A barbershop version of the song is on the new Dudley Benson live album, which was reviewed by William Dart on a recent New Horizons show on Radio New Zealand. The Benson version is fragile and beautiful as expected, but young Patience & Prudence’s version from a bygone era is perhaps definitive. It’s just so… Read more »
Posts By: Bennett
Donna Muir — Deep
This simple song manages to sound sweet and world-weary at the same time. Apparently Donna Muir has recorded some of her music in her apartment and even in her garage, and this song does have that lonely singer-songwriter at home vibe. “Only loneliness knows loneliness, and deep calls to deep.” Nice metronome rhythm track too…. Read more »
African Head Charge — Dobbyn Joins the Head Charge
This is a typical slow African Head Charge groove, based on a nice descending horn line. No vocals or even vocal samples, unlike Songs of Praise, which is the only other AHC album I have. It’s well worth listening to, but I’m especially interested in the song’s name. Apparently Dave Dobbyn, one of New Zealand… Read more »
Macdonald Duck Eclair — Beep Sweep
Great to hear this slice of fun this morning. I though MDE had disappeared ages ago. But Beep Sweep sounds like what happens if you plug in a synthesizer and drum machine and set all the dials to “smile”. This accelerated upbeatery reminds me of Citrus, another of my favourite Japanese bands. They have also… Read more »
David Bazan — People
I didn’t like this song at first. But at the second chorus I started hearing the lyrics: When you love the truth enough you start to tell it all the time When it gets you into trouble you discover you don’t mind ‘Cause if good is finally gonna trump Then man you gotta take stock… Read more »
Perfume — Laser Beam
Perfume’s new single sounds even more like a ’90s video game soundtrack than usual. So many bleeps, so much energy. And the autotune is in fine voice as ever. My favourite part is the chorus, which starts with the word “straight”. That’s “straight” pronounced “su-to-re-e-to” in that transliterated Japanese way. Cute! Source: Japanator Radio 168.
Shelby Earl — Under Evergreen
A lovely slow pop-country anthem. Shelby Earl (how country is that name?) has a clear voice singing a strong melody with C&W guitar twanging in the background. Builds to a stirring crescendo, as so many good things do.
Wildbirds & Peacedrums — Fight for me (Mreds minimal dub)
This eerie exotic evocative mood piece makes the rest of the world go away while you are surrounded by an empty echoing desolate nothingness. If Billie Ray Martin collaborated with Burial they might sound like this. Heard on On the Wire and not easily forgotten.
Bremen — Blue Line
This really gets the blood rushing. It’s that sped-up drum ‘n’ bass vibe, maybe a bit dated, but still full of energy. Nice high-pitched female vocals at the beginning, but they become more and more processed as the track goes on, eventually merging into the general wash of synth.
Joanna Newsom — The Sprout and the Bean
I just started listening to Joanna Newsom’s early album The Milk-Eyed Mender. I’m a bit surprised to recognise the tune “The Sprout and the Bean”. It’s very cute. It was used in a TV ad for something or other here in New Zealand recently. As with so many ads, I remember the music but forget… Read more »