• Friday Five

    The Friday Five: March 9, 2012

    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:

    “Drown” by The Smashing Pumpkins (from Singles, 1992)

    By virtue of its inclusion on the Singles soundtrack this could be my favorite Smashing Pumpkins track. On second thought, that right probably belongs to the the album cut “Mayonnaise” from Siamese Dream, but I’d still place “Drown” at a close second.

    “Mishale” by Andru Donalds (from Andru Donalds, 1994)

    Okay, raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of Andru Donalds. I’m not going to lie, I’m astounded to find that this tune actually charted in Billboard’s Hot 100.

    “The Monster’s Heart” by The Damnwells (2009)

    During the recording of No One Listens to the Band Anymore, Alex Dezen opened the studio doors and gave the fans that pledged to fund the record access to the demos, outtakes and sketches from the proceedings. This is the early bones of “The Monster,” and is just as powerful in its quiet acoustic take.

    “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” by ZZ Top (from Greatest Hits, 1992)

    Do you think that for a moment the boys in ZZ Top considered for a moment while writing all these blues infused tunes they’d serve as the soundtrack for shilling everything from automobiles to beer?

    “The Magic Number” by De La Soul (from The Best Of. 2003)

    Ending on a funky note, nice!

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: July 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:

    “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)” by Vertical Horizon (from Everything You Want, 1999)

    I particularly like the version of this that Vertical Horizon leader Matt Scannell and Richard Marx perform on their Duo Live record.

    “The Warrior (feat. Patty Smyth)” by Scandal (from Rock of the 80’s, Volume 14, 1994)

    I never understood the whole “featuring Patty Smyth” thing. It struck me much in the same way as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. I mean, is it Maze without Frankie Beverly?

    “Soundtrack” by The Damnwells (from One Last Century, 2009)

    After you leave your Five in the comments, you should check out this excellent live performance by Alex of The Damnwells.

    “Everything She Wants” by Wham! (from Make It Big, 1984)

    I’m far less ashamed to admit my love for Wham! now, than I was when I was 10.

    “Heart and Soul” by Huey Lewis & The News (from Time Flies… The Best of Huey Lewis & The News, 1996)

    It’s, like, a totally awesome ’80s one-two punch to close out this week’s Friday Five!

    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: 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: January 22, 2010

    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.

    Editor’s Note: The nightmare of recovering my hard drive continues, so I’m still relying on my iPod to provide the shuffle. Hopefully I’ll be back up and running by next week’s Friday Five. – Michael

    The Five:

    1. “Buddy Holly” by Weezer (from Weezer, 1994)

    My 11-year old son absolutely loves Weezer, so much so that he’s taken to belting out “Say it Ain’t So,” spontaneously.

    2. “Each Year” by Ra Ra Riot (from The Rhumb Line, 2008)

    I never get tired of hearing this record. With any luck, we’ll get something new from the band in the next year.

    3. “WWXII” by The Damnwells (from One Great Century, 2009)

    A somber view of the secondhand victims of war, the refrain of this song stings like nails; “We don’t feel no shame / And we don’t take the blame / Men on TV tell me there’s no other way / We’ve got to take mama’s baby away.”

    4. “I Love U in Me” by Prince (from The Hits/The B-Sides, 1993)

    One of the most beautifully dirty tunes in the Prince’s catalog.

    5. “Black” by Pearl Jam (from Ten, 1992)

    I finally purchased 2008’s “Legacy Edition” of Ten just before the holidays, and found myself wrapped back up in the impact of this set of songs had on my life and “Black” is definitely a high point of that.

    What’s on your shuffle today?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: November 13, 2009

    https://ickmusic.com/pics/FridayFive08.png

    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 once again, this week’s five is all in 140 characters or less. @michaelparr

    The Five:

    Prince & The Revolution – “Paisley Park” (from Around the World in a Day, 1995)

    Paisley Park is in your heart. I’ve spent a bit of time considering my ‘Desert Island’ discs lately, and I keep coming back to this record.

    The Damnwells – “Down With the Ship” (mp3) (from One Last Century, 2009)

    My earliest contender for album of the year, this record delivers on every level. You can help the band fund their next release here.

    Weezer – “Buddy Holly” (from Weezer, 1994)

    Save for “Say It Ain’t So” and playing “Undone – The Sweater Song” on Rock Band, I rarely listen to Weezer. I do still love those songs.

    Janet Jackson – “Control” (mp3) (from Control, 1986)

    This really should have been billed as Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis – “Control” (feat. Janet Jackson), I’m just saying.

    Camera Obscura – “French Navy” (from My Maudlin Career, 2009)

    Another contender for album of the year,My Maudlin Career is the happiest group of utterly depressing songs you’ll ever listen to.
    What’s next on your shuffle?

  • Friday Five

    The Friday Five: April 24, 2009

    I want that shuffle, not excuses.

    For those who have not joined in the Friday Five here is all you need to know; each Friday 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 more the merrier!

    The Five:

    “Love Song” by 311 (from 50 First Dates)

    On occasion a cover song reimagines the original to such a point that it becomes its own unique entity (see John Cale‘s “Hallelujah” and Jimi Hendrix‘s “All Along the Watchtower”) and far surpasses the original. This is one of those cases. As much as I love the original, 311‘s sun-drenched take on The Cure track captures the essence for me.

    Love Left Us Strangers” (mp3) by Space Needle (from The Moray Eels Eat the Space Needle)

    In the late 90’s I worked for a little record store in upstate New York. Anders Parker of Space Needle (and Varnaline) was a former employee and this record was the soundtrack to the winter of 1997.

    “Song That Jane Likes” by Dave Matthews Band (from Remember Two Things)

    “I’ve got a little sister named Jane and this is the ‘Song That Jane Likes’…”

    Like It Is” (mp3) by The Damnwells (from One Last Century)

    Easily a contender for one of my favorite records of 2009, this one came at the recommendation of Jeff from Popdose and it’s been in constant rotation ever since. If you like what you hear you can download the entire record (legally) from the band’s official website (and really it’s free, so why wouldn’t you download it?)

    Don’t Get Me Wrong” (mp3) by Lily Allen (from Radio 1: Established 1967)

    Sometimes the song just fits. I don’t think that I’ve exposed my deep seated hatred of The Pretenders on Ickmusic yet. Despite that I absolutely adore this reading of their 1986 classic. Miss Allen adds her signature ska-lite lilt to the tune while staying spot on in her rendition of Chrissie Hynde‘s delivery.

    Tag! You’re it… what’s the soundtrack to your afternoon?