MAD - Artist - Round 4 - #5's have been posted (8 Viewers)

[Mrs. Rannous]

Well, the Umlaut playlist is pretty much ready to go. What a long strange trip it's been. Everyone should find something new and different here.

How many Scandanavian artists?
1 song per artist?

If you count FInland as Scandinavian (I don't), four. One Aussie, a couple of Japanese, a bunch of Euros, and of course, the US and Canada. We have metal, comedy, prog, rock, folk, and odd crossovers. Like I said, it was a trip.

One per artist.

 

[Eephus]

No MADs adjacent new album releases this week as things wind down for the end of the year.

The only new related content I have are a cover of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" by Al Green.

Everybody Hurts

Al Green · Everybody Hurts · Song · 2024

open.spotify.com

...and a minor controversy about Lindsey Stirling's halftime show at Lambeau getting cut by the network.

Fans criticize NBC for airing just seconds of Lindsey Stirling halftime performance

NBC has not commented on its decision.

fox11online.com

 

[Zegras11]

15's PLAYLIST

15's

The Walkmen	Scoresman	Louisiana Louisiana The Walkmen · A Hundred Miles Off (U.S. Version) · Song · 2006 open.spotify.com
The Clash	kupcho1	Brand New Cadillac Brand New Cadillac - Remastered The Clash · London Calling (Remastered) · Song · 1979 open.spotify.com
Ryan Star	Yambag	11:59 11:59 Ryan Star · 11:59 (Deluxe) · Song · 2010 open.spotify.com
Yes	Yo Mama	I’m Running I'm Running Yes · Big Generator · Song · 1987 open.spotify.com
Built To Spill	The Dreaded Marco	Conventional Wisdom Conventional Wisdom Built To Spill · You in Reverse · Song · 2006 open.spotify.com
Johnny Marr	Eephus	The Smiths--Bigmouth Strikes Again Bigmouth Strikes Again - 2017 Master The Smiths · The Queen Is Dead (Deluxe Edition) · Song · 1986 open.spotify.com
The Pretty Reckless	Raging Weasel	Already Dead Already Dead The Pretty Reckless · Who You Selling For · Song · 2016 open.spotify.com
Jeff Tweedy	Dr. Octopus	I’m Always in Love I'm Always in Love Wilco · Summerteeth · Song · 1999 open.spotify.com
Journey	KarmaPolice	Precious Time Precious Time Journey · Departure · Song · 1980 open.spotify.com
Lindsey Stirling	-oz-	Shatter me Shatter Me Featuring Lzzy Hale Lindsey Stirling · Shatter Me · Song · 2014 open.spotify.com
Triumph	Pip's Invitation	Never Surrender Never Surrender Triumph · Never Surrender · Song · 1982 open.spotify.com
Our Lady Peace	MAC	Right Behind You (Mafia) - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com
Mötley Crüe	JWB	Without You Without You Mötley Crüe · Dr. Feelgood · Song · 1989 open.spotify.com
The Airborne Toxic Event	Zegras11	Missy Missy The Airborne Toxic Event · The Airborne Toxic Event (Deluxe Edition) · Song · 2009 open.spotify.com
Annie Lennox	Mrs. Rannous	Regrets Regrets - Remastered Version Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart · Touch (Reissue - Deluxe Edition) · Song · 1983 open.spotify.com
Whitney Houston	Charlie Steiner	I Have Nothing I Have Nothing Whitney Houston · The Bodyguard - Original Soundtrack Album · Song · 1992 open.spotify.com
My Morning Jacket	landrys hat	Touch Me I'm Going To Scream, Pt 2 (Live Vol 1 2015) Touch Me I'm Going To Scream, Pt. 2 - Live 2015 My Morning Jacket · MMJ Live Vol. 1: Live 2015 · Song · 2022 open.spotify.com
Robyn	John Maddens Lunchbox	Keep This Fire Burning - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. m.youtube.com Keep This Fire Burning Robyn · Don't Stop the Music · Song · 2002 open.spotify.com
Tim Maia	Don Quixote	Compadre - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. youtu.be Compadre Tim Maia · Tim Maia 1973 · Song · 1973 open.spotify.com
Parliament Funkadelic	Uruk-Hai	Alice In My Fantasies Funkadelic - Alice in My Fantasies (youtube.com)
Lord Huron	KarmaPolice	Frozen Pines Frozen Pines Lord Huron · Strange Trails · Song · 2015 open.spotify.com
R.E.M.	Tuffnutt	Crush With Eyeliner - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com
Radiohead	Titusbramble	Weird Fishes/Arpeggi Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi Radiohead · In Rainbows · Song · 2007 open.spotify.com
Candlebox	Mt.Man	Best Friend Best Friend Candlebox · Lucy · Song · 1995 open.spotify.com
Eddie Vedder	Tau837	Once - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com
The Bee Gees	zamboni	Lonely Days Lonely Days Bee Gees · 2 Years On · Song · 1970 open.spotify.com
Fred Eaglesmith	Mister CIA	Katie - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com Katie Fred Eaglesmith · 6Volts · Song · 2012 open.spotify.com
Ringo Starr	krista4	Back Off Boogaloo Back Off Boogaloo Ringo Starr · Goodnight Vienna · Song · 1974 open.spotify.com
Big Room/Deep Big Room	zazale	Inception Inception Isaac Palmer, Tony Junior · Inception · Song · 2021 open.spotify.com

 

[KarmaPolice]

#15 JOURNEY - PRECIOUS TIME

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

www.youtube.com

We will kick off the top 15 with a wicked harmonica solo from my man Rolie. As I said in the last post, I found Departure to be a bit uneven but there were some real gems for me on it, including this one. As usual - I love the build up and the groove of the song. We will be back to this album a couple more times soon. If I remember right, there is 3 in the top 15 but none from here in the top 8 or so.

Next: we will have a song I could have sworn was a much bigger hit from Infinity. If my memory serves, it's the first song written by Perry/Schon?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

#15 Funkadelic - "Alice In My Fantasies"

This is a short, nasty piece of work. The vocal is bordering on insanity. The band, though, raises the bet by just ripping out eardrums everywhere. If you dropped a tab of bad acid in a foul mood and were somehow able to go to sleep, this is what the nightmare would sound like. The drummer should be declared a war criminal. Eat your heart out, Johnny Rotten.

I was gonna go on my AOR rant with this selection, but I think I'll save it for another post. There was NO ONE who rocked harder in 1974 than Funkadelic did here.

Up next...... If you only had time to listen to one P-Funk song to try and get a handle on what they were about, it would be this one.

 

[Don Quixote]

Tim Maia

Don Quixote

Compadre - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. youtu.be Compadre Tim Maia · Tim Maia 1973 · Song · 1973 open.spotify.com

I debated leading off the playlist with Compadre, as I consider it pretty accessible and features the quintessential Tim Maia sound. But I instead decided to leave it around where it belongs as far as my favorites from him go. My only complaint is that it is a bit too short, as I really dig the groove when the horns come in around 2 minutes in, and would have been happy to let that keep going on.

It is off the Tim Maia (1973) album, which, while I have not gone through and tallied everything up, I think is the album that is most represented in my 31 list. This is the third song from that album to appear in my list after Balanco and Do Your Thing, Behave Yourself. My off-playlist instrumental interlude pick earlier was also from that album. And I still have some more from that album to come. Rolling Stone Brasil had four Tim Maia albums in their list of the top 100 Brazilian albums of all-time list, but 1973 is not one of them. I’m not sure why though as just great throughout.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

15. Never Surrender
Album: Never Surrender (Canada 1982, US 1983)
Writers: Rik Emmett, Mike Levine and Gil Moore
Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
Chart History: US Mainstream Rock #23
Video?: Yes
Lyrical categories: Vaguely political / Inspirational/hockey coach

The title track of and second single from Triumph's Never Surrender album boasts a memorable melody and soaring chorus, which features some of the highest notes Rik Emmett ever hit at the end of it. Its rhythm is the closest the band ever got to reggae. But what makes the song truly special is the instrumental passage starting a little before the three-and-a-half minute mark, starting off with an interesting bass interlude from Mike Levine, leading into furious guitar riffage and drum pounding, in turn leading into a spectacular guitar solo from Emmett which escalates with every second. The passage after the final verse is pretty excellent too.

The two verses paint a pretty bleak picture, the first depicting people who are being ripped off at every turn, the second depicting people who let the world happen to them and do nothing to change it. But the chorus and the last verse are as inspirational/hockey coach as Triumph's lyrics get:

Never Surrender - keep your dreams alive
Never Surrender - hold your head up high

Never Surrender, it's easier said than done
But you go to finish what's already begun
Never, that's forever, seems like such a long time
But I only got one life to live - It's gonna be mine

Never Surrender - we cannot be denied
Never Surrender - spread your wings and fly

"Never Surrender" was played at every show on the Never Surrender and Thunder Seven tours, and three times after that: at one of those Toronto shows with a weird setlist in 1988, and at both of the 2008 reunion shows. It appears on the Stages live album and on the official releases of the 1983 US Festival and 2008 Sweden Rock Festival gigs.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKXv0_ckCp0
Live version from the US Festival in 1983: https://open.spotify.com/track/1ZeMxhPc4b6KIZsvgUHc9E?si=bf95e7641c604a01
Live version from Stages: https://open.spotify.com/track/6XHJ2ta2AwKL28jAGtAlV9?si=416ec593404e4815
Live version from Dallas in 1983 or 1984: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTe5M3AlWLs
Live version from Montreal in 1985: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZXhG3S7z64
Live version from the radio broadcast of an LA show in 1985: https://youtu.be/2lHorImmLDw?t=801
Live version from Sweden Rock Festival in 2008: https://open.spotify.com/track/4Ygk1e56o8RLrls2IKjrm4?si=99fea56560864d19

Rik Emmett did a tutorial on how to play this song for CBC Radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIm0vZmnvCc

Less than a week ago, a YouTube channel called AudioMover did a deep dive on the Never Surrender album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58UvoYM5NZA

At #14, Triumph's most successful single, which wasn't the coronation for them that it should have been.

 

[kupcho1]

The Clash

kupcho1

Brand New Cadillac Brand New Cadillac - Remastered The Clash · London Calling (Remastered) · Song · 1979 open.spotify.com

# 5 off of London Calling, Brand New Cadillac is, I was surprised to discover, a remake of Vince Taylor's 1958 B-side.
One thing I'm learning is that the Clash did a lot more covers than I suspected. Going into this, after creating my list, I thought I had 1 cover. Turns out there's at least 3 (with Police & Thieves as well as 1 (or more?) yet to come).

From the big pink Clash book:

TOPPER: I'll always remember doing that. One take, live, Guy [Stevens] said, "That's it!" and I said, "You can't keep that, it speeds up!" and he said, "Great! All rock'n'roll speeds up. Take!" And from then on the sessions just cooked.

PAUL: Guy made me feel really at ease and if I played wrong notes he didn't care. After we'd played Brand New Cadillac I said I made a mistake on that and he said, "It doesn't matter, it's great."

So it doesn't seem like they didn't know they were being recorded, rather they thought the recording wasn't good enough, but the live sound is what Guy wanted.

"Balls to you, Daddy."
She ain't never coming back!

 

[Yo Mama]

Yes #15 - I’m Running
Album - Big Generator (1987)

I’m sure I rank these Big Generator songs higher than most would, but too bad it’s my list.

In my mind, the Yes guys are wearing Tommy Bahama shirts playing this song to a bunch of inebriated retirees at a tropical beachside bar.

This is the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King of Yes songs. Every time you think it’s over, it starts back up and heads off in a new direction.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#15 - Robyn - Keep This Fire Burning​

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

m.youtube.com

Producer - Ghost (Ulf Lindström and Johan Ekhé)
Writer - Robyn, Remee, Ulf Lindström and Johan Ekhé
Chart Positions - Sweden #3, Denmark #7
Album - Don’t Stop the Music
Year - 2002
Collaborator History - We have already talked about the pair in Ghost so let us talk about Remee. He is a Danish rapper/producer/songwriter. He co wrote 2 tracks for this Robyn album, this one and another one that doesnt make the list. He is responsible for writing a big International hit (Not the US) called Superstar for Jamelia

Key Lyric - Yeah even when you've lost you faith in love
Even when there is no light above
Even when you have to run and hide
I'll be on your side

Notes - This album was a sort of comeback for Robyn after the flop of the My Truth album. This song was the lead single, but Robyn hadnt found her own voice and direction yet. Its well produced and a good song in its own right but could have been sung by anyone. In fact Beverley Knight recorded a version in 2014 that she took to #16 in the UK charts.

Next up - A pretty juvenile collaboration. Even by its name. I initially ranked it much higher, but thankfully common sense prevailed

 

[MAC_32]

Once
Upon a time
I could control myself
Once
Upon a time
I could lose myself
Once
Upon a time
I could love my-y-self
Once
Upon a time
I could lo-ove yoou...
ONCE
ONCE
ONCE

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Round 15 - Regrets - The Eurythmics

From their album Touch.

 

[krista4]

15. Back Off Boogaloo non-album single (1972)

Previously ranked #12 - prior write-up below

This non-album single reached #2 in the US and was co-written and produced by George, who also contributed slide and acoustic guitar to the song. Guess who else was on it? That’s right, Voormann and Wright. Where’s Jim Keltner? Well, you see, Ringo is a drummer himself.

Ringo has said that the “boogaloo” came from Marc Bolan of T. Rex, who used the word so often that Ringo incorporated it into his songs: “He used to speak: 'Back off, boogaloo ... ooh you, boogaloo.' 'Do you want some potatoes?' 'Ooh you, boogaloo!’.” NOW WE KNOW WHOM TO BLAME. Too bad he’s dead. I mean, too bad in the sense that he died tragically in a car accident when he was 29. But secondarily that we also can’t properly affix blame.

Critics have consistently considered this song an attack by Ringo on Paul, especially the lyrics of the middle eight, but Ringo has insisted that it was inspired by Bolan, and the middle eight by a football commentator who regularly called plays “tasty,” and there’s nothing more to it. Considering how affable Ringo is, I tend to believe him; there’s a whole lot about this interpretation you can read if you’re so inclined, but I think it’s all rubbish.

The song has a great heavy feel, with fantastic Ringo-ing that sounds a bit military to my ears (which I find oddly appealing), repetitive and hypnotic. George’s slide guitar is mwahhhhk (that’s the sound of me making that Italian kiss sound using my finger and lips, and looking to the sky). The soulful backing vocals are fantastic. My only negative on this song, which is a pretty big one, are those lyrics. Gah. So pointless. And yes, I'm aware that "boogaloo" has a different connotation now that makes this an even more difficult listen.

This is a song that Ringo has loved enough to have released it three times on three different albums. Hold on, I’m told that Ringo has released many of his songs multiple times on many different albums, including multiple recordings of "Goodnight Vienna," "It Don’t Come Easy," "Act Naturally," and "Wings," among others. No wonder I had to wade through so many albums. Get more new material, Ringo!

 

[Yambag]

15's PLAYLIST

Ryan Star

Yambag

11:59 11:59 Ryan Star · 11:59 (Deluxe) · Song · 2010 open.spotify.com

Ryan's first major label record 11:59, released via Atlantic in 2010, reached No. 31 on Billboard 200 and No. 10 on Billboard Rock albums chart.

“In the beginning, it is very important to be known for my music. It took a long time, because as a developing artist, you want to do it right. So here I was, touring while I was finishing the album, trying out the new songs. I was also getting the songs right. I knew that coming from a rock band I had those roots. Also coming from my independent piano record, I had those roots. I wasn’t in the business of confusing people, but I wanted to make sure that what 11:59 had was a blueprint for any direction I would go from here. A lot of the theme of this album 11:59 is all about the moment, and living in this moment, and this romantic carpe diem word we always heard, this phrase that we always heard growing up, and trying to make sense of it."

 

[Raging weasel]

Between the holiday,watching football and battling the flu I've fallen behind. Hopefully can at least finish the 16's tonight

 

[KarmaPolice]

#15: LORD HURON - FROZEN PINES

Frozen Pines

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesFrozen Pines · Lord HuronFrozen Pinesâ 2015 IAMSOUND Recordsâ 2015 IAMSOUND Records released under exclusive li...

www.youtube.com

I was surprised to see this here as this is one of those songs I can't listen to just once, I just adore this one. I guess that I just another reminder of my feelings about this album when I checked what's still left to come from the album and it would be my 5th on the album like the playlist shows taken separate as I did. As they flow on the album and what song it's after I would rate the pairing of Yawning Grave/Frozen Pines higher.

I am ready to follow you even though I don't know where
I will wait in the night until you decide to take me there
'Cause I know I don't want to stay here forever
It's time to be moving on
I don't want to be the only one living when all of my friends are gone

I really like that last build up and then into the repeated chorus at the end.

Next: from the frozen pines to the edges of the cosmos, but still pondering death.

 

[Tau837]

Eddie Vedder

Tau837

Once - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com

"Once" is the opening track on Pearl Jam's 1991 debut album, "Ten." Written by guitarist Stone Gossard (music) and Eddie (lyrics), "Once" is a pivotal piece in Pearl Jam’s early catalog.

The song is part of what Eddie has called a "mini opera" known as the "Mamasan Trilogy." It tells the story of a troubled man’s descent into madness, beginning with "Alive," continuing with "Once," and concluding with "Footsteps."

"Once" delves into the darker aspects of human nature. The lyrics depict the narrator's transformation from a victim of trauma (introduced in "Alive") to a violent and unstable individual. It highlights how unresolved trauma can lead to self-destruction and harm to others. The song suggests the narrator has become a killer, driven by inner demons and a sense of detachment from morality. The song portrays the protagonist's ultimate loss of innocence, making it a powerful narrative of a life spiraling out of control. Eddie’s delivery of the lyrics adds to the tension, blending anger, despair, and regret.

The song is an intense and hard-hitting track that showcases the band’s grunge roots, blending raw emotion with dynamic instrumentation. The song is based on a riff from Gossard’s early demo, "Stone Gossard Demos '91." The riff is heavy and driving, setting a dark and menacing tone. McCready delivers blistering solos that add to the song’s intensity and chaos. Jeff Ament (bass) and Dave Krusen (drums) provide a tight, propulsive rhythm that drives the track forward.

"Once" stands as an essential track in Pearl Jam’s discography, representing the darker, more visceral side of "Ten." Its place in the "Mamasan Trilogy" makes it a cornerstone of the band’s early storytelling efforts, illustrating their ability to craft music that is both emotionally gripping and musically powerful.

 

[-OZ-]

Lindsey Stirling

-oz-

Shatter me Shatter Me Featuring Lzzy Hale Lindsey Stirling · Shatter Me · Song · 2014 open.spotify.com

Lindsey’s first collaboration to be included on her own album is also the title of her second album and her first lyrics written. Lindsey says she wanted a strong female voice like Amy Lee or Hayley Williams. She hadn’t heard of Lzzy Hale of Halestorm, but I think she rocked it. (Too bad Ms Momsen wasn’t available).

According to Stirling, "Shatter Me" epitomizes the restrictions that world puts on us and shows how difficult it is to break out of old habits and have the courage to step out of our comfort zones into the light.

I pirouette in the dark
I see the stars through a mirror
Tired mechanical heart
Beats 'til the song disappears
Somebody shine a light
I'm frozen by the fear in me
Somebody make me feel alive and shatter me
So cut me from the line
Dizzy, spinning endlessly
Somebody make me feel alive and shatter me


If I break the glass, then I'll have to fly
There's no one to catch me if I take a dive
I'm scared of changing, the days stay the same
The world is spinning, but only in gray

Next up, we get festive and maybe a little mean

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Between the holiday,watching football and battling the flu I've fallen behind. Hopefully can at least finish the 16's tonight

Blame carb overload.

And the flu. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[zamboni]

The Bee Gees

zamboni

Lonely Days Lonely Days Bee Gees · 2 Years On · Song · 1970 open.spotify.com

Their first top 5 hit in the U.S., "Lonely Days" came off their lesser known (and pretty much otherwise forgettable) 1970 album 2 Years On. The song and album marked the return of the band as a unit after Robin had previously quit the year before amid band conflicts. According to Barry, the song was written in 10 minutes(!) - these accounts of laser-quick production always awe me how musicians have the capability to come up with something so intricate in basically the snap of a finger. Coming out a year after Abbey Road, you can certainly hear the boys going back to their Beatles' roots here. At the beginning, the beautiful classical-like piano melody sounds a bit like "Because" off Abbey, with Barry sounding an awful lot like Lennon. A tasteful blend of strings then comes in before an interesting tempo shift at around the 1:10 mark that kicks into the harmonized chorus. Some horns are added in to pick up the tempo, then a shift back to the beginning piano melody, and the big finish brings it all together with the boys singing out the chorus. All in all, even if they leveraged again off their compatriots (and why not resemble the best?), the song turned out to be one of their nicest arrangements in their repertoire.

As an aside, the band released a promotional video for this - kind of a, yes, day in the life of the brothers at home in their English countryside and walking around London. Probably symbolic imagery in bringing the band back together.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

15. I Have Nothing (The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack, 1992)

Whitney's third single from The Bodyguard soundtrack, I Have Nothing was co-written by David Foster (yet another composer/producer with fingerprints all over the pop music landscape since the 1980s; you younger folks may know him as Katherine McPhee's husband and baby daddy) and his wife at the time, Linda Thompson (started her show business career on Hee Haw, though her biggest accomplishments were her romantic relationships, including a four-year fling with Elvis and marriage to Bruce/Caitlin Jenner prior to marrying Foster). According to Thompson, who also had a small role in the film, she was approached by the director to write a song for the movie, and said that she drew on her relationship with Elvis for some of the lyrics.

Reviews for the song were mostly positive, and the song was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars, Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media at the Grammys and Best R&B Single, Female at the Soul Train Music Awards that year. It reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 while her previous singles from the soundtrack were still in the top 10, and eventually reached #1.

In other news, less than two weeks after this song was released as a single, her daughter Bobbi Christina was born.

 

[tuffnutt]

WAY behind on writeups....

17.
Pretty Persuasion- R.E.M.
from Reckoning (1984)
“Pretty Persuasion,” is one of their earliest songs... REM was playing this song as live as early as 1981.With its jangly, arpeggiated chords (One of Peter Buck's best) A solid rhythm track, and great Mike Mills vocal harmonies help to make it one of Reckoning's strongest tracks.

16.
EBow The Letter- R.E.M.
from New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)

The First single of Hi-Fi, "Ebow" is also probably the oddest choice for a single ( as I think someone mentioned upthread) Stipe himself blamed this song for sinking the commercial prospects of New Adventures In Hi-Fi, even though he counts it among the best songs R.E.M. ever wrote.( I obviously agree)But its one of the most affecting songs in the band's catalog Perhaps the band chose it due to its guest appearance by Patti Smith, a critical early influence on the group - and rumored to be the subject of Michael Stipe and Peter Buck's first ever conversation. Smith's appearance helps to make the track one of the band's most haunting. It actually comes from an unsent letter from Stipe to friend and late actor River Phoenix.

15.
Crush with Eyeliner- R.E.M
from Monster (1994)

As I've stated earlier... I LOVE monster. Its honestly one of my favorite albums of the 90s, so I probably rank this one higher than most. Its the albums 3rd single, but its the 1st song Stipe wrote after River Phoenix death. Monster is a bold album filled with swagger, glam and a whole lot of tremolo. And “Crush With Eyeliner” is a great example of all of that. Stipe said the song was inspired by the New York Dolls who "knew how to exaggerate a song, to make it sound really sleazy and over the top."

 

[Uruk-Hai]

#15 Funkadelic - "Alice In My Fantasies"

This is a short, nasty piece of work. The vocal is bordering on insanity. The band, though, raises the bet by just ripping out eardrums everywhere. If you dropped a tab of bad acid in a foul mood and were somehow able to go to sleep, this is what the nightmare would sound like. The drummer should be declared a war criminal. Eat your heart out, Johnny Rotten.

I was gonna go on my AOR rant with this selection, but I think I'll save it for another post. There was NO ONE who rocked harder in 1974 than Funkadelic did here.

Up next...... If you only had time to listen to one P-Funk song to try and get a handle on what they were about, it would be this one.

Screw it....

AOR = "Album Oriented Rock". This was an FM radio format developed in the 1970s from the dying ashes of FM Free Form. It was one of several FM formats that targeted a specific audience - in this case young, white males. It streamlined the older progressive, anything-goes format down to something that could be packaged and sold to (read: advertised to) that demographic. It basically took the Top 40 approach and narrowed the playlists to microscopic, focus-group-approved levels. For all intents and purposes, AOR meant "white guys with guitars". This is the land where your latest Zep, Boston, and Kansas records lived. The mastermind behind this was Lee Abrams, who would go on to be the musical guru behind the original XM Radio in the early 2000s.

Being a teenager at the time, this stuff was right up my alley. The problem (I realized later) was that the format wasn't about the music so much as it was about the image/salability. Because Funkadelic was making the hardest "rocking" music of anyone in the mid-70s and should have been a natural fit, musically. There's only one reason I can think of that George & company didn't get a sniff - the brains behind this format didn't think white kids wanted to hear music made by black guys wearing diapers on stage, no matter how great the guitars were. Granted, the lyrics could get a little dicey - but Zep & Alice Cooper weren't singing about puppy dogs and rainbows, either.

To be fair, corporate Urban FM (which may have been even more conservative than AOR, if such a thing is possible) wouldn't touch most of Funkadelic's stuff from this period either. And AOR also wasn't touching Zappa or Iggy or The Dolls or the Pistols. Of course, all of those latter artists got pimped by Rolling Stone while Funkadelic didn't. Huh.....

It's a shame for a lot of reasons. I think it solidified what people thought was "real" rock music based on a false premise. It also left excellent artists in the desert when they should have been celebrated. On a micro level it made Clinton revive the Parliament name and use it to make more accessible music (good) but caused a bunch of friction/money problems (bad).

Anyway, sorry for the digression. This kind of **** has bugged me for decades. Excited to see everyone's picks for Round 14!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

15.


Song: I’m Always In Love
Artist: Wilco
Album: Summer Teeth
Year: 1999


While Wilco is rightfully identified as an Alt-Country band, many of their songs once they started branching out were heavily influenced by the Beach Boys – especially on the Summer Teeth album. This song puts that sound on full display while also giving the Wilco happy and peppy sound some love as well.

 

[Mt. Man]

—
Candlebox #15
Song: Best Friend
Album: Lucy (1995)

(official music video) Candlebox - Best Friend
(Live version) Candlebox Best Friend

You'd always been my habit now
Colored bees, and stomach aches,
Your friend's in need, and lovers quakes
My best friend, my, my very best friend,
My best friend, my, she never left my side

–
Tonally, this song stomps on the gas pedal and doesn’t really let up. Starting from the rather discordant guitar intro into fast-paced drumwork and lyrics that feel like Kevin’s trying to squeeze in as many words as possible while still being understood. Mind you, there’s some of that spirit we’ve seen before in this countdown, and will again in at least one song to come.

I’ve seen a few different interpretations of this song, and I hate to sound definitive when I don’t know for sure. But the one that sticks for me is that the friend that’s always there, thick and thin? She’s a dog. By which I literally mean (bassist player) Brandi Martin’s dog.

–
Next on the countdown, a possibly familiar song. Though, as always for recognition, the question is do you or… not?

 

[Yambag]

16's

Known: Crue, Whitney, Vedder

Caught My Attention
Walkmen: The Love You Love
Johnny Marr: Walk Into The Seas
Journey: She Makes Me (Feel Alright)
My Morning Jacket: Heartbreakin Man
Tim Maia: I Don't Know What to do With Myself
Bee Gees: Spicks and Specks

 

[jwb]

Mötley Crüe

JWB

Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) https://open.spotify.com/track/1090YWYmufPxxFEDAmU8Hn

Mötley Crüe

JWB

Without You Without You Mötley Crüe · Dr. Feelgood · Song · 1989 open.spotify.com

16 and 15 from the Crüe. Both off Dr. Feelgood, which many critics feel is their best album. I like the first two better, but Feelgood is definitely the most polished.

These were hits, and you've likely heard them both. S.O.S is your standard 80's Crüe rocker, and Without You is the classic power ballad.

 

[zamboni]

Mötley Crüe

JWB

Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) https://open.spotify.com/track/1090YWYmufPxxFEDAmU8Hn

S.O.S is your standard 80's Crüe rocker,

I always thought they were trying to out-poison Poison here, but no matter - fun tune.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

This was the best Stirling > Triumph > OLoP > Crue stretch so far on the playlists. It’s always been an interesting stretch on the playlist for me.

 

[-OZ-]

Is anyone else having problems loading the 15 playlist?

 

[Don Quixote]

Is anyone else having problems loading the 15 playlist?

Worked fine for me earlier.

 

[-OZ-]

Is anyone else having problems loading the 15 playlist?

Worked fine for me earlier.

It’s weird. I can open every other playlist Luke warm has. But not this one.

 

[simey]

15.
Crush with Eyeliner- R.E.M
from Monster (1994)

As I've stated earlier... I LOVE monster. Its honestly one of my favorite albums of the 90s, so I probably rank this one higher than most. Its the albums 3rd single, but its the 1st song Stipe wrote after River Phoenix death. Monster is a bold album filled with swagger, glam and a whole lot of tremolo. And “Crush With Eyeliner” is a great example of all of that. Stipe said the song was inspired by the New York Dolls who "knew how to exaggerate a song, to make it sound really sleazy and over the top."

I just want to give this song some love. It would be in my top 10 favorite REM songs, and on some days it could rotate in as my #5. My #1 favorite is (Don't Go Back To) Rockville, and #2 is Driver 8. What I think would be my #3 and #4 hasn't shown up yet. They are both from the 80s. Anyway, I think the tremolo sound on the guitar goes great with the lyrics and delivery of them.

 

[kupcho1]

Is anyone else having problems loading the 15 playlist?

Worked fine for me earlier.

It’s weird. I can open every other playlist Luke warm has. But not this one.

New alias: Luke Warm

 

[Eephus]

Is anyone else having problems loading the 15 playlist?

Worked fine for me earlier.

It’s weird. I can open every other playlist Luke warm has. But not this one.

New alias: Luke Warm

The name is Warm...Luke Warm

 

[Eephus]

Marr #15 / Smiths #5 - The Smiths - "Bigmouth Strikes Again" (1986)

We enter the second half of the countdown with the side two opener from The Queen Is Dead. It's another up tempo song that Johnny has referred to as the Smiths' "Jumping Jack Flash". I guess if you squint your ears there are similarities in the introductory riffs and how the drums and vocal start in.

One of the schticks I considered for this countdown was to create a bingo card of Johnny Marr-related adjectives that I'd check off as I used them in my writeups. The adjective for today would probably be ringing for the acoustic strumming that forms the backbone of the song. He changes things up with a wicked little funk workout around the two minute mark. Any of my top six Smiths songs could have been number one if I was in a different mood. "Bigmouth" is the band hitting on all cylinders; the rhythm section of Rourke and Joyce are in great form and Mozza lyrics are full of ridiculous bon mots. “Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said/ I’d like to smash every tooth in your head”, really now?

Bigmouth Strikes Again - 2011 Remaster

The Smiths · The Queen Is Dead · Song · 1986

open.spotify.com

 

[Yambag]

15's

Known: Crue, Whitney, REM, Pearl Jam

Caught My Attention
Clash: Brand New Cadillac
Marr/Smiths: Bigmouth Strikes Again
Lindsey Sterling: Shatter Me (I'm a sucker for anything with Lizzy Hale)
Our Lady Peace: Right Behind You
ATE: Missy
Robyn: Keep This Fire Burning

 

[Raging weasel]

The 16's
Known and liked songs
Carnival
Same Old Situation
I'm Every Woman
Hunger Strike
I'm the Greatest

New to me likes
I See You
Else
She Makes Me (Feel Alright)
Lose You Now
Blinding Light Show/Moonchild
Pappillon
E-Bow the Letter
Vexatious

 

[Zegras11]

14's PLAYLIST

14's

The Walkmen	Scoresman	Save the Last Dance Save the Last Dance The Walkmen · ***** Cats Starring The Walkmen (U.S. Version) · Song · 2006 open.spotify.com
The Clash	kupcho1	Charlie Don't Surf Charlie Don't Surf - Remastered The Clash · Sandinista! (Remastered) · Song · 1980 open.spotify.com
Ryan Star	Yambag	I Will Be Something I Will Be Something Stage · Stage · Song · 2002 open.spotify.com
Yes	Yo Mama	Then Then Yes · Time and a Word · Song · 1970 open.spotify.com
Built To Spill	The Dreaded Marco	All Our Songs All Our Songs Built To Spill · Untethered Moon · Song · 2015 open.spotify.com
Johnny Marr	Eephus	Billy Bragg--Greetings to the New Brunette Greetings to the New Brunette Billy Bragg · Talking with the Taxman About Poetry · Song · 1986 open.spotify.com
The Pretty Reckless	Raging Weasel	Follow Me Down Follow Me Down The Pretty Reckless · Going To Hell (Deluxe Edition) · Song · 2014 open.spotify.com
Jeff Tweedy	Dr. Octopus	Open Mind Open Mind Wilco · The Whole Love (Deluxe Edition) · Song · 2011 open.spotify.com
Journey	KarmaPolice	Lights Lights Journey · Infinity · Song · 1978 open.spotify.com
Lindsey Stirling	-oz-	You’re a mean one Mr grinch You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch Lindsey Stirling, Sabrina Carpenter · Warmer In The Winter (Deluxe Edition) · Song · 2018 open.spotify.com
Triumph	Pip's Invitation	Somebody's Out There Somebody's Out There Triumph · The Sport Of Kings · Song · 1986 open.spotify.com
Our Lady Peace	MAC	Shaking - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com
Mötley Crüe	JWB	Ten Seconds to Love https://open.spotify.com/track/4Rhw6ecfyFykPQQr64KdzA
The Airborne Toxic Event	Zegras11	Welcome To Your Wedding Day Welcome To Your Wedding Day The Airborne Toxic Event · All At Once · Song · 2011 open.spotify.com
Annie Lennox	Mrs. Rannous	It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back) It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back) - Remastered Version Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart · Be Yourself Tonight · Song · 1985 open.spotify.com
Whitney Houston	Charlie Steiner	Queen of the Night Queen of the Night - Film Version Whitney Houston · I Wish You Love: More From The Bodyguard · Song · 2017 open.spotify.com
My Morning Jacket	landrys hat	Wordless Chorus (Okonokos) Wordless Chorus My Morning Jacket · Okonokos · Song · 2006 open.spotify.com
Robyn	John Maddens Lunchbox	Go Kindergarten - The Lonely Island featuring Robyn - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. m.youtube.com Go Kindergarten The Lonely Island, Robyn · The Wack Album · Song · 2013 open.spotify.com
Tim Maia	Don Quixote	A Festo de Santo Reis - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. youtu.be A Festa Do Santo Reis Tim Maia · Tim Maia 1971 · Song · 1971 open.spotify.com
Parliament Funkadelic	Uruk-Hai	P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up) Parliament - P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (1975) (youtube.com)
Lord Huron	KarmaPolice	Secret of Life Secret of Life Lord Huron · Vide Noir · Song · 2018 open.spotify.com
R.E.M.	Tuffnutt	Country Feedback - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com
Radiohead	Titusbramble	The National Anthem The National Anthem Radiohead · Kid A · Song · 2000 open.spotify.com
Candlebox	Mt.Man	Don't You Don't You Candlebox · Candlebox · Song · 1993 open.spotify.com
Eddie Vedder	Tau837	Corduroy - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com
The Bee Gees	zamboni	Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You Bee Gees · Bee Gees' 1st · Song · 1967 open.spotify.com
Fred Eaglesmith	Mister CIA	Cumberland County - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com Cumberland County Fred Eaglesmith · Falling Stars And Broken Hearts · Song · 2002 open.spotify.com
Ringo Starr	krista4	Waiting Waiting Ringo Starr · Beaucoups Of Blues · Song · 1970 open.spotify.com
Big Room/Deep Big Room	zazale	Nowhere Left To Run (feat. Jordan Grace) Nowhere Left To Run (feat. Jordan Grace) Rave Republic, Lockdown, Jordan Grace · Nowhere Left To Run (feat. Jordan Grace) · Song · 2023 open.spotify.com

 

[Yo Mama]

Yo Mama’s Theme Draft Theme

Drew Carey rummages around in a brightly-colored hat while the teams of Wayne Brady / Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles / Greg Proops anxiously await. Drew pulls out a carefully folded piece of paper and reads:

World’s Worst Super Heroes
(Audience laughs approvingly)

I will be ranking songs with titles that sound like horrible super heroes. In my writeups, I will be discussing the strengths and weaknesses of these musical heroes based on their names and possibly the lyrics of the songs.

For example, if I were to be choosing the song Tarzan Boy by Baltimora (which I’m not because it’s a horrible song and he might actually be a decent hero), I would list out the strengths that make him a potentially good hero and all the weaknesses that make him the worst.

My list is almost complete, but I keep thinking of new heroes to join my league of ineptitude.

 

[Mt. Man]

It took me a bit to really warm up to the #15s, but by the end I found the usual (over)abundance of songs to appreciate. Since the 14s dropped while I was finishing my listen, I’ll simply move onto a sampling of them:

Selected (And Shuffled) Favorites:
Katie - Fred Eaglesmith
Precious Time - Journey
Once - Pearl Jam (/Eddie Vedder)
Regrets - Eurythmics (/Annie Lennox)
Missy - Airborne Toxic Event. Probably my favorite (new) song of the round.
I’m Running - Yes
Right Behind You(Mafia) - Our Lady Peace
Brand New Cadillac - The Clash
Back Off Boogaloo - Ringo Starr
Crush With Eyeliner - R.E.M.

Shuffle Adventures:
I had a couple of good choices here too, so this one (barely) goes to Wilco’s “I’m Always in Love” followed by “Bigmouth Strikes Again” from The Smiths (via the Johnny Marr playlist)

 

[Yambag]

14's PLAYLIST

Ryan Star

Yambag

I Will Be Something I Will Be Something Stage · Stage · Song · 2002 open.spotify.com

Ryan was 14 years old when he formed his first band called Stage. Stage was signed to a contract by Madonna’s Maverick Records and released four EPs – "Black" in 1997, "Blue" in 1999, "White" in 2000 and "The Final" in 2004. While still in high school, the band played CBGB's and the Mercury Lounge.

 

[Raging weasel]

Great,now Im 2 full playlists behind.

Follow Me Down is another number one single by The Pretty Reckless and the final 2 will be coming up shortly.
I saw that The Pretty Reckless will be the openers for AC/DC this tour so may check that out if it doesn't cost a fortune for tickets.

 

[Yambag]

14's PLAYLIST

R.E.M.

Tuffnutt

Country Feedback - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com

Love to see this song rank so highly. I have always loved it, but was never sure how it sat with others as it is much different than the general tone of Out of Time.

 

[Yo Mama]

Yes #14 - Then
Album - Time and a Word (1970)

Love this song - my favorite from their first two albums. Awesome musicianship from everyone, the orchestral pieces even work for me in this one.

More importantly, I love the accompanying music video for this song. I imagine a Spinal Tap-like behind the scenes view of the making of this video. Someone decides to film the video at a pretty location on the beach. But no one is prepared for how cold and windy it is there. The band members all have to throw on shawls and coats that don’t go with their outfits, and their hair is constantly blowing in their faces. Everyone is miserable. The marketing assistant who chose the location is fired.

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

youtu.be

 

[Scoresman]

Way behind from Thanksgiving. I'll just jump to current.

The Walkmen # 14 - Save the Last Dance

Another, and my favorite off of The Walkmen's song for song cover of Harry Nilsson's album ***** Cats. This was already a cover of the classic song. Both this and the Harry Nilsson cover are slower versions of the song which I think works tremendously. Just a great version.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The 16's
Known and liked songs
Carnival
Same Old Situation
I'm Every Woman
Hunger Strike
I'm the Greatest

New to me likes
I See You
Else
She Makes Me (Feel Alright)
Lose You Now
Blinding Light Show/Moonchild
Pappillon
E-Bow the Letter
Vexatious

You’re pretty well-versed in Triumph. You’d never heard Blinding Light Show/Moonchild?

 

[Don Quixote]

Tim Maia

Don Quixote

A Festo de Santo Reis - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. youtu.be A Festa Do Santo Reis Tim Maia · Tim Maia 1971 · Song · 1971 open.spotify.com

I had no idea what this was about until I was googling it last night and learned that “Festo de Santo Reis” is for the Feast of Three Kings, and a celebration of the epiphany. Story about the feast here. Add it to your rollicking Christmas/holiday playlist, I guess.

 

[tuffnutt]

14.
Country Feedback- R.E.M.
from Out of Time (1991)

"Country Feedback" is my favorite non-single from REM. Stipe has also said many times that its his favorite REM song. The vocal performance here is nothing short of amazing—all the more impressive considering the fact that it was apparently largely improvised on the spot in a single take, allegedly off a piece of paper that never had a complete lyric on it. Its such a slow burn of emotions, perhaps the rawest expression of sheer remorse put to music.

 

[tuffnutt]

14's PLAYLIST

R.E.M.

Tuffnutt

Country Feedback - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. www.youtube.com

Love to see this song rank so highly. I have always loved it, but was never sure how it sat with others as it is much different than the general tone of Out of Time.

Here is a song that means WAY more to me today that in ever did in 1991. I just hadn't live enough life back then... hadn't experienced enough heartache or heartbreak to truly appreciate the greatness of this song .