MAD - Artist - Round 4 - #1's have been posted (1 Viewer)

[KarmaPolice]

Also, I was confused by the "MAD artist alumnus" part. Did I blank out on a Maiden list somewhere?

I thought someone did one in an earlier edition - maybe I'm wrong.

KP probably would have been on that, but I remember tons of Eddy talk for some reason around here.

I was close to taking Maiden this one. And Hallowed be Thy Name was my #1 in the UK countdown.

One of my favorite tracks as well.

I listened to the two Paul albums this morning, and I had underrated them. Prowler kicks *** and there were a couple tracks on the debut that I had forgotten how proggy but raw they are like Strange World. It's hard to compare to an epic voice like Bruce's and what happened with me is that I had heard too many of those old songs from Live After Death with Bruce singing, and when I went back to the old albums they sounded "off" to me.

 

[KarmaPolice]

@Tau837 - just so you know, I didn't see that live version of your song. I added a live version that I remembered from another show but let me know if you'd rather have the album cut instead.

 

[Eephus]

Bad news out of Toronto, friend of the thread Matthew Sweet suffered a stroke while out on tour. He remains hospitalized in Canada and faces a long rehab. There's a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

Bad news out of Toronto, friend of the thread Matthew Sweet suffered a stroke while out on tour. He remains hospitalized in Canada and faces a long rehab. There's a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses.

This is horrible news. Huge fan of his albums and his live shows.....very sad. I hope for as much a recovery as possible.

 

[Mister CIA]

Gaudy body of melancholy ... AllMusic trigger warning if you have issues with seizures.

Critics, grain of salt and all that, but I find they are generally sincere and they write pretty. No doubt I'll be exposed as a skimmer before this is over. (Narrator: too late)

 

[Mister CIA]

I'm ready for the next list. In the meantime the Algorithm just threw this at me for the first time. Time to break out the new Sony XM5s.

- 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

 

[Zegras11]

30's PLAYLIST

#30's

The Walkmen	Scoresman	Heaven Heaven The Walkmen · Heaven · Song · 2012 open.spotify.com
The Clash	kupcho1	Garageland Garageland - Remastered The Clash · The Clash (Remastered) · Song · 1977 open.spotify.com
Ryan Star	Yambag	Losing Your Memory Losing Your Memory R. Star · Songs From The Eye Of An Elephant · Song · 2005 open.spotify.com
Yes	Yo Mama	Soon (from The Gates of Delirium) Soon - 2003 Remaster Yes · Relayer (Expanded) · Song · 1974 open.spotify.com
Built To Spill	The Dreaded Marco	In Your Mind In Your Mind Built To Spill · Ancient Melodies of the Future · Song · 2001 open.spotify.com
Johnny Marr	Eephus	The Smiths--The Draize Train (Live in London, 1986) The Draize Train - Live in London, 1986 The Smiths · Rank · Song · 1988 open.spotify.com
The Pretty Reckless	Raging Weasel	Light Me Up Light Me Up The Pretty Reckless · Light Me Up · Song · 2010 open.spotify.com
Jeff Tweedy	Dr. Octopus	Strangers Strangers Golden Smog · Another Fine Day · Song · 2006 open.spotify.com
Journey	KarmaPolice	Rubicon Rubicon (2023 Remaster) Journey · Frontiers (2023 Remaster) · Song · 1983 open.spotify.com
Lindsey Stirling	-oz-	The arena The Arena Lindsey Stirling · Brave Enough · Song · 2016 open.spotify.com
Triumph	Pip's Invitation	Mind Games Mind Games Triumph · Stages (Live) · Song · 1985 open.spotify.com
Our Lady Peace	MAC	Automatic Flowers - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com
Mötley Crüe	JWB	Knock 'Em Dead, Kid Knock 'Em Dead, Kid Mötley Crüe · Shout At The Devil · Song · 1983 open.spotify.com
The Airborne Toxic Event	Zegras11	It Doesn't Mean A Thing It Doesn't Mean A Thing The Airborne Toxic Event · All At Once · Song · 2011 open.spotify.com
Annie Lennox	Mrs. Rannous	How Long? How Long? - Remastered Version Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart · We Too Are One · Song · 1989 open.spotify.com
Whitney Houston	Charlie Steiner	Memories Memories Material, Whitney Houston · Memories · Song · 1983 open.spotify.com
My Morning Jacket	landrys hat	I'm Amazed I'm Amazed My Morning Jacket · Evil Urges · Song · 2008 open.spotify.com
Robyn	John Maddens Lunchbox	My Only Reason - 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 My Only Reason Robyn, Johan Ekhé, Ulf Lindström · My Truth · Song · 1999 open.spotify.com
Tim Maia	Don Quixote	I Don’t Care - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. youtu.be I Don't Care Tim Maia · Tim Maia 1971 · Song · 1971 open.spotify.com
Parliament Funkadelic	Uruk-Hai	Mug Push Bootsy Collins - Mug Push (youtube.com)
Lord Huron	KarmaPolice	Lonesome Dreams Lonesome Dreams Lord Huron · Lord Huron - Spotify Session · Song · 2019 open.spotify.com
R.E.M.	Tuffnutt	The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite - 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	True Love Waits True Love Waits Radiohead · A Moon Shaped Pool · Song · 2016 open.spotify.com
Candlebox	Mt.Man	Stand Stand Candlebox · Into the Sun · Song · 2008 open.spotify.com
Eddie Vedder	Tau837	Love Boat Captain - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com
The Bee Gees	zamboni	Words Words Bee Gees · Horizontal (Deluxe Version) · Song · 1968 open.spotify.com
Fred Eaglesmith	Mister CIA	Cigarette Machine - 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 Cigarette Machine Fred Eaglesmith · 6Volts · Song · 2012 open.spotify.com
Ringo Starr	krista4	English Garden English Garden Ringo Starr · Ringorama · Song · 2003 open.spotify.com
Big Room/Deep Big Room	zazale	Kong Kong Laidback Luke, Carta · Kong · Song · 2021 open.spotify.com

 

[Pip's Invitation]

30. Mind Games
Album: Stages (1985)
Writers: Rik Emmett, Mike Levine and Gil Moore
Lead vocals: Gil Moore
Chart History: Did not chart
Video?: Yes
Lyrical category: Love/lust/breakup

Stages, released in 1985 and mostly recorded on the Thunder Seven tour the year before, was the only live album released in Triumph's lifetime, which seems like a missed opportunity given that so much of their popularity was due to their live show. It's as good a document as any as to what they sounded like in the early and mid '80s. But it also gave a sign of what the band was going to morph into.

At the end of the album are two studio songs that are far more polished than the live tracks that come before them. The first, "Mind Games," begins with a siren-like blast of guitars that gets your head nodding right away. Then it settles into the verses with an acoustic-guitar-and-synths-based arrangement interrupted by blasts of riffage. The chorus is instantly memorable and features some of Gil Moore's most expressive singing. Rik Emmett's guitar solo is Van Halen-like in its blasts and runs of sound. The last 2 minutes, everyone is firing on all cylinders and the music seems like a wave of joy (which is the complete opposite of the lyrics, which go beyond your standard breakup song material to highlight how terribly humans can treat each other in the guise of a relationship). The song deserved better than to be buried on side 4 of a live album and to get zero chart attention when released as a single; this may have been the first sign that MCA did not have the band's back as much as they were hoping for.

"Mind Games" is an outlier for being a studio song on a live album, but also because it is the only Triumph track with drums on it that are played by someone other than Gil Moore. He had an arm injury at the time of recording, so the stickwork is handled by Gary McCracken from the Canadian hard rock band Max Webster, which was fronted by MAD 2 artist Kim Mitchell.

"Mind Games" and the other studio track on Stages, "Empty Inside," have perhaps the most negative feelings in their lyrics among Triumph songs, which could be part of the reason why they were left off proper studio albums.

"Mind Games" is also notable for being the first Triumph video that is not performance-based. Of the band members, only lead singer Moore appears, in brief snippets. It's a classic case of a video director trying to be "arty" and it comes off extremely dated. If you want to experience the '80s-ness in all its glory, click on the link below. It got no traction on MTV and I wasn't aware of its existence until doing research for this countdown.

Perhaps ironically since it was released on an album that was otherwise almost entirely live, there are no documented concert performances of "Mind Games."

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX9HHEwpL0Q

At #29, the youngest song in the countdown -- but still old enough to be president, if it were American and a person.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#30 - Robyn - My Only Reason​

- YouTube

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m.youtube.com

Producer - Billy Mann/K-Fam
Writer - Robyn/Billy Mann
Chart Positions - #53 in Sweden
Album - My Truth
Year - 1999

Collaborator History - Mann cowrote 5 of the tracks and produced 3 on the second album. K-Fam produced 2 tracks on this album and has worked with Destiny’s Child and Boyz II Men to name 2. Mann has written or produced wth a lot of artists such as Pink, Cher, Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys, Hall and Oates and John Legend

Key Lyric -
I ask myself why I do this over and over again?
But with your pain
I still can't walk away until every chance gone
I'll be holding on
My only reason

Notes - High expectations were placed on Robyn’s second album. The first had been a global breakthrough that yielded big international hits. After that album she struggled with numerous personal issues including a teenage unplanned pregnancy which was terminated after 88 days. 2 of the tracks on this album reference her trauma, including the track 88 days. Due to the subject matter, the record company refused to release the album anywhere outside Scandinavia. Robyn was begged to rerecord lyrics or remove the two tracks, but she refused. It almost cost her her career.

Next up - The only track we will see from her most recent album, 2018’s Honey.

 

[Yo Mama]

Yes #30 - Soon
Album - Relayer (1974)

Soon was the single version of the final section of the 22-minute epic The Gates of Delirium, and is my one song selected from this album. TGoD was aptly based on the novel War and Peace (long song for a long book) and obviously went over my ten-minutes-or-less threshold, but Soon works as a standalone pretty well IMO.

Relayer was the band’s first album after keyboardist Rick Wakeman left, causing them to have a large audition to fill the void (which included Vangelis, which would have been crazy). They ultimately chose Patrick Moraz, who brought more of a jazz fusion sound to Yes for a couple years before he moved on to fellow MAD alumnus The Moody Blues.

 

[titusbramble]

#30 - True Love Waits

One of a handful of tracks now that we're upgraded from the "close, but last n out" list, this is the final track off their most recent album, a fairly minimalist track with just piano and Thom, and somewhat of a feeling that it might have fit better on previous albums. There's good reason for that, as the track has existed in various versions since at least the OK Computer era and plenty of live versions exist, with one variant being the basis of a different track on Amnesiac, and the track itself also appearing on early 00's live albums. Yet it took them near 20 years to get to a studio version they liked. Probably worth the wait

 

[zamboni]

30. Mind Games


Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX9HHEwpL0Q

If that video doesn't scream '80s, I don't know what does - lol. Among their many talents, they could cheese out with the rest of the music world.

As an aside, I listened yesterday to "New York City Streets - Part 1" from your last five out. I only heard that once before, but what an interesting deviation from them in stepping out of their comfort level.

 

[zamboni]

The Bee Gees

zamboni

Words Words Bee Gees · Horizontal (Deluxe Version) · Song · 1968 open.spotify.com

Shifting from the R&B-infused peppiness of "Jive Talkin'" in 1975, here we go back to the Bee Gees' earlier days in 1968 with the tender ballad "Words". With a trembling vibrato voice, Barry sings beautifully here without the harmonization of his brothers, accompanied by an elegant string arrangement. It also marked their initial venture into a new piano-based sound. Per Barry, he wrote this when he was going through a divorce and staying at manager Robert Stigwood's house, lamenting his failed relationship. The song was their third U.K. top 10 hit, albeit more modestly successful in the U.S. (#15 on the Billboard Hot 100), and never appeared on a released album (other than compilations). The song was originally written for Cliff Richard, but Cliff never got around to recording it because he wasn't making an album at the time. Rather than wasting the song, The Bee Gees decided to record it themselves.

Of note, Elvis Presley often performed the song live (with a bit faster tempo) as part of his concerts in the late '60s and early '70s:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[KarmaPolice]

#30: JOURNEY - RUBICON

- YouTube

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Rubicon (2023 Remaster)

Journey · Frontiers (2023 Remaster) · Song · 1983

open.spotify.com

Maybe Frontiers got a little shorted on the countdown, but the 5-6 songs I had from the album kept getting squeezed for earlier tunes. After I thought about it, I would give Frontiers something like a 7/10, as there were some songs I didn't dig. I didn't have that issue with the previous 7 albums and would have all those at closer to 9/10 albums. We still have 2 more left on the countdown, but after I knocked one out earlier, I was deciding between 3 songs from the album for the #30 tune. In the end I went heart and chose the album closer.

Next up we go to the next album for 1 of 2 from the last of the albums covered from the 80s.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Friend of the thread Lindsey Stirling was being featured on the Weather Channel this morning.

 

[zamboni]

#30: JOURNEY - RUBICON

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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Rubicon (2023 Remaster)

Journey · Frontiers (2023 Remaster) · Song · 1983

open.spotify.com

I always liked this deeper track off Frontiers. Kind of got lot lost in the shuffle amid all the big charters/MTV hits off the album. Lots of Jonathan Cain for you.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

30. Memories (from the One Down album by Material, 1982)

With her diploma in hand, Whitney's professional career officially kicked off, appearing as a session/backup singer, working with artists such as Lou Rawls and Chaka Khan as well as on her own mother's albums, when this offer--the first where she was the lead vocalist, came along.

The band Material is yet another new discovery for me, and I don't have much to say about them at this point, other than it was a talented band fluent in many genres, well-respected in professional circles and worked with a wide array of talent (Herbie Hancock and Public Image Ltd bookending the spectrum of artists who enlisted their help), while mostly flying under the mainstream radar, so getting to work with them was an honor in its own right, doubly so for a young unknown like 19 year-old Whitney.

Once again, Whitney's voice is in peak form on this tune and matches the vibe of the song perfectly, which is one aspect of her performances where she really separates from other great, powerful voices: if/when she ran up and down the scale with her voice, it was never forced or showy, dominating without calling attention to itself at the same time.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#30: LORD HURON - LONESOME DREAMS

- YouTube

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Lonesome Dreams

Lord Huron · Lonesome Dreams (Bonus Track Version) · Song · 2012

open.spotify.com

Programming note for @Mrs. Rannous and others who might use the spreadsheet links - I changed this one back to the album version. I think both are great, but I just liked the sound of the intro on the album cut and we have more live versions coming up. I wanted to start off with a track each from the first two albums, as this is the main sound they have and what I fell in love with. His songs have a mix of love, isolation, and otherworldness. Lonesome Dreams I listen to as much as Strange Trails, and as albums they sound great and the songs flow so well. Some of the many lyrics I dig in this one (I forgot to do this for the #31)

I land on an island coast
Where the only souls I see are ghosts
I run through a wooded isle
And I chase the sunlight mile after mile


And I feel I should know this place
As the road winds on into wide-open space
The wind plays a haunting tone
As I make my way through the night all alone


Next up: the most recent song on the list.

 

[Yambag]

30's PLAYLIST

#30's

Ryan Star

Yambag

Losing Your Memory Losing Your Memory R. Star · Songs From The Eye Of An Elephant · Song · 2005 open.spotify.com

One of Ryan’s most popular early songs and one that still hits me to this day. While Ryan states the song is not about any one thing, my relationship with the song changed over time. It meant one thing to me while going through my divorce, then took on new meaning when I started dating my current wife. This song was also featured on the Vampire Diaries.

 

[tuffnutt]

30.

The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite- R.E.M.
from Automatic for the People (1992)

REM’s “pop songs” are rarely amongst my favorites by the band, but “Sidewinder” is one of their better attempts at pop/radio friendly music and it is fun to see how the band both plays tribute to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and how they make into something completely unique yet still based on the older tune. While I wouldn’t consider this song a great song... it is a good song, especially considering is doesn’t really aspire to be great, just fun. One interesting note I found is that it was one of few R.E.M. songs they never performed live.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

The Eurythmics - How Long?

From their 1989 album We Too Are One.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Some of my favorites from the 31/30 round:

This is Radio Clash - The Clash
Kashmir - Lindsey Sterling
Soon - Yes
The Draize Train - The Smiths
Rubicon - Journey
Mind Games - Triumph
Knock 'Em Dead, Kid - Mötley Crüe
How Long? - Eurythmics

 

[Dr. Octopus]

30.

Song: Strangers
Artist: Golden Smog
Album: Another Fine Day
Year: 2006

If I live too long, I’m afraid I’ll die.

Golden Smog (not the Bill Callahan vehicle) is an alternative country-rock supergroup of loosely connected musicians mostly from the Minneapolis area. At various times members of Soul Asylum, The Replacements, Wilco, The Jayhawks, Run Westy Run, The Honeydogs, and Big Star have worked with Golden Smog. Given the fluid collaborative nature of Golden Smog the lineup has often changed, but relative constant members who appear on all the recordings are guitarists Kraig Johnson (Run Westy Run), Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum), and Gary Louris (The Jayhawks) along with bassist Marc Perlman (The Jayhawks).

The group took their name from a nickname given to Fred Flintstone in The Flintstones episode "Hot Lips Hannigan", which, in turn, was a parody of singer Mel Tormé's nickname (The Velvet Fog).

This is a cover of the Kinks classic from 1970 sung by Jeff. It doesn’t steer far from the original but shows off Jeff’s expressive vocals.

 

[jwb]

Mötley Crüe

JWB

Knock 'Em Dead, Kid Knock 'Em Dead, Kid Mötley Crüe · Shout At The Devil · Song · 1983 open.spotify.com

The Crüe's songs are typically about one of three basic themes: Girls/sex, Partying, or Fighting. This catchy tune is about fighting.

It's off their breakthrough Shout at the Devil album, and probably would have been a bigger song if not for some others that will appear higher up. Legend has it that bassist Nikki Sixx got into a fight with some bikers who turned out to be undercover LAPD, and they tuned him up. But it probably makes for a good story, and he got a song out of it, so it was a decent tradeoff.

 

[Don Quixote]

Tim Maia

Don Quixote

I Don’t Care - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. youtu.be I Don't Care Tim Maia · Tim Maia 1971 · Song · 1971 open.spotify.com

Another one in English to help kick things off. This one features another common element of Tim Maia’s songs, which is the increasing vocal resonance and power until he unleashes his voice. I was watching a YouTube video by a vocal coach dissecting one of Tim Maia’s songs recently (the song of his that I included in the covers countdown), and she has a jaw-dropping reaction when he reaches that moment in that song. This one is not as drastic, but I know when Tim Maia reaches that moment (and his backing band kicks it into high gear), whether it’s English or Portuguese, I’m just along the ride, and I don’t care.

 

[Tau837]

Eddie Vedder

Tau837

Love Boat Captain - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com

"Love Boat Captain" is a song by Pearl Jam from their album "Riot Act," released in November 2002. Written by Eddie, the track deals with themes of loss, longing, and the search for guidance amidst turmoil.

Musically, "Love Boat Captain" features a slow, reflective tempo, characterized by a melodic interplay of guitars and a prominent piano arrangement. Eddie's emotive vocal delivery adds to the song's depth, creating a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. The instrumentation builds gradually, enhancing the emotional impact of the lyrics.

The song's lyrics reflect feelings of vulnerability and a yearning for direction, using nautical imagery to symbolize life's journey. The title itself evokes the concept of a guiding figure—someone who can lead you safely through stormy waters. This theme reflects the need for connection and support in difficult times. Despite the struggles depicted, the song carries an underlying message of hope and the possibility of renewal. The acknowledgment of changing tides symbolizes the potential for growth and transformation.

Eddie wrote his lyrics after attending a funeral -- and the results, fittingly, tap into national mourning (given the recency of the September 11 attacks) and the grief Pearl Jam experienced after their 2000 concert at Denmark's Roskilde Festival, where nine people were killed in the chaos of fans rushing to the stage. "Lost nine friends we'll never know, two years ago today," Eddie Vedder sings. "And if our lives become too long, would it add to our regret?"

Those themes resonate each time the band unearths "Love Boat Captain" onstage, allowing Eddie to update the message and address relevant social issues. In a 2015 show in Brazil, he dedicated the track to the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks, changing the lyric "lost nine friends we'll never know" to "lost 90 friends we'll never know" -- a reference to those slain at the Eagles of Death Metal show.

"Love Boat Captain" received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised its heartfelt lyrics and the emotional weight carried by Eddie's performance. The song has become a staple in Pearl Jam's live performances, often resonating deeply with audiences due to its relatable themes of love, loss, and resilience.

 

[Mt. Man]

Candlebox #30
Song: Stand
Album: Into the Sun (2008)

(official video) CANDLEBOX - Stand (Official Video)
(live version) Candlebox - Stand - Live at Artpark in Lewiston, NY (Buffalo) on 8/17/24

So you prey on the loneliest cubs in this zoo
All the weak and unknowing
Just clay, you can mold and conform them the rules
We must break in bad habits

–
I’ll note up front that the official video is on the level of Talking Heads’ “(Nothing But) Flowers” as far as having politically charged messages. So I’ll let that speak for itself. It does tie into the message of the song, asking the listener to stand up for themselves and what they believe in.

That all said, this song makes it onto the list more for its vibe. The guitar work from Klett, Hennessy and Kury is enough to push it up for me. Then there’s Kevin Martin’s voice, calm during the main sections then loud and energetic when it needs to be. We’re low enough in the rankings that the songs aren’t unconditionally loved, but I’ve always appreciated the groove, the high tempo rock song that this is. I’m not alone on this, as it hit #15 on the Mainstream Rock chart, one of a few that charted after the 90s.

Next on the countdown, we go to the first album, where the title has nothing to do with using a phone.

 

[kupcho1]

The Clash

kupcho1

Garageland Garageland - Remastered The Clash · The Clash (Remastered) · Song · 1977 open.spotify.com

Man did I have a tough time ranking these songs. I think it's a reflection of just how damn good their debut (The Clash, natch) is. Garageland is the 1st from that record, but rest assured, it won't be the last.

In addition to being musically tight, it's a good statement of the Clash's ethos

I don't wanna hear about what the rich are doin'
I don't wanna go to where, where the rich are goin'
They think they're so clever, they think they're so right
But the truth is only known by guttersnipes

They're not really touching on the international themes they'd hit later on, but they do show some social awareness. I think this is also why they get grouped with the Jam. Both debuts released in 1977. The big difference - and frankly why I think the Jam were never quite as big as the Clash - was the Jam stayed local. (I love both, so don't bash me!)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this banger. I was happy to see that a few of you aren't all that familiar with the group. I hope my list changes that.

 

[kupcho1]

Friend of the thread Lindsey Stirling was being featured on the Weather Channel this morning.

I see you got the new Madlibs.

 

[Mister CIA]

Mötley Crüe

JWB

Knock 'Em Dead, Kid Knock 'Em Dead, Kid Mötley Crüe · Shout At The Devil · Song · 1983 open.spotify.com

The Crüe's songs are typically about one of three basic themes: Girls/sex, Partying, or Fighting. This catchy tune is about fighting.

But can they pack all three into one song?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

#30 Bootsy Collins - "Mug Push"

This is one of the last radio hits from Bootsy's first run as a recording headliner. Like most of his songs, it's got goofy vocals and silly sound effects. It also features this weird thing he'd do by creating an alter ego on each album with funny names (each of whom sounded exactly like Bootsy Collins). I have no idea what the name "Mug Push" means, but some of the lyrics make me not want to know. Anyway, it's funky and fun.

Up next, Funkadelic goes prog.

 

[Yo Mama]

#30: JOURNEY - RUBICON

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Rubicon (2023 Remaster)

Journey · Frontiers (2023 Remaster) · Song · 1983

open.spotify.com

Maybe Frontiers got a little shorted on the countdown, but the 5-6 songs I had from the album kept getting squeezed for earlier tunes. After I thought about it, I would give Frontiers something like a 7/10, as there were some songs I didn't dig. I didn't have that issue with the previous 7 albums and would have all those at closer to 9/10 albums. We still have 2 more left on the countdown, but after I knocked one out earlier, I was deciding between 3 songs from the album for the #30 tune. In the end I went heart and chose the album closer.

Next up we go to the next album for 1 of 2 from the last of the albums covered from the 80s.

I played the crap out of this album back in the day, and Rubicon was one of my favorites. Love this.

 

[Raging weasel]

Mötley Crüe

JWB

Knock 'Em Dead, Kid Knock 'Em Dead, Kid Mötley Crüe · Shout At The Devil · Song · 1983 open.spotify.com

The Crüe's songs are typically about one of three basic themes: Girls/sex, Partying, or Fighting. This catchy tune is about fighting.

But can they pack all three into one song?

Girls,Girls,Girls

 

[Scoresman]

The Walkmen #30 (Scoresman # 3) - Heaven​

This is the title track of what would become their last album. I tried looking up info about this song, but all google gives me is stuff about the How I Met Your Mother finale because apparently this song was used in it. I just think it's a really pleasant tune with a cool meaning. A song that's almost impossible to dislike.

Most people think this is a song about The Walkmen themselves. Most of the band members have been friends or knew each other since high school. The song and the whole album really feels very personal. The album sleeve contains photos of the band members with their spouses and kids. There's a feeling in this song of "We made it", let's appreciate and not let this feeling go away. Unfortunately, this would end up being their last album.

Up next we start the proper ranked ordering of worst -> best.

 

[-OZ-]

Lindsey Stirling

-oz-

The arena The Arena Lindsey Stirling · Brave Enough · Song · 2016 open.spotify.com

The first of five from Lindsey’s 2016 release, “brave enough” which ended up as my 3rd ranked album. The album is composed of six instrumental tracks and eight tracks with featured vocalists. The other four in this countdown include vocals.

One of the great things about instrumentals is your imagination fills the visuals more readily than with most lyrics.

Her official video is very Mad Max esque.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

This is instrumental song 2/9 before we move on to the collaborations, of which there will be 8 before holiday music and we’ll complete the countdown with my true top 5.

Next up will be the first from her 4th best album.

Edited, because math.

 

[Mister CIA]

I thought I'd do write-ups in this thread, at least early on while interia allows it, but I ran across this little essay by Mary Gautier (name is familar, but can't quite place it) about Fred Eaglesmith's song, Cigarette Machine. I'd rather share her words than mine. https://www.marygauthier.com/news/behind-the-song-cigarette-machine

“Cigarette Machine” is the story of a haunted but lovable fellow whose pain I can feel, and whose skin I am comfortable inhabiting on stage. He is haunted by lost love, haunted by sorrow, haunted by failure, haunted by the ghost of his former self, and trying make a life in a world that no longer makes sense to him.

For a moment, I thought the song was about me, but I can't relate to any of that.

 

[Raging weasel]

The 30's

Known and liked songs
Rubicon
Automatic Flowers
Knock 'Em Dead,Kid
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
Love Boat Captain
Words

New to me likes
Soon
In Your Mind
The Draize Train
Strangers- has a Lennon vibe/sound to it
Mind Games- never listened to the live album you mentioned in the write up I didn't read
I'm Amazed
Mug Push
Stand

 

[MAC_32]

Lindsey Stirling

-oz-

The arena The Arena Lindsey Stirling · Brave Enough · Song · 2016 open.spotify.com

The first of five from Lindsey’s 2016 release, “brave enough” which ended up as my 3rd ranked album. The album is composed of six instrumental tracks and eight tracks with featured vocalists. The other four in this countdown include vocals.

One of the great things about instrumentals is your imagination fills the visuals more readily than with most lyrics.

Her official video is very Mad Max esque.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

This is instrumental song 2/9 before we move on to the collaborations, of which there will be 8 before holiday music and we’ll complete the countdown with my true top 5.

Next up will be the first from her 4th best album.

Edited, because math.

I think I'm gonna like a lot of this Ms. Stirling

 

[MAC_32]

Our Lady Peace

MAC

Automatic Flowers - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com

This song wasn't my gateway to the band, but it was the first one that really slapped me across the face and got my attention. A fitting opener of that first concert I ever went to as well.

I've talked before in posts no one reads how I am sound first, lyrics second. This was no exception. The signature OLP sound grabs my attention, the bass takes hold, and the energy leading into the final verse finishes the job. But the lyrics. This was the first OLP song that really got me thinking about lyrical messaging. Most of Raine's lyrics are intentionally ambiguous, but I think he was a lot more overt with this one and it was by design. And 15 year old me says thank you

Sarah thinks she's died here once before
She's crazy
A pop-up book of flowers from grade four
Are driving her insane

That pop-up book is her life and what it could be. But instead she wallows in her own solitary sadness. Drunk. Paralyzed. And no one can help her. So instead, whenever she needs to feel happy, instead of going out and grabbing life by the horns, she opens her book and the garden blooms on command. How I listened to music didn't change once I made that connection, but how I listened to OLP's music did.

 

[Yo Mama]

Round 30 favorites (playlist order)

Known to me (not a lot known to me)
- Journey

New to me
- R. Star
- Built to Spill (2/2 for me so far)
- Triumph
- Whitney Houston - hadn’t heard any of her really early stuff before, you could catch some glimpses of the power she would later bring
- Robyn - at first I wondered who snuck a TLC song on the playlist
- Tim Maia

Another fun list.

 

[tuffnutt]

Our Lady Peace

MAC

Automatic Flowers - YouTube Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. www.youtube.com

This song wasn't my gateway to the band...

I'm not sure I remember what song I first heard from OLP... But I do remember it was on the MUCHMUSIC station out of Canada that my roomates and I got on our satellite. The sound was unique to me and I was instantly a fan.

 

[Zegras11]

Firing up the 30s and playing omaha 8 at the Wynn. Life is good.

 

[tuffnutt]

30s

Known Favorites:

True Love Waits- Radiohead- Glad this one made the list. one of my personal favs
Automatic Flowers- Our Lady's Peace- This one would be in my Top 10
Stand- Candlebox-

Unknown Favorites:

Heaven- The Walkman- Love the sound of this one
Lonesome Dreams- Lord Huron- Ok... I can tell Im going to really like these guys
Cigarette Machine- Fred Eaglesmith- 2 for 2. If this one is only #30 cant wait to hear his top 10

Honorable Mention- How Long? -The Eurythmics - I remember some of their stuff from back in the day, but not tis one. Like it quite a bit

 

[titusbramble]

Firing up the 30s and playing omaha 8 at the Wynn. Life is good.

wait there is O8 somewhere other than the Orleans?

 

[Eephus]

30. Memories (from the One Down album by Material, 1982)

With her diploma in hand, Whitney's professional career officially kicked off, appearing as a session/backup singer, working with artists such as Lou Rawls and Chaka Khan as well as on her own mother's albums, when this offer--the first where she was the lead vocalist, came along.

The band Material is yet another new discovery for me, and I don't have much to say about them at this point, other than it was a talented band fluent in many genres, well-respected in professional circles and worked with a wide array of talent (Herbie Hancock and Public Image Ltd bookending the spectrum of artists who enlisted their help), while mostly flying under the mainstream radar, so getting to work with them was an honor in its own right, doubly so for a young unknown like 19 year-old Whitney.

Once again, Whitney's voice is in peak form on this tune and matches the vibe of the song perfectly, which is one aspect of her performances where she really separates from other great, powerful voices: if/when she ran up and down the scale with her voice, it was never forced or showy, dominating without calling attention to itself at the same time.

This is the song I was trying to spotlight when you picked Whitney.

Some of Material's and Bill Laswell's other stuff hasn't aged well but the scratching and synthesized percussion was fresh when it came out. Thankfully "Memories" has none of that which gives the song a more timeless quality.

 

[Eephus]

Friend of the thread Lindsey Stirling was being featured on the Weather Channel this morning.

I see you got the new Madlibs.

:laughing reaction:

 

[Eephus]

I ran across this little essay by Mary Gautier (name is familar, but can't quite place it)

Gauthier is a singer/songwriter who was popular in Americana/Roots circles in the 2000s

 

[Charlie Steiner]

30. Memories (from the One Down album by Material, 1982)

With her diploma in hand, Whitney's professional career officially kicked off, appearing as a session/backup singer, working with artists such as Lou Rawls and Chaka Khan as well as on her own mother's albums, when this offer--the first where she was the lead vocalist, came along.

The band Material is yet another new discovery for me, and I don't have much to say about them at this point, other than it was a talented band fluent in many genres, well-respected in professional circles and worked with a wide array of talent (Herbie Hancock and Public Image Ltd bookending the spectrum of artists who enlisted their help), while mostly flying under the mainstream radar, so getting to work with them was an honor in its own right, doubly so for a young unknown like 19 year-old Whitney.

Once again, Whitney's voice is in peak form on this tune and matches the vibe of the song perfectly, which is one aspect of her performances where she really separates from other great, powerful voices: if/when she ran up and down the scale with her voice, it was never forced or showy, dominating without calling attention to itself at the same time.

This is the song I was trying to spotlight when you picked Whitney.

Some of Material's and Bill Laswell's other stuff hasn't aged well but the scratching and synthesized percussion was fresh when it came out. Thankfully "Memories" has none of that which gives the song a more timeless quality.

I thought her duet appearance with Teddy Pendergrass (which appeared on his album first as well as on her debut album) was her first recorded appearance. Boy was I wrong.

I agree with your thoughts about this song; 'timeless' was one of the first words that came to my mind as well.

 

[Eephus]

Johnny Marr #30 / Smiths #10 - The Smiths - "The Draize Train (Live version)"

Kicking off The Smith's sub-countdown with one of their three instrumentals. I'm doing this partly to be cheeky because there's no Morrissey on it but also because it anticipates Johnny's direction towards dance music. It also reflects the influence Johnny's favorite guitar player Nile Rodgers had on his playing. Marr reveres Rodgers so much that he named his son Nile.

I guess it's inevitable that The Smiths will primarily be known as Morrissey's band. After all, he was the frontman and a great provider of quotable material for the music press. But they were also Johnny's band; he started them and was the first to leave. The rest of the band had a brief go without him but it wasn't the same. Band dynamics are always fragile as illustrated by The Smiths splintering at the peak of their global success.

"The Draize Train" marks the only appearance in the countdown for Craig Gannon who was a second guitarist for a brief period near the end of the band's run. If you believe Marr and Morrissey, Gannon was hired to play bass when Andy Rourke's drug habit got out of control but switched to guitar after Rourke was reinstated. Rourke and Gannon both deny this; in their version Gannon was brought in as a guitarist straight away. His presence allows the band to layer the guitar parts in this live version which I much prefer to the studio release. The live version was recorded on one of the band's final concerts. Gannon was let go after The Queen is Dead tour and didn't participate in the sessions for their last album Strangeways Here We Come.

The Draize Train - Live in London, 1986

The Smiths · Rank · Song · 1988

open.spotify.com

 

[Scoresman]

True Love Waits is great but I vastly prefer the acoustic live/B side version of the song that was kicking around since The Bends. Seems to have much more emotion and feeling to it. Regardless, glad it made the list.