Makin' it Work - Doug and the Slugs

Another Canadian gem, I very fondly remember riding in the car as a child and listening to this with my best friend as it is a nice catchy little tune. Written and performed by Doug and the Slugs, the song to me seems to be about a couple who has been through some tough times, especially with the man being a drunk and having little faith in themselves, but with time achieving something together which is quite the positive message. Quite interestingly, the video is about erectile dysfunction, so the band must have been having a little fun with it. It really is surprising to me how many good Vancouver based bands appeared in the 80's, as they seem to make up the bulk of my 80's music preference. Also be sure to check out Too Bad, which is perhaps their biggest hit.

Common People - Pulp

This is an interesting little song, with really great lyrics. I think this song is really hard to place, and although this band formed in the late 70's and this song has a very electronic 80's feel to it, it was actually released in 1995. Named after the film of the same name, this English band is fronted by Jarvis Cocker who takes a weird look at those people that for some reason find glamour in poverty, but as he states will never experience it for they are just to well off and not meant for that lifestyle. A great example of just how hard it can be to walk in someone else's shoes when you have the ability to just give up on and return to your normal life; you will never truly experience the hardships associated with it. Surprisingly, I enjoy the cover version far better, which is in fact done by none other then William Shatner. Produced and composed by Ben Folds, it incorporates Shatners speaking style while also having some actual vocals done by Joe Jackson. I just find this version to much more rocking then Pulps' and much more enjoyable to throw on, but their original is unique in it's own way. Be sure to check out both versions.

I'm on Fire - Bruce Springsteen

I'd always thought this one was pretty well known, but over the past few weeks I've talked to a few people who had never heard this song before. In my opinion it is one of, if not the greatest Boss songs. Off of his born in the USA album, it was actually the fourth single. It is a very touching song and much less explosive as other songs on the album, but far more expressive in my opinion. A good trait of Springsteen's work is that it lends itself well to covers and this song took on a whole new meaning to me wen I saw it covered by just a female vocalist and piano and it was incredible. The lyrical sustenance of this song is amazing, and Weinbergs drumming really makes this song stand out to me. A true example of why he really is the Boss.

88 Lines About 44 Women - The Nails

This is a neat little song. Written by the Nails, I grew up thinking this song was by They Might Be Giants, due to the fact it was mislabeled on Napster. I think it's a really interesting idea for a song and written well with some both clever and funny lyrics ( My favorite being about Catherine). The music is simple, but the bass is flowing and catchy and really suits the song well. This song also reminds me of the Conchords song Carol Brown, which is basically the same idea. It's a nice light song that is extremely enjoyable to throw on at any time.

Untitled - Sigur Ros

Hailing from Iceland, I was first introduced to this band when Matt Good stated it was one of two bands he currently listened to. This song has a very simple but moving feel to it that is very easy to listen to. Off of their third album, every song on it was untitled and split into two halves. The first was meant to be much lighter relying on keyboards more then guitars, while the second was more melancholic. Although all the songs are untitled on the album, each one does have a subname that the band uses to reference them, with this one being named Vaka, after the drummers daughter. The lyrics are very hard to make out, but beautiful in their simplicity. I haven't heard the full album yet but it is one I have had my eye out for.

The Final Cut - Pink Floyd

The Final Cut is an interesting album by Pink Floyd. Mostly disliked by a lot of new and old Floyd fans alike, and even criticized by Gilmour himself, I think it is the hidden gem of Floyd albums. It truly is Waters baby, even more so then The Wall, I think, and is extremely dark and personal. This is the last true Floyd album, the only one with lyrics solely written by Waters, and he actually sings every song on this album except for one, even though Gilmour does most of the vocals in previous albums ( this is probably why he doesn't like the album). The album is an anti war album, and the problems of a man returning from the war and being able to settle back into a normal life. The title track of the album is beautifully soft and touching, but extremely powerful and moving, dealing with a man's isolation and sexual repression and struggles with the thoughts of suicide, that really give you a look into just how troubled Waters truly was. It also contains one of the best lyrics of all time

And if I show you my dark side, Would you still hold me tonight?

A beautiful nod to Darkside of the Moon, which was really when Waters began to use his lyrical ability to express his true feelings. I recommend listening to this album straight through, as it is a continuous story, but this song is truly the climax of the album and quite possibly my favorite off it.

Short Stories with Tragic Endings -From Autumn to Ashes

A little heavier then some other music I listen to, I have always been fascinated by this song, mainly the separation of the two parts - the heavy part mainly sung by Benjamin Perry and the softer parts by Francis Mark, and the lighter ending sung by Melanie Wills of One True Thing. In the beginning, Autumn meant not only the season itself, but was also a fictional character invented by the band. The entire album is actually about a relationship that Perry had, and this song is about the climax of it. Perrys vocals are stating his disgust with her and how she does not deserve what he has to give, and even though she begs for forgiveness he is unable to give it to her. His repetition at the end "Cry for you. Shed tears. Mourn. Wish the end." shows just how much it has affected him but his ability to move forward from it. Then this is followed by the females part, much softer then the first. It is about regret, on the girls part for destroying that which she loved, but how she has learned so much from hte experience. The closing line " For as much I love Autumn, I'm giving myself to ashes" is about how she too has been able to move on, and her realization that her actions have given way to ruin. all in all, a fantastic piece, maybe a bit heavy for some, but if you listen through to the end and really take it in, its quite moving.