Music of the month: 01

I used to have a feature about music of the month and thought with this year I would drag it back from the archives. It’s just a simple sum up of music I’ve found / re-found in the past month. I also from time to time may do a playlist of the month summary. While these may not be new releases they are new listening for me.

Mika: Life in Cartoon Motion.
Even I end up prancing around the room dancing to this one, it’s a real cheer yourself up on a ‘meh’ day album. Highlights for me have to be Lollipop, Big Girls and the frequently heard Grace Kelly. The throws to Queen with ‘fat bottomed girls’ and his voice is pretty obvious (I also think a dash of Mick Jagger) – oddly I actually hate queen but love Mika (go figure, maybe it’s just me and a disco beat). Some parts just should have a ‘bubble gum pop inside’ sticker on and that is part of the appeal to me of Mika, sometimes I just want to wave my arms around and strut around (well that is a vision isn’t it).

Beth Orton: Comfort of Strangers.
I was reluctant to listen to this as loved the debut album and didn’t follow after that – I tend to take my time getting to new music. If it wasn’t a great album on it’s own she’s now done a video with muppets (I never know when a puppet is a muppet or vice versa) – got to give credit to that (I really have a thing about muppets). For me the highlights have to be the title track Comfort of Strangers, Conceived and Absinthe. It’s far from summer here but this album is doing it’s best to bring some summer feeling. Her voice is still like ear massaging and the melodies are big hugs of notation.

Just Jack: Overtones
I admit I don’t like all of this album. Some bits just don’t sit 100% right with me. It’s rare I find an album I like totally. Songs of mention are Writer’s Block, Glory Days, Lost (so reminds me of the Bristol sound of a few decades ago that spawned Portishead, Massive Attack and Tricky, there are throws to this movement through the entire album along with a mix of The Streets) and Hold on (I so think that back intro bleeps are from a Sega game).

Along with these new ones I have also been rediscovering some good music.

Billie Holiday:
For some reason the winter brought back my love of this music and I’ve had a few great afternoons reflecting listening to this.

Manu Chao:
I really think I’m dreaming of Summer as I’ve tried my best to bring some sun into the dull gloomy UK winter with a dose of Manu Chao.

Lamb:
Lamb really do have music for every occasion and I love to design to this music. It’s enough to ignore and get on, but catches you every now and then with a omg that is so great moment.

That is what has been going on with my iTunes this month, what are your picks of the month? I’d love to hear what you’ve been dancing around your room to or nodding your head in cool agreement along with.