5 random songs from my iTunes, and what they remind me of (if anything). An experiment.


Yellow, Coldplay (Parachutes, 2000, British, www.coldplay.com) - I listened to Parachutes a lot while falling for a girl named Annaleise, so this reminds me of her. I think it was the soaring hopefulness of the album that I possessed a certain affinity for at the time.

Thoughts of a Dying Atheist, Muse (Absolution, 2003, British, www.muse.mu) - I actually didn't know much of Muse till the 2004 Big Day Out. I was immediately impressed, and purcahsed their album. This particular song is most appropriate, as it describes the fear of a godless man. I used to play this loud in my walkman walking home late down the alleys of Glebe from Chemistry to home. I was finishing my thesis at the time (Jan-Mar) and wouldn't get home till 1-2 am each night. Even that late, the heat of the tar and walls could be felt on my cheeks.

I'm Affected, The Ramones (Anthology, American, www.ramones.com) - Probably the biggest mistake I made at the 1994 Big Day Out (yes, I'm old) was missing the Ramones (except for a little bit). I really only appreciated them after sitting at home on my own feeling sorry for myself and watching the 'Rock and Roll High School' movie on Foxtel and realising how heart-felt they were.

Pack Yr Suitcases, Custard (Wahooti Fandango, 1994, Brisbane, Australia, http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~custard/) - Ah, the optimism of year 12. This snappy happy little track about heading to heaven for the weekend is so Australian, and was on very high rotation at JJJ that year. Custard (and their lead singer Dave McCormack) were experts at incorporating the larrikin into their lyrics - no high-brow attitude from them. Their music regularly accompanied my frenetic and long-running study sessions in my bedroom, getting ready for the HSC. The that time of heightened mental activity, the music was seared in my mind alongside the algebra. As the eldest of four kids in a small house, that radio was needed to swamp out the screams, yells and arguments. Now I always need some sort of music to work - it's almost autism. Custard are no longer with us, though Dave McCormack and the Polaroids have moments of Custard-like zany-ness.

A.D.D., Spiderbait (The Flight of Wally Funk, 2000, Finley, New South Wales, Australia, www.spiderbait.com.au) - I first saw Spiderbait between the Mark of Cain and Primus in the Sydney Uni Refectory at an all ages gig in February 1994. The room was chockers, and a weird drummer, a female bass player with hairy legs (catholic school boy remember) and and brilliant guitarist whipped the crowd into a frenzy - indeed they eclipsed Primus for many attendees that night. The belting drums, wall of fuzz, and (back then) faint touches of folk/country rhythm were new to us all. Walking along Parramatta Rd afterwards, Janet from the band drove by and asked us what we thought. We all enthused in unison, startling her slightly, and I remember going to HMV the next day and buying all (both) of their cds and lying on bed listening to them over and over. I've seen them many times since, and every album has proved good quality and popular. Their most recent album, Tonight Alright (2004) has brought them full circle musically, as they return to the rough and fuzzy rock of their first releases.


Heh. Note how excited I get when Australian music is the topic. I liked that experiment.