Seven Songs for the List #109 - 7th May 25

The Book of Mormon was in Dublin recently and I went to see it for the first time. I didn't know any of the songs going in, my knowledge was that it was served up by the people behind South Park and Avenue Q, so the "edgy" humour wasn't a surprise. However I figured that for a show like this to be internationally successful for over a decade the songs would have to be good, and the ending would have to work (i.e. satisfactory and heart-warming). Unsurprisingly the show pulls this off. This is the opening number, and from the third row it was impeccably performed.

Current tv faves are The Righteous Gemstones, whose final episode ever is this week, and Your Friends and Neighbours on AppleTV+ which is a hugely entertaining Jon Hamm show. In one episode, his son's band debuts at a party and plays this song, which was nice to hear. I hope M.Sweet got some money for that, as he recovers from his stroke.

This album came out for Record Store Day, a live performance of Bowie's Reality LP. It's a record I've always liked a lot. Heathen got the "return to form" accolades, and The Next Day got the hype and zeitgeist, but Reality is better IMO. I seem to have too many Bowie live albums, thanks to record store day and box sets, but this one is really excellent. Now bring on the sixth career boxset!

REM put out a curious remix of Radio Free Europe this week to raise money for Radio Free Europe. Wh. Tornado is one of the songs from the original EP and, of course, is the theme tune to the excellent podcast R U Talkin' REM re:me? Great ep.

I'm not a Van fan, but wandered into this track while streaming. I like the music particularly.

Finally was able to sync up my life with a cinema showing of Pink Floyd at Pompeii. They have done a great job with it. It looks great, but it sounds fantastic. Proper Atmos/Surround shenanigans in the cinema.

Why not? Was listening to In Through The Out Door this week. And I'm tempted to say it's their best record, to be annoying.