Small Black - No Stranger

Tell me where you thought you saw me
Tell me why you asked my name
Tell me how you've come to be in this place

Tell the story how you want to
Make up all the details
Tell me what feels good, I don't care

You're no stranger
You're no stranger to me

Keeping it samey this week with another lo-fi pop, new-wavey, slightly melancholic fave of mine. I was so happy to "discover" them at SXSW a couple years ago, and then kinda embarrassed to learn they'd been around for seven years already at that point. Better late than never! I missed them when they came to Texas this April but hopefully they're working on a new album and new excuse to tour here again next year. 

RIYL: Neon Indian, Toro y Moi, Washed Out, Twin Shadow, DIIV

Upcoming Shows

Twin Shadow - Five Seconds

Five seconds in your heart
Straight to your heart
I can't get to your heart
She said, five seconds in your heart
Straight to your heart
I can't get to your heart

Linking arms to the right time
Drop your head to please mine
Give her a sign

I don't believe in you
You don't believe in me
So how could you make me cry?

Sometimes I get a little too in-my-head about which songs to post on TMIS. Case in point, I've been sitting on this track by Dominican-American George Lewis, Jr (aka Twin Shadow) this whole time, waiting for a new release, or to decide on a song from his more recent album at least. But that's just silly when "Five Seconds" is a classic fave that deserves to be here. It really sounds like classic wave, too - love that melancholy chord over the chorus.

RIYL: Echo and the Bunnymen, Black Cab, Small Black, Wild Nothing

Upcoming Shows

Heaven 17 - Sunset Now

Blade flew into town
In time to watch the sun go down
He said the new prince must be found
The message shattered our windows
We know it was over, saying
"Tell the boys that we're not handing
Over any part
Of Action Town"

Kerri and I are in Miami, the ultimate Action Town, and when I tried to think of songs that reminded me of Miami, Heaven 17's "Sunset Now" came to mind instantly. It's an old, old favorite and I think it's perfect. It's one of the singles off their 1984 album How Men Are and showcases some of the best of their work. It's got a mysterious storyline, some cheery pop synths, and funky 80's beats. It's one of my favs.

RIYL: Spandau Ballet, The Human League, Blancmange, Ultravox, ABC

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill

It doesn't hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
You, it's you and me.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh...

You don't want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware I'm tearing you asunder.
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.

Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
You, it's you and me.
It's you and me won't be unhappy.

What a moving song. Released in 1985 to popular success and critical acclaim, nevertheless I always felt it was a track ahead of it's time. Fast forward about twenty years and the perfect remake came out. I've been debating for a long time, which to put on TMIS: Kate Bush or Placebo version? Went with Kate because she wrote it, and she's a legend. Bonus Placebo attached though.

RIYL: Cocteau Twins, Sinead O'Conner, Just Us, Blondie, The Sugarcubes

Upcoming Shows

The Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)

Some things take forever
But with building bricks of trust and love
Mountains can be moved

Love come, down upon us 'til you flow like water
Burning, with the hope of insight
Feathered, look they're covered with a bright elation
Stolen, in the sight of love

We are, we are, we are but your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are, we are, we are ever helpless
Take us forever, a whisper to a scream

A few things I love about TMIS: First, we cover several genres of music so there are lots of shifts in mood and energy on the playlist; second, we're not limited to just new releases and new band discoveries (although those are prevalent and exciting); and finally, the occasional fun facts or amazing videos we uncover. Fun facts for this 1984 New Wave throw-back: their US label wouldn't release it until they removed the spoken word overdub at the start (included here), and reversed the name of the song, AND dropped the "The" from Icicle Works. Seem like nonsense changes to me, but maybe those were magic tricks - the song made it to #37 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the year, while it peaked at #52 in their native UK. Also: I didn't realize The Icicle Works released five whole albums! This first single was their only hit stateside. 

RIYL: Modern English, Big Country, Aztec Camera