Music blog. Throughout 2011 I'll be posting one song a day from the 90s, counting down the 'best' 365 with #1 being posted on December 31st. One song per artist. Also posted will be little features on new music and bands, as well as mixtapes made by myself and guests. During 2010 posted my favourite 365 tracks of 2000-2009, you can read that list here
#246 - Hood - Hood is Finished
Is apt posting one of the great Leeds artists, going to Live At Leeds today. Less apt is posting one of the most autumnal/wintery songs ever on a sunny April day, but that’s where they’ve come in the list. While Hood undoubtedly were at their best post-2000, the record from which this is taken is where they came into their own for me.
#60 - The Notwist - Consequence
pretty heartbreaking, huh?
#201 - Franz Ferdinand - Outsiders
Personally there are a ton of parellels between The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand - I’m pretty rare in thinking that the second record was the best, although I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking the third records were by far the worst and both bands hugely suffered from losing momentum. In both cases I think the debuts had some really strong pop songs that were both huge freshes of breath air at times when things were getting pretty stale and were rightly praised for remodelling guitar music if not revolutionising it (although with hindsight it’s clear to see Franz had a much shorter-lasting effect).
However, in Room on Fire and You Could Have It So Much Better…, for me if not everyone, were the peaks that the bands won’t ever reach again. Quite daring production, catchy leading singles, really strong openers and closers, and a collection of songs that fit together perfectly; the latter point being what I felt the debuts were lacking, perhaps my only criticism.
As mentioned above, the second Franz record had a perfect record closer, Outsiders. Feeling epic without ever being overblown or even particularly long. Completely eerie and atmospheric with Alex Kapranos giving one of his best vocal performances. Remember listening to this loads when I was 15 and playing co-op Star Wars Rogue Squadron (pretty badass?) in my asbestos-filled cellar i’d “done up” by nailing rugs to the dusty walls. Felt like a suitably eerie and dark setting for this record.
[download/stream above removed. Listen via YouTube:]
#217 - HOOD - You Show No Emotion At All
Probably the third best ever band to’ve come out of Leeds? Gang of Four & The Wedding Present ahead, if you’re wondering.
[download/stream above removed. Listen via YouTube:]
