January Playlist

Well, now that we are firmly in February, it seemed a good time to go through a rundown of my main listens in January. In no particular order...


The Velvet Underground
Heroin and The Black Angel's Death Song
The Velvet Underground are one of my favourite bands at the moment. My first encounter with them (that I remember) was the 2009 film Away We Go, in which their song Oh! Sweet Nuthin' plays over one of the most emotional scenes in the film. Since then, I have mostly listened to their first album; The Velvet Underground & Nico, which is regularly my 'walking' music these days. Their mix of classic 60s rock with experimental sounds is fresh even nowadays, and must have been so different from any other 'pop' when it was made that I am surprised anyone would pay to have it released. Until I realise, of course, that their biggest champion was Andy Warhol. For a while i didn't get past the first half of the album, stopping at All Tomorrow's Parties where side A of the vinyl ends (I primarily listen to the VU on vinyl). While All Tomorrow's Parties and Oh! Sweet Nuthin' are still my favourite VU songs, these two new favourites from the second half of the album are quickly catching up.


Sonic Youth
The Burning Spear and I Dreamed I Dream
Sonic Youth are a band that I really don't know much about (and i only actually have their first album), but that doesn't stop me from enjoying it, particularly the first two songs. They are both quite different, but special in their own ways. The almost chanting lyrics in I Dreamed I Dream are at the same time equal parts creepy and sexual. I first started listening to Sonic Youth after recommendations of a read through of wikipedia which almost convinced me I was going to like them. While i cannot say for certain (as I said above, I only have their first album), these two tracks are both of a very high quality.


Rumour Cubes
All of We Have Sound Houses Also
This first EP by Rumour Cubes is the best new post-rock i've heard in a while, and over its three tracks it definitely lends new vitality to Explosions/Mogwai-style soundscapes, which - in the wrong hands - can get boring fast. Rumour Cubes are definitely not the wrong hands. I look forward to their new album which is out this February, and also hopefully going to see them live this February as well. If you haven't already checked these guys out, you really should - their facebook and their bandcamp probably being the best places.


Spring Offensive
I Found Myself Smiling and The First of Many Dreams About Monsters
I was lucky enough to see Spring Offensive live last year at the Playhouse Bar, and I knew I was going to like them when the first thing they said was "This song is about being cold, so we are going to play it outside." They didn't disappoint, and these two tracks (the first and the last on their sampler that I bought) are my favourites. The epic thirteen-and-a-half minute The First of Many Dreams About Monsters drifts between different melodies and movements, but never feels disjointed enough to warrant being split apart. As with above, I really recommend listening to these guys if you don't already know them - facebook as ever, and soundcloud.



Well, wasn't that nice, eh? Four great bands.
If this first week of February is anything to go by, my next monthly playlist is going to include a lot of Django Django and Mogwai. See you then!

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James