• Friday Five

    The Friday Five: July 1, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “Everything Is Fair” by A Tribe Called Quest (from The Low End Theory, 1991)

    I don’t know if this cut stands up well on its own, but when listened to in the course of the record, it’s all sorts of hot. The Low End Theory is a record that just reminds me of summer.

    “Village of the Sun” by The Mothers of Invention (from Roxy & Elsewhere, 1974)

    Music is the best!

    “Edge of the Blade” by Journey (from Frontiers, 1983)

    Pretty standard, early ’80s AOR fare from the masters of the craft. I dig Schon’s guitar playing here.

    “Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare” by Matt & Kim (from Grand, 2009)

    New school summertime jam!

    “32 Pennies” by Warrant (from Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, 1989)

    I’d be embarrassed, but I dig this tune.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: June 24, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa (from The Hip Hop Box, 2004)

    What ever happened to Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor?

    “Seeing Things” by The Black Crowes (from Shake Your Money Maker, 1990)

    Any group that can successfully cop the soul and emotion—not to mention the chord progression—of Otis’ “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember,” and manage to do it well? Well, shit … they can do no wrong in my book. I don’t recall hearing this on the radio, despite it being a single.

    “Love Is” by Chrisette Michelle (from I Am, 2007)

    A perfectly simple declaration of love. The mainstream is still sleeping on Chrisette Michelle, which boggles my mind. She’s got jazz chops for days with the ability to rock a mainstream R&B track with the rest of them.

    “Through Glass” by Amy Petty (from House of Doors, 2010)

    One of my favorite records of last year, this song still rocks me to my core.

    “Beat It” by Michael Jackson (from Number Ones, 2003)

    Tomorrow is the second anniversary of Michael’s passing. It’s strange to think that we live in a world without Michael Jackson. A figure that had been omnipresent—for better, or for worse—in all of our lives for the better part of the last 35 years, it is still odd to realize he’s gone. Tomorrow I’ll undoubtedly pull out the entire catalog and hit the shuffle button, letting fate lead me through his incredible discography.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: June 17, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “Last Chance” by Maroon 5 (from Hands All Over, 2010)

    I was severely underwhelmed by this record. Given its pedigree, you would expect more, but I found myself pondering that age-old question: “where’s the beef?”

    “Severed Hand” by Pearl Jam (from Pearl Jam, 2006)

    I listened to this record earlier this week and was reminded just how much I dig it.

    “Welcome to the Club” by The Brothers Johnson (from Blast!, 1982)

    Get down with the git down!

    “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit” by Wu-Tang Clan (from Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, 1993)

    Form like Voltron!

    “The Marrying Kind” by Prince (from Musicology, 2004)

    This one is incomplete with out it’s funkier sister “If Eye Was the Man in Ur Life.” As a matter of face, I’m switching off the shuffle now.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: June 10, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “Wednesday Week” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions (from Armed Forces, 197)

    Holy mid-tune break down, Batman!

    “Midnight in a Perfect World (FUSO mix)” by DJ Shadow (from The DJ Shadow Remix Project, 2010)

    I remember the arrival of Shadow’s Endtroducing….. in 1996. I was working at a record store—and when I say record store, I mean a record store—and recall spinning the disc twice daily, trying to figure out how in the hell this guy was able to patch together elements from disparate sources into cohesive, and damn funky, tunes. Remember, these were the days before technology made it easy. I’m still in awe.

    “Lullabye” by Ben Folds Five (from The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, 1999)

    I’ve never been much of a fan of Folds’ music. This tune, however, is lovely.

    “Lay Me Down” by The Frames (from For the Birds, 2001)

    Somewhere between The Commitments and The Swell Season, Glen Hansard was plenty busy putting out quality records with his band, The Frames.

    “Factory” by Band of Horses (from Infinite Arms, 2010)

    This week’s five came in like a lion, and is going out a lamb with the mellow lead-off track from Band of Horses’ latest, Infinite Arms.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: June 3, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “Stay” by David Bowie (from Station to Station, 1991)

    We’re kicking off the festivities with a aggressively funky cut from the Thin White Duke. I especially dig the go-go congas panned hard left.

    “Fireflies” by The Hush Now (from Constellations, 2009)

    File these guy under “the best bands you’ve never heard.” Heck, I’m not even sure how I originally tripped over their 2008 self-titled effort, but it was one of the records that I ended up coming back to more than a few times. The second record was a bit uneven in spots, but still solid overall.

    “Manipulation” by Chicago (from Chicago XIV, 1980)

    In the year 1980 BDF—that’s Before David Foster, for the uninitated—Chicago released the record that got them dropped from Columbia records. Yes, boys and girls, it’s that bad.

    “Speak Low” by Billie Holiday (from Verve Jazz Masters 12, 1994)

    Oh, how I love Billie.

    “Breakout” by Foo Fighters (from Greatest Hits, 2009)

    Hail! Hail! Rock n’ Roll!

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: May 27, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “My Country” by tUnE-YaRdS (from WHOKILL, 2011)

    This is the first time I’m hearing anything from this record, which comes very highly recommended by my Popdose alum—and frequent flyer with the Friday Five—Michael Fortes. It reminds me a bit of Ween, filtered through a Sonic Youth colored lens. I’ll have to queue this up for the long weekend.

    “Anna Begins” by Counting Crows (from Films About Ghosts: The Best of…, 2003)

    This is, for me, Adam Duritz’s greatest moment as a songwriter.

    “The Same December” from Prince (from Chaos and Disorder, 1996)

    For every bit of praise I lavished on Come a few weeks back, I have to decry Chaos and Disorder. Does anyone else recall the full court press promotional tour for this record? I swear, there must be a dozen television performances of “Dinner With Delores” out there.

    “Transatlanticism” by Death Cab for Cutie (from Transatlanticism, 2003)

    Buy Codes and Keys. Seriously, you’ll thank me.

    ‘Bonita Applebum (radio edit)” by A Tribe Called Quest (from Bonita Applebum, 1990)

    With this, I’m kicking off the Friday Dance Party.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: May 20, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “Touch of Madness” by Night Ranger (from Midnight Madness, 1987)

    Discussion around the Popdose water cooler has been buzzing about Night Ranger’s upcoming release, Somewhere in California, touting the return of “classic Night Ranger.” Perhaps predictably, Matt Wardlaw and Dave Steed are in a tizzy and Jeff Giles (Y’all) has to replace his monitor.

    Oh, and will you look at that; Matt even wrote about it!

    “Dance the Night Away” by Van Halen (from Best Of, Volume 1, 1996)

    Since we’re all doomed in the next 48 hours, I might as well go ahead and let you all know that this is, hands down, without a doubt or question, my favorite Van Halen song. It’s the perfect example of the band’s ability to balance pop perfection and hard rock hooks.

    “Can’t Buy Me Love” by The Beatles (from A Hard Day’s Night, 1964)

    I’m debating listening to Abbey Road, Let it Be and Purple Rain all day Saturday. I’m not buying into this rapture bullshit, but if something is going down, I might as well go ahead and listen to my favorite records, right?

    “Porch” by Pearl Jam (from Ten, 1991)

    “What the fuck is this world running to?” Okay, enough of this end of the world crap.

    “The Best of My Love” by The Eagles (from The Very Best of The Eagles, 2003)

    When I heard the first strum, I was reminded of a story I read once. You should go and read it, but make sure you come back and leave your five!

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: May 13, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “One Way or Another” by Blondie (from Just Can’t Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the ‘80s, Volume 1, 1994)

    I don’t begrudge any artist making a few bucks via licensing, but I swear, if I have to hear “One Way or Another” one more time…

    “Heaven” by Warrant (from Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, 1989)

    Oh, goodness. I’d hang my head in shame, if it weren’t for the fact that I still kind of like this song.

    “Take Me Home” by Phil Collins (from No Jacket Required, 1985)

    iTunes seems to be in a mood today, eh?

    “Space (acoustic remix)” by Prince (from Space,  1994)

    Originally from Prince’s Come, I actually prefer this stripped down version to the one that is featured on the record. Looking back, Come is a quality album.

    “March of the Pigs” by Nine Inch Nails (from March of the Pigs, 1994)

    Well, that is one hell of a way to wrap up this week’s five.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: May 6, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “Cantara” by Dead Can Dance (from Toward the Within, 1994)

    I was listening to Dead Can Dance’s 1993 release Into the Labyrinth the other day while co-working from home with my wife. During the day, when we’re both listening, I tend to lean towards singer/songwriter fare, and save everything else for when I’ve got the headphones on; so you can imagine the quizzical looks that were coming across the desk during some of the more ethnic tracks. “What is this,” she asked. I think it only confused her more when I explained it was an Australian couple recording in an ancient church in England.

    “Chubby’s Goodnight” by Poppa Chubby (from Booty and the Beast, 1995)

    It took me longer to type the name of this tune than the tune lasted. Next!

    “No Money” by Kings of Leon (from Come Around Sundown, 2010)

    Sure, Come Around Sundown would have been better titled Only by the Night: Part Two, but I feel like that isn’t giving it a fair shake. For all its formulaic arena rock, it’s actually a solid record. There really was no pleasing anyone—be it the old fans, or the new—and the Followill clan did the best they could to shoot straight down middle and make a decent rock and roll record.

    “Black” by Pearl Jam (from Black and White, 1992)

    This is the MTV Unplugged performance, also known as the moment that I declared my undying love for the band. Eddie’s impassioned plea of “we, we belong together,” driving home the utter desperation of the tune.

    “Convocation / The Purple Lagoon” by Frank Zappa (from Hammersmith Odeon, 2010)

    “Welcome to show number four, de la London, England. Now, I’m going to warn you right now, we’re recording this. And for your own good, you had better make a lot of noise tonight, because this thing is going on the radio in the United States, and I don’t want those people in my country to find out how lame you suckers are.”

    I miss Frank, dearly.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: April 29, 2011

    Friday Five

    Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

    The Five:

    “Manifest Destiny” by Jamiroquai (from The Return of the Space Cowboy, 1994)

    If only every plonker that bought Travelling Without Moving for “Virtual Insanity” had reached back one release, they’d find the acid jazz informed soul-funk of Return, and be all the better for it.

    “The Body That Loves You” by Janet Jackson (from janet., 1993)

    One hundred percent throwaway track from an otherwise awesome record. At this point, though, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis could do no wrong. Must be something in the waters of Lake Minnetonka that removes local artists ability to edit themselves.

    “One Mic” by Nas (from Stillmatic, 2001)

    I’ll be damned if I know anything about reppin’ this or any hood, but I know there are few that can challenge Nasir Jones in this moment. Built on a sliver of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” the track maintains the stark intensity of the original, bubbling over as Jones’ frustration manifests in increasingly tense verses and resolves with the request for a more simple life.

    “Again” by Lenny Kravitz (from Greatest Hits, 2000)

    I’m just going to go ahead and say it … what the fuck ever happened to Lenny Kravitz? The featured new tune on his greatest hits package, this tune is plain lazy. Don’t get me wrong, I dig it, but it is late ‘90s power balladry 101. Where’s the “dig my heart out of my chest with this rusty spoon” emotion of a tune like “It Ain’t Over, Till’ It’s Over”? Further than that, this came out over ten years ago! Paging Mr. Kravitz … I’m doing something I don’t often do, and hitting the “skip forward” button.

    “Knockin’ Da Boots” by H-Town (from  MTV Party to Go, Volume 5, 1994)

    Aww yeah! That, boys, is the sound of some panties dropping.

    What’s on your shuffle today?