The Sprout

Climactic Songs

Posted by hollymorris from Cardiff - Published on 27/07/2010 at 13:09
3 comments » - Tagged as Music

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My personal favourite climactic songs, in no particular order:

[Sub Ed Note: If you have Spotify, click here to hear most of hollymorris' playlist. If you haven't got Spotify, you can download it for free here.]

Said The People - Dinosaur Jr.

Grown rather fond of this number. Love how it builds up; dramatic riff, exceptional guitar licks and heartbreakingly simple lyrics. Air of determination/motivation, subtle f***-off attitude. Yes.

Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve

See the video. 'Nough said.

It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry - Glasvegas

There's something about the combination of his rough Scottishness and the chorus guitar lick that make this number particularly moving, even if you can't relate to the story or think the bloke's an utter w***** and deserves how he feels 'cause for cheating on his Mrs.

Racing Race - Flashguns

Pièce de résistance. Everything about this number is beautifully cynical and stroppy, and has exactly the right amount of trippy atmos-synth going on. The main riff almost sounds oriental. Biglove.

Where Is My Mind? - Pixies

Monumental ending track on the Fight Club film score, the one where Helena Bonham-Carter and Edward Norton watch the bank buildings around them crash to the ground; what a climax. Charmingly rough in a similar way to The Libertines, but obviously a lot more sinister and hardcore, what with the squawky vocals and edgy guitar. Repetition of the same lick doesn't get much better than this.

Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

Not as climactic perhaps as the other tracks, but a charged number nonetheless. Turned up on full blast you can fully appreciate the drums. The clarity of the guitar and vocals are so perfectly in sync, spacey and echoing.

Nothing In My Way - Keane

Yes, mainstream. Yes, cheesy. But oh, such a pavement-strutter, even if there's just a twang of pain and resentment hiding in the lyrical account.

Last Clown - Turin Brakes

Old time childhood folk favourites, c'mon you 'Braaakes. The boys have done the whole mainstream 'I'm over it' thing with style and taste.

"So if you see me
Walking around in the streets of your town
Don't feel for me
I've got more peace of mind than you ever shall find
I got lost in the world
Slow motion walking and dire dry talking
As bad as things be, I'm a natural survivor"

Feeling Good (Cover) - Muse

Phwoar, spine-tingling. Turn it right up to get the full effect. Would it be blasphemous to deem it better even than Nina Simone's rendition?

I Knew - Lightning Dust

I did a review on their album, Infinite Light, a while back...

"Amber Webber and Joshua Wells are psychedelic-cum-folk band Lightning Dust. Webber's shaky warble vocals merge and melt amongst soft and harsh fuzz of guitars, keyboards, synths and even violins (Dreamer). This duo has an obvious knack and flair yet it's only apparent in four tracks, with the disappointing and confusing addition of bongos to The Times; but I Knew's lusty narrative and edgy electric vibe are simply unforgettable, as is the haunting reverb of the vocals and drum machine and of bitterly nostalgic Antonia Jane, give the space-rock album its niche."

That Home - The Cinematic Orchestra

The only song ever to bring tears to my eyes every time I listen to it - it helped me through a really difficult period of my life when all I wanted to do was be home again. The poetic lyrics are so incredibly moving. Beautiful reprise to To Build A Home, another stunning track by The Cinematic Orchestra. I savour Patrick Watson's wavering vocals and the rich piano / string accompaniment.

Like this playlist? Want more? Then check out tommy b's My Summer Playlist.

IMAGE: jurvetson