The one hundred and nineteenth book: #192 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle

A book like this loses some of its power when you already know the stories. Sherlock Holmes is a known enough figure that a number of these stories have been adapted, for me most notably on TV and in podcast form, and so I knew what a bunch of the twists were. I'm not sure how it would have changed my enjoyment - some of the solutions aren't really ones you can work out from what you're given, especially no longer knowing the cultural context, but others feel fairer in that sense. It's well enough written and fun to follow along to, especially when it hits thestories I'm not as familiar with.

The five hundred and seventy-seventh album: #577 Throwing Muses - Throwing Muses

There's nothing really grabbing about this album. The folk rock feel of this album doesn't really elevate in a way that managed to appeal to me and on the whole it felt a bit dry. Oddly enough, this one is not for me.

The two hundred and ninth classical recording: #797 Bela Bartok - Violin Concerto no. 2

The timing of this work's creation, in the run up to WWII, comes through in this work - there's a lot of energy in parts, as well as a lot of restlessness, while it also has its tragic sounds. At a time where it must have felt like the world was holding its breath waiting to see what would happen, there's a similar uncertainty in this work. It still brings a lot of energy to the table as well, but the different moods, as abstract as they are, still strike you.

The two hundred and ninth TV show: #347 MTV Music Awards

Wrapping up another big yearly event, the MTV Music Awards turned out to be the most interesting one. The performances are obviously more frequent and better than the other shows, interesting even if they're not your music. There is a more infectious energy to it that makes it a lot more watchable, including better acceptance speeches. I still wouldn't go out of my way to watch it, but this stayed entertaining enough.

The five hundred and seventy-sixth album: #576 Slayer - Reign in Blood

Slayer, through the length and intensity of this album, has stripped down metal music to its bare roots. It's an ongoing assault of guitar riffs and surrounding sounds, with anything else cut from the songs, and it becomes too much quite soon after. Even at half an hour for the total length, halfway through a lot of the album starts feeling similar, the dark lyrics become meaningless and a bit farcical and it just tries to do it too much. A song would be good, the full album is already too far over the top.

The six hundred seventy-eighth song: Birthday - The Sugarcubes

Since I only really know Bjork as a solo artist, hearing her with a rock band creates some stark contrasts. Her voice feels as odd and ethereal as it is in her solo work, but backed up by a proper rock sound with a deep base thrives on the contrast between the sounds rather than amplifying the oddness her songs have in another context. I really think it works, creating a contrast that really pulls everything to the front, and I just can't help but love this track.

The six hundred seventy-ninth song: Beds Are Burning - Midnight Oil

Although this number feels very danceable, the lyrics of Beds Are Burning have that darker feel as well. Even without diving into the details of the lyrics, there's an anger in the song, and the reason why this was written makes it that much stronger. At the same time, the ongoing beat, at times slightly sensual delivery and ongoing sound means there's something happier in there as well. It's an odd contrast - something that I somewhat associate with Australian culture anyway - and it pays off really well in this context, drawing you in while delivering its message.

The six hundred eightieth song: Ye Ke Ye Ke - Mory Kante

I've already mentioned that this year is the rise of house music and Ye Ke Ye Ke shows how it can embrace so much more. There's a driving beat in this song that underlies lyrics and a feeling that are from a more traditional African mold, creating a more traditional combination of sounds. It's addictive and I think I've heard the chorus sampled often enough - for a good reason.

The six hundred eighty-first song: Just Like Heaven - The Cure

If I have to pick a direction I'm happy rock and punk have gone into around this point in time, this is probably it. While with its new wave influences, it's mostly to add a bit of lightness to the sound. The subject of the song isn't too complex, but lyrically it is put together really well. It's a wonderful, happy love track that still stays far away from getting sappy.

The six hundred eighty-second song: The One I Love - R.E.M.

There's a real aggression in this track, a track describing a twisted love that has more to it. There's a definite role to it and it has that depth I feel R.E.M. can really bring to their music, with more ot interpret and look into than you might think at first glance. It's so well done, it sounds so good, it's a good accomplishment.

The six hundred eighty-third song: Fairytale of New York - The Pogues

After all that power, Fairytale of New York is a welcome comedown. The celtic sound works really well, the initial piano sound setting up the mood while the more abundant song that kicks off later keeps that tradition while having its larger, welcoming production. It's a celebration, one that sets its tone and runs it really well.

The six hundred eighty-fourth song: Paradise City - Guns N’ Roses

As another rock anthem, Paradise City hits all those moments so well, it's a joy and a party, a really good and memorable song that asks you to sing or shout along. It hits its beats and does it well.

The six hundred eighty-fifth song: Never Let Me Down Again - Depeche Mode

I can't say as much about this one - this is a decent new wave track, it hits the dance beats, I don't know whether I'd say it does a lot more than that.

The six hundred eighty-sixth song: Faith - George Michael

I have really been enjoying this. Faith isn't a very complicated track, but the sexual joy of it is amazing and there's something that just really engages you, a playful sound that carries further.

The six hundred eighty-seventh song: Need You Tonight - INXS

As another sensual dance song, the rockier sound here is a bit more explicit and dirtier. It's still a good sound that works well and gives some more depth to it. The call and response add to this, feeling like it's calling out more, as well as giving more internal thoughts.

The six hundred eighty-eighth song: With or Without You - U2

The build in this track is part of what makes it such a good track to listen to. It starts simple, a guitar, Bono's quite simple vocals, which start low and dark and very slowly build to a larger sound. It's well set up and sequenced through the song, the anticipation as important as the eventual, temporary crescendo. It's one of those songs that's well thought out, a sentiment that defines the band as much, whether it's a love song or a larger topic.

The five hundred and seventy-fifth album: #575 Sonic Youth - Evol

Evol features a lot of punk rock, shifting between various shades of darkness but with some clear hard rock in there. Vocally it's not the most amazing and I haven't had any major standouts in its aggressive nature, but its mood sets itself pretty effectively regardless. It doesn't feel like it enters any high important lists, but still does what it wants to really well.

The two hundred and eighth classical recording: #816 Aram Khachaturian - Violin Concerto

There are some expert shifts in this piece between higher energy violin playing and some of the slower pieces. It never goes maudlin, but does have a nice balance of energies in its performance, helped by the switches between solo violin and full orchestra, the star getting regular support to make it all stand out. There's a joy and energy in it that's palpable and stays free flowing through and through.

The five hundred and seventy-fourth album: #576 Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet

This album feels like a collection of rock anthems. You Give Love a Bad Name and Like A Prayer are instantly recognisable and a lot of the other tracks are as jubilant and outgoing as that. As much as there's a message to these, for the most part it feels like a celebration, something to pump you up and really get you moving. There are some hints at depth, but in the end that's not as important here, it's just strong music.

The six hundred sixty-seventh song: Attencion Na SIDA - Franco

As the longest song remaining on this list, I had a lot of time to drink this in. The African sound, with a Caribbean feel, adds some abundance, but a lot of it also feels somewhat subdued. The track is still very precise and restricted, which shows there's a bit more to this track. I didn't fall in love with it - this track gets too long for me and I don't love the vocals even as the lyrics seem interesting - but I can see its merit.

The six hundred sixty-eighth song: Under the Milky Way - The Church

Under the Milky Way is a pleasant, gentle track. There's no screeching guitars here, just a pleasant upbeat sound, supplemented by what sounds like, but aren't quite bag pipes. It's a nice alt rock song with enough depth to sustain a lot here.

The six hundred sixty-ninth song: Bamboleo - Gipsy Kings

As is sometimes the case, the fame of this song comes from its chorus, a jubilant sound that really brings up the celebratory feel with just a slight difference of sound and some drums compared to the remainder of the track. It's quite simple, but it works well to provide you with this happy feeling that the chorus of 'Bamboleo, Bambolea' really brings in.

The six hundred seventieth song: This Corrosion - The Sisters of Mercy

As the second longest remaining song for the list, it's been a large batch I've been going through this time... This is a rock anthem, which at least suits me a bit better as a general music genre. It's properly big and epic, with a choir supporting it, and the build in it works so well. It really isn't as much of a chore to listen to, and it mostly feels like it flies by.

The six hundred seventy-first song: Camaron - Pata Negra

It's nice to get a mix of tracks and origins in this batch. As another track with a heavy flamenco influence, the direction this takes is more rock inspired. It's quite a classy track and there's a lot here to enjoy.

The six hundred seventy-second song: Amandrai - Ali Farka Toure

There's a sparseness to this song that creates a lonely feeling. The guitar is a heavy one, echoing in the recording, and the at times lamenting vocals give an idea of what's going on even when I don't get the lyrics completely. It's plain, but masterful.

The six hundred seventy-third song: Push It - Salt-N-Pepa

Back to the more commercial, known stuff, Push It is one of those known eighties hip hop tracks that are there for the dance floor, getting you excited and moving. Although enough feels dated (including a massive use of stereo) it's still as infectious as it was then.

The six hundred seventy-fourth song: Bring the Noise - Public Enemy

Bring the Noise brings the other side of it. While it's still there to have something to dance to, there's also more of a message to it, a defense of rap and their own styles while trying to push for more. It's still a lot of fun to listen to - nothing as dark as it can get - but with some more of a conscience.

The six hundred seventy-fifth song: True Faith - New Order

This is the point where I realised the spirit of new wave is still around - first in the batch it seems. True Faith really hits that full sound, with some interesting lyrics. It's a pretty neat sound and a good track.

The six hundred seventy-sixth song: It’s a Sin - Pet Shop Boys

As said before, I do have a fondness for the music of Pet Shop Boys and it's here too. A bit campy, there's a bit of a message while not entirely meaning to. It still feels rare to have a song criticising religion, even more on this specific topic, but it works. The music also has that characteristic feel of their songs and it feels executed as it should be, even a bit over the top where it needs to be.

The six hundred seventy-seventh song: Pump Up the Volume - MARRS

The rise of house music was clear earlier and this fusion between a dance track and hip hop works well, the musical complexity and beats integrated well when meshing into each other. The main line sticks in your head and the sound builds beautifully on it. It's odd in that experimental way that really makes it shine and gives a further chance to build.