Posted in: December 2013

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It’s safe to say that I’ve just become a big fan of Junip. There is not one dud track on the two albums worth of music that I’ve heard from them so far: it just boils down to choosing one to pimp here on either/or.

Here is one of their latest, self-titled release. Like yesterday’s, it’s slick and undeniably cool, but it’s all graced with González’s serene vocals. Heavenly!

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It’s pretty much assured that I’m going to like whatever endeavour José González lends his considerable talents to. Case in point: this band, which he fronts with Tobias Winterkorn. Not that I know who that is, or expect you to. Just saying that it’s not just him!

My rambling aside, it’s actually a rather important distinction to make. While anyone who knows González’s music would immediately latch onto the fact that it’s his vocals and guitar in this song, it’s a far more uptempo and slicker presentation than his usual modus operandi would gift us. It is quite fantastic!

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Having just done a Nick Drake binge, I can safely say that he is one of the most pure, sophisticated and truly honest musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. His music is not pretentious or burdened by commercial prospects of success. Instead, it’s beautifully evocative, simple but truthful, and utterly heartfelt. He left an indelible mark on the music world, though he certainly hasn’t reached the level of popularity he truly deserves. Maybe it’s better that way though: discovering his music on your own rather than having it force-fed by some ridiculous DJ makes it all the more pleasurable.

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Every now and then, a more traditional bit of country music will drop into my lap (or ears, rather) and hit me in just the right way. This is one of those times, and what a treat it is! Jace Everett is possibly better known for Bad Things , the theme song for the show about sexy vampires, but since I don’t watch the show, I have never heard of him before.

Anyway, ol’ Everett brings some great country twang without the stereotypical sappiness: quite smokey but superbly catchy at the same time. It’s a great road-tripping song, and it kind of reminds me of the music for Firefly, the greatest cancelled TV show of all time.

Unfortunately, all I’ve got media wise is an Amazon stream, but for 99 cents you really can’t go wrong: just buy it!

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Now that the joy of Christmas has passed, it is now time for the crushing come-down from the high. Overeating! A pile of crappy gifts that you have to put somewhere! Debilitating weariness! Allow me, ladies and gentlemen, contribute to this feeling of dreariness with one of Radiohead’s most biting, angsty tunes, which has been given a downtempo remix by good ol’ Zero 7.

My tomfoolery aside, this is spectacular. Been quite a while since I’ve heard this, but I do distinctly remember the first time I did: I was blown away by the departure from the original version, yet it all seems to work wonderfully well.

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You know how Christmas carols are complete rubbish? Christopher Lee has come to the rescue! Aside from being one hell of a notable vampire, a Bond villain, and a insanely badass wizard, Lee is also a heavy metal artist. Sir, my hat and many others are off to you! I will stack hats on my head and take them all off to you! Here is his version of Jingle Bells, which will no doubt save you from the carolling doldrums this day brings.

On that note, either/or wishes you a happy Christmas! Enjoy the snow/immense heat (depending on where you are).

Unfortunately, I can’t find a full stream of the song, so you’ll have to make do with the official excerpt. You should totally buy it, though!

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I talked about Split Enz the other day, but failed to mention anything notable about them, because I am a blithering cretin. Split Enz were one of the most famous bands to ever come out of New Zealand (so naturally, we coined them as Australian). The band featured the Finn brothers (Tim and Neil) who, once the band were finished, went on to feature in the Australian (this time) group Crowded House, where the music was a bit more grounded in pop rock rather than the more oddball stylings of Split Enz.

Crowded House are an indelible part of the consciousness of the Australian public. Their songs and lyrics are recalled in an instant anytime even a hint of them is played out in public, and that, my friends, is a damn fine thing.

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Zero 7 are but a breath away from releasing a new album if their recent Facebook murmurings are any indication. They’ve dropped this single on an unsuspecting world, and while I do bemoan the change in direction from their downtempo days, this is certainly a much more listenable and enjoyable tune than the majority of their last album. Very nightclub-y, but not overly blaring and rubbish. I can only imagine that the rest of the album will follow in this direction, so I guess it can’t be too bad.

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Speaking of the 80s, one of the greatest love songs of all time was born from it. At no time is this song overwrought or soppy: it is simply beautiful. Quite ethereal, but dynamic at the same time, it is certainly up there as one of my favourite songs. As is the way with me though, I have done absolutely no diving into Split Enz’s eclectic output over the years, which I clearly need to amend!

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I’m not entirely sure where I heard this song. It’s in my list of tagged songs in Shazam, but goodness knows how it got there! One of those grand old mysteries of life, I assume.

Regardless of its mystical methods of making itself known, it is still a great, catchy song from the era that good taste well and truly departed: the 80s. It is good to know that the 80s weren’t entirely filled with junk!