Die Summe der einzelnen Teile

 

Kante are a German indie band who released a number of good albums around the turn of the century. Their calm, flowing blend of post-rock and krautrock, with German lyrics, quickly won over the German indie scene, and with Die Summe der einzelnen Teile they even had a hit in the indie charts.

Lyrically, they refer to the famous quote by the Greek philosopher Aristotle: ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ Which makes sense, given that on their second album they incorporated string and wind instruments into their sound to create something new and more beautiful.

This band came back to mind when I heard Acid Pauli’s recently released remix. He’s turned this track into a faster-paced techno version that really works. It’s great that the next generation still remembers the classics from a quarter of a century ago.

Clap Your Hands

 

This edition of clapping hands spans three decades of music. Let’s start with a song from the disco era. In 1977, a French producer duo had the idea of incorporating flamenco rhythms into disco beats. Santa Esmeralda turned it into a global hit, which younger listeners will only recognise from the final sword fight scene between Kiddo and O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill.

The American singer-songwriter Sam Beam, also known as Iron & Wine, has also drawn inspiration from flamenco. Although castanets rather than clapping hands set the rhythm, this video is worth featuring here.

One of The Temptations’ absolute classics from the sixties simply has to feature in this series.

That's What It Sounded Like When They Started

 

2005 saw the first internet craze surrounding a band of which only a handful of songs could be found online. Their concerts were sold out without a single song ever having been officially released. That all changed overnight when Arctic Monkeys, four lads from Sheffield, were signed to a record label and released their debut album.

That all changed overnight when Arctic Monkeys, four lads from Sheffield, were signed to a record label and released their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not. That all changed overnight when Arctic Monkeys, four lads from Sheffield, were signed to a record deal and released their debut single, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor. The album eventually shot to number one in the charts, leaving the likes of Robbie Williams and the Sugacubes trailing behind.

What did the Arctic Monkeys have that others didn’t? Many bands have incorporated the sound of days gone by into their music, but the Arctic Monkeys were the first to blend wave-pop, non-indie rock, and – above all – 1970's funk and soul with crashing guitars and vocals reminiscent of a hoarse Johnny Rotten. What’s more, they brought back memories of perfect bass lines, driving drums and long-forgotten guitar solos. They subsequently moved away from this style, adopting a more earthy sound and more sophisticated songs.

Arctic Monkeys - Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

Arctic Monkeys - Dancing Shoes

Arctic Monkeys - Fake Tales Of San Francisco

The Breath Of Now

 

It seems that more and more songs are coming onto the market whose basic structure consists of spoken words. Martin Jenkins, with his project Pye Corner Audio, was no exception. Together with the excellent crime writer Ian Rankin, he has now recorded a song. Rankin’s metaphors about the darkness surrounding us and its hopelessness are accompanied by equally dark, drone-like guitar passages. If it’s going to be like this, then this is the way to do it.

Broken lives, empty streets

Dust of ages, the breath of now

Low-rise, high rent

Blood sucked from every stone

A villain’s stealth and silence

No heroes come out at night

No heroes come here at night.

Stealing your way through the empty streets

Echoes of footsteps, and hours wasted

The creep, creep, creep of shadow-filled shoes

No one is near

No one can hear,

The creep and the breathing

The breathing that creeps

No heroes come out at night

No heroes come here at night

Everywhere looks like a tunnel

The dark won’t take your hand and lead you home

So you drive,

And you drive

And you drive

And everything looks like a tunnel

Your life, your kids, your job, your friends

A tunnel

Which way did you come in?

No lights, no signal, no exit, no turns

The dark won’t lead you home

No lights, no signal, no exit, no turns

The dark won’t lead you home

No heroes come here at night

No heroes come here at night

Monday's Long Song

 

If you know Jim O'Rourke, you'll probably associate him with his work as a producer and occasional member of Sonic Youth. Born and raised in Chicago’s experimental improvisation scene, the producer, composer and singer-songwriter has rarely allowed himself to be pigeonholed into a single genre. He moves effortlessly between ambient, noise and minimalism, as well as rock styles such as indie rock and post-rock.

Shortly before the turn of the century, he released what is probably his best-known album, Eureka. At first glance, Eureka sounds like warm, harmonious 70's folk and soft rock. But beneath the smooth surface lie complex, avant-garde structures. The best example is the opening track, Woman Of The World. The song begins with a gently plucked acoustic guitar, and gradually more instruments are layered on top. Piano, brass and string arrangements drive the track forward, culminating in a compelling pop orchestral arrangement. It is certainly no masterpiece, but it is an album that was ahead of its time and, over 30 years on, has lost none of its beauty.

Jim O'Rourke - Woman Of The World

New Song On Sunday

 

Bands all over the world are searching for the perfect pop song. The Australian duo Pamela. have come a good deal closer to achieving this goal. Josh Kempen and Sarah Ellen tell yet another break-up story, but with a positive undertone, because it can certainly be liberating to be yourself again. Musically, they draw on guitar chords that we’re already familiar with from The Strokes, yet they have a distinct character all of their own. A perfect song for the summer. 

Clap Your Hands

 

After taking a short break last week, we’ll now continue with a round of clapping hands. First one today's selection features John Fogerty. Centerfield is the title track from his third album and contains everything that made CCR famous.

Beck released Where It's At in 1996 as the lead single of his best album Odelay. The Dust Brothers produced this album that is full of great samples. And they did the same high class production they did on Beastie Boys Paul's Boutique.

The Cure released this song 1985 and moved to a brighter sound.