Monthly Archives: October 2014

My iPod #378: Biffy Clyro – Folding Stars

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I haven’t listened to this song in a while, actually. Not because I don’t like it as much as I did when I first saw it on the television all those years ago in 2007, but only because it hasn’t been in my mind lately. Nothing to make me sad or upset has occurred within my life to make me want to play this track. I’m a very happy person, you know. But it’s one that a lot of people can connect with, especially because of its subject matter.

Simon Neil wrote it as a tribute to his mother who passed away in 2004. The track is one of the slower and quiet ones on “Puzzle” and probably the most emotional. The track guides the listeners through Neil’s emotions around the time that his mother’s condition was deteriorating and sums his current feelings with four simple words – ‘it’s not getting easier’.

Although admitting that it was a tough song to record, “Folding Stars” is definitely a highlight from “Puzzle”. A very sweet song indeed.

My iPod #377: Late of the Pier – Focker

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The video for “Focker” is strange. In so many ways. The first time I heard the track was when I watched its video on my television’s interactive music video service; I was left confused, astonished, and perplexed by what I had seen. But it does fit the music perfectly, which is what every music video should aim to do.

I think it’s right to say that “Focker” is made up of three parts. The first consisting of the song’s two verses and wailing chorus (“I wanna be your frieeeeeeeeend oh yeaah”), the second being the instrumental breakdown accompanied by manipulated, onomatopoeic vocals and the final coming as a surprise synthesizer onslaught that pans endlessly around the headphones until halting to a stop, bringing the track to a close.

It’s a thrill to listen to. Very crazy. Very good though. Are they still together?

My iPod #376: Bloc Party – Flux

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Bloc Party’s second album “A Weekend in the City” had been released and available to the public for almost a year when the group then decided to unveil the brand new standalone single “Flux”. It was one out of a bunch of others the band recorded after its set at the Reading and Leeds Festival. The song got so much love and success (reached number eight in the UK chart) that the band decided to release “A Weekend” again the following year, this time with “Flux” included as well as a bonus DVD showing the band’s performance at Reading. That’s the version I own. And I’m glad too. The album feels incomplete without the track, even if it wasn’t supposed to be on there in the first place.

If the album itself wasn’t a sign of Bloc Party’s increasing interest in dance music, then “Flux” certainly flaunted it. With a head bopping 4-4 beat with erratic high hats and electronic blips, the song features an auto-tuned Kele Okereke sings about a relationship going wrong, coming to a conclusion that the two involved must talk about their problems but for now they are in a state of uncertainty. Or flux, to simply put it.

Being about uncertainty in a relationship, it only made sense that the track was to be placed after the sentimental “I Still Remember”. Listening to these two tracks together equals a good time.

My iPod #375: Foo Fighters – Floaty

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“Floaty” is a track placed right in the middle of Foo Fighters’ self-titled debut album – the one where Dave Grohl plays everything you hear bar one guitar part in a song.

The track consists of only three lines which are repeated throughout for verses and chorus, and the loud guitars and thrashing drums to the rest of the work. I think “Floaty” could pass for some shoegazing-esque type song, just because the guitars bury Dave Grohl’s (phased/flanged?) vocal right into the mix. Plus, the track is very pleasant to listen to no matter how loud and raucous it is. Its 6/8 time signature does add a floaty, swirling element to it. You’ll know what I mean if you listen to it.

My iPod #374: The Beatles – Fixing a Hole

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It took me a while to fully appreciate “Fixing a Hole”. It didn’t grab me the way that other tracks on “Sgt. Pepper” did. Its stereo mix with the rhythm section and harpsichord in the left channel and George’s sole lead guitar in the right leaves the track feeling very empty, especially compared with every other track on the album. Obviously, I’ve grown to like it more in time otherwise there would be no point to this post.

Being a track that isn’t about anything else than what it says in the title, there’s nothing emotional for the listener to dwell upon. It’s a track to just chill and relax to. I like that kind of music. Reminds me of something played at some late-night jazz/blues lounge-type place, it is that calm of a track.

An underrated Beatles song for sure.