Song of the Day No.57

Good Times

by Jim O'Rourke (Insignificance, 2001)

Hailing from Chicago and the experimental post-rock jazz scene that Tortoise, amongst other acts, sprang from, Jim O'Rourke has been a busy boy. Aside from his extensive recording discography and film score credits O'Rourke has been busy the other side of the glass too. The list of acts he has produced or mixed for is a as long as a long arm can get; from Sonic Youth, Smog and Faust to Joanna Newsom, Wilco and Judee Sill, this boy has done it all. It is evident that between all this, writing his solo material and finding time to play with Sonic Youth, Gastr del Sol and others O'Rourke's influence stretches far and wide. Indeed, even his musical style is all-encompassing having at one time or another written material that could fall into the jazz, rock, indie-pop, noise, avant-garde and electronica pigeonholes.

Insignificance is a poppy indie-rock offering with a few moments of experimentalism seeping through. With a generally upbeat feel to the songs you would expect 'Good Times' to continue in such a vane, but it doesn't. Instead we hear lightly plucked guitar, mournful slide, subtle bass and delicate vocals. The song is pondering, though not ponderous, in outlook and gently fills the four minute duration with tender emotion.

AR

Song of the Day No.52

Paper Plane

by The Minders (Cul-de-Sacs & Dead Ends, 1999)

What many thought was the last release from the Elephant 6 label/collective, Cul-de-Sacs & Dead Ends is a compilation of singles and B-sides. The collective has now resurfaced and are again happily putting their stamp on the album covers of bands like Apples In Stereo, Circulatory System, Music Tapes and Of Montreal. The Minders haven't had the smoothest of rides, between revolving line-ups and different record labels, their last release was in 2006 with 'Paper Plane' being a single a decade previous.

A piercingly catchy riff calls the shots over steadily simple drumming and a fuzzy base. Shouty rhythmic backing vocals almost entirely cover the main lyrics giving a weird kind of familiarity to the song where even after multiple listens the words remain a mystery. Coming in at just over three minutes it's short and sweet and makes you want to hit that little green triangle again.

AR

Song Of The Day No.37

Felicity

by Orange Juice (You Can't Hide Your Love Forever, 1982)

Formed in 1976 and after a name change in 1979 they released their first single on Alan Horne's new record label, Postcard Records, in 1980. As the first group to release a single on said short-lived but influential Scottish label, it should be no surprise that the band themselves have influenced a whole score of groups, even to the extent of being able to say that indie-pop didn't exist before these Glaswegians.

Trademark jangly guitar riffs are slightly subdued on this slow starting but ultimately storming track with a piano taking centre-stage thumping out the pulsating melody. Mmmms and ohhhhs combined with shivering cymbals greet the listener and the song kick-starts into life. Shimmering, strummed electric guitar back-ups the piano and rumbling bass before the song shifts up a couple of gears for the chorus. “Felicity, I guess so, felicity, I guess so” is warbled out in Collins' fey high-pitched, but not as high as normal, vocals and are complemented by a thundering guitar rhythm to increase the intensity and urgency. A verse, chorus and bridge later and the song has expelled all the energy it can.

AR