Sitting on a park bench in London, I raise my face and let my tired skin bask in the warmth of the sun. Could it finally be Spring? The birds are singing sweetly in the branches and dew glistens like tiny gems sprinkled over the grass. I have a sudden urge to get up and run like a mad man across the green, arms outspread like a plane. Unfortunately my limbs aren’t playing ball. It takes a lot of effort just to reach up and rub my sore temples in reconciliation for drinking too much last night.
Because I’m so hung-over, it takes some time for me to realise that there is something very small and white hopping and bounding up the path towards me. I blink several times, desperately trying to lubricate my dry eyes. I squeeze them shut and rub them hard for a few seconds.
My eyelids flash open and focus in a white rabbit with large worrisome eyes, lilywhite fur and a herringbone waistcoat with gold buttons. Strangest of all the rabbit is muttering to himself and staring intently at an iPod adorned with hearts.
‘I’m terribly, terribly late! Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. The Queen will be most displeased with me...’The poor thing suddenly realises I’m sat there, watching on in total disbelief (I’m never drinking Vermouth again). He lets out a high pitched squeal, drops the iPod and disappears down a hole hidden at the bottom of a large tree.
‘Silly rabbit,' I mutter as I reach over to pick up the iPod and earphones. My stomach lurches and I topple back onto the wooden bench. The screen on the iPod lights up and I place the earphones in my ears (I hope I don’t get ticks). I close my eyes, taking in the glory of the Spring sun and listen on...
Alice’s Theme by Danny ElfmanDanny Elfman is responsible for some of the most beautiful and haunting scores in Hollywood having written music for
Edward Scissorhands,
Beetlejuice and
Batman. This track from the new
Alice In Wonderland movie is a return to form for the long time Tim Burton collaborator, having produced rather half hearted scores in recent years. A stirring mix of female choral harmonies, whirlwind strings and bold brass beckons the listener to ask the question ‘Alice dear, where have you been?’
The Walking Dead by Weird TapesNowhere near as gothic as the title suggests,
The Walking Dead is a sprightly electro track in a similar vein to
Crystal Castles. Perfect for strutting along garden paths or sipping on lemonade whilst watching
Skins on Channel 4 OD. Listen at
http://www.last.fm/music/Weird+Tapes/_/12+The+Walking+DeadFrost Satellite by Radiant DragonJust what the doctor ordered. I would heartily recommend listening to this track whilst collapsing in a field full of hay and watching the clouds roll by. Oh, you live in the city? Ok, try spread eagling on your bed instead whilst soaking up the dreamy vocals of London based Ming Long. Follow him at
http://radiantdragon.blogspot.com/Postcards From Italy by Florence and the Machine
Never heard of this artist. Don’t think she’ll amount to much. It’s the B side to her 2008 single,
Kiss With A Fist and it’s a cover. Anyway give this rare track a listen to...but only out of moral support mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p5l6tRzpD8Rocket (Richard X One Zero Remix) by GoldfrappRichard X bloody loves the eighties, so it’s no wonder he’s remixed the nostalgic sounds of
Goldfrapp’s new single
Rocket. The new album
Head First is out on March 22nd but you can download this remix for free at
www.amazon.co.uk/Rocket-Richard-One-Zero-Remix.
One by YeasayerThe sonic and hipper cousin to
Paul Simon’s 1986 hit ‘
You Can Call Me Al’, Yeasayer have delivered the first party track of the season. Makes me want to get Chevy Chase round to blow on my trumpet....um scrap that last line. Watch the classic Paul Simon music video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULjCSK0oOlICranberry by The Ruby SunsThe Ruby Suns are a New Zealand group that toured with
The Shins throughout Australia in 2007 (there’s an interesting fact to drop at the dinner table this evening). This psychedelic slice of indie pop sits well with the current wave of
MGMT sounding bands. Listen at
http://www.myspace.com/therubysunsNo Hassle by Robyn and Diplo
The Swedish songstress with the most...ess(!) has collaborated with dub step guru
Diplo and has given us
No Hassle, a swaggering street wise pop gem. Download at
http://kickinthepeanuts.com/?p=7135Tightrope (ft Big Boi) by Janelle MonaeIf you’re missing the heady funk of
Outkast then this is the perfect song for you. 25 year old
Janelle has the star power of
Beyonce and the dance moves of
James Brown. This will have you dancing like Tina after downing a pitcher of Red Bull. Check her out at
http://www.jmonae.com/
On Monday I listed ten songs to kick Spring into gear but with the release of MGMT’s new song Flash Delirium, I’m gonna bypass Spring and dive straight into Summer. This is a ‘delirious’ neon wave of sonic surf....it’s just bloody brilliant in less pretentious terms.
Sitting on a park bench in London, I raise my face and let my tired skin bask in the warmth of the sun. Could it finally be Spring? The birds are singing sweetly in the branches and dew glistens like tiny gems sprinkled over the grass. I have a sudden urge to get up and run like a mad man across the green, arms outspread like a plane. Unfortunately my limbs aren’t playing ball. It takes a lot of effort just to reach up and rub my sore temples in reconciliation for drinking too much last night.
