To Honor Adam Yauch (AKA "MCA") and his contributions as a co-founder of the legendary Beastie Boys, I am shuffling only my Beastie Boys catalogue. Consider all of the following SHUFFLE GOLD!!
1. "Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament"--the Beastie Boys, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2:
An instrumental track off of the most recent Beastie Boys album. A good groove to start, but we need some MCA rhymes.
2. "Lee Majors Come Again"--the Beastie Boys, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2:
Great song off of the newest album. Best MCA line: "I'll stage a coup and usurp your position
'Cause--'cause like a Mormon, I'm on a mission." I'm ready for some older stuff. Come on shuffle.
3. "High Plains Drifter"--the Beastie Boys, Paul's Boutique:
The second album from the Beasties and an absolute masterpiece. I was never a huge fan of the first album but was completely sold with this album and never looked back. A lot of trading lines back and forth between the three on this song, but the best MCA line is "cool like lemonade."
4. "The New Style"--the Beastie Boys, Ill Communication:
One of the better songs on this album for me. Best MCA line: "And I got more juice than Picasso got paint."
5. "Time to Build"--the Beastie Boys, To the 5 Boroughs:
A full lyrical contrast from the Ill Communication songs with a political rant against President George W. with the chorus "It takes a second to wreck it; It takes time to build." Best MCA line: "We've got a president we didn't elect; The Kyoto Treaty he decided to neglect."
Plenty of other songs that I would have preferred but that's the shuffle.
Sad today about MCA's passing but I will have the Beastie Boys on heavy rotation for days to come. Thanks Adam Yauch (1964-2012).
Friday, May 4, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Week of April 30, 2012
1. "God is in the Radio"--Queens of the Stone Age, Songs for the Deaf:
I discovered Queens of the Stone Age and this album because Dave Grohl was playing drums with them. It is a solid album that I tend to forget about. I have never bought any of their previous or later albums. I think I have one of their later singles. However, this song is a solid one off of a strong album. NO SHAME.
2. "All Around the World"--The Jam, Greatest Hits:
The Jam is one of those bands that I should listen to a lot more. Every time they come up on the shuffle, I dig it. I have this greatest hits album but have not ever listened to it start to finish. Good stuff and definitely NO SHAME.
3. "O Holy Night"--The Carpenters, Christmas Portrait:
I feel like I should get a pass for having the Carpenters for my Christmas music, but even during Christmas time I typically skip their versions of the classics. In my opinion, it is not a good version of the song and does nothing for me (especially in the spring time). The Carpenters are nowhere near my personal taste in music and I am feeling the shame! I am done with this one. For the second time ever, we have a SHUFFLE KILLER!!
I discovered Queens of the Stone Age and this album because Dave Grohl was playing drums with them. It is a solid album that I tend to forget about. I have never bought any of their previous or later albums. I think I have one of their later singles. However, this song is a solid one off of a strong album. NO SHAME.
2. "All Around the World"--The Jam, Greatest Hits:
The Jam is one of those bands that I should listen to a lot more. Every time they come up on the shuffle, I dig it. I have this greatest hits album but have not ever listened to it start to finish. Good stuff and definitely NO SHAME.
3. "O Holy Night"--The Carpenters, Christmas Portrait:
I feel like I should get a pass for having the Carpenters for my Christmas music, but even during Christmas time I typically skip their versions of the classics. In my opinion, it is not a good version of the song and does nothing for me (especially in the spring time). The Carpenters are nowhere near my personal taste in music and I am feeling the shame! I am done with this one. For the second time ever, we have a SHUFFLE KILLER!!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Week of April 23, 2012
1. "When I'm Sixty -Four"--The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band:
As stated before, I am not much of a Beatles fan, but this song is one that I consistently enjoy. If asked, I would probably say that I prefer John's songs. However, the reality is that I tend to like Paul's songs more, and this song is a great example. NO SHAME.
2. "You Are the Everything"--R.E.M., Green:
While R.E.M. had some radio play with Life's Rich Pageant, Fables of the Reconstruction, and Document, this album had the breakthrough radio hit with "Stand." This song is a deeper cut with the mandolin driving the song. I always liked the lyrics to this song. I was a huge R.E.M. fan already when this album came out and saw them live twice on this particular tour. Great stuff. NO SHAME.
3. "Hypo-Boxing"--Beatnik Filmstars, SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records, Vol. 11, Kara Walker:
I have mentioned this box set a couple of times here. I don't know this song and don't care for it. Still love the box set but MEH.
4. "True to Form"--Knapsack, Silver Sweepstakes:
Very formulaic, pop punk from the mid-90s. Knapsack was on Alias records, and I have two of their albums. The songs run together a bit, so I never got a handle on individual songs. Still sounds great to me. NO SHAME.
5. "Effect & Cause"--The White Stripes, Icky Thump:
I always liked the idea and the general sound of the White Stripes more than really getting hooked on any specific songs. I own several of their albums but never feel compelled to listen. I have listened to one of their albums all the way through maybe a handful of times. I appreciate Jack White's talent but never fully bought in. Basically, I don't remember ever hearing this song, but it seems fine.NO SHAME.
As stated before, I am not much of a Beatles fan, but this song is one that I consistently enjoy. If asked, I would probably say that I prefer John's songs. However, the reality is that I tend to like Paul's songs more, and this song is a great example. NO SHAME.
2. "You Are the Everything"--R.E.M., Green:
While R.E.M. had some radio play with Life's Rich Pageant, Fables of the Reconstruction, and Document, this album had the breakthrough radio hit with "Stand." This song is a deeper cut with the mandolin driving the song. I always liked the lyrics to this song. I was a huge R.E.M. fan already when this album came out and saw them live twice on this particular tour. Great stuff. NO SHAME.
3. "Hypo-Boxing"--Beatnik Filmstars, SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records, Vol. 11, Kara Walker:
I have mentioned this box set a couple of times here. I don't know this song and don't care for it. Still love the box set but MEH.
4. "True to Form"--Knapsack, Silver Sweepstakes:
Very formulaic, pop punk from the mid-90s. Knapsack was on Alias records, and I have two of their albums. The songs run together a bit, so I never got a handle on individual songs. Still sounds great to me. NO SHAME.
5. "Effect & Cause"--The White Stripes, Icky Thump:
I always liked the idea and the general sound of the White Stripes more than really getting hooked on any specific songs. I own several of their albums but never feel compelled to listen. I have listened to one of their albums all the way through maybe a handful of times. I appreciate Jack White's talent but never fully bought in. Basically, I don't remember ever hearing this song, but it seems fine.NO SHAME.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Week of April 16, 2012
1. "The Gavial"--Shudder to Think, High Art Soundtrack:
Shudder to Think was a great band in the late 80s and 90s with their best releases on Dischord Records. Craig Wedren, the lead singer, dabbled a bit in scoring movies including this soundtrack for the movie High Art. It was an independent art house film--an Ally Sheedy 90s comeback--and was decent. This song is instrumental music for the movie and doesn't play very well standing alone. Not really what one would typically associate with the band Shudder to Think. MEH.
2. "The Wind Cries Mary"--The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Are You Experienced?
When it comes to 60s rock, this is it for me. I probably don't listen to Jimi enough, but when he comes up on the shuffle, it has to be SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "When Love Comes to Town"--U2, Rattle and Hum:
The scene in the movie for Rattle and Hum where Bono is reading his lyrics to BB King marked the end of U2 for me. He was so earnest and impassioned, reading his lyrics with absolutely no humility to one of the true legends of rock music. He took himself so seriously in that scene that I no longer could. MEH.
4. "Personal Property"--Def Leppard, Adrenalize:
As stated in this blog many times before, I loved me some 80s rock. The problem, of course, is that Adrenalize came out in 1992, and I was done with it. I don't really know anything about this album and have never heard this song before. MEH.
5. "Green Fuz (Randy Alvey & Green Fuz)"--The Lemonheads, Varshons:
Evan Dando put out this album of covers in 2009. Some of them came off pretty well. This one doesn't do much for me. I don't know the original and just gave it a quick listen. It is labeled as 60s "garage trash" and has a little bit more of an edge than the cover here, but still not my bag. MEH.
Shudder to Think was a great band in the late 80s and 90s with their best releases on Dischord Records. Craig Wedren, the lead singer, dabbled a bit in scoring movies including this soundtrack for the movie High Art. It was an independent art house film--an Ally Sheedy 90s comeback--and was decent. This song is instrumental music for the movie and doesn't play very well standing alone. Not really what one would typically associate with the band Shudder to Think. MEH.
2. "The Wind Cries Mary"--The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Are You Experienced?
When it comes to 60s rock, this is it for me. I probably don't listen to Jimi enough, but when he comes up on the shuffle, it has to be SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "When Love Comes to Town"--U2, Rattle and Hum:
The scene in the movie for Rattle and Hum where Bono is reading his lyrics to BB King marked the end of U2 for me. He was so earnest and impassioned, reading his lyrics with absolutely no humility to one of the true legends of rock music. He took himself so seriously in that scene that I no longer could. MEH.
4. "Personal Property"--Def Leppard, Adrenalize:
As stated in this blog many times before, I loved me some 80s rock. The problem, of course, is that Adrenalize came out in 1992, and I was done with it. I don't really know anything about this album and have never heard this song before. MEH.
5. "Green Fuz (Randy Alvey & Green Fuz)"--The Lemonheads, Varshons:
Evan Dando put out this album of covers in 2009. Some of them came off pretty well. This one doesn't do much for me. I don't know the original and just gave it a quick listen. It is labeled as 60s "garage trash" and has a little bit more of an edge than the cover here, but still not my bag. MEH.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Week of April 9, 2012
1. "Turned Out"--Helmet, Meantime:
I really liked Helmet for about 2 years, starting when this album came out. Whenever I try to listen to this album now, it just doesn't hold my interest the way it used to. I still like a few of the songs, including this one. This song brags the lyric "High Times, Hard Times, Downtown, Julie Brown." The lead singer and guitarist has one of the most awesome rock n roll names, Page Hamilton. He dated Winona Ryder at some point. NO SHAME.
2. "Got Some"--Pearl Jam, Backspacer:
After the second Pearl Jam album, I ignored them for a long time. This album came out a couple of years ago with the lead single "The Fixer," which quickly became one of my favorite PJ songs. This song is strong as well, along with a few others on this album. The most recent Cameron Crowe documentary on the band, Pearl Jam Twenty, demonstrates how the band has really stayed true to their music and thrived even after all the super grunge hype. A good reintroduction to the band and NO SHAME.
3. "Domesticated Lovers"--Josh Rouse, Country Mouse, City House:
This album came out right after I moved to Colorado in 2007. I saw a web interview and performance (linked) by Josh Rouse promoting this album. He played this song and a couple of others off of this album that are great. I like this album and have picked up a couple of his other albums. It's pretty mellow, 70s style singer/songwriter stuff. Solid and definitely NO SHAME.
4. "You Really Got Me"--Van Halen, Pasadena Civic Auditorium (Live Bootleg):
Technically, this is "Eruption" and "You Really Got Me" recorded in the 70s around the time the first album came out. I don't remember where I got this bootleg, but the sound quality is pretty bad. Of course, the songs are awesome but kind of hard to listen to all the way through because of the poor quality. However, the version of "Eruption" alone is worthy of SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Pen and Notebook"--Camera Obscura, Score! 20 Years of Merge Records, Volume 9: David Byrne:
I believe I have mentioned this before, but the Score! box set was the best idea for a box set that I have ever seen. Merge Records chose 12 different people (artists, actors, musicians, etc.) to curate CDs of Merge releases. Each person was given an ipod loaded with the full Merge catalog (I would love to have one of these), and he/she chose songs for a CD. They were originally sold as a subscription, so I received 2 CDs every 2 months throughout the year. Obviously, this song is a Merge release chosen by David Byrne to go on his curated disc. While I am not a huge fan of Camera Obscura, this is a nice song and has Byrne's stamp of approval. NO SHAME.
I really liked Helmet for about 2 years, starting when this album came out. Whenever I try to listen to this album now, it just doesn't hold my interest the way it used to. I still like a few of the songs, including this one. This song brags the lyric "High Times, Hard Times, Downtown, Julie Brown." The lead singer and guitarist has one of the most awesome rock n roll names, Page Hamilton. He dated Winona Ryder at some point. NO SHAME.
2. "Got Some"--Pearl Jam, Backspacer:
After the second Pearl Jam album, I ignored them for a long time. This album came out a couple of years ago with the lead single "The Fixer," which quickly became one of my favorite PJ songs. This song is strong as well, along with a few others on this album. The most recent Cameron Crowe documentary on the band, Pearl Jam Twenty, demonstrates how the band has really stayed true to their music and thrived even after all the super grunge hype. A good reintroduction to the band and NO SHAME.
3. "Domesticated Lovers"--Josh Rouse, Country Mouse, City House:
This album came out right after I moved to Colorado in 2007. I saw a web interview and performance (linked) by Josh Rouse promoting this album. He played this song and a couple of others off of this album that are great. I like this album and have picked up a couple of his other albums. It's pretty mellow, 70s style singer/songwriter stuff. Solid and definitely NO SHAME.
4. "You Really Got Me"--Van Halen, Pasadena Civic Auditorium (Live Bootleg):
Technically, this is "Eruption" and "You Really Got Me" recorded in the 70s around the time the first album came out. I don't remember where I got this bootleg, but the sound quality is pretty bad. Of course, the songs are awesome but kind of hard to listen to all the way through because of the poor quality. However, the version of "Eruption" alone is worthy of SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Pen and Notebook"--Camera Obscura, Score! 20 Years of Merge Records, Volume 9: David Byrne:
I believe I have mentioned this before, but the Score! box set was the best idea for a box set that I have ever seen. Merge Records chose 12 different people (artists, actors, musicians, etc.) to curate CDs of Merge releases. Each person was given an ipod loaded with the full Merge catalog (I would love to have one of these), and he/she chose songs for a CD. They were originally sold as a subscription, so I received 2 CDs every 2 months throughout the year. Obviously, this song is a Merge release chosen by David Byrne to go on his curated disc. While I am not a huge fan of Camera Obscura, this is a nice song and has Byrne's stamp of approval. NO SHAME.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Week of April 2, 2012
SKIP: From one of those custom kid's casettes with your child's name in all the songs. It was cute when he was 2. He's almost 10, so kind of weird now. Again, I need to get this off of the ipod.
1. "Everything is Everything"--Face to Face, Don't Turn Away:
Taking me all the way back to Spring Break 1993! A group of us took a road trip/pilgrimage to Graceland. This album was on heavy rotation on that trip. Face to Face got a little bit of popularity in the wake of the Green Day/pop punk national explosion. I never really listened to any of their other albums except this one. Nostalgic SHUFFLE GOLD!
2. "Please Please Me"--The Beatles, Please Please Me:
At the risk of alienating the rest of the pop/rock music obsessed world, I have never appreciated the Beatles. They disbanded when I was a kid and were never part of my world. Obviously, the songs are ubiquitous, and I grew up with them on the radio. This song is not one that I know much about but it sounds like an earlier one. A friend passed on all their music to me so that I could have it. Ultimately, I dislike that in any conversation about good music, the Beatles are a conversation killer, as if no band can ever live up to them. No interest but NO SHAME.
3. "Pet Rock"--Small, Chin Music:
Small, AKA Small 23, were a North Carolina band in the early 90s. Eric Bachman of Archers of Loaf and Crooked Fingers played with them in the very early days. This album was my introduction to them, and I love it. I bought all their albums after hearing this one. I don't know too many other people who know who they are, but I really liked them in the 90s. Good stuff and SHUFFLE GOLD.
4. "Oodles of O's"--De La Soul, De La Soul is Dead:
This song was one of my favorites off of the second De La Soul album. This album reminds me of driving with my friend Chris to our friend's lake house in 1990/1991. Great times and solid De La. NO SHAME.
5. "Palace of the Brine"--Pixies, Trompe Le Mond:
The end of the Pixies. Though they tour like crazy now in reunion mode, they have not put out a studio album since this one. I loved this record, because I loved all things Pixies back then. This song is solid but not the best on the album. NO SHAME.
1. "Everything is Everything"--Face to Face, Don't Turn Away:
Taking me all the way back to Spring Break 1993! A group of us took a road trip/pilgrimage to Graceland. This album was on heavy rotation on that trip. Face to Face got a little bit of popularity in the wake of the Green Day/pop punk national explosion. I never really listened to any of their other albums except this one. Nostalgic SHUFFLE GOLD!
2. "Please Please Me"--The Beatles, Please Please Me:
At the risk of alienating the rest of the pop/rock music obsessed world, I have never appreciated the Beatles. They disbanded when I was a kid and were never part of my world. Obviously, the songs are ubiquitous, and I grew up with them on the radio. This song is not one that I know much about but it sounds like an earlier one. A friend passed on all their music to me so that I could have it. Ultimately, I dislike that in any conversation about good music, the Beatles are a conversation killer, as if no band can ever live up to them. No interest but NO SHAME.
3. "Pet Rock"--Small, Chin Music:
Small, AKA Small 23, were a North Carolina band in the early 90s. Eric Bachman of Archers of Loaf and Crooked Fingers played with them in the very early days. This album was my introduction to them, and I love it. I bought all their albums after hearing this one. I don't know too many other people who know who they are, but I really liked them in the 90s. Good stuff and SHUFFLE GOLD.
4. "Oodles of O's"--De La Soul, De La Soul is Dead:
This song was one of my favorites off of the second De La Soul album. This album reminds me of driving with my friend Chris to our friend's lake house in 1990/1991. Great times and solid De La. NO SHAME.
5. "Palace of the Brine"--Pixies, Trompe Le Mond:
The end of the Pixies. Though they tour like crazy now in reunion mode, they have not put out a studio album since this one. I loved this record, because I loved all things Pixies back then. This song is solid but not the best on the album. NO SHAME.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Week of March 26, 2012
1. "Mountains of Your Head"--Buffalo Tom, Let Me Come Over:
I was a pretty big fan of Buffalo Tom. I discovered them as a d.j. at the college radio station. The song "Birdbrain" received heavy rotation on my show. It was off of their second album, which was produced by J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. They fit in with the other Boston-based rock bands that I was into during college (i.e. the Lemonheads, Dinosaur, the Cavedogs, and Blake Babies). I like this album a lot, and this is a solid cut off of the album. Though not one of their "big" songs, this song in particular and Buffalo Tom in general are worthy of SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Best of Both Worlds"--Van Halen, Live, Right Here Right Now:
There has definitely been a Van Halen revival in my house of late. The new album and tour with DLR have me pretty cranked up. Off of the first album with Hagar, this song was a favorite at the time. This live version reminds me of the 4 or 5 times that I saw them live with Hagar. You know this is SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker"--Husker Du, The Living End:
Wow! This shuffle is shaping up nicely. I was never a huge Ramones fan, but I know the hits. I love this live cover by Husker Du. This album, in particular, is a great sampling of Husker Du songs and is a good purchase if you need some HD. First time we have had 3 in a row: SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "Holding Back the Years"--Simply Red, The Essentials:
Well, that is quite a shift. I did not enjoy the Simply Red when they were relevant or getting any airplay. I have to admit that I have come to appreciate the songs and Mick Hucknall's voice. I do not listen to them much at all, but I do like this song--just kind of a buzz kill after those first 3. NO SHAME.
5. "Driveway to Driveway"--Superchunk, Foolish:
It may be years before this particular shuffle is topped. In case I have not mentioned it before, Superchunk is my absolute favorite band of all time, and I don't think they have made a shuffle appearance yet. VH and Superchunk in one shuffle . . . Needless to say, I am beside myself with joy right now. This song is one of their classics. SHUFFLE GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was a pretty big fan of Buffalo Tom. I discovered them as a d.j. at the college radio station. The song "Birdbrain" received heavy rotation on my show. It was off of their second album, which was produced by J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. They fit in with the other Boston-based rock bands that I was into during college (i.e. the Lemonheads, Dinosaur, the Cavedogs, and Blake Babies). I like this album a lot, and this is a solid cut off of the album. Though not one of their "big" songs, this song in particular and Buffalo Tom in general are worthy of SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Best of Both Worlds"--Van Halen, Live, Right Here Right Now:
There has definitely been a Van Halen revival in my house of late. The new album and tour with DLR have me pretty cranked up. Off of the first album with Hagar, this song was a favorite at the time. This live version reminds me of the 4 or 5 times that I saw them live with Hagar. You know this is SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker"--Husker Du, The Living End:
Wow! This shuffle is shaping up nicely. I was never a huge Ramones fan, but I know the hits. I love this live cover by Husker Du. This album, in particular, is a great sampling of Husker Du songs and is a good purchase if you need some HD. First time we have had 3 in a row: SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "Holding Back the Years"--Simply Red, The Essentials:
Well, that is quite a shift. I did not enjoy the Simply Red when they were relevant or getting any airplay. I have to admit that I have come to appreciate the songs and Mick Hucknall's voice. I do not listen to them much at all, but I do like this song--just kind of a buzz kill after those first 3. NO SHAME.
5. "Driveway to Driveway"--Superchunk, Foolish:
It may be years before this particular shuffle is topped. In case I have not mentioned it before, Superchunk is my absolute favorite band of all time, and I don't think they have made a shuffle appearance yet. VH and Superchunk in one shuffle . . . Needless to say, I am beside myself with joy right now. This song is one of their classics. SHUFFLE GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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