The type of shit that causes mass confusion
And drastic movement of people actin stupidFight Music — D12
10 Albums that greatly influenced my taste in music
Far From Alive — Resident Evil 2 Rap
At first I thought that this would be a bit of a gimmick, but it has legit grown on me and is now in my regular playlist.
I am addicted to running around the world of Raccoon City in Resident Evil 2 and the recently-released Resident Evil 3 Remake.
I’m looking forward to any music that the same creator can bring from RE3’s world in the coming weeks / months.
More by The Sisters of Mercy
Some people get by
With a little understanding
Some people get by
With a whole lot moreLyrics by Jim Steinman
My first time hearing this song was in fact as a cover by Meat Loaf on his album Braver Than We Are. The song was actually written by Jim Steinman whose most well-known collaborator is Meat Loaf. And he has been known to reuse his songs for different artists over the years
Under the Graveyard by Ozzy Osbourne
My favourite song from his new album, ‘Ordinary Man’.
Under the Graveyard
We’re all rotten bones
Under the Graveyard — Ozzy Osbourne
February 2020 round-up
Here are some things I’ve been enjoying in February 2020.
Songs
Albums
Films
Games
Thieves in the Temple by Prince
Love come quick
Love come in a hurry
There are thieves in the temple tonightThey don’t care where they kick
Just as long as they hurt you
There are thieves in the temple tonightFirst lyrics from Thieves in the Template by Prince
Sign of the Times (Prince Cover) by Muse
A sister killed her baby ’cause she couldn’t afford to feed it
And yet we’re sending people to the moon
In September, my cousin tried reefer for the very first time
Now he’s doing horse, it’s June, unhLyrics from Sign of the Times
Possibly one of my favourite covers of any song I’ve heard. This is how covers should be done.
I remember hearing this for the first time in my first web development job. I was working for a small local company, whose office was the upstairs level of a converted barn.
Usually the radio — permanently fixed on Radio One — soon became tiresome for me as the same songs seemed to be played at the same time every damn day.
But one magical day I happened to hear the Live Lounge wear I heard Matt Belamy’s signature guitar sound riffing to a tune I recognised but could not name.
When I finally worked it out it hit me like a freight train.
This song is fucking incredible.
Getting me through the worst job
Joyner Lucas – I’m Not Racist
Can’t Give It Up by Ekkah
Blue Lips [Lady Wood Phase 2] by Tove Lo
Lady Wood was one of my favourite albums from last year and still gets regular plays in my headphones. I was excited to say the least when I heard about Tove Lo’s follow-up Blue Lips [Lady Wood Phase 2].
A continuation of Lady Wood
This album felt more akin to the sweaty underground night clubs I imagine with her music. The kind of clubs where people are pressed tightly together; almost tasting each other’s sweat. The previous album had these moments but Blue Lips felt like these aesthetics were brought more into the foreground. The album’s intro and following lead single, ‘Disco Tits’, gave me the impression that a more deep bass / drum-driven collection of songs were contained.
There was a song from Tove Lo’s short film Fairy Dust, specifically the closing scene… that closing scene, that I didn’t recognise at the time. So I loved it when that very song, ‘bitches’, came punching through my headphones to close off this album’s first half.
It’s not all boom boom boom
Although I like a good punchy beat-driven album now and again, I was relieved when I heard ‘Don’t ask don’t tell’, the album’s fifth track. It’s proof that she knows, as she sings on Disco Tits, how to dial it back. ‘Don’t ask don’t tell’ is more focused on her beautiful vocals and the direct message of acceptance she’s delivering to her other half in the song.
And baby, don’t ask, then don’t tell
Already know you’re fucked up
And it’s cool with me
My past and don’t ask and don’t tell
No need to share too much
Come on, let it be, ah (and baby)dont ask dont tell – Tove Lo
This feeling is continued later in the album with the reminiscent ‘9th of October’, which actually started life as a poem that Tove wrote on her Birthday. This, along with the album’s closing track, ‘hey you got drugs?’, are two of my favourite songs from the album.
NSFW (not safe for work)
As I’ve come to expect from Tove Lo’s work, there is a high degree of sexual content in these songs. She’s definitely an artist who goes to places that other artists I listen to don’t. She’s not afraid of exposing herself, both physically and mentally, for her art and I respect that. I say that, not as a pervy guy just looking for filth, but as someone in admiration for her honesty and close to the bone approach to music.
Singers often sing about sadness; happiness; fear; love. But very rarely do they venture into the realms of the sexual. This too is an important part of what it means to be human, so why shouldn’t artists explore these issues too? Tove Lo seems to make up for the more reserved artists by spending a good portion of her album there.
In Summary
As great an album as I have come to expect from Tove, following her Lady Wood. Blue Lips is the continuation of her exploration and revelations in her relationships and the emotions they bring. Although I didn’t find this album as accessible initially, I still love to listen to it when the mood hits me right. And don’t take me to mean less accessible as a bad thing – it’s not. I just find Lady Wood a lot easier to listen to at any time, whereas Blue lips has its time and place for me.