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The bit that you skip #216: ‘Til Tuesday – Coming up close
I’ve got a weird story with Aimee Mann’s beautiful music. I was living in Nottingham, and had a video rental place a couple of blocks from my student accommodation (Albion House). On my hour long walk from my gaff to the Environmental Science department, I would listen to a lot of music, most of it…
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The bit that you skip #215: The Lemonheads – Into your arms
The subject of covers is always fraught with deadend bickering. Who sang it better. Which one is “true”. What is even originality any more? I love all covers of The Beatles’ She’s so heavy, especially IO Echo’s expansive gloom and doom, but I really think it’s a question of taste. Saying that, I wasn’t aware…
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The bit that you skip #214: Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the Heart
It’s an obvious choice, and perhaps I could’ve gone for Lost in France (pre-surgery vocals) or It’s a heartache (with her gravelly, raspy voice we all loved), but I can’t lie, I’m a sucker for the Steinman-penned rock ballad. Russell Mulcahy’s video is one for the ages. You can see how he cut his teeth…
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The bit that you skip #213 : Baby Huey – California Dreamin’
My dad had a particular obsession with California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas. He would repeat it until exhaustion, then play it again. That was his way of loving a song and I think it’s something I inherited. I found a cover by American Music Club, and although he didn’t like Mark Eitzel’s…
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The bit that you skip #212: The Rolling Stones – Jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s weird how you associate music with the oddest of things. Whenever someone asks me where I stand with The Rolling Stones, I usually say I like their songs in movies, but I never minded an entire album of theirs. I did buy a cassingle of Love is Strong back in ’94, because the hype…
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The bit that you skip #211: The Smashing Pumpkins – Hummer
File under: Random acts of violence against intoxicated Pumpkins fans. Or at least that was going through my mind in 2008 at the Coca Cola Zero Fest in Mexico. My only previous experience with Smashing Pumpkins live was in 98 and that gig wasn’t good at all. Ten years down the line and Smashing Pumpkins…
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The bit that you skip #210: Jane’s Addiction – Just Because
Jane’s Addiction is like Francium: scarce, radioactive, and with a half-life of 22 minutes or so. With just four albums in the span of almost 4 decades, the band’s constant break-ups makes it hard to be a hardcore fan of the band. Nothing’s shocking and Ritual de lo habitual were massive commercial hits for the…
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The bit that you skip #209: The Posies – Dream all day
The Posies released Frosting on The Beater in April of 1993, and it certainly was a darker affair than their previous two albums. Dream all day is one heckuva lead single but you can tell reality sinks in. The dreams you had as a kid fade as you reach adulthood. So, when The Posies contributed…
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The bit that you skip #208: The Postal Service – Against all odds (Take a look at me now)
It’s no secret that Against All Odds is a perfect example of an 80s remake. Similar to Scarface, it takes Out of the Past, a classic noir film, and gives it a slick, neon and polyester do over. I like the movie but it’s barely mentioned now. What transcended was the Phil Collins hit single,…
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The bit that you skip #207: Drive-By Truckers – The Great Car Dealer War
Back in the day, blogs were great places to find new bands and the odd free MP3 was a keen way to get you into liking a new band. Blogspot in particular was great for finding out of print albums and rarities that were either overpriced or simply no longer available. MP3 blogs were also…
