time travel : october
Time travel is a monthly newsletter where we listen to one song from each decade (60s to 020s) picked by me, the trick or treater knocking on your door.
Good Morning!
You already know how this goes: new month, new list. This one has a lot of post-punk and glam rock because apparently that’s what my perception of spooky sounds like… and this is your sign to choose a windy autumn October night to go for a walk with your headphones on and this playlist on loud volume. Let’s go!
60s U.F.O - James Sullivan (1969)
U.F.O. may sound like a magical and whimsical start but the story behind this song is actually quite eerie. Six years after releasing this psych-folk album James Sullivan mysteriously disappeared after being last seen in the desert of the southwest. No one knows what happened to him but of course the themes that he touches in this album (and especially this song) inspired a couple of theories you can surely look up online.
I'm checking out the show
With a glassy eye
Looking at the sun dancing through the sky
Did he come by U.F.O.?
70s See No Evil - Television (1977)
I’ve been waiting to add Television to one of these newsletters and what better time to add some guitar-based punk than October, especially with this classic from the influential New York greats.
I understand all, I see no
Destructive urges, I see no
It seems so perfect, I see no
I see, I see no, I see no evil
80s Утро - Megapolis (1987)
Quite a gem from Russia’s Megapolis. It’s the first single of their debut album, also named Утро (pronounced Utro and meaning “Morning” according to google translate). It’s new wave rock with powerful bass, charming keyboards and a surprisingly jazz-y bridge.
Когда о радости труда
Грустит по радио звезда краснознаменного ансамбля
Заря заняв мою жилплощадь
Бюстгальтер розовый полощет
90s Death II - Pulp (1992)
Post-Punk, and dance, and glam, and Pulp! This song is part of their third album, Separations. Arguably their best, but definitely one of their most important ones in terms of the discovery of their sound. This is the moment for you to dance like you are at the D-I-S-C-O in a dracula costume (or whatever floats your boat, I don’t judge).
Oh now the lonely nights begin,
And there is nowhere left to go,
But watch my spirit melt away,
Down at the D-I-S-C-O.
I must have died a thousand times,
00s Mister Moonlight - Clinic (2002)
Now’s the time for some rest from all the dancing while we listen to the ever changing Clinic. Discovering their discography is a whole damn ride, they explore different genres with each album but somehow they always have that rawness, mysterious and creepy energy (in a good way of course)
Kathy in the sun
Kathy has just come
No other family warmth that blinds your home
And people in the know are just people in the know
10s Deadly Valentine - Charlotte Gainsbourg (2017)
I now know she is quite popular, but when I first found out that Serge Gainsbourg’s daughter made electronic music I was blown away. This one is from her latest album Rest, and although it's quite good on its own it also has a few great mixes online.
With this ring I thee wed, with all my worldly goods I thee endow
To love and to cherish according to God's holy ordinance
20s Phantom Island - Smile (2021)
We’re closing with this gloomy instrumental by Smile. The duo formed by the two already experienced and successful musicians Björn Yttling of Peter, Björn and John and Joakim Åhlund of Teddybears, joining forces to bring more experimental electro pop into our lives.
Save your favorites, subscribe to grounded musique, have a harmless moon ritual and leave me your comments, thoughts and recs on instagram, twitter, or spotify @signodepesos.
Thanks for reading and listening!