Shuffle five, describe:
- Lilys - Coby. This is from a split EP they did with Aspera Ad Astra. It's in their/his shoegaze style: lots of fuzzy, screaming, droning guitars; vocals buried in reverb. I like this little EP, and the bands are so similar I spent years without knowing which songs were from which band (I also didn't bother reading the liner notes). Love the Lilys. Guess I probably love Aspera Ad Astra, too.
- SRV - Testify (live). Wow. That guy was awesome.
- Bauhaus - Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores. A fun little song about the whores next door. Daniel Ash is a different kind of guitar genius - a screechier kind.
- Big Star - Nightime. This would've been one of many sweet little acoustic tunes, on either of Big Star's first two records. But Chilton had given up on sweetness, on this record. And so this is decorated with a wailing, reverb-soaked, electric, slide guitar, which makes the whole thing feel disoriented and drunken.
- Hank Williams - Window Shopping. This was the B side to one of the last singles released while he was still alive: 1952's "Jambalaya". It's a nice enough tune, does everything you'd expect from a Hank Williams song. It's just not one of his absolute best songs.
Your turn!
Fats Domino – I’m Gonna Be A Wheel Someday
Love the way this tune moves, with the jangly guitar driving things along. First place I heard the phrase “real gone cat.”
Beatles – Matchbox (Live at the BBC)
Never liked this one. Too noisy, and I’m convinced Ringo has the lyrics wrong anyway.
Prokofiev: Peter & the Wolf (Peter’s theme)
My version has Patrick Stewart narrating, but I’m linking to Suzie Templeton’s 2006 Oscar-winning stop-motion version just because.
My Bloody Valentine – Come In Alone
No idea what they’re saying, this is all about the atmosphere.
Chuck Berry – It’s My Own Business
A later one, nothing out of the ordinary for Chuck but perfectly digestible. Can’t find a YouTube copy.
Been a while. End of the school year is always a nightmare and I just got back from two weeks in Greece. Let’s rock this.
1. The Housemartins – Happy Hour Again
Really nice oldie from the Housemartins. This is exactly the kind of thing I didn’t like much at the time, as I was all punk and/or new wave/industrial and didn’t like guitars unless they were really loud and fast. Love this stuff now, though.
2. Explosions in the Sky – Have You Passed Through This Night
This song, like almost everything they do, is awesome once it kicks in. For some reason I don’t listen to EITS nearly enough because every time I do I get lost in how awesome they are. Sorta like all the best bits of Mogwai (who I also love), with an American bent.
3. Oasis – The Shock of the Lightning
Frankly, I always thought if Oasis had just quit after the first two they would have been revered as gods. Everything after that is not as good attempts to replicate those two first masterpieces. Having said that, this is a pretty good track that probably would have fit right in on their first record. Even so, if I am in the mood for Oasis, this record is not the one I put on.
4. TV on the Radio – You
One of those bands that come up on random when I am not paying attention and I suddenly turn and go “Who the fuck is this?” because it is so awesome (The other notable band that does this to me, in the same dance-ish groove is Kasabian). Another band I do not listen to nearly enough. This is a good track, as is the video.
5. Opeth – Karma
I have this friend here who has been trying for years to get me into death metal. He adores Opeth so he gave me a bunch of songs. It really doesn’t do much for me, which is kind of odd since I liked metal a lot when I was in much younger (like 13-15). I still like old Slayer, but that I is mostly for the sheer speed. Anyway, this song is ok, better towards the middle when it slows down.
Back to enjoying the summer off at home. Have a good week, cleekers!
I have never even heard of four of the five bands you list, and the fifth one is pretty much Wonderwall to me. But that playlist was a gas. The Housemartins especially were like audio popcorn. EITS seems like they would be a great live soundtrack to a night of drinking.
welcome back, plato* !
Love that song “Happy Hour”, thanks for linking it — that’s been in my head all week now.