No emotional through-line this week: just songs with either the word NOW or AGAIN in the title. Still, there’s a kind of sweet pop vibe to the proceedings. You might want to rim your glass with rock salt to cut it a little.
* The Tubes – I Want It All Now
* Spinal Tap (with Cher) – Just Begin Again
* Buzzcocks – Something’s Gone Wrong Again
* The Forum – The Time Is Now
* The Masticators – This Time Right Now
* Vera Lynn – We’ll Meet Again
* Material Issue – Out Right Now
* Velvet Underground – There She Goes Again
* Katie Melua – On The Road Again
Step Right Up! Dark Meat returns from a month in the hinterlands of rerunville with a show about that creepiest of American entertainments, the circus. Today’s show features an ultra-rare Human League vinyl track too, for people who are desperate to hear everything the Human League ever did.
* Combustible Edison – Carnival Of Souls
* Tom Waits – Circus
* Kinks – Death Of A Clown
* Kevin Ayers – Unfairground
* Stan Ridgway – Running With the Circus
* Leonard Cohen – Bird On A Wire
* Peaches – Tent In your Pants
* Beatles – Being For the Benefit Of Mr. Kite
* Human League – Circus Of Death (per album notes: recorded directly into Sony 2-track Jan 78 at Devonishire Lane Workshop, Sheffield – produced & engineered by The Human League – mono – first released 17/6/78)
Dark Meat, friend to man and beast alike, hopes that you enjoy this tribute to the animal kingdom, though most analysts now agree it’s more of an anarchist collective. Nuzzle up to a loved one and have them rub your belly as you enjoy these songs.
This week while I’m busy rehearsing my little murder mystery, Dark Meat brings you Harry Nilsson’s BBC television special, circa 1971. Sporting a 3-octave range and a host of abandonment issues, few artists can lay claim to Dark Meat territory like Harry. Additionally note that on-camera appearances by the artist were rare, but rarer still were live ones. And yet, he made (and lost) a huge amount of money in the music business. Hat tip to For the Love Of Harry for the video.
For many the arrival of the new year represents hope and renewal – but this is music for depressives, honey. We look at January 1st and think, it is the end of time. Okay, a period of time; still, why not indulge a little apocalyptic thinking? Enjoy the last music anyone will ever hear!
* Barry Gray Orchestra – Space 1999 (Main Title)
* Tom Waits – Earth Died Screaming
* The Move – Morning Dew
* Little Girls – The Earthquake Song
* Sparks – Change
* Spinal Tap – Just Begin Again
* Laurie Anderson – World Without End
* Scott Walker – The Seventh Seal
* Steely Dan – The Last Mall
The annual Dark Meat Christmas show is upon us, coming as it does every year around this time. I’ve managed to dig up a pretty good selection of downer xmas music this time, repeating very little from previous years. Just goes to show there’s a limitless supply of Christmas culture.
* Residents – Lightning
* Spinal Tap – Christmas With The Devil
* The Tinkertones – The Christmas Sound
* Residents – Santa Dog (Fire)
* Johnathan Coulton – Christmas Is Interesting
* Candypants – The Happiest Time of the Year
* Bobbie Harper – Please Santa
* Al Russell – I Don’t Want To Be Alone For Christmas
* The Madison Elementary Children’s Choir – We Care About You
* Sparks – Thank God It’s Not Christmas
* June Christy – The Merriest
Avast, ye hearties! Hoist yourself aboard the podcast this week for a look at sea travel, above and below the surface. (Description not too precious, I hope – if it is, please don’t make me walk the plank. Yaaaaaaaaarrr.) Enjoy these songs – they’re all nicely written with strong hooks.
You might find yourself doing a little shopping this month – Dark Meat provides a soundtrack for the weary purchaser. Don’t forget to pick up lots of booze and aspirin!
* Joe Jackson – $50 Love Affair
* Stan Ridgway – Salesman
* David Bowie – Try Some, Buy Some
* Fountains of Wayne – Bright Future in Sales
* Spinal Tap – Gimme Some Money
* Basement Jaxx Featuring Siouxie Sioux – Cish Cash
* Dave Frishberg – $7.50 Once A Week
* Tom Waits – Step Right Up
Coverville