Visual goodness by Sigur Rós

A good amount of time ago I remember trying to write a very long, thought-through piece for this blog about the importance of what visually accompanies music. I never finished it but some of the experiences I've had lately has led my thoughts in the direction of maybe trying to get it written anyway. As mentioned, the new Blur documentary was a visual delight, and today I saw another great music + visual combo - the Sigur Rós film 'Heima'. It is a very special band film, since its breathtaking visuals document so much more than just a band. The film is as beautiful as anything you'll see, as Sigur Rós tour their homeland of Iceland with free, unannounced gigs and anecdotes regarding the island. I have wanted to go to Iceland for a number of years and my interest was definitely increased even more by this film. The nature, the people and all those things that seem so special about Iceland is brought to us by a band that sounds exactly the way I would imagine the island sounding had it been a sound. Also, I really appreciate the fact that this film actually seems to understand that watching a group of children flying kites is a just as appropriate visual while listening to Sigur Rós as an image of the band on stage (even though that is also a quite intriguing sight). The YouTube snippets don't do the film that much justice, so I really do recommend getting your hands on a DVD version. Then get some chocolate, a cup of tea, a duvet and something nice and comfy to sit on and watch. I guarantee it'll make the winter seem less depressing.

No Distance Left To Run

Ahh, the nostalgia. I might only be 17 years old and someone who was unborn when Blur first emerged. But still, little music makes me as nostalgic, filled with joy and at the same time melancholic and thoughtful as theirs. I have mentioned that I went to see them in Hyde Park this summer and that they were my favourite band a few years back - but somehow, as things are now, they are so much more. Their music is now connected to the memories of the summer 2009, of the sunshine, of London, of the rain, of old times and of that special, special gig. I have childhood memories of Blur, yes - I remember being six or seven, watching the video for 'Coffee & TV' on television while loving the video and having absolutely no interest in the music whatsoever. Later on I saw more videos of theirs, including 'Song 2' (I knew the 'woo-woo' part for years while having no idea what the song was called or what band had made it) and being confused that 'the blonde guy, isn't he the singer? then why is the boy with the glasses singing in the milk carton video?' - I knew Blur a tiny bit but my interest didn't occur for real before my interest in britpop emerged and I spontaneously bought their 'Best of' - I don't want this post to be too long, I'm off to bed, so let's just say that the rest is history and my interest has been through many interesting stages ever since.
This evening I went to see 'No Distance Left To Run', the first real in-depth documentary made about the entire Blur story up until now. And quite frankly, it took my breath away. It contained everything I wanted it to contain - as well as some fantastically beautiful images. I laughed, I almost cried (I'm not the kind of person who cries in the cinema, you know) and had the loveliest warm feeling in my stomach when I left the cinema accompanied by the sound of 'Swamp Song'.
I've been thinking about Blur quite a lot lately and how I cannot wait to spend another summer in London with their albums as my soundtrack. Only now, I think they might just make their way onto my winter playlist as well. Especially this song:


After all these years I still keep realising that it is probably in my top 10 of favourite songs ever... but that's another story.

While you wait...

I'm afraid it'll take a little while longer before my post(s) on the musical year of 2009 is/are done and ready to be uploaded, so in the meantime I'll point you in the direction of this, my favourite pop song of 2010 so far. It's a grower definitely - when I first heard it I didn't like it at all - I thought it was too commercial and unoriginal and the video didn't really do anything you felt like you hadn't seen before. But I couldn't really forget it either - I returned to it a couple of times and kept thinking 'do I like this? Is it really, really bad? or is it good?' - then new year's eve arrived and as I decorated my room before the party I couldn't help but choose this song as the soundtrack. It doesn't revolutionize pop music in any way but it highlights everything that's good about something being catchy, upboat and impossible to get out of your head. I haven't listened to it that many times and I could probably sing along to it without forgetting the lyrics a single time. In music class today we learned about the elements and classic structures of a pop/rock song and this song is a perfect example of what pop music is so good at. I wish they would play this on the radio instead of 'Party In The USA' by Miley Cyrus.