• 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?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: April 22, 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:

    “On Mercury” by Red Hot Chili Peppers (from By the Way, 2002)
    “No World for Tomorrow” by Coheed and Cambria (from Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow, 2007)
    “Uptown” by Prince (from Abu Dhabi 20ten, 2010)
    “Club Tropicana” by Wham! (from The Best of Wham!: If You Were There…, 1999)
    “Utee” by Rosa Lee Brooks (from West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology, 2010)

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: April 15, 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:

    “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes (from Shake Your Money Maker, 1990)

    Sounds as good today as it did 20 years ago. Damn, has it been 20 years?

    “We Can Get Together” by The Hold Steady (from Heaven Is Whenever, 2010)

    My doppelgänger’s finest tune. Somehow, The Hold Steady’s music hadn’t made it to my ears in any major fashion until last year’s Heaven Is Whenever. Now, I can’t get enough.

    “Amie” by Damien Rice (from O, 2003)

    So here’s a question, who is the bigger sad bastard: Damien Rice or Glen Hansard? I’m asking with the best intentions, because let’s face it, I love sad bastard music. “Amie” is nothing short of brilliant.

    “It May Be Late” by Harper Blynn (from Loneliest Generation, 2010)

    I discovered this band when they opened for—and subsequently, and quite seamlessly became—The Damnwells at their NYC tour stop. I was blown away by the band’s sheer presence, as they tore through an amazing set. I recall commenting to my wife that had they pulled out a Queen cover, complete with four-part harmonies, I wouldn’t have been surprised. I believe that fellow Popdose’r Matt Wardlaw is a convert as well, after seeing them last night.

    “Road” by Nick Drake (from Pink Moon, 1972)

    The O.G. sad bastard!

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: April 8, 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:

    “Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest (from People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, 1990)
    “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard (from Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, 1995)
    “Concentrate” by The Guggenheim Grotto (from The Universe is Laughing, 2010)
    “Like a Prayer” by Madonna (from Like a Prayer, 1989)
    “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” by Paul Simon (from Paul Simon, 1972)

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: April 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:

    Editor’s Note: I had considered a few different April Fools’ Day scenarios, but ran out of time to execute. I suppose the joke is on me! – Michael

    “Band on the Run” by Paul McCartney & Wings (from Wingspan: Hits and History, 2001)
    “Hard to Say I’m Sorry (single edit)” by Chicago (from The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition, 2007)
    “Goin’ Out of My Head” by Wes Montgomery (from Verve Jazz Masters 14, 1994)
    “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” by Stockard Channing (from Grease, 1978)
    “Take a Photograph” by Dropping Daylight (from Brace Yourself, 2006)

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: March 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:

    “Nothing is Alone” by Toad the Wet Sprocket (from 1992-09-16: Fox Theater, Boulder, CO, USA, 1992)

    “And now the song so happy, Todd had to sing it.” Who can resist a sappy love-lorn tune in 3/8 time?

    “Both Sides of the Story” by Phil Collins (from …Hits, 1998)

    This tune always seemed a bit like Phil trying really hard to sing a Peter Gabriel track. I realize the irony in that statement, but listen to “Biko,” and “Come Talk to Me,” and come back to this track and tell me that you don’t hear it. Go ahead, I’ll wait here.

    “Bone Machine” by Pixies (from Surfer Rosa, 1988)

    Two Friday Five appearances in a row!

    “The ’59 Sound” by The Gaslight Anthem (from The ’59 Sound, 2008)

    I haven’t listened to this record in over a year, I’ll have to cue it up over the weekend. I think I burned myself out on it, and didn’t care at all for the follow up; causing me to unintentionally shun the band for a bit.

    “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” by Sugar (from Besides, 1995)

    From the live portion of the set, I was always amazed at how fast these tunes were played live.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: March 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:

    “Everyone Knows It but You” by David Mead (from The Luxury of Time, 1999)

    I hear strains of Don Henley in Mead’s voice, but that is where the comparison ends. I have not given this record enough of a listen, guess it’s time to do so.

    “Dear Old Nicki” by Nicki Minaj (from Pink Friday, 2010)

    I think I was wooed by this record when it was first released. Subsequent listens have proven otherwise. It is still, however, one of the hottest hip-hop records of the last few years.

    “Into the White” by Pixies (from Death to the Pixies, 1997)

    I could listen to the Pixies all day.

    “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” by Billy Joel (from Glass Houses, 1980)

    Hearing this tune is a powerful nostalgia churning experience. As much as I’ve listened to this record over the years, I’m still the little kid in the back seat—with no seat belt, mind you—with my head titled backwards, looking up towards the sky, daydreaming about a galaxy far, far away.

    “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow (from Top of the Pops 1994, 2008)

    I’d skip this, but then I’d feel guilty.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: March 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:

    “Wings and Feathers” by The Guggenheim Grotto (from The Universe Is Laughing, 2010)

    A bit ironic that this week’s Friday Five would begin with my favorite Irish singer/songwriter duo, as I’m headed to NYC to see them later this evening. While not my favorite track from their most recent release, it’s one I could see coming to love, in the live setting.

    “Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen (from The Best of Both Worlds, 2004)

    As Jeff Giles’ (y’all) has pointed out, there simply is no better Friday record than Van Halen’s seminal, 1984. For me, “Hot for Teacher” was every bit the hit single as “Jump” or “Panama.” I mean, come on … that intro? I remember spending hours upon hours trying—in vain—to master the two-hand tapped figure.

    “Babylon” by David Gray (from Draw the Line, 2009)

    This is a live version of Gray’s big hit single. It’s a xerox performance, save for the crowd’s insistence to sing the tune themselves. As much as I love the original, I can’t sit through 6 and a half minutes of it.

    “The Way Young Lovers Do” by Van Morrison (from Astral Weeks, 1968)

    Sorry Mr. Gray … I’d much rather listen to the real deal.

    “Airplanes, Part 2 (feat. Hayley Williams & Eminem)” by B.o.B. (from B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, 2010)

    I can honestly say that I haven’t cared for much of Eminem’s output of the last few years, save for a verse here and there. His appearance on “Airplanes” is one of those exceptions.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: March 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:

    “New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel (from Turnstiles, 1976)

    I was going to wax poetic about Billy, but I just read this brilliant review of his upcoming Last Play at Shea and would rather you take the moment to go read Jeff Giles’ thoughts. It’s okay, I’ll wait.

    Okay, you’re back? On with the five!

    “Push” by Matchbox Twenty (from Yourself or Someone Like You, 1996)

    You know what? I still kind of like this tune.

    “Real Vacation” by Caleb Hawley (from Steps, 2009)

    No truer words have been spoken.

    So, for those of you that partake in the American Idol, you might recognize the name Caleb Hawley. He managed to make it all the way to the Las Vegas stage, before being given his walking papers. It’s a damn shame, really. Rather than wallow, get over to iTunes or Amazon and pick up Steps, and his latest We’ve All Got Problems, and celebrate a great singer/songwriter.

    “Cold Truth” by  The Guggenheim Grotto (from …Waltzing Alone, 2006)

    “Hey Maria, I’ve been thinking, been thinking bout moving … far away, cross the sea, maybe, somewhere cold and magnificent.” From Caleb to the duo that introduced me to him! Over the course of the last year I’ve had the pleasure of seeing The Guggenheim Grotto perform five or six times, and this song specifically at least three or four times. Like most tunes by the duo, it is beautifully simple, with soaring vocal harmonies.

    “Down By the Water” by The Decemberists (from The King Is Dead, 2011)

    Until hearing The Damnwells’ No One Listens to the Band Anymore I was pretty certain that I was going to crown The King Is Dead my favorite record of the first quarter of 2011. The funny thing is, I wouldn’t categorize myself as a fan of the band. I listened to Hazards of Love a few times, and while I liked what I heard, nothing stuck. Flash forward to the band’s latest, which managed to grab me by the ears with its none too subtle nod to a certain little band from Athens, GA. If you haven’t given this a listen for fear of shanty songs and prog-rock leanings, fear not! This is one of the best records of 2011.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: February 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:

    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?