• Rock

    The Friday Five: November 25, 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:

    Deck the Halls” by John Denver & The Muppets (from A Christmas Together, 1977)

    I swear, I did nothing to rig this. I opened iTunes, hit shuffle, and this is the first thing that played. I’ll let you in, however, on a little secret: on a normal Friday I will skip any random holiday tune that presents itself during the Friday Five. Since today is “black” Friday, I’m going to let this one play. Besides, it’s from one of my favorite Christmas records!

    Goin’ Against Your Mind” by Built to Spill (from You in Reverse, 2006)

    I always forget how much I like Built to Spill. Drive-By Truckers, too! They fall into that category of bands that when I hear them I instantly fall in love with all over again.

    Still Water (Love)” by Four Tops (from The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 10: 1970, 1996)

    Still the most intimidating collection in my library, The Complete Motown Singles continues to turn up tunes that I’ve not heard before.

    New Tattoo” by Mötley Crüe (from New Tattoo, 2008)

    Naming your record after a lazy mid-tempo ballad can never lead anywhere good. Did Vince really just sing “I will be your Dorian Grey”? You can’t see it, but I’m sitting at the kitchen table shaking my head in disappointment.

    Never” by Gravity Kills (from Gravity Kills, 1996)

    You know, I was kind of hoping that this Friday Five would finish strong. C’est la Vie!

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: November 18, 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:

    Girls on Film” by The Wesley Willis Fiasco (from The Duran Duran Tribute Album, 1997)

    I’m now racking my brain, trying to recall how Wesley Willis came up in a recent conversation with Jeff Giles and Mike Heyliger.

    “Toothache (Chemical Brothers remix)” by The Charlatans (from The Jackal, 1997)

    Another track from 1997? This track is like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, two great tastes that taste great together.

    In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (from The Social Network, 2010)

    It almost looks like there is a thread of logic running through today’s Friday Five. 1997 Tune; 1997 soundtrack tune; 2010 soundtrack tune; okay, I’ll admit it is a bit of a stretch. As for this tune, I don’t have much to say other than how odd is it to say OSCAR award winner, Trent Reznor?

    Nocturnal Transmission” by BT (from Ima, 1996)

    … And back to the ’90s! During said decade I harbored a secret affinity for all things techno. Specifically the ambient sub-genre, which this track falls solidly under. I’m not sure what the hell I was doing that would enable me to sit for long sessions … oh, wait, yes I do. Anyhow, I still have a small collection of my favorites from the likes of BT and Aphex Twin that I’ll spin once in a while.

    Wave of Mutilation” by Pixies (from Doolittle, 1989)

    Whether is be the original, or the “UK Surf” version, “Wave of Mutilation” is one of my favorite songs.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: November 11, 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:

    God Is Love” by Marvin Gaye (from What’s Going On, 1971)

    A simple prayer, rife with the soul of the record.

    The Wicker Man” by Iron Maiden (from From Fear to Eternity: The Best of 1990-2010, 2011)

    The lead-off single from Maiden’s triumphant return to form in 2000. The triple threat of Murray, Gers and Smith is in full churn here, with Smith burning through a killer solo. I recall the trepidation with which I approached listening to a new Iron Maiden tune at that point, and the surprise when it was as strong as this.

    Cherish the Day” by Sade (from The Ultimate Collection, 2011)

    I’m going to just sit back and enjoy this one.

    Never Land (a Fragment)” by The Sisters of Mercy (from Floodland, 1987)

    They weren’t kidding when they said “a Fragment.” This is, at best, an incomplete thought.

    Blue Flame” by Joe Jackson Band (from Volume 4, 2003)

    It occurred to me while this tune played just how much Ben Folds copped Jackson’s shtick. I’m not sure why it never dawned on me before this. Maybe this is why I hold Folds in such contempt.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: November 4, 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:

    I hear that my little town—Newtown, CT—has made the news recently as being “ground zero” for the power outages effecting the Northeast, thanks to the Halloween snowstorm this past weekend. I say “hear” as I’ve been living life a little bit more simply the past few days, relying on the kindness of friends and family to get warmth, recharge my batteries and catch up on the world.

    So … live, from my Mother-In-Law’s dining room, it’s the Friday Five!

    “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” by Fall Out Boy (from, Believers Never Die – Greatest Hits, 2009)

    “All My Tomorrows” by Frank Sinatra (from, Nothing but the Best, 2008)

    “Hated” by The Afghan Whigs (from, Up in It, 1990)

    “Mr. Bojangles (live)” by Nina Simone (from, To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story, 2008)

    “Datskat” by The Roots (from Buy-Product 1, 1995)

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: October 28, 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:

    “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?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: October 21, 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:

    Beyond the Invisible” by Enigma (from Le Roi est Mort, Vive le Roi!, 1996)

    Much like the Gregorian Chant fad their first record inspired, I now look back at this and think, “what the hell were we all thinking?”

    Roy Rogers” by Elton John (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 1973)

    Not my favorite Elton tune, but I can dig it.

    True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper (from Now That’s What I Call the 80’s, Volume 2, 2009)

    Like nails on a chalk board. Don’t get me wrong, I love Cyndi Lauper, but this song just grates on my nerves.

    Normal Like You” by Everclear (from So Much for the Afterglow, 1997)

    iTunes clearly doesn’t like me very much this morning.

    Play Thang” by Jodeci (from Forever My Lady, 1991)

    I was hoping for some redemption, but clearly I just need to put this week’s Friday Five to bed and go back to listening to the brilliant new Julian Velard record.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: October 14, 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:

    “Come See About Me” by Tedeschi Trucks Band (from Revelator, 2011)

    “Mary Ann” by Bob Dylan (from Dylan, 1973)

    “Get Up to Get Down” by Brass Construction (from Phat Trax: The Best of Old School, Volume 1, 1997)

    “(He’s) Seventeen” by The Supremes (from The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 2: 1962, 2005)

    “Nasty” by Janet Jackson (from Control, 1986)

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: October 7, 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:

    Water Runs Dry” by Boyz II Man (from Motown Milestones in Music, 1995)

    Oh, Boyz II Men, whatever happened to you? My wife’s statement upon hearing this: “Are you actually going to make this public?” Which she followed closely with, “this is what is wrong with kids today, they don’t any sappy break-up songs to listen to.”

    Words” by Umphrey’s McGee (from Saftey in Numbers, 2006)

    Jammy goodness from Umphrey’s 2006 effort.

    Back to the Earth” by Rusted Root (from When I Woke, 1994)

    Okay, the shuffle is just messing with me now. I can’t recall the last time that I heard this record, but the recent inclusion of “Send Me on My Way” in a commercial nabbed my son’s attention, who asked me to add it to his iPod. I’m drawing the line if he asks for a hacky sac.

    Lemon Meringue” by Fishbone (from Give a Monkey a Brain…, 1993)

    That’s more like it.

    So Appalled (feat. Jay-Z, Pusha T, CyHi Da Prynce, Swizz Beatz & The RZA)” by Kanye West (from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 2009)

    My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is almost a year old and still gets played once every other week in the Parr household.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: September 30, 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:

    Sleep With One Eye Open” by Chris Thile & Michael Daves (from Sleep With One Eye Open, 2011)

    I kind of hate it when the first time I hear a tune is during the Friday Five. For one, I usually sit and scratch my head about what to write about it. Sure, I could give my visceral reaction, but I hesitate. The other thing is I rarely circle back to the record to listen to the rest of it.

    “Seamus” by Pink Floyd (from Meddle, 1971)

    Bluesy little ditty from Roger, David, and the boys. My dog started sniffing around the desk, trying to figure out where the dogs she was hearing were.

    Slow and Easy (a.k.a. Lawless Mike)” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet (from Time Further Out, 1961)

    Not on the original track list for Time Further Out, this mid-tempo shuffle was included in the 1996 reissue.

    Crucial” by New Edition (from Hits, 2004)

    “No my name isn’t Janet… ” oh, wait, wrong song. The Flyte Tyme crew’s signature sound is all over this late ’80s hit.

    Skin Ticket” by Slipknot (from Iowa, 2001)

    While I don’t listen to as much metal as I once did, I still dabble here and there. Slipknot is by far the heaviest thing I can stand.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: September 23, 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:

    Snaggletooth” by Motörhead (from No Remorse, 2001)

    It’s too damn early for Lemmy. Thankfully, Motörhead tunes tend to be on the short side.

    Before You Were Born” by Toad the Wet Sprocket (from 1992-09-16: Fox Theater, Boulder, CO, USA, 1992)

    This is from an excellent soundboard recording of an equally quality performance by Toad. Save for, of course, when Glen flubs the second line.

    Mighty Mighty” by Earth, Wind & Fire (from The Eternal Dance, 1992)

    I’ve been listening to a lot of Earth, Wind & Fire lately.

    “I Believe” by Chicago (from Chicago 18, 1986)

    I spent the entire song waiting for a key change that didn’t happen.

    Traffic” by Ned’s Atomic Dustbin (from Brainbloodvolume, 1995)

    Brainbloodvolume is a criminally overlooked record.

    What’s on your shuffle today?