Synth City
Rob Harvey
The run up to Christmas 2023 is now on, cards have been sent, gifts almost all gathered and next will be the disaster that I call wrapping all these xmas type gifts, as I have the skills of a wild whirling storm in tape and Christmas paper. I suppose we all have our special skillsets that we saver and being not able to have the patients to wrap presents decently is mine? Subjective if I managed to pick a song and album of the year ok, but I certainly can mash up present wrapping ok.
Therefore, Chatbit asked- What are your Christinas period only skills? or rather those xmas time skill in your humble opinion.
MY Phoenix FM PRESENTER PICK 2023
Album: Memento Mori by Depeche Mode
This album for me has been more a return to some of what I love about Depeche Mode’s sound, as it marries clever melodies and interesting synthetics, with some strong songs. This able was created before the loss of Andy Fletcher and yet has a spark new spark of energy, care of collaborations in some writing. This outing for the band is the most complete to my tastes in a good few years.
Single: Love in control by Blackcarburning . Featuring Neil Francis
This song was a favourite for my show during its release from the album, Watching Sleepers. The album was written and produced by Mark Hockings, who is one half of mesh a band who have had a long pedigree of great albums. And live shows This song, to me is so warm and up lifting, and not just because of the way Mark has created it but also by the huge voice of Neil Francis, that lifts this song to a high plain- It is a song that almost feels like a Christmas love song, yet it was release earlier in the year and to me lives on anytime.
Now talking of skill, this week we had New music coming from Le Group Fantasique – Precog – Bjork & Rosalie – Strange Tales – Isunray & Cosmic Address – Montage Collective – Paul Handley – Hatif, plus as always a slice of classic and top new gems
Tracklist:
1. Vogon Poetry – The Christmas Song
2. Positronic – To The Sky
3. THE RUDE AWAKENING – She Has a Juice Box (TRA 12 REMIX)
4. Naked Lunch – Razor’s Kiss
5. Agency-V – We Can Erase You
6. Le Groupe Fantastique – Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
7. Piston Damp – I’m Losing You (A New Tale)
8. Captain Sensible – One Christmas Catalogue
9. Centre Excuse – Time for Living
10. PreCog – Take Me Anywhere
11. The Moons of Jupiter – Sanctuary
12. Björk and Rosalía – Oral
13. BlackCarBurning – Love In Control
14. Strange Tales – Fading Out (Radio Edit)
15. Lifelong Corporation – Dance with Me
16. Neonsol – Full Disclosure
17. isunray & Cosmic Address – Nancy (Don’t Go Out Tonight)
18. Sugar Wings – Replace
19. Train To Spain – My Spirit Is Free
20. Montage Collective – Girlfriend Experience (FUSED Remix)
21. Diarblack – Free Mind (feat. Helga Dyrfinna)
22. Depeche Mode – My Favourite Stranger
23. Paul Handley – Requited
24. Projekt Ich – Paméla Amen feat. LISA PUNG
25. HellaMox – Time of Madness
26. Hatif – Disappear in Seoul
27. Breathe Of My Leaves – Perfect Defeat
28. Eden – A Thousand Christmas Lights (Radio)
Broadcast live on Dec 12th, 2023.
