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My iPod #343: Franz Ferdinand – Evil Eye

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This video may disturb some. Even though everything that happens in it is clearly fake. It’s nasty. Alex Kapranos dons a fake moustache that makes him look like a pornstar, but that’s not the worst of it.

“Evil Eye” was the third single to come from Franz Ferdinand’s most recent album “Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action“, which was released almost a year ago now. It’s from the perspective of a person who is able to see things that other normal people can’t see. As a result, the narrator finds that people react to him in different ways. Some annoy him to the point that they bring a disturbing reaction out of him, some think he’s alright because they have this power themselves, some want to really analyse what’s going on in his head, and some are simply suspicious of his character. And that’s all in the order that the chorus lists it.

I think there’s something funny about this song. And not ‘funny’ as in strange, but actually humorous. Why? I think it is just because it’s so funky and catchy for a track that’s supposed to give somebody the creeps. Those falsetto backing vocals in the chorus, extravagant keyboards and Alex Kapranos manipulated vocals all mix up to result in a song that sounds like it could be the theme tune to a weird detective crime series.

Track is good though. Probably one of my favourites from the album. Franz Ferdinand may not get the hype that used to come their way, but if they can still produce quality such as this then it’s all good.

My iPod #342: Interpol – Evil

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 You know what I miss about Interpol? Carlos Dengler. You have to admit that man’s bass playing was so essential to Interpol’s sound, and the band have suffered just a tad since his departure. His melodic bass lines were perfect at establishing the tone of many tracks and the instrument itself was the one you most wanted to hear when listening to an Interpol track. “Evil” is a track where both those statements are very much true.

The first thing you hear when the song starts playing? Dengler on the bass. And though I wouldn’t say that memorable riff is evil, it definitely sets off a very moody and ominous atmosphere. No, I think the ‘evil’ is represented by the subject matter, the track may be about Rosemary Wet, the serial killer who tortures and killed teenage girls along with her husband Fred. Thinking about it now, the song may be from the perspective of the husband, dead after committing suicide before going on trial. But that’s just my suggestion.

“Evil” is a worrying track. And if you think listening to it’s bad, just look at the music video. I can’t remember when I first watched it but when I did I didn’t know whether to be scared, concerned or amused by the puppet. Its facial expressions are frightening at times, but its movements are pretty hilarious.

My iPod #341: Goldhawks – Everytime I See You Cry

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Have you heard of Goldhawks? If so, I congratulate you. If not, I don’t blame you. I don’t think there is a large amount of people out there who do. Their debut album “Trick of Light” was released in 2010. Did you hear anything about this from the television? I certainly didn’t. I was watching The Jonathan Ross show when a sample of a song of theirs was used alongside a compilation of Andre Agassi playing tennis. “Everytime I See You Cry” was not that song. But if it wasn’t for that I definitely would not be typing this, or have any knowledge of this band whatsoever. The album doesn’t even have a Wikipedia article, so I can’t link it to you. They do have a channel on YouTube though.

What do Goldhawks sound like? A bit like an indie rock version of U2 with a singer who sounds like Gaz Coombes from Supergrass. You interested? I’m glad. I would also say that their music is actually represented well by the album cover. Why I feel their music is best to be played when strolling in the city during night time with lots of bright lights is probably depicted all in that one beautiful picture.

“Everytime I See You Cry” greatly sets off the mood, being the opening track on “Trick of Light”. Though it’s about feeling guilty about having to leave a partner for work (in this case, I’ll say it’s about touring or something), the ‘get ready’ refrain and rocking music is very encouraging and inspiriting.

Goldhawks may not become very popular. But I’ve got to get the word out somehow. We can all listen together.

My iPod #340: They Might Be Giants – Everything Right Is Wrong Again

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They Might Be Giants are known to be unorthodox when it comes to making music. The two Johns seem to be able to use any instrument or find some weird recording technique to produce a song. And they will never disappoint in giving you something different with each album they come out with. But most importantly every album of theirs is a fun and entertaining listen, and nothing sums up those two adjectives then They Might Be Giants’ debut album. Look at this album cover and tell me you don’t feel just a bit happier after looking at it.

It all began with this track. “Everything Right Is Wrong Again”, is about exactly what the song title tells you. Everything is going bad and the narrator only wants to know when things get better again. And while this may be a bit dire, this is all sung against some of the happiest music that’s been written. Sometimes it reminds me of that kind of music that would be a theme tune to a comedy show or something (there’s just something about that chord progression during the “all the dishes” part that makes me feel it should be in a cartoon). Or it may just be the reference to a comedy film that is made in the refrain.

I think if you were to ask me what track I thought really depicted what They Might Be Giants are all about, it would probably have to be this one. Most of the themes the group use are covered in the two-and-a-half minutes “Everything” lasts for and the track is cleverly written with humorous lyrics and busy rhythm. It slows down only for the middle section before resetting back to its original pace for the last chorus, where the keyboards rise in volume and perform the most joyous, almost-classical sounding piece of music bringing a triumphant end to a brilliant opening track. The fun carries on for eighteen more songs after.

The post is over now.

My iPod #339: Radiohead – Everything in Its Right Place

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“Everything in Its Right Place” is the opening track on Radiohead’s “Kid A” album, one where the band completely diverted away from their heavy guitar-driven music to warmer, electronic material. Fans waited for three years after “OK Computer”, full of anticipation with what Radiohead could deliver. Apparently, “Kid A” polarized many. Either people loved it ‘cos of the new musical direction, or hated because of the same reason. Whether the band made the change to make people not like it as much, I’m not sure. The members, especially Thom Yorke, were burnt out from the success that “OK Computer” gained. “Kid A” made them a lot more successful anyway.

I was five when the album was released, and so have no recollection of anything Radiohead did. Who were Radiohead? I didn’t know; I was in Year 1. But I eventually got round to listening to “Kid A” (and “Amnesiac” for the hell of it) in 2012. Why did it take me so long? Well…. I think I used to label those years as the period where Radiohead went a bit weird. The first song I remember liking from them was on “Hail to the Thief”, and their singles I usually saw on the TV were “Creep – OK Computer” era. It wasn’t until I actually researched that both albums were very much appreciated, that I thought I would listen to them.

And so “Everything in Its Right Place” started playing, and it was then that I realised I might have been missing out on something. Everything about it is just so peaceful, calm and tranquil even though the lyrics are from the perspective of a person going through some problems of their own. Got a steady 4/4 beat playing against a 10/4 time signature, unconventional yet wouldn’t sound out of place in any dance/house party. And the song’s only made up of four phrases which are repeated in many different and memorable ways, that when you think one will be repeated again the track begins to fade out. And then it’s gone.

I’ve seen comments from people saying that Radiohead should start playing guitars again but they did do this song, cut them some slack.