Song of the Night (#6) Joy Division - Disorder

I'm a neophyte in regards to Joy Division's discography and history. The most obvious cause of this is my ignorance towards New Wave music, but a more important reason is the musical legacy left behind by such influential groups. This legacy was the Post-Punk genre, an arty and inwards response to the unbridled rebellion of Punk Rock; it has forever confounded me as a listener, seeing that I prefer my rock music straightforward and unambiguous.

And then there's this song. As I said above, I care little for Joy Division's reputation. But briefly listening to their music taught me that this was a very special band, especially in conveying feelings of ambiguity and ominousness. I began listening to Unknown Pleasures (Joy Division's debut), and realized that it was possible to combine the focused feel of a traditional rock song with ambitious emotional undertones.

The sensation of listening to this song is much like drifting off into space, lulled by that pensive bass line, soaring guitar riffs and echoing drums. Above it all is Ian Curtis, recounting episodes of ennui, loneliness, paranoia. The barely-contained despair only reaches its apex at the song's end; this is a portrait of a man on edge, listless and emotionally disconnected from everyone around him. Despite this dark subject matter, the surrounding melodies are nothing less than gentle and compassionate.

Brilliant stuff.

Song of the Night (#5) Iron Maiden - Bring Your Daughter to The Slaughter

I love my Heavy Metal music, yes I do! Tonight's selection is the aptly titled "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter", a tale of horror as menacing, bloody and cheesy as it sounds.

No debate concerning the Best and Most Influential Bands of Heavy Metal is complete without the inclusion of Iron Maiden. Born kicking and screaming from The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), Maiden unarguably shaped the nascent Heavy Metal genre with their theatrical tales of horror, war, mythology and misanthropy. Thanks to Iron Maiden and their Eighties peers (Judas Priest, Venom etc.), Heavy Metal became the terrifying beast it is today.

Interestingly, this song isn't revered like many of Maiden's past classics (eg Number of The Beast, Two Minutes to Midnight). Written by vocalist Bruce Dickinson for inclusion in one of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies (hell if I know which one), Bring Your Daughter is an often hilarious and tongue-in-cheek ode to that franchise's mythology. More Monster-Mash than Mass-Murder, it is as exhilarating as it is entertaining.

Song of the Night (#4) Gary Numan - Cars

I'm going to try to include in this feature more songs that our less dour and downbeat than my past selections. I fear that so far, this series is nothing more than a collection of late-night downers.

Hence tonight's choice: Gary Numan's 80s bouncy, up-tempo smash-hit Cars. If you've heard of Gary Numan, there's a 99.9% chance that it was through this song. As an old warhorse on many a Pop or Rock radio station, many a DJ has given this song a spin without bothering to consider the rest of Numan's formidable and eclectic discography. This has helped the perception that Numan is a so-called "one-hit wonder"(though only in America).

Enough digression. What are Numan's trademarks as an artist? When you listen to Cars, you'll be struck by that gorgeous, gorgeous synth melody. This is arguably Numan's most appealing strength as a songwriter. All throughout the 80's, he constantly experimented with the synthesizer, resulting in many an unearthly, haunting melody. These melodies were combined with grounded pop elements (ie humble guitar riffs; questing bass guitar and crisp drumming) to form appealing and listenable pop songs.

In spite of its rather fearful and inward lyrics, Cars has always proven to be an optimistic and uplifting soundtrack for my daily life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Song of the Night (#3) Bob Seger - Beautiful Loser

Rocker Bob Seger is fairly well-known to many fans of Classic Rock and Oldies worldwide. Unfortunately, it's mostly for that overheard song Tom Cruise danced to in his underwear.

This reflects Seger's current status as one of Classic Rock's under-appreciated elder statesman, fit only to have one or two of his singles spun on the airwaves for nostalgia's sake. The reality is that Seger and his Silver Bullet Band were one of the best rock outfits of the Seventies; during this decade alone, the band produced nearly ten albums chock-full of excellent stuff. My personal favorites are Mongrel, Night Moves and Beautiful Loser, but every album of theirs from this decade warrants a listen. Musically, the song material ranges from anthemic rockers to slower, more reflective ballads.

I've chosen a song of the latter category for inclusion tonight, hoping to exhibit one of Seger's best qualities: he writes songs that are astonishingly honest and direct in emotion. Beautiful Loser is a masterpiece in weariness and disappointment, all the while being as gorgeous as its title suggests.

Song of the Night (#2) Poe - Haunted

I've always thought of Poe (aka Annie Danielewski) as an "indie" musician in status, though not in style. In spite of releasing two excellent records (1995's "Hello" and 2000's "Haunted), she has struggled to release another in the past decade, having been entangled in the record company troubles familiar to any struggling musician. She might lack for funding and support, but definitely not for talent, persistence or creativity.

As a musician, Poe's songs manage a pleasing balance between striking, pop melodies and lush, experimental flourishes. While not the mindless aural cocaine of most of the rubbish blaring over the airwaves, they are definitely accessible enough to attract general interest (her striking, willowy beauty doesn't hurt either).

Out of her tragically tiny discography, I've chosen "Haunted", off of the album of the same name. With its eerie, ominous beginning, one finds themselves enticed by Poe's sing-song vocals as if being led down a dark, dark path. The forest is foreboding, but the siren's confessions are far more alluring. 

Were there any justice in the music business, this song would've made Poe a superstar.

Song of the Night (#1) John Surman's Portrait of a Romantic

I'd never even heard of this John Surman guy until I did a brief search for avante-garde Jazz music and New Age music. Apparently, the man's an exceptional saxophonist with experience with a very, very impressive resume.

Of course, I didn't know this when I listened to the song. I knew something else: this was one of the most forlorn, mournful and gorgeous songs I've ever listened to.

It begins with a clarinet solo winding its way through the cold night air. Then a sprinkling of synthesizers, tinkling like glass wind chimes. And then the sax. Jesus, that Sax. I don't really have words for it, but I'll try anyways. I didn't think it was possible to express such loneliness with a sax.

When I hear this, I can picture a lonely, lonely stranger atop standing atop a grassy hill, staring into the darkness.