The Daily Play-List

2010 Quarter 1 Mixtape

2010-05-17T19:52:00.004-05:00

Alright folks! I was going to post this much earlier in the month, but with such a hefty collection of solid releases in May I really wanted to hold a little bit. That, and I wasn't too floored by anything that came out before this month (sure there were albums I liked, but nothing hit me on the level of say, High Violet or This Is Happening). SO. Take these 13 tracks (whittled from about 30) and see how we compare on a year that I believe still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

01. Crystal Castles - Doe Deer
I love how every CC review begins, "Holy shit we wanted to hate this album, but..." BUT this song is just manic as all get-out. The fuzz and wail; the way the electronics seem to evolve into an uncontrollable force the more the song progresses. This baby's raw energy.

02. Yeasayer - Ambling Alp
I've heard a fair amount of beef about the Yeasayer record. Perhaps it's justified. I've kind of grown a tendency of immediate eyeroll at the mention of an 80s-pop influenced record. I think this song is a commendable way to approach it; have your own sound, let the influence bleed through in choice aspects of the recording (in this case, those massive stadium drums). And I just like the hook a lot. "Wear your wounds with pride." And also that sick organ solo at the end.

03. Surfer Blood - Fast Jabroni
On the whole, the Surfer Blood record seemed a bit derivative. I'm contradicting myself already. Because this song is essentially one of those trendy 80s throwback tracks. I guess I love the melody enough to excuse the things I don't like about it? I also like how it takes the pop-punk-ish turn at the "Just think it over" part. It didn't have to, but maybe that's what makes it good. It's kind of a breezy, fun song that I can see having a lot of replay, especially during summer.

04. Woods - Suffering Season
Oh, Woods. Woods is so bizarre. Because they seem like they've got this schizophrenic are-we-psychedelic-or-are-we-a-folk-band thing going. But with this song they just subvert expectations and say, "let's just write an incredible pop song in our own way." "Who knows what tomorrow will bring?" Amen. This seems more like a mission statement for them as a band than just a song lyric. I love the drum double-time change-up, which I know can be a source of contention for some. It just does it for me.

05. Nada Surf - Electrocution
Nada Surf? What the hell. This is a cover of someone called Bill Fox, with whom I am unfamiliar. This is just a solid pop rock song with great harmonies and a fantastic progression. You know, sometimes that's all it really takes.

06. Sonny & The Sunsets - She Plays Yo-Yo With My Mind
Sonny & the Sunsets' record Tomorrow is Alright is great, with a lot of great tracks. But for some reason, this song, which was done for the second (fantastic) Raven Sings the Blues compilation is the best I've heard from them. I love the pace, the way it builds, the smoothness in instrumentation. Overall, just a cool ass song.

07. Adam Green - What Makes Him Act So Bad?
So Adam Green, one half of one of my most reviled groups of all time, The Moldy Peaches, wrote a fucking gem of a song here. Like the Sonny song, it's just a mellow, well-paced rock song. And as a person who has been questioning why I am the way I am, I can surely agree with the sentiment.

08. Joanna Newsom - On A Good Day
Have One On Me is still pretty hard for me to get into. I love certain tracks, but listening front to back is like knocking off The Fountainhead in an afternoon. This song just shows that she doesn't need to write ambling narratives to write great songs. "Hey hey hey the end is near. On a good day you can see the end from here." That might be my favorite line of the year so far.

09. The National - Conversation 16
High Violet is the only album so far this year that I can legit put up there with my favorites of the past few years (to decade). And honestly, I'm not even sure if "Conversation 16" is my favorite or the best track on it. I love them all in their own way. I think I chose this as the one because, well, not a lot of songs have a "surprise zombie chorus" that mysteriously arrives halfway through the song (listen to the drums on the "I'm evil" chorus; brilliant). And it might showcase some of Matt Berninger's best lyrical work on the album. "You'd never believe the shitty thoughts I think." Sounds like something I can connect with.

(Note: Due to artist request, "Bloodbuzz, Ohio" has been inserted into the list as a replacement. Like I said, with an album so full of amazing tracks, this is no big deal.)

10. Titus Andronicus - No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future
I have proclaimed this as my favorite track of the year, but I'm not so sure anymore. It's way up there ("Suffering Season" may have the honor right now). I have been starting to feel a disconnect from the more electronic side of the indie spectrum. I think that there's going to be a backlash to the Beach Houses and Yeasayers out there in favor of more angry rock music. I love this song's emotion and honesty, and it's such a refreshing change from songs that don't really seem to be about anything.

11. Harlem - Friendly Ghost
This was the best show I saw of the first quarter so far, far and away, hands down. Harlem has potential to do a lot of great things. It's always a close call between this song and "Gay Human Bones." I chose this one because it's more concise. And I love the melody.

12. Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill
I have a lot of conflicting views on Sleigh Bells. On one hand, they write some good pop songs. On the other hand, they feel like a band created by some hipster-capitalization machine. Treats completely feels like Brooklyn bait, but so be it. How can an album be so loud and abrasive and yet so gay at the same time? They have this weird dichotomy of wanting to be hard and wanting to be super poppy, and I'm not sure if it's successful. Having said all that, I think the album would be a wash without "Rill Rill," which stands out in that it isn't their super-loud formula. This song is going to soundtrack summers; and I don't see that as a bad thing.

13. LCD Soundsystem - All I Want
I've been watching a fair amount of interviews with James Murphy recently; and jeez that guy's smart. That intelligence in range of influence is felt in the music, and his intelligence of the human condition is reflected in his lyrics. I'm excited for This is Happening to grow on me more and more, because I feel it's only going to start making more and more sense the older I get. I think there hasn't been a straight LCD backlash yet because Murphy has never dumbed shit down to his listeners. He assumes that the people he's writing for are in, or have been in, the same places he is/was; which might not necessarily the case. But he puts himself out there. There's a bizarre reverse psychology in his music; where most artists do their best to write something relatable, Murphy is opening his door up and asking you to walk in, not meeting you on the front lawn. And that's brave, and the payoff is great.

8tracks: External:

Best,
Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (10-1)

2010-03-11T16:34:00.004-06:00

Alright everyone!! Here's the final installment of my 100 favorite tracks project. Thanks a bunch for checking this out.

Where we've been:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
050. Elephant Gun - Beirut
049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull
048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello
047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines
046. M79 - Vampire Weekend
045. The Wind - Cat Stevens
044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy
042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
040. Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins
039. Here Should Be My Home - No Age
038. Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams
037. So Far Around the Bend - The National
036. Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
035. I Only Want to Be With You - Dusty Springfield
034. July, July! - The Decemberists
033. I Want You - Bob Dylan
032. No Rain - Blind Melon
031. Answering Machine - The Replacements
030. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and Be Loved) - Bright Eyes
029. Throwing It All Away - Genesis
028. Street Fighting Man - Rolling Stones
027. Disney Girls (1957) - Beach Boys
026. Incident On 57th Street - Bruce Springsteen
025. This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies
024. Life on Mars? - David Bowie
023. Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets
022. I'm A Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian
021. Mama's Pearl - Jackson 5
020. 11:59 - Blondie
019. Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations
018. Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads
017. Come On! Feel The Illinoise!: Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition/Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream - Sufjan Stevens
016. Fake Empire - The National
015. Honey In The Sun - Camera Obscura
014. Nightswimming - R.E.M.
013. The Way Young Lovers Do - Van Morrison
012. Train in Vain - The Clash
011. Wait, Wait, Wait - The Format

010. Skyway - The Replacements (http://is.gd/ag3ku)
As a sidenote, Paul Westerberg looks exactly like Thomas Jane in that video. This track is just gorgeous. I love how Westerberg takes such a mundane act of waiting for a ride in downtown Minneapolis and finds this song. Just perfect, tight, and excellent.

009. See You Later - Elliott Smith (http://is.gd/ag58B)
This is kind of an unknown Elliott Smith song. He wrote it when he was with the band Heatmiser, but always played it live solo. It found remastered home on the poorly-named New Moon. This track is, of course, a heartbreaking look at Elliott's addictions and depression. I wish I could say, you know, "I love this song!" but hearing Elliott's pain is devastating to me. But, the fact that he can draw these visceral emotions out of me makes me realize what I love about music. I listen to music to feel something, anything. Just the fact that such beauty can come out of such sadness is the sign of true art.

008. Cemetry Gates - The Smiths (http://is.gd/ag6Lj)
This is the only album, The Queen is Dead, that has two tracks on this list. This song is so clever, and a testament to how great of a songwriter Morrissey is. I love the allusions and the little bits of philosophy he imparts in a catchy pop song. I just realized how pretty evenly divided this top 10 list is among the decades. This track is perfect example of why the 80s produced some of the best pop music of all time; better than the 90s and 00s and debatable to the 70s

007. Rock and Roll - Velvet Underground (http://is.gd/ag7BB)
This track has it all: the great rhythm and guitar, Lou Reed showing that he doesn't have to be completely abrasive and maybe, just maybe, he can write a straight solid rock and roll song, an incredible hook and blistering guitar solos. Looking back on Minutemen's "History Lesson - Part II," ("Punk rock changed our lives") this song, released in 1970, has the exact same mentality. Times and sensibilities change, but the power of music as an outlet for rebellion and escape is constant.

006. Stuck Between Stations - The Hold Steady (http://is.gd/ag9rL)
Just like what I said about The National, The Hold Steady's Craig Finn writes about America. This song, I think, is his masterpiece in that regard; full of literary allusions, colloquial references and common threads that tie us all together as Americans. Finn delivers these intelligent lines with so much vitriol; chocked full of piss, vinegar & Pabst. I don't think I could pick a favorite line if I tried. And on top of everything this track rips and roars, and then hits you with that smooth, almost Bruce Hornsby-esque bridge.

005. Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen (http://is.gd/aga5i)
Springsteen is incredible for a lot of reasons, but what I love him most for is his overabundance of incredible lyrics. This song clocks in at about 5:00, and throughout most of it the Boss is singing (lyrics: http://is.gd/ahDgh). I'm sure you've heard this song, so I don't need to give you a play-by-play. Some of my favorite parts: "Come take my hand/We're riding out tonight to case the promise land," "Your graduation gown lies in rags at their feet," and the hopelessly "triumphant" end.

004. For No One - The Beatles (http://is.gd/agauv)
This is my favorite Beatles song, which is sort of odd, because it was recorded solely by Ringo and Paul, who are not my favorite Beatles. But, this song is emblematic of why the Beatles are incredible: even deeper cuts on their records were perfectly crafted pop music. They couldn't write bad pop songs. It just didn't happen. The French Horn in this song is perfect, too.

003. Holland, 1945 - Neutral Milk Hotel (http://is.gd/aiA)
THE song of the 1990s. Where to begin with this one? I'll start with just general attitude and work backwards: this song is manic. Everything about this song sounds like it belongs in a schizophrenic's head. Musically, to this day I've never heard a guitar song like that fuzzy, raucous acoustic monster Jeff Mangum's playing. The drums and rhythm are powerful and officious. The vocals are just all over the map and furious. The horns just fan the flames that is this song. The lyrics are completely obsurd: basically a historial account/sympathy letter to Anne Frank. I don't think there has been a more powerful song written in the "indie" canon to this day.

002. I Want You Back - Jackson 5 (http://is.gd/agegM)
OK! So this is my favorite pop song ever written. Simply enough. If you've heard this song and not liked it, excuse me, but there is something seriously wrong with you. I could pick out dozens of things I love about this song, but it really boils down to 1 thing: the chord progression. Flawless, unapologetic, up-beat, brilliant pop music.

001. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan (http://is.gd/aggXd)
I don't care if this is cliche. This song is the culmination of everything I love in a song. As I discussed in the intro, I think a good critic has to draw lines between what's good and what they like. But, for me, when I listen to music, the historical significance of the song or album plays into my enjoyment. Like, "Like A Rolling Stone" wasn't created in a vaccuum. It's important to see where/when the song was born to understand its creation. I don't even know where to begin with this one either. It's the ultimate triumph of iconoclastic songwriting, both sonically and lyrically. The words are the voice of the changing guard of every era. And the voice of changing ways. I constantly find myself in a state of transition, and this song screams into that void of uncertainty.

I recently heard this song back-to-back with "The Times They Are A-Changing." "Like A Rolling Stone" is the next step in the percieved peaceful revolution. Like, instead of changing times it's, "Times have changed. Learn to live in the new world or die. And PS. Go fuck yourself." This changing attitude also coincided with Dylan going electric. Listen to this track closely and acoustic instruments (guitar and piano) are isolated to one channel and electric (organ and guitar) are isolated to the other. Dude was battling himself and his changing musical ways in his own song!

I also spoke of the "Knock out" verse earlier. This entire song is a knockout verse. It could end at any time, but just when you think it could end he comes right back, "Awwwwww! Princess on the steeple..." And every verse is perfect.

What else. The chorus. "HOW DOES IT FEEL?!" The way those words are sung just cuts through everything with a hot knife of disdain and anger. Please, I impore you, if you've never seen the video I posted for this song, watch it. He's literally screaming into the mic as these passive folk-fucks stare blankly into this typhoon of protest. When the so-called forces of change aren't forceful enough you have to be bigger than they are. This song is why Bob Dylan is revolutionary. And why this is my favorite song of all time.

Thanks a lot for checking this out.

8tracks: External:

Best,
Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (20-11)

2010-03-10T15:26:00.006-06:00

Alright. We're down to the last couple entries here. Feel encouraged to let me know if you want .mp3s of any of this.

And we're off... again:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
050. Elephant Gun - Beirut
049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull
048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello
047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines
046. M79 - Vampire Weekend
045. The Wind - Cat Stevens
044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy
042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
040. Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins
039. Here Should Be My Home - No Age
038. Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams
037. So Far Around the Bend - The National
036. Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
035. I Only Want to Be With You - Dusty Springfield
034. July, July! - The Decemberists
033. I Want You - Bob Dylan
032. No Rain - Blind Melon
031. Answering Machine - The Replacements
030. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and Be Loved) - Bright Eyes
029. Throwing It All Away - Genesis
028. Street Fighting Man - Rolling Stones
027. Disney Girls (1957) - Beach Boys
026. Incident On 57th Street - Bruce Springsteen
025. This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies
024. Life on Mars? - David Bowie
023. Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets
022. I'm A Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian
021. Mama's Pearl - Jackson 5

Getting close to home!

020. 11:59 - Blondie (http://is.gd/a9NGn)
And we're back to CBGB! Who would have thought cute little Debbie Harry would have been such a genre-bridging music icon? "11:59" is just a damn fine New Wave track, and (along with #18, as you will see) is just a testament to how diverse the scene at CBGB was in the late 70s. It's a deeper cut off of Parallel Lines, their most well-known album, and it was written by Jimmy Destri, probably their least-known songwriter. I love the transition from the intro to the verse. And the consonace in the opening lines is awesome.

019. Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations (http://is.gd/a9Oap)
Of course this is the culmination of the "Erik is a pussy" theory. But more importantly, David Ruffin just kills it. I love how the drums are like a little warning before that monster, soulful voice comes in. I also have a special relationship with this song on account of The Temptations made-for-TV movie where Leon as Ruffin steals the mic after quitting the group. Just Perfect.

018. Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads (http://is.gd/a9Oy3)
AGAIN with the CBGB! This song is so fantastic! The break beat, that funky bassline, the hook, and David Fucking Byrne being totally batshit brilliant. One thing that separates the Talking Heads from someone like Paul Simon (and concordantly, today, Vampire Weekend from Dirty Projectors) is the difference between using a style (like Graceland and Vampire Weekend S/T being essentially afropop albums) and blending influences to create your own style (like Remain in Light and Bitte Orca using afropop and hip-hop and everything else and melding it together). I personally love all of the aforementioned albums, but I admire the latter style a bit more. This track just does it for me. I love the last verse especially.

017. Come On! Feel The Illinoise!: Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition/Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream - Sufjan Stevens (http://is.gd/a9P3K)
It's odd that this set has 3 of the 5 or so songs on the list in different time signatures (this one being 5/4, #17 being 3/4 and #13 being 3/4, I think?). This song goes along with the same reason I love Beirut so much: cultivating an aesthetic. Just the instruments and everything makes me feel like I'm at the Chicago World's Fair. The lyrics are so the reason why Sufjan is an incredibe songwriter: the ability to squeeze emotional meaning and broader signficance out of history and places and things. Then the turn into part 2 is so beautiful. "Are you writing from the heart?"

016. Fake Empire - The National (http://is.gd/a9Pyj)
Once again we have The National. Everything that's good about them is on display here: the slow unfurling culminating with the brilliant horn cacophony at the end, the drums and bass (my god when the drums synch with the groove of the piano!), and the lyrics. The National, like a lot of my favorite bands, write about America. And this song in particular I think captures the jaded-ness (?) and disaffection a lot of us feel about being in this country.

015. Honey In The Sun - Camera Obscura (http://is.gd/a9PYN)
OK! Going along with what I previously said about Camera Obscura: I don't care if you only do one thing if that one thing is write beautiful, catchy pop songs. Now, I heard criticism of this song being too long, which I will refute with my theory of the "Knock-out Verse." One of my favorite musical devices is when an artist loads a song with words (when the words are good, obviously). A knock-out verse is a verse thrown in at an obvious ending point in a song. My favorite example is in "Born to Run" (at 3:00), but this song uses it effectively and wonderfully. I guess my whole love of Camera Obscure is based on "too much of a good thing."

014. Nightswimming - R.E.M. (http://is.gd/a9Qwz)
This song is just so basic and beautiful. That powerful circular piano riff coupled with those gorgeous, nostalgic lyrics. It always enthralls me.

013. The Way Young Lovers Do - Van Morrison (N/A)
I hate how this song isn't available online (aside from my 8tracks list!). Astral Weeks is maybe my favorite album of all time, and this song is my favorite on it. The bass is incredible (interesting side note, the man, Richard Davis, who played bass on this album, also contributed bass on Born to Run. He's also a professor at the University of Wisconsin, which is cool.) The vocals are Van Morrison, so they're nuts. And throw on top of it those championship horns?! This song is unbelievable. My favorite moment(s) is the transition into the "Then we sat on our own star..." So jazzy and funky.

012. Train in Vain - The Clash (http://is.gd/a9Swv)
The Clash are so versatile. And, it may be a bit of a slight to pick one of their most popular songs as a favorite; but, The Clash were as much a pop group as they were a punk band. Sure, they wrote unbelievable songs about the disenfranchised underclasses, but they also wrote excellent pop songs. And their are fewer better pop songs than "Train in Vain." Joe Strummer just sings this song with such passion. "Stand by me/Or not at all."

011. Wait, Wait, Wait - The Format (http://is.gd/a9STp)
Once again, this song is a prime testament to the "Greatest vs. Favorite" list concept. The Format is/was an (now-defunct) underappreciated indie-pop band from the early/middle part of the decade. I don't understand how these guys didn't catch on; Interventions + Lullabies (the album this song is off of) is full of the same type of well-crafted pop songs as the much-praised Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, just with slightly rougher production. "Wait, Wait, Wait" is full of amazing one-liners, a flawless melody, great harmony and an excellent hook. Do yourself a favor and listen to it if you've never heard it. And read the lyrics: http://is.gd/aaSbu

8tracks: External:

Sliding Home,
Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (30-21)

2010-03-09T19:26:00.006-06:00

Once again, no pithy snark for you.

Recapitulation:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
050. Elephant Gun - Beirut
049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull
048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello
047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines
046. M79 - Vampire Weekend
045. The Wind - Cat Stevens
044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy
042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
040. Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins
039. Here Should Be My Home - No Age
038. Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams
037. So Far Around the Bend - The National
036. Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
035. I Only Want to Be With You - Dusty Springfield
034. July, July! - The Decemberists
033. I Want You - Bob Dylan
032. No Rain - Blind Melon
031. Answering Machine - The Replacements

030. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and Be Loved) - Bright Eyes (http://is.gd/a5Gee)
This song is Bright Eyes in 9:00. The crash course. It breaks up pretty much all of his themes and distills them verse by verse: human commentary, political ire, personal tragedy and tied all together with love. The scene of him and his father in the hospital is some of the most moving words put to music. This is also probably as close to a Bob Dylan song that's ever been produced. Musically, just a solid rebel country song. But the centerpiece here are the lyrics. The fact that they can take a riff, run with it for 9 minutes and keep me completely enthralled is a testament to how great the words are.

029. Throwing It All Away - Genesis (http://is.gd/a5LJK)
Phil Collins: the fucking melody man. There's a definite schism in the history of Genesis, from prog to pop. And for me, I favor the latter incarnation, mostly because of Phil Collins. The melody on this song is remarkable; and it never gets old for me.

028. Street Fighting Man - Rolling Stones (http://is.gd/a5M6v)
This song is just pure rock and roll. Whenever I hear the guitar riff I get wild-eyed like Zack Attack. I can't really say much more. Rock and roll, man.

027. Disney Girls (1957) - Beach Boys (http://is.gd/a5Mzr)
"All my life I've spent the night with dreams of you." This is just a gorgeous love song with a fantastic melody. This is the kind of love I think everyone aspires to find one day. Even if you don't realize it now, growing old with someone is something to revere and covet.

026. Incident On 57th Street - Bruce Springsteen (http://is.gd/a5MUG)
This is the first cut on my favorite record side of all time (Side 2 of The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle). This song is everything I love about the Boss: great lyrics, tight and deceptively complex instrumentation, and a great narrative. Bruce just captures the sights, sounds and mood of his place and time so well.

025. This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies (http://is.gd/a5N84)
Oddessey and Oracle is a brilliant album on par with Sgt. Pepper's and Pet Sounds, and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. This is pretty much a flawless pop song, and one of the best love songs ever written. This block of tracks has been pretty stacked with awesome melodies, and this song is no different.

024. Life on Mars? - David Bowie (http://is.gd/a5Nks)
Looking back, I think "Queen Bitch" would have been on this list. My bad. But "Life On Mars?" is my favorite Bowie song. If you've ever partied in Madison you can relate to the lyrics, and the chorus is just a monster. I love this song.

023. Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets (http://is.gd/a5NAS)
What up Mike Skinner?! The Streets is one of, if not the, most original thing to come out in hip-hop in the 2000s. This song is the only straight-up funny track on this list, and it doesn't disppoint. Probably my favorite song to throw on at a party. "Oi oi oi oi!"

022. I'm A Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian (http://is.gd/a5O9k)
Just like "July, July!" and The Decemberists, there are a dozen Belle & Sebastian songs that could be on this list. But I always come back to "I'm A Cuckoo." How can you hear this song and not fall in love with it? I'm finding my descriptions getting less and less expository as we get closer to #1, but it makes sense; it's hard to explain why we specifically love something that we feel strong connection to.

021. Mama's Pearl - Jackson 5 (http://is.gd/a5OuT)
If you haven't noticed, I'm a sucker for great pop songs. And, really, there was no better time and place than 60s/70s Motown for pop music. I look at this song and "I Want You Back" as long-lost twins born two years apart. Once again, no great explanation for this track: I just always love to hear it. Funny story, the demo version of this song was hilariously called "Guess Who's Making Whoopie (With Your Girlfriend)" but was changed to keep with Michael's child-like image. OK, now I know Michael had a lot in his life to screw him up; but has anyone thought he had messed up sexual issues because he was singing about nailing girls since he was born, basically? Think about it.

8tracks: External:

Woah we're close!
Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (40-31)

2010-03-08T20:35:00.004-06:00

I don't have any clever lead-in.

Recap:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
050. Elephant Gun - Beirut
049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull
048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello
047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines
046. M79 - Vampire Weekend
045. The Wind - Cat Stevens
044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy
042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke

040-031:
040. Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins (http://is.gd/a0blC)
I have always admired this song more than my significant distaste for Stevie Nicks. It's such a perfect expression of transition ("I climbed a mountain and I turned around.") I like this version so much more than the original, because I think Corgan's voice just nails it. And he sings these lyrics so emphatically he may as well have written them.

039. Here Should Be My Home - No Age (http://is.gd/a0bSj)
This is a newer track by lo-fi duo No Age. Songs like this are the beauty of the "greatest vs. favorite" debate. Now, I know this probably isn't the 39th greatest song ever written, but there are few musical moments that I love more than when the drums open up halfway through this song; just, so much attitude and energy. And I am always struck by the delivery on the line "If I'm around here, then here should be my home/But it's not at all."

038. Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams (BAD covers only on YouTube)
My two favorite country albums of all time are Johnny Cash as Folsom and Lucinda Williams' Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. The whole album is full of raw emotion, which is what I look for with country music. I mean there's always a place for a clever turn of phrase like a Neko Case song, but my heart just melts for simple country girls. The sentiment on the chorus of this song is so devastatingly self-deprecating. "All I ask is don't tell anybody the secrets/Don't tell anybody the secrets I told you." Like, you can do whatever you want to me and it's fine, just please keep what we had between us. And delivered in the drawl, Lucinda, I'm yours.

037. So Far Around the Bend - The National (http://is.gd/a0dy1)
Woah this song and band snuck up on me. I don't know what took me so long. Like, I heard Boxer, and thought it was good. And I heard this song on Dark Was The Night, and must have just overlooked it. But after rediscovering it via Tim Kringle's 2009 review I went back and looked at the National's catalog. And now they are one of my favorite bands. OK. This song. Things I intensely love about this song: 1. Patience. The National is as good as they are because of their rhythm section; the backbone. This song doesn't rush. It unfolds wonderfully. If you need any evidence of their great rhythm section just look at 2:00 into this song. 2. The lyrics (especially the unnecessary and brilliant second chorus). 3. Nico Muhly's whimsical and lovely orchestration. Such a great song.

036. Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah (http://is.gd/a0dTe)
No chorus. No need for a chorus. This song is straight fire from the beginning to end. One thing I noticed the last time I heard this song: well, obviously, the beat samples "I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue" by the Dells, and the song begins with the word "Green" over and over. How did I miss this? Well either way, Ghost comes out firing. This may be narratively the most engaging rap song of all time. At a little after 3:00 the story peaks pretty hard and Ghost is "on the floor like, 'Holy Shit!'" and I pretty much feel the same way. I am in awe of this song.

035. I Only Want to Be With You - Dusty Springfield (http://is.gd/a0evo)
This is as close to a perfect pop song as you can get. There really isn't a whole lot of conmplicated justification for why I love it. I just don't think I've ever been in a room where "I Only Want to Be With You" has come on and not been cheered up.

034. July, July! - The Decemberists (http://is.gd/a0f0g)
There are a lot of Decemberists tracks that could have been on this list. But, like the previous track, I don't think "July, July!" has ever come on and not been welcomed. And, of course it's just emblematic of Colin Meloy's hyper-literate and imaginative songwriting and great pop sensibilities.

033. I Want You - Bob Dylan (http://is.gd/a0fvg)
As I said in the intro, this list could have contained most of sides A and B of Blonde on Blonde (specifically "Visions of Johanna," "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again," "I Want You" and "One of Us Must Know [Sooner or Later]"). But I settled on "I Want You," because I tend to associate songs with movie scenes. And this song I associate this this scene (NSFW) http://is.gd/a0Opw, which is my favorite love/sex scene of all time. "The cracked bells and washed out horns blow into my face with scorn/But it's not that way; I wasn't born to lose you."

032. No Rain - Blind Melon (http://is.gd/a0fJL)
This song is possibly the catchiest song about horrible depression of all time. Just heartbreaking lyrics and peppy, pretty music. That's my kind of track. I also like this song for the same reason I like "So Far Around the Bend": its patience. No rush. Just relax and enjoy the late Mr. Hoon's sadness.

031. Answering Machine - The Replacements (http://is.gd/a0g7r)
Let It Be is such an amazing album. I was really close to putting "Unsatisfied" on here, but went with "Answering Machine." I love how it's like an acoustic folk song, but with that tough guitar sound and Paul Westerberg's punk vocals. "Try and free and slave of ignorance/Try and teach a whore about romance." The lyrics to this song are just unbelievable.

8tracks: External:

Woot,
Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (50-41)

2010-03-05T18:28:00.003-06:00

Alright! We're into the second half. This is like marathon blogging for me. Deep breath. OK.

Recap:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys

050. Elephant Gun - Beirut (http://is.gd/9MHDq)
This track further proves my theory on "cultivating an aesthetic." This song is about big game hunting; yet still manages to remain un-corny. I also love the instrumental outro, it reminds me of "Layla," or "Video Killed the Radio Star."

049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull (http://is.gd/9MHQf)
If I understand this song correctly, it's basically a second-person letter to Jesus, which is pretty goddamn awesome. And it's about how if Jesus comes back, how removed he'll feel from us. Cool right? Throw in a great melody and you've got an excellent song. I also love how the song builds, gradually adding pieces until the finish.

048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello (http://is.gd/9MJnX)
If you know me, you know I'm a huge Elvis Costello fan. And I celebrate the man's entire catalog. But I still think Imperial Bedroom may be his most accomplished album. And "Man Out of Time" might be the best song on the album. Amazing lyrics ("Love is always scarpering or cowering or fawning /You drink yourself insensitive and hate yourself in the morning"). I also love the melodic bassline; which is one of the most underappreciated aspects of Costello's songs. But the highlight here is the hook; just fantastic.

047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines (http://is.gd/9MJER)
This is another track that I am not sure has the same gravitas as a lot of the rest of the tracks and artists. But I contend it's one of the best post-punk songs I've ever heard. "You are not your generation" is just an awesome line. This was the 2nd track on my "Best of 2008" CD, so I listened to it pretty constantly for a couple months and never grew tired of it. Now going back I really just savor it.

046. M79 - Vampire Weekend (http://is.gd/9MJWY)
This song has pretty much everything I like about Vampire Weekend: awesome orchestration, clever/creative lyrics, up-beat, and, mostly, Ezra's voice just wailing. I guess I don't see what people's beef is with them. It's just music, man. Either you like it or you don't.

045. The Wind - Cat Stevens (http://is.gd/9MKa3)
Mr. Cat Stevens-Islam. This is a flawless folk song. Such a gorgeous, soulful voice sing gorgeous, soulful words. Follow your heart, everyone.

044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady (http://is.gd/9MKwB)
This song, and just the Hold Steady in general, rock. So hard. "Our psalms are singalong songs." This track has pretty much been go-to summer music since I first heard it. I automatically connect it with my best friends, so it'd hard not to have a special meaning for me.

043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy (http://is.gd/9MKOw)
Say what you will about Fall Out Boy you'd probably be right; on pretty much all accounts. Yes they are kind of douchey. And their followers are pretty much all morons as a general rule. But I am a fan of pop punk. I don't see why you have to sacrifice melody for speed, or edge or attitude. And call Pete Wentz a cock; lord knows I do. But dude writes some clever, heartfelt lyrics.

042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys (http://is.gd/9ML83)
I'll be honest. I first this song as the theme song for the HBO series Hung. And I was never impressed enough by the Black Keys enough to go back into their catalog and listen to everything they put out. But this song is just perfect. Do you ever listen to music and strut? I do. And this song is amazing for that. It's just so soulful and warm (and simultaneously cool).

041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke (http://is.gd/9MLkF)
I feel like I've thrown the word "soul" around a lot in this round, but it is no more pertinent than this song. Just a gloriously gorgeous song born out of so much oppression and heartbreak. I think this might be the most important song on this list, even if it isn't my personal favorite. Man, Sam Cooke's voice is larger than life on this song.

8Tracks: External:

Rounding third!
-Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (60-51)

2010-03-03T19:56:00.006-06:00

This list concludes the first half of the top 100 favorite tracks project. I hope you're enjoying!

So far we've seen:

100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon

060. Newsflash - Windmill (http://is.gd/9DW3z)
Thank goodness for that strange Austrian family who clearly can't understand the lyrics to this song for posting the video. So Windmill is essentially Matthew Thomas Dillon. Now yes, I realize he sounds like a muppet. But, man, what a heartbreaking song. I am a huge fan of divorce music (Blood on the Tracks is a Top 5 album for me), and this song just captures everything I imagine divorce to be. Just these heartbreaking little phrases ("Forgot to cut the grass by the baby's things." "Your dad called 'round confirmed the train is running from the tracks.")

059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith (http://is.gd/9E2IG)
I could probably make a list of my 100 favorite Elliott Smith songs. It was tough limiting my picks to 2 because all of his stuff is so stellar. And he was consistently amazing on every album he made (my favorite is XO). This song is especially great because, while is of course a little depressing, it's not just a blatant suicide note like a lot of his music was (which makes his later work really tough to listen to, I think). Instead it's just his observations, which are simultaneously disarming and funny and sad. This is how I like to remember him.

058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison (N/A, covers only)
This is probably my favorite love song of all time. The lyrics, that groove, those horns. Everything just makes me amorous. Plus, when I was in England I was pretty much listening to Van Morrison nonstop, so I have this personal connection with that specific place and time, which makes me simultaneously nostalgic and happy.

057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon (http://is.gd/9E5vc)
I get into arguments all the time about what was the worsst decade for music. Everyone always says the 1980s. Well, I disagree. I think you show me almost any great act from the 1990s, I'll show you their analogue from the 1980s that was better (with the exception of hip-hop, which I think peaked in the 90s). I think the main this that separated the decades, however, was pop music. In the 80s it was beginning to wane in quality, but in the 90s and 00s it just became wretched. But I look back on these simple pop songs like "You Can Call Me Al" that are so upbeat and catchy, yet manage to smash in some of the most incredible lyrics every to receive mass radio play. Listen to the last verse of this song and not be impressed and moved.

056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks (http://is.gd/9E8zM)
This song is just plain beautiful. I don't have much to say about it that you wouldn't know by hearing it. The concept of a love song from the perspective of a lonely outsider looking in is so imaginative; and the execution on "Waterloo Sunset" is devastating and lovely.

055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9") (http://is.gd/9EcZ1)
Haha. Detroit stand UP! This is the only way Allen Parson's Project is ever going to make it onto anyone's 100 greatest songs list. Man, the drums on this song just BANG. How can you listen to this and not just slam your head up and down? It also helps that the verses, while not completely game changing, are just solid and enjoyable. Front to back this is just an amazing track.

054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths (http://is.gd/9EA30)
Oh man do I love The Queen is Dead. These songs are just so witty and lovely and the melodies are incredible. I take this song as an attack on anyone who has doubted me and been proven wrong. "And if they don't believe us now, will they ever believe us?"

053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks (http://is.gd/9EArN)
I think Singles Going Steady is one of the best punk albums ever. Just awesome, frustrated songs about love. This song also falls into the "Erik is a pussy" category. Because, of course, the answer is Yes to the question posed in the title. But then again, who hasn't?

052. All I Need - The Temptations (http://is.gd/9EAIe)
What up David Ruffin?! I love The Temptations so much, and this track is definitely one of my favorites of theirs. I don't know if there's a name for the type of rhythm the bassist is playing (the same as "You Can't Hurry Love" by the Supremes and a million other songs) but I love it. Just an awesome, soulful song.

051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys (http://is.gd/9EAYO)
This song has been written about ad nauseum so I'll spare you. I'll just take this opportunity to justify why it isn't higher on the list. And it's because of the "Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bap-ba" halfway through. It just sounds kind of corny, and it frustrates me everytime I hear it. But I love everything else about the song so much I can excuse it.

8tracks: External:

Peace and Love,
Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (70-61)

2010-03-02T15:27:00.005-06:00

Alright! So begins the fourth installment of my 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time. What have we seen so far? We've been all over; from mid-1960s folk to modern-day indie rock to old soul to hip-hop. This list does not get any more focused, so be warned. You are in for more unexpectedness:

Recaps: 1, 2, 3:

100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies

070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley (http://is.gd/9yxtM)
I know a lot of Elvis fans are more into his early rock and roll career, but I personally lean towards his '70s big band/Vegas show era; especially "Suspicious Minds." Trust, man. Trust is the key to any adult relationship. Without it you've really got nothing. Because if you don't have it you're constantly thinking about what the other person is doing, and that's not constructive. It just makes you resentful. This song just also feeds into me being a total wuss, too. ("I can't walk out/Because I love you too much, baby.") And the ochestration is awesome, as are the background vocals.

069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp (http://is.gd/9yA7I)
This track sort of seems like an odd pick as I look at it amongst these other ones. I am just a sucker for that electric piano sound. Put that in pretty much anything and I'm in (I'm looking at you, "You're My Best Friend."). And I love how it builds. It starts basic with just Rodger Hodgeson and those keys, then guitar, then bass, then drums. And I always smile when I hear the hook. Just a solid, solid song.

068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder (http://is.gd/9yBO7)
Stevie!!! Woah is his voice just an absolute monster. This song is of course no exception. If this song doesn't bring a smile to your face there is something weird going on between your ears, man. Just a beautiful, positive, happy love song meant to be revered forever.

067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel (http://is.gd/9yD8h)
So we go from one of the most optimistic songs ever written to an earth-shatteringly bleak one. I guess that's how it goes sometimes. "Hello Hello Hello Hello/Goodbye Goodbye Goodbye Goodbye/That's all there is/And the leaves that are green turn to brown." This song is off of their second album, Sounds of Silence. I pretty much celebrate Paul Simon's entire catalogue, so it was tough for me to reduce his songbook down to 2. This song just does it for me. I guess partly because not many people know it, so I feel like it's something I own. I also like how it sounds like it should be in a Wes Anderson movie but just hasn't yet.

066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding (http://is.gd/9yGIt)
I apologize there isn't a full video online. It's a shame, mostly, because watching Otis perform is the best way to experience his music. I've said this a million times, but I consider Otis Redding to be the biggest tragedy in music history. The man died at 26 (and I will forever blame the city of Madison for it). The reason he is such a tragedy is because I think he could have been the true bridge between rock and r&b. He and the Rolling Stones already had sort of a back and forth relationship covering each other's songs, but I think it could have been more. And I hear "Mr. Pitiful" and I just hear raw soul. Such a powerful voice. Dammit. So good.

065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes (http://is.gd/9yIQ6)
What's great about this song are the lyrics. Please read them: http://is.gd/9yK2H. But, what really makes the song unbelievable is the fact that these lyrics are put to, I contend, a pop country track. Like, this could be a Keith Urban song if Keith Urban wrote complex songs about obscure mysticism. And the harmonies are key.

064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut (http://is.gd/9yLhk)
I lovelovelove Beirut. And here's why: above all else, Zach Condon has cultivated an aesthetic. Through his voice, instrument selection, influence and song subject matter he has created a sound that reflects a place and time without being gimmicky. When I hear "Forks and Knives" I think of wealth. You know how you hear rap and they talk about a new car or designer clothes or money and it sounds rich, right? But (and of course I am referring to Chris Rock's "Wealthy vs. Rich" bit) it's not wealthy. I hear this song and I think about a kid who has never worked a day in his life, probably had an au pair, and then coincidentally slept with that au pair, and now summers for years on end in various luxury locales in Europe. And all of that from some kid from New Mexico. Fantastic.

063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura (http://is.gd/9yOXc)
Tracyanne Campbell's voice just knocks me out. I hear the argument pretty frequently that all of their stuff sounds the same. Well, perhaps you're right. But when the one thing you do is perfectly constructed pop music about love and heartbreak, why switch up the formula?

062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case (http://is.gd/9yQG3)
LOL. "You know/They call them killer whales/But you seem surprised/When it pinned you down to the bottom of the tank/Where you can't turn around." In light of everything that's happened recently this song has taken on new meaning. But, in all cases, Neko Case's voice is a force of nature. I don't understand how people can listen to only radio country. I mean, sure, if that's one thing you listen to, whatever. But there are people out there like Neko Case or the Drive-By Truckers or Bright Eyes or Lucinda Williams or etc. etc. who are doing essentially the same thing just a million times better. Anyway, this song is brilliant.

061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon (http://is.gd/9ySup)
Now, I'm not the hugest Spoon fan. I don't take everything they do to be the greatest thing ever. But man was I a huge fan of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga; mostly because of this song and "The Underdog." I love the arrangements and I love the way Britt Daniel's voice sounds, but I think what I love most is the unrelenting snare from start to finish. "Let it go on and on," indeed.

8tracks: External:

Almost half way!
-Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (80-71)

2010-03-01T17:37:00.005-06:00

I really should restrict myself to a more consistent regiment of when I post these. I have no firm schedule. But my goal is to have it all available by the end of next week.

Alright. Part three!! Definitely out of the 70s and 80s punk realm for a while, I believe. I think the list will bring a little bit more variety from here on on (though, for the record, it has been pretty eclectic thus far, in my opinion). Note: I encourage all of you who check this out to make a similar list! It's a fun exercise if you're serious about the music you love. I also encourage you to discuss/judge this list.

A recap of parts ONE and TWO:

100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff

080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power (http://is.gd/9uaOC)
Chan Marshall turns me to putty. Ugh. It's not fair to have a voice so velvety and sultry (and to also look like she looks!? So mean.). This song just puts me outside on a warm summer night drinking with friends underneath stars and moons and tiki torches. And then that turn at 2:30 just seals the deal. Check your pulse if your toe isn't tapping.

079. Venus - Television (http://is.gd/9ucOO)
And we're back to CBGB in the 70s (you were warned!). For those of you who have listened to Marquee Moon in it's entirety you know it is just unbelievable. For those of you who haven't; please get with the program. There are a lot of songs on this list that offer little snapshots of a given time or place; I like to think of this song as a little picture of New York in '76-'77, complete with references to Richard Hell. But the highlight of this track are the guitars. The technique and interplay is fantastic. I prefer this track to the more notable title track just for length. I get tired in most 10-minute songs. But the whole album is sellar.

078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits (http://is.gd/9ugaH)
"With Swordfishtrombones, The Black Rider was thrown out of the nightclub into the alley and, finding himself in his true element, he made its trashcan residents and urine stink the genetic code of the rest of his career." -Rob Mitchum, Pitchfork. "In the Neighborhood" is like a cartoon sketch of any inner city. It's simultaneously playful and depressing, sugar and spice, and, of course, it's Tom Wait's as the ringmaster, drunkenly spewing concrete on a piano somewhere dirty. And oh how I love it so.

077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem (http://is.gd/9ukZA)
What is the point in doing anything if you take yourself so seriously? I love the music video, because I feel with every reference he throws out that I understand I'm catching a slap in the face. And it's totally fine. I can relate to a lot of the sentiment in this track ("the kids are coming up from behind.") And you can dance to it too, which is always nice. And because I'm the master of meta (ugh I feel like an asshole right now):

076. Vitamin C - Can (http://is.gd/9uqpz)
Krautrock was a bizarre, bizarre movement in Germany in the late 60s and 70s. I think what made it so fascinating, to me, was how disjointed everything was. From early electronic experiments to crazy jam rock, it encompassed nearly everything. But my personal favorite of the entire "genre" is, and always will be, Can. Those drums! Do you breakdance? Well you do now! I love this track so much because it doesn't sound like it belongs anywhere. It just mysteriously came from this crazy nebula of jazz, funk, rock and punk and burrowed into our ears.

075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast) (http://is.gd/9urYY)
Andre 3000's verse.

074. Someday - The Strokes (http://is.gd/9utTp)
There are some songs on this list that I can't even fully explain. They just hit me. "Someday" is one of those songs. Maybe it's Julian Casablancas' voice, or the simple yet perfect guitar riff, or the lovely nostalgic lyrics, or the consistent and effortlessly excellent rhythm section, or the, shit, it's obviously all of the above and more.

073. These Days - Nico (http://is.gd/9uvLD)
I think in order to really appreciate the Nico version you have to know the original Jackson Browne version. Her version is completely turned on its ear. Instead of being one of the millions of songs about regret after a relationship, little twists in the words made her version about regret at the end of life. This song just levels me. Especially Nico's haunting voice and the orchestration. Just beautiful.

072. All Falls Down - Kanye West (http://is.gd/9uwYt)
This track comes from notorious doucher Kanye West. I want to hate him so much (and in many ways I do), but then I go back and listen to his old albums when he had shreds of sincerity and get completely blown away. The beat is so soulful and the lyrics are such a refreshing change of pace from the kind of rap that populated manstream hip-hop for the majority of the decade. I guess this song is also bittersweet to me, because I see what happened to Kanye, who I sort of regarded as a bastion of honesty in the world of rap, and see what's become of him. "When it falls down, who you gonna call now," indeed.

071. Debaser - Pixies (http://is.gd/9uAcD)
This song is a sort of late edition. Originally I had "Here Comes Your Man," but then I went back and listened to the Pixies a bit more. And I realized "Here Comes Your Man" doesn't really capture what I really love about the Pixies, or what they do best: and that is rock. "Debaser" fuckin' rocks, man. And as a film student, I was forcefed "Un Chien Andalou" like a billion times.

8Tracks: External:

OK! You know where we're headed from here.
-Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (90-81)

2010-02-25T18:20:00.006-06:00

So continues my 100 favorite tracks list. One thing I forgot to note in the intro, is, just to make things a bit more interesting and diverse, I limited myself to 2 tracks per artist. I know that sort of contradicts what I'm going for with a 100 greatest tracks list. But, then again, where's the fun in listening to 10 Springsteen tracks or the entire first side of Blonde on Blonde. I personally think this is a more challenging and rewarding way to look at the list.

Recap of part 1:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks

90. Waiting Room - Fugazi (http://is.gd/9cbdu)
I got into a discussion recently about what "punk" is. And when I define it, sure I look at classic examples of when punk was first becoming a movement (Sex Pistols, Ramones, etc.). But when I think of punk I think of Fugazi and Minor Threat. These were bands that didn't need buttons on their shirts (or shirts in general) to express themselves. They looked at punk as a lifestyle, not a fashion choice. And for them, punk was not being destructive or counter-productive, but actually meant going out and creating positive change that may or may not be anti-establishment. "Waiting Room" is a perfect example of what it means to want change, which so many punks claim, but don't do anything about except shave a mohawk and pin their jeans. "And I won't make the same mistakes/Because I know how much time that wastes." And did you hear that bass riff? Forget about it!

89. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye (http://is.gd/9cdeu)
By the end of the list you'll know this, so I may as well tell you now: I am a pussy. And I don't know what it is, but man, Marvin, I can relate: "Every chance you get you seem to hurt me more and more/But each hurt makes my love stronger than before." What is it about the opposite sex that makes us so stupid? This song was (of course) written by Smokey Robinson, who Bob Dylan once called "America's greatest living poet." I love this song so much, because Marvin's in the moment. He knows exactly what's happening and how ridiculous it is, and yet can't pull himself out of it because of love. And, you know, the melody is great, the tune rules, and Marvin's voice is always fantastic.

88. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat (http://is.gd/9cgRx)
This song was originally by Paul Revere and the Raiders, and then made famous by the Monkees. But, come on, this was always a punk song. The best incarnation was by Minor Threat, a predecessor to Fugazi (see #90 for ramblings on that whole thing). I am a huge fan of the production on this song. It starts out like you're hearing this band practice through the phone. And then you're magically sucked through the phone into this sweaty club where these punks are thrashing to a song made famous by the fucking Monkees. How great is that?!

87. Daylight - Aesop Rock (http://is.gd/9cihY)
"I'll hang my boots to rest when I'm impressed/So I triple-knot 'em and forgot 'em." Cerebral hip-hop has a rightful bad reputation. Most of the time it's just some wannabe intellectual jerking off to a thesaurus and thinking that passes for impressive lyrics or wordplay. "Daylight" is a poetic marvel. The syntax and meter and delivery of these insanely complex lines are something that can only be digested after multiple listens. It also doesn't hurt that Blockhead's beat is beautiful and soulful, and everything that underground hip-hop should be but isn't, because it's usually too busy telling you about how underground it is.

86. In the New Year - The Walkmen (http://is.gd/9ckDo)
I first heard this song on Mr. Tim Kringle's year in review 2008, and man, I was hooked. I can't hear the chorus without just nodding my head like a moron. I love this song because the verses are so subdued, yet filled with this tension, which erupts into this absolute monster of a chorus.

85. Judy is a Punk - Ramones (http://is.gd/9cmfb)
"Second verse, same as the first." This song is everything I love about the Ramones. Raw energy and attitude packed into 1:30. Is there anything else you really need to hear to justify this track? You are going to get a taste of almost everything that was happening in CBGB in the 70s during the course of these 100 tracks, and the Ramones were just a small sliver. But my God was that sliver significant and awesome.

84. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco (http://is.gd/9cnpH)
This track comes from Wilco's brilliant 2002 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. There is only so much one can say in a letter or a song. Sometimes all it takes is a hug or a kiss or a glance to know how someone truly feels. Jeff Tweedy just perfectly captures how frustrating it can be staring down at a page and wishing those words could just bring the person to you so you can say everything you can't articulate in words. And the melody/harmony is beautiful. I also love how the intro completely leads you with a totally different impression of what the song is going to be.

83. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones (http://is.gd/9cp6W)
The Ramones were not a political band. But they were also not completely apolitical. This song has a fascinating backstory behind it. Long story short: Ronald Reagan is a dickhead. The hook on this song is so amazing. I just can't get enough of Joey's delivery on it: "My brain is hanging UP!side-down." It's also awesome to see how the Ramones evolved as a serious rock and roll band. Not just 3-chord punk.

82. White Riot - The Clash (http://is.gd/9cq5G)
Oh Joe Strummer. This song is essentially, "Hey whitey, stop being a pussy and get mad!" It just shows how The Clash were always champions of the disenfranchised, pretty much regardless of race or creed or anything else. And it's just a great, iconic, loud and angry punk song.

81. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff (http://is.gd/9crgQ)
Above my bed I have a series of posters taken from the Robert Frost poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" that say "I have promises to keep/And miles to go/Before I sleep." This song is essentially that sentiment in brilliant song form. Jimmy Cliff's voice just soars. Life is such a hard, lonely journey, but you have to endure: what a powerful message sung even more powerfully. This song is on The Harder They Come, which is probaby the greatest reggae album ever made. It really inspires me to push even when everything seems hopeless.

8tracks: External:

Next up 80-71!

-Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (100-91) [and intro]

2010-02-24T20:17:00.006-06:00

Alright. This was a massive undertaking. Putting together a list of 100 favorite tracks? No time/genre boundaries? Ugh. I also kicked myself more in the ass by ranking everything. So the #1 on here is my #1.

A note/intro: I've been thinking a lot recently about the nature of criticism and what makes a good critic. Is it purely having good taste? What defines good taste? My personal belief is that a good critic can remove himself from what he likes and look at the subject in the context of the music and artist's history. Does it progress the art form? Does it say something new or significant? Or, if not, does it say something old in a significant way? There are so many considerations. And, of course, it's a bit pompous to think one's beliefs are any more relevant than anyone else's; but there's a certain level of commitment involved in order to define oneself as a critic. You have to sort of have a little pretention to think that your opinion matters. And it's not a pretention I take lightly. I do my best to not blindly like or dislike anything, and I encourage anyone who takes criticism sincerely to do the same.

Having said that, this list is MY FAVORITE 100 SONGS OF ALL TIME. This list is not the "100 Greatest Songs of All-Time." Not to say that some of the greatest songs ever written aren't on here; but this list is my personal 100. These are songs that have touched me in a significant way, and stuck with me over the years. My friend Tim (whose musical opinions I regard) undertook a similar list, and one of his main criteria was that the song could be listened to at any time and he wouldn't want to skip it. That's a great way to approach the list, but unfortunately, for me, sometimes different moods (angry, lovesick, confused) influence my desire to hear a song/artist. I tried to adhere to the "No Skip" rule, but it just couldn't be done for me.

So here it is. The beginning. Tracks 100-91.

100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult (http://is.gd/97H8T)
THIS track. Is underrated. THIS album. Is one of the best commentaries on suburban life put out in the 2000s. Just great pop punk songs about really dark subjects (violence, drug abuse, et al)

99. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen (http://is.gd/97IqZ)
Haha. This song is so great. I love D. Boon's delivery of one of the most iconic lines of the punk movement ("Our band could be your life.") The whole song is just so casual about somethings that people turn into lifestyles: "Punk rock changed our lives."

98. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods (http://is.gd/97JH7)
Nice. I am so happy that the video is the actual video of this recording! This song came out in 2009 and was listened to constantly. I am really big into the lo-fi aesthetic, but a lot of times it feels like the band uses rough production to cover up lack of talent. This song is just so beautiful. Great lyrics, smooth riffs and that voice. Damn.

97. Furr - Blitzen Trapper (http://is.gd/97KRN)
The title track off of their 2008 album. I love this song. Great melody and such imagination in the lyrics. It also brings me back to a great night I had with my good friend Matty at Palomino in Milwaukee's Bay View. This track came on and soundtracked a really nice chat.

96. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake (http://is.gd/97LBY)
Nick Drake is just so heartbreaking. His voice is like a vice on my heart. The ochestration on this song is beautiful, especially the haunting saxophone that duets with Nick a couple minutes in. This song is essential for me in wintertime.

95. Search & Destroy - The Stooges (http://is.gd/97MaU)
Raw Power, baby. God. If this song isn't just the powderkeg of frustration over everything ('Nam in particular) that it took to ignite punk, I don't know what is. And that riff! Ah!

94. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake (http://is.gd/97N5H)
I, like many others my age, went through a ska phase in high school. I don't regret it. But I did outgrow it in a lot of ways. But Less Than Jake has been a constant. I've said this before and I'll say it again, Vinny Fiorello is as close to Bruce Springsteen lyrically that's come along. These universal themes of discontent and wanting more out of life pop up all the time. "When I think of how I'm feeling right now, I still remember how I felt 4 years ago." The more things seem to change, the more human emotions remain a constant.

93. Ruby Soho - Rancid (http://is.gd/97OBZ)
I just realized how pop-punk/punk heavy these first 10 tracks are. Not really reflective of the rest of the list. ...And Out Come The Wolves is one of the greatest punk albums ever made. And this song is a great reflection. Just throw it on, have a drink with your friends as Tim Armstrong slurs through your speakers.

92. B.O.B. - OutKast (http://is.gd/97Pwq)
Woah. Just a shot of adrenaline directly to your heart. Andre 3000 is my #3 all-time rapper (behind Ghostface Killah and Black Thought of the Roots). But he's so much more than that. Man, has there been anything like this song since? Was there anything like it before it? The rhythm! The flow! The content! There is just so much to digest, and yet it's a pop song. A great, great pop song.

91. Monk Time - The Monks (http://is.gd/97QPO)
1966. This album came out the same year as Pet Sounds. How nuts is that? If you haven't seen this documentary I highly recommend it. Just the raw intensity of the lyrics and vocals. And the simplicity of the music. This was the foundation of punk, slammed into under 3 minutes. Simply brilliant.

8tracks: External:

More to come! Thanks for listening to my babel.

-Erik

2009 Discs 1 and 2: The Singles and The Calm

2010-02-23T15:24:00.004-06:00

As noted, this (last) year's end of year mix came in 3 parts. The first was the cassette (2009 in Lo-Fi), the second was Disc 1: The Singles and the last was Disc 2: The Calm.

Disc 1: The Singles is meant to play at random. None of the songs are meant to flow into each other. It was designed to be listened to on an iPod, in a playlist on shuffle. The first and last tracks are designed as opener/closer, respectively to bookend the list, but they still function anywhere else in playing order. The track list is as follows:

01. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Optimist vs. The Silent Alarm (When the Saints Go Marching In)
02. Girls - Lust for Life
03. Camera Obscura - Honey in the Sun
04. Passion Pit - Moth's Wings
05. Delorean - Seasun
06. Sleigh Bells - Crown on the Ground
07. Raekwon - Kiss the Ring (feat. Inspectah Deck & Masta Killa)
08. The Very Best - Chalo
09. Foreign Born - Early Warnings
10. Double Dagger - The Lie/The Truth
11. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Some Trees (Merritt Moon)
12. The Shaky Hands - Allison and the Ancient Eyes
13. Dirty Projectors & David Byrne - Knotty Pine
14. Animal Collective - My Girls
15. The Mountain Goats - Deuteronomy 2:10

Disc 2: The Calm is meant to play like a standard album, front-to-back. It's much more folky/acoustic. Generally speaking, throw on some headphones, lay back and relax and listen. Track list:

01. Mazes - Laid in the Darkness
02. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You
03. White Antelope - Silver Dagger
04. Mumford & Sons - Sister
05. Bowerbirds - Northern Lights
06. The Tallest Man on Earth - Pistol Dreams
07. Telekinesis - I Saw Lightning
08. Beirut - Mimizan
09. Dirty Projectors - Two Doves
10. Woods - To Clean (Acoustic)
11. The Clientele - Bonfires on the Heath
12. Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others
13. Pink Mountaintops - Vampire
14. Antony and the Johnsons - Dust and Water

That's all!
Erik

Next lists will be my 100 favorite tracks of all time. Stay tuned!

(Special thanks to Matty [SS# 386-05-1812] for album art!)

2009 in Lo-Fi

2010-02-23T12:51:00.003-06:00

Here is the first of 3 end of year mixes I put together. This is 2009 in Lo-Fi. Originally presented as a cassette, this mix showcases my favorite in lo-fi from throughout 2009.

Track List:
01. Jookabox - You Cried Me
02. The Fresh & Onlys - Peacock and Wing
03. Real Estate - Green River (7" Version)
04. Woods - Rain On
05. Smith Westerns - My Heart
06. The Beatles - I Need You (Bad)
07. Young Governor - Virginia Creeper
08. Tonstartssbandht - Midnite Cobras
09. Das Cassette Robot - The End of Side A
10. Wavves - No Hope Kids
11. Fergus & Geronimo - Harder Than It's Ever Been
12. So Cow - Casablanca
13. The Babies - Meet Me in the City
14. railcars - Bohemia is Without a Sea
15. Flight - My Business
16. Eat Skull - Stick to the Formula
17. Tortoise - Yinxianghechengqi
18. Wet Hair - Saturn
19. Das Cassette Robot - The End of the Cassette

8Tracks! External Link

More to Come,
Erik

Valentine's 2010

2010-02-20T09:52:00.002-06:00

Woah. OK. SO I should have posted this on Valentine's Day. But I put together a pretty great list of love/loveish songs from 1959-2009. I'm pretty proud of the project because it's so all over the map (punk/r&b/rap/indie/etc.). It's divided into 2 lists, so yeah. Enjoy!

The List:
01. Jackie Wilson - I'll Be Satisfied (1959)
02. Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs - Stay (1960)
03. Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby (1964)
04. The Beatles - I've Just Seen A Face (1965)
05. Bob Dylan - I Want You (1966)
06. Wilson Pickett - I'm In Love (1967)
07. Zombies - This Will Be Our Year (1968)
08. Van Morrison - Into The Mystic (1970)
09. Al Green - I'm Still In Love With You (1972)
10. Ramones - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (1976)
11. Buzzcocks - Love You More (1979)
12. Michael Jackson - The Girl is Mine w/ Paul McCartney (1982)
13. Prince - I Would Die 4 You (1984)
14. Paul Simon - Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (1986)
15. Pixies - Here Comes Your Man (1989)
16. R.E.M. - Nightswimming (1992)
17. Weezer - Falling For Your (1996)
18. Elliott Smith - Say Yes (1997)
19. Wilco - I'm the Man Who Loves You (2002)
20. OutKast - Hey Ya! (2003)
21. The Perceptionists - Love Letters (2005)
22. The Hold Steady - Citrus (2006)
23. Jens Lekman - Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig (Maybe I Am In Love With You) (2007)
24. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You (2009)

Heart 1:

Melissa Joan Hart 2:

Love,
Erik

2009 Part 1: Orphans

2010-01-20T21:47:00.003-06:00

This play-list is the first of 4 parts to the 2009 mix. It's songs that, while still sweet, just didn't quite have a home on the three real mixes. Also note: there were a few songs not included on this list (though I really wanted to!) that I first came to appreciate after hearing other people's '09 mixes. But it felt like cheating, so I didn't. Either way:

External Link: http://8tracks.com/bubblewolf/2009-part-1-orphans

Best,
Erik

Day 101: Fall Mix

2009-10-05T16:18:00.004-05:00

This is my mix for Fall. Enjoy!
01. The Byrds - Turn, Turn, Turn
02. ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Festival Thyme (N/A)
03. Tarkio - Caroline Ave. (N/A on imeem)
04. The White Stripes - Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
05. Woods - Rain On
06. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
07. Donovan - Season of the Witch
08. Rolling Stones - Wild Horses
09. Simon & Garfunkel - America
10. The Clientele - Bonfires on the Heath (N/A) (.mp3/stream)
11. Velvet Underground - Stephanie Says
12. The Beatles - Ticket to Ride (N/A on imeem)
13. The National - Fake Empire
14. Neil Young - Harvest Moon
15. Nico - Somewhere There's A Feather
16. Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
17. The Kinks - Nothin' In This World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout That Girl (Feist cover? I'll take it.)
18. White Antelope - Silver Dagger (Baez/Dylan version is available here, but I don't like it on this list.)
19. Smashing Pumpkins - Landslide
20. Norah Jones - Shoot the Moon
21. Zombies - This Will Be Our Year

imeem: external:

Day 101: Fall Mix

Fall!
-Erik

(Image by Adam Barlett, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 100: New Music (5): Into Fall

2009-09-29T23:20:00.000-05:00

Day 99: The Factory

2009-08-06T05:00:00.001-05:00

Today, August 6th saw the birth of artist and icon Andy Warhol. I'm sure you all know as much about him as anyone else.

In honor of his birth-date, I put together a shortish-list of artists known to have hung out in The Factory, Warhol's infamous studio, which really flourished during the mid-1960s. Now The Factory was rumored to have seen the likes of dozens upon dozen of some prolific musicians of the era. But, I'm just going to to go with ones that were infamous for their association with the studio.

YouTube:
01. Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side
02. John Cale - Paris 1919
03. Nico - The Fairest of the Seasons (Cover Only)
04. Velvet Undergound - White Light/White Heat
05. Rolling Stones - Sister Morphine
06. David Bowie - Space Oddity
07. Bob Dylan - One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)
08. The Doors - Break on Through (To the Other Side)
09. Jackson Browne - Song For Adam
10. Blondie - X Offender

imeem: External:

Day 99: The Factory

Yeah,
Erik

Video!

(Image By Sonia Fantoli, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 98: Wildcard (22)

2009-08-05T00:27:00.007-05:00

New Week, New Wildcard.

YouTube:
01. The Hold Steady - Stevie Nix (30 sec. on imeem, "40 Bucks" instead)
02. Weezer - My Name is Jonas
03. Delorean - Seasun
04. 10cc - Dreadlock Holiday
05. Sublime - Badfish
06. Joshua James - You're the Cocaine (N/A)
07. She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
08. The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star
09. Ben Folds Five - Brick
10. Rosa Passos - Doce Presenca (N/A) (30 secs. on imeem, "Wave" instead)
11. Simon & Garfunkel - Keep the Customer Satisfied
12. Hall & Oates - You Make My Dreams Come True
13. Pet Benatar - Hit Me with Your Best Shot
14. Black Eyed Peas - Weekends
15. Neon Indian - Terminally Chill
16. Chuck Berry - You Never Can Tell
17. Suicide Machines - I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
18. Velvet Underground - Stephanie Says
19. Climax Blues Band - Couldn't Get It Right (30 secs. on imeem)
20. Osker - Patience

imeem: External:

Day 98: Wildcard (22)

(Image by James Emery, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 97: Shitgaze

2009-08-04T12:42:00.003-05:00

This week's genre tour is a newer one (circa mid-2000s). Now, I'm not exactly sure if I have 100% grasp on what truly defines this genre (Shitgaze), but from what I gather is, it is a form of lo-fi indie rock that relies heavily on many tenets of noise-pop. So, you're going to find a lot of fuzz and heavy distortion, lyrics about disaffection, and more fuzz.

The genre emerged from the Shoegaze movement in the 90s, but really can look all the way back to albums like White Light/White Heat. I'm not completely sure why this genre appeals to me. Maybe incorporation of noise and new methods of avant garde is going to be what the next stage in punk rock will be. Time will tell. But until then, enjoy all of this fuzzy fuzzy rock.

Note. This blog is deeply indebted to Raven Sings the Blues; which appears to know everything there possibly is to know about this and similar genres. Check it out!!

MySpace (support the artist!):
01. Women - January 8th
02. Meercaz - Future News
03. Fergus & Geronimo - Harder than It's Ever Been
04. No Age - Here Should Be My Home
05. Wavves - So Bored
06. PENS - Networking
07. Mayyors - Clicks
08. Tonstartssbandht - Midnite Cobras
09. So Cow - Casablanca
10. railcars - Bohemia is Without A Sea
11. Ganglians - Hair
12. Eat Skull - Stick to the Formula
13. Times New Viking - No Time, No Hope
14. Woods - Echo Lake
15. Wet Hair - Saturn
16. Tortoise - Yinxianghechengqi

8tracks: External:

Hot Fuzz,
Erik

(Image by wetwebwork, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Noticia

2009-08-03T00:25:00.000-05:00

Genre Tour: Shitgaze will run tomorrow.

-Erik

Day 96: Wildcard (21)

2009-07-29T15:51:00.006-05:00

This week's Wildcard is a compilation of the past 20 weeks of Wildcards. I chose 1 song from each list. And one bonus video. Enjoy! (Note: I'm not assembling anything else this week [vacation]) Take it easy!

YouTube:
01. Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy
02. MF Doom - Rhymes Like Dimes
03. Bedouin Soundclash - St. Andrews
04. Can - Vitamin C
05. Lucinda Williams - Right in Time
06. Television - Venus
07. Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9") - Losing Out
08. Butthole Surfers - Pepper
09. Blondie - 11:59
10. Bobby Womack - Across 110th Street
11. The Streets - Don't Mug Yourself
12. EPMD - Richter Scale
13. Phil Collins - Take Me Home
14. The Ronettes - Be My Baby
15. Warren Zevon - Acidentally Like A Martyr
16. Pharrell - Angel
17. LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge
18. The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year
19. Belle & Sebastian - I'm A Cuckoo
20. Hüsker Dü - Celebrated Summer

imeem: External:

Day 96: Wildcard (21)

-Erik

(Image by Art G., Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 95: Thrash Metal

2009-07-27T17:31:00.002-05:00

Trying to tackle a metal genre tour is fun. Because, there are so many different sub-genres within heavy metal music, and, furthermore, there are typically just a handful of good bands within each category. What adds the icing on the cake, is that so many people LOVE LOVE LOVE these certain sub-genres to the point that they get upset if their favorite song isn't on the list. LOL metalheads.

For this genre tour I put together my definitive track list of thrash, a genre borne of the Second Wave of British Metal and the hardcore punk underground that emerged in the 1980s.

The genre is characterized by speed and brutality. Punk beats, grinding guitars, wailing solos and spitfire vocals. So brutal.

YouTube:
01. Anthrax - Caught in a Mosh
02. Pantera - Suicide Note Pt. 2
03. Slayer - Evil Has No Boundaries
04. Motorhead - Ace of Spades
05. Metallica - Battery
06. Nuclear Assault - Rise from the Ashes
07. Venom - Sons of Satan
08. Exhorder - Unforgiven
09. Hatebreed - Straight to Your Face
10. Death Angel - Seemingly Endless Time (N/A on imeem, "Thrashers" instead)
11. Sepultura - Murder
12. Overkill - Blood and Iron
13. Testament - Over the Wall
14. Kreator - Death is Your Saviour
15. Meshuggah - Paralyzing Ignorance (N/A on imeem)

imeem: External:

Day 95: Thrash Metal

Stay Brutal,
Erik

Video!

(Image by Raphael, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

2009-07-27T00:56:00.002-05:00

Today's play-list, Genre Tour: Thrash Metal, will run tomorrow due to technical issues.

Hang in there,
Erik

Beauty in the Breakdown, Case #2: "Born to Run"

2009-07-24T00:42:00.004-05:00

This week's Beauty in the Breakdown highlights Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," one of the greatest American rock songs of all time (as well as the hallmark of the Heartland Rock Genre).

A Little Background

Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

Written in 1974, “Born to Run” was the product of The Boss’ youthful desperation (he was 24 at the time). Coming on the heels of 2 critically regarded but commercially feeble albums (Greetings from Asbury Park, New Jersey and The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle), Springsteen set out to write an album (and song) that would reflect his last-chance mentality, as it may have been his last chance at success before getting dropped from his label (Columbia).

The song was composed primarily on guitar (unlike the rest of the album, which was piano-driven), and was produced by Springsteen and Mike Appel. The recording process took place far before that of the rest of the album, and featured two members (drummer Ernest “Boom” Carter and keyboardist David Sancious) who would not be on the rest of the album (being replaced by Max Weinberg and Roy Bittan, respectively).

The production process is emblematic of Springsteen’s perfectionism and unflappable musical vision, which often includes nearly a dozen scrapped guitar tracks in search of the perfect sound. The song also features some odd Heartland Rock instruments (though not uncommon Springsteen instruments) most notably glockenspiel, saxophone and organ.

The album was Springsteen’s commercial breakthrough, peaking at #3 on the Billboard charts in 1975. The song itself reached #23. The critical success of the album has cemented it into the history of rock. Some accolades include being placed on the NPR 100, #21 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll, to name a few.

Fun fact: The first recording of this song was actually credited to Allan Clarke of The Hollies. Thank God we have the Boss’ version (how this happened, I have no idea).

The Breakdown

0:00-0:13 The Intro

The first 13 seconds of this song is basically dominated by rhythm. Boom Carter’s kick drum basically feels like a rapid heartbeat, setting a tone of urgency and tension to the track. Another thing I love about this intro is the uniformity of all the other instruments aside from the drums and bass—the guitar, sax, glockenspiel and piano are all slamming the riff so anthemically; I love it.

0:14-1:02 Verse 1/Chorus 1

In the day we sweat it out in the streets of a runaway American dream
At night we ride through mansions of glory in suicide machines
Sprung from cages on Highway 9,
Chrome wheeled, fuel injected and steppin’ out over the line
Baby this town rips the bones from your back
Its a death trap, its a suicide rap
We gotta get out while were young
‘cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run

The thing about Springsteen, love him or hate him, is that his songs convey an almost palpable aesthetic. Now, I was never on the New Jersey Shore, specifically during the 60s and 70s. But, through his songs, and his storytelling, I almost feel like I can see and sense it.

In just two lines the Boss conjures that image—the working-class (probably) uneducated finding escape through machinery. This image isn’t specific to New Jersey, of course. You can look anywhere in the country and find hard-working folks sweating it out on the streets.

I also find connection in the line “we gotta get out while we’re young.” So often in these tough-as-nails towns even the most monotonous and unrewarding life can become a comfortable routine. Springsteen hits the nail on the head; we have to leave early, or we’re bound to be trapped here for the rest of our lives.

1:03-1:50 Verse II

Wendy let me in I wanna be your friend
I want to guard your dreams and visions
Just wrap your legs ‘round these velvet rims
And strap your hands ‘cross my engines
Together we could break this trap
Well run ‘til we drop, baby well never go back
Will you walk with me out on the wire?
‘cause baby I’m just a scared and lonely rider
But I gotta know how it feels
I want to know if love is wild, babe, I want to know if love is real
Can you show me?

This song can pretty much be looked at in four parts. The first part we’re introduced to our protagonist, the second his girl, the third the general scene of the shore and the forth the triumph over a world against you.

With that said, in the second verse we meet Wendy, the love interest of our tragic hero. I think this verse was pretty much written to get the Boss laid. It’s a stereotypical outlaw romantic fantasy—a lonely character looking to run away with his woman, just to feel something; to try and prove that love exists. Because, maybe if escape isn’t physical, it can be an emotional escape into the soul of someone else.

Sonically, this verse (1:10) brings in some powerful chords slammed on the organ, and (1:16) a more manic interplay between the glockenspiel and the piano, which really fleshes out the music and melody.

1:52-2:10 Clarence Clemons…

Last week I talked about how even the best songs have divisive moments. One of the main criticisms of Springsteen (aside from his voice) is the hokey-sounding saxophone. I am inclined to agree. I’ve never been a big fan of the growl technique of embouchure on a saxophone. I think it just sounds a bit tacky; and Clarence Clemons uses it often. With that said, the solo is only 17 seconds, and it doesn’t not fit in with the song. But still…

2:11-2:37 Bridge and Setting

Beyond the palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
Girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
The amusement park rises bold and stark
Kids are huddled on the beach in the mist
I wanna die with you Wendy on the streets tonight
In an everlasting kiss

As previously stated, the third part of this song would be considered, to me, where the environment in which this escapist love story is taking place. We’re in a summer night on the New Jersey shoreline with the roar of engines surrounding cigarette-smoking kids with Ferris Wheels and observation decks silhouetted against a setting sun.

In the midst of this chaos we have our hero and Wendy, stuck in eternity in each other’s arms as the motorcycles and muscle cars drag up and down the strip.

2:38-3:02 Instruments

The instrumental bridge to this song really showcases the Boss and Boom Carter. Both men just rip fast, manic rhythms that build the tension to the breaking point.

3:03-3:56 The Breaking Point

To me, the final verse of this song is the most epic moment in rock and roll history. With the bridge building up and then letting off in a cathartic sigh, Springsteen puts us on the ropes. Then, instead of letting us down easily, he comes at us harder than ever:

The highway’s jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive
Everybody’s out on the run tonight but there’s no place left to hide
Together Wendy we can live with the sadness
I’ll love you with all the madness in my soul
Someday girl I don’t know when were gonna get to that place
Where we really want to go and we’ll walk in the sun
But ‘til then tramps like us baby we were born to run

The characters, in spite of everything negative about the place they are, have an unshakeable optimism towards everything. Our hero, perhaps out of fear to stay in the same place (both physically and emotionally) is giving himself completely to the new prospects in the love of someone else. Maybe the road is going to lead to happiness. Maybe the road will be neverending and unfulfilling, but without question the optimism is there that one day the darkness will end and the light of optimism will permeate our hero’s loneliness.

3:57-4:30 Outro

The outro reprises the opening riff, and lets us off on the same optimistic note started in the breaking point.

The Analysis

Springsteen once called the song “The dividing line between adolescence and adulthood.” Maybe that’s why the song speaks so plainly and vividly to me. Being on this cusp myself I see so clearly where he’s coming from. But, in an even broader sense, this song is about rejecting settling. It’s about pushing the boundaries of this life. And, if you’re trapped in a place, or a relationship, or an age, or a certain situation, instead of sticking around waiting for change, sometimes you just have to run. You have to break down the walls of mediocrity in search of your own fulfillment—whatever that may be.

Thanks, Boss.
Erik

Videos (The Many Incarnations of "Born to Run"):
1975

1987 (Acoustic)

Recently

Day 94: Wildcard (20)

2009-07-23T01:08:00.004-05:00

Wildcard time!!!

YouTube:
01. Iron Maiden - Invaders
02. Death From Above, 1979 - Romantic Rights
03. Naked City - Bonehead
04. Bobby Darin - Beyond the Sea
05. Gary Wright - Dreamweaver
06. Stealers Wheel - Stuck in the Middle With You
07. Eddie Cochoran - Summertime Blues
08. Cherry Poppin' Daddies - Zoot Suit Riot
09. Westbound Train - I'm No Different
10. The Doors - Light My Fire
11. The Jam - That's Entertainment
12. Bill Callahan - Jim Cain
13. Cold War Kids - We Used to Vacation
14. The Flaming Lips - The W.A.N.D.
15. Ice T - Colors
16. Parliament - Flashlight
17. Fiona Apple - Criminal
18. Hüsker Dü - Celebrated Summer
19. Everly Brothers - All I Have to Do is Dream
20. Andrea Bocelli - Con te Partiro

imeem: External:

Day 94: Wildcard (20)

Mix It Up,
Erik

(Image by John Goodridge, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

A Note

2009-07-21T21:31:00.001-05:00

This week's Wildcard will run Thursday, July 23rd.

W.I.N.C.
Erik

Day 93: Yeah It's Me, Neil

2009-07-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

Today, in honor of Neil Armstrong and his famous lunar trek, I've put together a little potpourri of Neil. There aren't a lot of famous Neil's, says Nic Cage.

So basically this is going to be a compilation of Neil Young, Neil Sedaka, Neil Finn, Neil Zaza, Neil Halstead, Neil Diamond and Neil Peart. Enjoy all this Neil.

YouTube:
01. Rush - Closer to the Heart
02. Neil Zaza - I'm Alright
03. Slowdive - Alison
04. Split Enz - Another Great Divide
05. Neil Diamond - Heartlight
06. Neil Sedaka - Breaking Up is Hard to Do
07. Neil Young - Thrasher

imeem: External:

Day 93: Year of the Neil

Neil,
Erik

Bonus Videos!!!

and

(Image by Anton Gurevich, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 92: New Music Monday (4)

2009-07-20T00:37:00.004-05:00

This week brings the latest installment of New Music Monday. Got a nice, diverse selection, I hope you enjoy.

http://8tracks.com/bubblewolf/new-music-monday-4-http-thedailyplay-list-blogspot-com

Track-List:
01. Jay Reatard - Wounded (MySpace/.mp3)
02. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Cardinal Rules (MySpace/.mp3) [Gotta love a stadium anthem written for a minor league baseball team]
03. The Very Best - Chalo (MySpace/.mp3)
04. The Tallest Man On Earth - Pistol Dreams (MySpace/.mp3)
05. Mission Of Burma - 1, 2, 3, Partyy!!! (MySpace/.mp3)
06. PENS - Networking (MySpace/.mp3)
07. Fergus & Geronimo - Harder Than It's Ever Been (MySpace/.mp3)
08. Ganglians - Voodoo (MySpace/.mp3)
09. Tonstartssbandht - Midnight Cobras (MySpace/.mp3)
10. The Fresh & Onlys - Peacock and Wing (MySpace/.mp3)
11. The Wooden Sky - Something Hiding For Us In The Night (MySpace/.mp3)
12. Blue Roses - Doubtful Comforts (MySpace/.mp3)

Have a good one,
Erik

(Image by Genny, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Beauty in the Breakdown, Case #1: “God Only Knows”

2009-07-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

One new thing I have been looking to incorporate into this blog for a while has been an increase in writing. Because, well, I just like writing about music. One of the outlets of which I am calling “Beauty in the Breakdown,” wherein I look in depth at some of the long-considered classics in the Western music cannon then offer some commentary on their significance.

For the first installment I will be looking at The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” long-touted as one of, if not the, quintessential American pop song.

A Little Background

Recorded in March of 1966 for the album Pet Sounds, “God Only Knows” is the opus of Brian Wilson, who handled all of the orchestration and melodic mastery, and Tony Asher, a lyricist who helmed much of the lyrical content on the album.

The song is sung by Brian’s brother, Carl, though originally intended for Brian. Carl was later chosen because both Brian and Asher felt he could express the depth of the song more emphatically. And, in my opinion, they were right.

Although only reaching #39 on the American pop charts, the song has been widely regarded as a masterpiece by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork Media, and as evidenced by the dozens upon dozens upon dozens upon dozens of cover versions.

Typical of numerous Beach Boys songs (and Pet Sounds songs in particular), “God Only Knows” features unusual instruments in pop music, most notably French Horn, which opens the song and forms the melody.

Fun fact: The song was the first in popular music to use the word “God” in its title, a fact that a) may have contributed to its lackluster chart performance and b) caused much debate among its creators.

The Breakdown

(Note: I am not the most knowledgeable musician. So if I mess up a music term or 2 please don’t hold it against me.)

0:00-0:17: The melody and heartbreak

The song opens up with a French Horn (Alan Robinson) fluttering over a banging harpsichord (Larry Knechtel, of Bread), the melody of which has been traced to the French Horns in Wagner’s “Hagen” motive (most notably movements 1 and 13), though I am a firm believer that it just spawned organically in the left side of Brian Wilson’s brain. The French Horn’s melody is both uplifting and optimistic, as only love can be. Then, at 0:08, the upright bass (Lyle Ritz) comes in with a choppy and descending riff, which qualifies the horn’s optimism with bittersweet sincerity – which is essentially what the song is about.

0:18-0:41: Verse I

I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I’ll make you so sure about it

God only knows what I’d be without you

Of course, one of the most memorable parts about this song is the seemingly contradictory opening line, with comes off like a rather callous way to open arguably the greatest love songs of all time. Is it, though?

This may shoot down my romantic credentials a little, but to me the greatest part about love is that it is a feeling. It churns your heart into a bloody mass and it clouds your judgment; but it is the greatest sensation in the world. And, like all feelings, love can be temporary. “I may not always love you,” but in this moment, I can’t imagine myself not loving you. That is the kind of love I would want.

The line is just so honest. And isn’t honesty one of the cornerstones of love in the first place? If Wilson/Asher came out and made absurd accusations this song would never be where it is. For example:

I think unrealistic love isn’t endearing, which makes “God Only Knows” such a great love song. And I think Larry David would agree with me.

0:42-1:03 Verse II

If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me

God only knows what I’d be without you

This verse, of course, continues with the theme of honest love. But, judging by the first verse, one has to question the sincerity of the second. Essentially, what the verse is saying is that, “Yeah, if you leave it’s going to suck, but I’ll live, though it’ll be a meaningless life.” From the first verse we get the impression that this figure is head over heels in love, but knows that sometimes love ends and we move on; sure it hurts for a while, but eventually life still goes on, believe me. The second verse feels more lovesick and less pragmatic. But then again, is that really a bad thing?

And once again, the verse is closed with the non-chorus refrain, “God only knows what I’d be without you.” Which is, in my opinion, the most beautiful line a love song has produced. And, makes any doubts in our figure’s head sort of null, because in this moment his heart completely belongs to this love.

1:04-1:27 Brian Wilson Arranging

From 1:04 to 1:28 is Brian Wilson flexing his competency as a composer. This section is filled with stunning harmonies (obviously Wilson’s strong suit) and interesting percussion (which was more prevalent on SMiLE). Also, in this section at 1:18, a line in the sand is drawn. To me, and to a lot of people, I believe, the flow and aesthetics of the song is tarnished a little bit with the backup vocals’ “bum-pa-bum-pa-bah-bah…” which, though fits in the song, comes across as a little hacky, and emblematic of the Beach Boys’ more surf-influenced earlier ten albums. But, not everything is perfect, as this song can surely vouch.

1:28-1:59 Verse II Redux

Once again we are hit with the second verse. And, given light of my earlier analysis, because this verse is repeated and not the first, perhaps our figure is more lovesick than he lets on. Maybe he is in a state of realistic co-dependence, where, though the love might not always last forever, he can’t bear the thought of its end. One of the great aspects of this verse and pseudo-chorus is that, at 1:54, we get the triumphant return of the French Horn, which will inevitably carry us through to the end.

2:00-2:52 God only knows what I’d be without you

The last 52 seconds of the song are perhaps the most beautiful. They combine Wilson’s amazing harmony and melody with the repetition of “God only knows what I’d be without you.” If these words don’t make you appreciate or evaluate the love you have, or long the love you don’t, then maybe you aren’t cut out for love in the first place.

And we fade out.

The Analysis

Now, I always appreciate Pitchfork’s constant striving to put their songs in a sociopolitical context; which is why it is impressive that they chose “God Only Knows” as their #1 song of the ‘60s over something more politically charged or socially significant.

But the fact of the matter is that a song’s/band’s/album’s relevance doesn’t need to be linked to a movement. Rather, it can be tied to the human experience and reflected in the melody and lyrics. Brian Wilson and Tony Asher combined to produce the most primal interpretation of the most valued human emotion: love. And, even if they didn’t succeed entirely, their bittersweet honesty evokes nothing less than that guttural longing, or that warm appreciation of a love so great it is hard to imagine.

Bonus Videos:

Here are just a couple great uses of "God Only Knows" in pop culture:

and

Finally; this song is said to have been directly influenced by "God Only Knows," one of Paul McCartney's favorite songs of all time. And it's pretty obvious.

-Erik

Day 91: The Atomic Age

2009-07-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

On this day in 1945, I would argue, America began a course of destructive events that would strip the world of its innocence forever; somewhere in the American Southwest the Trinity Nuclear test laid the groundwork for the technology that would be used in Nagasaki & Hiroshima.

When I say stripping mankind of its innocence, I mean it in the sense of not only an unprecedented capacity for mass destruction, but an ability for that destruction to be completely remote and impersonal. There is no understating the barbarism and brutality of war, but the ability to take the lives of 200,000 people in a single day without setting foot in the city escalated mankind's potential for chaos.

This chaos, this unbridled ability for carnage, permeated nearly every aspect of society, especially music. The loss of innocence and Cold War tensions were manifested heavily in (obviously) metal and punk, but surprisingly in pop music. I've put together a list of 10 songs about nuclear war. Enjoy.

YouTube:
01. Genesis - Land of Confusion
02. Randy Newman - Political Science (Raaaaaaaandy!!!)
03. The Clash - Stop the World (Not the greatest song by any means, but the lyrics are pretty phenomenal)
04. Can - Mushroom
05. Ozzy Osbourne - Thank God for the Bomb
06. Nuclear Assault - Critical Mass
07. Iron Maiden - 2 Minutes to Midnight
08. Nena - 99 Red Balloons
09. The Specials - Man at C&A
10. The Postal Service - We Will Become Silhouettes

imeem: External:

Day 91: The Atomic Age

Duck & Cover,
Erik

Video:

(Image by Jhayne, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 90: Wildcard (19)

2009-07-15T01:07:00.003-05:00

Hey folks!!! I know, it's been a while. Hopefully you missed me as much as I missed you. I finally have Internet and some free time, so I am actually able to get back to this a little bit. Today is a Wildcard day.

YouTube:
01. Rakim - Guess Who's Back
02. Michael Jackson - Dapper Dan
03. Huey Lewis & the News - I Never Walk Alone
04. Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds
05. Charlie Rich - Behind Closed Doors
06. Youngblood Brass Band - Human Nature pt. 2
07. Black Crowes - Kickin' My Heart Around
08. AC/DC - Hells Bells
09. The Future of the Left - Arming Eritrea
10. Exhorder - Into the Void
11. Minor Threat - Out of Step
12. The Kinks - All Day and All of the Night
13. Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
14. Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
15. Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes
16. J Dilla - Milk Money
17. The Bird & The Bee - Birthday
18. Belle & Sebastian - I'm A Cuckoo
19. Regina Spektor - Dance Anthem of the 80s
20. Dashboard Confessional - Stolen

imeem: External:

Day 90: Wildcard (19)

RIP MJ
Erik

(Image by Javier Sanchez, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Grrr. Sorry Again!

2009-06-05T19:10:00.002-05:00

Sorry folks. It's been a hectic couple of weeks, and I still ain't settled enough to fire this bad boy up again. It'll happen soon. Apologies. Apologies.

-Erik

Best of the Week: May 25-29

2009-05-29T17:43:00.001-05:00

http://8tracks.com/BubbleWolf/thedailyplaylist-week-in-review-may-2529-httpthedailyplaylistblogspotcom

See you when I see you,
Erik

Day 89: Rolling Stones

2009-05-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

This week's artist spotlight is the Rolling Stones, arguably the greatest rock 'n' roll band of all time. The Stones are awesome, because people can typically be divided into two categories: Stones or Beatles; delineating whether a person favors harder rock or more poppy rock (for the record, I never know how to answer this question. I like them equally, I think).

I've put together a 20-track list of some of my favorite Stones songs. It'd be pretty easy to get bogged down in their greatest hits ("Gimme Shelter" and "Satisfaction" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "Start Me Up" are alright, but I'm a little burned out on them [there's a great quote from David Hinckley at the NY Daily News about his best of the Stones list: "The exclusion of 'Satisfaction,' by the way, is not an accident. I know it is to 1960s rock ‘n' roll what a good radio is to a car. I love the story of Keith waking up in the middle of the night, strumming a few chords into his tape recorder and falling back to sleep. I also don't care if I never hear it again."])

I do have some of their biggest songs ("Sympathy..." and "Ruby Tuesday" and "Under My Thumb") because I think it's important to pay some homage to their whole catalog. I've included some deeper cuts, some forgotten gems, that I think you'll like if you've never hear 'em before. Enjoy!

(2 notes: 1.) I apologize for using so many Wes Anderson Rolling Stones songs. He just picks such winners! and 2.) If you have "Start Me Up" on a best of the Stones list, you're a dumb person.)

YouTube:
(All songs by the Rolling Stones)
01. Street Fighting Man
02. Under My Thumb
03. When the Whip Comes Down
04. 19th Nervous Breakdown
05. She's A Rainbow
06. I Am Waiting
07. Sympathy For The Devil
08. Tumbling Dice
09. Brown Sugar
10. Some Girls
11. 2000 Man
12. Sway
13. Blue Turns To Grey
14. She Smiled Sweetly
15. Paint It, Black
16. Rocks Off
17. Play With Fire
18. Citadel (cover)
19. Prodigal Son
20. Ruby Tuesday

imeem: External:

Day 89: Rolling Stones

Just Like A Young Girl Should? ...idk Mick
Erik

Videos!

and

(Image by Alessio, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 88: Left Eye

2009-05-27T22:56:00.002-05:00

Today, May 28, 2009, would have been the 38th birthday of Lisa Lopes of popular music group TLC. She was the "L," which stood for "Left Eye" (though it could have just as easily stood for "Loved setting Andre Rison's house on fire").

Left Eye died tragically in 2002 in a car crash in Honduras. To commemorate Ms. Lopes, I've put together a list of 15 songs about eyes.

YouTube:
01. Debbie Gibson - Lost In Your Eyes
02. Eric Clapton - My Father's Eyes
03. Jackson Browne - Doctor My Eyes
04. Guess Who - These Eyes
05. The Eagles - Lyin' Eyes
06. The Who - Behind Blue Eyes
07. Survivor - Eye of the Tiger
08. The dB's - Big Brown Eyes
09. Pogues - Pair of Brown Eyes
10. Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
11. Sinead O'Connor - Damn Your Eyes
12. Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes
13. Velvet Underground - Pale Blue Eyes
14. The Beta Band - Needles In My Eyes
15. Van Morrison - Brown-Eyed Girl

imeem: External:

Day 88: Left Eye

The Light The Heat,
Erik

Video!

(Image by zoethustra, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 87: Wildcard (18)

2009-05-27T00:26:00.005-05:00

Yay! A new Wildcard! Just so you know, I'm probably going to take next week off. I'm moving, and keeping this baby up might be a bit hard with the commotion and lack of Internet. Enjoy!

YouTube:
01. Monkees - Daydream Believer
02. Mary Wells - My Guy
03. The Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Loving Feeling
04. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Where Have All The Rudeboys Gone?
05. The Walkmen - In The New Year
06. The Avalanches - Since I Left You
07. Coolio - I'll C U When U Get There
08. Dr. Dre - Bad Intentions
09. Phoenix - Countdown (Sick For The Big Sun) (N/A on imeem, "Lisztomania" instead)
10. Black Sabbath - Die Young
11. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - Love Comes In Spurts
12. Don McLean - American Pie (Our national anthem)
13. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Carny
14. Eminem - Like Toy Soldiers
15. Nina Simone - To Love Somebody
16. Q-Tip - Vivrant Thing
17. The Human League - Open Your Heart
18. Tim Buckley - Song to the Siren
19. The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year (Great song/video!)
20. Ducktails - Beach Point Pleasant (N/A on imeem, "No Hope Kids" by Wavves instead)

imeem: External:

Day 87: Wildcard (18)

$$$$$$,
Erik

Videos!!!
Milwaukee, represent!

and

(Image by Kevin Law, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 86: New Music Monday (3) (Part 2 of 2)

2009-05-25T22:22:00.003-05:00

Today concludes the second part of New Music Monday (on a Tuesday?!?!?). Yesterday's 8tracks list can be found here. Enjoy.

YouTube:
01. Grizzly Bear - Southern Point (This song reminds me of Steely Dan covering America) [MySpace]
02. Foreign Born - Early Warning (N/A) [MySpace]
03. Passion Pit - Moth's Wings [MySpace]
04. Royal City - Can't You Hear Me Calling (N/A) [MySpace]
05. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Don't Haunt This Place [MySpace]
06. Tortoise - Prepare Your Coffin [MySpace]
07. Meercaz - Troubled Hand (N/A) [MySpace]
08. Bon Iver - Your Love (Live) [MySpace]

8tracks: external:

Yay Music!
Erik

(Image by Cayusa, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 85: New Music Monday (3) (Part 1 of 2)

2009-05-25T01:44:00.002-05:00

I've assembled a new New Music list for this week. I've come across a fair amount of good stuff recently, so I've decided to make it two lists (the second of which will run tomorrow). The other New Music lists can be found here.

YouTube:
01. Liechtenstein - Roses in the Park (N/A) [MySpace]
02. Bowerbirds - Northern Lights [MySpace]
03. Here We Go Magic - Only Pieces [MySpace]
04. Mouthful of Bees - Please and Thank You (N/A) [MySpace]
05. Nurses - Caterpillar Playground [MySpace]
06. Eat Skull - Stick to the Formula (N/A) [MySpace]
07. White Antelope - Silver Dagger (N/A) [MySpace]
08. Sharon Van Etten - Consolation Prize [MySpace] (she's lovely!!)

8tracks: External:

Happy Memorial Day,
Erik

(Image by Valerie, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Best of the Week: May 18-22

2009-05-22T12:23:00.000-05:00

http://8tracks.com/BubbleWolf/thedailyplaylist-week-in-review-may-1822-httpthedailyplaylistblogspotcom-

Have a great weekend,
Erik

Day 84: Michael Jackson

2009-05-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

(No reason this can't be fun, right?)

Today's artist spotlight is the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The man needs little introduction, seeing as most people have been immersed in the innerworkings of his personal life since he was less than 10 years old. We've witnessed his maturation, pigmentation, financial irresponsibility and sexual proclivity over the years. We've also witnessed his music.

From his introduction by Diana Ross and the rise of the Jackson 5 to his peak in the early 80s, then his inevitable downfall throughout the 90s, MJ brought us hit after hit after hit. In fact, the hardest part about making this list was trying not to just make it his #1s. Just look at the track list of Thriller, there isn't a deep cut on it. What I wanted to accomplish with this list was to try and encompass his career, while trying not to be too obvious, and use some of my favorite tracks.

YouTube:
(All songs by Michael Jackson unless otherwise noted)
01. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
02. Jackson 5 - The Love You Save
03. Jackson 5 - Mama's Pearl
04. The Jacksons - Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
05. Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye
06. Childhood (Explains everything you'll ever need to know about why he is the way he is)
07. Human Nature
08. The Way You Make Me Feel
09. Rock With You
10. Billie Jean
11. Bad
12. Black Or White
13. Another Part Of Me
14. Man In The Mirror
15. Ben
16. Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough
17. Thriller
18. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
19. One Day In Your Life
20. Heal the World

(Honorable Mentions: ABC, Doctor My Eyes, Maybe Tomorrow, I'll Be There, All I Do Is Think of You (Dilla!), Blame It On The Boogie, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Leave Me Alone, You Are Not Alone, and Remember The Time)

imeem: External:

Day 84: Michael Jackson

Oooh!
Erik

Videos!

and

and

(Image by Håkon H, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 83: Flying

2009-05-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today's a pretty epic day in the history of flight. On this day in 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first transatlantic, nonstop solo flight. Then, in 1932 (the same year Lindbergh, like a dickhead, lost his kid) Amelia Earhart became the first broad to accomplish the same feat (though she did it far less impressively, landing in Ireland, whereas Chuck landed in France).

For today I put together a list of songs about flight. There are a lot of them.

YouTube:
01. Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
02. Mr. Mister - Broken Wings
03. REO Speedwagon - Time For Me To Fly
04. Led Zeppelin - Night Flight
05. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Learning to Fly
06. Rolling Stones - Flight 505 (clip @ 2:44)
07. Steve Miller Band - Jet Airliner
08. Bill Conti - Gonna Fly Now
09. R. Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly
10. Frank Sinatra - Come Fly With Me
11. Rush - Fly By Night
12. The Animals - Sky Pilot
13. The Kinks - This Time Tomorrow
14. Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly
15. Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away

imeem: External:

Day 83: Flying

Up and Away,
Erik

Videos!!!

and

and finally (really interesting)

(Image by Joe Penniston, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 82: Wildcard (17)

2009-05-20T01:29:00.005-05:00

It's Wednesday, babay. You know the drill. And, as always, old Wildcards can be found here.

YouTube:
01. Public Enemy - Welcome to the Terrordome
02. Aerosmith - Love In An Elevator
03. Cream - Strange Brew
04. The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You So
05. The Creation - Making Time
06. Boards of Canada - Roygbiv
07. Cocteau Twins - Lorelei
08. School of Seven Bells - Half Asleep
09. The Pop Group - We Are Time
10. Berlin - Take My Breath Away
11. Jefferson Starship - Jane
12. Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood
13. DangerDoom - Sofa King
14. All-4-One - I Can Love You Like That
15. The Charade - Keeping Up Appearances (N/A)
16. Rilo Kiley - Execution of All Things
17. Madness - One Step Beyond
18. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You (N/A on imeem, "Middle Cyclone" instead)
19. Times New Viking - The Early '80s (N/A)
20. LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge (Burn!)

imeem: External:

Day 82: Wildcard (17)

5-Laced,
Erik

(Image by Art G., Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 81: Doo-Wop

2009-05-19T09:40:00.003-05:00

Today's genre tour is Doo-Wop, an American pop genre in the 50s and 60s. It's a cool genre because it served as a bridge between gospel and the more stylized R&B that defined the 60s. It's also pretty cool because it was really only commercially viable between 1955 and 1960. I put together a list of songs that weren't all about holding hands and milkshakes and shit (though almost every song in the genre is about walking someone home).

YouTube:
01. Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers - Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
002. The Visions - A Teenagers Life
003. Nicky & The Nobles - School Bells
04. Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs - Stay
005. The Videos - Moonglow You Know
06. The Kodaks - Make Believe World (N/A)
007. The Clickettes - Because Of My Best Friend
008. The Matadors - Vengeance
09. The Willows - Church Bells May Ring
10. The Marcels - Blue Moon
11. The Dell Kings - Come Go With Me
012. The Bluenotes - She Is Mine
13. Gene Chandler - Duke of Earl (what a bizarre persona...)
014. The Monotones - Who Wrote The Book of Love?
015. The Bop-Chords - So Why
016. The Corsairs - Smokey Places
017. The Heartbeats - Tormented
018. The Keynotes - I Don't Know
019. The Pelicans - Aurelia
20. The Penguins - Earth Angel

imeem: External:
(Note: There were way too many songs that had to be uploaded for this list to work. There were only 8 songs on imeem. If you'd like to check the songs out, I suggest sessioning the YouTube videos)

Day 81: Doo-Wop

Sh-Bop, Sh-Bop,
Erik

Videos!

and.

(Image by Svadilfari, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

A note

2009-05-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, just letting you know today's blog will run tomorrow. Apologies!! Busy weekends...

Best,
Erik

Best of the Week: May 11-15

2009-05-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

http://8tracks.com/BubbleWolf/thedailyplaylist-week-in-review-may-1115-httpthedailyplaylistblogspotcom-

Have a great weekend,
Erik

Day 80: Ramones

2009-05-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today's artist spotlight is the Ramones. Not much to say, other than the fact that the Ramones were on the forefront of the New York punk scene. Their 2-minute explosions of sound came to define the movement, paving the way for hundreds of future artists. On topics ranging from subversive political statements and social commentary to "Bird" being the "word," the Ramones looked right into the downtrodden but changing face of New York City; and then spit into it.

Hey ho, let's go.

YouTube:
(All songs by the Ramones)
01. Blitzkrieg Bop
02. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
03. Danny Says
04. I'm Against It
05. I Wanna Be Sedated
06. Judy Is A Punk
07. The KKK Took My Baby Away
08. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
09. Poison Heart
10. Rockaway Beach
11. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
12. Cretin Hop
13. Teenage Lobotomy
14. Howling At The Moon (Sha La La)
15. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg)
16. Something To Believe In
17. I Can't Give You Anything
18. Pet Sematary
19. I Can't Make It On Time
20. Street Fighting Man

imeem: External:

Day 80: Ramones

1-2-3-4!!
Erik

Videos!

And... :-(

(Image by Okada Shinoda, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 79: Adventure

2009-05-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today is a special day! On this day in 1944 and 1952, respectively, acclaimed directors George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis were born. What I feel connects these two filmmakers is their sense of fantasy and adventure; Zemeckis being responsible for Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and Forrest Gump; and Lucas obviously being responsible for Star Wars.

In honor of these two movie men I've put together a list of 15 songs that encapsulate a sense of adventure. It was a tough list to whittle down because, believe it or not, there are a lot of adventurous songs; mostly because adventures can be fantastic or commonplace. I tried to assemble a list that included some of the many types of adventures out there. If you have any suggestions, feel free to drop me a line.

(Note: This list probably could have been entirely prog rock and power metal, but where's the fun in that?)

YouTube:
01. Europe - The Final Countdown
02. Elton John - Rocket Man
03. Deep Purple - Space Truckin'
04. Styx - Come Sail Away
05. The Aquabats - The Wild Sea!
06. Crosby, Stills & Nash - Marrakesh Express
07. Simon & Garfunkel - America
08. America - Horse With No Name
09. Tom Waits - Hold On
10. The Decemberists - Mariner's Revenge Song
11. Beach Boys - Sloop John B
12. Genesis - One For The Vine
13. Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
14. Metallica - Wherever I May Roam
15. Dragonforce - Through the Fire and Flames

imeem: External:

Day 79: Adventure

Travellin',
Erik

Videos!

and

(Image by Nik Jones, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 78: Wildcard (16)

2009-05-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's beat time! It's hop time! It's Wildcard time!!

YouTube:
01. The Monks - Monk Time
02. Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin'
03. Kenny Loggins - Mr. Night
04. Black Crowes - Kickin' My Heart Around
05. Five Iron Frenzy - Pre Ex-Girlfriend
06. Public Image Ltd. - Swan Lake
07. Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move
08. Junior Senior - Move Your Feet
09. M.I.A. - Galang
10. Pharrell - Angel
11. Aceyalone - I Think I Know Too Much
12. Blondie - Rapture
13. The Tubes - She's A Beauty
14. Interpol - NYC
15. Beach House - Apple Orchard
16. Coldplay - Don't Panic (I can't seem to escape this song; so I figured I'd just throw it on a list.)
17. The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby
18. Willie Nelson - Whiskey River
19. Tommy James & The Shondells - Crimson & Clover
20. Roy Orbison - In Dreams

imeem: External:

Day 78: Wildcard (16)

A Candy-Colored Clown,
Erik

Bonus!

(Image by Josh Harper, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 77: George Carlin

2009-05-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today is a little bittersweet, for it marks what would have been George Carlin's 72nd birthday. Unfortunately, he passed away last year, leaving a huge hole in the comedy world. Being a Milwaukeean, I feel it my duty to personally make up for the fact that in 1972 Mr. Carlin was arrested in Milwaukee for disturbing the peace.

The act that got him arrested was his "Seven Dirty Words" routine. One of his legacies, of course, is his liberal use of profanity (and free speech in general). To commemorate Mr. Carlin, I've put together a list of 10 songs (some of which are short) that display my favorite use of profanity. There are a lot of songs out there that use a bunch of swears, but they come across as obnoxious to me (I'm looking at you, "My Neck, My Back" and "The Whisper Song").

Not to say some of these songs don't use profanity cheaply; they do. But, the difference is, they don't take themselves seriously, and I like that. And so should you.

YouTube:
01. Reel Big Fish - Another F.U. Song
02. Blink 182 - Happy Holidays, You Bastard
03. Tenacious D - Karate
04. Eminem - Kill You
05. N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton
06. Pantera - Fucking Hostile
07. Dr. Dooom - No Chorus
08. Lil Jon feat. Ice Cube - Roll Call
09. Frank Zappa & Steve Vai - Fuck Yourself
10. Ben Folds - Bitches Ain't Shit

imeem: External:

Day 77: George Carlin

Fuck,
Erik

Vid.

(Image by Thomas Roche, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 76: RnB/Soul (2)

2009-05-11T00:44:00.002-05:00

Originally this week's genre tour was going to not be the second part of the Soul list, just to build a little tension. But, I couldn't decide on genre for this week in time, so here we go. Commence with the soul!!!

YouTube:
01. Martha & The Vandellas - Nowhere to Run
02. Johnnie Taylor - Who's Making Love
03. The Spinners - Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
04. Sam Cooke - Twistin' the Night Away
05. The Stylistics - You're A Big Girl Now
06. Jackie Wilson - Lonely Teardrops
07. The Shirelles - Mama Said
08. The Dells - I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue (N/A)
09. Donny Hathaway - A Song For You (N/A)
10. The Delfonics - La La Means I Love You
11. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Stop! In The Name of Love
12. Sly & The Family Stone - Runnin' Away
13. The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman
14. The O'Jays - Backstabbers
15. James Brown - Try Me

imeem: External:

Day 76: Soul/R&B (2)

Have Mercy,
Erik

Video!!!

(Image By Soul Portrait, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Best of the Week: May 4-8

2009-05-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

http://8tracks.com/BubbleWolf/thedailyplaylist-week-in-review-may-48-httpthedailyplaylistblogspotcom

Have a great weekend,
Erik

Day 75: Bob Dylan

2009-05-08T01:09:00.003-05:00

This week's artist spotlight needs little introduction. Bob Dylan has been regarded as the greatest songwriter of all time more times than he hasn't. I could go on all day about his genius or whatever, but the truth is, if you're a music fan, there's probably a song of his that's touched you. Maybe the chorus of "Like A Rolling Stone" hit you in a moment of uncertainty or "Tangled Up In Blue" caught you in a down period of your life. His songs can be autopsied, diagnosed, deduced and analyzed; but the fact is they're meant to be listened to and felt.

YouTube:
(All Songs by Bob Dylan)
01. Like A Rolling Stone
02. Visions of Johanna
03. When I Paint My Masterpiece
04. Bob Dylan's 115th Dream
05. Changing Of The Guards
06. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
07. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
08. Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again
09. Groom's Still Waiting At The Altar
10. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
11. It Ain't Me Babe
12. Angelina (N/A on imeem, "Wigwam" instead)
13. Girl From The North Country
14. Moonshiner
15. The Times They Are A-Changin'
16. Slow Train
17. To Ramona
18. God Knows
19. Shelter From The Storm
20. Desolation Row (Part 1) (Part 2)

imeem: External:

Day 75: Bob Dylan

How Does It Feel,
Erik

Videos

and

and finally

(Image by m.caimary, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 74: The Seven Deadly Sins

2009-05-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

There are plenty of days like this, May 7, where there isn't a whole lot going on; no notable deaths or birthdays, no holidays, no nothing. But, today is the 7th, which has prompted today's list: the Seven Deadly Sins. I've put together seven tracks that, in my opinion, best represent each of the Cardinal Sins. Enjoy, and let me know you think.

Lust (There are a lot of songs about lust, but this song really embodies the concept for me. The Deadly Sins aren't about moderation. Any of these things taken in small doses probably won't kill you. But, wanting it too much and in excess, that's the killer.)
01. Barry White - Can't Get Enough of Your Love
Gluttony (I realize this song is really obvious as far as lyrics are concerned; but I felt it appropriate. And, I didn't wanna settle on "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Fat" or "Eat It.")
02. Dave Matthews Band - Too Much
Greed (This song pretty much exemplifies modern rap's greed.)
03. 50 Cent - I Get Money
Sloth (This song came by good suggestion. It embodies apathy and detrimental laziness about as fully as anything else out there.)
04. Green Day - Longview
Wrath (Both musically and lyrically wrathful.)
05. Metallica - Seek & Destroy
Envy (I love this pick. There are a lot of songs about envy, but this one really goes to the extreme. This person is so envious of someone else's love that he can barely distinguish reality from imagination.)
06. The Temptations - Just My Imagination
Pride (The pride they refer to with the sins isn't being proud of something else; it's hubris. It's a love of self more than a love of anything else. Now, rap is probably the most self-obsessed genre, and Kanye West is probably the most self-obsessed person within that genre. The chorus asks, "Did you realize, that you were a champion in their eyes?" But it asks it in the third person, to which Kanye responds to his own question: "Yes I did." Gotta love it.)
07. Kanye West - Champion

imeem: External:

Day 74: The Seven Deadly Sins

Let Us Pray,
Erik

And...

(Image by Bill Rogers, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 73: Wildcard (15)

2009-05-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Alright, Wildcard time!!!

YouTube:
01. 13th Floor Elevators - You're Gonna Miss Me
02. Redman & Method Man - Da Rockwilder
03. Cannibal Ox - Raspberry Fields
04. The Notwist - Boneless
05. The Offspring - Not the One
06. The Fall - Spoilt Victorian Child
07. Vetiver - Everyday
08. The Carpenters - Close to You
09. Fleetwood Mac - Hypnotized
10. The Fratellis - The Gutterati?
11. Pras feat. Mya & O.D.B. - Ghetto Superstar
12. L.T.D. - (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again
13. U2 - With or Without You
14. Television Personalities - This Angry Silence
15. Eddie Money - Two Tickets to Paradise
16. Rod Stewart - Maggie May
17. Warren Zevon - Accidentally Like A Martyr
18. Taken By Trees - Open Field
19. Kurt Vile - My Best Friends (Don't Even Pass This) (N/A)
20. Her Space Holiday - Sleepy Tigers

imeem: External:

Day 73: Wildcard (15)

Yowza,
Erik

Vidi-ideo

(Image by Tony Case, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 72: Cinco De Mayo

2009-05-05T01:30:00.004-05:00

Hola! Today is Cinco de Mayo!!! Time to grab a Corona (or any other random Mexican beer you need to drown out with lime to stomach) and a shot of tequila (see previous note, add salt) and kick back. This list is sort of incohesive. I put together a short list of songs I would like to hear on Cinco de Mayo. They aren't the best Mexican party songs or songs by American artists in Spanish or anything like that. Nope, just a few jams in honor of this holiday.

YouTube:
01. Miami Sound Machine - Conga
02. Santana - Oye Como Va
03. Ritchie Valens - La Bamba (Cover from the made-for-TV movie)
04. Gipsy Kings - Hotel California
05. WAR - Cinco de Mayo (cover only)
06. Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
07. Wyclef Jean - Guantanamera
08. Calexico - El Picador
09. Pixies - Vamos
10. Rage Against the Machine - People of the Sun

imeem: External:

Day 72: Cinco De Mayo

Viva la Raza,
Erik

Duh...

(Image by Derek Baird, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 71: Soul/R&B (1)

2009-05-04T09:37:00.007-05:00

Well, this week's genre tour is Soul/R&B. Much like I did with the Classic Rock lists, this is going to be more of an R&B Radio play-list. This list is half of a larger list, which will conclude in a week or two.

Note: I draw distinctions between older R&B and newer. Like, Boyz II Men won't share a list with the Temptations. But modern R&B is a genre in itself (which may be a list some day!!!...?)

YouTube:

01. The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud To Beg

02. Jackson 5 - One More Chance

03. Al Green - Tired of Being Alone

04. Ben E. King - Stand By Me

05. Gene Chandler - Groovy Situation

06. King Floyd - Groove Me

07. Stevie Wonder - Living For The City

08. Sam and Dave - Soul Man

09. Marvin Gaye - Stubborn Kind of Fellow

10. Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools

11. Wilson Pickett - I Found A Love (Cover Only)

12. The Four Tops - Are You Man Enough?

13. Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

14. Billy Paul - Me and Mrs. Jones

15. Willie Hutch - I Choose You

imeem: External:

Day 71: Soul/R&B (1)

Move On Up,

Erik

Video!

(Image by Soul Portrait, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Quick word!

2009-05-04T02:41:00.001-05:00

Hey folks. Sorry, I'm having a little trouble with imeem. The list will be published by this afternoon. Sorry for any inconvenience.

-Erik

Best of the Week: April 27-May 1

2009-05-01T12:00:00.001-05:00

http://8tracks.com/BubbleWolf/thedailyplaylist-week-in-review-april-27may-1-httpthedailyplaylistblogspotcom-

Have a great weekend,
Erik

Day 70: Elvis Costello

2009-05-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

This week's artist spotlight is Mr. Elvis Costello, a man for whom I have the utmost respect. Like Lou Reed and Joe Strummer, Costello was both simultaneously more punk than the punks and more intelligent than the... well everyone. Lyrically he always comes through with a profound message on pretty much every topic. Unlike a lot of punk music, he doesn't fall back on the primitive "Fuck you" to the government message. Instead he describes why we can't truth those in power. Musically, his explorations have ventured from rock to jazz to reggae to punk and nearly everything else, and he's done them all well. Also, like a Van Morrison, his music has aged really well (and so has his voice).

I've put together a 20-track list of some of my favorite Costello songs (though it could easily be 50). I've spanned the majority of his career, from his more punkish roots to his recent dabblings in jazz and classical. Enjoy!!!

YouTube:
(All songs by Elvis Costello and one of his many back-up groups [The Attractions, The Imposters, and the Brodsky Quartet])
01. (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
02. Bedlam
03. Welcome to the Working Week (Note: This song was going to go on the May Day list, but I knew it was going on this list so I decided not to use it, though it deserves to be)
04. Man Out Of Time (I've used this song on a previous list, but I'm sorry, I love it so)
05. Little Palaces
06. I Almost Had A Weakness (Cover Only)
07. Little Triggers
08. Couldn't Call It Unexpected (Cover Only)
09. Tokyo Storm Warning (N/A)
10. White Knuckles (N/A)
11. Everyday I Write The Book
12. Watching the Detectives
13. ...And In Every Home (N/A)
14. Shipbuilding
15. Soul For Hire (Cover Only)
16. Goon Squad (N/A)
17. 13 Steps Lead Down
18. Man Called Uncle (N/A)
19. Clubland
20. Alison

imeem: External:

Day 70: Elvis Costello

Get Happy!!
Erik

Vids!

And

And epically

(Image by Bruno Bollaert, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 69: May Day

2009-04-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

Solidarity! Tomorrow's May Day, or Labour Day, or International Worker's Day; basically a day to celebrate the working man/woman. I've put together a 10-track list of workin' songs. (Note: I know I'm a day early, but April 30 isn't a very eventful day.)

Now, there are two camps of working songs. There are songs about working, and songs about workers (and their rights). And, there's a lot of cheese on both sides of the spectrum. Songs about workers tend to come across as overly bitchy and preachy (no matter how justifiably bitchy they are); and songs about working tend to just be just downright stupid and pedestrian. For this list I've tried to strike a decent balance between the two.

Enjoy. And take a few minutes tomorrow and just relax. Don't work so hard, it'll kill you.

YouTube:
01. The Clash - Career Opportunities
02. Billy Bragg - Between the Wars
03. Bob Dylan - Maggie's Farm
04. Big D & the Kids Table - Souped-Up Vinyl
05. Dropkick Murpheys - Worker's Song
06. Rolling Stones - Salt of the Earth
07. Bruce Springsteen - Factory
08. Aesop Rock - 9-5ers Anthem
09. John Lennon - Working Class Hero
10. Rush - Working Man

imeem: External:

Day 69: May Day

Solidarity!
Erik

Videos!

And of Course

(Image by Saad Akhtar, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 68: Wildcard (14)

2009-04-28T22:12:00.006-05:00

Alright! Wildcard time! I never know what to do with these things. There are just so many possibilities, and I don't want to get too obscure, but I also don't want to get overly mainstream. I guess my rationale behind my Wildcard selections is that it would be what I would play if I had a radio show. So if you could imagine... Well, enjoy! And, of course, old Wildcards can be found here.

YouTube:
01. Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
02. The Strokes - Someday
03. Los Campesinos! - We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
04. Ghostface Killah - Shakey Dog
05. KRS-One - Step Into A World (Rapture's Delight)
06. Shugo Tokumaru - Parachute
07. Pop Levi - Never Never Love (N/A on imeem, "Skip Ghetto" instead)
08. Tiffany - I Think We're Alone Now
09. Cut Copy - So Haunted
10. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
11. Modest Mouse - Lounge (Closing Time)
12. The Ronettes - Be My Baby
13. The Impressions - Keep On Pushing
14. T.I. - What You Know
15. Trick Daddy - I'm A Thug
16. Murs - H.U.S.T.L.E.
17. 38 Special - Hold On Loosely
18. Sea Wolf - I Made A Resolution
19. Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
20. Ted Nugent - Fred Bear

imeem: External:

Day 68: Wildcard (14)

Bonus Video!

(Image by RebelBlueAngel, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 67: Oh, Sad Canada

2009-04-28T01:07:00.006-05:00

April 28 brings a strange holiday: National Day of Mourning in Canada. It's supposedly designed to remember those who have died in workplace-related accidents; which is pretty sad stuff I guess. For the holiday I've put together my list of 10 of the saddest songs by Canadian artists. Because I'm creative like that. Enjoy!

YouTube:

01. Joni Mitchell - Blue

02. Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
03. Feist - The Park

04. Stars - Celebration Guns (N/A)

05. Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know
06. Sum 41 - Still Waiting

07. Ron Sexsmith - Words We Never Use

08. Chad VanGaalen - Willow Tree

09. Neil Young - Old Man

10. Leonard Cohen - Stranger Song

imeem: External:

Day 67: Oh, Sad Canada

Here's A Tissue, Eh,

Erik

(Image by Just Us 3, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 66: Krautrock

2009-04-26T23:48:00.004-05:00

This week's genre tour is Krautrock; an interesting music experiment that existed primarily in Germany, obviously, in the late 60s and early 70s. Drawing influences from all over the place from pop music and jazz to bands like the Velvet Underground, Krautrock laid the groundwork for heaps of other genres (electronic, some hip-hop, ambient, post punk, etc.)

Now, Krautrock isn't for everyone. A lot of it is based on minimalism and repetition, which doesn't appeal to most. But be patient with it.

I've assembled a list of what I consider some essential introductions to the genre, in order to provide a decent cross-section to get a full feel of the breadth of Krautrock (it does not all sound the same). I am greatly indebted to the A.V. Club and its readers, for this article, which really helped flesh out the list.

YouTube:
01. Tangerine Dream - Sequent C
02. Harmonia - Notre Dame
03. Can - Mushroom
04. Faust - Jennifer
05. Amon Düül II - Deutsch Nepal
06. Kraftwerk - Ruckzuck
07. NEU! - Negativland
08. Popol Vuh - Through Pain to Heaven
09. Embryo - Ticket to India (N/A)
10. Agitation Free - Laila
11. Cluster - Marzipan (N/A)
12. Ash Ra Tempel - Day Dream
13. Pink Floyd - Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun

imeem: External:

Day 66: Krautrock

Auf Wiedersehen,
Erik

Bonus Video!

(Image by Aenneken, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Best of the Week: April 20-24

2009-04-24T13:32:00.002-05:00

http://8tracks.com/BubbleWolf/thedailyplaylist-week-in-review-april-2024-httpthedailyplaylistblogspotcom-

Have a great weekend,
Erik

Day 65: Otis Redding

2009-04-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

This week's artist spotlight is Otis Redding, who I still contend may be the greatest music tragedy of all time. At just 26, Otis was taken from us in a plane crash (the result of which has caused me to generally dislike and avoid Madison, WI). He is the greatest musical tragedy in my opinion, because, not only was his voice a gift from the Gods, but he was the Soul world's equivalent to the Rolling Stones; he could have served as the bridge between rock and soul. You'll notice this list has a few cover songs, mostly because his covers were as original as the originals. Enjoy.

(Note: Because of the brevity of his career, not a lot of videos are available for his songs.)

YouTube:
All songs performed by Otis Redding
01. Satisfaction
02. Hard to Handle (N/A)
03. Mr. Pitiful (with Respect)
04. Try A Little Tenderness
05. Amen (N/A)
06. I'm Sick Y'All (N/A)
07. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)
08. Cigarettes and Coffee
09. A Hard Day's Night (Live) (N/A)
10. Day Tripper (Live) (N/A)
11. Johnny's Heartbreak (N/A)
12. Change Gonna Come (N/A)
13. Security (N/A)
14. Hey Hey Baby (N/A)
15. Tramp (with Carla Thomas)
16. I Love You More Than Words Can Say
17. The Match Game (N/A)
18. Direct Me (N/A)
19. A Little Time (N/A)
20. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

imeem: External:

Day 65: Otis Redding

Soul=Melted,
Erik

Video!

(Image By AOK Library & Gallery, Licensed Under Creative Commons)