While the coffee buzz is still fresh...

So here's the bit where I go on about my soundtrack to 2009...hopefully it's not too painful for you...

The Gaslight Anthem - the '59 Sound

I bought this record the day after my girlfriend left the UK in January. Every song on this album helped ease the 'emotional turmoil' (shall we say) I was feeling, and kept me going until I flew out to see her at the end of March. Every time I pressed play I felt a little bit of that pain and unrest flicker away. I have never had a more personal experience with a record, or held one so dear to my heart until the '59 Sound. The lyrics, the music, the motives and the message are all so utterly fucking perfect I struggle to believe I've been lucky enough to stumble across it. I know my mates back home got pissed off with me going on about them every day, but at the same time I know that The Gaslight Anthem have a place in their hearts because of my inability to contain my passion. Three of my best friends in the world and I went to see them in June, and I've never felt so at home at a gig. The Gaslight Anthem are gaining huge momentum these days having just played all the major UK festivals, and they deserve every bit of success that comes their way. The best record I have ever bought.



The Clash - Live at Shea Stadium

I listened to this record almost non-stop on my first flight from the UK to New Zealand in March. As soon as I landed I had to go out and buy it. I think my girlfriend was a little confused as to why all I kept going on about was this CD I had to buy when we hadn't seen each other for three months. I listened to 'Police on my back' when I flew into Auckland airport and I think it blew away my jetlag in 2 and a half minutes of British punk beauty. My girlfriend and I went on a roadtrip of the south island and this album was part of our staple musical diet for that week of travelling. I think she started to warm to it too...all hail Mick Jones and Joe Strummer, they sure don't make 'em like that anymore.



Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Global a Go-Go

Just because sometimes, Joe Strummer is the only guy who can soothe my homesick heart. Bhindi Bhagee is a song I've loved ever since I heard it in a skate video about 5 years ago...it mentions New Zealand too...this isn't the original video, just a homemade one...




Zwan - Mary Star of the Sea

Billy Corgans side project. I bought this about 3 days ago for 3 dollars. I heard a couple of the songs off it a couple years ago and loved them, and just happened to stumble across it the other day on the cheap. It's already one of my favourite records, it sounds like the Smashing Pumpkins in the summertime. Still soulful and moody, but not so heavy on the dark undertones.



The Gaslight Anthem - Sink or Swim

Their first record is much tougher than the '59 Sound. The New Jersey punk influence is definately there in a much rawer form too. I can't fault a single song on the record. This was added to my collection the day after I bought the '59 Sound. If you click on my iTunes 'Top 25 Most Played', both Gaslight Albums (and their four track EP) almost make up the entire list. Here's an acoustic version of '1930'...written (apparently) about the leader singers grandmother who was suffering with alzheimers. The last part of the song is pretty incredible..."I love you more than the stars in the sky, but your name angel escapes me tonight"...makes my neck hairs stand on end and shhiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttt...If you don't wanna listen to the whole song, just fast forward to 3:30 and watch from there...if you want...



So there you have it...my soundtrack to 2009...funny how every pick is in some way either linked to my girlfriend or New Zealand huh...when did I get so god damn soppy?!

Thanks for reading...