1. "Merry Go Round"--The Replacements, Don't You Know Who I Think I Was: The Best of the Replacements (2006):
Released on the Mats' last studio album in 1990, All Shook Down, this song is solid. It is the only song from that album to make this Best Of collection, which makes sense. There are too many great songs from earlier albums. Coincidentally, the Replacements are about to play 3 reunion shows in the next few months. It will be interesting to see how it goes. Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson are the only original members who will be playing live. There are lots of better songs, but this one is still a solid Westerberg tune and definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "You're All I Need to Get By"--Marvin Gaye, Every Great Motown Hit (1983):
This duet with Tammi Terrell is one of 17 songs on this greatest hits compilation. According to Wikipedia it is Gaye's most successful duet, having topped at number 7 on the billboard charts in 1968. Admittedly it is not a song that I know at all but it is a great song, and any Marvin Gaye hit is always SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Magazine Called Sunset"--Wilco, More Like the Moon EP (2003):
As mentioned before, I am not a huge Wilco fan. When Uncle Tupelo split, I leaned more towards Jay Farrar and Son Volt. However, I had the chance to see Wilco live on their Sky Blue Sky tour and was blown away. They were amazing live, thanks especially to Nels Cline and his amazing guitar playing. They played close to 30 songs, and this song was one of them. I tracked down most of their discography after that show. Though not a super fan, I am definitely a fan thanks to that live performance. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Hollywood Freaks"--Beck, Midnite Vultures (1999):
This album came out when I was living overseas. When I finally got a hold of it, I was obsessed. I loved every song. It is still my favorite Beck album. I have always found his albums to be hit or miss. This particular song is not one of the best, but the whole album holds together really well for me. I'm not sure how well it will age. It is definitely a bit silly ("Tootie Fruitie, Automatic Bazooty"), but I dig it. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Freddie's Dead"--Curtis Mayfield, Get Down to the Funky Groove (1997):
This is a UK compilation with only 8 songs. I picked it up cheap somewhere around the time it came out. I knew some of Mayfield's other songs, such as "Pusherman" and "Superfly," (btw, this song is the opening track to the Super Fly soundtrack from 1972) but have to admit that I knew this song because of Fishbone. Their cover on Truth and Soul is awesome if you have not heard it. After their version, Mayfield's original is super mellow. I am a big Mayfield fan and this song is absolutely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Reviving the Blog!
1. "Vibe and Stuff"--A Tribe Called Quest, The Low End Theory (1991):
A Tribe Called Quest are fully in my wheelhouse when it comes to rap and hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s, I loved these guys and think this is their best album. This song is a deeper cut but solid. The recent documentary on the band, Beats, Rhymes, and Life, is on my to-see list. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
2. "What Gets Heard"--fiREHOSE, Live Totem Pole EP (1992):
Firehose (never to be confused with sorry rockers Firehouse) was 2/3 Minutemen and 1/3 Ed fromohio. They formed after the untimely death of D. Boon (singer/guitarist for the Minutemen). They put out some great albums. This live e.p. has several covers, including an awesome cover of the Superchunk classic "Slack Motherfucker." This song, however, is a Mike Watt original and sounds great! SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Private Life"--The Pretenders, Pretenders (1979):
The debut album by the Pretenders is my favorite album of theirs. I prefer songs like "Precious" and "The Wait," which rock a bit harder. This song is a bit plodding for me, but Chrissie Hynde is awesome, and I think James Honeyman-Scott was as an excellent guitarist. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Wrong"--Archers of Loaf, Icky Mettle (1993):
The early 90s are representing very well on this particular shuffle. Archers of Loaf have had a bit of a revival in my collection as they recently remastered and re-released all of their albums on Merge Records. Eric Bachman's current band, Crooked Fingers, is also on heavy rotation in my household. As far as this song goes, it is absolutely one of my favorites from the band, not just from this album. So glad after this long hiatus from the blog to land some SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "The Breadman"--Superchunk, Tossing Seeds (Singles 89-91) (1991):
I could not have asked for a better shuffle for reviving the blog. Superchunk is my favorite band of all time, and I am thrilled to end the shuffle with this song. Though not technically a studio album, this compilation of singles is a strong introduction to the band's earliest material. Even though they are my favorite band, some songs are better than others. This one has to settle for SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
A Tribe Called Quest are fully in my wheelhouse when it comes to rap and hip hop. In the late 80s and early 90s, I loved these guys and think this is their best album. This song is a deeper cut but solid. The recent documentary on the band, Beats, Rhymes, and Life, is on my to-see list. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
2. "What Gets Heard"--fiREHOSE, Live Totem Pole EP (1992):
Firehose (never to be confused with sorry rockers Firehouse) was 2/3 Minutemen and 1/3 Ed fromohio. They formed after the untimely death of D. Boon (singer/guitarist for the Minutemen). They put out some great albums. This live e.p. has several covers, including an awesome cover of the Superchunk classic "Slack Motherfucker." This song, however, is a Mike Watt original and sounds great! SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Private Life"--The Pretenders, Pretenders (1979):
The debut album by the Pretenders is my favorite album of theirs. I prefer songs like "Precious" and "The Wait," which rock a bit harder. This song is a bit plodding for me, but Chrissie Hynde is awesome, and I think James Honeyman-Scott was as an excellent guitarist. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Wrong"--Archers of Loaf, Icky Mettle (1993):
The early 90s are representing very well on this particular shuffle. Archers of Loaf have had a bit of a revival in my collection as they recently remastered and re-released all of their albums on Merge Records. Eric Bachman's current band, Crooked Fingers, is also on heavy rotation in my household. As far as this song goes, it is absolutely one of my favorites from the band, not just from this album. So glad after this long hiatus from the blog to land some SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "The Breadman"--Superchunk, Tossing Seeds (Singles 89-91) (1991):
I could not have asked for a better shuffle for reviving the blog. Superchunk is my favorite band of all time, and I am thrilled to end the shuffle with this song. Though not technically a studio album, this compilation of singles is a strong introduction to the band's earliest material. Even though they are my favorite band, some songs are better than others. This one has to settle for SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Truly RANDOM February Shuffle
1. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)"--Beyonce, I Am . . . Sasha Fierce (2008):
What can I say? It's a solid pop song. I'm not devouring Byonce's albums, but I do dig some songs, including some Destiny's Child. As a fellow Houstonian, it is cool to see someone from my hometown represent. I suppose it is appropriate that she pops up first as she is just coming off of her big Super Bowl appearance. It's on the ipod, so I am claiming it with MILD SHAME.
2. "Wake Up"--Rage Against the Machine, S/T (1992):
Not exactly a song that follows Beyonce well, but definitely more up my alley. A nice recovery by the ipod here. I have all of their albums, but this first one holds up best for me. This song is recognizable for all you Matrix fans, as the film closes with this during the credits. I don't listen to a ton of lyrics, but I have always enjoyed the Rage's lyrics. The band always works a sweet groove as well. Absolutely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Lightning Bulb"--Dinosaur Jr., Beyond (2007):
One of Lou's songs off of this "reunion" album. While J. put out several albums under name, the original lineup of J., Lou, and Murph reunited in 2005, and have been going strong ever since. They have already remained together longer than they did in the early years. Since 2007, they have put out 3 albums, matching their early output as a band. All of this is a very brief history of one of my favorite bands. I love Lou's solo work as well as his other band Sebadoh. He usually gets 2 songs on each Dinosaur album (because it is really J.'s band). On this particular album, this one is the weaker of the two. Regardless, still SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"--Billy Joel, The Stranger (1977):
This shuffle is playing out as one of the most random, but still cranking out good tunes. I love this Billy Joel song. This album had 4 top 25 hits, with this song reaching as high as #17. I'm partial to his work prior to 1983. I saw him live once, and he is an incredible performer. He was easily one of the best songwriters of the 1970s. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Little Babies"--Sleater-Kinney, Dig Me Out (1997):
Sleater-Kinney is a band that was strongest in the late 1990s, right after I had good access to live shows. I would have loved to have seen them live. This is the only album of theirs that I own. I've meant to pick up others, but this one seems to fill my Sleater-Kinney needs. 2/3 of the band (Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss) is now in Wild Flag (Merge Records), while Corin Tucker now works under the name The Corin Tucker band. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
What can I say? It's a solid pop song. I'm not devouring Byonce's albums, but I do dig some songs, including some Destiny's Child. As a fellow Houstonian, it is cool to see someone from my hometown represent. I suppose it is appropriate that she pops up first as she is just coming off of her big Super Bowl appearance. It's on the ipod, so I am claiming it with MILD SHAME.
2. "Wake Up"--Rage Against the Machine, S/T (1992):
Not exactly a song that follows Beyonce well, but definitely more up my alley. A nice recovery by the ipod here. I have all of their albums, but this first one holds up best for me. This song is recognizable for all you Matrix fans, as the film closes with this during the credits. I don't listen to a ton of lyrics, but I have always enjoyed the Rage's lyrics. The band always works a sweet groove as well. Absolutely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "Lightning Bulb"--Dinosaur Jr., Beyond (2007):
One of Lou's songs off of this "reunion" album. While J. put out several albums under name, the original lineup of J., Lou, and Murph reunited in 2005, and have been going strong ever since. They have already remained together longer than they did in the early years. Since 2007, they have put out 3 albums, matching their early output as a band. All of this is a very brief history of one of my favorite bands. I love Lou's solo work as well as his other band Sebadoh. He usually gets 2 songs on each Dinosaur album (because it is really J.'s band). On this particular album, this one is the weaker of the two. Regardless, still SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"--Billy Joel, The Stranger (1977):
This shuffle is playing out as one of the most random, but still cranking out good tunes. I love this Billy Joel song. This album had 4 top 25 hits, with this song reaching as high as #17. I'm partial to his work prior to 1983. I saw him live once, and he is an incredible performer. He was easily one of the best songwriters of the 1970s. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Little Babies"--Sleater-Kinney, Dig Me Out (1997):
Sleater-Kinney is a band that was strongest in the late 1990s, right after I had good access to live shows. I would have loved to have seen them live. This is the only album of theirs that I own. I've meant to pick up others, but this one seems to fill my Sleater-Kinney needs. 2/3 of the band (Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss) is now in Wild Flag (Merge Records), while Corin Tucker now works under the name The Corin Tucker band. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Looks Like My College Radio Playlist (3 Golds!)
1. "I Just Want to See His Face"--The Rolling Stones, Exile on Main Street (1972):
I know that I should know this album better, but only know a few songs. This is not one of the songs that I know. It is a bluesy jam with a gospel vibe and definitely not my style. MEH.
2. "Out of Your Life"--Bob Mould, Black Sheets of Rain (1990):
One of the strongest songs off of Bob's second solo album. I was fully on the Bob bandwagon by the time this album came out. After a more acoustic first solo album (after the Husker Du) breakup, this album was a return to the electric rock. Bob just released Silver Age on Merge Records this past year, his strongest solo album in a long time. He will be on PBS's Austin City Limits later this month playing solo, Husker Du, and Sugar material. He is one of my all time favorite songwriters, and this song is definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "The Big Parade"--10,000 Maniacs, Blind Man's Zoo (1989):
Like most of their early fans, I came on board with 10,000 Maniacs in 1987 with their album In My Tribe. However, I did not see them live until they toured for this album. I remember Natalie Merchant mesmerizing the crowd with her stage presence and dancing. The band did not have much presence, so she was really the show. This song is good but not one of my favorite tracks. The band was never the same when she left. I had pretty much lost interest about the time she moved on. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Sexy Mexican Maid"--Red Hot Chili Peppers (1989) Mother's Milk:
This shuffle is shaping up into one of my playlists when I was a DJ for my college radio station. I played at least 2 RHCPs songs on every show. Since they had not really broken into radio airplay, they were standards on college radio. This song was on heavy rotation as were several songs off of this album. This album was their first with John Frusciante on guitar, after the death of original guitarist Hillel Slovak. Recently, I have tried to remain a fan but am not terribly interested in the newer material. Whenever I hear their newer stuff, I just want to go back and listen to this album and the Uplift Mofo Party Plan. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Fire"--The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Are You Experienced? (1967):
Amazing way to end this week's shuffle. Coincidentally, the RHCPs do a great cover of this song on Mother's Milk, which also got a lot of play from my college radio DJ days. If not my favorite Jimi Hendrix song, it is one of my top 3. One of the singles off of this amazing debut album and another SHUFFLE GOLD!!
I know that I should know this album better, but only know a few songs. This is not one of the songs that I know. It is a bluesy jam with a gospel vibe and definitely not my style. MEH.
2. "Out of Your Life"--Bob Mould, Black Sheets of Rain (1990):
One of the strongest songs off of Bob's second solo album. I was fully on the Bob bandwagon by the time this album came out. After a more acoustic first solo album (after the Husker Du) breakup, this album was a return to the electric rock. Bob just released Silver Age on Merge Records this past year, his strongest solo album in a long time. He will be on PBS's Austin City Limits later this month playing solo, Husker Du, and Sugar material. He is one of my all time favorite songwriters, and this song is definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
3. "The Big Parade"--10,000 Maniacs, Blind Man's Zoo (1989):
Like most of their early fans, I came on board with 10,000 Maniacs in 1987 with their album In My Tribe. However, I did not see them live until they toured for this album. I remember Natalie Merchant mesmerizing the crowd with her stage presence and dancing. The band did not have much presence, so she was really the show. This song is good but not one of my favorite tracks. The band was never the same when she left. I had pretty much lost interest about the time she moved on. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Sexy Mexican Maid"--Red Hot Chili Peppers (1989) Mother's Milk:
This shuffle is shaping up into one of my playlists when I was a DJ for my college radio station. I played at least 2 RHCPs songs on every show. Since they had not really broken into radio airplay, they were standards on college radio. This song was on heavy rotation as were several songs off of this album. This album was their first with John Frusciante on guitar, after the death of original guitarist Hillel Slovak. Recently, I have tried to remain a fan but am not terribly interested in the newer material. Whenever I hear their newer stuff, I just want to go back and listen to this album and the Uplift Mofo Party Plan. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Fire"--The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Are You Experienced? (1967):
Amazing way to end this week's shuffle. Coincidentally, the RHCPs do a great cover of this song on Mother's Milk, which also got a lot of play from my college radio DJ days. If not my favorite Jimi Hendrix song, it is one of my top 3. One of the singles off of this amazing debut album and another SHUFFLE GOLD!!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Welcome to 2013!
1. "Motorist"--Jawbox, For Your Own Special Sweetheart (1994):
Jawbox is one of my all-time favorite bands. I saw them live multiple times in the 90s and love their music. J. Robbins, the lead singer/guitarist, is now leading Office of Future Plans, who put out a great debut album in 2011 on Dischord Records. I discovered Jawbox through Dischord and came on board with their second full-length album. This album is considered one of their better albums and was their first major label release. This song was inspired by the novel Crash, by J.G. Ballard. A great way to kick off 2013 and my return to the blog with SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Predictable"--Avail, Satiate (1992):
My good friend Todd loved Avail and still loves them more than anyone I know. This song is off of their first album. It is not a real raging song but solid for sure. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Stray Heart"--Green Day, Dos! (2012):
The second part of the most recent trilogy from Green Day, I am still in the process of digesting this album. But, let's be honest, Green Day is not really breaking new ground. They do their thing, and I dig it. I am more history with their older stuff and think of their newer stuff, it will be awhile before they match what they did with American Idiot, but SHUFFLE GOODNESS for sure.
4. "Plumbline"--Archers of Loaf, Seconds Before the Accident (live) (2000):
All of Archers of Loaf's catalog was just re-mastered and re-released by Merge Records last year. They were all packaged with bonus discs and are excellent. The one exception is this album. This was their last release, a live album recorded in 1998 at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC. This song is one of my favorite Archers song, though this live version is a bit slower than the studio version. Either way, definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Bodhisattva"--Steely Dan, A Decade of Steely Dan (1986):
Steely Dan was always a radio band for me that I knew but did not pay much attention to. However, while in college, a friend of mine shared this album with me, a greatest hits collection that brought me a greater appreciation of the Dan. I find this album to be great driving music. I definitely do not get all of the musical intricacies of the Dan's nerd rock, but I dig it. That being said, this song is not one of my favorites but is still absolutely SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Jawbox is one of my all-time favorite bands. I saw them live multiple times in the 90s and love their music. J. Robbins, the lead singer/guitarist, is now leading Office of Future Plans, who put out a great debut album in 2011 on Dischord Records. I discovered Jawbox through Dischord and came on board with their second full-length album. This album is considered one of their better albums and was their first major label release. This song was inspired by the novel Crash, by J.G. Ballard. A great way to kick off 2013 and my return to the blog with SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "Predictable"--Avail, Satiate (1992):
My good friend Todd loved Avail and still loves them more than anyone I know. This song is off of their first album. It is not a real raging song but solid for sure. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Stray Heart"--Green Day, Dos! (2012):
The second part of the most recent trilogy from Green Day, I am still in the process of digesting this album. But, let's be honest, Green Day is not really breaking new ground. They do their thing, and I dig it. I am more history with their older stuff and think of their newer stuff, it will be awhile before they match what they did with American Idiot, but SHUFFLE GOODNESS for sure.
4. "Plumbline"--Archers of Loaf, Seconds Before the Accident (live) (2000):
All of Archers of Loaf's catalog was just re-mastered and re-released by Merge Records last year. They were all packaged with bonus discs and are excellent. The one exception is this album. This was their last release, a live album recorded in 1998 at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC. This song is one of my favorite Archers song, though this live version is a bit slower than the studio version. Either way, definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Bodhisattva"--Steely Dan, A Decade of Steely Dan (1986):
Steely Dan was always a radio band for me that I knew but did not pay much attention to. However, while in college, a friend of mine shared this album with me, a greatest hits collection that brought me a greater appreciation of the Dan. I find this album to be great driving music. I definitely do not get all of the musical intricacies of the Dan's nerd rock, but I dig it. That being said, this song is not one of my favorites but is still absolutely SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Week of October 29, 2012
1. "Oh Comely"--Neutral Milk Hotel, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea (1998):
Neutral Milk Hotel has a huge cult following, and this album is widely considered their masterpiece. I have to admit I missed the boat a little with these guys. Released on my beloved Merge Records, this music should have been on my radar when it came out, but I missed it. However, I have tried to catch up with it some and definitely am a fan of this album. I would not say this track is one of the better known songs, but it is solid. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
2. "It's Not My Birthday"--They Might Be Giants, Then: The Earlier Years (Disc 2) (1997):
This 2-disc set of TMBG's songs is more than enough for me. I always liked the band's singles but never had the stamina to listen to their entire albums. My guess is that they would be amazingly fun live, but I have never had the pleasure. Interestingly, since they have lately delved into making kid-friendly music, I have actually really enjoyed those a lot. Most of the music for kids is too painful to listen to, so I really like listening to TMBG with my kids. This song is not amazing but solid TMBG. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Power Supply"--Portastatic, Some Small History (Disc 1) (2008):
Being a huge Superchunk fan puts Mac McCaughan at the top of my list of favorite songwriters. Whenever Superchunk is on hiatus, Portastatic is Mac's outlet. There are 6 studio albums and this compilation. He is the sole songwriter and gets other folks to help when he tours as a band. This compilation, 2-disc set was a longtime coming. Fans had been clamoring for a compilation of b-sides, covers, and unreleased demos. This 2 disc set is it. This song is an original and is a slower acoustic number. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "I Wanna Know Girls"--Portastatic, Bright Ideas (2005):
Back to back with Mac! Bright Ideas came out in 2005 and was an important Mac fix for me as it was right in the middle of the huge Superchunk hiatus from 2001 to 2010. This song was one of my favorites off of this awesome album. It features the best Public Enemy allusion in its lyrics that I know of: "Cause love is like an uzi, It weighs a ton." SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Rockin' The Paradise"--Styx, Paradise Theater (1981):
One of the albums that I owned on vinyl back in the day. I was in middle school when it came out. The vinyl was way cool with etchings of the band's logo. Ultimately, this was the only Styx album that I owned, but they were a solid radio band for me. This song coming up on the shuffle right now is particularly apropos because I am watching the t.v. show "Freaks and Geeks" for the first time (I was out of the country when it originally aired) and am loving it. The show places music in scenes as well as any show that I have ever seen, and Styx is featured in several episodes. This song has not shown up yet, but there is a chance since the show is set in the 1980/81 school year, and this album was released in January. This song is also a great example of the limitations of the mp3 format and the shuffle. Technically, this song should be preceded by "A.D. 1928," which is the slow lead into this song that is more rock. On the album they flow into each other seamlessly. The link above should make it clear. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Neutral Milk Hotel has a huge cult following, and this album is widely considered their masterpiece. I have to admit I missed the boat a little with these guys. Released on my beloved Merge Records, this music should have been on my radar when it came out, but I missed it. However, I have tried to catch up with it some and definitely am a fan of this album. I would not say this track is one of the better known songs, but it is solid. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
2. "It's Not My Birthday"--They Might Be Giants, Then: The Earlier Years (Disc 2) (1997):
This 2-disc set of TMBG's songs is more than enough for me. I always liked the band's singles but never had the stamina to listen to their entire albums. My guess is that they would be amazingly fun live, but I have never had the pleasure. Interestingly, since they have lately delved into making kid-friendly music, I have actually really enjoyed those a lot. Most of the music for kids is too painful to listen to, so I really like listening to TMBG with my kids. This song is not amazing but solid TMBG. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Power Supply"--Portastatic, Some Small History (Disc 1) (2008):
Being a huge Superchunk fan puts Mac McCaughan at the top of my list of favorite songwriters. Whenever Superchunk is on hiatus, Portastatic is Mac's outlet. There are 6 studio albums and this compilation. He is the sole songwriter and gets other folks to help when he tours as a band. This compilation, 2-disc set was a longtime coming. Fans had been clamoring for a compilation of b-sides, covers, and unreleased demos. This 2 disc set is it. This song is an original and is a slower acoustic number. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "I Wanna Know Girls"--Portastatic, Bright Ideas (2005):
Back to back with Mac! Bright Ideas came out in 2005 and was an important Mac fix for me as it was right in the middle of the huge Superchunk hiatus from 2001 to 2010. This song was one of my favorites off of this awesome album. It features the best Public Enemy allusion in its lyrics that I know of: "Cause love is like an uzi, It weighs a ton." SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Rockin' The Paradise"--Styx, Paradise Theater (1981):
One of the albums that I owned on vinyl back in the day. I was in middle school when it came out. The vinyl was way cool with etchings of the band's logo. Ultimately, this was the only Styx album that I owned, but they were a solid radio band for me. This song coming up on the shuffle right now is particularly apropos because I am watching the t.v. show "Freaks and Geeks" for the first time (I was out of the country when it originally aired) and am loving it. The show places music in scenes as well as any show that I have ever seen, and Styx is featured in several episodes. This song has not shown up yet, but there is a chance since the show is set in the 1980/81 school year, and this album was released in January. This song is also a great example of the limitations of the mp3 format and the shuffle. Technically, this song should be preceded by "A.D. 1928," which is the slow lead into this song that is more rock. On the album they flow into each other seamlessly. The link above should make it clear. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Week of October 22, 2012
1. "Our Lips Are Sealed"--Jane Wiedlin, 80's Hits Stripped (2006):
This CD is pretty awesome. Since I have given him credit for some of the shameful songs, I have to give my friend Mark credit for this good stuff as well. I was not a huge fan of the Go Gos back in the day, but this song is pretty nice as an acoustic. This whole album is the original artists doing their "hits" acoustically. It's good stuff. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
2. "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got"--Sinead O'Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990):
Sinead O'Connor's second album broke her into the spotlight as well as some infamy for her appearance on SNL. I was a fan of hers from her first album and never minded her politics. She has an incredible voice. This title track from the album is an a cappella song that is good within the context of the album. Though not as good standing alone, it is still SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Silver Lining"--Rilo Kiley, Under the Blacklight (2007):
If I had to recommend one Rilo Kiley song, this would be it (more credit to Mark for this one as well). This song is off of their last album--they appear to be either broken up or on indefinite hiatus. I do not know a ton about this band but know this album pretty well. Great song. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "Citizens of Tomorrow"--Tokyo Police Club, A Lesson in Crime (2006):
Tokyo Police Club has a similar vibe as The Killers. This song is one of their songs that got me hooked on them and is one of their best. I think this EP and their next album, Elephant Shell, are their best. They are one of the more recent bands that I follow and look forward to releasing new material. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Going Home"--Luna, Bewitched (1994):
Though I am not a huge fan of Luna, this album is a classic. Luna is Dean Wareham's band after he left Galaxie 500. Regardless of whether you are fan of his music, Dean Wareham has written one of the best rock music memoirs that I have ever read. I highly recommend his book Black Postcards: A Memoir for anyone who enjoys reading about musicians, bands, and their lifestyles. He manages to be both arrogant and humble throughout the book, as he is very self-effacing about his role in these bands and how he interacted with his band mates. As for this song, it is solid. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
This CD is pretty awesome. Since I have given him credit for some of the shameful songs, I have to give my friend Mark credit for this good stuff as well. I was not a huge fan of the Go Gos back in the day, but this song is pretty nice as an acoustic. This whole album is the original artists doing their "hits" acoustically. It's good stuff. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
2. "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got"--Sinead O'Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990):
Sinead O'Connor's second album broke her into the spotlight as well as some infamy for her appearance on SNL. I was a fan of hers from her first album and never minded her politics. She has an incredible voice. This title track from the album is an a cappella song that is good within the context of the album. Though not as good standing alone, it is still SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Silver Lining"--Rilo Kiley, Under the Blacklight (2007):
If I had to recommend one Rilo Kiley song, this would be it (more credit to Mark for this one as well). This song is off of their last album--they appear to be either broken up or on indefinite hiatus. I do not know a ton about this band but know this album pretty well. Great song. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
4. "Citizens of Tomorrow"--Tokyo Police Club, A Lesson in Crime (2006):
Tokyo Police Club has a similar vibe as The Killers. This song is one of their songs that got me hooked on them and is one of their best. I think this EP and their next album, Elephant Shell, are their best. They are one of the more recent bands that I follow and look forward to releasing new material. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Going Home"--Luna, Bewitched (1994):
Though I am not a huge fan of Luna, this album is a classic. Luna is Dean Wareham's band after he left Galaxie 500. Regardless of whether you are fan of his music, Dean Wareham has written one of the best rock music memoirs that I have ever read. I highly recommend his book Black Postcards: A Memoir for anyone who enjoys reading about musicians, bands, and their lifestyles. He manages to be both arrogant and humble throughout the book, as he is very self-effacing about his role in these bands and how he interacted with his band mates. As for this song, it is solid. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
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