I’ve been tagged by Robin to do that seven songs meme. The destructions read:

“List seven songs you’re into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring.”

Robin’s linked to YouTube renditions of most of the songs he likes which is a splendid idea and I’m doing the same as it just so happens that I can find all but one of the songs I’m currently into on their. Well, okay, all but two so I’ve dropped one (it was an 8th choice). Oh, and there’s a remix version of a song in there too but hey, you get to listen to my taste in, well, industrial noise and learn a bit more about me. As if you needed to.

First up is Nine Inch Nails which should only be a surprise to you if you’re dead. In fact, I could fill this whole list with NIN tracks but that would be harsh as I do actually listen to other stuff as well. Anyway, we open with Ghosts IV #28. I don’t know what it is about this track from Trent Reznors experimental instrumentals that I like so much apart from the pervading melancholia and the best use of a banjo since Deliverance. This is probably the track from Ghosts that’s stuck in my head the most to the point where I was out with the family for a lovely sunny afternoon walk the other day, pushing the pram and shouting obscenities at the dog while intermittently whistling and humming refrains from this track. My wife turned to me, a quizzical look in her eyes and asked “Why are you so happy?”

Next up is Weapons of Mass Distraction by Crystal Method. A version of this song appeared on the soundtrack for Blade: Trinity but it’s not all bad. This is pure psychosis in a rhythmic form and I love it. That’s all.

I was a little torn about the next track. I’m listening to the latest album by Revolting Cocks - Cocked and Loaded. There are some quite catchy melodies on the album as I may have mentioned before this but I will admit that there’s nothing outstanding. I quite like the definite Viagra Culture with lead vocals by Jello Biafra but in the end, it was the early Ministry inspired Devil Cock that won out. However the only version of this available is the SumYunGuy mix so you get that to listen to. It’s not quite got the intense guitar riffs at the end that I’m into but it does feature mucho sampling from The Exorcist so who am I to complain.

“Armenia” by Einstuerzende Neubauten is a perennial favourite and another moving, industrial track (that also featured on the soundtrack to Micheal Mann’s Heat). This video is from 1990 and is a bit new wave compared to their more stayed incarnation these days - less with the Flock of Seagulls haircuts and drainpipe trousers and in with the black three-piece suits and considerably more stage acumen. Neubauten is a band that is worth seeing live because they are phenomenal - check out the video to this performance of Haus Der Luge from their live performance in the now demolished Palace Der Republik in 2004 which gives a far better idea of the way they make their music.

More Nine Inch Nails - because I can. Corona Radiata from the new (and free to download) album “The Slip” is just excellent. It’s seven and a half minutes of haunting electronic soundscape that devolves into a disturbing guitar led instrumental piece that’s providing a soundtrack to the sequel to the screenplay I’m currently writing.

Despite how I may come across, I’m not entirely uncultured and I’ve been listening to Mozart’s Requiem again recently and in particular, the Dies Irae. Okay, so it’s overused in trailers but come on, this is a fantastic piece of music. I’ve also been listening to the Dies Irae from Verdi’s Requiem because it was used on an advert for some video game but off the two, I much prefer Mozart’s intpretation. You can keep your Carmina Burana’s because quite frankly, nothing beats a good requiem mass and the highlight is always the powerhouse sequence that makes up the Dies Irae - the Day of Wrath. Bring it on!

Finally, a track that I started listening to again today because of Mr Kelly who referred to me earlier as Tommy which is something that’s generally considered inadvisable because I’m easily upset and can sulk for days and days and days (and, also, I believe in retribution of the highest order). Tommy The Cat by Primus is a great tune, featuring the gravelly vocal talent of Mr Tom Waits and the superlative bass skills of Les Claypool. It’s not a deep song nor particularly meaningful but it is fucking excellent. It also pretty much describes my general approach to life at university. Halcyon days, my friends: halcyon days.

So that’s my seven.

Noticeably absent is anything by Foetus or derivations thereof mainly because I can’t find any of the recent album tunes to link to. That being said, I have been listening to Stumbo as well and although this live performance isn’t great (on account of J.G. being quite obviously wired), it’s still a damn good version.

That’s my lot. As far as tagging goes, well, feel free to join in but specifically I’m going to target Lyle, Lisa, Matt and Andy to carry on.