X Factor

Leona's cover of Snow Patrol's 'Run' is absolutely amazing. I generally hate X Factor and everything it stands for..I mean it's sometimes interesting to watch but I don't think it promotes anything worthwhile. It's like getting a free ticket when other people spend years and years trying to break into it. And whenever I have seen it the judges comments seem to be 'You look the part' or 'You look like a star'..is it just me or have they missed the point of music? But anyway the one and only good thing to come out of X Factor is Leona, she might not be 'your thing' but you can't deny she is pretty awesome. And she totally looks the part..oh ha ha.

Let's bring back..

Jesus Jones- Real Real Real

Fresh from 1990, I believe the 5th single from London's Jesus Jones. So Pet Shop Boys'esque. I love.

The most depressing music video of all time?

Please comment with any other contenders. I love working out the meaning behind music videos.

Thank God for Mental illness

I do wonder why Anton Newcombe is so incredibly sexy. I think it's pure arrogance. And that beard.

I have always found Brian Jonestown Massacre quite appealing, firstly for their name. I have a morbid curiosity for cults and sects. Yes, cults sects and feminism this is why me and social situations just don't go well.
For those who aren't weird and don't 'get it' the name comes from Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones) and the mass suicide of the 'Peoples Temple' sect that took place in Jonestown, 1978. Most people call it a cult but I think it's a sect.
I find the concept so scary and..haunting. 909 people died in the suicide from cyanide poisioning guided by the founder Jim Jones. It's crazy to think one man could influence so many people, or control so many people. Although some may argue that's what all religion consists of.

The Ballad of Jim Jones- BJM:
I walked from New York and back from L.A.
I lived on a mountain and once by the bay
I bought an apartment and slept in the hay
but there's no place that's softer than (your arms)

living today is just getting so bad
there's a look on your face
and it says"you've been had!"
you can take all my money
but don't make me mad
cause there's nobody meaner than (me)

I prayed to Buddha, to Allah, and Jim.
I turned to Jesus and stayed there with him
I fell in deep but I learned how to swim
now there's no one who's cleaner than me or than him

Pachelbel

There is nothing like a bit of Wednesday night classical to make you feel cultured and ever so slightly ostentatious.
I recommend Canon by Pachelbel. Personally, it is my favourite song ever.

For you: My Love Will Never Die

Act VII: 'Together Alone, We Jump We Rise'

Our king springs from his momentary shock ,and begins the ascent. Running and simultaneously apologizing to his mystery queen, our King cries out tearfully, "I was trying to build, I was coming up I was making my way and I was almost there, I looked ahead and I couldn't see, and I looked behind and I couldn't see, hold on baby, please hold on, I'll be there soon."

Out of breath and excuses, our King stands, panting and weak. He pushes the ancient door open and reveals his Queen standing in the window staring out on the same ocean from whence he came. The first glow of sunrise frames her figure. After a moment to drink in the scene, our King breaks out into his plea: "Here I stand, and here I kneel, below my queen, lost in this dusty cloud... If you show your face I might show you how."

Begging that she turn around and show him the beautiful face he longs for, our King tries to explain his absence:
"I sent those shadows to the darker side. So that my queen would never have to hide."

Withstanding no more excuses and explanations for his actions our Queen spins around to face this character she had been watching from highest vantage. Seeing him in all his 6 parts and understanding the illusion that he is. She imparts her view to a captive King. "I'm not your dreams, you want a face here it is. The one that you see is a mirror." All that was his passion, all that drove him to destroy, had nothing to do with his Queen. It came from his own imbalance. Her face is the reflection of this imbalance and imparts this feeling and not the loving pardon he expected.

Even after all her words he tries again to align himself out of his desparation: "You look like a part of myself, a part I put on the side, not rejection but reflection, I was afraid that you had died. Pushed over bones... It's these walls through which I could not see." Blaming his environment for this massive lapse in judgement, another plea wasted.

"Touch these cold stones, they are made of you." With these words the final darkness is erased with first light of sunrise and unfolding of our King's realization: "How could I have been so blind? I am lucky with this find, and that you are my kind. I was just afraid of being alone, I built my heart into a throne, but now, as one, we jump we rise!"

As two separate tones the two release their bodies and float as two lights towards the rising sun, chanting together before they become the music that carries them: "Together alone we jump we rise, together alone into the light."

Act VII Players
Olivia Galarza: narrator
William Lemon: vocals (Iron King)
Steven Kurtz: drums, percussion
Jay Hudak: bass guitar
Lou Rogai: piano (intro)
Edward Klinger: vibraphone, percussion
Louis Schwadron: piano
Eve Miller: cello
Katie Porter: bass clarinet
Natasha Khan: vocals (The Queen)

Let's bring back..

Evan Dando- All My Life

Beautiful song. Only from 5 years ago in 2003 but deserves to be brought back already. This song strikes me as very autobiographical and honest. That's probably why I like it so much.

New Wave V.s No Wave

Joy Division V.s James Chance and The Contortions

Some amazing lyrics..

'I've got the brains, you've got the looks. Let's make lots of money' - Pet Shop Boys, Opportunities.

'We are living..in the age, in which the pursuit of all values other than money, success, fame, glamour have either been discredited or destroyed'- Felix Da Housecat, Money, Success, Fame, Glamour.

'Why do I give valuable time to people who don't care if I live or die?
Two lovers entwined pass me by and heaven knows I'm miserable now'- The Smiths, Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now.

'These people aren't your friends, they're paid to kiss your feet'- Radiohead, Thinking About You.

'I am thinking it's a sign that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned'- The Postal Service/Iron and Wine, Such Great Heights.

These are just a few off the top of my head. Feel free to add your own in comments.

Let's bring back

The Strokes and Regina Spektor- Modern Girls and Old Fashioned Men

One of the best songs ever. One of those songs that makes you go all shivery. It was the B-side to Reptilia. It is a duet between Julian and Regina Spektor and sounds amazing..still. Oh, and it was released in 2004!

5 WORST SONGS ABOUT MONEY..EVER!- for Bespoke

J Lo - Love Dont Cost A Thing
Ever wondered why she has been engaged so many times? It's because her love just don't cost a thing.

Destinys Child - Bills
Can you pay their bills? Probably not Beyonce's. Nor that Kelly. Maybe 'that other ones' though, I doubt her bills are high.

Simply Red - Moneys Too Tight To Mention
Don't mention it then. No seriously please don't. Infact Mick, feel free to keep all your thoughts to yourself.

Gwen Stefani - Rich Girl
If she were a rich girl na na na na na na na na na na na na na na she would..parade around on a ship dressed most questionably? Apparently so.

Meja - All Bout' The Money
Meja taught us that it's not just all about the money, it's also all about the dum dum da da dum dum but she thinks we've got it all wrong anyway.

Sea sex and sun

Serge Gainsbourg

He was a French sing-songwriter (amoungst many other things such a poet, director and actor.) Unfortunaltly, Gainsbourg passed away in 1991 of a heart attack but his legacy lives on. Placebo once did a cover of one of his songs entitled 'The Ballad of Melody Nelson' and even good old Kylie sampled a few of his songs in hers recently. He is quirky and unique. I love him. If you want to listen to his music I recommend the song 'Couleur Café'.

Here it is: