A world so sweet and true

Love or hate, you can't deny the basic sweet-spot appeal of dreamy synth pop. I've spied curmudgeons who breathlessly grasp for pejoratives absently tapping their feet when they think no one's looking. I embraced the candy full-on a while back, and I've never found it hard to equally love "serious" music at the same time.

Which may be why it's cool to hear '70s proggers and other musos getting hip to such simple joys. Case in point — today's tunes, which by way of segue, feature Barbara Gaskin (faire maiden vocalist of yesterday's song) teamed up with Dave Stewart, who played in just about every Canterbury art rock band in shaggier-haired days (not the guy from Eurythmics).

This duo had some '80s hits, but generally played it under the radar. Honestly, they're hit or miss, but these two are surely hits in my mind. And mischievous ones at that, being radically rethought cover versions (check the originals here and here). The chorus of the first one, in particular, does transport me to a different world — accessible only for a few moments, and all the more sublime as a result. Plus, pitch bending!

Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin - I'm In A Different World
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin - Roads Girdle The Globe