Chick, Fallen Leaves

Foraging for food 

Blackbird pecks through fallen leaves

Hungry chicks to feed

Rage Against the Machine by Rage Against the Machine

Possibly one of the most wilfully misunderstood bands of all time, there really is no response to right wingers adopting tracks like Killing in the Name Of as anthems other than to sigh heavily and then punch them in the face until they get it. It really couldn’t be any clearer in its condemnation of violent racist cops if it tried, and even if the album closer Freedom is a little more elliptical (hint - “Diamonds using Clubs to beat Spades” is not a reference to the game of Bridge) there is no arguing with the sentiment here.

This album is still as depressingly relevant now as it was on its release in 1992 in the wake of Rodney King being beaten by cops, sparking protests in response. In fact, there is even more urgency now in the need for resistance to fascism, even if that means violence or ultimate self sacrifice as shown in the chilling picture of the death of the Tibetan monk Thich Quang Duc on the cover.

Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me-tastic!

Winter Coat

Ne’er cast a clout
Afore May is out, except
Your big winter coat

The Man-Machine by Kraftwerk

It’s astonishing that an album from almost 50 years ago still sounds as if it’s been dropped through a time warp from a sci-fi future where man and machine have merged, and icy robots dance in the neon lights of a cyber city. This album was massively influential on many genres of music, from 80’s synth pop and hip-hop, to electro, house and EDM in the 90s and beyond. There are even elements of trip-hop and ambient, which explains why this album sounds both contemporary and timeless.

This version is the remastered one from 2009, but to be honest the original sounded pretty good on the cassette that I listened to on my Walkman way back when. It’s difficult to pick out highlights from this as it’s all excellent, but if pushed I would go for the stunning electronic Motorik beat on Spacelab which is still eminently danceable.

Robot-tastic!

New clothes, Carp

I will wear new clothes
For a special occasion
Such as catching carp

Night Life by Ray Price

This album features a spoken introduction from Mr Ray Price himself promising “songs of happiness, sadness, heartbreak.” 

To be honest, this is mainly about the latter two emotions featuring late night honky tonks, lonesome streets and ending up in jail because you drank a whole bottle of gin. Again. 

 Musically, this has its roots in the Western Swing sound with fiddles handing off to gorgeous sounding pedal steel guitars and back again, with solid double bass and drums keeping the tempo going. Ray Price has a mighty fine singing voice holding everything together. 

 Going back to the intro, Ray urges fans to get in touch and let the band know if you enjoyed the record. Well, I certainly did! 

 Honky Tonk-tastic! 

Pine, Breeze

Evergreen needles
Wind whispers through pine barrens
A peaceful forest sigh