iPod Shuffle

As the year comes to a close, it's very quiet in the office this week and in between waiting for documents to save in a case I am working on I decided to put my iPod on shuffle and see what the first 5 tracks were:

1. Japan - "Halloween"



From their 1979 album Quiet Life, "Halloween" is a sleek new wave number full of moody synthesizers, nimble guitar work, languid basslines, and the inimitable croon of David Sylvian.

2. R.E.M. - "Daysleeper"



Probably the one truly R.E.M.ish track on Up, their first record without Bill Berry, "Daysleeper" is a majestic track with a killer chorus. If you have ever worked an overnight shift, you will understand the sentiments behind this song.

3. Cibo Matto - "Beef Jerky"



Their first record Viva! La Woman, which contained ten songs all containing some form of food. "Beef Jerky" is a really fun track with clever samples, chunky drum programming, and some groovy bass.

4. Booka Shade - "Hallelujah USA"



Menacing track from Booka Shade's classic album Movements.

5. Curve - "Ten Little Girls"



Criminally overlooked band from the 90s whose dense, swirling shoegaze sound was later appropriated by too many people to mention. "Ten Little Girls" was first featured on their Blindfold EP and later on the compilation LP Pubic Fruit. It showcases gnawing, thrashing guitars with Madchester drum rhythms and Toni Halliday's amazing vocals.