Reviewing your parents' music collection
I have always had a soft spot for melancholy music, melodies that take on sadness with a flair of dramatic awareness. A minor chord progression that presses on the tear ducts just a little bit, swelling strings and grand pianos that underline existential dread and questioning minds. Add to that a couple of sweltering guitar… Continue reading “What a year, what a day, what a life it is” – Supertramp’s “Crime of the Century” questions fitting in by standing out
When you think of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, you cannot not think of gothic Americana and a sense of the gruesome and uncanny. You cannot not think of serial killer folk epics and the monstrous beauty that may hide behind the mask of everyday lovers. You cannot not think of that certain twisted… Continue reading Where Death is not the End but the Beginning – “Murder Ballads” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Sparks, America's most renown art rock band consisting of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, have consistently been releasing music since 1971. They have created an impressive catalogue that includes 25 studio albums and multiple compilation records. Regardless of this constant outpouring of musical material, their 2002 record, Lil' Beethoven was perceived by my parents as… Continue reading A Magnus Opus for the new millenium – Sparks’ “Lil’ Beethoven”
Where do the offcuts go? The songs that don't make it onto the album, that got demoted to the B-side of the single releases in the era of vinyl pressings? This beautiful concept of the past, essentially tied to the musical medium, almost unheard of in times of streaming and youtube. But still common enough… Continue reading Long Live the B-Side! Radiohead reveal their future on “My Iron Lung”
A monochrome watercolour landscape with a lonely tree in the distance. Almost faded, misty, forlorn. The opposite of inviting yet a view that somehow entrances attention. It may only be for a second. A second of interest followed by a deep feeling of loneliness and a quick desire for a view more lush and colourful.… Continue reading Like Rivers to the Ocean – Genesis play “Wind & Wuthering”
The Dad Anthology 