1. "Get it Hot"--AC/DC, Highway to Hell (1979):
A deep cut off of Bon Scott's final album before his death. My step-brother was big into AC/DC, and I listened to a lot of radio, so the hits from this album were in my head at a young age. A year later, when I was in 5th or 6th grade, I bought Back in Black on 8-track. I did not listen to much AC/DC after that album because I realized over time that I much preferred the Bon Scott era. This song is not as strong as the album's singles but solid nonetheless and definitely SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
2. "All Night Long"--Billy Squier, Signs of Life (1984) :
I am always amazed at how the shuffle somehow locks into a particular time period. Apparently, this part of the shuffle is focusing on my jr. high days. Billy Squier was a solid radio guy for me, and I purchased Emotions in Motion on cassette in 8th grade. This single came a bit later. I never bought this album but picked up the single in a nostalgic fit at some point recently. I do dig this song but would not consider it gold for Squier, just solid SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "If It Wasn't For Me"--Roger Wallace, It's About Time (2007):
We just took a turn to the old style country of Roger Wallace, an Austin musician who is keeping the old sound alive. Similar in some ways to Dale Watson, Wallace has some great music. I prefer his album The Lowdown. This album is his most recent; he seems to be more focused on playing live and touring than recording here lately. This song is a pretty good taste of his sound and is definitely SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Rainy Streets"--Superchunk, Here's to Shutting Up (2001):
As I have made abundantly clear in the past, I have no objectivity when it comes to Superchunk. I will admit that this song is not necessarily one of my all-time favorites, but it is an excellent song and definitely one of my favorites off of this particular album. Technically, the version that popped up is from Clambake Series, Volume 1: Acoustic In-Stores East and West, which is exactly as the title suggests--stripped down versions of the songs as they play them in record stores. I do prefer the studio version, but this song does lend itself to the acoustic set well. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Little Golden Age"--Wolf Parade, Expo 86 (2010):
Wolf Parade is new for me, even though they are broken up at this point. This album appears to be their last studio release. I was drawn to them because lead singer Dan Boeckner is the co-songwriter for Divine Fits with Britt Daniel from Spoon. Wolf Parade clearly carries a lot of his sound that I have heard in Divine Fits. I have not listened to them much and am still processing this album, but this song is solid SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
A Couple of WTF Moments on this Shuffle
1. "Indigo Eyes"--Peter Murphy, Love Hysteria (1988):
I accidentally saw Peter Murphy on this tour. He opened for the Church on their Starfish tour. I had no idea who he was. There were tons of kids there with Bauhaus t-shirts on who were clearly there for him. I was still catching up on a lot of music that I missed when I was focused on 80s rock, so I got a quick lesson from a friend who was at the show with me. It's fair to say that Murphy blew the Church off the stage. To be honest, it was not a great pairing. Murphy has a strong stage presence. As good as the Church are, they did not bring the same energy. I became a fan of Murphy's solo work and got a little bit into Bauhaus. This song is easily the best on this album and is definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Lectric"--Film School, Hideout (2007):
I may have to create a new rating for "WTF is this?" The most common question about this blog is "how can you have music on your ipod that you don't like?" So, here is my chance to answer. I do select what I put on my ipod manually but tend to do so in broad strokes. I have always been more of an album person, so I tend to put whole albums on my ipod, which explains why there may be songs that I don't necessarily like on the ipod because they are by bands that I like. I also like to listen to new music in the car, so I put music on the ipod that I don't necessarily know and then may not ever pull it off. In a case like this one, I can only guess that this song was on a mix CD that I received from a friend as I don't know the band or the song. It is the only song that I have by this band and it is not doing much for me. I am certainly not ashamed or embarrassed to have this song, but don't see any reason to keep it on my ipod. MEH.
3. "Incense and Candies"--Prince, 3121 (2006):
I'm a huge Prince fan. I saw him live on the Lovesexy tour. He was incredible and was still a big deal at the time. This album is one of his more recent. I missed a lot of the albums in between. I have maybe listened to this album all the way through once. I suppose if I am going to forgive anyone for experimenting with auto-tune it would be Prince, but this song has too much of it. It's not a bad song, but the auto-tune ruins it for me. MEH.
4. "Harlem House"--Booker T. Jones, The Road from Memphis (2011):
I am sad to say I just learned about Booker T. Jones. Luckily my obsession with listening to Marc Maron's podcast, WTF, paid off. Maron recently interviewed Booker T., and I was amazed with how humble this extremely accomplished and influential musician is. If I try to list his credits here, I will do him a major disservice. I will just say start with Stax Records house band. Once I started listening to some of the Booker T. and the MGs' songs, I recognized them. This album is his recent collaboration with the Roots. He also just put out another album this passed year called Sound the Alarm that is on my list. Go listen to Booker T.'s music and get your hands on some of his interviews. He is amazing!! SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Bewitched"--Luna, Bewitched (1994):
I am not a huge Luna fan but love this album. They should have been right in my wheelhouse, but since I was never a Galaxy 500 fan, I did not pick up on Luna either. However, a few years ago I read Dean Wareham's memoir. That book is the single best music memoir I have read. I am not sure why it struck such a chord with me, but Wareham is honest and self-effacing while still hanging onto his ego. Maybe I was more objective since I did not know the music, but I highly recommend the book. Since reading it, I have definitely grown to appreciate his music, though I would not count myself as a huge fan. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
I accidentally saw Peter Murphy on this tour. He opened for the Church on their Starfish tour. I had no idea who he was. There were tons of kids there with Bauhaus t-shirts on who were clearly there for him. I was still catching up on a lot of music that I missed when I was focused on 80s rock, so I got a quick lesson from a friend who was at the show with me. It's fair to say that Murphy blew the Church off the stage. To be honest, it was not a great pairing. Murphy has a strong stage presence. As good as the Church are, they did not bring the same energy. I became a fan of Murphy's solo work and got a little bit into Bauhaus. This song is easily the best on this album and is definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Lectric"--Film School, Hideout (2007):
I may have to create a new rating for "WTF is this?" The most common question about this blog is "how can you have music on your ipod that you don't like?" So, here is my chance to answer. I do select what I put on my ipod manually but tend to do so in broad strokes. I have always been more of an album person, so I tend to put whole albums on my ipod, which explains why there may be songs that I don't necessarily like on the ipod because they are by bands that I like. I also like to listen to new music in the car, so I put music on the ipod that I don't necessarily know and then may not ever pull it off. In a case like this one, I can only guess that this song was on a mix CD that I received from a friend as I don't know the band or the song. It is the only song that I have by this band and it is not doing much for me. I am certainly not ashamed or embarrassed to have this song, but don't see any reason to keep it on my ipod. MEH.
3. "Incense and Candies"--Prince, 3121 (2006):
I'm a huge Prince fan. I saw him live on the Lovesexy tour. He was incredible and was still a big deal at the time. This album is one of his more recent. I missed a lot of the albums in between. I have maybe listened to this album all the way through once. I suppose if I am going to forgive anyone for experimenting with auto-tune it would be Prince, but this song has too much of it. It's not a bad song, but the auto-tune ruins it for me. MEH.
4. "Harlem House"--Booker T. Jones, The Road from Memphis (2011):
I am sad to say I just learned about Booker T. Jones. Luckily my obsession with listening to Marc Maron's podcast, WTF, paid off. Maron recently interviewed Booker T., and I was amazed with how humble this extremely accomplished and influential musician is. If I try to list his credits here, I will do him a major disservice. I will just say start with Stax Records house band. Once I started listening to some of the Booker T. and the MGs' songs, I recognized them. This album is his recent collaboration with the Roots. He also just put out another album this passed year called Sound the Alarm that is on my list. Go listen to Booker T.'s music and get your hands on some of his interviews. He is amazing!! SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Bewitched"--Luna, Bewitched (1994):
I am not a huge Luna fan but love this album. They should have been right in my wheelhouse, but since I was never a Galaxy 500 fan, I did not pick up on Luna either. However, a few years ago I read Dean Wareham's memoir. That book is the single best music memoir I have read. I am not sure why it struck such a chord with me, but Wareham is honest and self-effacing while still hanging onto his ego. Maybe I was more objective since I did not know the music, but I highly recommend the book. Since reading it, I have definitely grown to appreciate his music, though I would not count myself as a huge fan. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Entering the Twitterverse! (Follow @blakeshuffblog)
1. "Achin To Be"--The Replacements, Don't Tell A Soul (1989):
I believe this was the second single off of this album and was a big hit in the dorm when it would come on "120 Minutes" in the t.v. lounge. The album took a lot of heat from old school Mats' fans but I like a lot of the songs on this one. While a bit more straight forward rock, I think Westerberg's songwriting is still solid here. To be fair, I was just getting on board with the Replacements at this point so at the time I was not comparing it to earlier stuff. I really love this song and it reminds me of a girl I had a crush on at one point. She was a bit like the woman described in the song. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Fat"--Archers of Loaf, Icky Mettle (1993):
You can't go wrong with this album, the band's studio debut. This one is on the short side, running just a little over a minute, but it brings the AOL sound. Originally on Alias Records, the album was reissued on Merge a couple of years ago. Great stuff start to finish and pure SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Apache Rose Peacock"--Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blook Sugar Sex Magik (1991):
This album broke the RHCPs wide open with "Under the Bridge" in heavy rotation on radio stations and Mtv. Rick Rubin worked his magic, and the band has never looked back. At the time, I was a huge fan and enjoyed the new direction. As suggested in earlier posts, I feel like the band became a bit more formulaic from this point forward. I'm still a fan, and this song is definitely SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Backroads"--fIREHOSE, If'n (1987):
I got on board a bit late with fIREHOSE. I did not hear this album until much later. They were a great live band and carried on beautifully from where the Minutemen left off (Watch We Jam Econo if you have not!!). I saw the band live in 1992. I actually left an earth day festival concert in Dallas, missing the headlining Pearl Jam, in order to drive back to my college town for the fIREHOSE show. Even though the Dallas festival show is considered epic in Pearl Jam lore, I had already seen them before and had never seen fIREHOSE. For me, it was the right choice. A slower jam, but still SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
5. "The Nurse"--the White Stripes, Glastonbury 2005 [live] (2005):
I'm pretty sure I got this live recording from my brother in law. He is a huge fan of all things Jack White. Like many live recordings, this one is hit or miss. This song does not resonate with me in this recording. I dig their studio albums and would love to see him live at some point (I think I've missed the boat on the band) but this song would not necessarily be on my list. MEH.
I believe this was the second single off of this album and was a big hit in the dorm when it would come on "120 Minutes" in the t.v. lounge. The album took a lot of heat from old school Mats' fans but I like a lot of the songs on this one. While a bit more straight forward rock, I think Westerberg's songwriting is still solid here. To be fair, I was just getting on board with the Replacements at this point so at the time I was not comparing it to earlier stuff. I really love this song and it reminds me of a girl I had a crush on at one point. She was a bit like the woman described in the song. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Fat"--Archers of Loaf, Icky Mettle (1993):
You can't go wrong with this album, the band's studio debut. This one is on the short side, running just a little over a minute, but it brings the AOL sound. Originally on Alias Records, the album was reissued on Merge a couple of years ago. Great stuff start to finish and pure SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Apache Rose Peacock"--Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blook Sugar Sex Magik (1991):
This album broke the RHCPs wide open with "Under the Bridge" in heavy rotation on radio stations and Mtv. Rick Rubin worked his magic, and the band has never looked back. At the time, I was a huge fan and enjoyed the new direction. As suggested in earlier posts, I feel like the band became a bit more formulaic from this point forward. I'm still a fan, and this song is definitely SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Backroads"--fIREHOSE, If'n (1987):
I got on board a bit late with fIREHOSE. I did not hear this album until much later. They were a great live band and carried on beautifully from where the Minutemen left off (Watch We Jam Econo if you have not!!). I saw the band live in 1992. I actually left an earth day festival concert in Dallas, missing the headlining Pearl Jam, in order to drive back to my college town for the fIREHOSE show. Even though the Dallas festival show is considered epic in Pearl Jam lore, I had already seen them before and had never seen fIREHOSE. For me, it was the right choice. A slower jam, but still SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
5. "The Nurse"--the White Stripes, Glastonbury 2005 [live] (2005):
I'm pretty sure I got this live recording from my brother in law. He is a huge fan of all things Jack White. Like many live recordings, this one is hit or miss. This song does not resonate with me in this recording. I dig their studio albums and would love to see him live at some point (I think I've missed the boat on the band) but this song would not necessarily be on my list. MEH.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Shuffling into 2014
1. "Some Small History"--Portastatic, Some Small History [Disc 2] (2008):
Portastatic is Mac McCaughan's side project when he is not fronting Superchunk or helping run Merge Records. This 2-disc compilation contains the b-sides and rare tunes that did not make any of the studio albums from 1990-2007. This song is the title track of the compilation and a solid Mac tune. Portastatic is definitely a bit broader in range than Superchunk. Though Mac's voice is distinctive, Portastatic songs are clearly not Superchunk songs. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
2. "Last Ride In"--Green Day, Nimrod (1996):
I am definitely a Green Day fan going back to their album Kerplunk! and seeing them live in small venues with just a few hundred people. Of all the bands that I saw in small clubs, they rose to the greatest heights. I don't know this album as well and this instrumental tune doesn't do much for me. Green Day has potential for real gold but this one is just a MEH.
3. "Milk and Honey"--Wye Oak, The Knot (2009):
Wye Oak is a two-piece band on Merge Records. This song has appeared on some Merge samplers. Jenn Wasner's voice has an amazing quality. They have a big sound for two people. This song is a bit slow and not a favorite. I would highly recommend checking out their more recent album Civilian. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Skinny Sweaty Man"--Red Hot Chili Peppers, Uplift Party Plan (1987):
Here is another band that I got to see in some smaller venues before they blew up. If you only know the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their radio hits, you need to go back in their catalog. This album was the last for Hillel Slovak, the original guitarist. Unfortunately, he died of a heroin overdose on this tour. They were definitely less polished and more juvenile, but this record is excellent. It may be my bias, but their songs seemed more distinct on their earlier records. I think they have become formulaic but am still a fan. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "California Roll"--Times New Viking, Dancer Equired! (2011):
Described as lo-fi and sometimes as "noise rock," this album on Merge Records has been the band's most accessible. I think it was one of the most under-rated albums of 2011 as it is solid from start to finish. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Portastatic is Mac McCaughan's side project when he is not fronting Superchunk or helping run Merge Records. This 2-disc compilation contains the b-sides and rare tunes that did not make any of the studio albums from 1990-2007. This song is the title track of the compilation and a solid Mac tune. Portastatic is definitely a bit broader in range than Superchunk. Though Mac's voice is distinctive, Portastatic songs are clearly not Superchunk songs. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
2. "Last Ride In"--Green Day, Nimrod (1996):
I am definitely a Green Day fan going back to their album Kerplunk! and seeing them live in small venues with just a few hundred people. Of all the bands that I saw in small clubs, they rose to the greatest heights. I don't know this album as well and this instrumental tune doesn't do much for me. Green Day has potential for real gold but this one is just a MEH.
3. "Milk and Honey"--Wye Oak, The Knot (2009):
Wye Oak is a two-piece band on Merge Records. This song has appeared on some Merge samplers. Jenn Wasner's voice has an amazing quality. They have a big sound for two people. This song is a bit slow and not a favorite. I would highly recommend checking out their more recent album Civilian. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Skinny Sweaty Man"--Red Hot Chili Peppers, Uplift Party Plan (1987):
Here is another band that I got to see in some smaller venues before they blew up. If you only know the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their radio hits, you need to go back in their catalog. This album was the last for Hillel Slovak, the original guitarist. Unfortunately, he died of a heroin overdose on this tour. They were definitely less polished and more juvenile, but this record is excellent. It may be my bias, but their songs seemed more distinct on their earlier records. I think they have become formulaic but am still a fan. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "California Roll"--Times New Viking, Dancer Equired! (2011):
Described as lo-fi and sometimes as "noise rock," this album on Merge Records has been the band's most accessible. I think it was one of the most under-rated albums of 2011 as it is solid from start to finish. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Staying Home for the Holidays
1. "Clampdown"--The Clash, London Calling (1980):
This song is one of my all time favorites by the Clash, from one of my all time favorite albums. No album is better from start to finish than Londong Calling. Since we are so close to Christmas, I will reveal that at the top of my wish list this year is the newest box set from the Clash, Sound System. 100% SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "England's Dreaming"--Cornershop, SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records, Volume 1: Peter Buck (2009):
Albums from this anniversary box set have come up before. This particular album was curated by Peter Buck. I was not familiar with this song or band before I received this CD. They were an indie British band, and Merge records released an album of theirs in 1995, which contained this song. It's a pretty solid tune. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Europa and the Pirate Twins"--Thomas Dolby, The Golden Age of Wireless (1982):
This song is off of the same album that gave us one of my favorite 80s tunes, "She Blinded Me with Science." This song, however, does not do much for me. I was shocked that there is a video for this song. I don't remember it as a single. As much as I respect Thomas Dolby as a musician, I like his hit so much better than anything else I have heard from him that it warps my listening of his other work. Anyway, MEH on this one.
4. "Summertime Blues"--The Who, Live at Leeds (1970):
The Who cover the American classic on this live album. This single peaked at 38 on the UK charts and 27 on the US. Personally, I love this version as the Who definitely made it their own. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
5. "Friend of a Friend"--Foo Fighters, In Your Honor [Disc 2] (2005):
I'm a fan of the Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl has done an amazing job of establishing himself as his own artist above and beyond Nirvana. However, this song's acoustic guitar has a Nirvana vibe in the opening. If I remember correctly, this 2nd disc from the double album was mostly "softer" Foo songs. I am not as interested in these tunes. This song is not one that I am clamoring to hear over and over. MEH.
This song is one of my all time favorites by the Clash, from one of my all time favorite albums. No album is better from start to finish than Londong Calling. Since we are so close to Christmas, I will reveal that at the top of my wish list this year is the newest box set from the Clash, Sound System. 100% SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "England's Dreaming"--Cornershop, SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records, Volume 1: Peter Buck (2009):
Albums from this anniversary box set have come up before. This particular album was curated by Peter Buck. I was not familiar with this song or band before I received this CD. They were an indie British band, and Merge records released an album of theirs in 1995, which contained this song. It's a pretty solid tune. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Europa and the Pirate Twins"--Thomas Dolby, The Golden Age of Wireless (1982):
This song is off of the same album that gave us one of my favorite 80s tunes, "She Blinded Me with Science." This song, however, does not do much for me. I was shocked that there is a video for this song. I don't remember it as a single. As much as I respect Thomas Dolby as a musician, I like his hit so much better than anything else I have heard from him that it warps my listening of his other work. Anyway, MEH on this one.
4. "Summertime Blues"--The Who, Live at Leeds (1970):
The Who cover the American classic on this live album. This single peaked at 38 on the UK charts and 27 on the US. Personally, I love this version as the Who definitely made it their own. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
5. "Friend of a Friend"--Foo Fighters, In Your Honor [Disc 2] (2005):
I'm a fan of the Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl has done an amazing job of establishing himself as his own artist above and beyond Nirvana. However, this song's acoustic guitar has a Nirvana vibe in the opening. If I remember correctly, this 2nd disc from the double album was mostly "softer" Foo songs. I am not as interested in these tunes. This song is not one that I am clamoring to hear over and over. MEH.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
End of Semester Shuffle
1. "Backward"--Quicksand, Manic Compression (1995):
The opening track on Quicksand's second and final album is awesome. Walter Schreifels is one of my top singer/songwriters with the number of great bands he has fronted (Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Rival Schools, et al). Quicksand has played a couple of reunion shows but there is no sign of them actually recording again. Rival Schools is pretty active, and I highly recommend their music. Like most songs on this album, "Backward" is absolutely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Desire"--Toad the Wet Sprocket, Coil (1997):
Toad the Wet Sprocket is one of those "I found them first" bands. My friends and I played songs from their album Pale on our college radio shows before they found a commercial audience with the album Fear. This album was a couple of albums later and had one song that received some commercial play, "Come Down." I actually like this album a lot, though I think the band went on hiatus shortly thereafter. As another 90s behind who is still doing the work, the band put out a new album just a couple of months ago, New Constellation. "Desire" is a solid Toad song and one of the stronger tracks on this album, fully SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Lorelei"--Office of Future Plans, S/T (2011):
J. Robbins's (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels) latest venture, Office of Future Plans is on Dischord Records and is absolutely amazing. This band is under the radar but is my favorite work of J.'s, second only to Jawbox. Gordon Withers plays cello, bringing a different feel to the band's post-punk, D.C. sound. This song is my favorite off of their self-titled album and is sweet, SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "Racehorses"--Wild Flag, S/T (2011):
This shuffle is a full 90s revival. Wild Flag is a super group of 90s musicians, most notably Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney, and Mary Timony of Helium. The album is on Merge Records, and the band made the rounds for a couple of years. Weiss just recently stated that the band basically has already run its course. This album is excellent from start to finish, and this song is a solid Brownstein track. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
5. "For Esme"--Jawbreaker, Live 4/30/96 (1999):
There are not too many better ways to end a 90s revival shuffle than a live Jawbreaker song. I believe this song is one of the non-studio songs that was on this live recording. While often labeled as an Emo band who existed before Emo was a label, I find the label a bit misleading. While Blake's lyrics may lend themselves to that label, I'm not sure the music fits. These guys considered themselves a Bay Area punk band. They were great live, and this song captures that. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
The opening track on Quicksand's second and final album is awesome. Walter Schreifels is one of my top singer/songwriters with the number of great bands he has fronted (Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Rival Schools, et al). Quicksand has played a couple of reunion shows but there is no sign of them actually recording again. Rival Schools is pretty active, and I highly recommend their music. Like most songs on this album, "Backward" is absolutely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Desire"--Toad the Wet Sprocket, Coil (1997):
Toad the Wet Sprocket is one of those "I found them first" bands. My friends and I played songs from their album Pale on our college radio shows before they found a commercial audience with the album Fear. This album was a couple of albums later and had one song that received some commercial play, "Come Down." I actually like this album a lot, though I think the band went on hiatus shortly thereafter. As another 90s behind who is still doing the work, the band put out a new album just a couple of months ago, New Constellation. "Desire" is a solid Toad song and one of the stronger tracks on this album, fully SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Lorelei"--Office of Future Plans, S/T (2011):
J. Robbins's (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels) latest venture, Office of Future Plans is on Dischord Records and is absolutely amazing. This band is under the radar but is my favorite work of J.'s, second only to Jawbox. Gordon Withers plays cello, bringing a different feel to the band's post-punk, D.C. sound. This song is my favorite off of their self-titled album and is sweet, SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "Racehorses"--Wild Flag, S/T (2011):
This shuffle is a full 90s revival. Wild Flag is a super group of 90s musicians, most notably Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney, and Mary Timony of Helium. The album is on Merge Records, and the band made the rounds for a couple of years. Weiss just recently stated that the band basically has already run its course. This album is excellent from start to finish, and this song is a solid Brownstein track. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
5. "For Esme"--Jawbreaker, Live 4/30/96 (1999):
There are not too many better ways to end a 90s revival shuffle than a live Jawbreaker song. I believe this song is one of the non-studio songs that was on this live recording. While often labeled as an Emo band who existed before Emo was a label, I find the label a bit misleading. While Blake's lyrics may lend themselves to that label, I'm not sure the music fits. These guys considered themselves a Bay Area punk band. They were great live, and this song captures that. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Celebration Post: 2 Year Anniversary of the BLOG!
1. "Fall on Me"--R.E.M., Life's Rich Pageant (1986):
Seeing R.E.M. live in 1987 literally changed my outlook on music and my musical taste. I was a casual, radio fan of R.E.M., liking songs like this one, "Can't Get There from Here," and "Driver 8." However, seeing them live engaged me with their music in a different way. I was a freshman in college, and they literally welcomed me to the world of "college music." Though I am not sure I can clearly define the term, for me it pointed to the whole world of music that was not on the radio that I knew existed but ignored. At the same time, I began working as an "alternate DJ" at the college, alternative radio station and realized that I needed to broaden my horizons. Even though this song is not one from their 1987 album, Document, it is one of those classic, radio songs that planted the seed for me and ultimately led to me exploring all of the band's other music. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Wavelengths"--Cymbals Eat Guitars, Lenses Alien (2011):
Cymbals Eat Guitars is one of my favorite new bands. This album is their sophomore effort. Though less edgy than their first, the maturity of the songs makes it a great record. The singer's voice and guitar playing are highlights. My friend, Kevin, turned me onto them. They are supposed to be amazing live, but I have yet to have the pleasure. Someday. This song is solid but not a favorite, SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "For Tension"--Superchunk, On the Mouth (1993):
The ipod must sense that this blog entry is a special one. On the Mouth is the first album that I bought by Superchunk and is the tour that I saw them on for the first time. I believe this is the last studio album that they released on Matador before releasing exclusively on their own label, Merge Records (now home to Spoon, Arcade Fire, Bob Mould, et. al.). "For Tension" is absolutely a highlight of this album and still on rotation in their live shows. 100% SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "The Apt."--Times New Viking, Rip It Off (2008):
Coincidentally, Times New Viking also moved from Matador to Merge. This album is their Matador release. The newer album that is on Merge Records, Dancer Ecquired (2011), is a much more accessible album for me. This song, like the rest of the album, is a little more noise rock than I usually like. MEH.
5. "Equinox (Unreleased John Coltrane Cover)"--Archers of Loaf, Vee Vee (Deluxe Remaster) (2012):
Originally released in 1995, this album received the remaster treatment and was released in 2012 by, once again, Merge Records. The remastered version contains b-sides and rare tracks, including this Coltrane cover. As an instrumental cover, it does not fit with a typical Archers song, but in celebration of an overall very strong anniversary shuffle with great bands across the board, Archers of Loaf has to at least get a SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
**NOTE: Though I am not posting as regularly as when the blog began two years ago, I still love this process and opportunity to write about music. Thanks for reading.
Seeing R.E.M. live in 1987 literally changed my outlook on music and my musical taste. I was a casual, radio fan of R.E.M., liking songs like this one, "Can't Get There from Here," and "Driver 8." However, seeing them live engaged me with their music in a different way. I was a freshman in college, and they literally welcomed me to the world of "college music." Though I am not sure I can clearly define the term, for me it pointed to the whole world of music that was not on the radio that I knew existed but ignored. At the same time, I began working as an "alternate DJ" at the college, alternative radio station and realized that I needed to broaden my horizons. Even though this song is not one from their 1987 album, Document, it is one of those classic, radio songs that planted the seed for me and ultimately led to me exploring all of the band's other music. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Wavelengths"--Cymbals Eat Guitars, Lenses Alien (2011):
Cymbals Eat Guitars is one of my favorite new bands. This album is their sophomore effort. Though less edgy than their first, the maturity of the songs makes it a great record. The singer's voice and guitar playing are highlights. My friend, Kevin, turned me onto them. They are supposed to be amazing live, but I have yet to have the pleasure. Someday. This song is solid but not a favorite, SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "For Tension"--Superchunk, On the Mouth (1993):
The ipod must sense that this blog entry is a special one. On the Mouth is the first album that I bought by Superchunk and is the tour that I saw them on for the first time. I believe this is the last studio album that they released on Matador before releasing exclusively on their own label, Merge Records (now home to Spoon, Arcade Fire, Bob Mould, et. al.). "For Tension" is absolutely a highlight of this album and still on rotation in their live shows. 100% SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "The Apt."--Times New Viking, Rip It Off (2008):
Coincidentally, Times New Viking also moved from Matador to Merge. This album is their Matador release. The newer album that is on Merge Records, Dancer Ecquired (2011), is a much more accessible album for me. This song, like the rest of the album, is a little more noise rock than I usually like. MEH.
5. "Equinox (Unreleased John Coltrane Cover)"--Archers of Loaf, Vee Vee (Deluxe Remaster) (2012):
Originally released in 1995, this album received the remaster treatment and was released in 2012 by, once again, Merge Records. The remastered version contains b-sides and rare tracks, including this Coltrane cover. As an instrumental cover, it does not fit with a typical Archers song, but in celebration of an overall very strong anniversary shuffle with great bands across the board, Archers of Loaf has to at least get a SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
**NOTE: Though I am not posting as regularly as when the blog began two years ago, I still love this process and opportunity to write about music. Thanks for reading.
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