日志

Mogwai Fear Satan, the final track on Mogwai's album Young Team has been my favorite song for a long time. And in celebration of my re-kindling devotion for this epic, I have decided to write for 16 minutes and 19 seconds, just what comes to mind when I hear this song, and what it does for me. Skip to the last paragraph for the synopsis. I added in some links after I was done, cause you know, why not?

--

The fade in of a simple, calm, soothing guitar melody. The drums slowly fade in, and the song truly begins to take flight. I've always really admired how the song begins; This song alone shows true dynamic range (sure, it's a fade-in but bear with me).

Then there's always the nice, slow rise up the major scale that the bass does about a minute in that I've always enjoyed. It's really the only musical change you see occurring. The rest is straight major to minor to major to minor. And I love every second.

The first climax hits. Shivers down my spine, as usual. I feel the bliss of night and stars in the sky; No harm can be done to me. The single guitar plays the long, distorted notes over the furious drums and bass, and it sounds like a beautiful chaos. I've tried to replicate that sound oh-so many times; And I fail each time.

It abruptly calms itself down through a falling distortion, with a single floutist slowly taking control of musical direction. It's at this time, after my mind has been blown for the first time, that I usually find myself thinking: "How?" I love this song with more dying devotion than a clergyman, but why Mogwai? I mean, I do quite like Young Team, Come On Die Young and Happy Songs for Happy People. But I've never thought of them as one of my favorite bands. I mean, why not something from one of my more favorite albums? Why not the best cut off Quadrophenia? How does a song by band who I like manage to mean so much more to me than even my most favorite release by one of my top bands -- Not only that, my most favorite release ever? How does a 16-minute instrumental that doesn't have the air-tight packaging of an album like Quadrophenia manage to run side by side with it? How can I like this to the extent that I like it?

Aside from that, my mind is focused on this flute. I've heard some incredible floutists in my day, due to being at a high-school where you have those random overachievers. But hell, this is the only flute solo, I really care about. Even then, I played it once and my flute-playing comrade played along - It sounded great. Maybe it's just the melody with a flute that gets me. Maybe this flute player is nothing special. It's just this that gets me.

Second climax. Fucking hell. Every time, I can't help but smile at the chaos the band lays out before me... It's absolute bliss, to just feel wrapped in this simplistic melody, and have it take you to such supreme heights in so many ways -- Once again, a single guitar begins to maniacally play the riff, with another guitar maniacally playing a distorted riff in the background. The interplay should seem evil, or just stupid. But it just feels right. Then, the guitar hits that one little high note, right before the drums start hitting roto-toms (I think...). That fucking kills me. Another shiver down the spine, as the drums completely take over the song, and the guitar slowly allows them to take responsibility until the climax settles, and the flute is able to regain control. The guitars are still painstakingly beautiful -- Even as they finally allow the flute to gain footing, it's just incredible what they manage to accomplish.

For over a minute, the guitars still gently throw little phrases in over the flutes simple melody line, one that I've since memorized. But that doesn't allow the predictability to take anything away from it. It's still always a perfect listen. The tribal drums create the perfect situation for a gentle flute melody -- It feels like a campfire with friends. It feels like some sort of outing -- Some sort of arrangement where you're outside, and you just couldn't care less what happens around you. You feel a sublime happiness that negates everything. Sure, I could feel unhappiness when listening to this. But it somehow dampens it.

That brings me to my final point, as the guitar begins to bring in the distortion, which will slowly take over the song as it closes, I always think of the language I use to describe this song. 'Somehow', 'how', all of these words that don't give any real reason. Which makes me solemnly think that I really will never understand WHY I like this song so much. What is it? Why do I even bother asking? It's given me so much, but I stand here, attempting to dissect what it is. Can I ever really understand? I guess I'll have to sound like a toddler here; It just does. That's all. Mogwai Fear Satan just does. Even with my second favorite song, I understand generally why it evokes such promise to me. This song... Beats me. It just is.

the title says it all: my personal favourite records of 00-09. Here's the list:

50. Nik Freitas - Sun Down


49. The Airborne Toxic Event - The Airborne Toxic Event

48. Explosions in the Sky - The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place

47. Amplifier - Amplifier

46. Franz Ferdinand - Tonight

45. Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond


44. The Veils - The Runaway Found

43. Sky Larkin - The Golden Spike

42. Silver Jews - Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea

41. Mobius Band - Heaven

40. School of Seven Bells - Alpinisms


39. Maxïmo Park - Our Earthly Pleasures

38. The Black Box Revelation - Set Your Head on Fire

37. The Horrors - Primary Colours

36. ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - Source Tags & Codes

35. Gliss - Love The Virgins


34. Firewater - The Golden Hour

33. The Smashing Pumpkins - American Gothic EP

32. Air Formation - Daylight Storms

31. Frightened Rabbits - The Midnight Organ Fight

30. Portugal. The Man - Censored Colors


29. Cat Power - Jukebox

28. Bedouin Soundclash - Root Fire

27. Ben Weaver - Stories Under Nails

26. Metronomy - Nights Out

25. The Bronx - The Bronx (II)


24. The National - Boxer

23. Editors - The Back Room

22. A Place to Bury Strangers - A Place To Bury Strangers

21. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm

20. Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary


19. The Notwist - Neon Golden

18. Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing

17. I Heart Hiroshima - Tuff Teef

16. Film School - Film School

15. Portugal. The Man - Waiter: "You Vultures!"


14. Ted Leo and The Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak

13. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

12. Beach House - Devotion

11. Brand New - Deja Entendu

10. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes


9. Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights


8. Bowerbirds - Hymns for a Dark Horse


7. M83 - Saturdays = Youth


6. Mogwai - Young Team(2008 re-release)


5. The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns And Fifteen Winters


4. The National - Alligator


3. Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me


2. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar


1. Ted Leo and The Pharmacists - The Tyranny of Distance

Sunny Day Real Estate - Seven
Nirvana - Love Buzz (Live)
Jawbox - Savory
makazoruki - Awake
Školjke - Rak kostiju
Dead Boys - Sonic Reducer
Suis La Lune - Quiet, Pull The Strings
Public Image Limited - Carrering
Early Humans - Early Humans: The Dawn of man
Didjits - Gold Eldorado
Sebadoh - Beauty of the Ride
laddio bollocko - Laddio's money (death of a pop song)
Fugazi - Epic Problem
Shellac - Song of the Minerals
Raein - 1 di 6
The Wrens - Down To The Service
The Jesus Lizard - Monkey Trick (Live)
Sonic Youth - Radical Adults Lick Godhead Style
Mogwai - Travel Is Dangerous
Get Up Kids - Don't Hate Me
One Last Wish - My Better Half
Young Widows - Feelers
Tornavalanche - Different Places, Different Ghosts
Converge - Worms Will Feed
Turing Machine - Bitte Baby, Bitte

NME published a list of the top 100 albums of the start of this century along with a top 100 tracks one and now instead of just reading it, I decided to also do some thing with it.
My problem with NME lists is, that they're pretty narrow minded with their focus on mostly british and US music. But since this was the first list I came across, I'll use this one, starting with the places 100 till 51.


The top 100 greatest albums of the decade
http://www.nme.com/list/albums-of-the-decade/158049

100 MGMT Oracular Spectacular *
(2007)
I like(d) some songs of it?

99 The Maccabees Colour It In
(2007)
who?

98 Gorillaz Demon Days
(2005)
I love DARE, I didn't listen to the album though.

97 Sigur Ros Agaetis Byrjun *
(1999)
should be much much higher up this list!

96 Shellac Excellent Italian Greyhound
(2007)
nope

95 Björk Vespertine *
(2001)
not my favourite Björk album

94 Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster Horse Of The Dog
(2002)
I know they exist, but I really can't remember them anymore

93 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
(2005)
wasn't really that much interested

92 The Sleepy Jackson Lovers
(2003)
Sleepy Jackson argh!! Reminds me of a great birthday actually, but muscially...nope!

91 Les Savy Fav Let’s Stay Friends
(2007)
I know the name...

90 Gallows Orchestra Of Wolves
(2006)
another case of I know the name, but never gave them a dedicated listen

89 Frightened Rabbit The Midnight Organ Fight
(2003)
who?!

88 Bonnie Prince Billy The Letting Go
(2006)
I tried it, but no.

87 Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago
(2003)
doesn't ring a bell

86 The Twilight Sad Forget The Night Ahead
(2009)
nope

85 Roots Manuva Run Come Save Me
(2001)
not exactly my cup of tea

84 Regina Spektor Soviet Kitsch *
(2004)
I gave it a chance, it didn't work

83 Laura Marling Alas, I Cannot Swim
(2008)
nope

82 mclusky Mclusky Do Dallas
(2005)
I know they exist and that's it.

81 Field Music Field Music
(2005)
nope

80 Danger Mouse The Grey Album
(2004)
I know it exists, but I never checked it out, because I grew tired of bastard pop like 2 minutes after it turned up.

79 Kings of Leon Youth And Young Manhood *
(2003)
the best was yet to come, but it was a good start

78 Belle & Sebastian Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant *
(2000)
I lub B&S, so there's no way I can be objective about this. :D

77 Isobel Campbell Ballad Of The Broken Seas
(2006)
didn't check it out despite B&S love. wooops!

76 Capdown Civil Disobedients
(2000)
who?

75 The Shins Chutes Too Narrow *
(2003)
me likey who says I!

74 Brand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
(2006)
nope

73 Broken Social Scene You Forgot It In People
(2002)
BSS are one of these bands I actually like (been to a concert even), but don't know much of their music.

72 M.I.A. Kala
(2007)
I love Paper Planes

71 Brian Wilson Smile
(2004)
No Beach Boys nutter so I didn't give it a shot

70 Glasvegas Glasvegas
(2008)
I know them, but didn't sit down to listen to them

69 Biffy Clyro Puzzle
(2008)
uhm.... no!

68 The Horrors Primary Colours
(2009)
too tired of listening to NME's band of the moment, sorry if I'm missing something?!

67 Botch We Are The Romans
(1999)
Never heard of them.

66 Mogwai The Hawk Is Howling
(2008)
Don't know the album

65 Muse Black Holes And Revelations *
(2006)
the thing with muse is, that first I don't like their new album and then I end up loving it. Same story here.

64 The Radio Dept. Lesser Matters
(2003)
I know the name

63 Godspeed You Black Emperor Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
(2000)
No big fan of Godspeed

62 Queens of the Stone Age Rated R
(2000)
whatever you dooooooo don't tell anyone!

61 The National Alligator *
(2005)
I love the album and their concert with it was one of the best I've ever been to.

60 Green Day American Idiot
(2004)
haha no. Dookie will stay the only Green Day album I own (though my sister stole it!)

59 The Hold Steady Boys And Girls In America
(2006)
don't know them

58 Liars Drum's Not Dead
(2006)
I gave up on them before this one came out, so nope.

57 OutKast Stankonia
(2000)
so fresh and so cleeeean!

56 My Morning Jacket Z
(2005)
so not my cup of tea

55 Hard-Fi Stars Of CCTV
(2005)
I'm working for the cash machine! not so keen on the rest

54 The Golden Virgins Songs Of Praise *
(2004)
Wow, I'm really surprised to see them on this list! I think they got kicked off their label after this album and split up in 2006. I guess they just weren't stylish enough for 2004. :(
It got great songs about unrequited love and needs to be known much more broadly!
<3 Staying Sober

53 Jamie T Panic Prevention
(2007)
nope

52 Rufus Wainwright Poses *
(2001)
I still can't decide if I like or dislike Mr Wainwright, but I like this album...

51 The Good, The Bad and the Queen The Good, The Bad And The Queen
(2007)
Not a big Damon Albarn fan, so I didn't give it a shot.

So here's how you do it:
- Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
- Put it on shuffle
- Press play
- For every question, type the song that's playing
- When you go to a new question, press the next button
- No cheating!

Opening Credits
Parkway Drive - Carrion

Waking Up
Richard Ashcroft - God in the Numbers

First Day At School
The Cure - Just Like Heaven

Falling In Love
The Smiths - Shoplifters Of The World Unite

Losing Virginity
Killing Joke - Love Like Blood

Fight Song
Rage Against the Machine - Bombtrack

Breaking Up
Mogwai - Stupid Fuck Gets Chased By the Police and Loses His Slut Girlfriend

Prom
Protest the Hero - Sequoia Throne

Life
Amusement Parks on Fire - Out of the Angeles

Mental Breakdown
Robbie Williams - The Trouble With Me

Driving
Breaking Benjamin - Polyamorous

Depression
Oasis - Slide Away

Partying
Doom Unit - Killing Time

Happy dance
Arab Strap - Fucking Little Bastards

Betrayal
Queen - Under Pressure

Regretting
The Enemy - Aggro

Long night alone
Billy Talent - Devil on My Shoulder

Flashback
Mudvayne - Forget to Remember

Getting Back Together
Keane - Is It Any Wonder

Wedding
Franz Ferdinand - Well That Was Easy

Birth of Child
Working for a Nuclear Free City - England

Final Battle
Lamb of God - Vigil

Death Scene
Akercocke - Intractable

Funeral Song
Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name

End Credits
Killswitch Engage - Reject Yourself

JGentle's top albums (overall)
1. Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones (230) 2. Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights (204) 3. The White Stripes - Icky Thump (199) 4. Morrissey - Viva Hate (178) 5. Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon (153) 6. The Tiger Lillies - Low Life Lullabies (150) 7. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing in the Hands (149) 8. Calexico - Feast of Wire (144) 9. Steven Wilson - Insurgentes (143) 10. Tom Waits - Bone Machine (141) 11. M. Ward - Transistor Radio (136) 12. Jackson C. Frank - Blues Run The Game 1 (129) 13. Porcupine Tree - On the Sunday of Life... (128) 14. The Arcade Fire - Funeral (125) 15. Tim Buckley - Goodbye and Hello (120) 16. The Smiths - Meat Is Murder (119) 17. Porcupine Tree - In Absentia (116) 18. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Letting Go (109) 19. Dead Can Dance - Dead Can Dance (102) 20. Tim Buckley - Blue Afternoon (102) 21. Four Tet - Pause (101) 22. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (100) 23. Fred Neil - Bleecker & MacDougal (96) 24. Andrew Bird - Weather Systems (96) 25. Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow (94) 26. Nick Drake - Pink Moon (94) 27. The Birthday Party - Prayers on Fire (90) 28. M. Ward - Transfiguration of Vincent (89) 29. David Bowie - Low (Remastered) (87) 30. Joy Division - Closer (85) 31. Tom Waits - Black Rider (85) 32. The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan (85) 33. Kimmo Pohjonen - Kluster (84) 34. Crippled Black Phoenix - A Love Of Shared Disasters (83) 35. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - The Boatman's Call (82) 36. Tim Buckley - Tim Buckley (79) 37. Grinderman - Grinderman (78) 38. Porcupine Tree - The Incident (78) 39. Crepusculum - Sky Diaries EP (78) 40. The White Stripes - White Blood Cells (77) 41. Yo La Tengo - And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out (77) 42. The Phantom Payn - Vol. 1 "Dig The Squares-They're Ugly" (76) 43. 16 Horsepower - Sackcloth 'n' Ashes (76) 44. Radiohead - In Rainbows [CD1] (74) 45. The Smiths - The Smiths (73) 46. The White Stripes - Elephant (73) 47. Mogwai - Happy Songs for Happy People (72) 48. Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals (72) 49. Set Fire to Flames - Sings Reign Rebuilder (72) 50. Katatonia - Night Is The New Day (72)

I decided that I would make a list of who I have seen live. I will list everyone , so a few I might be slightly embarassed about.

1. Mötley Crüe - Birmingham
   
2. Aerosmith - Birmingham
   
3. The Dogs D'Amour - Manchester
   
4. Cheap and Nasty - Blackpool
   
5. The Quireboys - Blackpool
   
6. Dubh Chapter - Blackpool
   
7. Faster Pussycat - Manchester
   
8. Love/Hate - Manchester
   
9. Dangerous Toys - Manchester
   
10. Skid Row - Manchester
    
11. The Mission - Manchester
    
12. The Almighty - Manchester
    
13. Muse - Manchester
    
14. White Lion - Manchester
    
15. Jane's Addiction - Manchester
    
16. U2 - London
    
17. Paul Oakenfold - London
    
18. R.E.M. - Manchester
    
19. Pink Floyd - London
    
20. Mogwai - Manchester
    
21. Red Hot Chili Peppers - London
    
22. Foo Fighters - Manchester
    
23. The Prodigy - Manchester
    
24. Sleeper - Manchester
    
25. Garbage - Manchester
    
26. James - Manchester
    
27. Radiohead - Blackpool
    
28. Metallica - Manchester
    
29. Feeder - Manchester
    
30. Ash - Manchester
    
31. Levellers - Manchester
    
32. Eels - Manchester
    
33. Limp Bizkit - Manchester
    
34. Massive Attack - Manchester

Up until last weekend I hadn't been to a gig in 8 years so there are plenty of bands I want to see live that I listen to now. Funny how music tastes change as I only listen to a handful of those bands now. Some of them I haven't listened to in a long time, or I was forced to go to the show by my missus.

So my first show in 8 years was:

1. Erik Mongrain - Poulton Le Fylde
   

I think I have missed out a few so I will add them when I remember. My memory isn't so great anymore.