I don’t want to change the world – Spring Playlist

It’s still February, and Winter may strike back, but today Spring has launched an opportunistic grab for London.

And, walking around in the sunshine, here is what I’m listening to:

Kirsty McColl RIP

A New England – Kirsty McColl (forgive the snow in Kirsty’s video – spring hadn’t reached her yet)

I Wanna be your Boyfriend – Ramones

Jah Love – Culture (you’ve got to live right, my brothers…)

(I love the sound of) Breaking Glass – Nick Lowe

Marlene – Kevin Coyne

Come Back Darling – UB40 (gotta love that bass)

Music and Words: 2013 – Ten Things, numbers 5, 6 and 7

Continuing reflections on what I learned from 2013….

5. Wisdom’s a gift, but you’d trade it for youth

…is one of numerous lapidary phrases that spring from the best song on my favourite record of the year: Modern Vampires of the City, by Vampire Weekend.

Until now, I haven’t really got Vampire Weekend. I could tell they were talented. But they sounded just a bit too cluttered to me, a little too pleased with their own eclecticism and proficiency. But on this, their third album, they sound like they have clicked into the zone, relaxed a bit.

The song, Step, also demonstrates yet again that iron law of pop – that if you get the drums and the voice (including the words) right, you’ve pretty much cracked it.

Discovering a new favourite band also leads me on to my next lesson. It’s good to…