously are weak moments on the album (anything else would be a real surprise), this idea/project/concept works out pretty well. Most of the songs have strong melodies and with several guest vocalists helping out you get an unexpected variety in the performance of the songs.
The songs run for a total of 2 hours and 52 minutes, which is exactly 2 minutes and 30 minutes per song. So maybe "69 Short Love Songs" would have been a more appropriate album title?
As you might have guessed I do not own a copy of this brilliant album (a ripped copy doesn't make me the owner), but this will surely change in the near future.
A couple of standout tracks:
Come Back from San Francisco
The Death of Ferdinand de Saussure
The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side
I've read a lot of positive things about this 1999 release, so when I found this 3 CD album at the library a couple of months back, there was no doubt that I had to borrow it.
69 songs is a lot, which made me a bit reluctant/skeptical in the beginning, because most artists have problems writing just 12 good songs for an album. So what was this guy (Stephin Merritt) thinking, when he believed that he could write 69 songs for just one album?
Though there obviously are weak moments on the album (anything else would be a real surprise), this idea/project/concept works out pretty well. Most of the songs have strong melodies and with several guest vocalists helping out you get an unexpected variety in the performance of the songs.
The songs run for a total of 2 hours and 52 minutes, which is exactly 2 minutes and 30 minutes per song. So maybe "69 Short Love Songs" would have been a more appropriate album title?
As you might have guessed I do not own a copy of this brilliant album (a ripped copy doesn't make me the owner), but this will surely change in the near future.
A couple of standout tracks:
Come Back from San Francisco
The Death of Ferdinand de Saussure
The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side
June 21, 2005
Maybe it's just me, but I feel there's a kind of vacuum in the (my) world of music right now. No interesting album releases around the corner (August might have some potential). No interesting tour dates are revealed and I'm still impatiently waiting for Coldplay and Doves to announce that they will visit Denmark this year. And after all i'ts not exactly "breaking news" that Carpark North will play in my hometown in September, though I will definitely go see them.
No new releases obviously means that I should have more time to listen to some of the albums I've bought so far this year (61 to be exact, so there is plenty of catching up to do), but once you've gotten used to the steady stream of interesting new releases, you want it to continue.
Of course this could also be a hint that I should spend more time outdoors with the family, now that summer is here?
However there are lots of rumors floating around about bands recording or writing songs for their next album, so maybe there is a chance that the rest of 2005 will be just as interesting as the year so far?
No new releases obviously means that I should have more time to listen to some of the albums I've bought so far this year (61 to be exact, so there is plenty of catching up to do), but once you've gotten used to the steady stream of interesting new releases, you want it to continue.
Of course this could also be a hint that I should spend more time outdoors with the family, now that summer is here?
However there are lots of rumors floating around about bands recording or writing songs for their next album, so maybe there is a chance that the rest of 2005 will be just as interesting as the year so far?
Check out these brilliant songs by The Hourly Radio:
Deaf Ears
Closer
Links found via ("stolen from") Torr.
Deaf Ears
Closer
Links found via ("stolen from") Torr.
June 20, 2005
Monday ramblings (I'll post something, whenever I can think of something):
Try listen to Hardest Part by Coldplay. I guess this is what Keane with guitars would sound like? According to this article Keane will make their second album "more raw and funky". Maybe they will add guitars after all?
912 Danes are signed up as users at Audioscrobbler. Still think that far more should sign up!
I listened to Lost Souls and The Last Broadcast by Doves last week with rather mixed emotions. Emotions were mixed because both albums are brilliant and (unfortunately) make Some Cities look really pale.
My "Swiss Connection" has sent me a copy of yet another new song by Mew (since he refers to me as his "Danish Supplier", I'm beginning to worry that we will catch the attention of the drug police!!). The song is called Why Are You Looking Grave? and after 4 listens I still don't know what to think, but I'm not very impressed!
Try listen to Hardest Part by Coldplay. I guess this is what Keane with guitars would sound like? According to this article Keane will make their second album "more raw and funky". Maybe they will add guitars after all?
912 Danes are signed up as users at Audioscrobbler. Still think that far more should sign up!
I listened to Lost Souls and The Last Broadcast by Doves last week with rather mixed emotions. Emotions were mixed because both albums are brilliant and (unfortunately) make Some Cities look really pale.
My "Swiss Connection" has sent me a copy of yet another new song by Mew (since he refers to me as his "Danish Supplier", I'm beginning to worry that we will catch the attention of the drug police!!). The song is called Why Are You Looking Grave? and after 4 listens I still don't know what to think, but I'm not very impressed!
June 19, 2005
It's been a great summer day today! There hasn't been much time for listening to any music, but the radio was on this afternoon, so I could listen to Tjeklisten.
Of course Sensuous was not voted onto the list. Check out some of the other new entries. What a joke!
I'm absolutely no fan of Depeche Mode, but if I'm able to get tickets for the concert in Parken on 25 February next year I will definitely go! I've seen them 3 times so far (1986,93,98) and all 3 concerts were actually pretty good.
Of course Sensuous was not voted onto the list. Check out some of the other new entries. What a joke!
I'm absolutely no fan of Depeche Mode, but if I'm able to get tickets for the concert in Parken on 25 February next year I will definitely go! I've seen them 3 times so far (1986,93,98) and all 3 concerts were actually pretty good.
June 17, 2005
It's been a couple of days since I posted anything about my new favorite band Sensuous, so here we go again!
The more I listen to the album (Wide Awake in Copenhagen) the less understandable it becomes, why it is not a big seller. It really is a very fine album and I still very much recommend that you visit the website and listen to a few (or all) of the songs.
If you only have a few minutes make sure that you (at least) listen to Stay and Down (my two favorite tracks on the album), though Sunshine Baby and Don't Go are very much worth a listen as well!
The band also has a site at Soundvenue, where you can listen to (and download) 5 of their songs (3 album and 2 non-album songs), though I believe those are demo-versions.
The more I listen to the album (Wide Awake in Copenhagen) the less understandable it becomes, why it is not a big seller. It really is a very fine album and I still very much recommend that you visit the website and listen to a few (or all) of the songs.
If you only have a few minutes make sure that you (at least) listen to Stay and Down (my two favorite tracks on the album), though Sunshine Baby and Don't Go are very much worth a listen as well!
The band also has a site at Soundvenue, where you can listen to (and download) 5 of their songs (3 album and 2 non-album songs), though I believe those are demo-versions.
June 16, 2005
A friend (my "Swiss connection") sent me a copy of the song Other Side of the World by Scottish singer KT Tunstall. Strange name but definitely a very good song! Worth checking out!
To return the favor I sent him (the very beautiful) Through Loopholes with Love by Moi Caprice. He replied "the song blew me away" and he has now ordered the album You Can't Say No Forever. I guess my point is that file sharing isn't necessarily a bad thing!
In his blog Anders claims that Human by Carpark North and My Sharona by The Knack are more or less identical. I've often thought so myself, so obviously I think he has a good point there!
I'm seriously thinking of ordering the EP by Norton. I've listened to Ladybug 17 (and still counting) times so far and it's absolutely brilliant!
If you have a couple of minutes to spare I recommend that you try to listen to Sense. The flow of new and talented Danish bands seems endless! Good stuff!
Non-music-contents
Last night I scored my first goal in a football/soccer game for nearly two years. I also missed a couple of great scoring chances (if you are very strict, you could say that I missed 4), but we won 8-2 so it didn't really matter in the end! This is probably the reason why the coach won't let me play striker more often. I really should know, shouldn't I? - After all - I'm the coach!
To return the favor I sent him (the very beautiful) Through Loopholes with Love by Moi Caprice. He replied "the song blew me away" and he has now ordered the album You Can't Say No Forever. I guess my point is that file sharing isn't necessarily a bad thing!
In his blog Anders claims that Human by Carpark North and My Sharona by The Knack are more or less identical. I've often thought so myself, so obviously I think he has a good point there!
I'm seriously thinking of ordering the EP by Norton. I've listened to Ladybug 17 (and still counting) times so far and it's absolutely brilliant!
If you have a couple of minutes to spare I recommend that you try to listen to Sense. The flow of new and talented Danish bands seems endless! Good stuff!
Non-music-contents
Last night I scored my first goal in a football/soccer game for nearly two years. I also missed a couple of great scoring chances (if you are very strict, you could say that I missed 4), but we won 8-2 so it didn't really matter in the end! This is probably the reason why the coach won't let me play striker more often. I really should know, shouldn't I? - After all - I'm the coach!
June 15, 2005
I've added these two great songs to the free songs list:
Malakai: Just a Man
Norton: Ladybug
Two upcoming bands with lots of potential. Both have been "Music talent of the month" at Musiktalent.dk.
Malakai: Just a Man
Norton: Ladybug
Two upcoming bands with lots of potential. Both have been "Music talent of the month" at Musiktalent.dk.
It's too late now :-(
Vote for Sensuous!!
Go to the home of Tjeklisten (Danish radio program) and send an e-mail with your 5 favorite tracks from the list. I obviously think that you should pick Sunshine Baby as one of the songs!
Remember to write your name and address (I even think that you can win some kind of prize)!
Today (Tuesday) is the last chance!!!
Vote for Sensuous!!
Go to the home of Tjeklisten (Danish radio program) and send an e-mail with your 5 favorite tracks from the list. I obviously think that you should pick Sunshine Baby as one of the songs!
Remember to write your name and address (I even think that you can win some kind of prize)!
Today (Tuesday) is the last chance!!!
June 14, 2005
Last night I received an e-mail recommending a LA-based band called She Wants Revenge. Attached to the e-mail was a MP3 file of a song by the band called Out of Control, so there really was no excuse for not checking them out.
As it turned out I immediately liked the song, which then quickly led me to download another song - Sister - by the band.
Like many other bands these days they have definitely listened more than once to several 80's albums and they have clearly been inspired by the "dark" sound of bands like Depeche Mode, Sisters of Mercy, The Cure etc.
Despite of this the band still has its own "freshness" (the e-mail described them as "playing new wave alt-pop with a totally modern flavor") and it should be really interesting to listen to a full length album by these guys.
As it turned out I immediately liked the song, which then quickly led me to download another song - Sister - by the band.
Like many other bands these days they have definitely listened more than once to several 80's albums and they have clearly been inspired by the "dark" sound of bands like Depeche Mode, Sisters of Mercy, The Cure etc.
Despite of this the band still has its own "freshness" (the e-mail described them as "playing new wave alt-pop with a totally modern flavor") and it should be really interesting to listen to a full length album by these guys.
June 13, 2005
Another couple of songs worth checking out are Chinese Fairytale and Sweetheart by (yet another) Danish band Tiger Baby.
Last week I tried to promote the Danish band Sensuous (I will continue doing this), but obviously (or luckily) there are other Danish bands worth mentioning.
One of those bands is the very talented EPO-555. It's hard for me to recommend their webpage because it's rather chaotic, rarely updated and in Danish only. However you can download a couple of their songs there, so nonetheless I suggest you visit it.
At Geek Culture you can download the beautiful Pioneers/Sugar For The War Machine for free and at Soundvenue you can get the fantastic Le Beat's on Fire for free as well.
One of those bands is the very talented EPO-555. It's hard for me to recommend their webpage because it's rather chaotic, rarely updated and in Danish only. However you can download a couple of their songs there, so nonetheless I suggest you visit it.
At Geek Culture you can download the beautiful Pioneers/Sugar For The War Machine for free and at Soundvenue you can get the fantastic Le Beat's on Fire for free as well.
June 11, 2005
June 10, 2005
It's been a while, but the April issue this year of Q Magazine was pretty cool. It included "The Ultimate Music Collection" (divided into genres) according to the magazine. An extra feature was that you could check how close you were to owning this collection.
I think my collection is pretty OK, so I started ticking the boxes and expected a pretty good score. Imagine my disappointment when the final verdict was "Is that all? You've got a long way to go".
Of course I knew that I would be in trouble, because I don't like Rap, Soul and Reggae at all and you can hardly call me a fan of Heavy Metal or Punk. Needless to say I did pretty well in the Rock and Indie sections, but not nearly well enough to be judged a "fully fledged music expert".
So whenever I've had the time (downloading takes time) and money, I've done my best to improve my score. I've bought some of the albums I should have checked out a long time ago like Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, My Bloody Valentine etc., but I've also checked out several of the songs they recommended, which I didn't know already.
There are still plenty of songs to choose from, but among the new (at least to me) and great ones were these:
Teenage Fanclub: Neil Jung
Led Zeppelin: Kashmir
Galaxie 500: Blue Thunder
Pavement: Cut Your Hair
Death In Vegas: Hands Around My Throat
The Walkmen: The Rat
I think my collection is pretty OK, so I started ticking the boxes and expected a pretty good score. Imagine my disappointment when the final verdict was "Is that all? You've got a long way to go".
Of course I knew that I would be in trouble, because I don't like Rap, Soul and Reggae at all and you can hardly call me a fan of Heavy Metal or Punk. Needless to say I did pretty well in the Rock and Indie sections, but not nearly well enough to be judged a "fully fledged music expert".
So whenever I've had the time (downloading takes time) and money, I've done my best to improve my score. I've bought some of the albums I should have checked out a long time ago like Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, My Bloody Valentine etc., but I've also checked out several of the songs they recommended, which I didn't know already.
There are still plenty of songs to choose from, but among the new (at least to me) and great ones were these:
Teenage Fanclub: Neil Jung
Led Zeppelin: Kashmir
Galaxie 500: Blue Thunder
Pavement: Cut Your Hair
Death In Vegas: Hands Around My Throat
The Walkmen: The Rat
Apparently Depeche Mode and Radiohead are in the studio recording!
Do I care? Not really, though I'll undoubtedly buy the Radiohead album.
I'd much rather learn that Pink Floyd were recording (well, they will reunite for Live 8, so you never know?)!
Do I care? Not really, though I'll undoubtedly buy the Radiohead album.
I'd much rather learn that Pink Floyd were recording (well, they will reunite for Live 8, so you never know?)!
I guess this blog is getting less and less interesting to read (I'm probably kidding myself believing that it has ever been interesting to anyone!?). The past week all my focus has been on the following 3 bands:
Sensuous
Mew
Coldplay
I still strongly recommend that you visit the internet home of Sensuous and listen to a couple of songs. They are definitely worth your time.
At first I didn't know what to think of Apocalypso - the new Mew single. It really took some time for me getting into it, but right now I think it's great and I'm playing it over and over again (have my own rather decent copy of the song now!).
The more I listen to the Coldplay album the less I understand all the critics, because it is a really great album. As I've written before it's not innovative in any way, but to me the band has never sounded any better. At least not throughout an entire album.
Guess it's time to move on now?
Sensuous
Mew
Coldplay
I still strongly recommend that you visit the internet home of Sensuous and listen to a couple of songs. They are definitely worth your time.
At first I didn't know what to think of Apocalypso - the new Mew single. It really took some time for me getting into it, but right now I think it's great and I'm playing it over and over again (have my own rather decent copy of the song now!).
The more I listen to the Coldplay album the less I understand all the critics, because it is a really great album. As I've written before it's not innovative in any way, but to me the band has never sounded any better. At least not throughout an entire album.
Guess it's time to move on now?
June 9, 2005
Tuesday I finally got a copy of the debut album (Wide Awake in Copenhagen) by the Danish band Sensuous. More than 2 months have gone since I originally ordered the album, but for various and (maybe even) odd reasons the CD hasn't been delivered to my local CD supplier.
Tired of waiting I decided to check out a couple of CD stores in Copenhagen, when I was in the big city anyway for the Mew concert, and luckily I found it.
Having to wait that long for an album could easily build up quite a few expectations which the album wouldn't stand a chance of matching. However I've previously listened to a few songs by the band (long before the release of the album you could download songs from the bands webpage) and thus knew pretty much what to expect.
But more importantly this is (in my opinion) a really good album with plenty of highlights (Sunshine Baby, Stay, Down - just to mention a few), which easily can match the expectations you might have. Sure it may not be the most original album ever (hello Suede!), but the songwriting is very good and the singing is great, so I'm more than content.
I therefore strongly recommend that you visit their webpage and check them out by listening to a couple of the songs.
As always I'm shaking my head in disbelief wondering why music like this can't sell, while pointless compilations (NOW 1,999,999) and albums by no-talented (I wanna be a pop-star) children sell thousands and thousands of copies. Why are people so critical when it comes to buying clothes, furniture, food etc., and then settle for such poor quality when it comes to buying music? Please explain it to me if you can, because I simply don't get it!
Tired of waiting I decided to check out a couple of CD stores in Copenhagen, when I was in the big city anyway for the Mew concert, and luckily I found it.
Having to wait that long for an album could easily build up quite a few expectations which the album wouldn't stand a chance of matching. However I've previously listened to a few songs by the band (long before the release of the album you could download songs from the bands webpage) and thus knew pretty much what to expect.
But more importantly this is (in my opinion) a really good album with plenty of highlights (Sunshine Baby, Stay, Down - just to mention a few), which easily can match the expectations you might have. Sure it may not be the most original album ever (hello Suede!), but the songwriting is very good and the singing is great, so I'm more than content.
I therefore strongly recommend that you visit their webpage and check them out by listening to a couple of the songs.
As always I'm shaking my head in disbelief wondering why music like this can't sell, while pointless compilations (NOW 1,999,999) and albums by no-talented (I wanna be a pop-star) children sell thousands and thousands of copies. Why are people so critical when it comes to buying clothes, furniture, food etc., and then settle for such poor quality when it comes to buying music? Please explain it to me if you can, because I simply don't get it!
Apparently lots of people find my blog, because they are searching for the new Mew single - Apocalypso.
This link won't give you the file, but at least it gives you the opportunity to listen to the song.
This link won't give you the file, but at least it gives you the opportunity to listen to the song.
June 8, 2005
I went to the Mew concert last night with my ol' colleague Mikkel. We had a good time, drinking a couple of beers (don't drink and drive, so I just had two small ones) and (more importantly) eating a huge plate of Shawarma (obviously this was before the concert).
The atmosphere at the concert was very intense and you quickly got the feeling that this was fans "only" concert (the concert was announced only on the Mew mailing list).
Musically the concert was somewhat of a bumpy ride, because the set list was a mix of old and new songs (from the unreleased album). It's always very difficult to hear songs for the first time at a concert and even though people really tried to be enthusiastic about the new material (the songs actually sounded OK), it definitely was the old songs like Am I Wry? No and Snow Brigade that made the place rock. They closed the show with a terrific version of the wonderful Comforting Sounds, which on its own can turn any concert into a fantastic experience.
Before the concert I did a little shopping and among things I found a DVD copy of my favorite movie; Local Hero ("There are two g's in bugger off!"). I also bought the following 5 albums (4 of them at a very low price) which have been added to my CD-Collection:
Collective Soul: Hints, Allegations & Things Left Unsaid
Love: Forever Changes (Remastered and Expanded)
Marah: Float Away With The Friday Night Gods
Winther-John: Grow
and finally (it's been quite a struggle getting this one)
Sensuous: Wide Awake In Copenhagen
The atmosphere at the concert was very intense and you quickly got the feeling that this was fans "only" concert (the concert was announced only on the Mew mailing list).
Musically the concert was somewhat of a bumpy ride, because the set list was a mix of old and new songs (from the unreleased album). It's always very difficult to hear songs for the first time at a concert and even though people really tried to be enthusiastic about the new material (the songs actually sounded OK), it definitely was the old songs like Am I Wry? No and Snow Brigade that made the place rock. They closed the show with a terrific version of the wonderful Comforting Sounds, which on its own can turn any concert into a fantastic experience.
Before the concert I did a little shopping and among things I found a DVD copy of my favorite movie; Local Hero ("There are two g's in bugger off!"). I also bought the following 5 albums (4 of them at a very low price) which have been added to my CD-Collection:
Collective Soul: Hints, Allegations & Things Left Unsaid
Love: Forever Changes (Remastered and Expanded)
Marah: Float Away With The Friday Night Gods
Winther-John: Grow
and finally (it's been quite a struggle getting this one)
Sensuous: Wide Awake In Copenhagen
June 7, 2005
New album added to my CD-Collection:
Coldplay: X&Y
Finally it's here - the most talked about release of 2005.
It doesn't take many listens to realize that the album by no means is groundbreaking, earthshaking or the next epic album that we're going to talk about for years. Simply put it's just another Coldplay album, on which the band sounds very much like they've always done. But unlike most critics and music fans in general, who are more than willing to bash the band whenever the opportunity arises, I really don't mind this at all and honestly think that this is a very fine album indeed.
You can always claim that any of the two first albums was better because of whatever reason you might want to come up with.
I totally agree that songs like Don't Panic and In My Place were better songs than any of the new ones and that you'll be looking in vain if you want innovative stuff.
However I'm not willing to criticize the band, simply because my favorite indie act has become mainstream and is selling millions and millions of albums. I'm even more unlikely to blame them for using the same successful formula as before to secure that they will sell another +10 million copies of the new one. Wouldn't you? I don't know if this is the (only) motive why so many people are turning their backs against the band, but I can't help thinking that this is a major reason.
And there is no way that I'm going to blame the band, because I was so bloody naive that I "bought" the marketing strategy of the record company and believed that the album was going to be ever so fantastic.
If I have to complain about something I think it's a shame that Talk was re-worked, because the first version was excellent.
Wearing my neutral glasses (or hearing aid) and trying to ignore the expectations I had, I really can't understand why anyone would claim that the band has lost its "touch". The album does contain several very good songs and the weak moments on X&Y are few and far between. As written above you can always claim that this really great song you were hoping for is absent and that this album unfortunately wasn't the one that took the band (or music in general) to the next level.
But when comparing the album to the previous releases (which probably is the right thing to do), I'm currently of the opinion that this is their most "complete" release so far, which leaves me more than satisfied.
Whether or not this means that the album will stand the test time of time like the previous ones is obviously another story
Coldplay: X&Y
Finally it's here - the most talked about release of 2005.
It doesn't take many listens to realize that the album by no means is groundbreaking, earthshaking or the next epic album that we're going to talk about for years. Simply put it's just another Coldplay album, on which the band sounds very much like they've always done. But unlike most critics and music fans in general, who are more than willing to bash the band whenever the opportunity arises, I really don't mind this at all and honestly think that this is a very fine album indeed.
You can always claim that any of the two first albums was better because of whatever reason you might want to come up with.
I totally agree that songs like Don't Panic and In My Place were better songs than any of the new ones and that you'll be looking in vain if you want innovative stuff.
However I'm not willing to criticize the band, simply because my favorite indie act has become mainstream and is selling millions and millions of albums. I'm even more unlikely to blame them for using the same successful formula as before to secure that they will sell another +10 million copies of the new one. Wouldn't you? I don't know if this is the (only) motive why so many people are turning their backs against the band, but I can't help thinking that this is a major reason.
And there is no way that I'm going to blame the band, because I was so bloody naive that I "bought" the marketing strategy of the record company and believed that the album was going to be ever so fantastic.
If I have to complain about something I think it's a shame that Talk was re-worked, because the first version was excellent.
Wearing my neutral glasses (or hearing aid) and trying to ignore the expectations I had, I really can't understand why anyone would claim that the band has lost its "touch". The album does contain several very good songs and the weak moments on X&Y are few and far between. As written above you can always claim that this really great song you were hoping for is absent and that this album unfortunately wasn't the one that took the band (or music in general) to the next level.
But when comparing the album to the previous releases (which probably is the right thing to do), I'm currently of the opinion that this is their most "complete" release so far, which leaves me more than satisfied.
Whether or not this means that the album will stand the test time of time like the previous ones is obviously another story
June 6, 2005
5 new albums added to my CD-Collection:
Doves: Lost Sides
Abba: Arrival
My Bloody Valentine: Loveless
Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon
Kim Larsen: Vaersgo
These 5 new additions close a couple of the worst "holes" in my collection (which now includes exactly 1000 albums).
Later today I will pick up the new Coldplay album. I'm probably not the only one who's really looking forward to listening to the most hyped album of the year so far?
I heard (part of) the new single Apocalypso by Mew for the first time on the radio this morning. It sounded unmistakably like Mew, which is rather OK I guess? I have tickets for the so-called "secret concert" in Vega tomorrow night, which should give me an idea of what to expect of the new album, which (hopefully) will be released in September.
Doves: Lost Sides
Abba: Arrival
My Bloody Valentine: Loveless
Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon
Kim Larsen: Vaersgo
These 5 new additions close a couple of the worst "holes" in my collection (which now includes exactly 1000 albums).
Later today I will pick up the new Coldplay album. I'm probably not the only one who's really looking forward to listening to the most hyped album of the year so far?
I heard (part of) the new single Apocalypso by Mew for the first time on the radio this morning. It sounded unmistakably like Mew, which is rather OK I guess? I have tickets for the so-called "secret concert" in Vega tomorrow night, which should give me an idea of what to expect of the new album, which (hopefully) will be released in September.
June 2, 2005
Most played songs (at work)
December 04 - May 05:
1. Interpol: Take You On A Cruise
2. Kent: 400 slag
3. New Order: Krafty
4. Fans Of Kate: Tape 23
5. OMD: Of All The Things We're Made
6. The Lucksmiths: The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco
7. Kent: Du är Ånga
8. Fans Of Kate: Brief Guide To Coward Rock (Demo)
9. Moi Caprice: To The Lighthouse
10. Kent: Den Döda Vinkeln
11. Iron & Wine: Upward Over The Moutain
12. The Dresden Dolls: The Jeep Song
13. Kent: Palace & Main
14. Grandaddy: Now It's On
15. Kent: Du Var Min Armé
December 04 - May 05:
1. Interpol: Take You On A Cruise
2. Kent: 400 slag
3. New Order: Krafty
4. Fans Of Kate: Tape 23
5. OMD: Of All The Things We're Made
6. The Lucksmiths: The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco
7. Kent: Du är Ånga
8. Fans Of Kate: Brief Guide To Coward Rock (Demo)
9. Moi Caprice: To The Lighthouse
10. Kent: Den Döda Vinkeln
11. Iron & Wine: Upward Over The Moutain
12. The Dresden Dolls: The Jeep Song
13. Kent: Palace & Main
14. Grandaddy: Now It's On
15. Kent: Du Var Min Armé
June 1, 2005
Well what do you know? The number of tracks played (Audioscrobbler) has reached 7500, so it's time for yet another statistical update.
Summed up I've played 7535 tracks by 478 different artists. Since 12 May the number is 1264 tracks by 204 artists.
Top 15 artists for the period 12 May - 1 June:
1. Iron & Wine (66 plays)
1. Figurines (66)
3. The Lightning Seeds (64)
4. Moi Caprice (58)
5. Pink Floyd (51)
6. Oasis (44)
7. Bob Dylan (41)
8. The Lucksmiths (35)
9. Interpol (32)
10. The Stone Roses (30)
11. Velvet Underground (29)
12. The Magnetic Fields (27)
13. The Radio Dept. (25)
14. Angie Aparo (20)
14. Aaron McMullan (20)
Compared to the last update 12 May I've played 533 tracks fewer (1264 compared to 1797), but by 1 more artist! (204 compared to 203). I guess the only logic conclusion to this is that no artist or album has really caught my attention the last 20 days?
I will post another update in the beginning of July and continue doing this once a month! A sure bet is that Coldplay will top that list!
Summed up I've played 7535 tracks by 478 different artists. Since 12 May the number is 1264 tracks by 204 artists.
Top 15 artists for the period 12 May - 1 June:
1. Iron & Wine (66 plays)
1. Figurines (66)
3. The Lightning Seeds (64)
4. Moi Caprice (58)
5. Pink Floyd (51)
6. Oasis (44)
7. Bob Dylan (41)
8. The Lucksmiths (35)
9. Interpol (32)
10. The Stone Roses (30)
11. Velvet Underground (29)
12. The Magnetic Fields (27)
13. The Radio Dept. (25)
14. Angie Aparo (20)
14. Aaron McMullan (20)
Compared to the last update 12 May I've played 533 tracks fewer (1264 compared to 1797), but by 1 more artist! (204 compared to 203). I guess the only logic conclusion to this is that no artist or album has really caught my attention the last 20 days?
I will post another update in the beginning of July and continue doing this once a month! A sure bet is that Coldplay will top that list!
3 new albums added to my CD-Collection:
Oasis: Don't Believe the Truth
Stars: Set Yourself on Fire
The Stone Roses: The Stone Roses (US Release)
I decided to buy the new Oasis album even though reviews have been mixed and I (like everyone else it seems) don't like the previous 3 albums. More than 9 years have gone since the release of Morning Glory and we're still waiting for a decent follow-up! Surprise, surprise. First listen and this doesn't sound bad at all. Second listen and the album is definitely growing. I guess having no expectations really helps the album?
I simply had to buy the US version of The Stone Roses debut album, because I was very disappointed when I realized that the UK version I bought earlier this year didn't include Fools Gold. When picking up the album yesterday I had a short discussion with the owner of the shop. We were wondering why the record companies decide to release different versions of the same album. Is it simply because of greed (hardcore fans will have to buy multiple copies) or? It really didn't make sense to us!
The Stars album has received excellent reviews and is highly rated wherever I turn. The marvellous Elevator Love Letter aside the previous album Heart didn't exactly convince me of the bands qualities. Maybe that will change now?
Oasis: Don't Believe the Truth
Stars: Set Yourself on Fire
The Stone Roses: The Stone Roses (US Release)
I decided to buy the new Oasis album even though reviews have been mixed and I (like everyone else it seems) don't like the previous 3 albums. More than 9 years have gone since the release of Morning Glory and we're still waiting for a decent follow-up! Surprise, surprise. First listen and this doesn't sound bad at all. Second listen and the album is definitely growing. I guess having no expectations really helps the album?
I simply had to buy the US version of The Stone Roses debut album, because I was very disappointed when I realized that the UK version I bought earlier this year didn't include Fools Gold. When picking up the album yesterday I had a short discussion with the owner of the shop. We were wondering why the record companies decide to release different versions of the same album. Is it simply because of greed (hardcore fans will have to buy multiple copies) or? It really didn't make sense to us!
The Stars album has received excellent reviews and is highly rated wherever I turn. The marvellous Elevator Love Letter aside the previous album Heart didn't exactly convince me of the bands qualities. Maybe that will change now?
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