Tag Archives: my ipod

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.

My iPod #373: Queens of the Stone Age – First It Giveth

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“No One Knows” and “Go with the Flow” all got their relatively big-budget videos, so I was a bit disappointed when seeing the one for “First It Giveth” for the first time. It’s one of those ‘band-on-tour’ montage things. But it does include some hilarious clips of Josh Homme jumping into a drum kit, wiggling his butt in front of a sleeping Mark Lanegan and Nick Oliveri swinging his bass around whilst naked on stage. Funny as those are, a cooler video would have been fun too.

“First It Giveth” is third in what are some killer opening tracks to Queens of the Stone Age’s third album “Songs for the Deaf”. After the shrieks and velocity provided in “Millionaire” and signature song “No One Knows” you wouldn’t think that the sheer level of consistency could be maintained. But when the faux-Spanish radio interlude that follows “No One Knows” ends, “First It Giveth”‘s drums enter immediately and you realise just what you’re in for.

Couldn’t tell you what the track’s about. It’s just very good. And dark. All the guitars play the same phrases and lines in unison throughout the track which is awesome. There is no time allowed for you to catch your breath except for one part that comes before the second verse, and even then that is interrupted as the track continues its momentum. By the end, even Homme gives a wayward sigh when he finishes singing.

Not a bad track at all.

My iPod #372: The Futureheads – First Day

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“First Day” is a tune from The Futureheads’ first album. The version you hear above is not the same as the one that is on the album. The version on the album is a lot cleaner, production’s makes everything a bit clearer. It’s also a bit faster too. Unfortunately that version is nowhere to be seen on YouTube, so what you get above will have to do.*

Just over two minutes long, “First Day” is a punky number filled with quirky guitar lines and those trademark harmonising vocals that the group utilised throughout the debut. I read an interpretation somewhere saying that this song was actually about life, with the first verse welcoming the listener to their first day and the chorus congratulating you on joining the human race….

To be honest, I just think it’s just a song about someone experiencing their first day at their new job. ‘Cause that is what’s explicitly said. It doesn’t get much deeper than that. It seems that on this first day however, the worker is pressured into doing more work and going onto the next stage even though they’re nowhere near ready yet. “Faster, faster” the employees yell, and just as they do the song pace changes too. Not just once, but twice.

*18/8/20 – The album version is now up, has been for quite some time at this point, you can listen to it below.