Start Your iPods

It's ... Monday.

Among other things, that means it's time to start your music shuffling device, list the first five songs that come up, then describe them to us, so that we may learn.

Watch:

  1. The Arctic Monkeys - Old Yellow Bricks. Not sure I've heard this one before. It's got a strong disco vibe, especially in the chorus, that reminds me of Franz Ferdinand's rock/disco hybrid. That really dates the song, IMO.
  2. Jimi Hendrix - Mannish Boy. From the awesome "Jimi Hendrix: Blues" collection. This isn't the best tune on the disc (that would be Red House or Hear My Train a-Comin'), but it's a neat version of the Muddy Waters classic; it's not straight blues, but sounds more like Band Of Gypsies-era funky Jimi. Heavy effects on the guitars, not a lot of pyrotechnics, etc..
  3. Beck - Replica. The slightly-chilled, paranoid atmosphere here reminds me of Radiohead. Beck's mumbly vocals add to the effect.
  4. Spoon - Don't You Evah. So so so catchy. One of Spoon's best. And that video is awesome.
  5. Mudhoney - Need. Seattle's finest. Well, no, that would be Jimi. But maybe for a few months in 1989, these guys held the title. Love the guitar sound. Note how similar the opening to this is to a certain very popular Nirvana song. Then note that this song came out years before Nirvana's did. Just sayin.

See how easy that was? Now you try.

14 thoughts on “Start Your iPods”

  1. Platosearwax

    First day of school which means first day of full time work in a couple of months.

    1. Nirvana – In Bloom
    I actually went through a period during the late nineties where I could not even stomach Nirvana. So, so sick of it. I can now appreciate it again for what it was: Not the return of punk as so many thought, but a revitalization of guitar rock after the synth-soaked 80’s (not that there is anything wrong with that!).

    2. Soul Coughing – Screenwriter’s Blues
    One of the underappreciated 90’s gems are Soul Coughing. I always liked their groove and how the drums were so far out front of everything. And Doughty’s voice and lyrics are just awesome. “Los Angelessssssssssss” I lived there when this came out and it was my theme song. His solo work is highly recommended as well.

    3. Talking Heads – Lifetime Piling Up
    Funny, I just listened all the way through Sand in the Vaseline by the Heads in the car over the weekend and now it shows up on the desktop. This is not a bad song at all. Weirdly, it is an outtake from the Naked sessions and it sounds nothing like that album (I guess that is why it was an outtake, but this song is possibly better than most of that album, other than Nothing But Flowers).

    4. Coil – Pre-Original Chaostrophy
    Bit of a rare track from Coil. I was surprised it was on Youtube at all. Terrifically haunting and beautiful piece. If you were going to try to jump into the world of Coil this would be a great song to ease you into the weirdness.

    5. Frank Zappa – Rat Tomago
    Just a guitar solo from Frank, and it is a good one. I like the distortion on his guitar here. I sure wish he was still around.

    Almost the weekend!

  3. Rob Caldecott

    (Nothing But) Flowers with Johnny Marr on guitar! *eargasm*

    I don’t own *any* Mudhoney so if someone could recommend where to start then it would be much appreciated.

    (my list to follow).

        1. cleek

          great name, ain’t it?

          they were all about fuzz boxes.

          i’ve never tried a SuperFuzz, but a BigMuff makes a hell of a noise.

  4. Rob Caldecott

    And we’re off and running!

    Spoon – Goodnight Laura
    Short piano-led ballad from 2010’s ‘Transference’. Sounds nothing like Spoon but still sounds lovely. Even the vocals sound subdued but in a good way. It has a great hook and I’d love my wife to try and learn it. Sadly, unless it’s going to feature on the next Twilight soundtrack there’s fat chance. Sigh. Don’t … get … me … started.

    Sheena Easton – 9 to 5
    What. The. Fuck?

    The Strokes – Meet Me In The Bathroom
    Strokes-by-numbers from second album ‘Room On Fire’ released in 2003. Probably about cocaine. Or shagging. Or shagging whilst high on cocaine. Not a bad song at all but I don’t really love it … it’s too much like the sound of their first album. Bit tired sounding to be honest.

    Oasis – Roll With It
    Average song but one that spawned a mid-90s chart-battle with fellow Britpop rivals Blur the likes of which the UK hadn’t seen since The Beatles vs. The Stones in the 1960s. This song lost to the truly awful ‘Country House’ by Blur. Both pretty crappy songs but this one actually deserved to win not only because people still sing it in my local pub at 10:30PM on a Friday night. Eat that Damon Albarn!

    Roxy Music – Virginia Plain
    Early Roxy Music song from 1972 featuring superb guitar work and an interesting synth backing courtesy of Brian Eno. Bryan Ferry’s vocals are a love-hate thing and he’s turned into a right bitter old right-winger now. Great tune though and I can imagine them all glammed up on Top Of The Pops – silver boots, massive hair and spangly jump suits. Bet my parents hated it.

    Summer slipping away.

  5. The Modesto Kid

    “Welcome to Earth”, Robyn Hitchcock. Probably his shortest number, with Gillian and Dave backing him up. Crackle crackle, pop. Giggle.

    “Roadsong #39”, Backyard Tire Fire. Straight rock and roll + a bit of funk.

    “Walking Spanish”, Tom Waits. I’m having trouble now not picturing this being sung by the Cookie Monster.

    “Rien ne va plus”, Funk Factory. That’s what you say, but I’m waiting for my lucky day. The rhythm really dominates the experience of listening to this song.

    “Dignity”, Robyn Hitchcock. Meh. Not my favorite Dylan song, not a great cover.

  6. Wag

    Fountains of sorrow–Jackson Browne

    My favorite jackson Browne song. quiet emotion and great guitar work by David Lindley

    Girl in Trouble–Romeo Void

    Takes me back to college in the early ’80s, saw them live in Denver at the Rainbow Music Hall.

    New feeling–Talking Heads

    Another college/high school fav. The early albums freaked me out, but were really exciting, too. After RIL came out, I was a confirmed fan. I think about every playlist on my ipod has atleast one taling heads song. David’s recent album with Brian Eno, “Everything that happens will happen today” is fantastic

    Luther’s Orange Crush

    A goofy mashup of REM and Luther vandross. Far from the best mashup by GHP (best would have to be “Ray of gob“), but kinda fun

    Three Seed–Silversun Pickups

    First heard these guys while visiting my in-laws in Palm desert a couple of winters ago, listening to morning becomes eclectic on KCFR. Had this song running through my head for the next several days until I could download it from itunes.

  7. Wag

    BJ tool buttons would be a cool addition, too. BTW, nice blog you have here. Everyone has good taste in music. And your cats aren’t nearly as large as Trunch.

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