Often described as the closest thing to an American My Bloody Valentine, Medicine are perhaps best known for their cameo appearance on
the 1994 film The Crow, where they performed the track, “Time Baby II.”
“Time Baby III” is an alternative version of the same song, featuring guest vocals from Cocteau Twins’ frontwoman Elizabeth Fraser. And yeah, it’s wonderful.
'A.M. 180’ by Grandaddy is another dreamy alt-rock track linked to a moodier film. In this case, it’s the zombie-horror film 28 Days Later. It was also the opening theme music for Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe - quite the resume, huh?
“We’ll sit for days and talk about things Important to us like whatever We’ll defuse bombs, walk marathons And take on whatever, together”
Time for something completely different? I prescribe the dark, rich and intense ‘Take the Night Off’ by Laura Marling. Then go listen to the rest of 2013’s Once I Was an Eagle. It was mesmerizing back then and remains so today.
“I didn’t understand where you had gone Didn’t know you’d be right back I didn’t hear the night song Calling for you into the black”
I’d like to head back to the #90s for one more #SongForSaturday - the beautiful River of Deceit by Mad Seasons. The lyrics of this 1995 track, written by Layne Staley, were inspired by Khalil Gibran’s 1923 book, The Prophet. However, the music was composed during band rehearsals before Staley joined the group.
“A head full of lies is the weight tied to my waist
The river of deceit pulls down”
I had the good luck of seeing North East England artist Nadeja perform a short set a few weeks back. They’ve just released their debut album, and it’s unsurprisingly chock-full of beautiful songs, including the delightful ‘Liquid (Human).’
“I’ll be a good girl in hell
It’s been a blessing and you can tell
that I am human
First and above it all”
It’s hard to imagine a post-hardcore metal song that begins with a telephone dial being anywhere near the charts. But back in 2005, Welsh band Funeral for a Friend did just that with 'Streetcar,' which reached number 15 in the UK charts. I was very much present for it, and it’s a banger today.
"So goodbye to you and your life
Your new best friends, your confidence
And I’ll be here when you get home"
Mother Love Bone will always be one of music’s big ‘what ifs?’ due to the untimely death of lead singer Andy Wood. ‘Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns’ is their most acclaimed track and is actually two songs sequenced together. Both songs relate to lead singer Andy Wood’s relationship with his fiancée, Xana La Fuente.
“Talkin to my altar, life is what you make it
And if you make it death, well, rest your soul away”
Giant Drag is another one of those bands that received a lot of hype but never quite broke into the mainstream. That hasn’t stopped them from building an awesome discography over the years, and single ‘This Isn’t It’ from 2006 still deserves the hype.
“I can’t tell you why you hate me for living
won’t let me die”
Blood on the Tracks will always be Dylan’s best album to me. However, my favorite Dylan song is one that was left off that record. That song being the brutally honest, reflective and beautiful, ‘Up to Me.’
"If I’d thought about it I never would’ve done it, I guess I would’ve let it slide. If I’d lived my life by what others were thinkin’, the heart inside me would’ve died"
If you’re a fan of #Shoegaze, then Softcult’s upcoming debut album, When A Flower Doesn’t Grow, is probably already on your radar. But until then, we’ll have to “settle” for the likes of 2024’s Heaven EP, including lead track ‘Haunt You Still’
“I’ll never say a bitter word about you
But I wouldn’t blame you if bitterness found you”
‘Hunger Strike’ by Temple of the Dog is notable for being Eddie Vedder’s first featured vocal performance on record. This occurred during a moment of spontaneity in rehearsals, which left Chris Cornell suitably impressed.
“I don’t mind stealin’ bread from the mouths of decadents. But I can’t feed on the powerless when my cup’s already overfilled”
Remember #Witchcore? Maybe you don’t. But whether you love or hate that early 2010s #electronica sound, I can’t think of a music video that matches the vibe of a track better than the one for Salem’s ‘King Night.’
Originally released on 1997’s Champions Versions EP and later serving as the lead track for The Three EP’s, ‘Dry The Rain’ by The Beta Band gained some notoriety after being featured in a scene of the 2000’s film, High Fidelity. And it is as good as that film makes it out to be.
“This is the definition of my life
Lying in bed in the sunlight
Choking on the vitamin tablet the doctor gave in the hope of saving me”
When most people think of the song ‘Tainted Love’ they likely think of the 1981 synth track by Soft Cell. Then there’s also that dreadful Marilyn Manson cover. But I’d argue the original soul-infused 1964 version by Gloria Jones is still the best.
“Once I ran to you
Now I run from you
The tainted love you’re givin’”
Since we’re on the subject of songs with more famous covers, here’s the original version of ‘Torn.’ Well, ‘original,’ is a complicated matter here, since Danish singer Lis Sørensen has claim to the first formal recording. Trine Rein also had a minor hit with this song before Natalie Imbruglia made it worldwide famous.
“You don’t seem to know or seem to care what your heart is for”
I’ve been falling down a rabbit hole of early 2000s #Jungle and drum and bass-infused PlayStation soundtracks recently, of which Namco produced some of the best. Personally, I think they may have quietly peaked with ‘Silver Stream’ created for the Ridge Racer series.
‘Till I Hear It From You’ by Gin Blossoms was the lead single from the soundtrack for Empire Records - a great little movie that few people saw but which deservedly became a bit of a cult classic. This song did a little better, but still deserves more attention.
“I don’t want to take advice from fools
I’ll just figure everything is cool
Until I hear it from you”
Have you had your 'electrosynphonicorepoprock' fix lately? If not, I prescribe ‘Sorry You’re Not a Winner’ by Enter Shikari.
“Scratch card glory or waist low pleasure?
Black eyes, nose bleeds, don’t look back now”
If ‘Unwind Yourself’ by Marva Whitney sounds familiar, it’s likely because it’s been sampled multiple times over the years, providing several hits to various DJs and hip hop Artists. It also made an appearance on the Netflix show The Umbrella Academy. All that aside, this is a wonderfully fun little funk number.
“Unwind yourself
Come on and turn that soul loose”
Here's ‘Deceptacon’ - some riot grrrl dance-punk courtesy of Le Tigre.
“I’m a gasoline gut with a Vaseline mind, but
Wanna disco? Wanna see me disco?
Let me hear you depoliticize my rhyme”
The title ‘Ethereal’ perfectly describes the drum and bass sound of Tokyopill, who clearly takes some inspiration from the anime show, Serial Experiments Lain.
Since we’re on the subject of Serial Experiments Lain, here’s one of the greatest theme songs ever put to record - ‘Duvet’ by Bôa.
“And you don’t seem to understand
A shame, you seemed an honest man
And all the fears you hold so dear
Will turn to whisper in your ear"
Quinn Maclay