Hey folks, please join us in the Viva archives for a special new "episode" (#134). We'll be waiting for you! x

The Field Mice - Let's Kiss and Make Up

Most mp3 blogs have posted this already, but it's new to me, so whatevs.

I love that the chiming guitar figure in the right channel isn't just "dum Dum dum", etc., but is (sometimes? always?) "dum DA-DUM dum", etc. Feel me?

What I'm talking about can perhaps most clearly be heard at the 1:27 mark.

Ian Hunter: Just Another Night

Cocteau Twins - Watchlar

Here's one of the songs I enjoyed "discovering" for the 1990 project. Fortunately it's a B-side so I can post it! :) This track proves once again that if you have Elizabeth Fraser in your band, you are instantly better than every other band. Does the melody remind anyone else of Big Yellow Taxi?

Thanks to all for your help with the 1990 project. The playlist is now streamable here.

Sorry about the imagery above, BTW. It's not my fault.

Pintura Fresca - Tiritando

Dusty Springfield - Arrested By You

Eternal gratitude to new Viva Radio contributor Wombleton Records for introducing me to this enchanting Rupert Hine cover. This track has inspired me to once again turn to you, dear readers, and ask for suggestions for an all-1990 playlist. This is admittedly a pretty obviously bad idea. (What am I going for here, anyway? Vaguely dated adult contemporary? And if so, why?)

In any case, let me know if you have any tips for hot tracks from the MCMXC, and enjoy the Dusty in the meanwhile.

There was never any chance that there wouldn't be a key change in this.

Gang of Four: Love Like Anthrax

MARGINAL SOUND QUALITY UPGRADE!

Carole King - Porpoise Song (publisher's demo)

I took the trouble of acquiring a recording of indeterminate origin entitled The Monkees Archives Volume 5 in order to present you with a new rip of this track (originally posted back in July), in slightly less wretched fidelity (though of course the lo-fi is part of the charm).

A biographical note: we've moved back into the apartment after a renovation, and I've finally gotten the turntables hooked back up, and work promises to slow down a bit after a uniquely hellish September, and I should have a free hour or two soon to set about reälphabetizing my records and CDs, and in all likelihood I'll be able to start posting some songs again soon. No major life changes scheduled for the next six months. It's on.

Blur: Resigned

The Maytals: I Alone