1. "Eye-5"--Jawbreaker, Unfun:
I was a big Jawbreaker fan. I came on board around the release of Bivouac, which followed this particular album. I like listening to Jawbreaker but don't remember the names of their songs. This is a solid song. I saw them a few times live, and they were great. I have not been as big a fan of Schwartzenbach's other ventures, like Jets to Brazil, though it is fine. Good stuff, but this song is not necessarily gold. NO SHAME.
2. "Whatever"--Ani Difranco, Living In Clip (Live):
I have seen Ani Difranco live 3 times. She is a great performer, and this album captures her at her best. It is two-discs of her best music. If buying just one Ani Difranco album this would be my recommendation. She is extremely prolific. I prefer the earlier releases. That being said, this song is nothing special; it is more of an instrumental (with some moaning/groaning instead of lyrics for filler). NO SHAME.
3. "Invisible"--Modest Mouse, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank:
This was the last full-length album from Modest Mouse and was notable because former Smith's guitarist Johnny Marr was a member of the band. This is a good track, though one of the deeper cuts. I'm not sure how having Johnny Marr in the band impacted their sound, but the album holds together pretty well. As far as I know, he has moved on to other things. NO SHAME.
4. "Make Some Noise"--Beastie Boys, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two:
This song is the opening track and first single off of the latest Beastie Boys album. It just came out last year and has been in heavy rotation for me. If you did not see it when it came out, the video for this song is a must-see. The full mini-film version is amazing. From Paul's Boutique to present, I have been a huge Beastie Boys fan. I've only seen them live once and have a scar above my eye to prove it. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "You Could Be Happy"--Snow Patrol, Eyes Open:
Another song from this album came up before. This song is decent but kind of blends into the background without much bite. It sounds like a song for a commercial or "Gray's Anatomy" (see previous post). MEH.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Week of February 20, 2012
1. "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights go out on Broadway)"--Billy Joel, Songs in the Attic:
First ever repeat! Check it out here.
2. "The Angels' Share"--Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets:
Awesome! One of my favorite Ted Leo songs off of my favorite Ted Leo album. This album was recommended by a friend from Peace Corps. After returning stateside, we were sharing music finds with each other, and Ted Leo was the best to come out of that exchange. I have been a huge fan ever since and own most of his catalog at this point. I generally dig his politics as well. I saw him live once, and he was solid. Without a doubt, SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Shut the Door"--Fugazi, Repeater + 3 Songs:
While the other Fugazi songs that have come up on the blog to this point have been good, this song is a bit more representative of my love for the band. I actually borrowed Repeater from my friend Deb when it first came out and gave it a listen. I suppose I wasn't ready for it. I didn't dislike it, but it did not stick at the time. About 2 years later, after the release of Steady Diet of Nothing, I sought out the rest of the Fugazi catalog. A great song, a great album, and definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "Katatonic"--Los Dynamite, Greatest Hits:
My friend Rogelio turned me on to Los Dynamite. They have a full-on 80s vibe going on, ala Franz Ferdinand. In particular, the bass lines are awesome. They are from Mexico City and are solid. NO SHAME.
5. "I Wanna Know Girls"--Portastatic, Some Small History:
Portastatic is Mac McCaughan's solo project when he is not the front man for Superchunk. I'm a huge fan of Mac's songwriting and dig most of the Portastatic. This song is off of the album Bright Ideas, but is an acoustic version on this b-side and unreleased 2-disc compilation. It is one of my favorite Portastatic songs and served me well while waiting for a new Superchunk album. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
First ever repeat! Check it out here.
2. "The Angels' Share"--Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets:
Awesome! One of my favorite Ted Leo songs off of my favorite Ted Leo album. This album was recommended by a friend from Peace Corps. After returning stateside, we were sharing music finds with each other, and Ted Leo was the best to come out of that exchange. I have been a huge fan ever since and own most of his catalog at this point. I generally dig his politics as well. I saw him live once, and he was solid. Without a doubt, SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Shut the Door"--Fugazi, Repeater + 3 Songs:
While the other Fugazi songs that have come up on the blog to this point have been good, this song is a bit more representative of my love for the band. I actually borrowed Repeater from my friend Deb when it first came out and gave it a listen. I suppose I wasn't ready for it. I didn't dislike it, but it did not stick at the time. About 2 years later, after the release of Steady Diet of Nothing, I sought out the rest of the Fugazi catalog. A great song, a great album, and definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "Katatonic"--Los Dynamite, Greatest Hits:
My friend Rogelio turned me on to Los Dynamite. They have a full-on 80s vibe going on, ala Franz Ferdinand. In particular, the bass lines are awesome. They are from Mexico City and are solid. NO SHAME.
5. "I Wanna Know Girls"--Portastatic, Some Small History:
Portastatic is Mac McCaughan's solo project when he is not the front man for Superchunk. I'm a huge fan of Mac's songwriting and dig most of the Portastatic. This song is off of the album Bright Ideas, but is an acoustic version on this b-side and unreleased 2-disc compilation. It is one of my favorite Portastatic songs and served me well while waiting for a new Superchunk album. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Week of February 13, 2012
1. "Looking For A Way Out"--Uncle Tupelo, Still Feel Gone:
As mentioned before, I liked some Uncle Tupelo. I was never a huge fan. This song is clearly one of Jay Farrar's songs. Even though I have become a fan of Wilco, I always preferred Farrar's voice and songs to Tweedy's. NO SHAME.
2. "2000 Light Years Away"--Green Day, Foot in Mouth (live):
One of the first songs that I heard by Green Day. I love the early stuff and became a fan of theirs before they hit it big. I saw them multiple times in clubs. They were awesome live, and this album captures it pretty well. I am still a fan. A great song, the opener of Kerplunk, and definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Wasteland"--Artificial Peace, 20 Years of Dischord (Disc 1):
I love box sets, and this box set celebrated Dischord Record's 20th birthday. I have no particular memory of this song. It sounds like pretty standard D.C. hardcore. I've read about Artificial Peace but only know their music from compilations like these. MEH.
4. "Sameday"--J. Mascis & The Fog, More Light:
J. Mascis & The Fog was the Mascis vehicle between essentially being Dinosaur Jr. with hired help and reforming the original band with Murph and Lou Barlow. I believe there are a couple of Fog albums, but I only own this one. This album came out while I was overseas, so I was not aware of this venture until he was about done with it. It is pretty standard Mascis fare. I like it, but it is not Dinosaur. NO SHAME.
5. "Boston"--Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend:
I have listened to this album a handful of times. It is hit or miss for me. They kind of have a minimalist ska thing going--kind of ska without any real edge to it. They work in some strings on this song, and he does some pretty singing. I find that I keep coming back for more listens, but can't fully decide if I am a fan. Until I can figure it out, NO SHAME.
As mentioned before, I liked some Uncle Tupelo. I was never a huge fan. This song is clearly one of Jay Farrar's songs. Even though I have become a fan of Wilco, I always preferred Farrar's voice and songs to Tweedy's. NO SHAME.
2. "2000 Light Years Away"--Green Day, Foot in Mouth (live):
One of the first songs that I heard by Green Day. I love the early stuff and became a fan of theirs before they hit it big. I saw them multiple times in clubs. They were awesome live, and this album captures it pretty well. I am still a fan. A great song, the opener of Kerplunk, and definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Wasteland"--Artificial Peace, 20 Years of Dischord (Disc 1):
I love box sets, and this box set celebrated Dischord Record's 20th birthday. I have no particular memory of this song. It sounds like pretty standard D.C. hardcore. I've read about Artificial Peace but only know their music from compilations like these. MEH.
4. "Sameday"--J. Mascis & The Fog, More Light:
J. Mascis & The Fog was the Mascis vehicle between essentially being Dinosaur Jr. with hired help and reforming the original band with Murph and Lou Barlow. I believe there are a couple of Fog albums, but I only own this one. This album came out while I was overseas, so I was not aware of this venture until he was about done with it. It is pretty standard Mascis fare. I like it, but it is not Dinosaur. NO SHAME.
5. "Boston"--Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend:
I have listened to this album a handful of times. It is hit or miss for me. They kind of have a minimalist ska thing going--kind of ska without any real edge to it. They work in some strings on this song, and he does some pretty singing. I find that I keep coming back for more listens, but can't fully decide if I am a fan. Until I can figure it out, NO SHAME.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Week of February 6, 2012
1. "Best of Both Worlds"--Van Halen, Live Right Here Right Now:
Unbelievable! The week that the first studio album from Van Halen in 14 years is coming out, and we get some VFH. Of course, this is one of the better songs off of the first album featuring Sammy Hagar on vocals. As I've said in the past, I'm not too big into the singer debate, though Cherone was definitely a disaster. I'm excited but realistic about the new album. The old stuff is too deeply imbedded to be overshadowed by this new album. Needless to say, especially this week, this here is SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Fight Like a Brave"--Red Hot Chili Peppers, Uplift Mofo Party Plan:
FINALLY! A solid RHCPs song shows up on the shuffle. This was the first album that I listened to by the RHCPs. A friend put a different song from this album on a mix tape for me, and I was hooked by this album. By the time I came on board, Hillel Slovak had died, and they were releasing Mother's Milk. I saw them live multiple times over the next 3 years. These are the RHCPs that I love and miss. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
SKIP: An "intro" to a Fugazi live album. Just a couple of people introducing the band.
3. "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights go out on Broadway)"--Billy Joel, Songs in the Attic:
This is the opening song on Billy Joel's first live album. Not sure that I have listened to this all the way through. Based on this opener, I need to. Great sound and solid representation of Joel live. NO SHAME.
4. "Arlandria"--FooFighers, Wasting Light:
This song is one of the strongest on the most recent Foo Fighters albums. This album has been in heavy rotation for me for the better part of the last year--it was released last April. I'm definitely a fan of the Foo Fighters. They are a consistent, solid rock band. I think it is fair to say that Grohl is not known as merely the former drummer of Nirvana. He has made his own name and, in my opinion, surpassed Cobain in many respects. NO SHAME.
5. "The Days of Wine and Roses"--Oranj Symphonette, Plays Mancini:
This song is just under a minute and does very little for me. However, the story behind this band holds a special memory. My wife and I honeymooned in San Francisco. We sought out some live music and found this band. They played all Mancini covers. The band's claim to fame is that they were Tom Waits's band at one point. Dave Brubek's son, Matt, was the bassist/cellist, and Joe Gore, who also played guitar for P.J. Harvey, were two of the bigger names in the band. They were great live, and we bought this CD as a souvenir. NO SHAME.
Unbelievable! The week that the first studio album from Van Halen in 14 years is coming out, and we get some VFH. Of course, this is one of the better songs off of the first album featuring Sammy Hagar on vocals. As I've said in the past, I'm not too big into the singer debate, though Cherone was definitely a disaster. I'm excited but realistic about the new album. The old stuff is too deeply imbedded to be overshadowed by this new album. Needless to say, especially this week, this here is SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Fight Like a Brave"--Red Hot Chili Peppers, Uplift Mofo Party Plan:
FINALLY! A solid RHCPs song shows up on the shuffle. This was the first album that I listened to by the RHCPs. A friend put a different song from this album on a mix tape for me, and I was hooked by this album. By the time I came on board, Hillel Slovak had died, and they were releasing Mother's Milk. I saw them live multiple times over the next 3 years. These are the RHCPs that I love and miss. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
SKIP: An "intro" to a Fugazi live album. Just a couple of people introducing the band.
3. "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights go out on Broadway)"--Billy Joel, Songs in the Attic:
This is the opening song on Billy Joel's first live album. Not sure that I have listened to this all the way through. Based on this opener, I need to. Great sound and solid representation of Joel live. NO SHAME.
4. "Arlandria"--FooFighers, Wasting Light:
This song is one of the strongest on the most recent Foo Fighters albums. This album has been in heavy rotation for me for the better part of the last year--it was released last April. I'm definitely a fan of the Foo Fighters. They are a consistent, solid rock band. I think it is fair to say that Grohl is not known as merely the former drummer of Nirvana. He has made his own name and, in my opinion, surpassed Cobain in many respects. NO SHAME.
5. "The Days of Wine and Roses"--Oranj Symphonette, Plays Mancini:
This song is just under a minute and does very little for me. However, the story behind this band holds a special memory. My wife and I honeymooned in San Francisco. We sought out some live music and found this band. They played all Mancini covers. The band's claim to fame is that they were Tom Waits's band at one point. Dave Brubek's son, Matt, was the bassist/cellist, and Joe Gore, who also played guitar for P.J. Harvey, were two of the bigger names in the band. They were great live, and we bought this CD as a souvenir. NO SHAME.
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