Sem Regras

"Sem Regras" (portuguese for "Without Rules") is a weekly radio program from a local station that broadcasts a number of unkown bands, most of them independent bands, that are using Bandcamp to spread their music.

I was never, specially lately, a big radio fan (unfortunately). I like to pick what I listen, and mostly of the new music I discover is some kind of related to the music that I'm listening now. But, this programme gave me a lot of fresh air to my musical world.

It was because of it that I discovered the swede band Agent Side Glinder or the germans Bleib Morden or the americans Social Station. Today, I listened to it again and, another great song came up, and now I want to listen more from this french guy: Nice Cold Nation, with a song that is a tribute to Ian Curtis.

The type of songs area little bit equal, all of them are dark and very introspective, which is great, and what I currently need to listen. Some, a bit more heavy or punk are there also.

But really, take a listen to the programme, it's worth it. I'll start to listen to more radio now.

Visit the website in order to listen free all the programmes, with setlists include.
http://semregrasluispink.blogspot.pt/

30 Anos de Psicopátria dos GNR

Uma publicação em português para variar um pouco aqui no blog!

Na passada quarta-feira os GNR fizeram um concerto especial de celebração do trigésimo aniversário do clássico "Psicopátria" no Rivoli no Porto. O concerto foi inserido no Porto Best Of, uma série de concertos no Rivoli organizada pelo Miguel Guedes e contou com a primeira parte de Lobo.

O concerto de Lobo foi engraçado, contou com músicas originais deles e ainda uma versão de Little Wonder em homenagem a David Bowie e uma versão do Pós-Modernos (com convidados) dos GNR, tema que a banda tem uma versão gravada em estúdio.

Depois entraram os GNR para o verdadeiro concerto e, como era de esperar, começaram com o Pós-Modernos. Estranho ouvir duas vezes a mesma música seguida no mesmo concerto por artistas diferentes.

O concerto da banda portuense foi do princípio ao fim o Psicopátria, seguindo o alinhamento original.

Algumas velhas músicas, como O Paciente e Coimbra B receberam a sua primeira atuação ao vivo mas também ouve tempo para os grandes clássicos como Efetivamente e Bellevue, melhor momento da música. Uma versão mais alargada da música, que soou espectacularmente bem.

O público animou-se com o mítico "vamos para a piscina" no Dá Fundo e no dançável Nova Gente. Como grande apreciador da música, fiquei um pouco um pouco desiludido com a atuação de Cerimónias, uma das minhas músicas preferidas do álbum, que não soou tão bem ao vivo.

Psicopátria acabou com Choque Frontal (To Miss foi colocada como abertura do concerto, já que a música é praticamente um instrumental psicadélico) onde o público estava todo a aplaudir de pé.

O encore consistiu em apenas no novo tema Cadeira Elétrica. Admito que esperava pelo menos umas 3 /4 canções, mas pronto, o concerto acabou bem.

Uma grande noite, e em low-cost (os bilhetes eram apenas 7,5€) que valeu muito a pena e fiquei cheio de vontade de ver um novo concerto dos GNR, desta vez em formato Best Of, ou então, o ideal era que eles celebrassem para o ano os 25 anos do Rock In Rio Douro, o meu álbum preferido deles!

George Martin Has Passed Away

George Martin, the legendary Beatles producer, that signed the band back in the 60's and that was involved in mostly of the band's discography and their corresponding solo careers has passed away two days ago, aged 90.
Martin was described as a very good man and soul and a real gentleman and nice human being, that was very calm, wise and professional.
A lot of tribute circulated through the internet, being the most sentimental ones by Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, who called him the fifth Beatle and his second father.
Death comes to everyone, and George had, for sure, a happy and a successful life.
He will be deeply missed and sweetly remembered.

"I read the news today, oh boy, about a lucky man who made the grade, and though the news was rather sad"

A New Album By A Legend

Bob Dylan will release a new album on the 20th of May.
The album will e called Fallen Angel and, for now, there's no more information about it.
Dylan will tour the USA and Japan during the next months.
This will be his 37th album.
In a time where we see some legend pass, like Lou Reed or Bowie, it is great to see that the living ones are still making music.

Depeche Mode To Enter The Studio

Depeche Mode, one of my all time favourite bands, are going to record a new album this year and, probably, to be released in 2017.
Martin Gore already admitted that he and Dave Gahan have already written some songs and are going to enter the studio in April.
The band's latest album was Delta Machine, released in 2013 and was followed by a huge tour.

Depeche Mode already released 13 original albums and all of them (!) entered the UK Top 10, which is an incredible remark.

George Fest To Be Released In CD

George Fest was a tribute concert in the memory of George Harrison held on the 28th of September 2014.
Many famous artists like George's son, Dhani Harrison, Norah Jones, Ben Harper, Brandon Flowers, Brian Wilson among others, performed classic songs of the ex-Beatle to celebrate is artistic influence in modern music.
Now, actually, tomorrow, the concert will be released in 5 configurations including 2xCD/DVD, 2xCD/Blu-Ray, 3xLP (180 gram), digital, and a store exclusive bundle.

George Harrison is my favourite Beatle. He had a lifestyle truly amazing, and he was a very very very wise person with a fantastic personality. His thoughts and words are a true inspiration for my everyday life. And of course, his fantastic songs as well.


A Night To Celebrate George Fest 

Disc one

1. "Introduction"  
2. "Old Brown Shoe" - Conan O'Brien
3. "I Me Mine" - Britt Daniel
4. "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)" - Jonathan Bates, Dhani Harrison
5. "Something" - Norah Jones
6. "Got My Mind Set on You" - Brandon Flowers
7. "If Not for You" - Heartless Bastards
8. "Be Here Now" - Ian Astbury
9. "Wah-Wah"  - Nick Valensi
10. "If I Needed Someone" - Jamestown Revival  
11. "Art of Dying" - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
12. "Savoy Truffle" - Dhani Harrison
13. "For You Blue" - Chase Cohl, Brian Bell
14. "Beware of Darkness" - Ann Wilson

Disc two

1. "Let It Down" - Dhani Harrison
2. "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" - Ben Harper
3. "Here Comes the Sun" - Perry Farrell
4. "What Is Life" - "Weird Al" Yankovic  
5. "Behind That Locked Door" - Norah Jones  
6. "My Sweet Lord" - Brian Wilson, Al Jardine  
7. "Isn't It a Pity" - The Black Ryder  
8. "Any Road" - Butch Walker  
9. "I'd Have You Anytime" - Karen Elson  
10. "Taxman" - Cold War Kids
11. "It's All Too Much" - The Flaming Lips  
12. "Handle with Care" - Brandon Flowers, Dhani Harrison, Jonathan Bates, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Britt Daniel, Wayne Coyne.
13. "All Things Must Pass" - Ann Wilson, Dhani Harrison, Karen Elson, Norah Jones  

Watch the trailer of the album here:

Failed Tribute To David Bowie

During this year Grammy Awards, Lady Gaga did a tribute to David Bowie.
Everyone started to speculate that this was going to be the ultimate Bowie's tribute and, after, the performances people  are saying that it was perfect and Lady Gaga was the right choice to make this tribute, etc.
Although, I think it was a very very sad tribute for several reasons.

First, Lady Gaga is an international popstar, with pop songs, with people writing for her, etc. You would put her in the same pocket of Rihanna, Britney Spears, Shania Twain, not in the same section of Bowie. The styles are not similar. Bowie created egos, put make up, wear dresses, etc. but he had a point, a vision, and it was directly related with his music.

Second, the Medley is very confused, it has a lot of songs, played very small parts of it and consisted of only hits from the 70's and 80's. Nothing from Blackstar was played or refer in music or image for example.
Gaga's performance is completely hysterical, it looks more like a cabaret play then a sentimental tribute.

Also the vocal performance is weak... When she tries to thicken her voice, it sounds terrible, also she tries to do a lot of "little voice solos" with fast variations of notes, which is a symbol of current popstars, not Bowie for sure. Ziggy Stardust was more focused on the flying piano then on the music. Also, is she trying to impersonate an English accent? Fame is terrible, and actually when she could shine in Let's Dance on the line "and tremble like a flower" her voice crumbles... Heroes is terrible also, it's like she wants to look tough and very passionate at the same time... It seems forced and unnatural at all.

In resume, Lady Gaga is a little bit out of the top of her success form for a while, and this looked like a desperate way to call attention to her following the death of Bowie (probably it wasn't, but still looks like). It's good for people to make tributes and Bowie surely influenced almost every singer in the world but, in my view this was a weak tribute to be calling so much attention. For example, Mike Garson's tribute was much more true, sentimental and interesting than this one.


But hey, take a look on it and have your own opinion about it:

Mike Garson Pays Live Tribute To David Bowie

A lot of artists are paying tributes to David Bowie. But this time is different.
Mike Garson is the most remarkable pianist in Bowie's career. He played in a lot of his albums, from the classic Aladdin Sane (where he created the most insane and cool piano solo ever during the album's title song) to one of my personal favourites Heathen. We can say that Garson was Bowie's piano man in the 70's and the 90's. He also did amazing live performances with the English musician, including heartbreaking versions of Life On Mars? and Wild Is The Wind.

On monday, there was a charity gig called "Celebrating David Bowie" in Los Angeles, USA, where artists like Seal, Ewan McGregor and Gary Oldman performed. Although, the highest point of the gig was when Mike Garson, who was also part of it, played the song Aladdin Sane, where he tried (and succeed) to replicate the original solo from the album version. After this song, Seal joined Garson and the pair performed Bring Me The Disco King from the 2003 Bowie's album Reality.

Quoting Billboard Magazine:
"The emotional core of the evening, though, came from longtime Bowie keyboardist Mike Garson, who nearly broke into tears explaining his year's-long kinship with the late legend whom he said slept directly across from him on the tour bus. After delivering what amounted to a eulogy, Garson played on "Aladdin Sane" -- including his famous avant-solo, for the first time in 20 years -- and stayed onstage for both an improvised ode to Bowie and a surprise appearance from crooner Seal, who sang the obscure, jazzy track "Bring Me The Disco Queen." Garson -- who popped in and out for the rest of the set -- seemed like he was having a going-away party for his friend."

Check the performance here:

Suede And The Press

When you are a big big fan of a band, you always feel that the band is being underrated by the press. In my view, Suede were always a little bit left outside of the music press, since Blur, Oasis or Pulp have overpassed them in therms of comercial success in the 90's. However, even if the popularity of the others bands were bigger, it isn't an excuse of why the press is not covering more Suede, when they are doing new and significant music, while they (the magazines) are still making boring articles about "the last time Liam and Noel chatted" or "What's the best Nirvana album?".
Actually, I think it is really disrespectful that NME or the other magazines, are not giving big headlines, or even news, about the current Suede tour and album. Of course they did a review of "Night Thoughts" (if they didn't it would have been some kind of tragedy, they have the obligation to review every significant album of the week), and almost all of the reviews are having a really, really positive view of the new album. So that should bring more news and more interest on the band by the part of the magazine. However I don't see any news from Suede apart from the album review.

Well, Night Thoughts was number 6 at the UK charts, it was the highest new entry of the charts, they are making a critically acclaimed Europeen tour, they are chatting about important issued like the death of Bowie, how a 90's band can still survive on the music business today, the passion of playing live, they are still debuting live old great songs, they are giving double concert sizes. Wouldn't any of these things be enough to have a link on some newspaper website first page, where they have like 50 daily different headlines? Well, NME preferes to cover that Damon Albarn is returning to Denmark, that Kanye West changed his album title, the deleted scenes of Mrs Doubtfire, or Johnny Deeps 20-years comments about Leonardo DiCaprio. Really, there something much more interesting and meaningful to talk about.

The press, specially NME, have their "wonder" kids, and they keep attached to them. Leaving apart other great bands. Suede were right when they wrote their new song, Outsiders, we (Suede fans) actually feel like outsiders, and the band also feel outside, and the rest of the world wants to try to keep them outside.

It's a pity really. In the Suede world is actually good to feel an outsider, a stranger, a beautiful one, but a little of recognition and publicity is always welcome also,

Primavera Sound Porto 2016 Line -Up

Today it was revealed the complete line-up of my city's main festival.
The festival will be from 9 to 11 of June and the ticket for the 3 days is 90€.

First, Primavera Sound in Porto is not only a festival it's also a great experience. Imagine watching to your favourite bands' concerts 5 minutes from the beach and sea, in a beautiful green park with 3 stages, foods, drinks, nice atmosphere and beautiful people. The only "almost bad" thing of it is that it doesn't have camping (but personally, I really don't need it).

Well, I admit I was expecting a little bit more from the line-up. I honestly was hoping for a double Suede concert just like what is going to happen in our twin brother Primavera Sound Barcelona. ~

Although we don't have Suede we have a lot of superb acts, which includes PJ Harvey, Brian Wilson, Savages, Sigur Rós, Beach House and Air between others.

This festival is becoming, or already is, the strongest Indie festival of Portugal.
But just look at the picture above to see the complete line-up and I hope to see you there at the festival!

Blackstar by David Bowie, Track by Track

Earlier this year, before knowing Bowie was dying and before listening to Blackstar whole album I made a review of the single Blackstar. After the news of his death, naturally the meaning of the song and of the album changed.

Bowie planned his death, planned his goodbye of music, he knew that this moment was coming so he release his last statement, a fantastic album. There's a lot to analyse of the incredible way David died, his death was a unique historical moment, that will, probably, never happen again. The impact of his death was enormous. I have a solid opinion about it which I'll write later, in another article.

Now, I want to analyse and review his farewell album "Blackstar" track by track

01 - Blackstar

This, and Lazarus, are the most important songs on the album. I think David here, assumes a position of a God (a Blackstar) and, not only predicts his death ("on the day of the execution", "something happened on the day he died") but also clears how he wants to be remembered. And I think he wants to be remembered as a Godlike figure, a Blackstar, something unpredictable and unknown. On the first part of the song, his voice is very solemn, dark and divinal, and then, the song goes through a different direction, almost angelical. It's amazing.

And, the song is so well structured, that, although it has 10 minutes, it's never too repetitive and boring, Those 10 minutes pass really quickly. Love the keyboards on the last verses. Perfect song to define an album and an artist.

02 - 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore

Bowie released this song as a b-side to Sue back in 2014. Here the song is re-recorded and, although it maintains the same line as the original, the production is must better and clear. The songs is fast, cynical, diabolic. 

03 - Lazarus

Here, we say Bowie defining his death. He realizes his death and tells us that he's not OK but soon he will be free, just like he intends to be. Lazarus, the biblical figure, resurrected from the death. And this is very important, because Bowie, in a way, also came back to life. He's still here with his songs, with his legacy, just like Lazarus did, Bowie died and then came back to stay.

The melody of this song is very soft, peaceful and sad. Actually, after knowing about his death, listening to this song is something very turbulent specially if you see the video. You actually see Bowie dying and you see also his productive soul still working and creating, just like what happened. Artistically the combination of David's death, the song and the video is one of the most emotional moments (or even the most) ever in cultural terms. Fantastic, just a visionary like Bowie could have the courage to do something like this.

04 - Sue (Or A Season of Crime)

Maybe, the best surprise of the album. I was not a big fan of the original version of this song released in 2014. Too jazzy, too soft, disoriented, but here we listen to a brutal and aggressive song, very complete and strong. Much better than the 2014 version.

05 - Girl Loves Me

A nice and strange song. Bowie's voice during the chorus is perfection, and actually it is catchy (very dark catchy), you are singing it easily. Bowie sings in a fictional language during mos of the song. Again, a dark song (like most of the album) but actually very attractive and sexy.

06 - Dollar Days

The sweetest moment in Blackstar. A fantastic song  also about his mortality. "If I'll never see the English evergreens I'm running to", "Don't forget for just one second I'm forgetting you, I'm dying to". A lot of people were calling this album as a jazz album, which I disagree, but actually you have on this song the jazziest moment with the saxophone fantastic solo. This is the brightest song on the album, but still a little bit sad. 

07 - I Can't Give Everything Away

This is Bowie's goodbye. He knows he is passing away, and he is afraid of it, of letting behind everyone he loves. He's sad of leaving but also happy that he did everything he wanted to do with his life "This is all I ever meant, that's the message that I sent". The last verse when he re-sings "I know something's very wrong, the pulse returns for prodigal sons" is truly heartbreaking. Actually, I think we find Bowie on his most vulnerable emotional side. By now, he is everything in music, he is a God, an  alien, a Blackstar but he realises that he is also David Jones, a human being that feels loss and feels pain. Fantastic.

As a whole, a lot of music critics were defining Blackstar as a Jazz experimental album, that David choose it that way because he still wanted to take us to the unknown, like the place where he is now. I disagree, fist this is not a jazz album, it has jazz moments and jazz instruments but this is some kind of glam-rock. I would prefer to call it, this is a "Bowiesh" album, some kinds of modern Aladdin Sane. But also, this a album of a man that is facing dead, so it's way it is a very sad album. For me it's perfect this way, I always preferred sad music. Bowie's voice is still on top and his tone fits perfectly with the content of the album. Blackstar is an artistic testament of Bowie's capacities and is one of the best and most interesting albums of all time because of the brilliance and quality of the music but also because of everything that surrounds it.

Blackstar is one of the most important albums ever released, and we were here to see it. David was here too, and he still is. Just like Lazarus he resurrected and is eternal in this word with his music. 

Thank you.

Wonderful Life

Yesterday died the writer of one of the most remarkable songs of the 80's.
Colin Vearncombe, better know as Black, didn't survive to a car accident that occurred on the 10th of January.
Although most of his career didn't follow the huge success of the hit "Wonderful Life" he was very very active during the last 30 years.

Summer In Portugal

These last days some fantastic artists were confirmed to perform in Portugal this summer.

So, very quickly:
- Bruce Springsteen will be headlining Rock in Rio Lisboa.
- The french duo Air will be in my hometown Porto for NOS Primavera Sound.
- Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys will be here, probably also at the Primavera Sound but it's not official yet where he's going to play.
- Radiohead will play at NOS Alive festival.
- LCD Soundsystem were the first name for the mythical Paredes de Coura festival.

As the Barcelona and Porto Primavera Sound have usually very similar artists, I'm really expecting to see Suede here in the summer. They will play two times in Barcelone this year, a Night Thoughts section and a greatest hits one. It would be great also to see here PJ Harvey.

Looks like I'll spend some money in the summer.

Night Thoughts Is Released Today

Suede's new album, "Night Thoughts" is released today.

The album is surrounded by a totally new concept of their music.
All the music is accompanied by a film direct by Roger Sargent.
The album is available in normal CD package, Vinyl, and deluxe edition of CD+DVD with the movie included.
There are 4 full tracks already available on Suede's YouTube channel, the 2 single, Outsiders and Like Kids, plus 2 more tracks, Pale Snow and No Tomorrow. All of them are truly fantastic.
Night Thoughts is receiving very positive reviews, with time, Strange Sound will make its own.
Although it is still early to say, Night Thoughts has everything to become a modern legendary album for the band. Not only because of the new concept but also because Suede explored their more dramatic, melancholic and dark sound again. Their most epic and introspective work since Dog Man Star.
Some songs like Tightrope, I Don't Know How To Reach You or The Fur & The Feathers are among the ones with more potential to become truly legendary songs on Suede's catalogue.

Take a look at this amazing 20-minutes track by track preview.

Bowie's Blackstar Tops the UK, the USA and Portugal

David Bowie's new album, Blackstar topped a lot of countries.

For the first time in his career the album went straight to number 1 in the USA. His previous work, The Next Day was number 2 and his highest place there until then.

In the UK, it's not a big surprise that it went to number 1. Even before his death, everything was pointing that Blackstar would reach the top of the charts.

In Portugal, my home country, although it is not official, it will also be number 1. Last week I tried to buy it on a store in Porto, and not only Blackstar was sold out, but all Bowie discography in CD and Vinyl was sold out in FNAC.

Blackstar also topped a lot of other countries like Germany, Belgian, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, among others.

Lazarus, his goodbye single, was the video with more views on Youtube in a single day. Ever.

Obviously the sad news of his death contributed to these amazing records, but it is completely deserved. Not only Blackstar his a brilliant, amazing, incredible album, but the career of Bowie by itself deserves this kind of recognitions.

Bowie was, is and will be, the most important musician / artist of all time for me.
The Greatest, a Godlike Artist.

5 Fantastic Not-Famous Bowie Songs

David Bowie died early this week and a lot of people are sharing a lot of his songs around the internet, and that's great.

Obviously, the most shared ones are the big hits, the most successful ones. I did the same. To remember his talent on Facebook I shared the song "Heroes" one of my favourites and a song that means a lot to me.

However, it is a pity to limit the Bowie legacy to his most famous songs, so, I'll share 5 fantastic not worldwide famous David Bowie songs from different parts of his life.

01 - Lady Stardust (from Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars 1972)

I wanted to put here Rock n´Roll suicide but, although it wasn't a single, it is also a signature song for him.

I choose Lady Stardust because lately I'm playing a lot this song. Some time ago I was a much bigger fan of Moonage Daydream or Star or Five Years, but there's sometimes on the melody that makes me sing it with great passion. The song is not about Ziggy's wife (or maybe it is) but about Marc Nolan. Bowie was a big fan.

02 - Lady Grinning Soul (from Aladdin Sane 1973)

Bowie chose this song for is compilation iSelect which featured his personal favourite songs while trying to avoid most of his greatest hits.

It is the end song of his classic album Aladdin Sane and a song that resumes very well his sound at the time. Very complexed, very dramatic with the remarkable Mike Garson on the piano. A true classic.

03 - Neuköln (from "Heroes" 1977)

Bowie, specially during his Berlin years did a couple of very interesting and very dark instrumental tracks. The most famous one is probably Warszawa, but my personal favourite is Neuköln. It is so dark, so evil that brings a really creepy atmosphere. It's fantastic and the Saxophone (played by him) is what guides the melodramatic tune of the songs. Incredible.

04 - If I'm Dreaming My Life (from "hours..." 1999)

Fantastic songs from the 90's. It's a pure Pop/Rock song with heavy electric guitar and nice solos, but what really makes the song is the ending coda. So good, so perfect, so Bowie.

05 - Heathen (The Rays) (from Heathen 2002)

One of my favourite Bowie songs from one of my favourite albums. THe lyrics are so beautiful and the way the song goes from up and downs is so intense. Bowie's vocal is at his best really. The drum and the keyboards also contribute to a great song. Fantastic, one of those songs I'll keep with me forever.

David Bowie Passed Away

This is the saddest day for music ever.
The legendary David Bowie died at 69, following a 18-month fight with cancer.
This is so sad, so sad, actually I never felt this sad by the death of someone that I actually don't know.
I can say without any doubt that, Bowie is the most influential artist of all time. No one can ever be compared with him, he was high above anyone else, since he was young until the day of his dead.

Bowie released in last album "Blackstar" last friday and, magically, he released also a farewell song, Lazarus, that is a statement about his own death. What a vision.

Listening to Lazarus now is a strange experience... Really sad one, but also amazing one.

Almost all of my favourite artists sent some words about him.

Personally, some of his songs really mean a lot to me. If I would choose two songs, I can say that "Heroes" was some kind of a Shield song for a very special relationship I had and "Where Are We Now?" was the most uplifting experience I had. I was travelling to Slovakia on the next day that it was released, I bought The Times, that had a big article about him and I was in London airport for hours, listening to the song on repeat.

David Bowie, you will be forever with us.

David Bowie, The Blackstar

Can an artist be more interesting than David Bowie? Really difficult to answer, and, for me, the correct answer is no.
We all know who Bowie is and what he did (and still does) to music, and how many times his identity changed. Through all the changes, only one thing never changed:the high quality of Bowie's music.

And again, with 68 years old, after the most extraordinary come back of all music history, he releases a great single. It's not his best work (for me) but, he remains very powerfully interesting.
It's not a catchy song, it's not a typical single (it's a 10 minutes track) but it is fantastic.

Blackstar is a mix of different sounds, different instruments and a it is a really dark tune, which completes the lyrics and the melody very well. It's a little bit insane too and has a very peaceful and calm part, something like the moment when you leave the darkness behind, to embrace the heaven, but then you fall again to the dark side.
Oh well, it's fantastic, sounds like something that came from a God, or a superior soul.
Actually, I think that this "title" is the one that fits better to Bowie. Dylan is a legend, Lennon was a revolutionary, McCartney the successful, Hendrix the genious, Elvis the king, and Bowie the God.

The video fits the crazy part of the song very well.
In two days we will have the new album.

New Year Resolutions

Some people need a wish to start the new year, other to make 2 or 3 goals to achieve a healthier life.
I was listening to some Manic Street Preachers songs this January and was thinking that "Everything Must Go" is probably one of the best songs to start a new year.
Just let the previous year go, let everything go, and let the new year flow naturally, without keeping you stuck to yesterday's problems.

"I look to the future it makes me cry but it seems too real to tell you why, freed from the century with nothing but memory, memory. And I just hope that you can forgive us but everything must go"

Happy New Year!

10 Not-Famous Great Songs For The Morning

Listening to music while going to work or to school is something vital, but, as you agree, there are some songs that lift your spirit up more than others, so, let's say happy songs for the morning, to help you to face the terrible day that is coming.
There are a lot of great examples, famous happy pop songs, but I picked 10 non-famous songs to be a different selection.
And, what I mean for "not-famous songs", are songs that are not hit singles or worldwide success.
So, take a quick listen to these songs that lift me up in the morning:

1 - Suede - Sound Of The Streets
Well, I am a fanatic, so I had to start with Suede. So, for a sunny morning, when you are walking in the streets of your own city, nothing better than incorporate Sadie, a girl that knows the sound of the streets of London. Amazing b-side from the Coming Up era with one of the best Oakes' solos ever.


2 - Johnny Marr - The Crack Up
Found this one recently. A song from Marr's debut solo album, The Messenger. Something typical for the ex-Smiths musician, fast guitar riffs, and a "bad-ass" way of singing the chorus, something like if you were walking with long steps without giving a shit to anybody else around you.


3- The Horrors - Primary Colors
This is the song that gives the title of their second LP, the first to be acclaimed worldwide.  Fast song, with a fantastic guitar intro. When I start to listen to it I just want to move my arms all around like a monkey. Simply great!


4 - Patrick Duff - Wake Up Richard
This song was my alarm clock for a long time. So happy, simple and pure. The first lines of the song are "Wake up Richard, it's your birthday, let's go dancing, there's a place I know where the bright lights are always shinning we'll go flying over Tokyo". Isn't that amazing? Just live your life happy and be free!


5 - George Harrison - If Not For You
George's version of Bob Dylan's track is so sunny and beautiful that just brings peaceful and lovely thoughts to your mind. A classic!


6 - John Lennon - Crippled Inside
The most upbeated song from the "Imagine" album. The intro and the slide guitar really gives a joyful feeling to the entire song. Also, the piano solo is incredibly funny.


7 - The Whip - Keep Or Delete
The opening track of their second album, this is more a electronic song, and the most different from this list. What really gives me energy in this song is the way it grows and grows during the 4 minutes. As it flows, it gets more and more intense and complexed.


8 - Violent Femmes - Dance Motherfucker Dance
Well, I guess the titles says it all. Pure energy.


9 - Morrissey - America Is Not The World
Although this could be a sad song, I think that the way Morrissey sings it, almost without interruptions, and the connection with the acoustic and electric guitar, really makes it a sunny song, with good vibrations. One of my favourite Moz's songs


10 - Devendra Banhart - Carmensita
Ok, this is the only song on the list that is actually a single, but I think is not a worldwide hit, as Devendra Banhart is not a very very popular artist (unfortunately). But, listening to this song, it is so funny, positive, free and sunny that it had so be here. Pure happiness! And you can even find Natalie Portman on the video