Peter Murphy gained popularity with the dingy Bauhaus. If you loved them you were Gothic and brooding and drank blood or some other silly stereo type. Thirty years later Bauhaus has a huge underground fan base who cling to this dark and smoky sound. What gave them that feel was vocalist Peter Murphy. After Bauhaus he went solo and gained some notoriety with "Cut You Up" among other tunes. I was always a fan, he just has a great sound.
So what about now?
"Seesaw Sway" is the best song I have heard in 2011. The second track on his latest LP "Ninth", released this past June. I want to stab myself in the eye for not discovering this sooner. Hands down the best song. This video shows a mature Murphy behaving very true to form and in no way tring to be a kid and aside from the dumbass hat, he is aging perfectly. His voice is still distinct and dangerous with just a hint of rattle. The musicianship is outstanding and the drummer is from another planet- pure perfection.
The video story is cliche' but appropriate I am absolutely stunned. I hear lots of great things in a year, and loads of crap. I see hundreds of videos and most often turn unimpressed.
Peter Murphy's "Seesaw Sway" blew every other song out of the water shutting down the ranking of any other thing I have heard all year.
Pure brilliance.
I have never seen him live.. but I will finally get my chance. Here's the local tour dates:
Thur, 11/17 Boston, MA @ Middle East – Downstairs
Fri, 11/18 Huntington, NY @ Paramount Theater
Sat, 11/19 Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
Mon, 11/21 New York NY @ Irving Plaza
And here is what I have on heavy rotation: