Music Let's You Fly

Music can generate many emotions. A song can make you smile, cry, angry, euphoric, relaxed. I have my favourites for every mood. I find new music that captures a certain something and is stored in my musical memory. I have however noticed that there are some songs which lift me up and make me almost fly. I imagine myself circling high above the landscape, feeling the breeze in my face, squinting at the hot sun. They have certain characteristics in common. They often build to a crescendo, often have a strings accompaniment and are rarely a three minute special. I hear an album and the song stands out. 

So by way of an explanation, I shall share five of these beauties with you. The first track is a well known, almost anthemic tune written and performed by Elbow. It is from the 2008 Mercury Award Winning album The Seldom Seen Kid. One Day Like This is probably the most recognisable track from the album and the longest on the album at 6.34 minutes. It starts gently, with strings (obviously). It glides majestically as if on the wings of an eagle circling high in the thermals. Its popularity doesn't diminish it's star quality. 

Have a listen and see if get my drift?

Apologies for the wrong title on the beginning of the video (The track is good though!).

The second offering is from a band I've admired for many years. Dodgy emerged in the mid 1990's. The trio of Nigel Clarke, Matthew Priest and Andy Miller had considerable success with several albums, one of which Free Peace Sweet is personal favourite of mine. Released in 1996 it contained a couple of hit tracks that became hit singles. My particular favourite is yet again the longest on the album at 7.43 minutes. One Of Those Rivers starts quietly on a single acoustic guitar. The track builds up to a crescendo with added banjo !

It's a truly lovely song which deserves a listen.

It's a good one isn't it? The next is also a cracker (well I think it is). Another British band to emerge during the Britpop era. Babybird were formed in 1995. They had chart singe success with such tracks as You're Gorgeous and Candy Girl. My choice originally appeared on  their second album There's Something Going On released in 1998. Back Together was later remixed and its this one I'm a huge fan of. It's shorter than my other previous choices but has all the ethereal qualities  (plus strings) to let you soar!

The next selection is from a fine band I've had the privilege of seeing live at the now sadly defunct Cockpit in Leeds. Guillemots fronted by the hugely talented frontman Fyfe Dangerfield were formed in 2004. They have had award  (NME, Mercury and Brit) nominations and some success with four studio albums. Their third album Walk The River was released in 2011. It is a great album with many fine tracks on it but none more than I Don't Feel Amazing Now. It starts with what sounds like mellotron and vocals. The track builds as with the others but is not the longest track on the album at 5.27 minutes. It is however utterly beautiful and shows off the incredible vocals of Fyfe Dangerfield.

My final selection is from Nick Cave And the Bad Seeds. The Australian formed the band in 1983 and has gone on to achieve a cult status that few modern artists can match. His music is at times confrontative, baffling and avant garde. My track choice is from the 1994 album Let Love In. Noboby's Baby Now is a wonderfully powerful yet tender track. It is dominated by a simple yet poetic piano lead with Nick's poetry winding through the repeated melody. I am a massive fan and this track is a true standout for me. There is very little build up in this track but it's as if you're already mid flight. 

I hope you enjoy these wonderful tracks. I let you in to share my musical thoughts and hope you like what you see or hear as it should really be!