Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of Hurricane Sandy, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, this post must show… or if you prefer, I am writing this Monday morning and don't know whether it will be a natural disaster or a fizzle. My bet is the former.
OK, so fuck natural disasters, let's dance…
1. Hurricane – Bob Dylan – It is hard to listen to anything on Desire without remembering Lester Bangs devastating hit job. But let's try. "Hurricane" Carter was convicted of murder in 1966, Dylan wrote this great response in 1976, and Carter was released in 1988, all charges dropped. The violins are just brilliant here, they seem to swerve the same way the story of Carter swerves. And the opening line, "Pistol shots ring out in the barroom night…" is brilliant, it throws your right in the deep end of the story and you don't come up for air once – Grade: A
2. Hurricane – 30 Seconds To Mar – For some reason, I thought this was a good band I'd never actually listened to. In fact, they are a bad band I've never actually listened to – Grade: D+
3. Hurricane Drunk – Florence + The Machine – Deep album track off Lung, and while it gets a head of steam, the dynamic isn't overwhelming for one. Kinda Goth pop with a great lead singer – Grade: B+
4. Hurricane Jane – Black Kids – Now here is a band that came along about the same time as Sleigh Bells, but didn't quite hit. A pop morsel, easy going, soulful and smart. They should have hit bigger – Grade: B+
5. Hurricane – Ms Mr – Ooooh, 2012!!! This is a 80s inspired synth pop mood piece – Grade: A-
6. Hurricane – Panic At The Disco – These guys should have NEVER wrapped it up, this is a great emo disco move – Grade: B+
7. Hurricane – NEEDTOBREATH – Rock ordinaire – Grade: C
8. Like A Hurricane – Neil Young – From the late 1970s, the second coming of Neil remains a beautiful ringing powerhouse with a chorus to die for – Grade: A
9. Rock You Like A Hurricane – Scorpions – 80s metal! Yeah! Grade: B
10. Hurricane Season – Trombone Shorty – New Orleans jazz instrumentalist off his wildy successful if insulated Backatown, and it is worth the price of admission!