The weather never cooperates. At least, not whenever I ask it to. Sitting down to write an article about songs best heard on a rainy day the first shafts of morning sun pour into my windows, the smirks of mischievous deities hidden by a veil of thin cloud. (Flashes of a childhood memory of going to school an hour earlier for a field trip only to be told that it was cancelled because of a typhoon comes back to haunt me.)
Never mind, great music needn’t depend too much on the conditions of the heavens. Perhaps for those of you who can’t bear the tropical heat in this urban jungle, these songs will remind you of the rain. And, who knows, maybe by the time this article comes out the gods would oblige us with a little drizzle?
| This Is How It Feels - Inspiral Carpets |
"Depression is melancholy without the poetry." Whoever said that probably got it right. But that needn’t be a bad thing, just as long as you throw in a catchy chorus and an insistent drum rhythm as this little ditty by a band that was mistakenly written off as "baggy" amply proves. Admittedly the lyrics aren’t much but the plaintive woe of the vocal is enough to make you cry buckets if the heavens won’t.
| My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains - Captain Beefheart |
This uncharacteristic ballad from a songwriter known never to stay in any one genre of popular music (or for that matter any time signature or key for too long) isn’t included here because of its use of the word ‘rain’ in the title. Probably one of the most gorgeous love songs ever as well as one of the most complex, it does not contain any cliché and is an honest outpouring of emotion from a man whose band mates label as a Nazi. Known for his feral growl, Beefheart coos this one with the gentility of a lover in the embrace of his lover under the sheets, knowing that the storm will soon blow over.
| The Land Of Might Have Been - Jeremy Northam |
Recorded for Robert Altman’s Agatha Christie-meets-social commentary film
Gosford Park, it is sung with genuine feeling by British actor Jeremy Northam. Written by Ivor Novello (played by Northam in the movie), it has a sentimental longing that goes well with watching the puddles growing in your garden, reflecting on opportunities missed and the uncertainty of the future like a character out of a Gregorio Brillantes story. Not unlike savoring the "occasional indulgence, a small glass of Pedro Domecq before dinner" especially before the floods.
| Hot Fun In The Summertime - Sly and the Family Stone |
Don’t let the title fool you. This song is about remembrance tinged with a little amount of regret; it is about the change of season. Evocative from its opening piano, Sly Stone sings this pop tune with an unmistakable smile while recalling every banal memory with poignant reflection. Perfect for rainy days when you just need a little bit of sunshine to warm up your life.
| Within These Walls - Dominion |
There’s always something about bad weather and goth music. One punter of the scene going so far as to complain about The Cure — high priests of the genre — because their single at the time contained the line: "The sun is up I’m so happy I can scream." Luckily for its fans that there are local bands like Dominion keeping the torch ablaze in the dank cellars of their imaginations. This claustrophobic rocker of a track has vocalist Mike Scroth wailing above the din of guitars and drums just in time before the final brick has been laid in place.
Instrumentals these days — especially when done by rock and roll acts — are ponderous and boring, attempting to dazzle us with abrupt shifts in time and speed that are the equivalent of a well-endowed porn star coaxing sperm out of his flaccid penis. (If I ever hear dada-da-duh chunks of guitar again, I’ll throw a fit and show these musos a thing or two about rage.) Mogwai attempts no such thing. On this track, everything is understated: Every note is allowed to breathe and resound far beyond its borders. Much like cinema, only a few drops here and there is enough to give the impression of a storm.
The Gweilo’s Hour is back tonight on NU 107.5! Brought to you by San Miguel Beer, Frenzy Condoms and Jack Daniels, we’re bringing you the brand new song from legendary band The Pixies as well as tracks from Josh Rouse, Tahiti 80 and Fantomas. Plus classics from PIL, Bob Mould, Primal Scream and — of course — David Bowie. If we’re pissed, we might even through in a bit of King Crimson and Primus. It’s on from 9 — 10 p.m.
Gweilo’s Bar is located at Carlos Palanca St., Legaspi Village in Makati. Every Monday, DJ RO plays the best from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s (including the songs mentioned above) and it’s Happy Hour all night!
Send comments and reactions to: erwin_romulo@hotmail.com.