Saturday, October 27, 2012


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

Wednesday, October 24, 2012


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.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012


Ian Hunter: Just Another Night

Sunday, October 21, 2012


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?

Saturday, October 20, 2012


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.

Monday, October 15, 2012


Pintura Fresca - Tiritando

Wednesday, October 10, 2012


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.

Monday, October 08, 2012


Gang of Four: Love Like Anthrax

Sunday, October 07, 2012

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.

Wednesday, October 03, 2012


Blur: Resigned

Tuesday, October 02, 2012


The Maytals: I Alone