22. Hefner, 'Good Fruit' - a tune for 31.1.2011

So, earlier I was listening to turn of the century favourites, Hefner.  Here's 'Good Fruit' as today's tune, one of a few really good, catchy, lyrically-mature pop songs they created.  'I Stole A Bride' and 'A Cure For Evil' are amongst those which may feature here in the future, wait and see!  I feel like Hefner are a band too many people missed out on, even if I can see why some choose not to listen to them.  'Good Fruit' sums up what they had to offer, for me, and I adore it.

It's my mind you're bruising, as well as my heart...

21. Adem, 'Something's Going To Come' - a tune for 30.1.2011

Just a brief update to day I'm afraid - Adem's 'Something's Going To Come'.  I love it. Lots.

Have faith in what you choose...

20. ZOX, 'Anything But Fine' - a tune for 29.1.2011

Back in 2006, I stumbled across ZOX at Reading Festival's Carling Stage.  'Anything But Fine' is a song that's stayed with me since.  There are so many little questions and promises in it, as well as just this blind hope that I can really feel through the vocals sometimes.  I have almost too much I could say about it, but, really, I don't want to impose my experience of it on anyone else, so I'll keep quiet and let you decide if it means something to you.


I've got sentences that cover up all my scars...

19. David Ford, 'I'm Alright Now' - a tune for 28.1.2011

David Ford is another songwriter who's penned some brilliant songs in his time, both with Easyworld and as a solo artist.  'I'm Alright Now' is among my personal favourites.  I think it's become apparent over the previous 18 entries that A Tune A Day has a fondness for positivity, for that certain kind of resolution Ford demonstrates in the lyrics of today's song.  It's one of those tracks that can help me to stop myself from being self-pitying when things aren't quite going my way. There's a lot more I could say about it, but this really is another song that I feel everyone should listen to, so, you know, go on!

Television is just some weak anaesthetic...

18. Belle and Sebastian, 'The Model' - a tune for 27.1.2011

As friends of A Tune A Day will probably have guessed, a lot of my time recently has been spent filling out job applications or trawling through various websites hoping to find employment.  I always like to have music on when I'm doing such things, and one of the artists I frequently return to is Belle and Sebastian.  They're another band who tell wonderful stories, and I'm always productive when I'm listening to them.  To be honest, selecting just one track of theirs for today's tune was a real task, so I created a playlist of twenty tracks and went for the first song random offered me - 'The Model', from 'Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant'.  I might well have overused the word 'beautiful' (the word itself is another of my obsessions) on this blog already, but I can think of no better way of describing the song, it really is a perfect example of songwriting, as far as I'm concerned, and one that I will never, ever tire of.

 If you think you see with just your eyes, you're mad...

17. Colin Hay, 'Waiting For My Real Life To Begin' - a tune for 26.1.2011

Well, today is Australia Day, so I figured I'd offer something by an Australian artist.  As lead vocalist and primary songwriter with Men at Work, Colin Hay is responsible for that most Australian of songs, 'Down Under'.  I really, really didn't want to have that on A Tune A Day, so, instead, I've gone with one of Mr. Hay's solo efforts, 'Waiting For My Real Life To Begin'.  I'm never sure whether every word of a song title should be capitalised, hmm.  I think I first heard this on Scrubs, and it really is an excellent song.  Hay has written some intelligent, passionate songs in his lengthy career, and 'Waiting For My Real Life...' is one of these.  He expresses a real awareness of time in the lyrics and I interpret it in different ways at different times.  I don't know if Hay intended for the song to carry the depth I feel within it, but that's the beauty of all art, isn't it?  In 'Waiting For My Real Life To Begin', I sometimes hear it as someone being misinterpreted by those close to them, other times I hear it as someone resigned to their fate.  I may even hear a fantastical fatalist, expecting something to come from nowhere, and represent their 'plan', providing them with answers.  I think we can all associate with the themes of the song; at least, I think we can all interpret them in a way that's true to us.

Forget about the past, your mask is wearing thin...

16. Half Man Half Biscuit, 'Bob Wilson, Anchorman' - a tune for 25.1.2011

As the more football-minded amongst you will no doubt know, Andy Gray was (rightly, in A Tune A Day's opinion) sacked by Sky Sports today for being a chauvanistic twonk.  Somehow it's taken them the best part of twenty years to realise this.  Anyway, the whole story lead me to think about football presentation and punditry in general, and that's where today's tune comes in.  'Bob Wilson, Anchorman', by cult heroes Half Man Half Biscuit, is one of their many scathing, amusing takes on British popular culture.  This song expresses disbelief at former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson holding the chair for ITV.  I think it ultimately led to his removal.  Unfortunately, they now offer us Adrian Chiles.

I've even been to look for Jim Rosenthal...

15. Del Amitri, 'Tell Her This' - a tune for 24.1.2011

I'm going a bit 90s again today, with Del Amitri's 'Tell Her This'.  I don't know why it's been so firmly rooted in my brain today, but it has, so I thought I'd share it.  It's a beautiful song, and I don't think I need to say anything more than that.


I just got scared, that's all...

14. Eels, 'p.s. You Rock My World' - a tune for 23/1/2011

As is often the case during my recovery from a night out, I've spent a lot of today listening to Eels, another band who I completely adore.  The tune of theirs I've selected for today is 'p.s., You Rock My World', the closing track from their second album, 'Electro-Shock Blues'.  'Electro-Shock Blues' itself is a fantastic achievement, a genuinely deep and, at times, devastating album.  Following tracks about suicide, death, madness and decay comes the reassuringly positive 'p.s., You Rock My World', and it's the perfect end to the journey Eels' frontman Mark Oliver Everett (better known as E) takes the listener on.  As simple as it may seem, lyrically, the song helps to remind me of how life will always challenge us, but that it is the only one we get.  Sometimes it can be very difficult to remember that.

Maybe it's time to live...

13. The National, 'Fake Empire' - a tune for 22.1.2011

A Tune A Day was in London without internet access this weekend, so I was unable to post an update yesterday.  I've selected Saturday's song as 'Fake Empire' by The National.  The National are an incredible band who say interesting things in interesting ways, and 'Fake Empire' is a great example of how unique their writing and presentation can feel.  Sometimes their lyrics can seem abstract, but also allegorical, and they paint some wonderful pictures.  I spent yesterday with my cousin, who introduced me to the band, and they featured quite a lot during the night's highly enjoyable house party.  Speaking of which, I'm very much still recovering...

Let's not try to figure out everything at once...

12. Husker Du, 'Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely'

Today, I finally got a copy of Husker Du's 'Candy Apple Grey' to call my own.  Here's 'Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely' in celebration of it.  I think we can all relate to the situation it depicts...LISTEN!!!!

I'm curious to know exactly how you are...

11. Grammatics, 'D.I.L.E.M.M.A.' - a tune for 20.1.2011

Grammatics, the band behind today's tune, 'D.I.L.E.M.M.A.' disbanded after just one album.  This is a sad thing, because it's an absolutely brilliant album.  A couple of years ago, 'D.I.L.E.M.M.A.' was the first track of theirs I had the pleasure of hearing, and, as with most of the artists that will appear here, I love both their lyrics and their music.  I think they supported Bloc Party on tour not too long ago, and you can see how their sounds would fit together, though I think it would be inappropriate to call Grammatics derivative of them.  I would try and describe their style, but I'm rubbish when it comes to genres and pigeonholes, so just listen already.  I hope it wakes a few more people up to Grammatics, even though their time has passed.

Her elegance bathes me with grace...

10. The The, 'This Is The Day' - a tune for 19.1.2011

So, today I lost my job.  I say 'lost', but the job was never really mine; I was in a temporary position that has ceased to exist as the VAT increase and general 'lack of confidence' hit business performance.  It's good to finally know where I stand, though I really like the people I was working with.  Today's tune is another that's concerned with one of my obsessions: time, on this occasion.  Time is an eternal, immovable companion, but a lot of us are fearful of it, and far too aware of it.  The The's 'This is the Day' reminds me how corrosive it can be to ponder times that have been, that we have no further influence over.  In doing that, it helps me to keep looking forward, and consider what is and what can be.  We all have to make our own chances from time to time, and changing situations help give us the opportunity to do that.  As an aside, I first learnt of the song from the closing credits of 'Empire Records', which is an utterly brilliant film that everyone should go and watch right now.

You could have done anything if you'd wanted...

9. The Hold Steady, 'Stuck Between Stations' - a tune for 18.1.2011

Like everyone, I have many obsessions.  Right now, landscape is one of those concepts that I just can't leave alone, and that's reflected in today's tune - 'Stuck Between Stations', by The Hold Steady.  The Hold Steady write some fantastic stories, and I love the landscapes contained within this track, from Minneapolis to Kerouac.  Though I'm alien to the first, 'On the Road' was a book I both enjoyed and respected.  'Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together; sophistication demands that they submit to sex immediately without proper preliminary talk.  Not courting talk - real straight talk about souls, for life is holy and every moment is precious' is one of many quotes that linger and continue to provoke thought.  My obsession with landscape was recently rekindled when I discovered a line I'd scribbled down whilst reading 'On the Road', 'a pain stabbed in my heart, as it did every time I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world', and it led me to listen to The Hold Steady for the first time in a little while.  With its references to Kerouac, Berryman and Minneapolis, 'Stuck Between Stations' is a song I feel unites physical landscapes with emotional landscapes, and even artistic ones.  It's also a fantastic rock song.


There are nights when I think that Sal Paradise was right...

8. Pixels, 'Young Hearts' - a tune for 17.1.2011

For tune number 8 I've selected one of my favourite songs of last year, 'Young Hearts' by Dinosaur Outfit.  It's one of those songs that has a certain bouncy pop sensibility to it, the kind that makes you want to turn it up as you dance and maybe even shout along.  Dinosaur Outfit have more recently changed their name to Pixels, for reasons unbeknowst to me.  They still make some great music though, and they even have a song called Asprilla, after the wobbly-legged Colombian.  I'm hoping they have a big future, and produce more songs that I enjoy as much as 'Young Hearts'.

Break my skin with a fountain pen...

7. Mull Historical Society, 'Animal Cannabus' - a tune for 16.1.2011

On Friday, my dad brought up pretty much all of the things I'd left in my parents' flat when I moved out.  Among such antiquated things as video cassettes and an N64 are two boxes of 7" singles I bought (mostly) whilst at college, so I decided to select something from within them to be today's tune.  After much deliberation, I decided to go with one of my favourite songs at the time, 'Animal Cannabus', by Mull Historical Society.  I've not listened to much by them in the last five years or more, but 'Animal Cannabus' still makes me smile.  I first heard it on the long-defunct UK Play television channel, and it was something a bit different for me.  I've always had a soft-spot for indie-pop, and Scottish artists seem to do it much better than most.  Colin MacIntyre, the man behind Mull Historical Society, manages to steer clear of twee and wrote several songs that I held dear to me back in the century's early years.  Seeing as 'Animal Cannabus' introduced me to them, I thought it fitting to select it here.

One by one the doubts return to me...

6. Rainer Maria, 'Ears Ring' - a tune for 15.1.2011

I've a short gap between coming home from Ikea and going to the football, so I thought I'd compile entry number 6.  On a whim, I've gone for Rainer Maria's 'Ears Ring'.  Again, I think it's something we can all relate to, lyrically.  We all have those nights of wrongdoing, and we're all left holding nothing sometimes.  I feel there's a real passion in Caithlin De Marrais' voice, and I enjoy every track of Rainer Maria's I've heard so far; they always make me think, there's genuine intelligence there.  They're kind of new to me, even though they disbanded in 2006, so I hope this helps someone else to discover them too.

You already love her...

5. The All New Adventures of Us, 'Firetruck' - a tune for 14.1.2011

It's day five here at A Tune A Day, and it's Friday.  I've got the weekend off, and Ikea 

and football are both on the agenda, so there's more than just not being at work for 

me to get excited about. This latest tune, 'Firetruck' is by The All New Adventures of 

Us, another of my favourite recording artists.  I love the music they make, and the 

lyrics they write.  They're one of those bands I always go back to, who always make 

me smile, no matter the weather.  Firetruck strikes a chord through its romantic 

ideals of adventuring and handwritten letters.  Like most people, I'm lazy when it 

comes to letter writing, and that's something that disappoints me.  It's also one of 

at least three songs in my collection to mention cartography.  Odd.  I first heard 

'Firetruck' as a demo, and the 'doki doki' version really brings something else out 

of it.  It always makes me feel happy, and makes me want to dance around a bit.

A dream is, well, a dream... 

4. The Jam, 'Burning Sky' - a tune for 13/1/2011

With 

After a few problems during publication, I'm finally able to offer up the fourth installment of A Tune A Day, The Jam's 'Burning Sky', which is taken from one of my favourite albums ever, 'Setting Sons'.  My dad has the album on LP and I used to listen to it for hours.  I'd normally skip 'Girl on the Phone' (the first track) and 'Heatwave' (the last), because I never really felt as though they fitted in with the social commentary of the rest of them album, but I love the rest of the songs.  I've selected 'Burning Sky' as today's tune because it fits well with my own situation at present.  You'll notice all of the songs I choose are for selfish reasons, but I don't think there's anything wrong with that.  The experience of music is in itself a selfish art: no two of us enjoy the same music in the same way, everyone interprets lyrics differently.  There's a Paulo Coelho quote I love, which I think is taken from 'By the River Piedra, I sat down and prayed', that says 'it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggle for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for'.  I'm currently part-way through the final struggle for my dreams before I finally admit defeat and surrender myself to the mercy of the 'Burning Sky'.  I'm 26 now, so maybe I should just embrace it and try to get something from it before it's too late.

There's no time for dreams when commerce calls

3. Saves the Day, 'Three Miles Down' - a tune for 12/1/2011

Yesterday, I had it all planned out.  Today's song wouldn't be North American.  It would be angry or vibrant instead of angsty.  Then I find myself here, job hunting as a siren pierces the quiet of night, so I flick some music on.  I opt for Saves the Day; I'm listening to a lot of Saves the Day at the moment, it happens from time to time.  I like their early stuff, primarily the first two albums ('Can't Slow Down' and 'Through Being Cool'), as well as the acoustic EP sandwiched by their releases ('I'm Sorry I'm Leaving').  Tonight, I've gone for 'Can't Slow Down', and 'Three Miles Down' leaps out at me, grabbing my heart and reminding me of times past.  It's simple, lyrically, but I love the way it captures idolisation/idealisation, something we've all been guilty of from time to time, at least in our youth.


After a while you can make yourself believe in almost anything

2. Death Cab for Cutie, 'Transatlanticism' - a tune for 11/1/2011

I've selected Death Cab's wonderful 'Transatlanticism' as today's tune.  I recently rediscovered the eponymous album, which I love in it's entirety, but parts of this track have particular relevance for me at the moment.  Music has always been something of a support for me when I'm making heavy weather of things or missing people, and 'Transatlanticism' has really offered me something in recent months.  As you may know, I'm living some distance from my closest friends, and I don't know many people up here. That can be difficult at times.  This song makes me think a lot about one of my many obsessions, the concept of closeness, and the divisibility (or indivisibility) of emotional and physical closeness in particular. 


I need you so much closer

1. The Weakerthans, 'Gifts' - a tune for 10/1/2011

The first tune I'm going to feature is a live and acoustic cover of Propagandhi's 'Gifts', as performed by The Weakerthans.  I guess it doesn't count as a cover in the truest sense - John K Samson, front man of The Weakerthans, wrote this while with Propagandhi - but anyone familiar with the original will recognise how different this performance is.  I love the way John writes, and I think the acoustic performance breathes a different life into what was originally a punk song.  'Gifts' is one of many fine examples of his songwriting, and I've been listening to it a lot recently; it resonates very deeply within me at times.  I can't do justice to it with my words.


Still hoping I might find the capacity to let you know I know you're lonely

Welcome!

So, I'm bored, and I've decided that I'm going to start posting a link to a song I like I every day on the internet.  I'm sure such a thing has been done before, perhaps countless times, but it'll help me wile away some time.  It's called 'A Tune A Day', but that URL was (unsurprisingly) taken, so it's become cheesylocaldiscotheque.blogspot.com.  If anyone can guess why I went with 'cheesy local discotheque' they might win something, if I can think of anything worth giving as a prize!  It's lovely to have you here anyway.

Thanks for visiting, I hope there's something here that makes you smile.

Ben x