Stuck in my mind: Pain - Bye/Die

I just came back from the concert of the Swedish industrial metal project Pain, whose sole member is Peter Tägtgren, better known as the frontman of the dead metal band Hypocrisy. Anyways, the concert was just fine, although from time to time I had the feeling I was at a gig of Hypocrisy not Paint, but fans wanted both, although they couldn't possibly have them. Right now I am too exhausted for a full story of the concert, but as soon I come back to this life you'll get a full report on my newest concert experience. Right now I can just post you my most favourite song "Bye/Die", which fortunately was played at the gig...and just as expected as the closing song. Probably this is one of Pain's poppiest song and among his best known.

Stuck in my mind: Klaxons - Golden Skans

Klaxons is one of the hype new bands to emerge during the "new rave" wave in the UK, which took over Europe by storm in no time. For less than three years the London-based project managed to draw enough attention and gain popularity among electro/indietronica fans, who were just getting over after the downfall of the electroclash scene. Klaxons may not offer something unheard and still be one of the most important factors for the development of the new rave music culture, which brought to light other names like Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Shitdisco, Hadouken! and Late of the Pier. Anyways, time will prove the quality of this new music generation, which draws influences from electro, punk, indie and alternative, thus creating a style, which no one can tell what it will turn into...sooner or later.

Stuck in my mind: David Bowie - Starman

David Bowie is among those singers that have influenced whole generations of musicians and has been one of the most important figures in the 70s, 80s and 90s and to some extent even in the 00s. I have never showed any certain interest in his music, but these days I have spent some quality time with production long before my birth (fyi 1987) and David Bowie was one of the top names I had to check out. I am still adjusting to his music, which is quite a diversion from my usual taste. However, after a full listen to his Best of Bowie I could easily pick up songs that fascinated me with their originality and lyrics. For the time being my top favourite track by Mr. Bowie is "Starman" from his Ziggy Stardust era, which brought him to fame in no time.

Stuck in my mind: Goldfrapp - Hairy Trees

Excuse me for this very short post, but today I am just not in the mood for long posts...from time to time have my lows and need some quality songs to fit my mood. That is why now I share with this astonishing Goldfrapp ballad as it tells it all for now! Keep up with me! I hope this mood will pass in no time!

Stuck in my mind: Joy Division - She's Lost Control

Joy Division is among the bands that I have known for years, but have never actually listened to them. I have given them a few tries, but never made it to the center of my heart...not until today. One song made it closest to the bull's eyes and given me the fuel for a further exploration of their music, which has become a cult. Of course, time will have to pass before the band really grows on, but at least a couple of tracks have won my fan support. The song that immediately drew my attention was "She's Lost Control", which is a fine example of the pure post-punk movement that later inspired the whole gothic scene. Probably many of you cannot make the connection if they haven't listened to some gothic bands, but if it wasn't for bands like Joy Division many other contemporary acts would have never seen the light (for good or worse).

Stuck in my mind: London After Midnight - Kiss

London After Midnight is not among my fabourite bands, but these days I have been spending more time with their stuff and slowly but surely they are growing on me. Although I am not an expert of their music for years I have liked "Kiss" and now I dare say I am in love with it! Enough with the explanations, "Kiss" is not just my song for the week, but my track for the month! Amazing! Listen to the text very carefully, please!

Unfortunately this is the only acceptable video I could find on YouTube - Live at Mera Luna Festival 2002, but actually it is even better to hear Sean's vocals without any studio modifications! :)

Stuck in my mind: God Is an Astronaut - Fragile

After founding Sigur Ros for my music ear I decided to check out some more post-rock acts and from the first time I hit the jackpot! God Is an Astronaut, deserve to have this name as the music they make is as ambient as the transcendental existence of the divine deep in ourselves. My words may sound a bit too exaggerated but this happens to be only the second entirely instrumental group that I have liked (Boards of Canada is the first) and the video that I am posting really hooked me up.

Apart from the excellence of the instrumental itself the video is nearly a masterpiece, despite how simple it may seem to you from first viewing. After watching it at least 2-3 times you can feel its impact and give a thought on what good to nature humans are actually and how cruel we can be towards everything, despite the pretended innocence. No wonder the name of the track is "Fragile" as we are so fragile, but still so mean to each other and as destructive as no other creature on this planet has ever been.

Stuck in my mind: Mylène Farmer - Rêver

Today I watched for the very first time the official DVD to the Mylenium Tour...the whole concert perfectly matched my mellow mood, that has been haunting me for the last few days. Anyways, it was just now that I've realized the power of the song "Rêver" and despite not knowing French, nor the lyrics it just reached out for me and fascinated me to the fullest. The friend that I was watching the concert with told me that it was dedicated to her deceased brother, who died at a car accident years ago. Perhaps, it is no big deal to most of you, but this helped me understand the message without even knowing the words. I will spare the story that I connected it with as "Rêver" expresses most of the genuine emotions surrounding it!

Stuck in my mind: Niyaz - Beni Beni + acoustic

Azam Ali! Niyaz! Niyaz fronted by Azam Ali is pure orgasm! A week ago I finally had the chance to hear their second studio album "Nine Heavens", which is an enchanting trip in the realms of heavenly perfection! Words are futile - just listen with all your senses!

Stuck in my mind : Bebel Gilberto - Aganju

Bebel Gilberto is one of the most prominent names in the bossa nova movement and one of the best known Brazilian singers. She is one of the faces of contemporary Brazilian music, popularizing its music in the USA and Europe. Bebel is the daughter of João Gilberto, who is one of the founders of bossa nova and an important figure in the whole Brazilian music culture. Enough with the praise, although she most certainly deserve is it. Although I haven't posted for two days in row, I am continuing my Brazilian/Portuguese marathon and today's choice is the song "Aganju" from the album "Bebel Gilberto". If you like it do yourself a favour and listen to more of her, you will not regret it!

Stuck in my mind: Bondo do Role - Marina Gasolina

I am continuing my Portuguese-Brazilian week, this time with Bondo do Role, who is probably the most famous baile funk act and one of the best bands in the Brazilian music wave to Europe in the last few years. Their music came to prominence after the release of "Piracy Funds Terrorism" by Diplo & M.I.A., who drew inspiration for their Baile Funk skits' series direct from the band. Sadly they have released only one commercially available album, but fingers crossed for more to come.

Stuck in my mind: Depeche Mode - I Feel You

The world is waiting for Depeche Mode to release their 12th studio album "Sounds of the Universe", in the mean time I am watching the British teenage drama series "Skins" and yesterday stumbled upon "I Feel You", which is now echoing in my head. The song perfectly passed the moment and I was really inspired...I love it when great music is used and "I Feel You" is virtually one of DM's best songs ever.

Stuck in my mind: Wes - Alane

Wes Madiko, known simply as Wes is probably one of the most successful African singers of all time. Although he is a bit forgotten in the last decade he remains with several excellent tracks and his collaboration with the French world duo Deep Forest. I've had his album "Welenga" for a long time, but just today I rediscovered it to my pleasant surprise and had quite the experience going back to the deep African roots mixed with contemporary music.

Probably you've seen this video and still there you go:

Stuck in my mind - Sisters of Mercy - Temple of Love

This song is stuck in my mind for more than a day and I've been singing it everywhere and all the time for the last week. I'd never expected that Sisters of Mercy have so many good songs and "Temple of Love" is an excellent example. In addition, one of the best Israeli singers Ofra Haza (may she rest in peace) provides vocals for the song, making it nearly a masterpiece. "Temple of Love" is definitely not the finest Gothic-rock anthem, but is charged with the fire of fireworks and it smokes aces!


Official video


Original full version

Stuck in my mind - Depeche Mode - Wrong

Depeche Mode's pilot single from their newest album "Sounds of the Universe" was presented just two day ago at the Echo Awards in Berlin, Germany and it immediately draw the attention of millions eagerly expecting DM's new album. I am may not be among those who have lost their sleep after this performance and I am not very thrilled about their upcoming studio release, but have to admit that "Wrong" has all the potential for a hit. "Wrong" has great energy and radio stations will soon pick it up for their favourite playlists. Many believe that such a good track could only be an indication for an excellent album...my hopes are still not that high, as sometimes the best is released first and the rest is just filler. Not to be the pessimist this very moment I am posting the live performance, which buy the way sounds excellent! We are all looking forward to a mind-blowing Tour of the Universe!

Stuck in my mind: Felix da Housecat - Hunting Season

Felix da Housecat drilled my head for the whole day. I had the good intentions to write something about House music, but was pretty busy listening to Mr. Stallings. He is not in my favourite top 50, which is a big mistake of mine having in mind all of his stuff I discovered the last few months. For the last week his album "Devin Dazzle and the Neon Fever" is on heavy rotation in my playlist...as I have already mentioned this is my number one Housecat's album and a song like "Hunting Season" is nothing more than a proof that this is a wonderful electroclash album, full of catchy tunes and playful lyrics.

Unfortunately there is no video to the song, neither official nor fan made that is why I will post this video which uses it as a background:

Stuck in my mind: Herbert Grönemeyer - Mensch

Es gibt Lieder, die ohne Sagen gehen! Ich wollte etwas sehr voll und emotinal zu diesem Lied schreiben aber die Worte fehlten mich, weil die Inhalt mehr als ausreichend ist. Ein Mensch ist Mensch nur wenn er fühlen kann und wir alle brauchen die lebensvolle Unterstüztung der Liebe und die positive Energie der Menschlichkeit.

Es ist okay,
Alles auf dem Weg,
Und es ist Sonnenzeit,
Unbeschwert und frei,
Und der Mensch heißt Mensch,
Weil er vergisst, weil er verdrängt,
Und weil er schwärmt und stellt,
Weil er wärmt, weil er erzählt,
Und weil er lacht, und weil er lebt,
Du fehlst.

Stuck in my mind - Client - Can You Feel

Daddy, come home for dinner earlier, Client released their newest video already! Yep, my most favourite Clients released the video to their new single Can You Feel and it is adorable. Definitely not the highest moment in their carrier, but still has the magic of its own. "Can You Feel" sounds pretty nice and I have pretty high expectations for Client's new release.

Stuck in my mind: Danny Elfman/Marilyn Manson - This Is Halloween

It is clear to me that Halloween is ten months from now, but these days I've been revising my appreciation for the Tim Burton's films and watched once again my favourite stop-motion movie "The Nightmare Before Christmas", which may not be directed by Burton himself, but he is the one behind the concept of it. I remember watching it like more than a decade when it was firs available in Bulgaria. I was really fascinated and as I watched it today it was even a greater experience than the first two times. The beginning is my most beloved song from the whole score and it was more than a pleasant surprise to me when it was reissued last year, including cover versions of all the songs. My personal favourite is Marilyn Manson's version of "This Is Halloween", which perfectly suits him. His rendition of the song is next to best and I am pretty sure that Manson himself had the desire to record it. Although a bit of the original magic is lost the whole song still carries the gloomy touch intended by Danny Elfman.

I am posting both version as I love them both:


Danny Elfman - This Is Halloween


Marilyn Manson - This Is Halloween

Stuck in my mind: Alicia Keys & Jack White - Another WayTo Die

I've never really liked Alicia Keys and I am not the biggest fan of The White Stripes, but there you go: "Another Way To Die"! A very intriguing fusion of Keys' soulful voice and White's unquestionably unique rock style. I remember reading several years ago that Alicia Keys was a big fan of The White Stripes and she did want to collaborate with the duo. I just couldn't imagine how the performer of "Fallin'" is actually going to work with someone who has songs as "Seven Nation Army" or "Blue Orchid". Honestly I still don't believe it, but have to admit that the song is very nice and is something untypical for both parties. The best about "Another Way To Die" is that their voices match perfect, oh yeah they do. Probably, one of the best (not the hottest) duets of 2009 and my personal favourite to be released by Alicia Keys and some of the best works of Jack White.