The Good Old Days

[Tired of waiting for Salil to post, so here goes.]



No, this is not the post about the glorious 60s and 70s. Nor is it the one about the era into which I made my arrival - the 80s. Those will come later.

This is about now. (Or at least, 2004-ish.)





This is about the Libertines.

The Libertines played no small part in the evolution of the modern rock scene in Britain. They were critical to the reestablishment of Cool Brittania. They were young and hedonistic and genuinely exciting. They rocked.

The story of Pete and Carl is fairly well-known in England, but, unfortunately, outside British Isles the name Pete Doherty is more associated with cocaine and Kate Moss than with angular, upbeat guitar rock. The Libertines' tale has all the makings of rock legend. The drugs, the supermodel(s?), and most importantly, the brilliant songwriting.

They made one cracker of an album, then Pete lost control, even breaking into Carl's house to steal a guitar to sell for cocaine. They managed to make a second album, which vaguely chronicled the band's hopes, and how they were destroyed.

And that was it. A handfull of recorded material and some unflattering tabloid photographs. But they managed to inspire a new generation of rockers, like the Kaiser Chiefs and Arctic Monkeys. Franz Ferdinand too, maybe. Hats off to them for that. Pete and Carl formed separate bands. They're not too bad, but the spark is missing. History repeats itself.


I'm told their lyrics are good, mixing Dickensian imagery with street poetry. I couldn't really make out much - the Beatles/Berry guitars mixed with punk chaos keep me happy. But one song really stood out, because it had a lesson for me and for anyone who believes in the myth that The Good Old Days actually existed.


If you've lost your faith in love and music
Oh the end won't be long
Because if it's gone for you then I too may lose it
And that would be wrong

I've tried so hard to keep myself from falling
Back into my bad old ways
And it chars my heart to always hear you calling
Calling for the good old days
Because there were no good old days
These are the good old days.


I don't talk much about the Libertines. But they are way up there in my pantheon (the one I never finished in my room in Muk West)! I think Pete and Carl belong to the select group of people who understood the "roll" in "rock n roll". These include Chuck Berry, John Lennon, David Gilmour, and Noel Gallagher (there are more, of course).


First up is I get along. The quintessential anarchic-yet-melodic Libertines song. Then comes Don't look back into the sun, which is one of my all-time faves. Then there's What Katy Did. Lastly, there's Can't stand me now and What became of the likely lads? - the songs about breaking up, forgiveness, and the dreams they had. Beautiful stuff.


The Libertines - I get along [mp3]

The Libertines - Don't look back into the sun [wma]

The Libertines - What Katy Did [mp3]

The Libertines - Can't stand me now [mp3]

The Libertines - What became of the likely lads? [mp3]

After Me Comes The Flood

[In case no one noticed, the titles of my posts are from lyrics to songs uploaded here.]


First up, Regina Spektor. A Russian Jew who moved to America in the 80's. She used to listen to the Beatles in Russia, and not understand a word. She said that Rubber Soul changed her life. (I may well be in love with this woman).
I think Regina captures the eclectic yet childlike spirit of the Beatles, without sounding much like them at all. She gets compared to Tori Amos and Fiona Apple, but I think she is far, far more loony. For proof listen to Apres Moi, in which she sings "Apres moi le deluge, after me comes the flood", and even belts out some Russian poetry by Boris Pasternak. If Apres Moi is too out-there, there's Better - which is as 'normal' as she can get, but it's a beautiful song too. I highly recommend her new album, which could possibly be on my top 20 by now. I think my top 20 has more than 20 albums...

Regina Spektor - Apres Moi - [mp3]
Regina Spektor - Better - [mp3]



Next up is The Rapture, a New York band very much in the business of making rock kids dance - a difficult trick to pull off. One of my favourite lines is from the end of Woo! Alright Yeah ... Uh-huh. It goes "People don’t dance no more/ They just stand there like this/ They cross their arms and stare you down and drink and moan and piss." Wait for it! The other song I've posted is Get Myself Into It, which has quickly moved onto my list of party-perfect numbers (which includes LCD Soundsystem's Daft Punk is Playing at My House, and Goldfrapp's Ride a White Horse - Thanks to Salil for that last one].

The Rapture - Woo! Alright Yeah ... Uh-huh - [mp3]
The Rapture - Get Myself into It - [mp3]



Last and probably least, is Muse - an atrocious band that I just happen to love. I'm not sure why. Perhaps because they are overblown, geeky, theatrical, and sci-fi-metallic. Perhaps because the lead singer sounds like Thom Yorke on speed. The video for their track Knights of Cydonia on their latest album, is a space cowboy kung fu mishmash. Check it out on youtube. I'm posting a different song, with less Ennio Moriccone...

Muse - Starlight [mp3]

When I look into your eyes

Conjucntivitis.

When you can finally wear fancy shades no matter how much they clash with your personality.

So I was forced to not go to office (I go even on Sundays, for no reason at all). And thus I can post.

Nine Inch Nails. The ones they nailed Jesus up with. You can't help but shudder at the thought. But once you look past this morbidity, there is some intricate, solid music to be found. I once listened to a BBC 6 music show where Trent Reznor was airing his favourite music and the man has taste. It shows clearly in this song, everything is so tight, its alt rock perfection. I first heard this song with Rahul Joseph, Roopa's brother, the day I was leaving Delhi after Stephens. When I reached the station, the keyboard chords were stuck in my head. As I stood on the platform, sweaty and light-headed, in my head I could feel everyone around me moving with the music. What a scene.

When I went to Delhi this time, I went to Blues in the evening. And boy it rocked. In college we always went there for an afternoon beer, succumbing to lure of happy hours. Few tables would be occupied, we would always be the largest group, the waiters were relaxed.

But this time I was there at 9 pm. There were people dancing all over the place, the waiters were scampering around, a European couple were killing the dance floor with one of those straight backed ballroom dance thingies, it was joy. I wished they played the Sounds there, but all we got was Superstar.

I have started falling in love with a band called the Magic Numbers. Yohan doesn't like them. They are fat siblings who are what you would call crooners. But I like them. The music is plain and honest, the sort of thing I would listen to on an aimless winter afternoon. They are very mellow and just the right temperature.

There is much to do and celebrate.

Nine Inch Nails - The Hand that Feeds [mp3]

The Sounds - Dance With Me [mp3]

The Magic Numbers - Love's a game [mp3]

What has it got in its pocketses?

I wanted to call this post What have I been listening to?, but this line suddenly popped into my head.

I need to keep this thing bubbling along...so here's a selection of what I've been hearing over the past week:


Lipps Inc - Funky Town [mp3]
So funky it hurts. I hear this song was the last Disco #1. Anyone rememeber Towelie from South Park?

Interpol - NYC [mp3]
A very passionate song about a city that takes a lot of crap, and is expected to be "hard".

Jewel - You were meant for me (live) [mp3]
She's lovely, isn't she?

Presidents of the USA - Lump [mp3]
Lumpiest song ever.

Elbow - Mexican Standoff (Spanish Version) [mp3]
Crisp and classy.

"It's in my blood."

I went for the Strokes concert on Tuesday.

Smoldering. They were perfect. What more needs to be said? The guitars buzzed, hummed and crackled, keeping time with the insistent bass and drum combo. Julian Casablancas's lazy passion floated in and out of the garage din effortlessly. They rocked the Bank of America Pavilion for well over an hour without a break. And ended with a spot-on cover of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side".

Hats off.

Plus there was beer at the venue, which kicks ass.

Here you go:

The Modern Age [mp3]

Heart in a Cage [mp3]

Between Love and Hate [mp3]


[I will probably go for Regina Spektor...at 20 dollars, how could I not?]

All you need is freedom

Allright, the one week lull is over. There is much to do and celebrate.

I have absolutely embraced electronic music. To quote a rather excessively thoughtful AR, there is so much to hear.

AR, a few years ago, composed music for a song for a movie called Sapnay. It was a remake of a tamil film, naturally, and here is an extremely accurate translation of a song from the film.

"Strawberry eyes, what are you thinking about,
Girl, you have been brought up in palaces,
You are the ice-cream in the fridge,
Whatever you said, has always been obeyed,
You got everything you wanted, even a Mercedes"

God Bless AR, good old chap.

I got my first ever business card today. It has my name on it and all. We were asked to write two lines to describe ourselves the best we can.

I wrote "Freedom is something that dies unless it is used" - Hunter S. Thompson.

After much war, the lines have been printed on my card. To celebrate, I have had two chicken rolls, two packets of Top Ramen Smoodles, a Mangola and three pieces of choclate cake.

I am at peace with the environment, the US government, smelly people and the pope.

Those lines mean so much to me. Good old Hunter. Most people think of him as a crazy drug addict with a flair for prose. Fear and Loathing is just some "crazy shit dude!". I am at peace with them.

To be a truly free spirit is a truly memorable experience, where you absolutely refuse to be tied down by anything or anyone. Where what you do matters more than what people think. Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. You saw the right dream for your country Mr. Tagore, the right dream. Where the mind is led forward into ever widening thought and action, Into that heaven of freedom my father, let my country awake.

But Tagore was a good man. he never did "crazy shit". So he's a hero.

What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach.

God Bless Axl Rose, the dirty tramp.

What I have posted here is just some of the really brilliant stuff I have been listening to. The first song is called Collarbone, performed by some really unknown guys. There is a Danish designer working at our firm now and he got it from one of his teachers, so its very new and very good.

I have Karl to thank for the next song too, before everyone else with the funky band names and the funkier haircuts, there were the Stone Roses. And then God said let there be independent rock. So many soldiers is by Ian Brown, the lead singer of the Stone Roses.

Finally, taking heed of Mangalat's request, there is Goldfrapp riding a white horse, brilliance pure brilliance.

Hmm, not much electronic music posted, but we'll get there. And when do I post jazz, bloddy hell, there is so much so near.

Fujiya & Miyagi - Collarbone [mp3]

Ian Brown - So many soldiers [mp3]

Goldfrapp - Ride a white horse [mp3]

Okay...

I am now seated at the computer in my office, free to blog away. I don't have any mp3s on this comp yet, so what I'm going to do is post a video by a new band called OK Go. I don't want to say anything about the video. Just watch it.



I'll be posting on All What Jazz soon. The entry will feature...

...Jazz.

Who'd've thunk it?