Been-On
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Weekly Picks
Top 3 Songs
1. In the Gallery - Dire Straits
In the Gallery
“In the Gallery” by Dire Straits blends blues-rock grooves with Mark Knopfler’s signature fingerpicking guitar. The track alternates between laid-back verses and dynamic instrumental builds, mirroring its critique of art exploitation. Extended guitar solos and tight rhythm interplay emphasize authenticity, reinforcing the contrast between heartfelt artistry and commercial manipulation.
2. Any Colour You Like - Pink Floyd
Any Colour You Like
Swirling synthesizers, echoed guitar, and a pulsing funk groove drive “Any Colour You Like,” creating a hypnotic, improvisational flow. The interplay between keyboard and guitar builds an expansive, dreamlike atmosphere, while the absence of lyrics leaves interpretation open, echoing the theme of limitless choice suggested by the title.
3. Use Me - Bill Withers
Use Me
Swirling synthesizers, echoed guitar, and a pulsing funk groove drive “Any Colour You Like,” creating a hypnotic, improvisational flow. The interplay between keyboard and guitar builds an expansive, dreamlike atmosphere, while the absence of lyrics leaves interpretation open, echoing the theme of limitless choice suggested by the title.
Top 3 Artists
1. Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Heavy reverb guitar licks and drifting synth textures shape Pink Floyd’s sound, layering atmosphere over steady, groove-based rhythms. Long instrumental passages let the band stretch ideas, balancing tight structure with improvisation. Vocals often drop in like another instrument, floating through the mix, giving space for mood and concept to lead.
2. Blue Oyster Cult
Blue Oyster Cult
Crunchy guitar riffs and tight rhythm lines drive Blue Öyster Cult’s sound, blending hard rock edge with eerie, almost mystical overtones. Their use of harmonized guitars and cryptic lyrics creates a cinematic, otherworldly feel. Hooks stay sharp, but atmosphere lingers—balancing radio-ready rock with darker, more experimental undertones.
3. Mac Demarco
Mac Demarco
Woozy guitar tones and laid-back rhythms give Mac DeMarco his trademark hazy feel, like a warped cassette playing in the sun. His slack vocals float over chorus-drenched chords, mixing irony with sincerity. The lo-fi production and off-kilter charm turn simple melodies into something nostalgic, intimate, and strangely timeless.
Top 3 Albums
1. Dire Straits - Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Clean guitar tones and Mark Knopfler’s fingerstyle playing define Dire Straits, their 1978 debut. The band leans on stripped-down arrangements, letting space and groove carry songs. Knopfler’s conversational vocals weave through blues-influenced riffs, with tracks like “Sultans of Swing” showcasing tight rhythm interplay, understated solos, and a cool, effortless flow.
2. Superunknown - Soundgarden
Superunkown
Released in 1994, Superunknown captures Soundgarden at their most expansive, fusing grunge heaviness with psychedelic exploration. Detuned riffs crash against swirling guitar textures, while Chris Cornell’s vocals soar between anguished screams and tender melodies. Off-kilter rhythms drive the songs forward, creating an album that feels bleak, surreal, and deeply cathartic.
3. Live Through This - Hole
Live Through This
Live Through This (1994) burns with raw emotion, jagged guitars, and Courtney Love’s unfiltered vocals tearing between rage and vulnerability. The songs swing from snarling punk energy to haunting melody, exposing themes of beauty, pain, and survival. It’s messy and sharp at once—an explosive record that feels both intimate and defiant.