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(Jarvis Cocker of Pulp - transformed taking the piss into high art)

I was reminded by a reader last night that, while I was mentioning Blur and Oasis, I neglected to mention one of the most influential bands of the mid-90s Britpop explosion, Pulp. Fronted by Jarvis Cocker, whose razor-sharp lyrics were/are a perfect companion to his stage persona, Pulp became one of the most enduring bands from the 90s. Probably something more of cult following here in the States than overseas, even though they've sold over 10 million copies of their albums worldwide. But nonetheless, one of the great bands to come out of that period. Sadly, they split in 2002.

This track, Common People, might be familiar - but I'm afraid it may be more familiar as the version done by William Shatner a couple of years back. I've gotta be honest, I hated that version - it was sacrilegious to me, because Shatner did it as a goof and the song is anything but - just my opinion. At any rate, it's off the 1995 album Different Class and it's one of a lot of great songs off that album.

If you're not familiar with them, I would really urge you to check them out. But if you are familiar - I'm just preaching to the choir.

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(A little hate goes a long way)

Something about November 4th - it must be the moon.

Frank Stasio (NPR News): “Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin has been shot and killed. Rabin was shot to death as he was leaving a peace rally in Tel-Aviv. Police have arrested an Israeli Jew, a man in his twenties who is said to be a member of a little known right-wing extremist group. The alleged gunman is identified as Yigal Amir. According to Israeli Television he is a law student at Bar-Ilan University and had been involved in right wing causes. Government spokesman Uri Dromi said that a Jewish organization which is anti-government and which is against the peace process took responsibility. He said the group identified the gunman as acting for them.”

The gunman later claimed to be acting "on God's behalf". Little comfort in knowing insanity is universal.

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(Throwing Muses - Warm tunes for cold nights)

Throwing Muses with Kristin Hersh. I've been a big fan of this group and with Kristin's solo work since just before they released The Real Ramona in 1991. Hersh is a wonderful songwriter and her work is consistently great and has stayed that way for a very long time.

Throwing Muses has pretty much called it a day, with Hersh doing more solo work and getting involved with other projects, including Fifty Foot Wave. I don't think any of them are on a label at the moment, opting instead to do it via their website which, as always can use some support. Kristin also has a great blog.

If you aren't familiar with them - here's one of my favorite Throwing Muses tracks, from their 1995 album University, Crabtown. It's a nice introduction to some great artists.

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(Underground - Masterpiece)

A slight change of pace tonight - a soundtrack. Underground, directed by Emir Kusturica is one of my favorite films of at least the last 25 years. I've seen it well over 15 times since it first came out. It is a remarkable film that was controversial at the time (1995) because it dealt with the situation in the region formerly known as Yugoslavia.

Aside from being drawn to the film for its point of view, absurdity and flawless execution, I was also wildly attracted to the frenzied soundtrack.

There is a genre of traditional music from the Serbo-Croatian region, in fact throughout all of Eastern Europe that provides the background for the action in the film.

This track Cajesukarije-Cocek combines traditional vocals along with the pulsing rhythm and horns that's the trademark for this genre.

It's not for all tastes. But me personally - I love it. Especially on a Sunday night.

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(Rosario Blefari - lead singer of Suarez - Shoegazing came to Argentina)

Sadly, our perceptions of music from Latin and South America don't go too much farther than Ranchero, Nortena and Girl From Ipanema. That's too bad because there is a vast amount of truly amazing music coming from just south of our borders all the way down to Tierra del Fuego. It's all over the place - all you have to do is point your browser and explore.

One of those discoveries came in the form of the Argentinian band Suarez. They haven't been together since 1996, after only starting in 1991. While they were together they were a wonderful mixture of experimental, electronic, shoegaze and Alternative and, from what I understand, have achieved cult status throughout South America and Europe. During their tenure they did release two albums from which this track Saludos en la Nieve comes from their second album Horrible.

Their ethereal lead singer Rosario Blefari has established a pretty good solo career in her native Argentina. I'm not sure if it extends beyond those borders, but with our current state of instant access - it's possible she's known all over the world.

Further proof new and interesting music will come out of the floorboards if you let it.

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(Newt - Would you buy a used promise from this man?)

Gingrich:"Think about a party whose last stand is to frighten 85-year-olds, and you'll understand how totally morally bankrupt the modern Democratic Party is,"

Oh?

In case you forgot - the Republicans did try their hand at Health Care reform in 1995. Then it was Medicare and the intention was to gut it, although they (as always) offered no details. They were quick to lob fear into the monologue - as they seem so willing to do at every opportunity.

Below is a summary (h/t Jon)

G.O.P. ANNOUNCES PLAN TO OVERHAUL MEDICARE SYSTEM

By ROBERT PEAR

Published: Friday, September 15, 1995

House Republican leaders unveiled their proposal to redesign Medicare today,
but it was surprisingly short on details and had none of the expected
financial incentives for elderly people to join health maintenance
organizations or other private health plans.

The package is supposed to cut projected Medicare spending by $270 billion,
or 14 percent, over the next seven years, and Republicans had hoped to
achieve much of the savings through greater use of H.M.O.'s and other forms
of managed care.

They said affluent beneficiaries should pay much higher premiums, but they
acknowledged that they were still struggling to achieve the savings they
need to meet their self-imposed goal.

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