Friday Random Five: Funky, morose, and inspirational

Mixed Bizness by Beck Album: Midnite Vultures
Would it be a FR5 without some Beck? Well, it would, but it would be a slightly diminished one. This song comes from the album with the off-putting cover, but don’t be deterred. By playing this song, you can get the party started. And make all the lesbians scream.

Paint a Vulgar Picture by The Smiths Album: Strangeways, Here We Come
Morrissey was haunted by the image of the fading celebrity. ‘Little Man, What Now?’ shows the young celebrity, now old and unremembered by former fans. Most striking is ‘Rubber Ring’, where Morrissey implores, “Don’t forget the songs that made you cry, and the songs that saved your life.” During the bridge, the drumwork cuts to half tempo, and he arrests the listener by slowly singing ‘Do you love me like you used to?’

So it is with ‘Paint a Vulgar Picture’ in which Morrissey stalks The Star of his youth, and fast-forwards to the joy of the record company when The Star dies and the re-issuing and the re-packaging can begin.

The fastest way to get troll-rated on Morrissey-Solo is to quote this song when another Smiths ‘best-of’ compilation comes out.

Day of the Lords by Joy Division Album: Unknown Pleasures
I found this CD used and made the mistake of listening to it on a sunny day at the park. I should have known it wasn’t that kind of album. It’s got an oppressive mood, with Ian Curtis’s strange baritone. Where will it end? Where will it end?

A Masterpiece by Stephen Tin Tin Duffy Album: The Ups and Downs
The Refresh button has chosen Mr Duffy again, and who am I to complain? A soulful ditty. “Tomorrow we’ll be hand in hand,” he promises, “voting in the election.”

Wings of a Dove by Madness Album: The Heavy Heavy Hits
Not my favourite Madness track, but the church choir is a nice touch.