The Friday Five: May 27, 2011
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?
The Friday Five: February 25, 2011
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:
It’s another busy Friday at the office. I’ve got the iTunes shuffling away in the background, here’s the first five tunes that popped up …
“Daylight Fading” by Counting Crows (from Recovering the Satellites, 1996)
“French Navy” by Camera Obscura (from My Maudlin Career, 2009)
“Follow You Down” by The Twilight Singers (from Blackberry Belle, 2003)
“Ship Shape” by Modern Skirts (from Gramahawk, 2011)
“Heaven” by Bryan Adams (from Reckless, 1984)What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: November 06, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have 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.
Editor’s Note: While short on time, it occurred to me that I always have time for some twitter-sized goodness so this week’s five is all in 140 characters or less. @michaelparrThe Five:
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Little Wing” (From Axis: Bold as Love, 1967)
While possibly cliché, this is my favorite Hendrix tune. Simple, soulful and beautiful, this is easily on my desert island song list.
Enuff Z’Nuff – “New Thing” (mp3) (from Enuff Z’Nuff, 1989)
Day-glo attire and pop-metal leanings aside, Enuff Z’Nuff were one of the most underrated power pop bands of the ’80s and ’90s.
Bryan Adams – “Heat of the Night” (from So Far So Good, 1993)
Does anyone truly dislike Bryan Adams? If pressed to name the essential ’80s records, Reckless would always be mentioned in the top 10.
Counting Crows – “Angels of the Silences” (from Recovering the Satellites, 1996)
I recall seeing the band on the Recovering the Satellites tour and how powerful this track is live. Adam is dynamic when he wants to be.
Bon Jovi – “Never Say Goodbye” (mp3) (from Slippery When Wet, 1986)
The ultimate prom song, I look at this record and wonder how it is that 23 years later this band is still flogging the same dead horse.
What’s your Five?
The Friday Five: September 18, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have 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:
The Smashing Pumpkins – “1949 (vocal mix)” (from Rarities and B-Sides, 2005)
It seems like a lifetime ago when Billy Corgan was actually relevant. Despite his ongoing attempts to further bury his Smashing Pumpkins into the ground I will hold the bands early work near and dear to my heart. While clearly ego-driven, the ambitious Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness to this day stands as one of my favorite records of the mid 90’s. This particular track was part of a remix single featuring remixes by Roli Mosimann and Moby.
Counting Crows – “Goodnight Elisabeth” (from Recovering the Satellites, 1996)
Easily one of my favorite songs in Counting Crows repertoire, “Goodnight Elisabeth” is a perfect example of the band’s strength and moreover Adam Duritz’s ability to craft the most lovelorn tale and wrap it up in a beautiful package. The lyric “If your the Queen of California I am the King of the rain…” continues in the tradition of the storyteller tying back to his past tales.
OutKast – “B.O.B.” (from Big Boi and Dre Present…Outkast, 2001)
This track is – in a word – relentless. At a frenetic 155 BPM it is the definition of banging and was the first OutKast single that really caught my attention. I was familiar with the group prior and loved the track “Elevators (Me & You)” but had not connected with the southern hip-hop duo outside that. That all changed with this track.
Paul Davis – “’65 Love Affair” (from Sweet Life: His Greatest Hit Singles, 1999)
This track just takes me back to days without a care, riding bicycles and running around during the summer. For that simple fact I cherish this track.
ZZ Top – “Rough Boy” (from Greatest Hits, 1992)
A few years later and maybe a little less “riding bicycles and running around during the summer” but this holds a similar place in my heart. Growing up just outside of the reach of NYC’s Z100 the Hudson Valley pop radio landscape in the ’80s was dominated by K104.7 WSPK and its Saturday Night all request with Dr. John Barron. It was through these shows that I discovered not just pop, but rock, new wave, AOR and of course the Power Ballad. “Rough Boy” was the third single from ZZ Top’s Afterburner and was their last in the ’80s.
I’ve got my five, what’s coming up in your shuffle today?
Ickmusic’s Friday Five: October 24, 2008
Is it 5:00 EST already? Who’s ready to shuffle out into the weekend?
For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.
Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Counting Crows – St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream / Kid Things (from This Desert Life)
I’ve always connected with this tune. It’s laid back mid-tempo sing-song feel coupled with the big Hammond organ sound just hit me in the right spot. “Kid Things” is about as close to a ‘happy’ record as Adam Duritz could muster (this in the days before “Accidentally in Love” proved he could write a truly ‘happy’ love song).
2. Ayla Brook – Wake Up Early (mp3) (from After the Morning After)
This track makes you feel like you are sitting in the room with the band. This is one of my favorite records of 2008.
3. John Mayer – St. Patrick’s Day (from Room for Squares)
From his major label debut, this tune along with “City Love” and “Neon” showed the true potential that has come to fruition in his more recent records.
4. New Edition – If It Isn’t Love (from Hits)
My second favorite New Edition song… “Cool It Now” holds the top spot though.
5. Prince – 1999 (from Foefur’s Remaster: 1999)
Since it’s not likely that His Royal Badness is not likely to allow Warner Bros. to re-master and re-release his catalog, nor will he be inclined to do so when he obtains the masters, some brave and intrepid fans decided to take it on themselves. Truth be told, this version ‘sounds’ one hundred times better than the Warner Bros. CD version.
Ready! Set! Shuffle!