No matter how may times I have done this, it never feels right writing it in past tense. By rights, Aaliyah should still be here making groundbreaking music. You cannot deny that her second album, One In A Million just changed R&B music. It gave the contempary side of this genre the kick up the arse it rightly needed. Who do we have now? Nobody really.Well, we’ve got The Weeknd. He’s no Aaliyah, obviously but he has that futeristic style that Aaliyah had. That style we all loved and adored her for.
She was the first singer I remember being left in awe by. I remember seeing the video to Back & Forth on MTV in 1995. I was 9 years old. This, and Garbage fuelled my obsession with music. I’d study the video to Back & Forth religiously. She made me feel okay with being a tomboy. I loved how secure she was with herself, at such a young age. She just seemed like a beautiful person- not just on the outside, but inside too. This is a rare quality, and Aaliyah Dana Haughton sure had it.
She would’ve been 33 years old today. I recently had an Aaliyah tattoo done, designed by my very best friend/sister. We became friends over the passing of Aaliyah. I guess this proved that through every negative, there is a positive. Again, she has that same rare quality Aaliyah had- beautiful both inside and out.
Aaliyah’s music means so much to me, I cannot explain. It doesn’t seem right that she is gone, it never will. But we have the music. I wear my tattoo with utter pride, and I listen to her music thankful that such a person existed and taught me so much in such a short space of time.
I haven’t missed out beautifulgarbage, I wrote about that a few months ago. I decided to go through all of Garbage’s album because they’re easily one of the most important bands to me. Probably THE most important band to me. For so many reasons. Reasons which I probably won’t ever be able to put into words, because I am utterly useless with words. Anyway.
I remember the day so clearly when I went to buy Bleed Like Me in April 2005. I was in College, and I decided I’d go to my morning lessons but come lunchtime-I would leave for the afternoon. The week before I had saved my lunch money up in order to buy this album. This album was much needed at that point in my life. I had to decide if I wanted to go to Uni or not (I did, thankfully) and what I was going to do with my life. I was approaching adulthood, dragging and digging my heels into the ground. I didn’t want this; but at the same time, I didn’t want to feel how I was feeling anymore. That year and a few before I was so unhappy. I’ll never know why (maybe I do, I don’t know) but it was awful. However, the torment was worth it. It builds you up and gives you a certain kind of strength that no other could ever give you. A sense of accomplishment. Like, “If I can live through this, I can live through anything.” It’s something I cling onto when I feel the need. Most of the time, I just let it sway and carry on.
So, that Monday lunchtime I took the bus from College to town. I went straight to the G section (I was going to say spot but thought better of it) of the records, and I picked it up. I picked up Bleed Like Me. I looked at it with longing, wanting eyes. I felt as if I was buying something so sacred. Something that would change something inside of me. It did. I paid for it, and hurried to the bus stop so I could get home and listen to the record. However, with such great things comes a setback. The bus stop before my house- my mum gets on. Panic takes over me, and I start to think of an excuse. I knew that if I spoke, word vomit would just occur. So I told her the truth. I told her I skipped my afternoon lessons because I had to buy the Garbage record, and I wanted to just spend the rest of the day listening to it. Her reply? She smiled, gave me a hug and said “That’s my girl.” I was never so proud to have been so honest with anyone. My mum understands how vital music is to me. It’s on a par with oxygen. Without it; I’m dead. I’m nothing.
I remember listening to it, and just feeling so much. The intro to Bad Boyfriend caused my head to spin. The guitar thrashed my skull. I felt every pounding of the drum in my heart. My attention was then drawn onto Run Baby Run and Right Between The Eyes. Those two songs were a lifeline for a long time when this album came out. They still are now. The words to both songs are something I hold so very dear to me. The way Shirl sings, “Stay alive, my love.” It just made me feel as if she was singing it to me. That I had to just stay alive, because it wasn’t going to be this dark and awful forever. This record wasn’t as vulnerable and painful as the previous three. This record felt like a healing process. As if someone was coming to terms with life, and starting to live. That’s how I felt then about the record, and it’s how I feel about it now still. It just feels like a weight being lifted off one’s shoulders listening to this record. It gives you a sense of strength. It pulls you through.
Bleed Like Me was probably the hardest song for me to listen to. When you can identify to some of the characters that Shirl sings about, it is quite hard to take in. You see yourself differently, and you become quite cautious of how others may see you. You felt alone before with how you felt about what you did/do- then you hear this song, and it makes you see that you are not alone. There’s others out there that are bleeding the same way as you. It makes you feel less ashamed living with it because someone else is your voice. Someone else, who has lived through it, has come through and is your beacon of hope. They have given you the strength that you never thought you had. You owe it to yourself to pull through, because others will let go of your hand when it gets rocky. “Try to comprehend, that which you’ll never comprehend.” No one else gets it, no matter how hard you try to explain- they just don’t get it. They label you all kinds of things. Things that aren’t true. But Garbage know the truth; they’re speaking it for you.
Happy Home breaks my heart. It feels like a huge realisation of something. You’re going to have to decide for yourself what this is though. I love the massive instrumental euphoric build-up within the last few minutes of the song. It makes you feel so alive, and close to something. Again, you’ll have to decide what exactly. This is another favourite of mine, especially lyrically.
It’s All Over But The Crying is probably my favourite off the record. It is so heartbreaking, and you will weep your heart out to it. When Shirl sings, “Everything you think you know, baby, is wrong.” Just instantly reaches you to the very core. Lyrically, it’s one of my favourite Garbage songs. The first verse contains a lyric, that I can hand on heart say, it is the lyric I identify so much with- especially from a Garbage song. It just made me, I have no idea. I guess it saved me. This record fucking saved me : “Certain things turn ugly when you think too hard. And nagging little thoughts change into things you can’t turn off.” It is so true. It was apt in 2005, and I think it always will be. I use this line to make sure I don’t dwell on certain things. I don’t want nagging thoughts ruling my mind anymore. I use this line as a reminder. I feel as if I am in eternal debt to Shirl for this song. This record.
Metal Heart just oozes vulnerabilty, “I wish I was half as good as you think I am.” I challenge anyone to have never felt this way. I feel like it a lot of the time. I’m not afraid to admit it. Does that show strength? What does it make me? I have no idea. Maybe I have the answers buried deep down inside of me. I’m 25, I don’t need to know just yet. All I have to do is learn.
Sex Is Not The Enemy, Boys Wanna Fight, Why Don’t You Come Over are massive anthems for this record. They pour out a sense of FUCK YOU. I’VE GOT MY FREEDOM. You can’t take that from a person. You can trap their body all you want; but their mind is the thing you cannot tame or take from them. I adore every single record by Garbage, but this album for me, is like a huge release of everything negative. The healing and self acceptance started for me with this record. This record gave me the courage to go to Uni and do something for me. It gave me the chance to heal, be free and happy. I’d have been a confined mess if it wasn’t for this record. There are two lines from Right Between The Eyes that I always seem to have floating around my head :
“Why do you like to give them what they want, they like to watch you as you fall apart.” and “People kill to build you up, and they’ll stab you in the back like that.”
They’re just to simple lines that mean so much to me.
I cannot discuss this album without mentioning the lead single, Why Do You Love Me? The intro, the damn riff, the drums, the lyrics- EVERYTHING about this song made me so excited about their return in 2005. I was so so happy. This song is so fragile, and typically Garbage. The music and the lyrics are aggressive, frail and to the point. I love that Shirl has never sugarcoated her words. She hits you right in the gut. The first verse has some brilliant lyrics, ones that I have always found comforting and can stil relate to, and will probably always relate to: “I’ve done ugly things and I have made mistakes. And I am not as pretty as those girls in magazines. I am rotten to my core if they’re to be believed.” There will never come a time where I don’t feel a connection to those lyrics.
Well, I think I have written more than enough about this life changing and remarkable record. We all have that one record that means more than the world to us. This record made you feel alive when you felt so fucking dead and numb inside. The record that saved your life in ways nothing or no one else could ever come close to doing. This record (I want you to think about this record, and I want you to shut the world off- and go listen to it. In the dark, with headphones in.) This record is your life. It was the reason you kept going. It still is. This record gives you a sense of peace, and comforts you more than anything else ever has. You’d give anything to tell those who made the record what it means to you, but you may not have any way of doing so. That’s okay; just keep playing the record, and STAY ALIVE.
You can always associate certain songs or albums with specific parts of your life. Good or bad; there is a song or album that you can associate with it.
For me, Garbage are the band that I can link to anything and everything in my life. It doesn’t matter what, I can probably find a Garbage song to tie in with however or whatever I am feeling at that time. Their ability as a band to just get to the very core of human nature and the feelings we feel has always amazed. The first song I heard by them was, I think, Vow. I know it was the first video I saw. This was then followed by Stupid Girl and Only Happy When It Rains. All three of these videos just cemented my immediate love and admiration for Shirley Manson. I’ve always (jokingly, to an extent) said she was the reason why I turned out to be gay. She was probably the first female I had an insane crush on. I was just in awe and in love with how strong she was. How she would word things, her mannerisms. Her accent. Just everything. I probably also wished to be as strong and fearless as her. I probably still do. She also made it okay to feel scared and vulnerable. All things that make us human, she made it okay for me to feel them and to feel that way. I was no longer afraid of what I was feeling. Any shame I felt faded in time as I took in every single word she sang.
Their debut album, at the time didn’t really have much meaning to me as I was only 9 years old. I didn’t know anything about anything. All I knew was that I loved music, Spiderman and football. I know my favourite artists at the time were Garbage, Aaliyah, The Cure and Kraftwerk. I was the only 9 year old at my school who could name all the members of The Cure and Garbage. I’m sure the rest of my class could’ve probably told you everything and anything about the Spice Girls…were they around in 95? I can’t remember. I wasn’t a fan, so I can’t tell you.
Only Happy When It Rains later became a song that I could highly relate to. I was only content when everything was shit, because it was the only way I could focus on anything. Thankfully, I grew out of that phase. I guess you can call that teenage angst with a large dose of frustration. I could tell you what I was frustrated towards; but let’s be honest here, you don’t need to know. Unless you’re a really really close friend or a potential partner- you don’t need to ever know. The song for me, just summed up how feeling so low about yourself and life can be the most challenging thing a person can go through. I’ve never had depression, just your standard self loathing. The way in which Shirley worded topics such as depression made you feel as if you were going through it. The best thing a song-writer can do is make the listener feel as if they are part of what they are singing. If you can feel as low as the singer, they have done their job. I adore the line, “You can keep me company as long as you don’t care.” When I hear this line, I always feel a smirk emerge across my face, I have no idea why. It just happens.
As Heaven Is Wide contains one of my favourite lyrics from the album, and quite possibly one of my favourite lyrics of all time : “If God’s my witness, then God must be blind.” What is it about this line that I obsessively dig? Well, I love how simple yet straight to the point it is. You see, I don’t really believe in God or any God. I’m more on the Spiritual side. So, how can God be your witness if He maybe, doesn’t exist? If He’s not there, He can’t see it. I’m not anit-Religion at all. We all need something to believe in. Music is my Religion. I just love the line. I regard Shirl as high as Patti Smith when it comes to her songwriting. Both has this haunting poetic ability with their words and phrases. It just leaves you in awe with how they word everything. You are sucked so deeply in their world because of what they say. You never want to leave at all. You’ve got songs such as Dog’s New Tricks which has one of the most honest and brutal lines I’ve ever heard, “You make me feel so worthless.” You know of someone who makes you feel that way, right?
I love the fragility on the song Milk. For me, this shows Shirl at her most vulnerable. It’s so pure and heartbreaking. “But I’d be love and sweetness, if I had you.” Show me a line that is more open and vulnerable than that. Can you? Maybe you can. That’s okay. The whole album seems to possibly be their most open. Maybe it is because its their first LP. Milk has always meant a lot to me. I know a lot of their songs do, but this one. I don’t know. I remember first hearing it and just feeling like I was in a trance, much like how A Stroke Of Luck makes me feel. Both songs just send you into some kind of whirlwind of uncertainty and comfort. You don’t know what you are feeling exactly; but you are comforted by the fact that someone else feels the same way too.
I cannot write about this album without mentioning two songs. Queer and Stupid Girl. Where do I start. When I heard Queer, I was instantly hypnotised by the intro. As soon as Shirley started singing, I felt this wave of security take over. Like, it was okay to feel strange or be strange. It’s not a song that I can relate to as much as the others, but it has always been a favourite. “You learn to love the pain you feel.” That’s one of the many lyrics by the band that has always stayed with me from the very first listen. It’s true. People become so transfixed with how awful they feel; they learn to love feeling bad. I don’t understand, but I’ve seen it happen.
Stupid Girl, everyone loves this song. Just like everyone can relate this song to someone they know. Everyone knows someone who is so fucking attention seeking and vile with their ways to get attention. Whether it is parading around as if the world owes them or putting up the most self-centered status up on a social networking site. We all know someone who we would gladly slap due to their horrific ways. Yet, they probably know that you can see through their act. You know that their ways are so stupid; and so do they. They just want the attention because they cannot live without it. I don’t understand people who want attention at all. Why would you want people to constantly notice you? No thanks. I’ll just stay in the background and watch it all happen. Take it in and be glad I’m not the one who’s showing off like a stroppy kid at a birthday party. I loved the video to this. I loved how raw but basic it was. “You pretend you’re anything, just to be adored.” Such a bloody good line. The whole song is just perfect from start to finish.
This was the record that made me realise that music HAD to be my life. It made me realise that this band were going to be the ones responsible for getting me through Hell and back for the rest of my life. I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.
I love music that tells stories, strange tales that make you escape from mundane real life. This is probably why I love Beck Goldsmith’s work. If you’re a lazy sod, you’ll probably think “SHE SOUNDS LIKE LAURA MARLING!” I’m not a fan of Laura Marling, I’m probably the only person who isn’t. I had her first EP years ago, that was okay. But since then- I’ve not seen the appeal. However, I’m evidently wrong because everyone else seems to love her. Whatever.
Beck Goldsmith reminds me of someone, but I’m trying to work out who. It’s someone else I like dearly, but I’m really shit with names..so it has escaped me. It’s on the tip of my tongue. It’ll probably come to me as I review her record soon. None of this digital rubbish- hard CD copy, sounds better. Means more. Makes you feel part of the music too. But, I’m just an old fashioned music lover. I don’t have an i-Pod.
Her voice is so pure. I know who she reminds me of!!! It’s just come to me.. She reminds me ever so slightly of Holly Miranda, with a hint of Cat Power. She has the exact same powerr in her voice like Holly and Cat. Also like Rachael Cantu too. Basically, she sounds like the female singers I adore a hell of a lot. I’m not comparing, I’m just stating that her voice, for me personally, is as brilliant as those mentioned. Oh, and she also reminds me a bit of Beth Gibbons from Portishead. Just listen to her song The Watchers. The intro to the song is so wonderfully haunting. So far, it is my favourite song by Beck. It is also going to be featured in a Canadian Horror film sometime this year.
I love the slight ghoulish and devilish feel her music gives me. I love music that feels a bit dark and menacing. I don’t want to hear something cheery and upbeat. I don’t want to hear songs about how beautiful the sun and flowers are. I want something to scare me and make me feel like the Devil is right behind me, watching everything I do. I get this from Beck, and most artists I listen to. This is why I love Beck’s work. With first listen, from the very first note- I knew I was about to expose my ears to something truly stunning and mind-blowing. With a distorted but folky feel to her music, you cannot help but fall in love.
If I could convey my love for Garbage in an articulate manner, I would. But I can’t. I will never ever be able to fully express my love for them. They were the first band I remember being so obsessed and in love with. I remember first seeing the video to Vow and being in awe of Shirley Manson. I was only 9 or 10, but I knew I was watching something so powerful. I just knew that this band were going to be MY band. The band that started my obsession with music. The band that dragged me kicking and screaming through my teenage years.
Their second record, Version 2.0 is probably the one I hold the most emotional attachment to. It came out a few months before I entered Hell, which others may call, Secondary School. This record got me through the most awful days I could imagine. I don’t want to go into detail, but I know without this record I probably would’ve turned out worse. Or done a lot worse. I have no idea. I don’t need to think about it; I’m just glad I had this band as my only safety net.
As I’m a lot older now, I can listen to this record and appreciate it in a different way. Of course I still use the songs to pull me through when I just want to stay in bed and not be bothered by anything or anyone. I’ve always felt that Shrirley Manson was writing her songs about me. I guess we all feel like that when we feel so connected to a piece of music or a band. We feel as if they are spilling our hearts out for us because we really have no way of doing it ourselves. As I listen to songs such as Dumb, Medication and The Trick Is To Keep Breathing- it just makes me relieved that I didn’t fuck everything up completely for myself. That I used music (more importantly this record) to be the only positive thing that I could fall back on.
I will ALWAYS be able to relate Special to certain events, and certain people. We all know of someone that we used to think was so special and worthy of our love, and whatever else (I don’t mean in just a romantic sense.) But then you find out that they are just like everyone else. They lack an opinion; they follow everyone else because they have no identity. What use is that? What use is not having an opinion or just being different? I suppose people fear being true to themselves because they don’t want others to shun them. I’d rather be abandoned for staying true to myself than being appreciated by a bunch of false people with no heart. Special from the first time I heard it, immediately engraved itself upon my heart. I listen to it when certain things just make me dislike humans. It makes me see that I’m not the only one with these frustrations.
Garbage’s music always allowed me to feel comfortable with who I was/am. Like most people in the world, I’m not really a big fan of myself. I don’t mean this in a way that everyone hates me. I have no idea how anyone feels towards me. I mean it in a, like most people in the world, self-hate sometimes creeps up and causes a whirlwind of uncontrolable feelings. Obviously I’m better than I was. A whole lot better. It probably all came from accepting being gay and the like. That acceptance improved everything. There are good days, and there are bad days; like everyone else. It’s no big deal. Shirley’s words always made me feel less alone with any anger and fury I was feeling. Whether it be towards myself, or someone else. She made it okay. She still does.
What I love about Version 2.0 is that it seems more open than their debut album. Don’t get me wrong, I bloody love every single album of theirs. I’d never be able to pick a favourite without spending at least 5 hours thinking about it. It just seems impossible, but I guess I’d have to pick Version 2.0 due to it being more vulnerable and open. Songs like Medication just ooze so much despair; it just sounds like a huge plea for help. There was a time where listening to this song was just too much. There’s an acoustic version I once heard. It was enough to break one’s heart. Shirley’s voice just went tright through me. She just sound so hurt and as if she was begging to be helped. It made you want to reach out and help her. That’s the power and beauty of music.
The Trick Is To Keep Breathing and You Look So Fine are two of my favourite Garbage songs. You Look So Fine is a song anyone can link to anyone they have liked; but they may/may not like you back. You see this person standing there right in your eyeshot. They may not be able to see you. You see them looking so beautiful. You want to give them something to show you want them. What’s the most prized thing you can give to another? Your heart, metaphorically of course. You want to take away their broken heart, and give them your own. That’s how much they mean to you. That’s how much you want them. Deny it all you want, but you know you’ve felt this way before. Maybe more times than you wish to remember. It’s okay. Just don’t give yourself to anyone. You have to be sure, always.
The Trick Is To Keep Breathing is a song that just makes me feel as if Shirley is saying, ‘It’s okay. Keep breathing; it’ll all be okay.’ My feelings go deeper than that for this song but I have always struggled trying to word my feelings about this song. So, I guess I won’t even try. If I still can’t do it, I probably never will be able to. The opening verse always hits me right in the heart :
“She’s not the kind of girl, Who likes to tell the world, About the way she feels about herself. She takes a little time, In making up her mind.”
The songs on the album make you feel as if you’re not the only person to have experienced disappointment or that you’re not the only person that gets judged, or whatever. Songs like Dumb just show Shirl’s frustrations in, how a person tries to figure you out- they figure you out, and they probably wish they didn’t. It’s always the way. Some people- people cannot handle. Then they have no idea what they mean to someone nor do they know what they think. I suppose it is just human nature.
I adore the honesty on Wicked Ways. “Lord knows I tried to be good. I’d keep my promises, if only I could.” We’ve all felt that way. We are all capable of doing bad things. Some of us act on it, some of us don’t. Promises are probably made to be broken anyway. Why bother? Just keep trying. The way she sings about Religion in the Chorus, showing how people will cling onto some kind of figure to feel a sense of security. They want something to believe in so much, they are willing to pour hope into something they have never seen. Some may regard their lyrics to be controversial.
Personally, I feel their bold take on things is much needed. It was needed then, and it is needed now. I firmly believe that their new record will be just as bold, honest and pure. Every record they have put out is full of this; that’s why I love them. That’s why they changed and saved my life.
I honestly didn’t think I could love Alison and Jamie more than I already do. I didn’t think my love could grow and deepen anymore. I was wrong. I was awfully wrong. There was once a time where I would’ve stayed up until 5/6am waiting to see a video, but seeing as I get up at 6am to go to the gym now- I decided to just sleep, and watch it later. Treat it like Christmas/a Birthday. Except this means more; this is so much better.
The song means a lot to me. So I was kind of unsure about this song being released. Don’t get me wrong, I adore the song with all I have. It’s probably my favourite off Blood Pressures. I guess I just didn’t want a song that means a lot being put out as a single. I didn’t know if a music video could do the song justice. Again, I was wrong. If you’ve noticed- I am rarely right.
As I was watching the video, I could feel myself getting more and more attached to The Kills. I didn’t know if to laugh or cry watching the video. When it’s just Alison in front of you looking so sad and singing words so heartbreaking, and vulnerable- it gets to you. Then Jamie appears, making all these crazy faces. Towards the end, they both are. It just shows that their friendship is so beautiful; in so many ways. They evidently have a bond, a chemistry that most of us wish we had. I know I do. To have that much faith in a person and so much love- it is a truly rare thing, and something most take for granted.
They’ve been doing this for 10 years, and I hope they never ever call it quits. I have no idea what I’ll do if they do. I really don’t. However, something tells me that this video is just the start. They’re only getting started with this.
There is no band around aside from The Kills that have this passionate but brutal, loving but raw, aggressive sound. They’re everything I want in a band, and more. The Kills aren’t just a band to me at all. They’re my heroes, my inspiration. Lifeline. Their music has been a crutch that is always firm- never letting me lose my balance.
Also, The Last Goodbye contains my favourite line from a song from 2011 :
“How can I rely on my heart, if I break it- with my own two hands.”
I know I’ve written about her before, but this time it is different. This time, it is more of a plea..begging, if you will. I’ve not been asked to do this (I’m not a fan of being told what to do.) I’m doing this because aside from a very small amount of people- Music is THE most important thing to me. It breaks my heart when I see talent go ignored. This is going back to my distress over Doll And The Kicks splitting up and society lapping up all these talentless programmes. For what? Their 15 minutes of fame has been and gone. Doll And The Kicks had talent..have talent. I don’t know which tense to write in. Anyway, moving on- before I start rambling about them and turn this into begging them to get back together.
Last year, I recieved an email from Clara telling me about her music. This is the only time I ever do what I’m told. If a singer or band emails me about their music- I will ALWAYS write about them, and do what I can to help. When I listened to Clara’s voice I felt exactly the same way I felt when I first heard Cat Power, The Kills, Florence + The Machine, Warpaint.
Her music is so dark, and her voice is insanely powerful. She grips you, wraps herself right around you with her words and exquisite voice. You don’t want her to ever losen the grip. There’s something here that I’ve never heard before. I probably won’t hear anything like that again.
If you’re familiar with Pledge Music then you’ll understand just vital sites like that are. You donate; your favourite artist gets to put their music out.
Clara’s an Independent artist in the truest form. Everything she does; she does by herself. However, sometimes as brilliant as it is to be Independent- we all need help from time to time. So, if you care about Music. The real kind that tugs at every inch of you, makes your heart race and owns your soul; then please help out in any way you possibly can.
This will be her 8th album, so it’s about time someone saw the talent and signed her.
If she ever comes to England, I will make sure I buy her a nice cup of tea (or wine) to just say thank you for staying true to the art. These are the kind of people we should admire and sign.
This band that I’m going to attempt to write about pretty much changed my life in 2009. I heard a few songs by them and just had to throw myself into their music. I was hearing something I needed. 2009 was a bit of a blur. A lot of it was made better by music, gigs and my best friend. However, this one band just did something to my brain and every time I listen to them; that same feeling comes back.
Cold Cave are on the same level as importance to me as The Cure and The Smiths, a big deal right? Sure thing. Songs off their debut album such as Youth And Lust (I need that tattooed on me), Love Comes Close, Life Magazine- basically all the songs; they’re just so dark, mysterious. The synth based sound isn’t something I really favour. I only like it if it has dark undertones to it, y’know? I don’t want to hear about how joyful someone is over a synth loop. I want to hear something gritty and a bit devilish over a synth based sound. That really speaks to me. That’s why I adore Cold Cave more than I can actually put into words.
Wes Eisold is one my influences from a literary perspective. His way with words has always been an obsession of mine. I think he should be held as highly as the likes of Morrissey, Robert Smith, Lou Reed, Dylan- the way he is with words is extremely hypnotising. It just leaves you in awe that someone, especially now, can be so poetic and open with what they say in their songs.
There is no glorified view on love, romance and relationships in Cold Cave’s music. Sure you’ll hear the odd hint of devotion but for the most part, it just echoes the fury and frustration one feels towards daily life. Your daily routine is slowly killing you- and you know it. You just don’t want to face up to it because you’d be lost if you even tried to change it. It’d fuck you over and you watched yourself become more and more fucked up. When I listen to their second record, Cherish The Light Years; I just hear everything that’s been hanging on the front of my mind, and on the edge of my tongue. It’s the kind of record, just like the first, that echoes all you feel- but you don’t want to hide from it because Wes does it in such a perfect way.
One of my favourite lyrics of Cold Cave is in Youth And Lust :
“You miss the neon lights. It’s all plastic now. A sympathetic world without end, Hums a hymn of misdirection.”
It just makes me think of someone driving around a city without their friend, or whatever and telling them exactly what they are missing out on, and what has taken its place. I think the title of the song, Youth And Lust is beautiful too. You associate youth with lust because most (foolishly) think the young cannot love. They can; most just try to forbid it. Awful.
I don’t want to liken Cold Cave to anyone because they’re so much better than a lazy comparison. However, if you like Kraftwerk and enjoy Morrissey’s clever lyrics, then you SHOULD enjoy Cold Cave. Or, you should just listen to them anyway because they ARE one of the best around. They deserve so much more respect and recognition than most. Their music is on the level of saving your life- they are that good. They sing the songs that reflect your life and how you feel. Those emotions that are swimming around your head on a daily basis, that demon that won’t leave you be or that utter sense of euphoria during, I have no idea what- it is all there in Cold Cave’s music.
69 years ago today, one of the greatest singer/song-writers of all time was born; Scott Walker.
I honestly do not need to go into great detail about inspirational and talented Scott is. That’s evident in his music. Solo, with other artists and as part of the Walker Brothers. Scott was one of the voices I frequently heard growing up, my mum was a huge fan.
His debut album, simply titled Scott, is one of my favourite records of all time. The album was evidently in a league of its own when it was released. It still is now. Obviously I wasn’t born when it was released, but when I listen to it now. No matter how many times I have played it, it still blows me away and just leaves me in awe.
I hate the word “cool.” It’s such a pointless word, but I guess if one had to list those that were cool- Scott Walker would be there. Right next to Lou Reed and Patti Smith. For me cool is just being comfortable with who you are, and not being afraid. I guess it isn’t cool- it’s just a sense of self security.
Anyway, enjoy some Scott based tracks. Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!
I like songs that are a bit eerie, I like music videos to be the same. If it sounds demonic in some kind of delicate manner, I will probably love it. This is why I love Anja’s music. It is so beautiful. I don’t really listen to much acoustic kind of music anymore because I’m starting to find the vast majority of it boring and enough to make me want to hurl myself at a bus. Which is a bit of a bugger because I’m not a miserable person. I just don’t like singers that sound like they are in pain/warbling words that sound pretentious, and shit.
I love Anja’s music because she’s the opposite of all this. She’s probably the only artist of this genre that I an listen to over and over again, and not get bored.
A Kiss is out next week (16th January.) BUY IT.
She carefully tugs at your heartstrings with her music, making you feel as if she is singing to you. And only you.
Beat In My Bones. 