Songs I Heard This Week (6/10/22)

As one who has been a fan of Kate Bush’s song, Running Up That Hill, for decades, it’s interesting to see it suddenly climb the charts and become a cultural phenomenon (thanks to being featured in the latest season of Stranger Things). It goes to show that even the things that seem to fall into obscurity can be resurrected, and art can be reborn. Why am I talking about a song I’m not even posting about? Because I thought I would recommend another obscure artist from that era and a song that would likely be pleasing to those who are enjoying Running Up That Hill. Bel Canto is a dreamy, Norwegian band featuring vocalist, Anneli Drecker, and the track comes from their synth-pop masterpiece, Birds of Passage. As a long-time listener, I would definitely credit Bel Canto with being one of the many artists who have influenced my own music over the years. This particular track is quite powerful, especially those blaring trombones. So let’s bring back good music, God knows the record industry isn’t doing it!

Club 8 is a Swedish indie pop band, and the sister band of the Acid House Kings, both known for their bossa-nova-influenced chillout style, infectious melodies, and sweet vocals. I adore much of the music from both bands, but this track, from their album, The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Dreaming, was on my mind this past week. Oh, and I love the fantastic bass line! But the lyrics speak to my own unwillingness to conform to the expectations of others. Or as Shakespeare so eloquently put it, “To thine own self be true!”

Jim Seals (of Seals & Crofts) died at the age of 80 this week. I could post one of their more well know hits, like Summer Breeze or Diamond Girl (which are incredible), but instead, I will post their anthem to life, Unborn Child (from the album of the same name). It caused much controversy for the band and was even banned from radio stations, but is as relevant today and it was in 1974. From Wikipedia: “According to Dash Crofts, Warner Bros. tried to warn them not to release the album, because the subject of abortion was highly controversial. Neither Seals nor Crofts cared about the money and stated they were making the record to save lives, while Warner was primarily concerned with making money. The duo also insisted that the song’s message was more universally that one should not take life too lightly, and should consider its value before carrying out the procedure of abortion.”

I quote this song in my last blog post of the same, title. Naturally, it was playing in my mind as a result, but it also happens to be one of my favorite Sinatra tracks. I love the build-up. It produces this feeling of great anticipation and you really believe him…the best IS yet to come!

This track really chokes me up. FM-84 is part of the NewRetroWave movement, a genre largely established by one of favorite bands of all-time, The Midnight (who I had the pleasure of seeing live earlier this year). I have found a lot of these copy cat acts to be lacking, but there are some real treasures out there, including this one, that perfectly captures the feeling of the 80s ballad. The vocals are so perfectly suited, but it makes sense when you realize that Clive Farrington is the lead vocalist of 80s synth-pop band, When In Rome (known for their hit, The Promise).