Today is the Fourth of July, better known in the United States as Independence Day, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

This also means many of you will be off today and enjoying time with your friends and families, but we here at Ickmusic are dedicated to ensuring our readers have their Friday Five fix. In spirit of the holiday I’ve cooked up this playlist to get some patriotic tunes going for the days activities.

Match ANY of the following conditions

NAME contains Independence
NAME contains U.S.A.
NAME contains America
NAME contains Fourth
NAME contains July
NAME contains Declaration

This pulled up a few more tracks than I suspected it might. I hit the shuffle and away we go!

For those of you reading this for the first time, here’s how it works… I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and then show you my five with some words for each track.

Then it’s your turn!

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. (from Greatest Hits)

This song, along with “Glory Days”, is to me the epitome of summer songs. It stands beside Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s “Fortunate Son” and John Mellencamp‘s “Jack and Diane” as true American Standards. I could go on, but I’m just going to enjoy listening to the rest of the track.

2. Frank Zappa – Food Gathering in Post-Industrial America, 1992 (from The Yellow Shark)

As performed by Ensemble Modern, this is perhaps one of Frank’s most challenging works. I didn’t come to truly appreciate the depth of this record until much later in life. And in the spirit of the day there is something to be said of Frank’s ardent support of the First Amendment and the fight against censorship of any sort.

3. Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American (from Bleed American)

I actually purchased this record in its pre-9/11 configuration (my copy is titled Bleed American as opposed to the self-titled change) and had been a JEW fan for a few years prior. I still think this song is underrated and had it come out in a different time it would have been a huge single.

4. Ani DiFranco – Independence Day (from Little Plastic Castle)

I don’t think my love of the little folk singer has come up before. I’m a huge fan.

5. Weezer – Surf Wax America (from Weezer)

What a great send off into the holiday weekend! My 10 year old has recently discovered early Weezer (thanks to Guitar Hero) so I’ve been listening to the Blue Album and Pinkerton quite a bit lately.

So what’s not letting you go quietly into the night?

Good Morning Friday Five Family!!

My wife and I are in the midst of home improvements and the iPod and iTunes have been providing the soundtrack. In honor of my current project I set up the following smart playlist in iTunes (I’m including this in case any of the faithful fivers want to play along at home:

Name > contains > House
Name > contains > Home
Name > contains > Work
Name > contains > Improve
Name > contains > Better

I was pretty surprised by the number of tracks that came up (just over 300). And thus the first ‘themed’ Friday Five is born. Last week the fearless fivers picked up my slack by bringing it, this week I’m giving back with this very special edition of the Friday Five.

Now Driver, Move That Bus!!

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. City and Colour – Comin’ Home (from Sometimes)

I came across City and Colour while I was working in Toronto a few years ago. The acoustic side project (and polar opposite) of Alexisonfire front man Dallas Green really resonated deeply with me when I first heard the track “Save Your Scissors” on MuchMusic (that’s the Canadian version of MTV for those who are not aware). I highly recommend this record to just about everyone.

2. John Legend – Coming Home (from Once Again)

I remember reading an article last year where John Legend was talking about how much Jeff Buckley influenced him. This track, to me, is one example of where I can hear that influence. Stark and honest this is as close to topical as Legend comes and the delivery is without doubt heartfelt.

3. Francis Dunnery – Homegrown (MP3) (from Fearless)

In the early 90’s I had a friend who worked A&R at Warner Records and he introduced me to Francis Dunnery. To this day I still pull this record out at least once every other month and it feels as fresh and vital as it did the first day I listened to it.

4. Bruce Springsteen – Long Walk Home (from Magic)

This to me has all the makings of a classic Springsteen track. Topical without beating you over the head, great lyrical hook and a healthy dose of Jersey shore imagery. “Long Walk Home” is without a doubt one of my favorites from Magic.

5. Jon Regen – Better Days (MP3) (from Let it Go)

From New Jersey’s favorite son to another New Jersey native with a penchant for writing beautiful and moving songs. When I said in my review of Let it Go that it felt like home, this was the song that earned it that description. There is something familiar and warm not just to the timbre of Jon’s voice, but the song itself in the way it wraps around you and lifts you up.

So what’s taking you home today?

I don’t know how the celebrities do it, winging from coast to coast to coast and never looking worn a minute for it. I’m back, nicely jet lagged and California Dreaming for this week’s five.

Last weeks “very special” pre-taped five covered everything from the cure for “Purple Ear Fatigue” to my penchant for my love of NWOBM bands with a ride on the A train along the way. Our Friday Five regulars (should we call you guys Fivers?) chimed in with everything from Sweeny Todd to Robert Cray. To join the elite Fivers club you need only stop by on Friday’s and submit your random five in the comments.

Now, on with the, albeit sleepy, show…

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. Einstürzende Neubauten – Sie (from Tabula Rasa)

For those of you paying attention, I’ve kinda got a thing for Industrial music and it does not get more industrial than Einstürzende Neubauten. Loosely translated into “buildings that are collapsing” the group eschews the traditional format (and often instruments) of western music and creates movements in lieu of songs. I highly recommend the linked record as an introduction to the bands 90’s output.

2. Miles Davis – Spanish Key (from Bitches Brew)

As much of a seminal record as ‘Trane’s Giant Steps, this record truly put the jazz world on its ear. For me this was my introduction to Miles and opened my mind to the world of fusion and jazz outside the box. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to appreciate the risk that was taken putting this out. If there is any doubt in how much Mr. Davis has influenced me I named my son Miles in his honor.

3. Whale – Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe (MP3) (from Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe)

I’m pretty sure this one may be burned into the skull of at least a few Ickmusic readers who have likely managed to erase the memory from their brain. No apologies here enjoy the awfulness!

Bonus: This one is not complete without the video!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMN9yKQIk2w]

4. The 24-Carat Black – Mother’s Day (MP3) (from Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth)

I stumbled across this record in the last year and have to say that I’m all the better for it. I’ve not been able to find much information on the record outside of the fact that is boasts an all-star Staxx Records cast. It also contains a bevy of breaks that have provided the backbeat to more than a few Hip-Hop hits.

5. Bruce Springsteen – Girls in Their Summer Clothes (Winter Mix) (from Girls in Their Summer Clothes)

While I much prefer the version on Magic, this track is still like a perfectly sun kissed coda to today’s five.

Okay, so what’s keeping you awake through the last hours of your workday?