Friday Music Day

Friday Music Day: Feb 8, 2013

87 Comments

Drop your random list in the LTEs section, and let's discuss music.

I wrote to Zack on Twitter yesterday that the Radio edit of Jay-Z feat the UGK's hit single "Big Pimpin'" was one of those songs I liked better in the radio edit. I re-listened to the whole radio edit after that. Bun B and Pimp C's verses are just silenced for the cussing, while some of Jay-Zs lyrics are re-written while others are silenced. Not sure what the point in re-writing was. However, I do find the rewritten "Thug 'em, HUG 'em, Love 'em, Leave 'em / Cos I don't TRUST OR need 'em." better than the original, where the words in ALL CAPS are F-word derivatives. The F-words just feel so uninspired and flat, like Z just needed syllabic filler for his rhyme. Especially the TRUST OR, which actually adds something to the meaning: what woman wronged him at some point?

87 thoughts on “Friday Music Day: Feb 8, 2013”

  1. .
    .
    1. Arcade Fire - "Black Wave/Bad Vibrations" - Neon Bible
    2. Bush - "Synapse" - Deconstructed
    3. Nirvana - "Dumb" - In Utero*
    4. The Beatles - "Sexy Sadie" - The Beatles
    5. Adele - "Someone Like You" - 21
    6. The Futureheads - "Yes/No" - News and Tributes
    7. U2 - "The Unforgettable Fire" - The Best of 1980-1990
    8. Wilco - "California Stars" - Mermaid Avenue**
    9. Guster - "The New Underground" - Ganging Up on the Sun
    T. Better Than Ezra - "At Ch. Degaulle, etc." - Friction, Baby
    B. Wilco - "Monday" - Being There

    *20 years old!
    **Probably one of my ten favorite songs of all time.

    1. earlier this week, I listened to Arcade Fire's The Suburbs for the first time (thought Id check it out since it won a Grammy and it was at the local library). I thought it was ok, but I got exhausted by the end of the album. Im not sure if I want to check out more of their stuff.

      2. I think Funeral is still my favorite (it's just so... rocking! with all the Neighborhood songs), but I have enjoyed all three albums.

        1. without even listening to the suburbs, i still feel comfortable saying funeral is hands-down their best. there's this weird melancholy undercurrent that is subtle, but beautiful. "neighborhood #4 (7 kettles)" and "wake up" are just devastating.

            1. another band Ive completely missed. A friend send me to check some of their work on YouTube and now its on my 3year old working list titled "stuff to listen (eventually!)"

      3. The Suburbs is my least favorite of the three albums. I'm actually in the minority that adores Neon Bible, but Funeral is top notch, as well. The Suburbs, while quite good, is a ways below both of them.

        1. I enjoyed Neon Bible two computers ago, but had to jettison mp3s for disk space. I haven't gone back, though I can remember "No Car Go" (best song ever predicting the Hardy/Gomez trade), "My Body Is a Cage", and the one about Jessica Simpson's dad pretty clearly.

          I know I've heard "Wake Up" multiple times over commercials/movie promos, but I couldn't place it for anything.

          1. "intervention" is probably the best track off of neon bible.

            i've always felt that neon bible is a great collection of songs, while funeral is a great album.

            1. I'll buy that, though the string of distrust and resentment of establishment in more constructive thoughtful way than punk and (most) rock music's "f-yeah! the man sucks!" resonated with me at that point more than it might have at another time.

              If I heard them all for the first time today, I have little doubt that Funeral would top the list.

              Also, the only Arcade Fire song I like more than 'Intervention' is 'Rebellion (Lies)'.

              2. I don't know a ton of their stuff (causally heard it a million places, only really know like 3 of their songs), but "Intervention" is amazing and makes me think I should listen to more of theirs.

            2. Wondering if "Intervention" is also about Jessica Simpson's dad.
              Perhaps the whole album is about Jessica Simpson's dad.

          1. I'm with the rest of the crowd. Here's my opinion:

            1. Funeral
            2. Neon Bible
            3. (distant) The Suburbs

              1. As much as I loved Funeral, and was pleasantly surprised by Neon Bible, I never bothered listening to The Suburbs. Sounds like I made the right choice.

                1. Zack, I still think you should list to The Suburbs. I'll man up and say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and would even change free's order to:
                  Funeral
                  The Suburbs
                  Neon Bible
                  or at least not put it a distant 3rd.

  2. .

    * Twins in Virgo (Reprise) - Voices From the Lake - (self-titled)
    * Illusory Rendez-Vous - Parallel 41 - (self-titled) **
    * Alone I Break - Korn - Untouchables
    * There's No Here - Dinosaur Jr. - Farm
    * Another Horsedreamer's Blues - Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites
    * Angkat (from Shadowbang) - Bang on a Can All-Stars - Big Beautiful Dark and Scary (E. Ziporyn)
    * Stoner Hate - Scars on Broadway - (self-titled)
    * Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing - Neil Young - Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968
    * And All That Could Have Been - Nine Inch Nails - Still
    * Corporate World - The Dust Brothers - Fight Club Soundtrack

    ** Got this album that was on a few year-end lists. "The Naked City" was the song that convinced me. The front half is pretty great, the back half of the album gets a little weird, but overall, I like it. It reminds me a little bit of Larsen at times, only a little more spare with only a cello as accompaniment.

    Also picked up eis - a drone/ambient album from The Holocene (review). You can name your own price at bandcamp if you want to check it out, I've only listened once, but it was a nice little sketch (only 30 minutes long).

    Thought about getting the new My Bloody Valentine album, then saw that it was $16 for a digital download if you go through the band's site. I may explore cheaper options.

    1. Have you listened the stream of MBV? As I told Zack on the twitter, it's good but I don't understand why it took 22 years. Sounds like a bunch of outtakes from Loveless.

        1. I ordered the vinyl + CD + download pack Saturday night before hearing the album, when I was in Winnipeg at the Boats CD release show. $41.50, ouch. I didn't listen to the album while in Winnipeg since I wanted to listen to it to christen my new headphones. I selected the MP3 download, and regret it since despite them offering very high quality uncompressed audio files, they transcoded the MP3 and made it sound like poo. So, if you do decide to give them $16 for the download, I'd suggest selecting one of the uncompressed options (since you can only pick one!) and converting it to your preferred compressed digital audio format yourself.

          It definitely sounds like My Bloody Valentine, but I am okay with that since I love that sound. Mind you, it's been a while since I've listened to Loveless, but I really enjoyed this album. I also have no clue why it took 22 years, but I'm happy it's as good as it is.

          1. I haven't gotten the mp3s for the reasons you list (the $16 is steep but not a deal killer). I don't think I'm tech savvy enough to "selecting one of the uncompressed options (since you can only pick one!) and converting it to your preferred compressed digital audio format yourself."

    2. I've been going back over MBV's discography to lead up to listening to the new one (which I did not end up paying $16 for...yet).

      They were not so very good as a post-punk band, but once it gets to Isn't Anything. Man, something clicked.

  3. 1. Narcissism -- The 757s
    2. The Fairest of the Seasons -- Nico
    3. Radio Sweetheart -- Elvis Costello
    4. Pretty Bombs (live) -- Guided By Voices
    5. Caribou -- Pixies
    6. Serious Birdwoman -- Robert Pollard
    7. Shadow of a Doubt -- Tom Petty
    8. Good to Me (live) -- Otis Redding
    9. Real Thing -- The Wedding Present
    10. Oh, Me (live) -- Nirvana

    Bonus: Come on Rain or Shine -- Jack Kerouac

  4. I just learned this morning that Caitlin Rose's mother has co-written many of Taylor Swift's songs, including my favorite, "You Belong to Me", and has a Grammy for her efforts. Something about that is weird to me.

    Related news: the two new songs the younger Ms. Rose has shared from her new album are both quite good.

      2. Before this morning, all I knew about Rose was that she and Tristen are friends but aren't touring together (this year). Too bad, because a double-bill would make things an easy decision. I'll try to get EAR into Rose as I think we can agree on her music; maybe we can check out her show.

  5. 1. Generationals - "Black and White" - Actor Caster
    2. Atmosphere - "Smart Went Crazy" - You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having
    3. Cloud Cult - Today We Give Ourselves to the Fire - Light Chasers
    4. Soul Position - I need my Minutes - Things Go Better with RJ and AL
    5. Natalie Merchant - Carnival - Tigerlily
    6. Macklemore - Church - The Unplanned Mixtape
    7. Dessa - Chaconne - Local Current Vol. 1
    8. Oasis - Go Let It Out - Familiar to Millions (Disc 1)
    9. Lonestar - Come Cryin' to Me - Greatest Hits
    10. Train - Following Rita - Private Nation

    B - Eminem - As The World Turns - The Slim Shady LP

  6.  
     
    1. “standing o” – wilco – the whole love
    2. “two doves” – dirty projectors – bitte orca
    3. “africa talks to you ‘the asphalt jungle’” – sly and the family stone – there’s a riot goin’ on
    4. “broadripple is burning” – margot and the nuclear so and so’s – daytrotter sessions
    5. “second hand news” – fleetwood mac – rumours
    6. “the d bag rag” – the avett brothers – a carolina jubilee
    7. “go call you mine” – of montreal – coquelicot asleep in the poppies a variety of whimsical verse
    8. “the crystal lake” – grandaddy – the sophtware slump
    9. “operation kissenger” – urge overkill – saturation
    10. “lloyd, i’m ready to be heartbroken” – camera obscura – let’s get out of the country

      1. nah, i've had those tracks from somewhere(?) for awhile. just their first session though. if i'd bought a subscription, it would have been for a whole lot more than just margot.

  7. 'Rubber Biscuit' - The Blues Brothers Briefcase Full of Blues
    'I Hear You Calling' - Gob The World According to Gob
    'Murder City' - Green Day 21st Century Breakdown
    'Walk on the Ocean' - Toad the Wet Sprocket
    'Sweet 16' - Green Day !Uno!

    'Warning' - Incubus Morning View
    'Pin' - Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fever To Tell
    'Burden in My Hand' - Soundgarden Down on the Upside
    'Two Little Hitlers' - Elvis Costello & The Attractions Armed Forces
    'Queen Bitch' - David Bowie Bowie at the Beeb

    I saw a note that Franz Ferdinand are in studio recording songs for a new album. awesome. Here is one of my favorite songs from their last album Tonight:Franz Ferdinand

    httpv://youtu.be/cbnohSHKgo0

  8. Semi-music related, but I watched the pilot of The Americans last night and had never expected to be rocking out to Fleetwood Mac so much (especially after having just watched P&R and learning about Leslie's Fleetwood Mac sex pants).

  9. oh, I forgot to mention that I listened to The Replacements Tim yesterday. Its awesome and have listened to it 2 more time since. I dont know why I never checked out this band.

  10. 1. Balloon Guy “611: Code Name” The West Coast Shakes
    2. Meat Puppets “Animal Kingdom” Up on the Sun
    3. Lana Del Rey “Born to Die (Two Armadillos Remix Version 1)” Born to Die (Remixes)
    4. Gregory Isaacs “Unhappy Departure Dub”* Night Nurse
    5. Eric Copeland “Warbug” Waco Taco Combo

    6. Linfinity “Road to Nowhere”* Road to Nowhere
    7. Alt-J “Breezeblocks”* An Awesome Wave*
    8. Japandroids “Evil's Sway” Celebration Rock
    9. Innerzone Orchestra* “Architecture” Programmed
    T. Sharon Van Etten “Take” Daytrotter Session, 3/18/2010

    *Notes:
    4. Dub Version of “Sad to Know (You're Leaving)”

    6. Talking Heads Cover, digital promo single

    7a. Like this is you were brought here by the video. Curious from that video, I downloaded a bad rip of the album that leaves off the last 10-15 seconds of each song. At first, I thought it was the band's intent. Kindof jarring, but I like it. On this song, which is the only one of paid much attention to, the round-like coda, "Please don't go/ I'll eat you whole/ I love you so/ I love you so" builds, then drops to one vocal track, "Please don't go/ I'll eat you whole/ I love yous." Off. Over.

    7b. Nibbish, how did you leave this off your "Best Album Covers of the Year" list?

    9. Carl Craig's live band from the late 90's that still played 2nd Gen Detroit House. I believe this song was originally a solo Carl Craig track from More Songs about Food and Revolutionary Art, making it a quasi-cover. (Nope, this is an IO original, but "programmed by" Richie Hawtin aka Plastikman.)

    1. 7b. Nibbish, how did you leave this off your "Best Album Covers of the Year" list?

      I really don't know, truth be told. I wasn't that impressed by most of the album covers this year. None of them struck me on a "wow" level like Zonoscope did in 2011, nor on a "this is the greatest thing ever" level like CATS. IN. SPACESUITS. (I almost had that as my favorite album cover again, but figured that joke might be beyond its shelf life.)

      edit: "like", by the way. That video is great.

      2. Do you admit that An Awesome Wave has an awesome cover? I didn't know what it would be until I d/led it.

        1. I do admit that it's a solid cover, and I will admit that it should have been in my top 3 for the year 2012, in lieu of the fact that no other albums really stepped up their game.

      2. For sure. But if the last few seconds of each track are cut off, there's the tension of when it's gonna be.

        I don't know if "Breezeblocks" is the best, but it's the one I know and that's probably good enough for me. (Kindof like Architecture In Helsinki's "Heart It Races".) Plus it incorporates lines from Where the Wild Things Are.

  11. .

    01. Epica - "Design Your Universe ~ A New Age Dawns - Part VI", Design Your Universe
    02. Heimdall - "Cold", Hard as Iron
    03. Dark Tranquillity - "Atom Heart 243.5", The Mind's I
    04. Viperine - "Principles", The Predator Awakens
    05. Shadows Fall - "Ghosts of Past Failures", The War Within
    07. Running Wild - "Fight the Fire of Hate", Black Hand Inn
    08. Armored Saint - "Raising Fear", Raising Fear
    09. Type O Negative - "She Burned Me Down", Dead Again
    10. Dysrhythmia - "Annihilation II", Pretest

  12. 1. "96 Tears" - ? And The Mysterians - 96 Tears
    2. "Would You Be Happier" - The Corrs - The Best Of The Corrs
    3. "If You Wanna Be Happy" - Jimmy Soul
    4. "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" - Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde
    5. "Isis" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is
    6, "The Whole World" - Outkast - Big Boi and Dre Present...Outkast
    7. "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" - Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness
    8. "Roses Are Free" - Ween - Chocolate And Cheese
    9. "Lullaby" - Shawn Mullins - Soul's Core
    10. "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" - CCR - Pendulum
    B: "Inner City Pressure" - Flight Of The Conchords

    1. This song comes up during random playings way too often.
    9. This song is good if you don't hear it often.
    B. My nominee for "most under-appreciated FOTC track." Definitely one of their best.

      1. There was a time... Somehow, it wore off for me. Now if I hear it once a year or so, I enjoy it.

        1. there's a whole lineup of cities 97 fodder from that time that i still loathe. other examples i can think of are "save tonight", "you get what you give", "babylon", "carnival", "barely breathing", etc. i'm sure there's a bunch more.

          1. Maybe it was because I listened to a fair amount of oldies back around that time, so I was able to avoid being too choked by these ones. But basically, I'd say the same thing about those songs - once a year is a good number.

          2. there's a whole lineup of cities 97 fodder from that time that i still loathe. other examples i can think of are "save tonight", "you get what you give", "babylon", "carnival", "barely breathing", etc. i'm sure there's a bunch more.

            Or Brian Oake talking.

          3. I know I've told this story about "Save Tonight" before.
            I found the radio-station promo single for $0.95 at cheapo, knew nothing about it, and bought it on account of who his half-sister is (Neneh) and father is (Don). Listened to it, sure, okay, not what I was hoping for but decent radio pop. EAP (as she was then known) would like this. I play it for her and she loves it and the single is just the one song, so it gets played over and over again because this is the time before iTunes etc. I get sick of the song but I'm quiet about that because why be a jerk with your fiancee if you don't need to? 100 or so listens later and EAP tires of it as well and I want to hurt Neneh and Don for being related to this guy...

            ...Then about a month later, it hits the radio and in another month the KS95 commercials on TV.

            I wouldn't listen to Swedish pop again until Robyn came along recording with the Knife.

          4. I still enjoy a lot of those 90's altpop/poprock/namethecategory songs because it transports me back to late high school/early college days.

    2. #4 is my most hated Dylan song, by far. It's like Chuck Berry singing My ding-a-ling. Or the Beatles Why don't we do it in the road.

      1. Yes. Yes it is like that. I kind of wondered why I even had it when it came up on the list.

    3. 1. This song comes up during random playings way too often.
      Funny, the same thing happened to me with this song. I finally deleted it off my player.

      1. I assume the "random" lists get attracted to the characters or something. No way are these random lists anywhere near random.

          1. Except that there's a program behind the selection, and I find myself forced to wonder about the way that program works. I notice that when I have a more limited playlist it will play every song once before it ever repeats a song. That's clearly not an actual random selection.

            1. No, that's a shuffle, which still uses a random-based algorithm. That's not my point, though. I'm just saying that you tend to notice things like a song that you don't like showing up more often or a player that you don't like striking out. It's just the way the human brain works.

              1. Right, my iPod creates a random ordering of all tracks in a given playlist and plays them once through.
                It's not randomly selecting each play as an independent random number, which could allow you to hear the same song twice.
                It's random, but random without replacement. (Choose vs Pick.)

                My van's "shuffle" on CD plays any track except for the current track. So sometimes I get things like track 5, track 23, track 5, track 2, track 23.

              3. I agree that the mind tends to notice things like that (I even have a philosophy about it), but when human artifice is involved - i.e. programing - I am forced to wonder if there's more going on than noticing coincidence.

                1. Our computer's home screensaver always starts with the same image. Could your player be doing the same with that track? I notice the artist starts with a non alphanumeric character, and the song title starts with a numeral.

                  1. There is the "first song" phenomena, any maybe that contributes to the higher number, but this list was actually the second one generated on the same night, so it was the 12th song. It seems to come up throughout often enough too.

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