My iTunes library, as of September 25, 2010, has 20,663 songs in it. Some are novelty downloads, some i have because i'm a completionist, some i rarely (if have ever) listened to. So, in this new blog segment, i will let shuffle pick out random songs (without personal editing to hide embarrasing and/or lame songs), and i will write about what i think of them, plus any details i an give about how it was procured. At current rate (and if my iTunes never repeats a song...) this will be the fifth in at least a 4,000 part series.
Song #1 - "Bo-Peep" - Hasidic New Wave
This is a really bizarre but great song from an equally bizarre but great album called From the Belly of Abraham. This album was given to me by Dan Bozek, bass player extraordinaire from Steubenville, OH. It combines a experimental jazz band that plays quasi-traditional Jewish klezmer music in its own inimitable way with (on this album only) a Senegalese percussion group. I love this song, and have put it on a many a mix for friends. The rhythm is a little tricky to tap your foot along with at times, but that is part of the charm. I've never sought out their other records, but have thought about it a few times.
Song #2 - "When I Go Deaf" - Low
This song is the penultimate song on the Fall 2010 Mix i just locked in last night (blog post about that on Monday). I truly love this song, even though i disagree vehemently with its central message ("When i go deaf/i won't even mind"). Going deaf is one of my biggest fears, and has made me into the guy who refuses to go to a loud show without ear plugs (a sensible idea, but not a very punk rock one). Although, to be fair, the song paints a pretty picture of being deaf, if that can be done, and is really a sweet quasi-love song. From the album The Great Destroyer.
Song #3 - "Lost and Lookin'" - Same Cooke
Just recently downloaded this out of print Sam Cooke album from the great music blog Saints and Singers. A few years ago my friend Dan D'Ippolito told me how into Sam Cooke he was, and since then i've wanted to investigate into his music more, but honestly, this is the first time i've heard this song since downloading the album. I like what i hear - obviously Cooke has an amazing voice, and it is pared with a very sparse arrangement. I will have to listen to all of Night Beat soon.
Song #4 - "Monkey Wrench" - Foo Fighters
The second track/first single from The Colour and the Shape, one of my all-time favorite albums. Its funny, the two bands that i was most into in high school were the Foo Fighters and Weezer, and both bands, in my eyes, lost sight of what made them great relatively early in their careers. I sometimes wonder if this is how some people felt when Rubber Soul came out - that the Beatles had simply lost their minds and were making this weirdo music now. Although both Weezer and the Foo Fighters didn't go the experimental, pushing farther direction, they did the opposite: they began to pander to the audience. But that doesn't make this song or album any less great - when i hear this song it still gets me pumped up and makes me want to drop my low-E string down to a D and play along. Plus that last verse has the really cook trick of sounding screamed without a breath - nice production, Gil Norton!
Song #5 - "Boat" - Marah
Marah is one of the best straight ahead bar-rock/classic rock/i don't know exactly how to describe them without sounding insulting bands in the world. All their songs sound like they were written to be played out of a jukebox, and that is a really cool attitude to making records. This sounds like it was recorded in a bar - i mean that in the best possible way. From their first record, Let's Cut the Crap and Hook Up Later On Tonight.
Til next time,
Brian
Vol. 1
Vol. 2
Vol. 3
Vol. 4
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