The Friday Five: October 28, 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:
“All of My Life (feat. Joy Rose)” by Incognito (from Transatlantic R.P.M., 2010)
Aw yeah, it’s about to get all smooth up in here. I’ll admit to having a soft spot for Bluey’s particular brand of acid jazz, though this last release lost me a little bit.
“Take a Ride” by The Constellations (from Southern Gothic, 2010)
This track is simply trying too hard.
“Take the Long Road and Walk It” by The Music (from Top of the Pops 2002, 2008)
I had to do a double take to see what year this track was from! Musically it’s a bit of slinky guitar driven rock with and Oasis lilt. That was until the vocals kicked in and it was straight 80’s hair metal.
“Last Night” by Comet Gain (from CMJ New Music Monthly, Volume 29: January 1996, 1996)
Who? I’ve been a long-time supporter of CMJ, but I swear there was always at least a few tracks on every disc that made you question everything they were recommending. Hopefully iTunes sees fit to play at least one tune that I’m vaguely familiar with before we close out this Five.
“Driver 8” by R.E.M. (from Eponymous, 1998)
I think I might know this one. I’ll admit my neglect in keeping close with my R.E.M. fan status. I was definitely sad to hear of their demise, but in a way relieved that we wouldn’t have to suffer another half-hearted record.
What’s on your shuffle today?
14 Comments
Phil
Rush – “The Spirit of Radio” (Rush in Rio, 2003)
Rush has always been an amazing live band, and this DVD/CD combo helps solidify the fact that the band was as good as ever in the early 2000s. The Rio crowds are crazy fanatical about their music, and this entire concert is a lot of fun.
Coheed and Cambria – “The Velourium Camper I: Faint of Hearts” (In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3, 2003)
Comic book rock from the very talented and creative mind of Claudio Sanchez. I just wish all of their stuff was as catchy as this. Heck, I wish the second half of this song was as catchy as the first half. “Koo koo k’choo!”
Dinosaur Jr. – “Goin’ Blind” (KISS My Ass, 1994)
Admirable kover of this klassic KISS kut. Ahem. I didn’t really know what to think of this album when it first came out, especially since it was so closely controlled by Gene and Paul. But then again, what in the KISS circus isn’t?! This is definitely one of the better tracks from this collection that stylistically is all over the map.
The Wildhearts – “Top of the World” (The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed, 2003)
Ginger should be the most sought-after songwriting partner in the world. At the very least, he and The Wildhearts should be a much, much bigger deal than they are. Catchy, well-written songs, great melodies, and crunchy riffs.
Mutual Admiration Society – “Think About your Troubles” (Live at The Bowl at Lime Kiln, 8/17/2004)
I’ve never really cared for this Harry Nilsson cover, but I love the combination of Glen Phillips and Nickel Creek. They recorded and completed their debut album in 3 days, but it took 3.5 years to get it released due to record company shenanigans. The recorded versions of their songs are good, but this collective really shines in a live environment.
Michael Parr
Rush followed up by Coheed and Cambria? That has to be your iTunes playing some sort of trick on you!
Phil
I’m just glad I didn’t get another Police track from their box set. iTunes shuffle is a weird thing indeed.
dslifton
Not much time for descriptions today:
“Detroit Medley” – Bruce Springsteen (Tower Theatre, 12-30-75)
“Everybody’s Jumpin'” – Dave Brubeck Quartet
“Lonely-Phobia” – The Rutles
“Bring ‘Em Home” – Bruce Springsteen. And we are.
“She Likes Hair Bands” – Butch Walker
Anonymous
1. “Real Love” – John Lennon – Imagine:John Lennon
2. “Hoodoo Man” – Eric Clapton – 24 Nights, Disc 1
3. “Love Blues” – Keb’ Mo’ – Keb’ Mo’
4. “The Bourgeois Blues” – Ry Cooder – Chicken Skin Music
5. “All That Heaven Will Allow” – Bruce Springsteen – Tunnel Of Love
David_E
1. Man Man, “I’d Rather Go Blind” – Yet another throwback to the 60’s from a group of Indie aughts. Nice tune, though.
2. They Might Be Giants, “The Bells Are Ringing” – I’m a sucker for Linnell’s circular melodies and arrangements.
3. Duran Duran, “Nice” – I classify this kind of music as “my wife’s stuff.”
4. ZZ Top, “I Thank You” – This is getting weird. Man Man, Duran Duran, Z Z … my iTunes is stuck in meta-repeat play!
5. Lionel Richie, “You Are” – I like this song, but I’ve always hated the synthesized farts than run throughout. It’s like listening to a Casio whoopie cushion.
Pete
1. Phish – “Mock Song” (‘Round Room’, 2002). Sub par best describes this. Bland. Boring.
2. Steve Earle – “Sparkle and Shine” (‘Washington Square Serenade’, 2007). And this is more like it. An ode to Steve’s gorgeous wife Allison Moorer.
3. Cursive – “Mama, I’m Swollen” (‘Mama, I’m Swollen’, 2009). Probably the first time I’ve heard this since I picked it up on a whim. Not bad. An Omaha band on Omaha’s Saddle Creek Records, domain of Bright Eyes.
4. Rolling Stones – “Sway” (‘Sticky Fingers’, 1971) – Gun to head, this is probably my favorite Stones record. “It’s just that demon life has got you in its sway”…
5. Stevie Wonder – “Overjoyed” (‘In Square Circle’, 1985). Definitely in my list of top 5 love songs. Sublime.
dslifton
I’ve been listening to “Sway” a lot lately, and it’s become one of my favorite Stones songs. That lazy count-in, the guitar tone, Mick’s vocals, especially on the shout coming out of the bridge, and that line, “Someone who broke me up with a corner of her smile.” It’s all damn near perfect.
Pete
It speaks to the greatness of Mick & Keith. Even decades later, there’s something fresh and exciting about their music. Always something new to appreciate…
Michael Parr
I’m not a huge Stones fan, but I make exception for Sticky Fingers and Tattoo You.
Anonymous
1. Lyle Lovett — “Wallisville Road” (My Baby Don’t Tolerate, 2003).
2. Kenny Barron — “Pelican” (Spirit Song, 2000).
3. Dave Matthews Band — “Drive In Drive Out” (Crash, 1996).
4. Brian Blade Fellowship — “Mohave” (Brian Blade Fellowship, 1998).
5. Ryan Adams — “Firecracker” (Gold, 2001).
EightE1
Chickenfoot, “Something Going Wrong,” from Chickenfoot III
Chapterhouse, “Falling Down,” from Whirlpool
Monotonix, “Blind Again,” from Not Yet
Lindsey Buckingham, “She Smiled Sweetly,” from Seeds We Sow
Jeff Giles, “12 Items or Lust (Foxy Checkout Mama),” from Hot Nights – Cool Sounds. I kid you not.
Michael Parr
I still haven’t listened to that damn Chickenfoot record.
Jeff Giles, Y’all!
Pete
May I LOL just once? LOL…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeoH61C2j2U