A Rick Astley Free Zone

1 Glosli - Sigur Ros

This is a bit of a strange track that builds slowly from an odd start sounding like somebody marching on cardboard boxes accompanied by some strangulated warbling, to something rather magnificent. The vocals are tantalisingly indistinct, remaining just out of reach but I suspect that that is the idea. I suspect this needs to be listened to at maximum volume for best effect, so I did. The music box at the end is lovely too.

2. Dead - My Chemical Romance

A complete contrast here, bouncy fun rock that skips along in a quite jaunty and charming manner. Not what I was expecting at all, but that's because I was probably expecting it to sound like the Chemical Brothers - doh! Enjoyable in a west coast punk style, and it doesn't outstay its welcome

3. Matador - Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

Oh my. This is excellent. Football whistles, thumping great drums, latino vocals and everything. I want this on my GTA soundtrack now, so I can drive around Little Havana in Vice City listening to it.

4. Handlebars - Flobots

This is quite a clever rap, but it doesn't really grab me. It sounds a bit too much like the Weird Al Yankovich parody 'White and Nerdy'.

5. Billy Bragg - New England

An absolute classic, and one I have on vinyl up in the attic. "It's wrong to wish on space hardware" is probably one of my all time favourite song lyrics.

6. Me Voy - Juilieta Vengas

I love this one, a song that manages to be upbeat and whistful at the same time, and quite lovely with it.

7. The Jeep Song - The Dresden Dolls

I saw this pair playing at the Leadmill a while ago and they reminded a bit of a goth version of The White Stripes, but this is not one of their better tracks I think. The drummer chap can't really sing, and when he joins in it all sounds a bit naff. Thumbs down, I'm afraid

8. 2 +2 = 5 - Radiohead

In theory I should like Radiohead, but for some reason I have never really listened to them. I think that this song has convinced me to remedy that, so I'm going to buy a copy of OK Computer in the near future and sit down and give it a proper hearing.

9. Authority Song - Jimmy Eat World

Hmm, this drifted by without me noticing and I had to skip back to listen to it again. A bit too bland, I think.

10. Que Onda Guero - Beck

Another popular band that I have managed to avoid (see Radiohead), this track really appeals to me with the ambient street sounds and the rap lyrics referring to mariachi bands, followed by a Spanish chorus. This is what the Flobots should sound like, I think. Another must for the GTA soundtrack.

11. DJ DJ - Transplants

Ooh, another goody. Very catchy intro and bassline, and a nice boppy beat. Reminds me of the Beastie Boys in some ways, which is a good thing in case you were wondering

12. Skin and Bones - Foo Fighters

Yet another example of a popular band that is new to me, and I'm guessing this is an atypical example of their stuff. A very spare intro sets the scene nicely before the drums join in and the occasional burst of guitar, and then what sounds like a harmonica. I wasn't sure about this at first, but it has grown on me with subsequent listens.

13. Tear You Apart - She Wants Revenge

Very reminiscent of Iggy Pop, or maybe Psychedelic Furs, with growly vocals over a menacing bass and a nice tight drum beat. Yum.

14. New Best Friend - The Lashes

Sounds like a church organ to start with, before the vocals start and everything kicks off in a rather satisfying way. Not outstanding, but good, solid stuff.

15. Irish Blood, English Heart - Morrisey

I have a bit of problem with Morrisey. Don't get me wrong - I loved the Smiths and still consider them to be one of the defining sounds of the 80s, but Morrisey's subsequent solo career has been a bit of a curate's egg. Parts of it are excellent - 'Suedehead' and more recently 'You have killed me' were very good, but there have been some decidedly average tracks in there as well. I sort of like this, but then again I don't really. Hmmm, that sounds hopelessly indecisive. Sorry.

16. Shadow of the Day - Linkin Park

I initially thought this was Green Day, but a glance at the track list put me straight. It almost veers into a sort of mawkish U2 style ballad at one point, particularly in the guitar break at the end, and I think I prefer them when they are doing more in your face punky sort of stuff.

17. Into Action - Tim Armstrong

A complete contrast now, with a lovely, upbeat, bouncy bit of ska that makes me want to lace up my dms and start jumping around the room. Excellent - two thumbs up!

18. Huddle Formation - The Go! Team

Another goody to finish with. I like boppy guitar based pop with female vocalists, and this fits the bill perfectly. I love the cheerleader chorus bits as well.


So, in summary, it certainly was a Rick Astley free zone. I have a small confession to make though - I was listening to a documentary on Radio 2 about the Stock, Aitken and Waterman phenomenon and it struck me that if you strip out the cheesy, 80s pop backing track the boy Rick has quite the most amazing singing voice and I'd love to hear him tackle some proper soul classics at some point. Anyhoo, high points of the mix that will send me scurrying to hear more of include Sigur Ros, Los Fabulosas Cadillacs, Tim Armstrong and the Go! Team.

Cheers Will - much appreciated!