Alright. It's been a while—at least a month or two—since I last bothered with the Friday Random Ten (12/9 to be precise). For some reason I think everybody was tapped out on the topic (as evidenced by the lack of participation over at LLATPN). Well, I'm bringing it back, and taking a cue from Otto—he picks a wacky album cover, I'm picking something to illustrate the list as well. Call it a motivator, but when I had to find just the right picture of Pete Townshend windmilling, it was more fun...
Here's the list:
1. "Shining Star" - Earth, Wind and Fire
2. "Song for Margo" - NY Loose
3. "Stickshifts and Safetybelts" - Cake
4. "The Nurse" - The White Stripes
5. "Medicine Hat" - Son Volt
6. "The Fleecing of America'" - dada
7. "Got the Time" - Joe Jackson
8. "Red Barchetta" - Rush
9. "Mother Popcorn" - James Brown
10. "Romeo and Juliet" - Dire Straits
I'll still put the extended commentary in the comments so I don't bump all the rest of my Pulitzer material down too far.
2 comments:
1. "Shining Star" - Earth, Wind and Fire
It may have taken me all day to get the ten songs, but when this is the first song of the day when you strap the earbuds on, it's a good way to start the day—and the list. It's not really a 10, that would be reserved for a select few tunes, but according to Otto's ratings, a 10 is a song you'd pick for a slow motion soundtrack as you walk into a bar. I could hardly keep from strutting like Huggy Bear as I made my way in from the parking lot. Seriously. 9
2. "Song for Margo" - NY Loose
Pretty good song from a girl-fronted band. From back in the Vinyl Solution days. That was a great record store in Port Chester where you could always find something good to buy, even if you'd never heard the band before. Jeff was spinning this once when I went in. I walked out with it. 6
3. "Stickshifts and Safetybelts" - Cake
Is there a band it would be more fun to be apart of than Cake? I mean, I'm sure it was fun to be in Van Halen in the early 80s, or Guns N Roses, but I mean playing the music. Upbeat music, funky guitars, spoken-style singing, horn section, What could be more fun? 7
4. "The Nurse" - The White Stripes
Alright. Not writing about my love for the White Sripes has been the worst part of the FRT hiatus. this is a solid song. An 8. But the real gem is "My Doorbell". It's probably the best song to come out in ten years. The White Stripes deserve their own post. I'll stop right there. 8
5. "Medicine Hat" - Son Volt
A nice track from the indispensible "Wide Swing Tremelo". It has a bridge (term?) that almost fools you into thinking it's about to become a Jimmy Buffet song, but despite that scary moment, it's still good. 6
6. "The Fleecing of America'" - dada Goddamn, do I love this band. Really. this is such the prototypical dada song. Great harmonies, tight musicianship. And this is just an average song for them. They are on tour right now, but not coming anywere near me (and who can blame them—the last show they did in Ann Arbor had me, my brother in law and the bartender in attendance—but they still rocked the house). I cannot recommend this band highly enough. If they are coming where you live (I'm looking in your direction Otto and Co.), GO SEE THEM! They're back playing the little places, so we're talking $12 bucks plus beers...you can't go wrong, trust me. 8
7. "Got the Time" - Joe Jackson
OnetwothreeGO! One of the perky, bass-driven JJ songs. That he can pull off this super-fast post-punk stuff and lounge and jazz is crazy. Tremendous range and talent. 8
8. "Red Barchetta" - Rush
Boy did I used to be devoted to these guys in high school. I would go see them in Springfield, Hartford and New Haven when they would tour, even though they would be identical shows. Standard fare. 7
9. "Mother Popcorn" - James Brown
How do you spell a grunt from the Gofather? It's JB, what else needs to be said? 9
10. "Romeo and Juliet" - Dire Straits "Making Movies" is the only Dire Straits I ever bought on CD, I have others on vinyl, I need to at least get the debut album. It's been too long. 8
7.8 average. Pretty solid.
P.S. The EWF song inspired a visit to iTunes and the purchase of Philip Bailey's "Easy Lover" which, through the Phil Collins connection inspired the purchase of Howard Jones' "No One is to Blame."
Link for dada tour dates.
East coast swing from Virginia to Boston. I'm serious, go see them. You don't even need to know any songs, if you like live music, you'll be glad you went.
Post a Comment