The Charlatans by The Charlatans

I've reminisced about the blisteringly hot summer of 1995 on a few occasions over the last month or two. 

T in the Park absolutely baked and I remember a dust storm when Black Grape and The Charlatans played the main stage. There was a lot of excellent music around to soundtrack the time and later that month The Charlatans would release their eponymous album.

The Charlatans - T in the Park 1995

The band had barely paused for breath, the LP was released only 17-months after Up To Our Hips and with the run of singles off both albums, it seemed pretty seamless. That is something The Charlatans have always had, particularly through the glorious 90's - consistency. Quality and quantity.

The Charlatans was originally going to be called The First Shag In Ages! Which would of course have been an excellent title, but on reflection, the eponymous title is a definitely more classy!

Lets revisit the album, a melting pot of songs, grooves & jams. The Charlatans have always had a lovely sense of looseness about their work, but on this album in particular, it's showcased in a beautifully raw way, more so than anything before or since. 

Nine Acre Court opens the album and there is a groove and urgency to the track that the band really had in 1995. I always remember the band opening their Knebworth set with this song. Emotions were running high on stage and off. 

They take it up a notch with Feelin' Holy. Tim Burgess lays the band's drug intake bare in his Tellin' Stories autobiography and there is no doubt what he is on about here. The band gel superbly on this LP, there is a raw live feel to much of the album and a sense of energy, purpose & belief.

One drop, can make you feel how I love

One sweet buzz, can make you feel how I feel

Feeling holy, hello bellow me

Just Lookin' has a super cool vibe to it, the band know they are on form - you can feel it and you can see it in the video and footage from their appearance on Later with Jools. It's super loose, the band are locked in a groove and Burgess sounds fantastic. I love when the beat cuts out allowing him to sing;

I bet you talk about freedom

Then throw it to the sea

You better smile on for my sweet dreamer

You'll never shake it away from me

The closing 45-seconds capture The Charlatans at their best, Jon Brookes gives things an added kick, Mark Collins is in the zone - lovely!

Just Lookin' official video

Just Lookin' - Live on Later with Jools

Crashin' In is simply sublime. The sound of a band smashing it. This is one of my all time favourite Charlatans songs and my favourite ever TV performance by the band was them tearing through it on The White Room. Just look at Tim looking on in admiration at his band and Jon Brookes on drums in particular. They are on fire. Did I mention Mark Collins being in the zone? He's all over this album, guitars pushed to the fore.

Crashin' In official video

Crashin' In on the White Room

Then the classic Charlatans hammond sound takes over for Bullet Comes, the beats are heavy, Burgess starts with a whisper, building to ask what you gonna do when the bullet comes round? And then giving the advice to live it like you love it

It's a great groove. When I look back to this era and this year, The Charlatans were capturing a loose live sound on record like no other band at the time. At 3 minutes 28 seconds you can hear Burgess mumbling something, which makes me think this was captured live. The last 90-seconds are the sound of the band lost in music and Burgess urging live it like you love it.

Talking of grooves, Here Comes a Soul Saver rides in on one, Burgess sounds sweet, the organ is just sublime, everything gels beautifully for the instrumental and then Tim comes back in it's the sunshine of your life, can you feel it when it's right?

A real favourite. Check this live performance from the Phoenix Festival in 1997.

The loose Stones-y sunshine vibe of Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over sounds just as fresh today as it did back in 1995. You look good when you're heart is on fire, it's a matter of taste yeah! is one of my favourite Charlatans lyrics. There is plenty of time over the 5-minutes for the band to groove, the first instrumental starts quite slow and then builds with Mark Collins really fizzing on guitar, building it up and then letting it fall back into the shuffling Stones-y riff & rhythm. The last minute is the band in full flight.

Official video

From Stones-y to stoned. Tell Everyone has a lush, dreamy, slow & stoned feel to it. Toothache is a dirty, loose n raw jam with such a menacing groove that it attracted a remix by The Chemical Brothers, who released their debut album Exit Planet Dust in that glorious summer of 1995. Then we're into No Fiction, The Charlatans are totally on it.

A sense of escapism comes across on See It Through, it takes a while to get going, and then there is a flowing vocal  melody underpinned by Rob Collins on hammond. 

I want to free all the monkeys

Don't want to live in the zoo

Thank You closes the album, a funky psychedelic instrumental, save for Burgess saying a few words, beginning by saying thank you, as if talking to fans. 

I've really enjoyed revisiting the album and hope you do too.

A great little documentary came out on the band via Granada as they were recording the album. Check it out below.

Circus Moving On

 

Poster Paints - Simon & Carla by Craig McIntosh

You say I need to walk before I float

But I'm already flying every day

Poster Paints continue to build momentum towards their eponymous debut with the release of the spellbinding Circus Moving On as a single. 

This song does float and glide beautifully through the verses, it's mellow, tender, dreamy

Then ... at 48 seconds ... the slow burning star becomes a shooting star lighting up the night sky at pace. A double chorus is delivered with strings

You say I need to walk before I float

But I'm already flying every day

I didn't know that I would be the joke

That got you crying when you say my name

When you say my name

You got under my skin,  in my hair, on my lips

Under finger nails, on my hips

And in my dreams

You got under my skin,  in my hair, on my lips

Under finger nails, on my hips

Everything slows to leave space for the next couple of lines

Between my teeth, under sheets

In my dreams

And then ... we explode back into the chorus again. The strings sound even more cinematic, it might as well be your own heart strings that are in the song. 

Here is what Carla had to say; "We worked remotely with Andrew Jin Chung based in Canada for the beautiful string arrangements that really made the findal recording soar. The initial idea was based around Mellotron sounds after a discussion about how much Simon and I both loved the song All My Happiness Is Gone by Purple Mountains. Subconciously that was perhaps a jumping off point for the lyrics and combining a classic sad/happy juxtaposition between words and sounds. It's not the Poster Paints sound you might be expecting but it's one of our favourites on the album and is a joy to play live."

Poster Paints have just announced a show at The Glad Cafe in Glasgow to celebrate the release of their eponymous debut album. Come and hear this song live ... bring your heart strings.

CIRCUS MOVING ON (LYRIC VIDEO)

TICKETS HERE

PRE_ORDER ALBUM HERE (MONORAIL EXLUSIVE)

Edwyn Collins at Kelvingrove Bandstand

What a joy to watch Edwyn Collins, a master in the craft of songwriting, in such a beautiful setting last night. The gorgeous sunshine helped create a real festival vibe; t-shirts, shorts, summer dresses and shades had everyone smiling, the whole bandstand seemed to be glowing with positive vibes.

Clare Grogan, performing under the name of her band Altered Images, enhanced the vibe. Clearly delighted to be playing to a packed Bandstand, 2-years after she was initially scheduled to play with Edwyn.

Wearing a sparkly silver dress while tottering and dancing on high platforms, Grogan delighted the crowd with hits like I Could Be Happy, while mixing in new songs written with Bobby Bluebell and Bernard Butler from the forthcoming Altered Images album. The pure pop sound was blissful in the evening sun.

Don't Talk To me About Love got the whole Bandstand on their feet to dance and sing, an emotional Grogan was close to tears as she thanked everyone after. Released almost 40-years ago, Grogan highlighted that if you'd told her back then that she be playing it to 2,000 people in Kelvingrove Bandstand then she wouldn't have believed you.

Happy Birthday was beautiful, fun, catchy and euphoric pop music. And the crowd responded en mass again. Grogan wished everyone well and said she was off to get a drink to watch Edwyn, urging us to do the same.

At 9pm Edwyn's band took to the stage, followed by Collins himself, dressed in a super sharp suit and white shoes. Ever the mod. The crowd stood and cheered as one, a warm ovation for a truly beloved performer.

Collins directed his band straight into the pounding northern soul influenced Losing Sleep. We were standing in the very back row (before going down the front later) and I took a minute to just take it all in. What a setting for live music! Glasgow at it's very best.

Then it was into Falling & Laughing, the debut single by Orange Juice, released back in 1980 when Collins highlighted that he was 20. The Chic influenced groove is timeless, Collins poetry is beautiful

I'm not saying that we should build a city of tears

All I'm saying

Is I'm alone

Make Me Feel Again is one of my favourite songs by Edwyn. Ultra romantic, the way you turned your head, when I called your name. A sublime melody.

You can check the setlist below. Wheels Of Love was a real highlight, Dying Day was simply stunning, Simply Thrilled was simply thrilling and we decided to head to the front just in time for the start of Felicity with the crowd heartily singing the backing vocals.

Edwyn's son William came on stage to sing the brilliant pop song Into Your Eyes, another real favourite of mine. Edwyn sang the verses and then William came in to sing the soaring chorus. 

And if you wanna go

Then I'll let you go now, you don't have to stay

Sometimes I get tired

And I know you've got to find your own way

I see it in the sky

I see it in your eyes

Edwyn proudly gazed at his son and then the two of them locked eyes in a a father and son moment to cherish. I got a little emotional. What a song!

Rip It Up was an absolute delight, the atmosphere down the front was electric with an age range from teenagers to a couple who may well have been in their 70's. Everyone was dancing and singing, escaping reality for a blissful moment. Edwyn felt it too, rising to his feet and waving his walking stick.

Don't Shilly Shally went down so well that the crowd were still cheering as Edwyn introduced A Girl Like You, so he had to pause and introduce it again. The ferocious guitar riff over super cool bass and beats was like an electric bolt through the audience, everyone sang the riff.

Returning for a sublime slow burning Low Expectations and a rip roaring Blue Boy, Edwyn and his band took a well earned bow to rapturous applause. What a night! 

Anything Goes & Everything Flows DJ Mix 15

Welcome to my monthly 60-minute DJ mix where I like to throw in an eclectic bunch of tunes and see if my motto of Anything Goes & Everything Flows works! 

These mixes are inspired by DJ's I would catch in Glasgow bars like McChuills or The Variety Bar back in my younger days when I'd often go for a pre-club night and end up just staying in the bar.

I was in McChuills a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday night and my wife and I ended up dancing at the end of the bar as DJ Stevie Elemements played a great mix of everything from The Sonics to Madonna, with everything in between. It was so good to hear brilliant music played loudly and to see people responding. Strangers (in some cases)  coming together through music.

We kick off with some laid back soulful & jazzy grooves before going on a real mix from the super cool sounds of Liquid Liquid, a detour into Mexican spiced rock, outrageous soul, electro pop, classic Bowie, crazy pop courtesy of The KLF before ending with the euphoric Loaded by Primal Scream.

Search for Everything Flows DJ Mix 15 on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Rose rouge - St Germain

The Beat Goes On (live) - Buddy Rich Band

Be Thankful For What You've Got - Massive Attack

I Heard It Through The Grapevine - The Slits

Cavern - Liquid Liquid

The Mexican - Babe Ruth

You - Spanky Wilson

Sound and Vision - David Bowie

I Could Be Happy - Altered Images

Electricity - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

Sliced Tomatoes - Just Brothers

California Soul - Marlena Shaw

Justified & Ancient - The KLF

Loaded - Primal Scream

Dancin' Round & Round

Cover version of the month #78
Juliana Hatfield covers Olivia Newton-John

I was saddened to hear of the loss of Olivia Newton-John earlier this week. Thanks to her iconic performance as Sandy in Grease, Newton-John touched many, many hearts. In the evergreen classic film, Newton John was pure, cute and innocent, before transforming into a super cool temptress, sewn into skin tight black leggings. Travolta's face as Newton-John struts, purrs and dances in front of him during You're The One That I Want is a picture. He can't take his eyes off her - no acting required!

Dancin' Round & Round is taken from Olivia's 10th album, 1978's Totally Hot. Released the same year as Grease, it's no surprise to see that it only reached number 30 in the UK charts. The huge success of Grease (film & soundtrack) meant that Newton-John's life and priorities were transformed.

I'm not going to pretend to know a great deal about Newton-John's musical output. Outwith the songs from Grease and big hits like Physical and Xanadu, I didn't/don't know much at all. But my extremely limited knowledge was supplemented when Juliana Hatfield released a covers album in 2018.

A couple of songs stood out for me, particularly Dancin' Round & Round. Hatfield and her band play and sing with a real zip and energy, turning Newton John's original country style ballad into a delicious fuzzy and scuzzy guitar pop gem.

I'm gonna go out tonight

Gonna feel alright

If it tears me right in two

Cause I just can't stay

Feeling this way

With a heart that's full of you

Olivia Newton John at a festival in 1970

Bob Stanley tweeted this photo of a pre fame ONJ looking effortlessly beautiful and cool

I love Juliana's injection of pace to the song, it really lifts it, at least for me, to a new level. The guitars are warm and flow with the vocal melody, Hatfield's voice sounds beautifully pure. Is she harmonising with herself at times? It sounds gorgeous. There is a lot of love in this recording and I love this quote from Juliana's Bandcamp page;

I have never not loved Olivia Newton-John. 

Her music has brought me so much pure joy throughout my life. 

I loved her when I was a child and I love her still... 

Listening to her is an escape into a beautiful place.

This is an example of a cover version transforming an original. Newton-John's voice really aches from hurt, while Juliana sounds like she's going out to dance in defiance of her hurt, to prove she is over it, in belief that she is.

Juliana's covers album of Olivia Newton-John's songs is a shining example of one artist portraying a deep love for another. Enjoy. 

I'll be dancing 'round and 'round

And I'll be satisfied if I can just hold my ground

And if he helps me to keep your memory down

I'll be dancing 'round and 'round

Dancin' Round & Round official video

Juliana Hatfield - live at The Burren Backroom

Juliana Hatfield - album version

All previous cover version of the month blogs are listed below. To listen, search for Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist, featuring all of the songs below, on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Juliana Hatfield - great taste in bikes!

Previous covers of the month

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin' 

8. Sound and Vision 

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus 

11. Guiding Star

12. You’ll Never Walk Alone

13. Hurt

14. This Guy's In Love With You

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine

16. California Soul

18. Wonder wall 

19. Dancing In The Dark

20. Always On My Mind

21. Ceremony

22. Heroes

23. Different Drum

24. Wild Horses

25. Respect

26. Mr Tambourine Man

27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

28. Superstar

29. Twist and Shout

30. Purple Rain

31. Baker Street

32. Not Fade Away

33. Stop Your Sobbing

34. I Don't Want To Grow Up

35. Serious Drugs

36. Dancing With Myself

37. How Does It Feel To Feel?

38. Love Buzz

39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash

41. Discoland

42. Varshons 2 by The Lemonheads

43. The Langley Schools Music Project
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down 
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday 
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

76. Caravan Of Love

77. The Only Way Is Up

There She Goes

Trust me #41
There She Goes by The La's

The La's There She Goes is a bonafide classic. Heavenly chiming guitars, a song that is essentially a chorus repeated again and again, a steady (at times almost skiffle like) rhythm, vocals that are beautifully stretched in all the right ways, with singer Lee Mavers singing over and over about a girl he has fallen head over heels for ... guitar pop perfection. So simple, so beautiful, so pure.

There she goes

There she goes again

She calls my name

Pulls my train

No-one else can heal my pain

Or is There She Goes a love letter to heroin? The lyrics certainly fit the part; pulsing through my veins, no-one else can heal my pain, she calls my name ....

Regardless, There She Goes is as perfect a guitar pop song you'll hear. Personally, for me the song still has the same meaning I attached to it as a 15-year old - it's about a fantasy girl who is out of reach, but just the thought of her heals pain. 

FACT - the sublime opening guitar riff is one of the first things I asked my shortlived guitar tutor to teach me when I was 18. It's one of the few things I bothered to learn and I still know it!

Why did I ask to learn that riff (along with Stone Roses Mersey Paradise) more than any other? Both are based around the D chord, my favourite. I don't really know the answer. They both just chimed (pardon the pun) with me from the very first time I heard them.

There is a great deal of mystery surrounding The La's (band and album), much of it is attributed to singer-songwriter Lee Mavers. My favourite myth is that he abandoned recording their debut album at one stage because he wanted a mixing desk sprinkled with dust from the 60's.

Producers came and went, unable to capture the sounds in Mavers head that he was looking for. The songs on their eponymous album had been floating around in years. There are loads of bootlegs that have ended up being issued officially; Lost La's, De Freitas Sessions, Lost Tapes, radio session/live albums and there are loads of bonus tracks of various mixes with different producers on deluxe reissues of the album.

The La's actually signed with Go! Discs in 1987 and Mavers had all the songs, but the album wasn't released until 1990. 8 producers were involved, the band finally 'settled' with Steve Lillywhite. Even then, Mavers immediately disowned the album upon release!

Word of mouth grew during that time though. There She Goes was originally released as a single in 1988, a version produced by Bob Andrews, it failed to chart. The Lillywhite version was then issued in 1990 and hit number 13 in the charts.

And then ... Mavers disappeared. You can read more about that in this excellent article in The Guardian by Alexis Petridis. His bandmate John Power went on to form Cast and smash things out the park with guitar pop hits like Finetime, Alright, Flying and the beautiful ballad Walk Away.

Mavers talked of rerecording The La's album but there were also rumours that he was building a collection of unbelievable songs ... there has been little evidence of that, although new songs were played when the band briefly reformed around a decade ago.

You have to wonder what might be kicking around in Mavers attic, garage or on hard drives. Or what is in his head. 

In the meantime, There She Goes is an absolute gem of a song, it never fails to make me smile and the warm chords and chiming riff make me feel the same way I do when I hear fellow scousers Here Comes The Sun. Guitar pop perfection! Just a chorus repeated over and over. On repeated listens John Power's calls my name backing vocals are sublime, just keeping the urgency going, egging on Mavers lead vocals. A nugget! Delivered in under 3-minutes.

You can check a variety of versions below.

Live on Letterman

The Word

Top of the Pops

Official video

A list of all previous songs I've blogged about in my Trust Me feature are listed below, along with links to each blog.

I've also collated them all into a playlist on Spotify that you can find by searching for Everything Flows - Trust Me , or you can CLICK HERE

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

Never Ending Mixtape part 75

 

Flying Mojito Brothers

The Delgados

Hey

How are you doing?

Welcome to part 75 of my Never Ending Mixtape. Back in the day I loved making C90 mixtapes and then that changed to CD's. Now I enjoy making playlists, some with real thought behind them ... but with my Never Ending Mixtape I just add songs to it whenever I get the notion ... and it works!

My Never Ending Mixtape now has over 2,750 songs on it! I personally enjoy just pressing shuffle and seeing what plays. 

A little tip - If you want to play from the new songs added, click on to the playlist and then go to the top where you can type in the section next to the magnifying glass - 'find in playlist'. Type in Accused of Stealing, then click on that song and away you go!

I have bought tickets for The Delgados at The Barrowland next January and I've enjoyed listening to their back catalogue for the first time in ages. 

Other highlights range from R.E.M. to Peter Doherty - an artist I've not really explored, but have checked a little recently after reading and enjoying his autobiography. Then we have 2nd Grade and Flying Mojito Brothers (photo at the top) - two bands I hadn't previously heard of before, never mind heard a song.

We end with a song by Scottish artist Lizzie Reid (photo at the bottom) - check her out. I hope to see her live in the near future.

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK HERE

As always, I hope you find something you've never heard before that you fall in love with, or that you rediscover an old favourite.

You'll find a list of the latest songs added below;

Accused of Stealing - The Delgados

Make Your Move - The Delgados

No Danger - The Delgados

Everybody Come Down - The Delgados

Dennis Hopper in Easy Street - 2nd Grade

Fall At Your Feet - Crowded House

Weather With You - Crowded House

Something So Strong - Crowded House

The Storm - World Of Twist

Low Expectations - Edwyn Collins

Hang on to Yourself - David Bowie

Dancing In The Moonlight - Thin Lizzy

We All Stand Together (The Frog Chorus) - Paul McCartney

Calico Skies - Paul McCartney

I've Got A Feeling (Rooftop take 1) - The Beatles

Get Back (Rooftop take 3) - The Beatles

The Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel

Father And Son - Cat Stevens

Do Your Thing - Moondog

All Our Dreams Are Coming True - Gene Page

Catholic Education - Teenage Fanclub

Fall On Me - R.E.M.

(Don't Go Back To) Rockville - R.E.M.

New Orleans Instrumental - R.E.M.

Into The Sun - Superorganism

Lay Down - DMA's

Falling Hard - Poster Paints

Five Mile Hike - Flying Mojito Brothers

Keep On - instrumental - Flying Mojito Brothers

For Lovers - Peter Doherty 

Free Money - Patti Smith

Arms Around the Sun - Sonny Marvello

Up the Bracket - The Libertines

Don't Play That Song - Aretha Franklin

Albion - Babyshambles

Broken Love Song - Peter Doherty

Someone Else - Peter Doherty

Days Like This - Polyphonic Spree

Hanging Around The Day Pt. 1 - Polyphonic Spree

Hanging Around The Day Pt. 2- Polyphonic Spree

Wop-A-Din Din - Red House Painters

Overcome By Happiness - Pernice Brothers

Warpaint - Lizzie Reid

Summertime Clothes

Trust me #40

Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective 

Earlier on this year I heard this kind of crazy, yet melodic, synthy, psychedelic sound coming out of my speaker as I listened to Lauren Laverne on 6 Music. The story being told and the hook really got me.

And I want to walk around with you

I want to walk around with you

The song was Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective and I immediately started a draft blog so I could return to the song to write about it in ... the summertime. I should have had it ready to go for the heatwave!

A great big dirty synth kicks things off, joined by bass and a beat, a further synth riff and backing vocals come in. Animal Collective layer things beautifully.

And then the vocals. A fast flowing melody builds to the chorus, harmonies are introduced at all the right times, for a little extra lift and energy. 

The lyrics tell the tale of a baking hot summer night, it's too hot to sleep, so a couple just go out walking through the city, all the way until dawn breaks. 

Summertime Clothes was released back in 2009 as a single and on the bands Merriweather Post Pavillion album. An old friend who I worked with at the time talked about Animal Collective constantly. I don't know why I didn't check them out!

Listening to this song makes me wish I was younger, wandering around in the summer sun with a friend/girlfriend, without a care in the world. I really love the energy, feeling and beautiful psychedelic synth pop vibe Animal Collective created.

When the sun goes down we'll go out again

When the sun goes down we'll go out again

Animal Collective play Saint Luke's in Glasgow on 9th November. TICKETS HERE

Official video

Live on Letterman

A list of all previous songs I've blogged about in my Trust Me feature are listed below, along with links to each blog.

I've also collated them all into a playlist on Spotify that you can find by searching for Everything Flows - Trust Me , or you can CLICK HERE

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.