What we are listening to. This week it's...
Dorie
I keep returning to a band I loved and first saw on Later with Jools Holland ; ‘Everything Everything’, The guy's voice is insane and the edgy progressive angle on their pop was tantalising. I bought the album immediately and then typically got distracted by other music. I recently went back to see if they ever did anything else- how embarrassing, there’s archives! I did an iTunes mini listen and purchased an album called ‘Arc’. There’s a song called “Radiant” which melodically floods any boat I'll ever float in. I love it, and it’s really hard to learn and sing along with so that’ll be me for another year or so before I chance another of their albums…
Mike
'I saw the Stacey Brothers with their Steely Dan project (The Royal Scam) at Ronnie Scott's recently and had forgotten how much I love the album Gaucho. They played virtually every track from that record but the title track is my absolute favourite!
I was lucky enough to work with Jeff Porcaro and Steve Khan when recording The Blessing’s first album,. Prince Of The Deep Water, both of whom played on Gaucho. Jeff was an absolute Diamond Geezer, as they say and grooved his way across three Blessing tracks: Highway 5, Let’s Make Love and Birdhouse.
The track Gaucho is a song that almost shouldn’t work. Lot’s of pushes, odd bars, not much rhyming in the lyrics, but I love it. The playing is top, top notch and the vocals on the chorus have a sublime laziness that I find enthralling.' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GesEA9MJuII
Mark
'This week I have been mostly listening to Wolf Alice's "How Can I Make It Okay?" The rhythm, melody and lyrics are beautiful, and I find the sound epic, the way it slowly builds from its subtle beginning to magnificent ending. It's a cracking song, pop music at its best... '
Nick
'Losing from Exit North's 2019 album Book of Romance and Dust. Just the bleakest, most atmospheric music being made at the moment. The instrumentation and production are extraordinary and Thomas Feiner's voice sends shivers. A Scandi-Noir film for the ears! Japan are one of my favourite ever bands and Steve Jansen brings some of their key elements to Exit North's sound. I've not met anyone else yet who shares my enthusiasm and I secretly find that immensely pleasing!'