Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue- May

Something Old

I had this post ready to go this morning and as I gave it a once over, sad news came over the radio that Adam Yauch From the Beastie Boys had died after a battle with cancer of the parotid salivary gland. I grew up with the Beastie Boys and their first LP 'Licensed to ill' was one of the first cd's I ever bought. I still have the 7 Inch of 'Fight for your right to party' as well as a few other of their early singles. Their next record 'Pauls Boutique' blew my little mind with its brilliant use of samples. The boys came from a punk background and played a few different styles of music. So, Adam, thanks for the music and the inspiration! You and the band have a great DIY spirit and you made me feel that I could get out there and make music as well!

Off their third lp- 'Check your head', here is chilled and very cool track: Beastie Boy's- 'Something's got to give' 




This next artist and the clip, speak for themselves: Kate Bush-  'Wuthering Heights.'




And now for something completely not different at all:
Noel Fielding dancing brilliantly to Wuthuring Heights (From 'Let's dance for Comic Relief'). 

Something New


Plan B- "Ill Manors"- I don't condone violence and destruction of property, especially against the innocent...  This song is not a glamorization of violence, don't misunderstand it. There is an interview below that talks about what the song is about, what inspired the artist and what needs to be done.. even that aside, as a standalone track there is energy, grit, great drums, menacing strings and importantly  brilliant lines like:

"Keep on believing what you read in the papers  
council estate kids, scum of the earth"

"Feed the fear, that's what we've learned"

and

"Oi! I said Oi!  
What you looking at you little rich boy!  
We're poor 'round here, run home and lock your door  
don't come 'round here no more, you could get robbed for Real... "

There is so much in this song that I want to share, but will leave you to discover yourself. I will say that Plan B voices what needs to be voiced. He is real. On Plan B, I recall some really gritty, uncomfortable and confronting raps from him 'round 2005 or earlier.. more recently he seemed to change tack and add a soul/ r'n b sound to his tune and singing.. which was great, but I am happy to hear him back with his gritty story telling.  

Here is the the interview in which Plan B (Benjamin Paul Ballance-Drew) talks about the tune and inspiration... as noted from a discussion post from someone on you-tube: "All problems of a class society. Chav is a derogatory term for the working class. In a class society the upper classes look down on the lower classes. Ads and magazine say you've got to have the right trainers and clothes. If you can't afford them then you feel devalued and feel looked down upon. So when riots occur is it no wonder people who cant afford these things take them. Social revolution into a classless society is the only solution to these antagonisms"

In the interview, Plan B also states that we are all animals and when backed in a corner we lash out.. it is a primal instinct and exists regardless of class.  He asks why aren't aren't the London riots still being discussed and questions raised about why it happened and how do we prevent it from happening again.

If you have time, this is a really interesting listen and is great to hear this stuff from someone who isn't an academic.

Something Borrowed:


'Samson'- from the TV show "The Voice'. Sung by Casey Withoos. Originally a Regina Spektor tune. I hadn't heard this song before and I loved it immediately! 



Something Blue.


This is also cheekily something borrowed.... Bluejuice and their cover of Lana Del Rey's - 'Video Games'. This has a great swing, shuffle feel to it and it grooves subtly.. I like it!

Bluejuice - Video Games (Lana Del Rey cover, from Triple J's Like A Version. Please note that the tune starts around the 1.30 mark)