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MAD - Artist - Round 4 - #1's have been posted (6 Viewers)

I took a sign language class in college, and for my final exam I had to sign along with the song of my choice. I chose Open Arms by Journey, mainly because the tempo of the lyrics was pretty slow and easy to keep up with.

Well, I wasn’t the confident and put-together Yo Mama back then that I am today, so I was super nervous and waited to be one of the last people to do my song. Adding to the pressure was the fact that there was a lovely young lady in class that I was hoping to show that there I was by her side.

Anyways, when I get nervous I sweat. A lot. By the time I went up to do my song I had some massive sweat stains in my armpits that I unfortunately was aware of. Guess what my signs were every time the words Open Arms came up. That’s right, I had to slowly and emphatically open my arms out wide for all to see.

I ended up getting a B for my efforts due to the lackluster opening of my arms to try and minimize the damage, and I was too embarrassed to ever pursue that lovely young lady.

Good song though.
Should have followed up with another album cut.

(Apologies if this is still to come, Karma)
Nah, that was a last 5 out i believe.
 
I took a sign language class in college, and for my final exam I had to sign along with the song of my choice. I chose Open Arms by Journey, mainly because the tempo of the lyrics was pretty slow and easy to keep up with.

Well, I wasn’t the confident and put-together Yo Mama back then that I am today, so I was super nervous and waited to be one of the last people to do my song. Adding to the pressure was the fact that there was a lovely young lady in class that I was hoping to show that there I was by her side.

Anyways, when I get nervous I sweat. A lot. By the time I went up to do my song I had some massive sweat stains in my armpits that I unfortunately was aware of. Guess what my signs were every time the words Open Arms came up. That’s right, I had to slowly and emphatically open my arms out wide for all to see.

I ended up getting a B for my efforts due to the lackluster opening of my arms to try and minimize the damage, and I was too embarrassed to ever pursue that lovely young lady.

Good song though.
Napoleon Dynamite?
Totally
Hey, gimme some of your tots.
 
I took a sign language class in college, and for my final exam I had to sign along with the song of my choice. I chose Open Arms by Journey, mainly because the tempo of the lyrics was pretty slow and easy to keep up with.

Well, I wasn’t the confident and put-together Yo Mama back then that I am today, so I was super nervous and waited to be one of the last people to do my song. Adding to the pressure was the fact that there was a lovely young lady in class that I was hoping to show that there I was by her side.

Anyways, when I get nervous I sweat. A lot. By the time I went up to do my song I had some massive sweat stains in my armpits that I unfortunately was aware of. Guess what my signs were every time the words Open Arms came up. That’s right, I had to slowly and emphatically open my arms out wide for all to see.

I ended up getting a B for my efforts due to the lackluster opening of my arms to try and minimize the damage, and I was too embarrassed to ever pursue that lovely young lady.

Good song though.
Should have followed up with another album cut.

(Apologies if this is still to come, Karma)
Nah, that was a last 5 out i believe.
Also a good song. Perry in peak form.
 
I took a sign language class in college, and for my final exam I had to sign along with the song of my choice. I chose Open Arms by Journey, mainly because the tempo of the lyrics was pretty slow and easy to keep up with.

Well, I wasn’t the confident and put-together Yo Mama back then that I am today, so I was super nervous and waited to be one of the last people to do my song. Adding to the pressure was the fact that there was a lovely young lady in class that I was hoping to show that there I was by her side.

Anyways, when I get nervous I sweat. A lot. By the time I went up to do my song I had some massive sweat stains in my armpits that I unfortunately was aware of. Guess what my signs were every time the words Open Arms came up. That’s right, I had to slowly and emphatically open my arms out wide for all to see.

I ended up getting a B for my efforts due to the lackluster opening of my arms to try and minimize the damage, and I was too embarrassed to ever pursue that lovely young lady.

Good song though.
Next time I recommend Beer 30. Added bonus: Lends itself well to air guitar.
 
EaglesmithMister CIATwin City Mini
I mostly chose the same versions of the songs for Spotify and YouTube, but there are a few where I chose he studio version for one (typically Youtube) and a live version on Spotify. Seemed like a good idea at the time, variety and all that, but now I realize there are a few songs where the studio recording is the better/defining version, and Twin City Mini is one such song.

I'm not sure the proper phrasing, but the production brought to bear in the studio version is a major driver of the picks I've made, mostly because of the shine it puts on the guitar picking; the vocal reverb hits too. Any way, please check out the studio version too.

 
Got a playlist title so this better be a good one 😆

The 21's

Known and liked songs

Changes
The Late Greats
Open Arms
In the Night
Begin the Begin
Gone
La De Da

New to me likes
Career Opportunities
World I Used to Know
Big Dipper
London
Not Enough
The Winning Side
The Dance is Over
Rumpofsteelskin
Blossom
Tralfagar

Pretty strong round!
How convenient. ;)
 
Got it, I looked at the dark mode thingy for you weirdos. I like a little flair in my posts, so I will go with red, since it looks like that stood out well for both when I toggled it.
 
I'm normally dark mode for everything on my phone and light mode for everything on my laptop (because it illuminates the keys a little better). I remember trying dark mode for FBG on my phone a few years ago but it switched my laptop display as well which was a bridge too far for me.

One thing I've changed recently is running Twitter in dark mode and Bluesky in light. The apps look so much alike that I was having trouble keeping the tabs straight.
 
21.

Begin the Begin- R.E.M.
from Life's Rich Pageant (1986)


The opening track on R.E.M.’s fourth LP Lifes Rich Pageant, “Begin the Begin” sounded like nothing the band had done before. It's one of the band’s first full-tilt rock songs. Within a couple seconds of the intro, it feels like this song would be different from their previous ones. It’s not the heaviest or fastest song they’ve ever written, but it’s certainly one of the most aggressive. On one hand, it seems designed to shake the listener out of their apathy, and on the other, it’s meant to inspire and motivate. “Begin The Begin” isn’t a passive sort of protest song, it’s not just some bitter commentary on the poor state of the world; it’s a call to arms. That message resonates just as much today as it did in 1986.
Knowing my tastes, no surprise, but by far my #1 R.E.M. cut
 
21.

Begin the Begin- R.E.M.
from Life's Rich Pageant (1986)


The opening track on R.E.M.’s fourth LP Lifes Rich Pageant, “Begin the Begin” sounded like nothing the band had done before. It's one of the band’s first full-tilt rock songs. Within a couple seconds of the intro, it feels like this song would be different from their previous ones. It’s not the heaviest or fastest song they’ve ever written, but it’s certainly one of the most aggressive. On one hand, it seems designed to shake the listener out of their apathy, and on the other, it’s meant to inspire and motivate. “Begin The Begin” isn’t a passive sort of protest song, it’s not just some bitter commentary on the poor state of the world; it’s a call to arms. That message resonates just as much today as it did in 1986.
Knowing my tastes, no surprise, but by far my #1 R.E.M. cut

Today's fun with Spotify lyrics.

Let's begin again like Martin Luthers in
 
Thoughts on the #21s from artists I know well:

Yes -- "Changes" is my favorite song from 90125 -- and from the Trevor Rabin era overall. It's the most "Yes"-like track on 90125 in that it incorporates their '70s dynamics into their '80s sound. I saw this performed at both my Yes shows, on the Big Generator tour and the Union tour.

Tweedy/Wilco -- "The Late Greats" is weirdly placed on A Ghost Is Born, coming after the lengthy sound-effects freakout "Less Than You Think" and then ending the album. It feels like a hidden track even though it isn't. It's got excellent riffs that the band makes great use of in concert.

My Morning Jacket -- "The Way That He Sings" is the first MMJ song I ever heard and is my favorite from At Dawn. A live version was included on an ATO Records sampler that was given out to everyone who attended the Beck/Flaming Lips show on Halloween in 2002 in NYC. I told my friend, who I knew was a MMJ fan (he saw their first show in Philly, which was one of the first shows they played outside of Kentucky or Chicago), and within a week he burned me a copy of At Dawn.

P-Funk -- "Rumpofsteelskin" seems like a pr0n title as opposed to a song title. This probably won't make sense to anyone, but I always thought there were some similarities between some of the P-Funk songs from this era and contemporary songs from Frank Zappa. Particularly in the melodies and the vocal arrangements, but also in how much is going on in the background, relentlessly. Plus they were both completely out there lyrically*. This is one of those songs where I feel it.

Bee Gees -- "Trafalgar" is another I hadn't heard before today. The vocal is VERY Beatley. Maurice sounds a lot like Lennon here. And the music could pass for a Rubber Soul track.

* - I saw a "the making of the album" special on Zappa's Over-nite Sensation (1974), and it included footage of him saying that he only wrote lyrics because his label wouldn't market him as rock unless he did (otherwise they would market him as jazz). So he wrote the most ridiculous lyrics possible to spite them.
 
26. Shadows on the Wall from Rewind Forward (2023)

Previously ranked - N/A

This is my third and final selection, after Miss Jean and Feeling the Sunlight, from Ringo's 2023 EP, Rewind Forward. The only song from that EP that didn't make my list or Last Five Out is the title track. This one was written by Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams of Toto, who also contributed guitar and backing vocals, respectively. I think a review I read of the EP sums up this song much better than I could: "bendy, wendy...would sound like an Oasis song from the Gallagher brothers if the Gallagher brothers didn’t already sound so much like the Beatles."
This is the most musically interesting track from Ringo I've heard since the '70s.
 
The Bee GeeszamboniTrafalgar
The title track of their 1971 album, the mellow "Trafalgar" marks a rare lead vocal by Maurice (also on drums here), who did not get too many opportunities to flash his underrated vocals. For the longest time, I didn't even know what his voice sounded like, as the three-part harmonies have always been dominated by the more powerful and noticeable voices of Barry and Robin. This song definitely has some Beatle-esque vibes to it, once again paying homage to their British buddies, and Maurice sounding a bit like John Lennon here. I read a few comments likening this to "Across the Universe" and I can see that somewhat.

Love this song, and really love Maurice's, as you said, underrated vocals. :heart:
 
@Dr. Octopus -- my hotel is near "the Wilco buildings".

I've never heard anyone refer to them like this, but I assume you are talking about the corn cobs (Marina City)?

Just realized we talked about your trip here. I'm in town now, but have my BFF visiting, and I leave begrudgingly in about 24 hours for a week-long work trip. Think you'll be back in March, right? See you then!
 
A little behind due to life being the suck!

22. Coming Undone from Change the World (2021)

Previously ranked - N/A

Another Linda Perry joint, and likely ranked higher than it should have been due to the presence of Trombone Shorty. It's my highest ranked "new" song, and yeah, if he were "Saxophone Shorty," his points for alliteration would be well outweighed by the sax. As it is, I love him and I love the horns and there you go.


21. La De Da from Vertical Man (1998)

Previously ranked #22 - prior write-up below

Vertical Man
was Ringo’s 13th studio album and his first with Mark Hudson, who would become his producer and co-writer until their falling out in 2007. The record was engineered by long-time Beatle engineer Geoff Emerick. This was Ringo’s first studio album in six years, and it was timed and promoted to take advantage of a renewed interest in the Beatles as a result of the Anthology projects. Unfortunately it didn’t work out for Ringo, as the album sales disappointed despite decent critical reception, peaking at #61 in the US.

We’re used to seeing an all-star(r) cast on Ringo albums, but this one might take the cake. In addition to the usual such as Joe Walsh and Steve Cropper, performers on this record included Steven Tyler, Tom Petty, Alanis Morissette, Ozzy Osbourne, Scott Weiland, and Brian Wilson. Further, both Paul and George appeared on this album, with George contributing slide guitar on two songs and Paul providing bass and backing vocals on this one. Despite all that star power – which included Petty, Tyler, and Morissette on a cover of “Drift Away” – this is the only song from the album that I’ve selected for the countdown.

On this album, Ringo decided he wanted mostly to include his own compositions, so other than the aforementioned “Drift Away” and a cover of “Love Me Do,” all songs are Ringo’s. It’s not a bad record; another that you could easily put on while lazing away with a cocktail outside on a summer day. The title of the album reflects its sunniness – it came from a book of poems where Ringo saw the line, “Let’s hear it for the vertical man, so much praise is given to the horizontal one.” Ringo adopted this to relay his thanks for having been close to horizontal in his days of drug and alcohol abuse and his commitment to being a “vertical man” by adopting a more positive and clean lifestyle. Seems to have worked for him, given how he looks at 80!

The song I’ve selected is just a fun sing-along, with some great Ringo-ing and a better-than-usual vocal from him on the verses, then a 46-person chorus on the sing-along refrains. One funny (to me) aspect is a strange mix such that ~2:36 and again ~3:35 Paul is suddenly so loud and prominent in the chorus that it sounds like he’s standing right next to me.

Another hilarious (to me) bit is such a typical Ringo story. Apparently he’d neglected to pay rent during the recording sessions, and when the landlord’s assistant showed up at the studio demanding payment, he asked her what instruments she played. When she told him cello, he had her go get her cello, and she joined them on the recording for the title track. Credits include Nina Piaseckyj – cello.

By the way, the video for this was meant to be filmed at Shea Stadium, but a downpour changed the plan. Instead, they just put Ringo with a big umbrella in the middle of NYC and filmed his interactions with people. Charming video.
 
I am going to get behind in writeups again because I am in Chicago for a conference.

@Dr. Octopus -- my hotel is near "the Wilco buildings".

I'm even more behind on the playlists, but I am listening to #26 while I prep for tomorrow. Electronic's "Late at Night" and Journey's "Midnight Dreamer" are immediate winners for me.
I'm guessing you mean the Marina Towers.

I see K4 has a different name for them.
 
21. Big Dipper - There's Nothing Wrong With Love (1994)

This is the first song on my playlist from the 1st of their "big 3" from the 90's---along with Perfect From Now On ('97) and Keep It Like a Secret ('99).

After spending way too may hours listening to all of their albums preparing for this thread, I think this is my overall favorite album---but those other 2 plus a wild card 4th are still in the running.

Many songs from all 4 are still to come.....
 
P-Funk -- "Rumpofsteelskin" seems like a pr0n title as opposed to a song title. This probably won't make sense to anyone, but I always thought there were some similarities between some of the P-Funk songs from this era and contemporary songs from Frank Zappa. Particularly in the melodies and the vocal arrangements, but also in how much is going on in the background, relentlessly. Plus they were both completely out there lyrically*. This is one of those songs where I feel it.
I've found the simplest way to describe P-Funk to newcomers is that they are a combination of Zappa, Hendrix, and Sly Stone. Throw in the gospel, doo w0p, Beatles, James Brown, the Haight bands, and Motown influences, though, and it gets mind-melting.

I'm sure I've told this story here before (maybe in this very thread!), but I was backstage at a P-Funk concert the night they tried to shock the world with Sly Stone coming out of the Mothership. Sly was in a down period (that he has stayed in, artistically) and George was trying to jump-start his career by incorporating him into the group. This would have been a brilliant move, except Sly wasn't up to the task. I'm pretty sure it was Shider who had to take his place last-minute. Of course, given what was happening to the group, I don't know that they were the best "sponsors" for Stone's recovery :lol:

There's no doubt in my mind that, had he lived, Hendrix would have worked with members of P-Funk in some fashion. Jimi's imprint is all over the guitar playing by Eddie Hazel, Mike Hampton, & Shider. Early Funkadelic's version of the blues was lifted directly from Jimi. And Bootsy modeled his whole singing style from him.

Zappa is the most interesting comparison to me, though. The connections between Frank and George are endlessly fascinating to me. Their bands were loaded with ringers. They both made surface-silly music that was incredibly complex. A ton of their music was satirical. I know they had to be listening to one another.

I would've loved to hear a P-Funk version of "Valley Girl". With Bootsy doing Moon Unit's vocal, of course. But, then, I have something coming up later in the reveals that isn't far from it and was a few years ahead of Frank's song.
 
@Dr. Octopus -- my hotel is near "the Wilco buildings".

I've never heard anyone refer to them like this, but I assume you are talking about the corn cobs (Marina City)?

Just realized we talked about your trip here. I'm in town now, but have my BFF visiting, and I leave begrudgingly in about 24 hours for a week-long work trip. Think you'll be back in March, right? See you then!
Yes, the corn cobs, as seen on the cover of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

I am indeed returning in late March for another conference.
 
red EaglesmithMister CIATwin City Mini
Heard the mandolin. I'm a sucker for those, too. Also like it as a quasi-car guy.:drive:
 
Oh man, I completely forgot to post pet updates. We ended up with another cat about a month ago. I had healed enough from Ripper leaving too soon to miss having something with fur to pet. There was a persian cat I was eyeing up in the area that was at a foster company and they were having an event, so we went there with the off chance that she was there. Instead, we met THIS guy. We wanted another weird name (Ripper's name was actually Dr. Rupert Fluffenstein). He took to me right away so I said I wanted his initials to be PTA. What we all came up with is: Purrcival Toebeans Ainsworth III, or Purrcy. :bag:

:wub:

In my expert opinion, orange male tabby cats are the best cats.
@krista4 Asking for a friend: have you ever come across one that has weird murderous tendencies and/or had you convinced it was a previous cat reincarnated? :oldunsure:
 
Listened to the #21 playlist. Other than my own song:
  • Favorites already known to me:
    • Yes - Changes -- my all-time favorite Yes song
    • R.E.M. - Begin the Begin -- top 5 R.E.M. for me
  • Favorites new to me:
    • The Walkmen - Canadian Girl
    • Lindsey Stirling, Royal & the Serpent - Inner Gold -- Lindsey has been a revelation to me in this countdown
    • Our Lady Peace - Not Enough
Solid playlist.
 
Candlebox #21
Song: Blossom
Album: Candlebox (1993)


(Youtube version) Candlebox-Blossom
(Live version) Candlebox “Blossom” Live (02/10/19) - YouTube

See I'll show you things never seen before
For your mind to untangle
On your own, all alone



At its heart, “Blossom” is a love song. Though past that, it’s rather up for interpretation. There’s this sentiment of watching a partner who you find to be special day after day, to the point they always ‘blossom’ as you grow old(er) together. But the lyrics also talk about (fear of) losing them, leading to the idea of a relationship ending. Or perhaps a child growing old and setting off on their own life. Personally, I lean towards the first of these three, but make your own call.

As I’ve shown so far, Candlebox wasn’t afraid to branch out. To be a rock band that also explored other genres. But here on the first album, the ‘grunge’ label is strong, and it sticks pretty well here. Obviously I’m not one to complain about that.


Next on the countdown, we prepare to leave the 20s, where the list may start to really feel vibrant.
 
21's (very strong playlist)

Known
: Journey, Crue, Whitney, REM, Radiohead, Candlebox

Caught My Attention:
Clash: Career Opportunities
Marr/Smiths: London
Yes: Changes
Built to Spill: Big Dipper
Pretty Reckless: Going to Hell
Airborne Toxic Event: Winning Side
Annie Lennox: Legend in my Living Room
Lord Huron: Brother
 

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