2009 02 22 - Suede - Asphalt World

A sprawling, dark space rock epic. If all you know of Suede is from Trash onwards or the lightness of the Tears, then acquaint yourself with this, the darkest moment of one of the best albums of the 1990s. It's the sound of a band falling apart; Bernard Butler's guitars were recorded during the day, the rest of the band came in during the night to finish their parts. Sit back and enjoy this.

If you're on spotify.

If you're on twitter.

09 02 21 - Frank Sinatra - New York, New York

Totally off the general theme I've been developing here, but my Gran died at lunchtime today, and I thought I'd post a little tribute to her. She was a fan of Frank, among others, but this is the sort of music that she loved. And My Way is just crass. Besides the intro part is very odd on this, the main riff. God knows what it's doing musically, but it makes me feel funny.

If you're on spotify.

If you're on twitter.

09 02 20 - Cat Power - (I Can't Get No Satisfaction)

The best a cover version can achieve is to define the song as being by that artist - Roxy Music's Hard Rain's Gonna Fall, Jimi Hendrix' All Along the Watchtower, Paul Young's Love Will Tear Us Apart (well, okay...) - and that this song does that in spades. The intelligence of the original is laid bare, not hidden behind a frantic pace and chaotic guitar clank, but a real genuine comment on commercialism.

If you're on spotify.

If you're on twitter.

09 02 19 - James - Laid

Most people know them for the likes of She's A Star and the infernal Sit Down, but this is a real gem. I remember doing my Saturday and Sunday paper round listen to this on my Sony Walkman THAT HAD A RADIO ON, and loving the lyricism. I read somewhere that they all live in Dollar, near Stirling. And Tim Booth was in Batman Begins. And the Smiths covered a James song at their first gig, they've been going that long...

If you're on spotify.

If you're on twitter.

09 02 18 - Gene - For The Dead

A classic. Their second single, not on their debut Olympian. At this time, 1994-1996, they were throwing awesome pop songs around. The roar in the chorus, the gorgeous guitar sound, the soft soft bass. It makes you wonder why they were never massive; then you realise it's their ill-advised ladrock/dadrock tendencies that killed their third LP and their career. In the end, they were touring at the weekends to fit around their day jobs.

If you're on spotify.

If you're on twitter.

09 02 17 - Tindersticks - Rented Rooms

This is just such a good song. Okay, it's maybe a bit of an acquired taste - the flamenco instrumentation, the smoky baritone of Stuart Staples - but it's one of those songs that make my stomach leap like I've had an espresso.

If you're on spotify.

If you're on twitter.

2009 02 16 - Badly Drawn Boy - Something to Talk About (Four Tet remix)

Who says remixes are a waste of time? The original is a dull plodding ballad, Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) takes the vocal and slices the guitar line up to create a poptronica folktronica gem hidden away as a b-side. It wasn't even on the Four Tet remixes LP, but is one of the best tracks he's ever done. Badly Drawn Boy's career has been in the doldrums, surely this blend of lush electronica melds well with his voice...?

If you're on spotify:
spotify:user:electrumboy:playlist:6dEaG2c7uhbAqDuHsHhJsV

If you're on twitter:
twitter.com/dayofthesong

2009 02 15 - Belle and Sebastian - "Dylan in the Movies"

The highlight of their second LP, If You're Feeling Sinister, this is a majestic pop song. The version I've chosen is from their live album at the Barbican, which shows its influence as Sweet Jane by the Velvet Underground, something hitherto hidden by the production on the LP.

If you're on spotify:
spotify:user:electrumboy:playlist:6dEaG2c7uhbAqDuHsHhJsV

If you're on twitter:
twitter.com/dayofthesong

2009 02 14 - Nirvana - "You Know You're Right"

The last track that Nirvana recorded, not released until 2002. I was big fan of Nirvana in my teens but like most people my age, I totally overplayed them. It's astonishing to hear this song for the first time, getting that thrill of listening to Nirvana for the first time. It's a fantastic song, too; if Cobain hadn't killed himself, it gives a taste of what the follow-up to In Utero might have sounded like...

If you're on spotify:
spotify:user:electrumboy:playlist:6dEaG2c7uhbAqDuHsHhJsV

If you're on twitter:
twitter.com/dayofthesong

2009 02 13 - Tears for Fears - "Head Over Heels"

The intro track to the film Donnie Darko. I got reminded of this as I read that there's a straight to DVD sequel out soon, hmm. Anyway, the song is easily the best Tears for Fears did, though that's not saying much.

If you're on spotify:
spotify:user:electrumboy:playlist:6dEaG2c7uhbAqDuHsHhJsV

If you're on twitter:
twitter.com/dayofthesong

2009 02 12 - Teenage Fanclub - "I heard you looking"

A cover of the Yo La Tengo track. It was a b-side to Neil Jung (alternate version. I don't particularly like TFC, but this is the definitive version of that song. An instrumental, sprawling classic.

If you're on spotify:
spotify:user:electrumboy:playlist:6dEaG2c7uhbAqDuHsHhJsV

If you're on twitter:
twitter.com/dayofthesong