Quick and Easy and Chill Today
It's Friday. Wrap yourself up in some fog (cause listening to this doesn't it feel like you should be wrapped up in fog… or is that smoke *cough, cough*?) and get ready for the weekend baby. Not going to write much here (mostly because I'm lazy yes) but this song is just chill. Was a nice way to roll into work.
Thoughts From One About To Leave For Tour
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The version I have comes from O.A.R.'s first performance at Bonnaroo. As is the case with the majority of my O.A.R. tracks I couldn't find the exact version so this is the next best thing. But the show was played when O.A.R. was still emerging (before the pop sound) and they sound so grateful to be there. That's what I've always loved about this band, they appreciate everything. The first time I saw them at the Garden you couldn't help but feel the band's excitement. There's nothing better than seeing a band who understands the importance of the venue their playing. The first time I saw the Killers was at the Garden and the show was only an hour and twenty minutes and was nothing special. It was like "you guys do know you're playing Madison Square Garden right?"
I like this song because it gives a good perspective of what it feels like to leave for tour. You always get the songs about how awesome tour is but you never hear about the pain of leaving. O.A.R. may not have the most intricate lyrics ever written, but they do have this ability to write/sing lyrics that grab a hold of you and that you can relate to. Maybe it' s the simplistic nature of it or maybe it's saying more than saying less? I don't but I've always had an easy time connecting with O.A.R. lyrics.
On top of all that this is just an awesome song to hear live. I want to say that the first time I saw them they opened with this. I'm not 100% on this but I'm pretty sure. It's that bass groove it just starts strumming through you. Plus it could just be me, but there is almost a hidden dark nature to this song. Like it's hiding underneath the vocals or something. But it feels like there's this dark underlining. Hmmmmm the best way I can explain it is early morning right before the sun rises. That's what this song is to me. I don't know how else to explain it (or if that even explains it all).
The version I have comes from O.A.R.'s first performance at Bonnaroo. As is the case with the majority of my O.A.R. tracks I couldn't find the exact version so this is the next best thing. But the show was played when O.A.R. was still emerging (before the pop sound) and they sound so grateful to be there. That's what I've always loved about this band, they appreciate everything. The first time I saw them at the Garden you couldn't help but feel the band's excitement. There's nothing better than seeing a band who understands the importance of the venue their playing. The first time I saw the Killers was at the Garden and the show was only an hour and twenty minutes and was nothing special. It was like "you guys do know you're playing Madison Square Garden right?"
I like this song because it gives a good perspective of what it feels like to leave for tour. You always get the songs about how awesome tour is but you never hear about the pain of leaving. O.A.R. may not have the most intricate lyrics ever written, but they do have this ability to write/sing lyrics that grab a hold of you and that you can relate to. Maybe it' s the simplistic nature of it or maybe it's saying more than saying less? I don't but I've always had an easy time connecting with O.A.R. lyrics.
On top of all that this is just an awesome song to hear live. I want to say that the first time I saw them they opened with this. I'm not 100% on this but I'm pretty sure. It's that bass groove it just starts strumming through you. Plus it could just be me, but there is almost a hidden dark nature to this song. Like it's hiding underneath the vocals or something. But it feels like there's this dark underlining. Hmmmmm the best way I can explain it is early morning right before the sun rises. That's what this song is to me. I don't know how else to explain it (or if that even explains it all).
Temple of the Dog Suckas
After seeing PJ20 I've had a new appreciation for Temple of the Dog. I've always liked them but after the documentary I feel that there's a new bond there. I can't stop listening to Say Hello To Heaven (my God does that song just shred). So needless to say I was pretty pumped when this started playing through my car speakers on the way home.
If you think that Say Hello To Heaven kicks then you're not listening to Reach Down. This song is 12 minutes of ass kicking goodness. Right around the 4:30 mark when Cornell lets the band take over this song just explodes. For me it's the fastest 12 minute song I've ever heard. Also (and this could just be me) does this sound like it could be an Alice In Chains track? I don't know I hear it a little bit.
Lately I've forgotten how awesome Cornell is (yes I blame most of Audioslave and that pop album he put out…shiver) and listening to Temple of the Dog just helps to remind one how awesome he truly is. I would say he probably has the best voice in rock n' roll right now, although I don't think he can compare to Plant or Mercury. But his voice is just as important as the guitar work here. Cornell is a rock god (despite that pop album) and it took PJ20 and some Temple of the Dog to remind me of that.
Side Note- so my wonderful, incredible, awesome wife (Shea) gave me my birthday gift last night. And Shufflers guess what? We're going to the ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME!!!! That's right Shea got me tickets to go see the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in late October. We're driving down and awesome shall ensue. Not to mention that the following day (Sunday) we have tickets to go see the Browns play the Seahawks (not to mention the Giants are on a bye week so I won't miss their game). Yeah greatest birthday ever. Greatest gift. So pack your bags Shufflers. Ohio here we come!
If you think that Say Hello To Heaven kicks then you're not listening to Reach Down. This song is 12 minutes of ass kicking goodness. Right around the 4:30 mark when Cornell lets the band take over this song just explodes. For me it's the fastest 12 minute song I've ever heard. Also (and this could just be me) does this sound like it could be an Alice In Chains track? I don't know I hear it a little bit.
Lately I've forgotten how awesome Cornell is (yes I blame most of Audioslave and that pop album he put out…shiver) and listening to Temple of the Dog just helps to remind one how awesome he truly is. I would say he probably has the best voice in rock n' roll right now, although I don't think he can compare to Plant or Mercury. But his voice is just as important as the guitar work here. Cornell is a rock god (despite that pop album) and it took PJ20 and some Temple of the Dog to remind me of that.
Side Note- so my wonderful, incredible, awesome wife (Shea) gave me my birthday gift last night. And Shufflers guess what? We're going to the ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME!!!! That's right Shea got me tickets to go see the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in late October. We're driving down and awesome shall ensue. Not to mention that the following day (Sunday) we have tickets to go see the Browns play the Seahawks (not to mention the Giants are on a bye week so I won't miss their game). Yeah greatest birthday ever. Greatest gift. So pack your bags Shufflers. Ohio here we come!
Post Foo Show
First thing first. That concert last night was amazing!!! Two hours and forty-five minutes of melt your face, kick you in the groin rock show. From start to finish it was amazing (and considering the 14 hours it took us to get there it was well worth it. Traveling yesterday was beastly). Covers of Pink Floyd's In the Flesh (I was hoping for a Roger Waters citing since they will be playing the same song with him tonight on Jimmy Fallon) and Breakdown by Tom Petty. You wouldn't really think the Foo Fighters could jam out but yes they can. A number of songs steamed rolled into 8-12 minute territory as the band just shredded the Izod center. And to top it all off Krist Novoselic (yes that one) came out to play accordion on a song. I was present for a mini Nirvana reunion (all surviving members on stage at once… Dave, Krist, and Pat Smear). I couldn't help but get choked up. It was awesome and 1996 Kevin totally geeked out. I am currently scavenging the internet to see if anyone maybe recorded the show. I must have it. Must.
Trying to move on from the awesome that was last night to today's song. For starters it's not a Foo Fighters track (actually I think we've only had one so far right? That's weird). Actually it's not even a rock track. It's the re-emergence of Obie Trice people (you might remember him from our very first song). This one is a little different though. I think the Set Up might be the best track off the album. I love that opening verse and the beat, and even Nate Dogg's hook is pretty good. The whole tempo of the song stays even and I think that's pretty interesting. Even when Trice is talking about things that happened that pissed him off he never raises the volume of his voice. Everything is steady. Flows perfectly with the beat. This was always a stand out track from Cheers for me.
I believe there is a remix out there somewhere with Method Man, Redman, and Jada Kiss. I've only heard it a couple of times and from what I remember Redman kills it. I should really track it down. I think my ipod would thank me for it.
Trying to move on from the awesome that was last night to today's song. For starters it's not a Foo Fighters track (actually I think we've only had one so far right? That's weird). Actually it's not even a rock track. It's the re-emergence of Obie Trice people (you might remember him from our very first song). This one is a little different though. I think the Set Up might be the best track off the album. I love that opening verse and the beat, and even Nate Dogg's hook is pretty good. The whole tempo of the song stays even and I think that's pretty interesting. Even when Trice is talking about things that happened that pissed him off he never raises the volume of his voice. Everything is steady. Flows perfectly with the beat. This was always a stand out track from Cheers for me.
I believe there is a remix out there somewhere with Method Man, Redman, and Jada Kiss. I've only heard it a couple of times and from what I remember Redman kills it. I should really track it down. I think my ipod would thank me for it.
Vegas End Into Foo Awesome
Leaving Las Vegas today and heading back to New York only to head down to New Jersey to see the Foo Fighters at the Izod Center. Oh and it's my birthday. Yeah so I'm pretty pumped right now. So when I hit shuffle on my ipod I was hoping for something Foo or something awesome. I didn't get Foo and I didn't get awesome but I got something that wasn't terrible.
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before that I'm a pretty big David Cook fan. The stuff he did on American Idol was outstanding (well for the most part), and was enough to make me a fan (by fan I mean someone who downloaded his American Idol singles almost weekly). Then there is this song. Here's the thing here. I can't fault David Cook too much here. This song was written for the competition and it's pretty cheesy. It sounds like something that would be used for an 80's teen movie montage or something. But to Cook's credit he does his best with it and makes it listenable. Further proof of why he should have won American Idol that year. Taking crap songs and making them sound listenable.
But enough of David Cook… bring on the Foo!!!!
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before that I'm a pretty big David Cook fan. The stuff he did on American Idol was outstanding (well for the most part), and was enough to make me a fan (by fan I mean someone who downloaded his American Idol singles almost weekly). Then there is this song. Here's the thing here. I can't fault David Cook too much here. This song was written for the competition and it's pretty cheesy. It sounds like something that would be used for an 80's teen movie montage or something. But to Cook's credit he does his best with it and makes it listenable. Further proof of why he should have won American Idol that year. Taking crap songs and making them sound listenable.
But enough of David Cook… bring on the Foo!!!!
Vegas Day 2
Vegas Day 3- Oh dear God waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many gin and tonics last night. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many. Things I've learned thus far
1. I play the slots better when listening to Pearl Jam… not so much with Foster the People.
2. It's fun to speak to people with Foo Fighters tattoos
3. Football at 10 a.m. is pretty fun
4. A Giants victory over the Eagles can cure most hangovers (especially when money is won for said Giants fan)
Keeping it brief today but I love the whole Europe '72 album. This exactly the sound I was looking for after last night (Shea had a lounge singer sing happy birthday to me… it was awesome). Very mellow. Very chill.
Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least This Week)
1. Release (live)- Pearl Jam
2. Better Off- Foo Fighters
3. I Follow Rivers- Lykke L
i4. The Mall and Misery- Broken Bells
5. Walk With Me- Pearl Jam w/ Neil Young
1. I play the slots better when listening to Pearl Jam… not so much with Foster the People.
2. It's fun to speak to people with Foo Fighters tattoos
3. Football at 10 a.m. is pretty fun
4. A Giants victory over the Eagles can cure most hangovers (especially when money is won for said Giants fan)
Keeping it brief today but I love the whole Europe '72 album. This exactly the sound I was looking for after last night (Shea had a lounge singer sing happy birthday to me… it was awesome). Very mellow. Very chill.
Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least This Week)
1. Release (live)- Pearl Jam
2. Better Off- Foo Fighters
3. I Follow Rivers- Lykke L
i4. The Mall and Misery- Broken Bells
5. Walk With Me- Pearl Jam w/ Neil Young
Vegas Day 1
Vegas Day 2- Day one of Vegas was a success. I hit shuffle early on in the day today because there was lots to do (slots, booze, food, pool, ect.).
The version that played on my ipod came from a show in 20__ and was the end of the tour. I've always really enjoyed this show. The band plays with a lot of energy (the version of About Mr. Brown from this show is one of my favorites) and you can hear the strain in Marc's voice. It's clear that it's been a long tour but this was when O.A.R. didn't disappoint.
Hey Girl is one of the songs you can tell the band is most proud of (case in point it has shown up on three studio albums and two live albums) so the band takes a lot of pride in perfecting it. The closest they've come to capturing the live feel of the song is on the In Between Then and Now album. Hey Girl was always destined to be a song that needed to heard live. I'm sorry I couldn't find the exact version but this one should hold you over. Feel free to sing-a-long.
The version that played on my ipod came from a show in 20__ and was the end of the tour. I've always really enjoyed this show. The band plays with a lot of energy (the version of About Mr. Brown from this show is one of my favorites) and you can hear the strain in Marc's voice. It's clear that it's been a long tour but this was when O.A.R. didn't disappoint.
Hey Girl is one of the songs you can tell the band is most proud of (case in point it has shown up on three studio albums and two live albums) so the band takes a lot of pride in perfecting it. The closest they've come to capturing the live feel of the song is on the In Between Then and Now album. Hey Girl was always destined to be a song that needed to heard live. I'm sorry I couldn't find the exact version but this one should hold you over. Feel free to sing-a-long.
Not the Time For LOST
So I thought to myself today "how cool would it be to hit shuffle while 30,000 feet in the air?", so that's what I did. I had just finished up listening to my newest Pearl Jam playlist (making my trilogy of Pearl Jam playlists now into a saga) and was thoroughly impressed with myself. So when I hit shuffle I expected good things.
By now you all know I'm a huge LOST geek and usually I would be excited about a LOST piece coming on the ole ipod, but today there was something disconcerting about it. I'm all about ending up on the island but being on a plane when a track from the soundtrack came on kind of gave me pause. We were flying over the Colorado Rockies at the time so if the plane was to "go down" there was no way I was ending up on the island. In fact there was no water below us what so ever. So while I listened to the track in the back of my head I kept thinking "this isn't a good idea, listen to the rest when we land" and so that's what I did. I didn't want to test fate and all that.
By now you all know I'm a huge LOST geek and usually I would be excited about a LOST piece coming on the ole ipod, but today there was something disconcerting about it. I'm all about ending up on the island but being on a plane when a track from the soundtrack came on kind of gave me pause. We were flying over the Colorado Rockies at the time so if the plane was to "go down" there was no way I was ending up on the island. In fact there was no water below us what so ever. So while I listened to the track in the back of my head I kept thinking "this isn't a good idea, listen to the rest when we land" and so that's what I did. I didn't want to test fate and all that.
The Night Before Vegas...
So I'm leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow for a long weekend, and ending it on Monday with a return to the east coast to see the Foo Fighters. Needless to say I don't think I'm going to be posting that much while I'm over there. As a a matter of fact I'm not going to bring my lap top (Shea will have hers so there is a slight chance but doubtful). I just wanted to give you guys the heads up so you didn't think I was flaking out on you guys again. Expect a number of posts on Tuesday. Until then enjoy todays song.
What I like about this track is there is a lot of emphasis on the bass and the drums. It's not like it's a particularly difficult drum scheme but you can always hear it. The bass stands front and center and makes like a bass-bass-drum type rhythm.
Getting back into O.A.R. has re-opened the door to a lot of bands I stopped listening to as much. Michael Franti and Spearhead sort of fall in that category. I used to listen to the Yell Fire album all the time and slowly it fell out of rotation. So when I played it for the first time in ages it was like listening to it for the first time again. Forgiving O.A.R. was one of the best things I've done musically this year.
Well off to Vegas goes I. I'll catch you guys in a couple of days.
What I like about this track is there is a lot of emphasis on the bass and the drums. It's not like it's a particularly difficult drum scheme but you can always hear it. The bass stands front and center and makes like a bass-bass-drum type rhythm.
Getting back into O.A.R. has re-opened the door to a lot of bands I stopped listening to as much. Michael Franti and Spearhead sort of fall in that category. I used to listen to the Yell Fire album all the time and slowly it fell out of rotation. So when I played it for the first time in ages it was like listening to it for the first time again. Forgiving O.A.R. was one of the best things I've done musically this year.
Well off to Vegas goes I. I'll catch you guys in a couple of days.
You Should Talk About This Album More
When people talk about Bob Marley records Survival isn't mentioned as much as it should be, but I would go so far as to say it belongs in his top three best albums (this is not including Legend because that is more or less a greatest hits album). Actually this album kind of reminds me of working at Borders (I bought it with a gift card I got for employee of the month... that's right self plug). Come on One Drop alone makes this album worth buying.
It's Time To Meet The Muppets...Queen
It's funny that this song would be selected now. Funny for a few reasons.
Reason 1- Shea and I were literally talking about this song on Saturday when I played it in her car. She told me I find the song to be funnier than it is and funnier than other people think. I thought this was kind of weird but correct me if I'm wrong here… this is the Muppets singing Queen right? It's the freakin' Muppets singing probably what is Queen's biggest song. How is this not funny or awesome (granted Shea used the word funny and didn't say anything about it not being awesome). I would think everyone would find this song to be funny. Just listen to Animal. I was curious to how the Muppets would handle some of the subject matter of the song, and the use of Animal is perfect. No one wants to hear a Muppet singing about killing a man and going to jail and yada yada yada. Imagine Kermit singing that. Well it would remind me of this painful video to watch.
Reason 2- I have been on a HUGE Muppets kick as of late. Maybe it has to do with the upcoming movie or the Green Album (speaking of which if you haven't listened to this or downloaded it what in the hell is wrong with you?! There is some really great stuff on here. For Christ sake the Fray do Muhna Muhna… and it's awesome). Whatever it is I'm all about the Muppets right now. We spent a hungover Saturday a couple of weeks ago watching two hours of the first season of the Muppet Show (the night before we danced about to bits of the Green Album… seriously people what are we waiting for here?). It was glorious. Do yourself a favor and just check out some of those old shows they're worth it for the subtle funny.
Non Muppet Related News- I saw Cameron Crowes love letter to Pearl Jam (PJ20) last night. There is so much I want to say but I'm still geeked out over the whole thing I'm not even sure where to begin. In short it was amazing. DVD comes out Oct. 25 (with a bunch of special editions being sold by the Ten Club) and I think they're airing it on PBS a few days before that. Do yourself a favor and watch it. I thought I was in love with Pearl Jam before…it just blew my mind.
When Soundtracks Go Wrong
I bought the Pineapple Express soundtrack thinking it would be pretty good. There was a good collection of songs within the movie (come on Electric Avenue!!!) and it was funny so these things seemed like they would translate well to a soundtrack. Unfortunately I was incorrect (surprised right? that hardly ever happens). The stand out tracks…well they stood out but everything else was kind of "eh". Funny within the movie not so much on the soundtrack. What can I say? We live and learn. Not every soundtrack can belong to Pulp Fiction, Donnie Darko, or Kill Bill Vol. 1 (yeah that's right two Tarantino soundtracks). Then again what was I expecting from the Pineapple Express soundtrack? You're not really going to strike gold here. It's not Empire Records or Mallrats. There's no cultural movement within the movie so I shouldn't be surprised that there isn't one on the soundtrack. I guess good soundtracks encompass a time period. A sound that instantly takes you back to movie and your life. It's like one of those cheesy collection albums without the infomercial or the cheese.
But instead today we got Pineapple Express. D'oh!
For me this song never takes off. It's that kid who you meet at the playground who seems like he'd be fun to play with then spends the next five minutes running in a circle blabbering, and you find he's more annoying then fun. That's this song for me. I don't really know what else to say about it really. It exists in a world where no one really cares I suppose. It fit inside the movie well. That's something positive right?
It's Ray Charles Y'all
I first heard Ray Charles through Billy Joel and their amazing duet, Baby Grand. To this day it's one of my favorite Billy Joel songs. As I got older I of course discovered America the Beautiful and Georgia (sweet Jesus Georgia) among many others. I have never seen the movie Ray though (although I have glimpsed bits and pieces here and there), and I can tell you that Ray Charles is the most unsuspecting heroin addict ever. Who would have thought? There are so many blind jokes that I'm going to stray for but it just didn't seem to fit.
I like these types of songs where the backup singers are involved with the lead singer or front band. James Brown would do this type of stuff all the time to the point where the backups played the role of James's conscience and he had to check in with them before he did anything else. I think it also boils down to the fact that music that requires participation from band members translates well to live shows because you can turn that participation to the crowd. And we all know that I love crowd participation.
The cool thing about Ray Charles was his passion. When the man was performing or recording you could hear it in his voice you could hear it in the piano playing…the man had passion and soul. Unchain My Heart touches on that soul. You can hear it while listening that Charles just wraps himself entirely in the song and creates almost his own little universe with himself and the band. I could easily picture him forgetting that there was anyone else in the world at that moment. That's the beauty of his music sometimes you forget too.
Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least This Week)
1. Truth- Alexander
2. Miss You- Foster the People
3. Waste- Forster the People
4. Kick Drum Heart- Avett Brothers
5. Given To Fly- Pearl Jam
I like these types of songs where the backup singers are involved with the lead singer or front band. James Brown would do this type of stuff all the time to the point where the backups played the role of James's conscience and he had to check in with them before he did anything else. I think it also boils down to the fact that music that requires participation from band members translates well to live shows because you can turn that participation to the crowd. And we all know that I love crowd participation.
The cool thing about Ray Charles was his passion. When the man was performing or recording you could hear it in his voice you could hear it in the piano playing…the man had passion and soul. Unchain My Heart touches on that soul. You can hear it while listening that Charles just wraps himself entirely in the song and creates almost his own little universe with himself and the band. I could easily picture him forgetting that there was anyone else in the world at that moment. That's the beauty of his music sometimes you forget too.
Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least This Week)
1. Truth- Alexander
2. Miss You- Foster the People
3. Waste- Forster the People
4. Kick Drum Heart- Avett Brothers
5. Given To Fly- Pearl Jam
Hell Yes 90's Aerosmith, Hell Yes
Where does one begin to start with 90's Aerosmith. Wow. For me Get A Grip Aerosmith was the start of me finding my own sound outside of my parents. Livin' On the Edge was one of those songs that I fell in love with instantly, and memorized it and sung it every chance I had, and started to realise that I could like my own bands and didn't just have to listen to what my parents were pumping. While Aerosmith didn't really fit the alternative music I was going to start listening to I never pushed them aside. In fact I was proud of my love for all things Aerosmith.
Let's be honest here too people, Aerosmith helped make the music video awesome! Yeah I said. That string of videos (including Cryin' here) staring Alicia Silverstone were incredible. She was smokin' and everyone wanted to see Aerosmith's videos because she was in them (come on need I say how hot she was on the bike in Amazing and her and Live Tyler in Crazy? Do I people?). Watching these videos now they just glow with 90's excellence, but back then they were the shit. (Side Note 1 For LOST Fans: The person who steals her bag in the diner is none other than Sawyer himself) (Side Note 2- the video version of the song is actually longer then the studio cut because they liked the footage they shot so much. Thank you Pop Up Video. Wow does anyone remember that?)
I love Cryin'. Everything about it from those opening chords to the harmonica solo to the screamin' it's one of those songs that just makes me think how exciting it was to listen to Get A Grip with my head phones on. Aerosmith helped introduce me to a lot of other classic rock bands that the grunge music was missing out on (don't get me wrong with grunge I learned of the Pixies, Sonic Youth, and the Ramones but with Aerosmith I learned of the Who's Tommy or some random Zeppelin record.) Aerosmith opened a lot of doors for me musically, and it's funny you don't hear them get referenced enough like that.
What is great about Cryin' and the whole rest of the Get A Grip album was how Aerosmith was able to adapt their sound again in order to remain relevant. I've never seen a band able to keep a float for so long even when it seems like they were dead in the water. They save themselves by re-doing Walk This Way with Run DMC and then kind of slip back into the shadows and then bam Pump hits and followed up by Get A Grip and it's like they never left. Yeah they've gone a little too pop as of late but Aerosmith does what it needs to survive. How can you fault them with that? And even if you do listen to Cryin' again and see if you feel the same way.
The Game Has Changed
The Game. The Game? Hmmmmm I'm not really sure where to begin with this one. I for one was really excited for his first album (The Documentary) there was so much positive hype plus I was still had my love affair with Shady/Aftermath going on and even better then that Dr. Dre had his hands all over this album. What more could you ask for right? Everything about it seemed like it would be good, and speaking honestly it was a really good rap album. From start to finish The Documentary delivers the goods. Over hyped? Yeah probably. Solid? Yeah it's that too.
The worst part of this album (besides the fact that they changed the name of the album from N.W.A.) was all the drama that followed it. All that G-Unit, 50 Cent vs. The Game crap got annoying real fast. It was like all of you need to shut the hell up and just record songs. It was during that time period where 50 Cent had to beef with everyone. It just wasn't fun.
I think the split with G-Unit was probably the best and worst thing that could have happened to the Game. Yeah he shed himself of the garbage that 50 was becoming but he also lost that publicity that came with being associated with him. Once that beef died it seemed that the Game became an afterthought, I would say he neither won or loss that beef. Yeah he was still putting out some pretty good albums and tracks but it wasn't holding the impact that it would have if he had maybe stayed in the good graces. I don't it's one of those double edge sword type deals.
I really liked this song off when I first heard it, and listening to it again today for the first time I liked it but not as much. A large part of it has to do with my love for most things Eminem (minus Encore and Relapse). When I first heard the track I agreed that Em did kill the Game on his own track but since re-listening and hearing Eminem drop nastier verses I think that comment downgrades Games ability to rap because this isn't Em's best work, nor is it his worse. It's just him dropping in and making it a song because his name is attached.
I recently read an interview with Game where he states that he loves going after rappers, but the one he stays away from is Eminem because he knows Em will rip him up. I kind of liked that he acknowledged that. It's good to have that understanding.
The worst part of this album (besides the fact that they changed the name of the album from N.W.A.) was all the drama that followed it. All that G-Unit, 50 Cent vs. The Game crap got annoying real fast. It was like all of you need to shut the hell up and just record songs. It was during that time period where 50 Cent had to beef with everyone. It just wasn't fun.
I think the split with G-Unit was probably the best and worst thing that could have happened to the Game. Yeah he shed himself of the garbage that 50 was becoming but he also lost that publicity that came with being associated with him. Once that beef died it seemed that the Game became an afterthought, I would say he neither won or loss that beef. Yeah he was still putting out some pretty good albums and tracks but it wasn't holding the impact that it would have if he had maybe stayed in the good graces. I don't it's one of those double edge sword type deals.
I really liked this song off when I first heard it, and listening to it again today for the first time I liked it but not as much. A large part of it has to do with my love for most things Eminem (minus Encore and Relapse). When I first heard the track I agreed that Em did kill the Game on his own track but since re-listening and hearing Eminem drop nastier verses I think that comment downgrades Games ability to rap because this isn't Em's best work, nor is it his worse. It's just him dropping in and making it a song because his name is attached.
I recently read an interview with Game where he states that he loves going after rappers, but the one he stays away from is Eminem because he knows Em will rip him up. I kind of liked that he acknowledged that. It's good to have that understanding.
I'll Take the Studio Cut Over This Live Version
This isn't the exact version of the song that played on my ipod this morning but I suppose it's close enough for government work.
So my ipod must be gearing up for Pearl Jam's big 20th birthday next Tuesday. I'm not going into a lot of detail here because I actually like the stuido cut of Whipping better then this live version (or the live version that played on my ipod this morning). For some reason I think it just translates better on a record then live (or at least in this case). But I won't deny that I'm always pretty excited to start my day off with a little Pearl Jam. It actually lead to me listening to the live album they dropped earlier this year, Live On Ten Legs, which upon first couple of listens I thought was "eh". See I have problem with live albums that take from a bunch of different shows. They all ways try and peace them together as if it's just one show and most of the time it misses the mark. Sometimes they fit and other times the sound seems different and you can tell the band was in a different mood. Although listening to Live On Ten Legs this morning on shuffle I enjoyed it a bit more.
That's my story folks and I'm sticking to it.
Who Wins In A Fight Lemmy, God, or HHH?
Once upon a time I used to be a pretty huge wrestling fan. I'm not talking about high school or college wrestling (it's a little much for me), no I'm talking about the then WWF and now WWE. I wish I could sit here today and tell you by huge I meant descent but I mean huge. I would tape matches on Raw and Smackdown and make collections of my favorites of the year, I was going to house shows, I was rocking t-shirts, the whole nine. Through this love of wrestling I discovered I could actually do a pretty good Rock impression (I know be jealous, but I'm not sure if I could still do it it's been so long).
Part of my obsession with wrestling (and yes I'm okay to say that it was an obsession) was the music. Come on, who among us has not thought about how freakin' cool it would be to have their very own intro music? I think about it at least once a day. I have tons of different songs picked out too. Songs for when I walk into work, songs for when I leave the bathroom, songs when I wake up, the list goes on and on. So naturally I would be drawn to wrestling theme music. Now when I was growing up (during the high years of wrestling, when it was fun to watch) the music was evolving. Hulk Hogan's Real American was fading and new songs were emerging to take it's place (for the record I listened to Real American before I ran Warrior Dash and man did it pump me up). I was being WWF albums with songs to my favorite wrestlers and burning them to CD's for basketball games and track meets (wow I'm sound like such a loser here). I couldn't help it.
Now this... this has to be one of my all time favorite wrestling theme songs ever. Let's just break it down (break it down... that's for my fellow DX nerds. God must stop). Not only is this a wrestling theme song, but it's a wrestling theme song sung by fuckin' Motorhead (sorry for the swearing just needed to get my point across)! That's right people... fuckin' Lemmy himself is singing a wrestling theme for HHH (or as he's known as... The Game). It almost seems like it should make sense doesn't it?
This song kicks too by the way. It always gets me pumped up when I hear it. Makes me want to kick some ass or hit some one with a folding chair or jump off a ladder. Maybe when I was younger (I'd like to tell you that my friends and I never tried to wrestle in the back yard but I'd be lying. Many epic battles in pools (it's easier to lift and kill people in the pool), garages, backyards, I still think my body is trying to heal.) but I can't do that stuff now... I'm married (Note To Self- Contact Tim see if he's interested a wrestling fight reunion... Further Note To Self- Shut up).
You haven't lived people until you've watched a wrestling PPV and Motorhead shows up to play a wrestler's theme song. I can remember this happening three times, maybe four. It will blow. Your. Mind.
As I've gotten older I've strayed away from wrestling (all my favorites left or got to old), but every now and then I'll check in on it or watch something with my brother in-law Paul and my buddy Tim. It reminds me of old times when we'd get together on that one Sunday a month for the PPV. It's a very nostalgic feeling for me I suppose. While I've out grown wrestling it still holds a place in my heart, and I couldn't help but giggle when this came on today. I mean who giggles to a Motorhead song? So this is for my wrestling junkies out there. Be proud of your obsession. It's okay. There are worse things out there. Also please embrace C.M. Punk I'm pretty sure he can make it fun to watch again. And that's the bottom line because- sorry I really meant to stop myself but it's just too easy.
Part of my obsession with wrestling (and yes I'm okay to say that it was an obsession) was the music. Come on, who among us has not thought about how freakin' cool it would be to have their very own intro music? I think about it at least once a day. I have tons of different songs picked out too. Songs for when I walk into work, songs for when I leave the bathroom, songs when I wake up, the list goes on and on. So naturally I would be drawn to wrestling theme music. Now when I was growing up (during the high years of wrestling, when it was fun to watch) the music was evolving. Hulk Hogan's Real American was fading and new songs were emerging to take it's place (for the record I listened to Real American before I ran Warrior Dash and man did it pump me up). I was being WWF albums with songs to my favorite wrestlers and burning them to CD's for basketball games and track meets (wow I'm sound like such a loser here). I couldn't help it.
Now this... this has to be one of my all time favorite wrestling theme songs ever. Let's just break it down (break it down... that's for my fellow DX nerds. God must stop). Not only is this a wrestling theme song, but it's a wrestling theme song sung by fuckin' Motorhead (sorry for the swearing just needed to get my point across)! That's right people... fuckin' Lemmy himself is singing a wrestling theme for HHH (or as he's known as... The Game). It almost seems like it should make sense doesn't it?
This song kicks too by the way. It always gets me pumped up when I hear it. Makes me want to kick some ass or hit some one with a folding chair or jump off a ladder. Maybe when I was younger (I'd like to tell you that my friends and I never tried to wrestle in the back yard but I'd be lying. Many epic battles in pools (it's easier to lift and kill people in the pool), garages, backyards, I still think my body is trying to heal.) but I can't do that stuff now... I'm married (Note To Self- Contact Tim see if he's interested a wrestling fight reunion... Further Note To Self- Shut up).
You haven't lived people until you've watched a wrestling PPV and Motorhead shows up to play a wrestler's theme song. I can remember this happening three times, maybe four. It will blow. Your. Mind.
As I've gotten older I've strayed away from wrestling (all my favorites left or got to old), but every now and then I'll check in on it or watch something with my brother in-law Paul and my buddy Tim. It reminds me of old times when we'd get together on that one Sunday a month for the PPV. It's a very nostalgic feeling for me I suppose. While I've out grown wrestling it still holds a place in my heart, and I couldn't help but giggle when this came on today. I mean who giggles to a Motorhead song? So this is for my wrestling junkies out there. Be proud of your obsession. It's okay. There are worse things out there. Also please embrace C.M. Punk I'm pretty sure he can make it fun to watch again. And that's the bottom line because- sorry I really meant to stop myself but it's just too easy.
Hip Hop Week Continues
I always find it interesting when my ipod gets into moods like this. There are times where it just throws a whole bunch of random stuff at me and that's fine, but when it hits a groove like it has this week that's really when it peaks my interest. What is it right now that has my ipod wanting to play hip hop? I'm starting to think of the Shuffle as the ipods choice. Picture this... when I hit shuffle every morning my ipod is making it's choice of song for the day. This is the number one song on my ipods mind right now. Kind of weird right? I blame this on having to much time to think while driving and years and years of drug abuse (just kidding folks...yes kidding).
This track on paper sounds like it should be really promising. It's Kanye West and Nas on a Kanye produced track, it should be pretty awesome. And I'm not dismissing the coolness of the track because it is pretty chill, but when you put two mega names like this on a track together I want a home run. I want something epic. Picture this. If Elton John and Billy Joel were to write a song together wouldn't you want that song to be a blend of both of their styles as well as something fresh and original? And I'm totally aware of all the artists in the world I could have used here I chose Billy Joel and Elton John. What do you want from me?
Still Dreaming comes off of Nas's first album release on Def Jam records which was a really big deal at the time, now not so much. At the time of this album Jay-Z was the head of Def Jam and he signed Nas to a record deal which was such a huge deal because of the "beef" between the two of them. Although it seems that said "beef" might have been all for money since it was squashed so quickly but I digress.
Any way it just sounded so promising with Nas and Jay-Z working together on an album, so I was quick to scoop it up when it came out. After a few listens I knew I was sort of disappointed but I thought it was a step in the right direction. There were some really good songs on there, and there were some songs that were just there. I for one would have loved if the Roots and Nas had cut a full album together. Maybe one day.
This album was more about the hype of it coming out on Jay-Z's record label then anything else. Still Dreaming has a real smooth beat to it. Very jazz like which is cool (but at times reminds me of the Kanye/Game collaboration Wouldn't Get Far) . I would have liked a better hook here, and believe it or not a little more Kayne. Maybe have the two of them trade viruses off each other or something. There was so much potential here that I felt that kind of got left on the cutting room floor.
Things to check out on this album though, Will.I.Am (yes that one) actually produces a couple of really good tracks here. It makes you almost forget that he sold his soul to the pop gods for money and lame catchy hooks... almost.
This track on paper sounds like it should be really promising. It's Kanye West and Nas on a Kanye produced track, it should be pretty awesome. And I'm not dismissing the coolness of the track because it is pretty chill, but when you put two mega names like this on a track together I want a home run. I want something epic. Picture this. If Elton John and Billy Joel were to write a song together wouldn't you want that song to be a blend of both of their styles as well as something fresh and original? And I'm totally aware of all the artists in the world I could have used here I chose Billy Joel and Elton John. What do you want from me?
Still Dreaming comes off of Nas's first album release on Def Jam records which was a really big deal at the time, now not so much. At the time of this album Jay-Z was the head of Def Jam and he signed Nas to a record deal which was such a huge deal because of the "beef" between the two of them. Although it seems that said "beef" might have been all for money since it was squashed so quickly but I digress.
Any way it just sounded so promising with Nas and Jay-Z working together on an album, so I was quick to scoop it up when it came out. After a few listens I knew I was sort of disappointed but I thought it was a step in the right direction. There were some really good songs on there, and there were some songs that were just there. I for one would have loved if the Roots and Nas had cut a full album together. Maybe one day.
This album was more about the hype of it coming out on Jay-Z's record label then anything else. Still Dreaming has a real smooth beat to it. Very jazz like which is cool (but at times reminds me of the Kanye/Game collaboration Wouldn't Get Far) . I would have liked a better hook here, and believe it or not a little more Kayne. Maybe have the two of them trade viruses off each other or something. There was so much potential here that I felt that kind of got left on the cutting room floor.
Things to check out on this album though, Will.I.Am (yes that one) actually produces a couple of really good tracks here. It makes you almost forget that he sold his soul to the pop gods for money and lame catchy hooks... almost.
Lazy Ass Rap Songs
Like I've said before I went through a Shady/Aftermath phase where I was listening to just about anything that was put out on the record label. It mostly stemmed from my love of all things Eminem and trickled down to lesser albums from Young Buck and yes Lyod Bankis . See there was a period where the whole label thought they were untouchable, Eminem even started producing records (to mixed results mostly misses, must I remind you all of the Tupac album?) and 50 Cent put out albums after Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. I personally thing it went all down hill after Eminem's Encore and the G-Unit album.
So while I was on this kick of Shady/Aftermath artists I was almost forcing myself to like certain albums because of their affiliation. I listen to this stuff now and I wonder what the hell I was thinking? This song is lazy hip-hop at it's best. It sounds like an Eminem produced beat (I'm to lazy to look it up), the rhymes from everyone involved are simplistic and there is no real flow here, and the hook... well I expect better from Nate Dogg.
It's songs like this that kind of made Eminem and 50 Cent less effective. At least Eminem has been able to redeem himself, 50 Cent on the other hand. Wow, that went wrong. Now that I think of it I probably bought this album because Eminem did a track on it. Tisk, tisk, tisk.
A Rap Super Group You Should Know About
Mos Def and Talib Kweli together form the rap super group Black Star. They've only put one album out but if you're looking for the roots of what makes hip hop so good look no further. This album is awesome. If you're just looking for some smooth, chill, awesome hip hop look no further. Actually why aren't you downloading it right now... go I'll wait.
In the mean time check this out
5 Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least This Week)
1. Ole- Pearl Jam
2. My Body- Young the Giant
3. Mahna Mahna- The Fray
4. Dangerous Connection- O.A.R.
5. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover- G. Love
You Know Mary... She Be Crazy
I love, love, love this song. First off lets start by saying Shea was today's Guest Shuffler. It feels like we haven't had a Guest Shuffler in awhile. I'm not sure if I've discussed it here yet but Shea is not a Pearl Jam fan. Yes there are a couple of songs of theirs that she likes or appreciates, I actually she appreciates Pearl Jam as a whole but it's just not her sound. That's found I've made my peace with that. She doesn't need to be a Pearl Jam fan for our marriage to work. One song of theirs she does happen to really like though is their cover of Crazy Mary so I was very excited when she hit shuffle today that it turned up.
Pearl Jam has been on Jimmy Fallon Thursday and Friday of this week and their documentary and it's soundtrack, PJ20, comes out on the 20th of this month so I've been I've been listening to alot of Pearl Jam the last couple of days (yes more so then usual). So Crazy Mary playing totally fit my mood.
The song is a cover of an old Victoria Williams song, and I have to say it's kind of creepy. The whole story of Mary and the town and stuff sounds like it should be out of a horror movie. It sounds dark the story sounds bleak it seems like maybe it would make a good movie with pop outs and teenagers who are following the legend of crazy Mary.
I actually have a version of this show where Eddie Vedder says "this song is about a insane person" before they start to play. Going into the second versus the sound cuts out and their is this god awful screech. Vedder addresses the crowd saying it's the first time that he's called Mary insane publicly and he doesn't want to ever play the song again since it was so scary. Spoiler alert they do finish but it's still a freaky moment. So for me this song gives off that paranormal, horror movie feel. I love it. The first time I saw them they played it in the second encore. I left feeling very happy.
Take a bottle pass it round... I want to watch a horror movie now.
Summer Can't End When Bob Marley Exists
So the weather and the media may have us believe that summer is over but I'm here to protest. For starters the weather today was a little bit warmer and the sun was out (suck it rain), and the song of the day came from no other then Bob Marley. Summer can't end as long as the music of Bob Marley is a live.
For me there are certain artists or bands that just encompass summer (Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., Sublime to name a couple). I can listen to them all year round but they sound the best during the summer months. So when I put them on the Want To Hear It Now playlist in February it's my way of putting a little summer in my life. There is a battle between winter and I and I'm battling it one song at a time.
Bob Marley not only is summer but his music transcends the barrier of being just summer music. I can put a Bob Marley record on any time of the year and feel completely relaxed and at peace, and yes a bit warm. This winter you should try to play a Bob Marley album or song or maybe you're own summer bands during the greyest day of winter. I dare you to come back and tell me that it doesn't make you feel a little bit better inside. You too can fight Mother Nature.
Satisfy My Soul is one of my all time favorite Bob Marley songs. It's chill tempo and easy going spirit just put me at ease. I love, love, love the "you make me feel like a sweepstakes winner" line. It makes my heart smile. The whole song from the rocking of the boat to the chorus help to show why Bob Marley shines so brightly. Such positive energy and good feelings stem from his music it's hard to just classify him as a summer artist. Bob Marley is summer in music form, and I beg you to take him with you all year. Everyone deserves a little slice of summer all year round, don't you think?
For me there are certain artists or bands that just encompass summer (Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., Sublime to name a couple). I can listen to them all year round but they sound the best during the summer months. So when I put them on the Want To Hear It Now playlist in February it's my way of putting a little summer in my life. There is a battle between winter and I and I'm battling it one song at a time.
Bob Marley not only is summer but his music transcends the barrier of being just summer music. I can put a Bob Marley record on any time of the year and feel completely relaxed and at peace, and yes a bit warm. This winter you should try to play a Bob Marley album or song or maybe you're own summer bands during the greyest day of winter. I dare you to come back and tell me that it doesn't make you feel a little bit better inside. You too can fight Mother Nature.
Satisfy My Soul is one of my all time favorite Bob Marley songs. It's chill tempo and easy going spirit just put me at ease. I love, love, love the "you make me feel like a sweepstakes winner" line. It makes my heart smile. The whole song from the rocking of the boat to the chorus help to show why Bob Marley shines so brightly. Such positive energy and good feelings stem from his music it's hard to just classify him as a summer artist. Bob Marley is summer in music form, and I beg you to take him with you all year. Everyone deserves a little slice of summer all year round, don't you think?
Lil Jon...Again? Aaaaand a Special Announcment
So as I was listening to this garbage (I don't know why I have this much Lil Jon on my ipod... a part of me died inside when I heard this) I was thinking of my approach to writing about it. How does one write something about Real Nigga Roll Call with a straight face or expect to be taken seriously? I don't think that it's possible. So that got me thinking about the different avenues I could travel here. Allow me to share with you what I came up with.
1. Philosophy- I could get into the whole idea that the "real nigga roll call" is in fact a way of searching for ones self and exploring ones "inner nigga" or as I understand it, one's inner child. By having a roll call for the "real niggas" one is lead to believe that Lil Jon is actually searching for the real him.
2. Ice Cube Should Know Better- I think this really speaks for itself here.
3. How Many Times Do the Words "Nigga" and "Mother Fucker" Appear- I tried counting twenty seconds in and just gave up. I thought about going back and trying again but that meant that I would have to listen to this abomination again so instead I'll just say a lot. (Challenge: Does anyone dare to count them and report back to me?)
4. Maybe Lil Jon Is A Genius- Wait stop laughing. Is it possible that all this "crunk" music is in fact a farce and it's Lil Jon's way of assessing us as people. He secretly judges the people who buy and listen to his music and thinks that they are small and weak people who just want to prey on the weakness of others. Lil Jon is in fact laughing all the way to the bank... shortly after this thought I punched myself in the eye to keep it real.
And now on to today's BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:
Alright Shufflers here we go. I have a friend, Linda Meigel, who happens to be a self publishing author. Her first book Monkey Shine was wonderfully written and highly entertaining. For those of you interested in it please go check it out here http://www.amazon.com/MONKEY-SHINE-Linda-Meigel/dp/0982373910/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1315538372&sr=8-7 on Amazon.
Well as I mentioned she owns her own publishing company which is starting to hit the ground running, and I'm proud to announce that I will be joining her expanding cast of authors! That's right folks I got my first book deal. Linda and I have conspired to co-write a collection of short stories (ten each) that deal with the darkness of human behavior. We each will write ten separate stories with the longest one being 20 pages and each story after being two pages less (for those of you not quick at math that means story 10 would be two pages long). The collection will be published under Linda's publishing company, Street Monkey Publishing, when everything is done.
As of right now there is no time table to when the book will be released as I'm still working on my ten (just about finished with my first and have the other five mapped out to be written), and Linda is also working on publishing her second novel along with writing the short stories (p.s. I've read the first couple of chapters from her next book and it's very exciting). But as things get further along in the process I'll be posting teasers and blurbs and upcoming stories and updates on the project.
So there you have it Shufflers, my first book deal. Just thought I'd share the excitement. I'll catch you all tomorrow and please don't listen to this song again...ever.
A Beatles Cover That Misses The Mark
I want to start off by thanking the incredibly awesome people over at Amazon for sending me a new car device so I can play my ipod whilst driving again. I can't even tell you people how much it sucked having to listen to the radio for about a week and a half. I stuck to my morning routine and listened to Mike and Mike but on the way home and such I would pretty much turn the radio down and drive home in silence. I just can't take it. It's not even worth scanning because it finds the same five songs on eight different stations. Made my heart sad knowing my ipod was sitting right there next to me begging to be played loudly and I couldn't comply. So the first thing I did this morning was hooked it up, turned it up, and hit play. Driving is fun again.
Our second cover song this week and one done by the Beatle no less. Now far be it for me to criticize the Beatles or anything they have ever done, buuuuuuuuuuuuut I think the original is better than this version. I know, I know calm down I have my reasons. While it's cool to have the Beatles doing a cover of Please Mr. Postman the sexiness of the song is kind of lost. That's right kids I said sexy.
Hear me out here folks. I don't know if anyone else finds it this way (it could just be a weird me thing) but I think the whole "Deliver the letter/The sooner the better" part is really sexy. I can't explain why. Maybe it's because of the way the words sound together, I don't know to be honest. It's just one of those things that just is. Unfortunately I don't think that sexiness carries over in the Beatles version. It's still catchy and fun to sing, but I don't find Lennon's delivery of "Deliver the letter…" sexy at all. Maybe a little whiney? I don't know.
Actually I think my main problem with this cover is it comes across a bit whiney, and less wanting. The original has longing and lust in it, again this doesn't translate here. It is exactly what you think it is, the Beatles singing a version of Please Mr. Postman. That's it. There's no added spin or twist here. It's just four dudes who wanted to sign a bitchin' song and recorded it because they could. Granted these four dudes are the Beatles but it doesn't make the song spectacular. Just makes it a cool listen.
Side Note: Stay tuned tomorrow Shufflers for an awesomely exciting announcement here at A Year of Shuffling.
Our second cover song this week and one done by the Beatle no less. Now far be it for me to criticize the Beatles or anything they have ever done, buuuuuuuuuuuuut I think the original is better than this version. I know, I know calm down I have my reasons. While it's cool to have the Beatles doing a cover of Please Mr. Postman the sexiness of the song is kind of lost. That's right kids I said sexy.
Hear me out here folks. I don't know if anyone else finds it this way (it could just be a weird me thing) but I think the whole "Deliver the letter/The sooner the better" part is really sexy. I can't explain why. Maybe it's because of the way the words sound together, I don't know to be honest. It's just one of those things that just is. Unfortunately I don't think that sexiness carries over in the Beatles version. It's still catchy and fun to sing, but I don't find Lennon's delivery of "Deliver the letter…" sexy at all. Maybe a little whiney? I don't know.
Actually I think my main problem with this cover is it comes across a bit whiney, and less wanting. The original has longing and lust in it, again this doesn't translate here. It is exactly what you think it is, the Beatles singing a version of Please Mr. Postman. That's it. There's no added spin or twist here. It's just four dudes who wanted to sign a bitchin' song and recorded it because they could. Granted these four dudes are the Beatles but it doesn't make the song spectacular. Just makes it a cool listen.
Side Note: Stay tuned tomorrow Shufflers for an awesomely exciting announcement here at A Year of Shuffling.
Welcome Back From the Lost Week
Alright as promised back and better then ever people. I'm not really sure what happened to me last week, or what will forever be referred to as the Lost Week. It wasn't like I wasn't shuffling either (except last Friday I didn't but I can explain. The device to play my ipod in my car broke and when I got home from work we had people over and good times were had and well...yeah). Actually I blame a great deal of last week on the fact that my ipod car playing device kicked it. Tough day especially when the radio sucks and there has been so much music that I've been in the mood to listen to all day (Foster the People, The Muppets: Green Album, and Young the Giant to name a few). So I'm scratching last week from the record books and just starting fresh. Time to get things back on track and stopping with these half assed posts.
(couldn't find a video of the song so here is a link where you can download it for free instead http://www.oarsa.org/features/viewsong.php?songID=109 )
First off I love this song. I think I have four to five different versions of it on my ipod (Allman Brothers obviously and I know there's a Dave Matthews Band version on there some where too and probably one that I'm forgetting). You see the cool thing about O.A.R. live shows is that you usually get a pretty cool cover. Having seen them nine times I've heard some really good ones. I've got to see them do Pearl Jam's Release (oh.my.god.), U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday and With or Without You, Zeppelin's Fool In the Rain, and one of my personal favorites Billy Joel's Downeaster Alexa (the first time they covered it was at Jones Beach for us Long Islanders). Back in the days when I was constantly trading for shows I would some times base what shows to trade for on the covers that were performed. This particular show drew me in because of Melissa.
I have this thing with songs named after ladies where I want to name my future daughter that name so I can sing said song to them when they're a baby (insert awwwww here or gag your choice). I had the same thing with Bob Marley's Kaya. I just loved the idea of naming my daughter Kaya and singing her that song. For those wondering Shea has totally voted down the name Kaya but I'm still allowed to sing said song to future daughter if I choose. I don't know it'll just seem weird now don't you think?
Totally besides the point I love this version of Melissa. Over the last month and my rekindling with O.A.R. I've really grown to love the voice of Marc Roberage. I've always appreciated it and I love how into the music he gets, but I don't know if I ever realised before how great his voice is. There's evidence of that in this cover of Melissa. It's just such a tender moment, and I wish I was at that show. It would have been such a great song choice to transition into something like I Feel Home. I love those quiet moments in shows that bring things in and softens out the show. Sometimes that's where you find the best concert moments.
My homework assignment for you tonight Shufflers is go on itunes or You Tube and find your favorite version of Melissa. If you don't mind so much please feel free to post whatever version you may find here in the comments. I'm always looking for new versions of great songs to listen to.
It's good to be back.
(couldn't find a video of the song so here is a link where you can download it for free instead http://www.oarsa.org/features/viewsong.php?songID=109 )
First off I love this song. I think I have four to five different versions of it on my ipod (Allman Brothers obviously and I know there's a Dave Matthews Band version on there some where too and probably one that I'm forgetting). You see the cool thing about O.A.R. live shows is that you usually get a pretty cool cover. Having seen them nine times I've heard some really good ones. I've got to see them do Pearl Jam's Release (oh.my.god.), U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday and With or Without You, Zeppelin's Fool In the Rain, and one of my personal favorites Billy Joel's Downeaster Alexa (the first time they covered it was at Jones Beach for us Long Islanders). Back in the days when I was constantly trading for shows I would some times base what shows to trade for on the covers that were performed. This particular show drew me in because of Melissa.
I have this thing with songs named after ladies where I want to name my future daughter that name so I can sing said song to them when they're a baby (insert awwwww here or gag your choice). I had the same thing with Bob Marley's Kaya. I just loved the idea of naming my daughter Kaya and singing her that song. For those wondering Shea has totally voted down the name Kaya but I'm still allowed to sing said song to future daughter if I choose. I don't know it'll just seem weird now don't you think?
Totally besides the point I love this version of Melissa. Over the last month and my rekindling with O.A.R. I've really grown to love the voice of Marc Roberage. I've always appreciated it and I love how into the music he gets, but I don't know if I ever realised before how great his voice is. There's evidence of that in this cover of Melissa. It's just such a tender moment, and I wish I was at that show. It would have been such a great song choice to transition into something like I Feel Home. I love those quiet moments in shows that bring things in and softens out the show. Sometimes that's where you find the best concert moments.
My homework assignment for you tonight Shufflers is go on itunes or You Tube and find your favorite version of Melissa. If you don't mind so much please feel free to post whatever version you may find here in the comments. I'm always looking for new versions of great songs to listen to.
It's good to be back.
The Lost Week
Okay so I kind of messed up. While I was shuffling last week I was not recording them and not posting them here. I really dropped the ball here folks and I'm not afraid to admit it. So in order to save A Year of Shuffling I'm pulling a Lost Week. Similar to John Lennon's Lost Weekend I'm not counting anything from last week and am now claiming to have had computer problems preventing me from posting.
A Year of Shuffling gets back on track tomorrow, and let us never speak of last week again.
A Year of Shuffling gets back on track tomorrow, and let us never speak of last week again.
A Group Of Songs With Writing To Come Later When I'm Less Tired
Sunday
Good song here. I love the rhythm and way Cope flows here. Shea introduced me to this song. Cope has got some good stuff, for example check out his cover of Karma Police by Radiohead.
Monday
It's the Fellowship of the Ring. Top Five Favorite movies of all time. The music enhances the awesome.
Tuesday
This song is filled with so much 90's goodness. Throw a flannel on and rock out. Actually rock out twice.
Sorry things have been lame lately trying to catch up real quick. Should have things back on track tomorrow hopefully.
Good song here. I love the rhythm and way Cope flows here. Shea introduced me to this song. Cope has got some good stuff, for example check out his cover of Karma Police by Radiohead.
Monday
It's the Fellowship of the Ring. Top Five Favorite movies of all time. The music enhances the awesome.
Tuesday
This song is filled with so much 90's goodness. Throw a flannel on and rock out. Actually rock out twice.
Sorry things have been lame lately trying to catch up real quick. Should have things back on track tomorrow hopefully.
There Be A Storm A Comin'
I"m not sure if any of you guys know but there is a hurricane heading towards New York/Long Island. I know right?! Don't you think the news would have done a better job of covering something like that? This is a music blog not a weather one. You shouldn't have to come to A Year of Shuffling to get your weather news. If I was the media I would have this thing plastered over every channel 24 hours a day.
All kidding aside there is a storm (Irene) heading towards my little area of the world, and what better way to get ready than to listen to Boston!!!
Come on nothing gets one more ready for a hurricane than blasting the sounds of Boston. Just makes you forget that the world could be possibly collapsing around you in a few hours. My favorite part of listening to Smokin' was Shea asking what was up with the "vampire organ sounds". This lead me to believe that hey there aren't enough organ jams in music anymore. Much like the Black Keys and their sleigh bells lets bring back the organ people!
In all seriousness though all my east coasters please be safe, providing that I have interweb service tomorrow I'll be back.
All kidding aside there is a storm (Irene) heading towards my little area of the world, and what better way to get ready than to listen to Boston!!!
Come on nothing gets one more ready for a hurricane than blasting the sounds of Boston. Just makes you forget that the world could be possibly collapsing around you in a few hours. My favorite part of listening to Smokin' was Shea asking what was up with the "vampire organ sounds". This lead me to believe that hey there aren't enough organ jams in music anymore. Much like the Black Keys and their sleigh bells lets bring back the organ people!
In all seriousness though all my east coasters please be safe, providing that I have interweb service tomorrow I'll be back.
Yeah That's Right... Fuel
Now I see that some of you may have forgotten about Fuel but I'm one of the few (outside the parents of band members) who have not forgotten about the band. Well that's not entirely true I haven't forgotten about two of their songs the rest of their catalogue is pretty much forgotten to me. But why Kevin, why not forget about Fuel? Well Shufflers I'm glad you asked. The two Fuel songs that have a small room on my ipod (well more of a closet) are pretty good. Who among you didn't like Bad Day or Hemorrhage when they were originally released? That's right it was like these guys were the first Nickleback type band but with less song recycling and waaaaaaay less hits.
I also have this thing with the band because I have seen them live twice. Wait, what? Kevin you paid money to see a Fuel show at two different times in your life? No, no I didn't. I paid to see Aerosmith on two separate occasions (I think I totalled out at six Aerosmith shows) and on those two shows Fuel was the opening band. Both times these were the two best songs to hear. But they did get me to by the album (Something Like Human) so I guess Fuel gets the win here.
(Side Note: For my younger readers who wonder why I didn't just download the songs it's because I used to live in a time where if you wanted a song or two you had to buy the whole album. Gasp. The horror).
This isn't the first time that Fuel has been relevant in the last five years though people. Remember when Daughtry didn't win American Idol (P.S. I haaaaaaaaaate Daughtry)? Well there were rumors about him taking over lead singer duties because apparently the lead singer of Fuel left the band or was kicked out or something. And I remember thinking then, "I didn't know Fuel was that big of a deal to have a new lead singer debate. I'm pretty sure they have slipped back into obscurity." Looking back it seems like I was right.
Todays' homework assignment listen to these two Fuel songs and tell me they're not good. I dare you. Also feel very incredibly 90's as you do so. You can thank me later. Also don't listen to Daughtry, again thank me later.
Oh Brother
I got into the Black Keys kind of late in the game. I have no real explanation for it, they were just one of those bands it took me awhile to discover. I think it boils down to the fact that my two person band allegiance was given to the White Stripes so the Black Keys kind of got lost in the shuffle. Now that the White Stripes don't exist anymore I have an opening in my favorite two person band spot...enter the Black Keys.
Brothers is a pretty solid album, but I'm partial to the awesomeness of Attack & Release. For me that's my favorite Black Keys album, but that's besides the point here. Unknown Brother has a pretty good sound to it, but I think that's part of my problem with Brothers. A lot of the songs kind of have that similar feel to them. They may not sound the same but they have that same feel and structure to them. I think this works against a lot of the songs on the album because it gives off the "didn't I just hear this song" vibe.
My first thought with Unknown Brother was actually that book My Brother Sam Is Dead. There is nothing in the lyrics that even remotely hints at the novel but for some reason my brain went there. I loved that book when I was in sixth grade (or was it fifth grade) and maybe it's the title of the song or something or maybe I was just feeling nostalgic for young adult novels about the Revolutionary War where ones brother Sam dies. The great mysteries of the world.
Although I will say this about Unknown Brother... way to make the sleigh bells sound cool and non-Christmas like. It takes a set to throw sleigh bells into a song that pertains nothing to Christmas. Not only that but it also is a testament to the coolness of the Black Keys how subtlety cool they make them sound. The bluesy nature of the song kind of swallows up the sound and it all flows together really well. My challenge to rock music... bring back the sleigh bells!
Brothers is a pretty solid album, but I'm partial to the awesomeness of Attack & Release. For me that's my favorite Black Keys album, but that's besides the point here. Unknown Brother has a pretty good sound to it, but I think that's part of my problem with Brothers. A lot of the songs kind of have that similar feel to them. They may not sound the same but they have that same feel and structure to them. I think this works against a lot of the songs on the album because it gives off the "didn't I just hear this song" vibe.
My first thought with Unknown Brother was actually that book My Brother Sam Is Dead. There is nothing in the lyrics that even remotely hints at the novel but for some reason my brain went there. I loved that book when I was in sixth grade (or was it fifth grade) and maybe it's the title of the song or something or maybe I was just feeling nostalgic for young adult novels about the Revolutionary War where ones brother Sam dies. The great mysteries of the world.
Although I will say this about Unknown Brother... way to make the sleigh bells sound cool and non-Christmas like. It takes a set to throw sleigh bells into a song that pertains nothing to Christmas. Not only that but it also is a testament to the coolness of the Black Keys how subtlety cool they make them sound. The bluesy nature of the song kind of swallows up the sound and it all flows together really well. My challenge to rock music... bring back the sleigh bells!
It's Just Like Heaven... or So the Cure Tell Us
I never got into the whole mope rock scene (as previously stated here). Bands like the Smiths, Depeche Mode, and the Cure didn't have me in mind when it came to their target audience. I'm okay with that as I'm sure the members of those bands are okay with it. It's just a style of music that I just don't get. Maybe it was because I was too little in the 80's to understand it or maybe it's just because I don't find the style of music enjoyable, regardless it's just not my scene. Shea on the other hand loves the mope rock scene and since we've been together I've gotten to experience more of that type of music (I still don't get it) and have grown to like some of it. Not a lot but some.
While this is a Cure song I don't classify it in the mope rock scene. This song is just too freakin' happy. There are a handful of Cure songs that I've grown to love but this one is a given. This song is excellent and kudos to my ipod for shelling out two really good songs thus far this week. Starting off the week was a tasty treat and getting Just Like Heaven today was a pleasant follow up dish.
This song just makes me want to dance about and giggle. Does that make sense or does it seem too... ummmm lame? I don't care if it does (I'm currently on my third blueberry vodka Arizona iced tea so I could care less what I'm typing up right now, ha ha). Every so often the Cure produce a song that hits that nerve inside that just makes you smile. Just Like Heaven is such an adorable song. I feel like I keep saying the same thing over here.
For me this song makes me think of my wife (insert "awwww" here or insert throw up sound here). I don't know how to explain it. As soon as Just Like Heaven started my first though went to Shea and I smiled. It's almost like a small piece of her is encompassed in this four minute song. I just want to bottle it up and play it when I need that pick me up. Again I feel like I'm not being coherent here, and maybe I'm not (like I said blueberry vodka goodness taking it's toll), but it doesn't matter. I'm feelin' fine, feelin' groovy.
Random Music Notes:
1. I just listened to the entire Green Album on Spotify and I enjoyed it. Not all of it is great but there's some really fun stuff on their. I'm currently listening to the Foster the People album and I find that I'm really liking it. If you haven't signed up for Spotify you're really just wasting your own time. It's like the perfect way to sample music before you buy it. It could save you tons of itunes money.
2. Pearl Jam documentary soundtrack (PJ20) which comes out in September had all of it's tracks hand picked by director Cameron Crowe. In exciting news the second to last track on the two disc album is a live version of Better Man from a show at MSG on 5-21-10. I was at that show and that version is awesome. It's just really exciting when a show you were at has a song selected to make an album of awesome rarities by a band you love. Good times.
While this is a Cure song I don't classify it in the mope rock scene. This song is just too freakin' happy. There are a handful of Cure songs that I've grown to love but this one is a given. This song is excellent and kudos to my ipod for shelling out two really good songs thus far this week. Starting off the week was a tasty treat and getting Just Like Heaven today was a pleasant follow up dish.
This song just makes me want to dance about and giggle. Does that make sense or does it seem too... ummmm lame? I don't care if it does (I'm currently on my third blueberry vodka Arizona iced tea so I could care less what I'm typing up right now, ha ha). Every so often the Cure produce a song that hits that nerve inside that just makes you smile. Just Like Heaven is such an adorable song. I feel like I keep saying the same thing over here.
For me this song makes me think of my wife (insert "awwww" here or insert throw up sound here). I don't know how to explain it. As soon as Just Like Heaven started my first though went to Shea and I smiled. It's almost like a small piece of her is encompassed in this four minute song. I just want to bottle it up and play it when I need that pick me up. Again I feel like I'm not being coherent here, and maybe I'm not (like I said blueberry vodka goodness taking it's toll), but it doesn't matter. I'm feelin' fine, feelin' groovy.
Random Music Notes:
1. I just listened to the entire Green Album on Spotify and I enjoyed it. Not all of it is great but there's some really fun stuff on their. I'm currently listening to the Foster the People album and I find that I'm really liking it. If you haven't signed up for Spotify you're really just wasting your own time. It's like the perfect way to sample music before you buy it. It could save you tons of itunes money.
2. Pearl Jam documentary soundtrack (PJ20) which comes out in September had all of it's tracks hand picked by director Cameron Crowe. In exciting news the second to last track on the two disc album is a live version of Better Man from a show at MSG on 5-21-10. I was at that show and that version is awesome. It's just really exciting when a show you were at has a song selected to make an album of awesome rarities by a band you love. Good times.
One of the Greatest Songs I've Ever Heard
There are times when you hear a song and just know that it's one of the greatest songs that you've ever heard. It doesn't happen to often but when it does the feeling is indescribable. That's what happened the first time I heard John Lennon's God. I knew instantly that this song would always be one of the greatest songs in the world to me. It was like magic on my ears.
I was in Massachusetts visiting my cousins for a long weekend (maybe it was a two visit I don't remember), and we went to the mall. I picked up the soundtrack to the documentary Imagine (which if you haven't seen is absolutely incredible and recommend it to anyone). It was a nice mix of Beatles songs and solo Lennon stuff. This was right in the midst of my transition from Beatles to John Lennon as a solo artist so I thought this would help in the transition phase. I couldn't have been more right.
The moment I heard God it was blown away. I was recently talking with a friend of mine on Facebook about people who sing with raw emotion (and for this particular argument I cited Kurt Cobain in Where Did You Sleep Last Night?) and as soon as I heard God today I knew this was one of the rawest vocal performances ever.
What makes God such an amazing song is the fact that it takes all these things that people hold dear and dismissing belief in them. I don't think it's because Lennon doesn't actually believe in these things I think it's about tearing down these beliefs or ideas that people hold high above and breaking them down and bringing it back to the individual. Almost saying these things don't matter as long as you believe in you. What a tremendous message. You can list all these things to worship or look up to but they don't matter at all if you don't believe in yourself. In many ways this song is Lennon stripping himself in front of his audience.Saying "this is my folks, for better or worse this is me".
Then there's the fact that this is one of the only songs by Lennon I can think of where he actually addresses the fact that he was apart of the Beatles. Another thing that people worshiped and believed in. Lennon takes the world's most known band and says "the dream is over". I love that whole piece- "I was the dream weaver but now I'm reborn/ I was the Walrus but now I'm just John/ And so dear friends we'll just have to carry on/ The dream is over" Oh my god it's heartbreaking. It's listening to Lennon come to terms with the magnitude of the Beatles and the fact that it's done and it'll never happen again. He can just go back to being himself and in a lot of ways that's all that matters. Yes the fame and the love and the admiration are great but lets come to terms here. When things are said and done he's still just a person like the rest of us, and just because the Beatles don't exist any more doesn't mean that John Lennon has to stop existing.
I've listened to God more times then I can remember and each time it moves me, sometimes to tears and others times it makes me sad and there are times where it makes me feel alright inside. It's okay to dismiss all the things that rule our lives to find ourselves. I would put God in the top ten greatest songs I've ever heard, and it's one of those songs I'm thankful to have heard. It's almost like the song was written and recorded so I could find it during a long weekend in Massachusetts with my cousins. To me it's better than Imagine, to me this is John Lennon at his absolute greatest.
I was in Massachusetts visiting my cousins for a long weekend (maybe it was a two visit I don't remember), and we went to the mall. I picked up the soundtrack to the documentary Imagine (which if you haven't seen is absolutely incredible and recommend it to anyone). It was a nice mix of Beatles songs and solo Lennon stuff. This was right in the midst of my transition from Beatles to John Lennon as a solo artist so I thought this would help in the transition phase. I couldn't have been more right.
The moment I heard God it was blown away. I was recently talking with a friend of mine on Facebook about people who sing with raw emotion (and for this particular argument I cited Kurt Cobain in Where Did You Sleep Last Night?) and as soon as I heard God today I knew this was one of the rawest vocal performances ever.
What makes God such an amazing song is the fact that it takes all these things that people hold dear and dismissing belief in them. I don't think it's because Lennon doesn't actually believe in these things I think it's about tearing down these beliefs or ideas that people hold high above and breaking them down and bringing it back to the individual. Almost saying these things don't matter as long as you believe in you. What a tremendous message. You can list all these things to worship or look up to but they don't matter at all if you don't believe in yourself. In many ways this song is Lennon stripping himself in front of his audience.Saying "this is my folks, for better or worse this is me".
Then there's the fact that this is one of the only songs by Lennon I can think of where he actually addresses the fact that he was apart of the Beatles. Another thing that people worshiped and believed in. Lennon takes the world's most known band and says "the dream is over". I love that whole piece- "I was the dream weaver but now I'm reborn/ I was the Walrus but now I'm just John/ And so dear friends we'll just have to carry on/ The dream is over" Oh my god it's heartbreaking. It's listening to Lennon come to terms with the magnitude of the Beatles and the fact that it's done and it'll never happen again. He can just go back to being himself and in a lot of ways that's all that matters. Yes the fame and the love and the admiration are great but lets come to terms here. When things are said and done he's still just a person like the rest of us, and just because the Beatles don't exist any more doesn't mean that John Lennon has to stop existing.
I've listened to God more times then I can remember and each time it moves me, sometimes to tears and others times it makes me sad and there are times where it makes me feel alright inside. It's okay to dismiss all the things that rule our lives to find ourselves. I would put God in the top ten greatest songs I've ever heard, and it's one of those songs I'm thankful to have heard. It's almost like the song was written and recorded so I could find it during a long weekend in Massachusetts with my cousins. To me it's better than Imagine, to me this is John Lennon at his absolute greatest.
Ugh
Alright so there was a short period of time (maybe a summer) where I listened to the soundtrack to Crazy Beautiful a whole lot. During this same summer I found that I really enjoyed the movie and at the time could really relate to it (I was in a weird relationship and kind of understood the character in the movie a bit because I was kind of dating said character in real life). This all translated into me listening to the Crazy Beautiful soundtrack for a whole summer. So when it came time to put music on my ipod of course I would include it on there. I had listened to it so much it seemed like the right move.
Well I'm here to explain to tell you... not so much. As soon as this song started I got that feeling in my stomach where I was like "oh dear god this time period?" and quickly had no interest in fully listening to the song (for those interested yes this does relate to Counting Crows relationship). I don't see it as an epic loss losing my connection with the Crazy Beautiful soundtrack and I haven't seen the movie in years (although I imagine the same thing would kind of happen here).
So take this song as it is... and forgive.
Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least Right Now)
1. Delicate Few --> Water Dance- O.A.R.
2. Light Up Ya Lighters- Michael Franti and Spearhead
3. To Be Young (is To Be Sad Is To Be High)- Ryan Adams
4. Pumped Up Kicks- Foster the People
5. Bruised- Jack's Mannequin
I Like This Despite the Fact It's On the Twilight Soundtrack
I am in no way shape or form a Twilight fan. Actually I pretty much hate everything it stands for. Vampires that glitter in the sun?! Are you out of your freakin' mind?! I digress.
I heard this song off of Shea's ipod one day and really love the dark tones of it. I don't know much else by Florence + the Machine other then this song. I have sampled some of the stuff on itunes but none of it has really registered with me. I'm not going to lose sleep over this.
It does bother me that the Twilight soundtracks seem to boast pretty good artists and songs. It's like shouldn't some of these bands know better then to associate themselves with this garbage? Yes I'm looking at you Muse.
This song is dark and dreary and moody and that's all I've got to say about that.
(Side Note: I just want to clarify, Shea is not a Twilight fan either. She read the first book which she thought was "okay" and the second which she called "socially irresponsible". I just wanted to clear this up in case I painted a picture of Shea being a Twilight fan.)
Last Call with a Dash of Lil Jon
Outkast, Outkast, Outkast... Would I say I'm the world's biggest Outkast fan? No not even close. But I do enjoy enough of their material to call myself a big enough fan. Plus I got to see them at the Area 1 festival a couple of years back and their set killed it. But if I'm being honest with you Shufflers I'm more of an Andre 300 fan then a Big Boi fan. I love the bizarreness of Dre, plus the man straight up kills it when he's on the mic. For further proof please listen to B.O.B. and tell me this man isn't one of the greatest rappers a live.
Last Call is a fun little track. There's nothing really memorable here but it's fun to listen to and Lil Jon is used in the perfect amount so there is no flashbacks to songs that have dances about skeeting in them. Yay for the little things.
Hey Lady...
Yet another reason why my ipod rocks...
This was the absolute perfect song for this morning. It was sunny out, I was just getting into traffic but it was happy enough to help get through the suck, it's Zeppelin, I had no problem at 7:50 this morning turning it up and rolling my windows down and letting the sound carry over me. How can one listen to this and not be happy? I dare you.
I was tired this morning but this put me in a chipper mood. It also lead me to explore some old O.A.R. songs I haven't listened to in a very long time so I had a rocking good time driving into work. That's what I find so awesome about this project. There's no reason for Over the Hills and Far Away to make me think of a version of Delicate A Delicate Few with the Virginia Coalition play percussion, but it did. This lead to O.A.R. doing Hey Jude which lead me into work. My ipod is awesome. It houses such awesome wonderful things.
(Side Note: I shall be going to Vermont for the weekend and will most likely suffer lack of interwebs. I will posts the songs upon my arrival home on Sunday. Sorry for the delay.)
This was the absolute perfect song for this morning. It was sunny out, I was just getting into traffic but it was happy enough to help get through the suck, it's Zeppelin, I had no problem at 7:50 this morning turning it up and rolling my windows down and letting the sound carry over me. How can one listen to this and not be happy? I dare you.
I was tired this morning but this put me in a chipper mood. It also lead me to explore some old O.A.R. songs I haven't listened to in a very long time so I had a rocking good time driving into work. That's what I find so awesome about this project. There's no reason for Over the Hills and Far Away to make me think of a version of Delicate A Delicate Few with the Virginia Coalition play percussion, but it did. This lead to O.A.R. doing Hey Jude which lead me into work. My ipod is awesome. It houses such awesome wonderful things.
(Side Note: I shall be going to Vermont for the weekend and will most likely suffer lack of interwebs. I will posts the songs upon my arrival home on Sunday. Sorry for the delay.)
A Joy Ride of Sorts
Everything about music is exciting right now. Last night I went to doll up the Want To Hear It Now playlist. I had all the songs mapped out. I knew exactly what I was removing and had a whole list of songs to add or maybe add. What ended up happening was I added and added and added, and a playlist that I like to keep at forty songs tops is currently sitting at fifty. I might have to split it into two (which would be a first for this playlist genre….interesting idea hmmmmm). I just want my ipod playing all day. Work would have been eight times more awesome if I had my ipod hooked up to a docking station allowing me to rock out (much like I did this morning on the way to work).
Music has been so good lately Shea, a confirmed non Foo Fighters fan, sent me a txt today stating "how did I not notice until now how amazing the acoustic version of Everlong is". Everlong (especially the acoustic version) would probably make my top twelve favorite songs of all time. No idea where on the list it would land but it's in the top twelve. So hearing Shea say that made me happy. She was listening to the version off the Greatest Hits album but I prefer the live version off of Skin and Bones. I recommended it to her results pending.
Shea also introduced me to this song called Pumped Up Kicks by the Foster People. I didn’t get to hear the whole thing but what I did hear I really enjoyed and will be downloading it tonight. Now mix that in with the couple of Ryan Adams ( To Be Young (Is To Be Sad Is To Be High) and Winding Wheel) songs I found on itunes last night, Bar by Zac Brown Band, and all of the O.A.R. I'm listening to my ear lobes are buzzin' people. So it was with that buzz and the performance from the last couple of days that I had high hopes for today's song.
Eh. I'm not overly enthused here. I like the Killers and it's been awhile since we've had a Killers song but I would have preferred something like All These Things I've Done or something off of Sam's Town. It's not like I don't like Day & Age it's a good album, but I do the prior two better. This is more of a chill album that you just throw on for background noise. It's not an album I feel the need to ”rock out" to. It doesn't hold the sing-a-long factor like Hot Fuss or Sam's Town.
Joy Ride is a serviceable track though, and does sound better whilst driving. Windows or window down (your choice here) and the volume up. After that though it's kind of forgettable. I'm actually trying to think of the tune of the song right now and I'm striking out. To the point where it's starting to bother man. Yes I can always cheat and just play it on my itunes but…oooooooh okay that's how it goes (yes totally cheated). Not a terrible song just easily forgotten. I'll give three out of four this week to the ipod. I like those numbers.
Music has been so good lately Shea, a confirmed non Foo Fighters fan, sent me a txt today stating "how did I not notice until now how amazing the acoustic version of Everlong is". Everlong (especially the acoustic version) would probably make my top twelve favorite songs of all time. No idea where on the list it would land but it's in the top twelve. So hearing Shea say that made me happy. She was listening to the version off the Greatest Hits album but I prefer the live version off of Skin and Bones. I recommended it to her results pending.
Shea also introduced me to this song called Pumped Up Kicks by the Foster People. I didn’t get to hear the whole thing but what I did hear I really enjoyed and will be downloading it tonight. Now mix that in with the couple of Ryan Adams ( To Be Young (Is To Be Sad Is To Be High) and Winding Wheel) songs I found on itunes last night, Bar by Zac Brown Band, and all of the O.A.R. I'm listening to my ear lobes are buzzin' people. So it was with that buzz and the performance from the last couple of days that I had high hopes for today's song.
Eh. I'm not overly enthused here. I like the Killers and it's been awhile since we've had a Killers song but I would have preferred something like All These Things I've Done or something off of Sam's Town. It's not like I don't like Day & Age it's a good album, but I do the prior two better. This is more of a chill album that you just throw on for background noise. It's not an album I feel the need to ”rock out" to. It doesn't hold the sing-a-long factor like Hot Fuss or Sam's Town.
Joy Ride is a serviceable track though, and does sound better whilst driving. Windows or window down (your choice here) and the volume up. After that though it's kind of forgettable. I'm actually trying to think of the tune of the song right now and I'm striking out. To the point where it's starting to bother man. Yes I can always cheat and just play it on my itunes but…oooooooh okay that's how it goes (yes totally cheated). Not a terrible song just easily forgotten. I'll give three out of four this week to the ipod. I like those numbers.
Catching Up On Posts Part 2
Before we start first off let me say I'm sorry. I don't know what has gotten into my as of late. I just haven't had the energy to type something up at the end of the day. I've been seriously slacking, and I feel like I've let you guys down. So after today we should be back on track and I won't let this happen again (or I won't allow it to get this bad again). I am going to Vermont this weekend (more on that laterish), but I do plan on brining my lap top with me to prevent this from occurring again. So I'm just going to jump into it so we get ourselves all caught up, again sorry for being a bum.
Sunday
So Sunday I spent the majority of the day (over seven hours of it) coming home from the awesome that was the Sterling Renaissance festival. While Shea and the rest of the gang had Monday off I on the other hand had to work. So I departed at ten in hopes of avoiding traffic and getting home at a somewhat decent hour. But for long car rides there has to be a music itinerary planned, it's essential to the ride. If you don't have a clear blue print of what you want to listen to then you're looking at a car ride that won't go that smoothly. Luckily for me I had it planned out to the "T".
With the new O.A.R. album being out and it not sucking out loud I decided I would spend some time with the band on the way home. Last summer I picked up the live four disc album, Rain or Shine, but didn't really listen to it. I was still pretty angry with the band and I remember listening to the first two discs once and never really going back to it. So I thought, seven hour car ride, anger over the band coming down, why not give it a shot. I'm so glad I did. What followed was four awesome hours of falling back in love with one of my favorite bands. That second show (or discs three and four) is everything I love about O.A.R. . It's been a long time since I've been that happy listening to them. I was singing and free styling over the beats and smiling the whole way, even in traffic. It was the best make up music "sex" ever. Yes I'm aware of how weird that must sound.
Well after listening to all of Rain or Shine (four hours), King (deluxe version), and the second disc of Live From Madison Square Garden I decided to take a break from the O.A.R. love fest and go to the song of the day. I think at this point my ipod wanted to play anything as long as it wasn't O.A.R. so it gave me this little gem.
Black is one of my all time favorite Pearl Jam songs…ever. I had the pleasure of seeing them play it last year at the Garden and it blew my mind. This version comes from an all acoustic show that the band did for charity, and I think it might be one of my favorite versions of the song.
Here's the thing here, the first time I had heard this album I borrowed it from the library. Yeah that's right you can do that. The show is enjoyable, it's a softer more mellow side of the band that I like. Sometimes you just have to have your Pearl Jam mellow. When Black came on I was sold. Pearl Jam is very good with their crowd participation but here in the more intimate setting it sounds amazing. I love listening to the crowd take it over, I'm pretty sure I've said this before…I'm a sucker for crowd participation. That's what sticks out the most here for me. In a regular Pearl Jam show you can hear the crowd and it's awesome backed with the band, but with this being an acoustic show the crowd just sounds awesome. Adds to the entire vibe. In my opinion totally makes the song.
Black also makes me think the time my buddy Brad and I sang with a local band (two dudes with two guitars) at one of our local bars. Don't get me wrong I can't sing to save my life but we had been drinking and we asked to sing a Pearl Jam song and they said yes. It was awesome. We were so good that they asked to sing Better Man with them too, which was totally unplanned. It was one of my favorite rock star moments. They usually record their shows but sadly for me they didn't record this one. I guess I'll just have to relive it in my head as being awesome instead of listening to how awful we probably sounded in real life.
Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least Right Now)
1. Black Thumbnail- Kings of Leon
2. Conquering Fools (live)- O.A.R.
3. Shattered (acoustic live)- O.A.R.
4. Happy Alone- Kings of Leon
5. Irish Rose- O.A.R. (this one isn't going anywhere people)
Monday
Still feeding off that O.A.R. high people. As a matter of fact it's all I'm listening to lately (ha ha lately as if Sunday was that long ago). I am currently in the process of re-tooling the Want To Hear It Now playlist with more O.A.R. songs as well as songs from groups I associate with O.A.R. (looking at you Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, and Michael Franti and Spearhead). This make up session is going swimmingly I must say. I had no idea I missed this band that much. It's like getting in touch with an old friend who's been in on the back burner of your life for awhile but then comes back to the forefront like they never left.
So on my way home from job the second I decided it was about time to hit shuffle. There is a project to maintain here people. So I pryed myself away from the O.A.R. love fest for a couple of minutes. There's nothing worse than listening to what you want to listen to and then changing the pace up. Putting something on you don't want to hear at all. I was definitely fearing that when I hit shuffle. But I forgot my ipod is awesome and it loves me.
Not only is Trench Town Rock one of my favorite Bob Marley songs, but it has one of my all time favorite music quotes of all time, "one good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain" (coincidently O.A.R. uses this lyric in their song Anyway… just throwing that out there). How great is that? "When it hits you, you feel no pain". Just makes me so excited to listen to music. "Brutalize" me with music… gives me goose bumps people. I actually want this quote inscribed on the back of my ipod. I should look into this hmmmmm…
Trench Town Rock is a song that just sounds better live. You get to hear all of Marley's energy and how the band and the crowd feed off it. I wish I could have seen him. God. I've got a bunch of live records and they're so fun to listen to (granted Bob doesn't switch the ole set list up that often but who cares it's a freakin' Bob Marley show). If I could do two things with a time machine that were music related I would probably save John Lennon's life and go see a Bob Marley concert. Someone hurry up and make me a time machine!
Listening to Bob Marley mixed in with the O.A.R. goodness I'm all types of pumped up for music. I have a bunch of songs to be omitted and added to the Want To Hear It Now list but now I'm thinking I might have to add some Bob Marley. Feeling good people, feeling good.
Tuesday
The ole ipod is feeling it people, it's feeling it. I've been in such a good music mood lately (all this old stuff that I haven't listened to in so long is just making me giddy) it must be contagious. I'm re-discovering all types of music I had thrown on the back burner (for example check out Michael Franti and Spearhead doing Light Up Ya Lighter or One Step Closer with Pink. You will not be disappointed). I'm actually thinking about busting out the half hour version of Crazy Game of Poker featuring Michael Franti and Radioactive. It's epic and I haven't listened to it in years. Well in my defense it's tough to listen to a half hour song. That's like the length of some good punk albums. It's a commitment people. Same way I feel about Bob Marley's thirty minute live version of Get Up, Stand Up/No More Trouble/War from the Live At the Roxy album. While thirty minutes of awesome I don’t listen to it that often because it's so epically long. That's like my whole commute to work almost or at least the only song I'll be listening to during it. Maybe I'll grow a set and put it on the Want To Hear It Now playlist… hmmmm.
Speaking of Bob Marley
For those of you keeping count that's two Bob Marley songs in a row. Whoa. I have to say that the title here leaves something to be desired. Craven Choke Puppy. It sounds like the unhappiest thing Bob Marley has ever said or written. I'm not really sure how you can look people in the eye with a straight face saying Craven Choke Puppy is your favorite song. People would probably think it was a Cannibal Holocaust song or something.
Title of the song aside, it's not bad. Simple acoustic number off the Songs of Freedom box set. Although I feel that it would make a pretty cool dub step song. I don't listen to dub mixes they don't really speak to me, and on top of that I don't really see what the big deal is. To me it's almost like mock reggae but what do I know right? So using my complete lack of knowledge of dub style music I would like to volunteer Craven Choke Puppy for the treatment. It could give the song a back bone and maybe a cool beat to dance stupid to. That would be pretty cool I suppose.
Then again it is a Bob Marley song and the beauty of his music is that it's able to stand on its own without having anything added to it. Actually I tend to dislike the remixes of Bob Marley songs. It's like whoever is doing the remix is missing the point. Bob's music was pure and through the soul. By throwing in heavy bass beats, rap versus, and such you're taking that away. And if there is one artist that shouldn't be touched it's Bob Marley.
Sunday
So Sunday I spent the majority of the day (over seven hours of it) coming home from the awesome that was the Sterling Renaissance festival. While Shea and the rest of the gang had Monday off I on the other hand had to work. So I departed at ten in hopes of avoiding traffic and getting home at a somewhat decent hour. But for long car rides there has to be a music itinerary planned, it's essential to the ride. If you don't have a clear blue print of what you want to listen to then you're looking at a car ride that won't go that smoothly. Luckily for me I had it planned out to the "T".
With the new O.A.R. album being out and it not sucking out loud I decided I would spend some time with the band on the way home. Last summer I picked up the live four disc album, Rain or Shine, but didn't really listen to it. I was still pretty angry with the band and I remember listening to the first two discs once and never really going back to it. So I thought, seven hour car ride, anger over the band coming down, why not give it a shot. I'm so glad I did. What followed was four awesome hours of falling back in love with one of my favorite bands. That second show (or discs three and four) is everything I love about O.A.R. . It's been a long time since I've been that happy listening to them. I was singing and free styling over the beats and smiling the whole way, even in traffic. It was the best make up music "sex" ever. Yes I'm aware of how weird that must sound.
Well after listening to all of Rain or Shine (four hours), King (deluxe version), and the second disc of Live From Madison Square Garden I decided to take a break from the O.A.R. love fest and go to the song of the day. I think at this point my ipod wanted to play anything as long as it wasn't O.A.R. so it gave me this little gem.
Black is one of my all time favorite Pearl Jam songs…ever. I had the pleasure of seeing them play it last year at the Garden and it blew my mind. This version comes from an all acoustic show that the band did for charity, and I think it might be one of my favorite versions of the song.
Here's the thing here, the first time I had heard this album I borrowed it from the library. Yeah that's right you can do that. The show is enjoyable, it's a softer more mellow side of the band that I like. Sometimes you just have to have your Pearl Jam mellow. When Black came on I was sold. Pearl Jam is very good with their crowd participation but here in the more intimate setting it sounds amazing. I love listening to the crowd take it over, I'm pretty sure I've said this before…I'm a sucker for crowd participation. That's what sticks out the most here for me. In a regular Pearl Jam show you can hear the crowd and it's awesome backed with the band, but with this being an acoustic show the crowd just sounds awesome. Adds to the entire vibe. In my opinion totally makes the song.
Black also makes me think the time my buddy Brad and I sang with a local band (two dudes with two guitars) at one of our local bars. Don't get me wrong I can't sing to save my life but we had been drinking and we asked to sing a Pearl Jam song and they said yes. It was awesome. We were so good that they asked to sing Better Man with them too, which was totally unplanned. It was one of my favorite rock star moments. They usually record their shows but sadly for me they didn't record this one. I guess I'll just have to relive it in my head as being awesome instead of listening to how awful we probably sounded in real life.
Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least Right Now)
1. Black Thumbnail- Kings of Leon
2. Conquering Fools (live)- O.A.R.
3. Shattered (acoustic live)- O.A.R.
4. Happy Alone- Kings of Leon
5. Irish Rose- O.A.R. (this one isn't going anywhere people)
Monday
Still feeding off that O.A.R. high people. As a matter of fact it's all I'm listening to lately (ha ha lately as if Sunday was that long ago). I am currently in the process of re-tooling the Want To Hear It Now playlist with more O.A.R. songs as well as songs from groups I associate with O.A.R. (looking at you Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, and Michael Franti and Spearhead). This make up session is going swimmingly I must say. I had no idea I missed this band that much. It's like getting in touch with an old friend who's been in on the back burner of your life for awhile but then comes back to the forefront like they never left.
So on my way home from job the second I decided it was about time to hit shuffle. There is a project to maintain here people. So I pryed myself away from the O.A.R. love fest for a couple of minutes. There's nothing worse than listening to what you want to listen to and then changing the pace up. Putting something on you don't want to hear at all. I was definitely fearing that when I hit shuffle. But I forgot my ipod is awesome and it loves me.
Not only is Trench Town Rock one of my favorite Bob Marley songs, but it has one of my all time favorite music quotes of all time, "one good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain" (coincidently O.A.R. uses this lyric in their song Anyway… just throwing that out there). How great is that? "When it hits you, you feel no pain". Just makes me so excited to listen to music. "Brutalize" me with music… gives me goose bumps people. I actually want this quote inscribed on the back of my ipod. I should look into this hmmmmm…
Trench Town Rock is a song that just sounds better live. You get to hear all of Marley's energy and how the band and the crowd feed off it. I wish I could have seen him. God. I've got a bunch of live records and they're so fun to listen to (granted Bob doesn't switch the ole set list up that often but who cares it's a freakin' Bob Marley show). If I could do two things with a time machine that were music related I would probably save John Lennon's life and go see a Bob Marley concert. Someone hurry up and make me a time machine!
Listening to Bob Marley mixed in with the O.A.R. goodness I'm all types of pumped up for music. I have a bunch of songs to be omitted and added to the Want To Hear It Now list but now I'm thinking I might have to add some Bob Marley. Feeling good people, feeling good.
Tuesday
The ole ipod is feeling it people, it's feeling it. I've been in such a good music mood lately (all this old stuff that I haven't listened to in so long is just making me giddy) it must be contagious. I'm re-discovering all types of music I had thrown on the back burner (for example check out Michael Franti and Spearhead doing Light Up Ya Lighter or One Step Closer with Pink. You will not be disappointed). I'm actually thinking about busting out the half hour version of Crazy Game of Poker featuring Michael Franti and Radioactive. It's epic and I haven't listened to it in years. Well in my defense it's tough to listen to a half hour song. That's like the length of some good punk albums. It's a commitment people. Same way I feel about Bob Marley's thirty minute live version of Get Up, Stand Up/No More Trouble/War from the Live At the Roxy album. While thirty minutes of awesome I don’t listen to it that often because it's so epically long. That's like my whole commute to work almost or at least the only song I'll be listening to during it. Maybe I'll grow a set and put it on the Want To Hear It Now playlist… hmmmm.
Speaking of Bob Marley
For those of you keeping count that's two Bob Marley songs in a row. Whoa. I have to say that the title here leaves something to be desired. Craven Choke Puppy. It sounds like the unhappiest thing Bob Marley has ever said or written. I'm not really sure how you can look people in the eye with a straight face saying Craven Choke Puppy is your favorite song. People would probably think it was a Cannibal Holocaust song or something.
Title of the song aside, it's not bad. Simple acoustic number off the Songs of Freedom box set. Although I feel that it would make a pretty cool dub step song. I don't listen to dub mixes they don't really speak to me, and on top of that I don't really see what the big deal is. To me it's almost like mock reggae but what do I know right? So using my complete lack of knowledge of dub style music I would like to volunteer Craven Choke Puppy for the treatment. It could give the song a back bone and maybe a cool beat to dance stupid to. That would be pretty cool I suppose.
Then again it is a Bob Marley song and the beauty of his music is that it's able to stand on its own without having anything added to it. Actually I tend to dislike the remixes of Bob Marley songs. It's like whoever is doing the remix is missing the point. Bob's music was pure and through the soul. By throwing in heavy bass beats, rap versus, and such you're taking that away. And if there is one artist that shouldn't be touched it's Bob Marley.
Catching Up On Posts
First let me start off by apologising for my lack of posts these last four days. Friday through today I didn't have access to the interwebs (gasp) and there really is no excuse for not writing anything on Thursday. So it is my intention to catch up on all the songs that you've missed (because I haven't written about them) here in one giant post. That's right Shufflers today is the first, and hopefully only, four day post. So here we go...
Thursday
Beatles For Sale would make my top three favorite Beatles albums of all time. I fell in love with the album the moment I turned it on. It's everything that makes the Beatles great. So when Every Little Thing started playing this morning I felt a bit nostalgic. I used to listen to this record a lot in high school, and it's not very often that I feel nostalgic for high school either.
I don't know if I was nostalgic for the experience I think it was just that feeling of being there. Hearing Every Little Thing kind of took me back for a minute (actually two minutes and five seconds if we're splitting hairs here). I didn't think of a specific memory I just had that feeling that wraps itself around you when you're time hopping in your head. It was nice to reflect nicely on high school for a couple of minutes and listening to a song without associating anything specific to a good song. I don't think it's possible to listen to this song and think of something bad. Maybe it is...doubtful.
Friday
So today me and my friend Michael are heading upstate to Sterling for the Renaissance Festival. Shea and a couple of our other friends are already up there so there was a six and a half hour car ride keeping us from camping awesome. This is also after working a full nine hour day. So we got in the car blasted some tunes and trekked our way upstate.
Michael has yet to be a guest shuffler so I believe around hour four, maybe five, she was given the opportunity and she did not disappoint. I've been listening to a lot of Eminem lately so I was excited when 8 Mile started up. I also learned through this car ride that Michael is actually a pretty decent Eminem fan. I had no idea.
This song always reminds me of the boxing match that my friend Jason and I had my junior year of college. We had been drinking (pretty heavily I might add) and we had glove and a video camera so what else were we going to do? What followed was one of the greatest boxing matches in the history of the sport. Actually when I showed the video to my Dad and asked him what he thought I believe the first thing he said was "you definitely call that boxing".
The tape is currently in storage otherwise I would try and find a way to upload here. I think everyone deserves to see it. I'd say it was a pretty even match (it was actually a rematch to a fight which I got my ass handed to me), and by even I mean I won. There's a part where I hit him pretty flush in the face without retaliation (motor skills were real down), one of the highlights of my boxing career. Any way the whole time we were "boxing" 8 Mile was playing in the background. So when I hear it I always think about boxing, and the pain in my left elbow that lasted about a year. I probably should have gotten that checked out...
Saturday
Not a lot to report here if I'm being honest. We went to the RenaissanceFestival today and it was pretty awesome. Totally worth what turned out to be seven plus hour car ride. When we got back I slipped into the car and hit shuffle, and got this gem. It was fitting because of the Festival, but other than that I don't have a lot to report on it. The second Pirates movie was pretty good. Not as good as the first but waaaaaaaaay better than the third. This was very fitting for the trip though so I had that going for me.
Sunday
I just got tired folks... To Be Continued...
Thursday
Beatles For Sale would make my top three favorite Beatles albums of all time. I fell in love with the album the moment I turned it on. It's everything that makes the Beatles great. So when Every Little Thing started playing this morning I felt a bit nostalgic. I used to listen to this record a lot in high school, and it's not very often that I feel nostalgic for high school either.
I don't know if I was nostalgic for the experience I think it was just that feeling of being there. Hearing Every Little Thing kind of took me back for a minute (actually two minutes and five seconds if we're splitting hairs here). I didn't think of a specific memory I just had that feeling that wraps itself around you when you're time hopping in your head. It was nice to reflect nicely on high school for a couple of minutes and listening to a song without associating anything specific to a good song. I don't think it's possible to listen to this song and think of something bad. Maybe it is...doubtful.
Friday
So today me and my friend Michael are heading upstate to Sterling for the Renaissance Festival. Shea and a couple of our other friends are already up there so there was a six and a half hour car ride keeping us from camping awesome. This is also after working a full nine hour day. So we got in the car blasted some tunes and trekked our way upstate.
Michael has yet to be a guest shuffler so I believe around hour four, maybe five, she was given the opportunity and she did not disappoint. I've been listening to a lot of Eminem lately so I was excited when 8 Mile started up. I also learned through this car ride that Michael is actually a pretty decent Eminem fan. I had no idea.
This song always reminds me of the boxing match that my friend Jason and I had my junior year of college. We had been drinking (pretty heavily I might add) and we had glove and a video camera so what else were we going to do? What followed was one of the greatest boxing matches in the history of the sport. Actually when I showed the video to my Dad and asked him what he thought I believe the first thing he said was "you definitely call that boxing".
The tape is currently in storage otherwise I would try and find a way to upload here. I think everyone deserves to see it. I'd say it was a pretty even match (it was actually a rematch to a fight which I got my ass handed to me), and by even I mean I won. There's a part where I hit him pretty flush in the face without retaliation (motor skills were real down), one of the highlights of my boxing career. Any way the whole time we were "boxing" 8 Mile was playing in the background. So when I hear it I always think about boxing, and the pain in my left elbow that lasted about a year. I probably should have gotten that checked out...
Saturday
Not a lot to report here if I'm being honest. We went to the RenaissanceFestival today and it was pretty awesome. Totally worth what turned out to be seven plus hour car ride. When we got back I slipped into the car and hit shuffle, and got this gem. It was fitting because of the Festival, but other than that I don't have a lot to report on it. The second Pirates movie was pretty good. Not as good as the first but waaaaaaaaay better than the third. This was very fitting for the trip though so I had that going for me.
Sunday
I just got tired folks... To Be Continued...
Eh
One hundred twenty posts I think it's fair to say that you guys know at this point that I'm a pretty big Pearl Jam/Eddie Vedder fan. Actually I'm pretty sure that's an understatement. Besides the point. For the most part I enjoy Eddie Vedder's solo stuff. It's a very mellow side and provides good background music. The Into the Wild soundtrack is excellent (and should have been nominated for an Oscar) and Uke Songs is a unique and fun album to listen to. With that being said Better Days, the song used for Eat Pray Love is a very subpar attempt.
I'm pretty sure that Better Days started off as a Pearl Jam song that didn't make the cut on to Riot Act. From there it kind of laid scrapped in what I can only imagine is a huge collection of awesome songs that Pearl Jam has not released to the public...yet. For me this song is in the middle of being pretty good to make Riot Act and not being good enough to make Into the Wild. It's very "eh" for me. I've listened to it a couple of times today and I'll admit I like it better today then I did when I first downloaded it or heard it, but it's still not enough. I expect more.
It almost seems that they asked him to provide a song for the movie and instead of coming up with an original he dusted this old thing off, added a couple of things here and there, and handed it in. Don't get me wrong I'm not calling Eddie Vedder lazy I'm just saying that this song isn't his greatest effort. I don't know maybe I set the bar to high? It's just that whenever there's a new Pearl Jam or Eddie Vedder song/album coming out I get really excited and raise my hopes pretty high. So when the song doesn't connect or speak to me (which is very rare) then it's a bit of a let down (obviously). I think that's what happened here. Can't win them all I suppose.
I'm pretty sure that Better Days started off as a Pearl Jam song that didn't make the cut on to Riot Act. From there it kind of laid scrapped in what I can only imagine is a huge collection of awesome songs that Pearl Jam has not released to the public...yet. For me this song is in the middle of being pretty good to make Riot Act and not being good enough to make Into the Wild. It's very "eh" for me. I've listened to it a couple of times today and I'll admit I like it better today then I did when I first downloaded it or heard it, but it's still not enough. I expect more.
It almost seems that they asked him to provide a song for the movie and instead of coming up with an original he dusted this old thing off, added a couple of things here and there, and handed it in. Don't get me wrong I'm not calling Eddie Vedder lazy I'm just saying that this song isn't his greatest effort. I don't know maybe I set the bar to high? It's just that whenever there's a new Pearl Jam or Eddie Vedder song/album coming out I get really excited and raise my hopes pretty high. So when the song doesn't connect or speak to me (which is very rare) then it's a bit of a let down (obviously). I think that's what happened here. Can't win them all I suppose.
Shining On Like A Crazy Diamond If You Will
I wouldn't call myself a huge Pink Floyd fan but I have enough of their albums to consider myself a fan. As a matter of fact I'm pretty sure that Animals could very well be the scariest record ever made...ever. So when Shine On You Crazy Diamond started playing this morning I had to giggle. Not because I'm a fan but because what it reminds me of.
I want to say it was my senior year in college, but it could have been my junior. It doesn't really matter to be honest. My buddy Tom had just gotten a new digital camera and brought over some urrrrrrrm sandwiches. Yes you brought over some very tasty sandwiches. Well Tom, my roommate Jay, and I ate these sandwiches and hooked up Tom's camera to the the TV. We found that there were all sorts of accidental effects that we could make with it hooked up and moving the camera around. We also found that it looked really cool in the dark.
So with a belly full of sandwiches we decided to record our findings in the land of special effects. Somewhere along this we came to the conclusion that it would be best if this had a soundtrack. I'm not entirely sure who put on Shine On You Crazy Diamond but I remember it playing, and I remember watching the video afterwards. There's a part where Jay goes back for seconds on the sandwiches and laughs like diabolical mastermind, and it was both the scariest/funniest part of the video. I wonder whatever happened with that recording.
Open Letter To Tom- If you're reading this... Do you still have a copy of that video? If so send it my way.
Correction and LOST Music
Even before I hit shuffle this morning I had a problem. Yesterday when I posted my Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least Not Yet) I pretty much lied. To be honest only two of those songs actually belong there and for some reason I just scrapped together three other songs together to make the list. This feeling sat with me for most of my car ride and then I listened to one of these falsely promoted songs, and I knew... I had lied to you all. So now please allow me to give you my actual Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least Not Yet)
1. Irish Rose- O.A.R.
2. Mr. Moon (live)- O.A.R.
3. Black Thumbnail- Kings of Leon
4. Get Some- Lykke Li
5. Coming Up Easy- Paolo Nutini
A LOST song is usually ideal but this morning I wasn't feeling it. It could be because I spent the majority of the morning trying to figure if I was cranky or not (results are still inconclusive). When the song started I was kind of indifferent. I wouldn't choose it for my We Have To Go Back playlist (otherwise known as my LOST score playlist), and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what scene this song plays during (for those of you who want to know click here http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/The_Swinging_Bendulum ). I had a feeling it had to do with the Lamp Post station but I couldn't pin point it.
My ipod was in a "Kevin's Favorite TV Shows" mood because the song that played after this was from Fringe. My ipod knows me so well.
1. Irish Rose- O.A.R.
2. Mr. Moon (live)- O.A.R.
3. Black Thumbnail- Kings of Leon
4. Get Some- Lykke Li
5. Coming Up Easy- Paolo Nutini
A LOST song is usually ideal but this morning I wasn't feeling it. It could be because I spent the majority of the morning trying to figure if I was cranky or not (results are still inconclusive). When the song started I was kind of indifferent. I wouldn't choose it for my We Have To Go Back playlist (otherwise known as my LOST score playlist), and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what scene this song plays during (for those of you who want to know click here http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/The_Swinging_Bendulum ). I had a feeling it had to do with the Lamp Post station but I couldn't pin point it.
My ipod was in a "Kevin's Favorite TV Shows" mood because the song that played after this was from Fringe. My ipod knows me so well.
A Double Dose Of Weekend
Saturday:
(Side Note: Yesterday was Shea's birthday and good times were had. With this being said I didn't have time to write a post so I put it off for today. Combined with today's song I didn't think that either one of the songs that were shuffled could fit a full post...as a matter of fact I'm not even sure they can fill this post. But here we go...)
If there's one thing in the world I love it's music. If there are two things in the world that I love it's music and free music. Today's song comes from a free album I downloaded off of http://www.spin.com/ (the magazine that I think is actually better then Rolling Stone. They actually have opinions over there, not like Rolling Stone that believes the greatest song ever made is Like A Rolling Stone... are you freakin' kidding me?! Dare to have an actual opinion or rate something based on the music not the person who puts it out. Grrrrrr)
This song isn't very good actually. To be honest I couldn't even remember it two hours after it played and writing the piece now I was having a really tough time remembering it. A victim of free music. It makes me think that it might be time to do some spring cleaning on the ole ipod.
Sunday:
Today's Guest Shuffler is brought to you by my friend Ken (yay a shout to someone some of you may know and others don't). I like the Guest Shuffler option it helps add a sense of adventure to the project don't you think? So Ken hit shuffle and music followed.
I am a lover of Pearl Jam but this song leads nothing to write about really. It's a minute there are no real lyrics. The only thing to really write about here is that my ipod has a sense of humor. Ken is a self proclaimed non Pearl Jam fan (yest we continue to be friends... strange). There is no doubt in my mind that my ipod chose this song as a way of saying "ha ha". I chuckled, Ken groaned, and Shea wanted to hit shuffle again (we did out of curiosity but alas nothing will come of it other then this tiny little mention).
See what I mean about having little to write about here? I don't like to combine songs into one posts but there really wasn't much to write about, and I'm still nursing a hang over from Shea's birthday party. So I will leave you with our Sunday ritual
Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least This Week)
1. Irish Rose- O.A.R.
2. Bar- Zac Brown Band
3. Mr. Moon (live)- O.A.R.
4. Maxwel Murder- Rancid
5. Shake Your Rump- Beastie Boys
(Side Note: Yesterday was Shea's birthday and good times were had. With this being said I didn't have time to write a post so I put it off for today. Combined with today's song I didn't think that either one of the songs that were shuffled could fit a full post...as a matter of fact I'm not even sure they can fill this post. But here we go...)
If there's one thing in the world I love it's music. If there are two things in the world that I love it's music and free music. Today's song comes from a free album I downloaded off of http://www.spin.com/ (the magazine that I think is actually better then Rolling Stone. They actually have opinions over there, not like Rolling Stone that believes the greatest song ever made is Like A Rolling Stone... are you freakin' kidding me?! Dare to have an actual opinion or rate something based on the music not the person who puts it out. Grrrrrr)
This song isn't very good actually. To be honest I couldn't even remember it two hours after it played and writing the piece now I was having a really tough time remembering it. A victim of free music. It makes me think that it might be time to do some spring cleaning on the ole ipod.
Sunday:
Today's Guest Shuffler is brought to you by my friend Ken (yay a shout to someone some of you may know and others don't). I like the Guest Shuffler option it helps add a sense of adventure to the project don't you think? So Ken hit shuffle and music followed.
I am a lover of Pearl Jam but this song leads nothing to write about really. It's a minute there are no real lyrics. The only thing to really write about here is that my ipod has a sense of humor. Ken is a self proclaimed non Pearl Jam fan (yest we continue to be friends... strange). There is no doubt in my mind that my ipod chose this song as a way of saying "ha ha". I chuckled, Ken groaned, and Shea wanted to hit shuffle again (we did out of curiosity but alas nothing will come of it other then this tiny little mention).
See what I mean about having little to write about here? I don't like to combine songs into one posts but there really wasn't much to write about, and I'm still nursing a hang over from Shea's birthday party. So I will leave you with our Sunday ritual
Five Songs I Can't Live Without (At Least This Week)
1. Irish Rose- O.A.R.
2. Bar- Zac Brown Band
3. Mr. Moon (live)- O.A.R.
4. Maxwel Murder- Rancid
5. Shake Your Rump- Beastie Boys
A Response From My Ipod
Dear Kevin-
As you can see from today's song choice I took your suggestion of "no more rap" into consideration. After much thought I decided that in the best interest of today that I would indeed give you a non-rap song. But please allow me to explain something to you.
Without me and my random choices this project, this little "blog" is nothing. You are nothing without me. There is nothing to write about until I select the song. Do not think for one second that you can order me around to choose music to your liking. If I happen to be in a rap mood this week then I'm going to play rap music. Deal with it! You have multiple playlists to listen to what you want, the Shuffle is for me.
Your audacity in thinking that you can control me or the choices I make is ridiculous and insulting. Maybe tomorrow I want select anything...then where will you be.
Yours,
Your ipod
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