I was listening to a Spotify Playlist Radio station this morning (Best of Rock: 2008) when my buddy called. The music pauses when I answer the phone and we chat for a while about this and that before he gets around to telling me that he and his wife are going on a vacation to Germany in early December. I'm excited for them; leaving their three boys - 18 months, 3 years and 7 - and 3 dogs home with an assortment of grandparents. I'm like, "Awesome! Sounds like fun!" Then he tells me the bad news: the flights were cheapest leaving on a Monday and he'll have to miss the Foals show at The Fillmore Minneapolis on Dec. 1. We've seen this band a number of times and they put on a great show, plus we have not yet seen The Fillmore (new + COVID 19). I'm disappointed, but wouldn't miss a child-less vacation to Europe over this one.
We hang up and the music restarts. 'Sound of Madness' by Shinedown comes to an end and the next song on shuffle ... 'Cassius' by Foals. I don't believe I knew they were even a band in '08, let alone heard this song. I don't know what (if anything) people call this experience*, like my phone is listening to me, but it was neat and sorta creepy at the same time.
*coincidence or serendipity come to mind ... I guess.
Anyway, thought I'd set something up here (despite Friday being more than half done) to share this music experience and a sampling of 10 songs from 'Best of Rock: 2008'
01. Sound of Madness by Shinedown
02. Cassius by Foals
03. Ain't No Rest for the Wicked by Cage the Elephant
04. The Day that Never Comes by Metallica
05. I Don't Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem) by Good Charlotte
06. Life in Technicolor ii by Coldplay
07. See The Sun by The Kooks
08. Walking On A Dream by Empire of the Sun
09. Sequestered In Memphis by The Hold Steady
10. Savior by Rise Against
B1. DLZ by TV On The Radio
B2. A-Punk by Vampire Weekend
I gotta admit that list is pretty underwhelming IMHO. So I checked out the list of albums released and man the whole year really stunk (again IMHO). Now I need to go home and see what if any albums that I have from 2008. The Ting Tings and Accelerate from REM might be the only two.
Here's my Top Rock Songs of 2008 (no particular order):
Accelerate - R.E.M.
Carpetbagger - Jenny Lewis
That's Not My Name - Ting Tings
Witches Wand - Sloan
Don't Take Me Home Until I'm Drunk - The Wedding Present
Swallow - My Bloody Valentine
Fuck You, it's Over - Glasvegas
Pieces of Truth - Foxboro Hottubs
American Gangster Time - Elvis Costello
Ready to Pop - Boston Spaceships
I won’t claim familiarity with all these, but notice a few that bode well for exploring the rest!
Can’t stop playing the latest from Alvvays. I’d been a big fan of their first two albums but was seriously blown away by the huge leap they take with Blue Rev. 14 songs in 39 minutes, not a wasted moment on it. Can’t imagine anyone topping this one for (my) Album of the Year.
Yup. Nibs brought it up last week and I'm glad I checked it out.
Been enjoying Eno's latest, FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE