Middle-aged Dummies are back and bursting at the "themes" to get going! Full theme ahead! (4 Viewers)

[Yo Mama]

World’s Worst Superheroes #20

Heart Attack Man
Artist - Beastie Boys (1994)

Strengths - Incredible focus and tenacity; extremely passionate about everything - work, family, his favorite football team, politics, online debates about the greatest NBA player of all time and how to fix the all-star game, the stock market, the horrible refereeing in his kids’ AYSO match, you name it

Weaknesses - Arterial plaque buildup; a family history of coronary issues; high health insurance deductibles: politics subforums on fake football message boards; lungs full of tar and a stomach full of Spam


There Goes my Hero

Situation - You’re an IMF agent that is trying to break into CIA headquarters to steal the NOC list. The file is stored in a high-security vault with floor pressure sensors and super sensitive noise and temperature readers to catch any intruders. The only way in is to lower an agent into the room from the air shaft above. You’d do it yourself, but you injured yourself doing your own stunt in a previous scene. Only one man can save the day (he was the only superhero to reply to your Craigslist help wanted ad).

You: [remote via radio from the van] “Ok, you’re over the vault now. Lower Heart Attack Man slowly to retrieve the file with the NOC list.”

Krieger: [massively struggling] “What does this guy weigh? 275? Luther, get in here. I need your help!”

Luther: [chuckling] “He’s pretty hefty. He’s like the guy in the Hefty bag commercial. What are his vitals?”

You: “Pulse 120 bpm, body temp 100 degrees, blood pressure 140/95, he’s already breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Heart Attack Man, you need to calm down or the vault sensors will go off!”

Heart Attack Man: [eating a pastrami sandwich with one hand and holding a lit cigarette in the other] “Actually, I’m feeling pretty relaxed right now.”

Luther and Krieger nearly drop the hefty superhero to the ground due to his immense weight but catch him at the last second.

HAM: [grabs left arm] “What the heck was that!”

You: “Pulse 140 bpm, body temp 105 degrees, blood pressure 155/101. Heart Attack Man, you need to settle down!”

Alarms all go off at once.

HAM: [grabs chest emphatically] “Ah! This is the big one! You hear that Elizabeth! I’m coming to join you, honey!” [flatlines]

I am so glad I read this before listening to the track. Didn't think there were many Beastie tracks I was unfamiliar with, but this was one of them. And your write up fit perfectly with the track. Well done

Thanks! I normally would have had the Beasties’ Egg Man on my list, but I’ve taken it a billion times in music drafts (I had it pretty high in the MAD artist round two), and I’m only doing one song per artist so this one made the cut.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

-OZ- - song / music moments from the Marvel cinematic universe

Mesmerized - Faith Evans

Very nice.

 

[Eephus]

World’s Worst Superheroes #20

Heart Attack Man
Artist - Beastie Boys (1994)

Strengths - Incredible focus and tenacity; extremely passionate about everything - work, family, his favorite football team, politics, online debates about the greatest NBA player of all time and how to fix the all-star game, the stock market, the horrible refereeing in his kids’ AYSO match, you name it

Weaknesses - Arterial plaque buildup; a family history of coronary issues; high health insurance deductibles: politics subforums on fake football message boards; lungs full of tar and a stomach full of Spam


There Goes my Hero

Situation - You’re an IMF agent that is trying to break into CIA headquarters to steal the NOC list. The file is stored in a high-security vault with floor pressure sensors and super sensitive noise and temperature readers to catch any intruders. The only way in is to lower an agent into the room from the air shaft above. You’d do it yourself, but you injured yourself doing your own stunt in a previous scene. Only one man can save the day (he was the only superhero to reply to your Craigslist help wanted ad).

You: [remote via radio from the van] “Ok, you’re over the vault now. Lower Heart Attack Man slowly to retrieve the file with the NOC list.”

Krieger: [massively struggling] “What does this guy weigh? 275? Luther, get in here. I need your help!”

Luther: [chuckling] “He’s pretty hefty. He’s like the guy in the Hefty bag commercial. What are his vitals?”

You: “Pulse 120 bpm, body temp 100 degrees, blood pressure 140/95, he’s already breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Heart Attack Man, you need to calm down or the vault sensors will go off!”

Heart Attack Man: [eating a pastrami sandwich with one hand and holding a lit cigarette in the other] “Actually, I’m feeling pretty relaxed right now.”

Luther and Krieger nearly drop the hefty superhero to the ground due to his immense weight but catch him at the last second.

HAM: [grabs left arm] “What the heck was that!”

You: “Pulse 140 bpm, body temp 105 degrees, blood pressure 155/101. Heart Attack Man, you need to settle down!”

Alarms all go off at once.

HAM: [grabs chest emphatically] “Ah! This is the big one! You hear that Elizabeth! I’m coming to join you, honey!” [flatlines]

I am so glad I read this before listening to the track. Didn't think there were many Beastie tracks I was unfamiliar with, but this was one of them. And your write up fit perfectly with the track. Well done

Thanks! I normally would have had the Beasties’ Egg Man on my list, but I’ve taken it a billion times in music drafts (I had it pretty high in the MAD artist round two), and I’m only doing one song per artist so this one made the cut.

A billion times? In this economy?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

simey – train songs

Southbound Train - Graham Nash, David Crosby

This song is from the 1972 album Graham Nash David Crosby. Nash wrote the song and is on lead vocals, harmonica, and guitar. Crosby is on guitar and backing vocals. If you listen closely you can hear the pedal steel, and that is Jerry Garcia.

Soon after Nash had written it, he and Crosby were staying in a hotel and found out that Bob Dylan was also staying there. After getting baked (because that's what they always did), they found Dylan's room, knocked on his door, and when he answered, they asked him if they could play them their new song, which was this. He allowed them to, and he liked it enough to ask them to play it again.

 

[scorchy]

Theme: 31 Songs from 31 Manchester(ish) Artists
Song: Voodoo Ray
Band: A Guy Called Gerald
From: Moss Side, Manchester

Gerald Simpson started out with Manchester electronic act 808 State before exiting the band to focus on his solo material. His debut release, Voodoo Ray, got its first spin at the famed Hacienda nightclub in June 1988 and is now widely recognized as the first UK entry in the Acid House genre that soundtracked England's "Second Summer of Love."

 

[Yambag]

#20 songs

Yambag – Metal songs from 1988-1992 that became the gateway into the world of music for a young Yambag

The Evil That Men Do - Iron Maiden

Summary: Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975. As pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, they have released 41 albums, including 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs and seven compilations. The Number of the Beast is among the most popular heavy metal albums of all time, having sold almost 20 million copies worldwide.

Times Seen Live in Concert: 2 = 1991 (with Anthrax), 2019

Personal Connection: As mentioned in my intro, borrowing my friend's copy of Live After Death was probably the most influential moment in my music journey. I bought every one of their albums through Fear of the Dark and saw them multiple times in concert. Simply put, they and Metallica are the greatest heavy metal bands ever. For the countdown, I only three albums to choose from, so I went with The Evil That Men Do from 1988’s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, which was my first purchase and still one of my favorites.

Other songs to consider: Too many to choose from but I will go with Wasted Years and Number of the Beast.

Love it! I listened to this album 3x today. As I think about my music then and now, especially in this genre, I am not sure it's overstating it saying this is the most important album. 1988 was a monster year for metal, especially for me. There were at least 3 others I was really looking at while I thought about what I am drawn to now. All the important checkboxes - lean a little proggy, concept album, great guitar solos, no instrumentals or covers . No question it is my favorite album from the playlist I made, and one of my favorites of all-time.

The track I put on my playlist is my favorite on the album:

Infinite Dreams (2015 Remaster)

Iron Maiden · Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (2015 Remaster) · Song · 1988

open.spotify.com

Love slow groove at the beginning, then it builds to that epic Bruce yell around the 3min mark. This one is like 4 songs in one, which reminds me A LOT of what I find in Opeth's music. It's all great to me start to finish. Love your song choice as well, especially as you listen to it go into the great title track. My other favorite is The Clairvoyant. Steve Harris


That puts us up to 3 in common, right? Anthrax, GnR, and Iron Maiden?

Clairvoyant was my second choice and yes, 3 so far but we hit a spot on the list that the familiars will be showing up.

 

[krista4]

Theme: 31 Songs from 31 Manchester(ish) Artists
Song: Voodoo Ray
Band: A Guy Called Gerald
From: Moss Side, Manchester

Gerald Simpson started out with Manchester electronic act 808 State before exiting the band to focus on his solo material. His debut release, Voodoo Ray, got its first spin at the famed Hacienda nightclub in June 1988 and is now widely recognized as the first UK entry in the Acid House genre that soundtracked England's "Second Summer of Love."

I haven't listened to the #20s yet, but so far this is my favorite "unexpected" playlist. I knew I'd find gems in stuff like train songs, Afrobeat, and surf rock-ish, but I didn't have any expectations one way or another on this list. It's been a wonderful surprise.

 

[Yo Mama]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

25. Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy

21. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry

20. Goddess On A Hiway - Mercury Rev

Kourtney Kardashian

- Drummer = Travis Barker
- She went to U of Arizona
- “High”way = she owns a business selling CBD infused beauty products
- Lots of marriage and family drama
- I should really be working now

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

25. Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy

21. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry

20. Goddess On A Hiway - Mercury Rev



Incorrect guesses:

Songs that give advice

Bands That Have Never Been in My Kitchen

Songs by artists who have headlined Glastonbury

Songs featuring the Mellotron

Fear mongering

Song titles that could be part of geometry proofs

Bands who have a member whose first or last name is a James Bond reference

Bands with family members

Songs that reference a location in another country

Songs that have nine or more words in the title

Songs that mention famous streets

Bands who had a member mysteriously disappear, get declared dead, but no body has ever been found

Songs that reference footballguys user names

Songs without a guitar

Song titles that are commands

First two words of song titles in order of lyrics from The Youngbloods’ Get Together

Songs about resilience in the face of adversity

Songs about the importance of progress

Songs to make people overthink and speculate about an imaginary theme that doesn't really exist

31 songs that MADs submitted in prior MAD rounds, but judge disqualified because the submitting MAD failed to get the long-form birth certificate of all band members before submitting

Songs NOT produced by Todd Rundgren

Artists without umlauts

Songs Sam Rockwell has danced to in a movie

Songs about navigating and adapting to a constantly changing world

Songs credited to more than one songwriter

UK top ten singles

Singles released by UK artist/bands

31 British Isles Songs That Did Not Appear in the MAD British Isles Countdown

Non-guitar driven songs

Songs in 4/4 time

Broadway shows

Songs that all charted in the same six countries:
UK
Australia
Germany
France
Ireland
Netherlands

Songs under 5 minutes

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety

A break up and starting over

Things that will drive a bunch of middle aged dummies who are trying to find a pattern go crazy

Stages in Rustoluem’s marriage

Guinness World Records

Songs that can qualify for other people’s themes

Songs by people with facial hair

All songs use an instrument with keys

Songs that are the narrative arc of a divorce

Addiction

Songs with 125 BPM or more

Songs that sample other songs on the list

Songs representing different Nicholas Cage movies / characters

Songs

This is your life, Krista

Something to do with Tina Turner/abused women

Jimi Hendrix

Detailing Britney Spears’ descent into madness

Addiction ... to love

Songs in A Minor

Songs about a major change in someone's life

 

[Chaos34]

simey – train songs

Southbound Train - Graham Nash, David Crosby

This song is from the 1972 album Graham Nash David Crosby. Nash wrote the song and is on lead vocals, harmonica, and guitar. Crosby is on guitar and backing vocals. If you listen closely you can hear the pedal steel, and that is Jerry Garcia.

Soon after Nash had written it, he and Crosby were staying in a hotel and found out that Bob Dylan was also staying there. After getting baked (because that's what they always did), they found Dylan's room, knocked on his door, and when he answered, they asked him if they could play them their new song, which was this. He allowed them to, and he liked it enough to ask them to play it again.

I love little blurbs like these. That's Jerry Garcia. Crosby and Nash knocked on Dylan's hotel door to play Southbound Train for him.

It reminded me of a connection I once tried and failed to make. It started with me buying a used coffee table book I strongly recommend. I'm not sure which made a bigger impression, the life of the photographer or his photographs, but that book is a fine piece of music history.

Hunstein photographed Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk. He photographed Glenn Gould, Leonard Bernstein, Vladimir Horowitz, Pablo Casals, Igor Stravinsky, Philip Glass, Placido Domingo, Yo-Yo Ma. He photographed Barbra Streisand, Perry Como, Robert Goulet. He photographed Aretha Franklin. Mahalia Jackson, Janis Joplin, Sam Cooke, Labelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Minnie Riperton, Luther Vandross, He photographed Allen Ginsberg and Langston Hughes, He photographed Johnny Cash, George Jones, Charlie Daniels, the Flying Burrito Brothers. He photographed Pete Seeger, Simon and Garfunkel, the Byrds,Joan Baez, Phoebe Snow, and, extensively. Bob Dylan, including Dylan's First two album covers.

That's a highly abridged list. He wasn't some fancy photographer hired by celebs for photoshoots. He was a CBS staff photographer assigned to Columbia 30th Street, aka The Church, a converted church turned legendary recording studio. He didn't pose the artists or use special lighting. He just captured them casually in his day to day work environment.

That studio produced two of the greatest recordings of all time. Glenn Gould's Goldberg Variations and Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. On my Mt. Rushmore for sure. They were recorded in the same basic time period. Miles and Glenn were both notoriously difficult to work with demanding complete control of the process. They were both known for hanging out at The Church even when they weren't recording. Miles said it kept him out of trouble. Surely they crossed paths. Both being such interesting characters made me seek a story of an encounter. Nope.

That book is a gem. You'll love the photographs. Great conversation piece.

This was my non-chi-fi post for the day.

 

[titusbramble]

Theme: 31 Songs from 31 Manchester(ish) Artists
Song: Voodoo Ray
Band: A Guy Called Gerald
From: Moss Side, Manchester

Gerald Simpson started out with Manchester electronic act 808 State before exiting the band to focus on his solo material. His debut release, Voodoo Ray, got its first spin at the famed Hacienda nightclub in June 1988 and is now widely recognized as the first UK entry in the Acid House genre that soundtracked England's "Second Summer of Love."

This was in the top half of my SFUR ranking, wouldn't have been that far off my top 100 overall

 

[Mt. Man]

—
#, Please # 20
Song: 409
Artist: The Beach Boys
Year: 1962

(Official Music Video) 409 (Stereo)
(Live version) 409 (Live/2012)

4 Lines:
Well, I saved my pennies and I saved my dimes (Giddy up, giddy up 409)
For I knew there would be a time (Giddy up, giddy up 409)
When I would buy a brand new 409
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up 409 (Giddy up, giddy up 409

Number Theory:

We go from the newest song on the playlist to one of the oldest. 409 was originally released as a B-side of the “Surfin’ Safari” single, before both appearing on, well, the Surfin’ Safari album. It also appeared on 1963’s “Little Deuce Coupe” album, along with a number (ha?) of greatest hits and other collections.

As for inspiration? Well, it might not surprise you much that The Beach Boys were singing about a car. Well, really, an engine. Chevrolet’s 409 cubic inch displacement “big block” engine, to be precise. Perhaps like the engine, the song is high-spirited and goes by (way) too fast.

Surprisingly predating it (being invented in 1957) was Formula 409, the cleaning product I teased last time around. As a bonus, I’ll note that that number was derived from the birthday of the inventor’s wife. April 9, thus 409. At least that’s the theory I’ll go with. After all, the focus here is more on the song. Which I could note was also used in a commercial for the product.

Significant Digits:
Off album#: 1
Track #: 6 (on side 1)
Spent 1 week on the Billboard Hot 100, at #76

Artist crossover with other playlists: 10
(Known: 6) Van Halen (x2) currently in the lead!

–
Next on the countdown, there's a query about whether they'll be crying about this selection.

 

[rockaction]

20. Punk As **** - Down By Law

I think I'd given up tinkering with the list by the time I sent this in. Usually, hearing somebody describe themselves as [Blank] As **** means they're the exact opposite. In Dave Smalley's case (formerly of Dag Nasty on Dischord Records), it actually somewhat works. I should have a NOFX song here ("Punk Guy" or "It's My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite," both of which are slightly better songs) instead, but this is the genre theme darn it, and I'm going for a self-proclaimed Down By Law band that is punk af.

you picked perfect.

One song is not like the other..

I've never really understood the connection of the song title here, but I've always liked the tune and band for their Americana krautrock thing.

Punk as Fuck

The American Analog Set · Know By Heart · Song · 2001

open.spotify.com

I saw this in my search for songs in the genre and I listened but ultimately didn't think it was punk at all. But it's still a very good, hypnotic track. Mogwai almost made it with their "Punk Rock" non-punk rock song that had Iggy Pop speaking, but I've used it before, so I passed.

 

[zamboni]

For those worried about spoiling their Mad Men viewing experience, please don't click on the link; for the rest, I couldn't help but bring up one of my favorite scenes of the entire series, because it happens in one of the episodes between my previous song in the countdown and the next one coming out tomorrow.

It's another scene when the secondary characters carry the action.

I hope you enjoy.

Spoiler

Roger with one of his many great one-liners: “She died the way she lived: surrounded by people she answers phones for.”

ETA: also worth nothing is that the actress (Randee Heller) played Daniel LaRusso’s mom in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai.

 

[shuke]

20s

Saxy!!!
jwb – Mockingbird – Carly Simon and James Taylor

shukelist song!
DrIanMalcolm – New York Groove - Ace Frehley

A number of known liked songs, not going to list them all.

New to me gems
simey – Southbound Train - Graham Nash, David Crosby
Pip’s Invitation – I Am a Gambler - Felix Cavaliere
landrys hat - Step out of Time - Plan 9 - Dealing With the Dead (1984)
Chaos34 - Space 1991 - Man or Astro-Man?
krista4 – The El – Rhett Miller
Anonymous Mystery Theme Dictator - Goddess On A Hiway - Mercury Rev

 

[shuke]

23s favorites

Yo Mama – Just A Girl - No Doubt - no shame in liking this song.
Don Quixote – Fuel for Love (Spotify) - Wrinkars Experience (Nigeria) - new to me
Mt. Man – 1979 – The Smashing Pumpkins - top 25 shukelist appearance!
Pip’s Invitation – Hard to Laugh – The Pursuit of Happiness - new to me
scorchy – Be The One - The Ting Tings - I could have sworn they were on shukelist but I can't find them. This is fun.
El Floppo – Inca Roads - Frank Zapp, The Mothers of Invention
landrys hat - Slow Rt. Hand - Califone - Roomsound (2001) - new to me
rockaction - Funkytown – Lipps Inc. - shukelist!
Zegras11 – Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears - just seems to get better over the years.
Anonymous Mystery Theme Dictator - Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

Just realized I forgot to point out the saxy entry from this group:
jwb – Smooth Operator – Sade

 

[Eephus]

Just back from a show. I saw Austin based band Good Looks perform at Thee Parkside, one of the city's last remaining music dives. They have a guitar heavy sound kind of like a rootsier War on Drugs. A lot of you would probably prefer their music to the stuff in my countdown but we're stuck with nineteen more single named ladies.

Can You See Me Tonight?

Good Looks · Lived Here For A While · Song · 2024

open.spotify.com

I went by myself after Mrs. Eephus begged off. I thought about staying home with her but the world is going to **** and I'm turning 65 in a few days. Loud music on a Wednesday night isn't going to do anything about either but it improved my mood for a while. The band was fun and it was nice to bop heads along with a room full of strangers. I even had my first beer of 2025. When I got home, there was a slice of pizza that ditkaburgers had left me when she picked up the dog tonight. All is right with the world except I'm too wound up from the show to sleep right now.

 

[Chaos34]

Just back from a show. I saw Austin based band Good Looks perform at Thee Parkside, one of the city's last remaining music dives. They have a guitar heavy sound kind of like a rootsier War on Drugs. A lot of you would probably prefer their music to the stuff in my countdown but we're stuck with nineteen more single named ladies.

Can You See Me Tonight?

Good Looks · Lived Here For A While · Song · 2024

open.spotify.com

I went by myself after Mrs. Eephus begged off. I thought about staying home with her but the world is going to **** and I'm turning 65 in a few days. Loud music on a Wednesday night isn't going to do anything about either but it improved my mood for a while. The band was fun and it was nice to bop heads along with a room full of strangers. I even had my first beer of 2025. When I got home, there was a slice of pizza that ditkaburgers had left me when she picked up the dog tonight. All is right with the world except I'm too wound up from the show to sleep right now.

I need to do this more. I do not get out enough. Turn 63 in a week. When is your birthday, Eeph? Mine's the 27th.

 

[jwb]

Just back from a show. I saw Austin based band Good Looks perform at Thee Parkside, one of the city's last remaining music dives. They have a guitar heavy sound kind of like a rootsier War on Drugs. A lot of you would probably prefer their music to the stuff in my countdown but we're stuck with nineteen more single named ladies.

Can You See Me Tonight?

Good Looks · Lived Here For A While · Song · 2024

open.spotify.com

I went by myself after Mrs. Eephus begged off. I thought about staying home with her but the world is going to **** and I'm turning 65 in a few days. Loud music on a Wednesday night isn't going to do anything about either but it improved my mood for a while. The band was fun and it was nice to bop heads along with a room full of strangers. I even had my first beer of 2025. When I got home, there was a slice of pizza that ditkaburgers had left me when she picked up the dog tonight. All is right with the world except I'm too wound up from the show to sleep right now.

I need to do this more. I do not get out enough. Turn 63 in a week. When is your birthday, Eeph? Mine's the 27th.

Haven't been to many shows the last 3 years, but have two upcoming. Graham Nash (who I saw in 22 - he was great) and Kansas / .38 Special / Outlaws. I'm not quite as aged as you and Eephus (59 this year) but the "do this now" is starting to creep into a lot of my decision-making these days. We also just booked a trip to Cleveland this summer - meeting old friends there and going to the RRHOF. Should be fun.

 

[krista4]

#19 songs

kupcho1 – rain

Box of Rain - Grateful Dead


Eephus – Single (Named) Ladies

Kiss It Better – Rihanna


Charlie Steiner – songs from Mad Men

Ladder Of Success - Skeeter Davis


simey – train songs

Train - Leo Sayer


Yambag – Metal songs from 1988-1992 that became the gateway into the world of music for a young Yambag

Painkiller - Judas Priest


Dr. Octopus – guitarists I’ve seen live

When The Whip Comes Down - Rolling Stones (Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood)


Yo Mama – World’s Worst Superheroes

Little Sister - Queens of the Stone Age


Mrs. Rannous – umlauts

Wicked Game – HIM


KarmaPolice – songs from artists not on shuke’s list

In the Blood - Better than Ezra


Don Quixote – Afrobeat

Love Affair (Spotify) - SJOB Movement (Nigeria)


JMLs secret identity – songs in D#Minor, the saddest key of all

Big in Japan (Spotify) - Alphaville


-OZ- - song / music moments from the Marvel cinematic universe

Good Man - Raphael Saadiq


Mt. Man – Number, Please

96 Tears - ? & The Mysterians


Pip’s Invitation – songs from albums produced and/or engineered by Todd Rundgren

Believe It – Bad Religion


falguy – songs by 31 different Canadian artists

The Hands of Love - Sam Roberts Band


Raging weasel – name-checking Beatles or their songs

1977 – The Clash


jwb – songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system

Rise - Herb Alpert


scorchy – songs by Manchester(-ish) artists

A Song From Under The Floorboards – Magazine


titusbramble – Grand Theft Auto, specifically the 3D era

Warm It Up Kane - Big Daddy Kane (SA - Playback FM)


shuke – Saxytime

Brass Monkey (Spotify) - Beastie Boys


Ilov80s - One song from each of the 31 best albums of 1984

Seven Seas - Echo and the Bunnymen


John Maddens Lunchbox – Batman

One (Spotify) - Harry Nillson


Mister CIA – Texas Places in Song Titles

Going to San Antone - Doug Sahm


El Floppo – Mallet Rock

The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders Part I: The Great Frontier Part II: Come to Me Only With Playthings Now - Sufjan Stevens


landrys hat - favorite Side 2 Track 1s from my record collection

What's She Done To Your Mind - Rain Parade - Emergency Thrid Rail Power Trip (1983)


rockaction - Songs that state the genre they’re in

La Disco – Giorgio Moroder


ditkaburgers - Girl Groups X Boy Bands

Survivor - Destiny's Child


MrsKarmaPolice – Animal Kingdom

Furr - Blitzen Trapper


Tau837 – Hair metal

Shake Me - Cinderella


DrIanMalcolm – Songs about New York

Harlem - Bill Withers


higgins – Instrumentals with places in the title

Vukovar – The Free Spirits


Zegras11 – New wave

Senses Working Overtime – XTC


Chaos34 - Post Surf Rock Surf Rockish (80s fwd)

Sidewalk - Frankie and the Witch Finger


krista4 – Chicagoland

Gary – Shellac


Anonymous Mystery Theme Dictator - ???

Dark Therapy - Echobelly


MAC_32 – Songs to play during (and after) a funeral

Lightning Crashes - Live

 

[krista4]

#19 Playlist

 

[krista4]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

25. Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy

21. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry

20. Goddess On A Hiway - Mercury Rev

19. Dark Therapy - Echobelly



Incorrect guesses:

Songs that give advice

Bands That Have Never Been in My Kitchen

Songs by artists who have headlined Glastonbury

Songs featuring the Mellotron

Fear mongering

Song titles that could be part of geometry proofs

Bands who have a member whose first or last name is a James Bond reference

Bands with family members

Songs that reference a location in another country

Songs that have nine or more words in the title

Songs that mention famous streets

Bands who had a member mysteriously disappear, get declared dead, but no body has ever been found

Songs that reference footballguys user names

Songs without a guitar

Song titles that are commands

First two words of song titles in order of lyrics from The Youngbloods’ Get Together

Songs about resilience in the face of adversity

Songs about the importance of progress

Songs to make people overthink and speculate about an imaginary theme that doesn't really exist

31 songs that MADs submitted in prior MAD rounds, but judge disqualified because the submitting MAD failed to get the long-form birth certificate of all band members before submitting

Songs NOT produced by Todd Rundgren

Artists without umlauts

Songs Sam Rockwell has danced to in a movie

Songs about navigating and adapting to a constantly changing world

Songs credited to more than one songwriter

UK top ten singles

Singles released by UK artist/bands

31 British Isles Songs That Did Not Appear in the MAD British Isles Countdown

Non-guitar driven songs

Songs in 4/4 time

Broadway shows

Songs that all charted in the same six countries:
UK
Australia
Germany
France
Ireland
Netherlands

Songs under 5 minutes

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety

A break up and starting over

Things that will drive a bunch of middle aged dummies who are trying to find a pattern go crazy

Stages in Rustoluem’s marriage

Guinness World Records

Songs that can qualify for other people’s themes

Songs by people with facial hair

All songs use an instrument with keys

Songs that are the narrative arc of a divorce

Addiction

Songs with 125 BPM or more

Songs that sample other songs on the list

Songs representing different Nicholas Cage movies / characters

Songs

This is your life, Krista

Something to do with Tina Turner/abused women

Jimi Hendrix

Detailing Britney Spears’ descent into madness

Addiction ... to love

Songs in A Minor

The plot to Thelma and Louise

Kourtney Kardashian

Songs about a major change in someone's life

 

[Dr. Octopus]

19.

Who? – Keith Richards/Ronnie Wood

What? – The Rolling Stones / The XPensive Winos

Where? – Shea Stadium, Giants Stadium (x4), Brenden Byrne Arena (Keith solo)

When? – 1988, 1994, 2003, 2005, 2007

Why? – Like Pete Townsend, Keith’s songwriting and riff creation outweighs his virtuosity but the guy is as solid a rhythm guitarist as there is. Ronnie’s blues-based style fit in perfectly with the Stones, and Keith was revitalized when Ronnie came aboard. The duo masters weaving in and out of each other’s solos and are a huge part of why the Stones are a well-oiled machine when they take the stage.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

19. Ladder of Success - Skeeter Davis

Well, you know what they say: "Aspiration's as good as perspiration." - Danny Siegel, season 4, episode 6, Waldorf Stories

I recently said here regarding this show that I have gone from liking to hating to liking characters over multiple rewatches of the series; Danny Siegel is not one of those characters.

Anyway, Ladder of Success appears over the closing end of the last scene of the episode, where we learn the circumstances under which Roger Sterling originally came to hire Don. The singer, Skeeter Davis, is another icon lost to the current times. Her most successful song, The End of the World, crossed over from the Country charts to the Pop charts and made her the first female to do so. Her success would inspire the likes of Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton. She survived a tragic childhood as well as a near-fatal auto accident before breaking out as a solo artist in the late 1950s. The song appears on her 1963 album, Let Me Get Close to You but was not released as a single.

I'm starting to think that Matt Weiner at some point went through his parents' old record collection and either found songs that reminded him of a scene, or he liked them so much that he decided to write a scene that he could work the song into.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

19. Believe It
Artist: Bad Religion
Album: The New America (2000)
Todd's role(s): producer, engineer, backing vocals
Writer(s): Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz

The song: With the exception of a brief foray into synth pop for one album in the '80s, you always know what you're going to get from Bad Religion: An assault of aggressive but not overly noisy guitars, punching rhythms, (usually) political lyrics, impassioned raspy vocals, and melodies and harmonies that are far more sophisticated than what you get from most punk bands. The latter may well have been influenced by Todd Rundgren, as Bad Religion frontman Greg Graffin was a lifelong fan of Rundgren's despite Todd's own material not resembling punk in any way, shape or form. All of these things are evident on "Believe It," the best song from The New America, the Rundgren-produced 11th album from the band. It is a triumphant blowout reminiscent of their best material from the late '80s and early '90s.

"Believe It" is the only song on the album featuring the band's co-founder and original guitarist Brett Gurewitz, who co-wrote the track with Graffin. (All other tracks on the album are credited to Graffin alone.) Gurewitz had left the band in 1994 to concentrate on running Epitaph, the label he founded in the early '80s that has released most of Bad Religion's records, but would rejoin (as a studio-only member) a year after the release of The New America.

For whatever reason, "Believe It," which is track 8 of 13 on the original album, is the last song on the Spotify version of the album, in spot 15 behind two bonus tracks.

The album: After Jill Sobule's Things Here Are Different in 1990 (#25 on my list), Rundgren took a 9-year break from producing other artists, returning for three projects in 1999 and 2000. On two of those records, Splender's Halfway Down the Sky (which was in my Last 5 Out) and 12 Rods' Separation Anxieties, the artists accused him of going through the motions and not providing feedback in order to finish as quickly as possible. Graffin has offered mixed comments over the years about the experience of making The New America with Rundgren, but from his accounts, Rundgren was the opposite of apathetic, and the result was described in one contemporary review as opening "the band's already wide-screen sound into a whole new dimension of sonic insanity."

The project came together after Graffin made known his admiration for and desire to work with Rundgren, and the band travelled to Hawaii, where Rundgren had moved in the '90s, to record with him. Graffin has said at various times that he and Rundgren did not get along during the sessions, but he told Paul Myers, author of A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio, that "Most producers suck your d!ck. ... That's why most records suck: You're not challenged. But we were legitimately challenged. He would be very honest. We got along great. He had a sharp tongue, and so do I." In his various memoirs, Graffin wrote that he and Rundgren remain friends, and that the sessions were "a great experience."

The New America was the fourth and final Bad Religion album released on Atlantic Records. It reached #88 on Billboard's album chart. They would return to Epitaph for subsequent records, for which Gurewitz was back in the fold. Epitaph reissued the album in 2008.

You Might Also Like: "New America," the quasi-title track and only single from the album, is anthemic and even more vocal-forward than what we usually get from Bad Religion; the vocal arrangement on the final chorus is not unlike what we hear on some of Rundgren's own records. It is the disc's only track that made it into the band's live sets, and then only occasionally: https://open.spotify.com/track/3WWv76IuG5k4En1ug3vKR5?si=c0a4172829344045

At #18, an album that has two well-known tracks ... that became famous when covered by other artists.

 

[krista4]

I very much enjoyed the variety on the #20 Playlist. Great stuff.

I had some favorites that were not in my usual wheelhouse: "Ibtihaj" by Rapsody; "Wheelz of Steel" by Outcast; "Disco Dancer" by Kiki Gyan; and "Mesmerized" by Faith Evans.

And an assortment of more-usual-sounding favorites: "I Am a Gambler" by Felix Cavaliere; "All Uncovered" by The Watchmen; "Stay" by The Blue Nile; and "Little Bird" by The White Stripes.

 

[Yambag]

#19 songs

Yambag – Metal songs from 1988-1992 that became the gateway into the world of music for a young Yambag

Painkiller - Judas Priest

Summary: Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Judas Priest have also been referred to as one of the pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, and are cited as a formative influence on various metal subgenres, including speed metal, thrash metal, power metal, and the hard rock/glam metal scene of the 1980s.

Times Seen Live in Concert: 2 = 1990 (with Testament and Megadeth), 2004 (with Ozzy and Slayer)

Personal Connection: I have a strange history with Judas Priest. Besides hearing a few older songs here and there, which did not really peak my interest, my true introduction was the Painkiller album. It honestly blew me away, but for some reason, I never really went back to older albums or continued with newer ones. I’m not quite sure why, but I still love this album start to finish.

Other songs to consider: See Raging Weasel’s Round 3 MAD31 list as it is way better than what I could pick out!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

"Stay" by The Blue Nile;

really liked this one

although I knew all the songs i really enjoyed the White Stripes, Motley Crue and Ace Frehley section of the playlist.

 

[jwb]

"Stay" by The Blue Nile;

really liked this one

although I knew all the songs i really enjoyed the White Stripes, Motley Crue and Ace Frehley section of the playlist.

Yea that was a good section. We knew Ace was coming at some point due to the theme. Great song.

 

[Raging weasel]

19) 1977- The Clash
Key Lyrics
You better paint your face
No Elvis,Beatles ,or The Rolling Stones
In 1977
In 1977

 

[-OZ-]

-OZ- - song / music moments from the Marvel cinematic universe

Good Man - Raphael Saadiq

Another from the, imo underrated Luke Cage Netflix series. Scene

Silky smooth

I'm a good man, food's on the table, working two jobs,
Waiting willing the neighbors check your name
I'm having fun, got no kids and I love the Lord, check your name
I'm not your MOS, never did time but maybe just once, check your name
And I puts it down, wanna see it twice, brother puts it down, check

How could you ever walk away, after all I've done for you
I feel like there's a knife in my back, babe
You might as well pull it all the way through

Next up - a cover of a classic, in a movie that was long overdue.

 

[falguy]

Hopelessly behind now :(. I can't believe how my company expects me to be on calls working for our customers so much anymore? The nerve!

MY #20 the Sam Roberts Band is a popular band in these parts and still tour regularly. Sadly, I am not overly familiar with their work and keep meaning to give them a listen. I have the Lo-Fantasy album and like many of the tunes on there, including this one - The Hands of Love as well as Shapeshifters, We're all in This together and Too Far. I think die-hard fans preferred some of his earlier stuff but I don't really know it well enough to suggest anything :(.

 

[MAC_32]

KarmaPolice – songs from artists not on shuke’s list

In the Blood - Better than Ezra

Great pull! I'd have gone The Killer Inside, but A) most people aren't familiar with it and B) this would've been next in front of Desperately Wanting and WHA-OOOH

 

[Chaos34]

Chaos34 - Post Surf Rock Surf Rockish (80s fwd)

Sidewalk - Frankie and the Witch Finger

Frankie and the Witch Fingers!
Band names may be the best part of my theme despite another typo. Witch Finger? No Witch Fingers. Although Witch Finger might be better.

Go see them when they come around. Great shows. LA based now and currently touring Europe they formed as an Indiana garage band. Here ya go, Floppo. Garage psych rockers and charter members of the Reverberation Appreciation Society.

Sidewalk was their first single, released in 13 and again on the first LP in 17. It's far from the best they have to offer but it's probably the best offering for my theme. Even so it's not that surfy, but reverby enough for the playlist and a fun band to highlight in this particular exercise. Here's why:

the band has shared album highlight “Mild Davis” with a mind-bending animated music video. Inspired by Miles Davis’ early-70s electric work, the track’s dizzying 7/4 meter winds through chunky riffs, commanding vocals and proggy synths before crash-landing in a minefield of angular guitar harmonies.

Better yet

Witch Fingers album created with bassist Nikki “Pickle” Smith (formerly of Death Valley Girls) and drummer Nick Aguilar (previously a touring drummer for punk legend Mike Watt). In crafting their most rhythmically complex work to date, the band drew heavily from each new member’s distinct sensibilities: Smith tapped into her extensive background in West African drumming (an art form she first discovered thanks to her music-instructor parents), while Aguilar leaned into formative influences like longtime Fela Kuti drummer Tony Allen.

It's afro proto punk beat pop garage band something something music. They have a rehearsal space in the poor part of SE LA and record direct to tape, old school, still doing the garage thing though many studios would embrace them. They say it allows them to explore ideas through countless sessions no studio would go for and perfect their magnificantly strange impulses.

Doom Boom is a better song and has those afro beat stylings.

 

[jwb]

jwb – songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system

Rise - Herb Alpert

Good old Herb Alpert should be on every audiophile's list. From a Taste of Honey from the album Whipped Cream and Other Delights (with its legendary cover) to the title track of the Casino Royale (1967) soundtrack (which is renowned in Audiophile circles). This one is more modern (1979), and you've all likely heard it. When all my friends were getting married in the late 80's / 90's, this was a popular reception song when the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen were introduced (I haven't been to a wedding in many years - do they still use this one?) This is one of several instrumentals on my list. Don't need to comment much on why it's here - it'll be apparent if you have a good system / headphones.

 

[Chaos34]

#19 songs

Yambag – Metal songs from 1988-1992 that became the gateway into the world of music for a young Yambag

Painkiller - Judas Priest

Summary: Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Judas Priest have also been referred to as one of the pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, and are cited as a formative influence on various metal subgenres, including speed metal, thrash metal, power metal, and the hard rock/glam metal scene of the 1980s.

Times Seen Live in Concert: 2 = 1990 (with Testament and Megadeth), 2004 (with Ozzy and Slayer)

Personal Connection: I have a strange history with Judas Priest. Besides hearing a few older songs here and there, which did not really peak my interest, my true introduction was the Painkiller album. It honestly blew me away, but for some reason, I never really went back to older albums or continued with newer ones. I’m not quite sure why, but I still love this album start to finish.

Other songs to consider: See Raging Weasel’s Round 3 MAD31 list as it is way better than what I could pick out!

I'm preparing in advance for Leo Sayer to Judas Priest.

 

[MAC_32]

MAC_32 – Songs to play during (and after) a funeral

Lightning Crashes - Live

The 2 year anniversary of this is coming up in about a week. It's not the sort of anniversary anyone wants to remember, but it's important we do. Sutton was a fiery energetic little ball of energy. Hilarious kid with a devilish smile that'll melt your heart. His parents took him to the doctor aged 3 (spring 2021) due to some persistent headaches he was experiencing. They can share the details better than I, but they went from what felt like a normal conversation with a medical professional to the ICU with a team of specialists in under an hour. He had a brain tumor. A rare, inoperable, (likely) lethal brain tumor. It has a fancy name I don't want to remember and look up because reading details will just eat me up inside again, but it's mortality rate is about as bad as you can get.

Despite that, Hunter and Laura pretty much dropped everything in their lives in hopes he could prove to be the outlier. Over the next 2 years they flew all over the country with their little guy to ensure they did not leave any stone unturned. While they were nowhere near out of the woods, they thought a corner was turned spring 2022. So much so that to our shock when we arranged a get together that summer (Hunter is a childhood friend, known him since we were ~5) their family made a surprise appearance. Aside from his head being wrapped like a mummy and needing more rest breaks than the other small humans, you'd never know the hell he had gone through over the last year plus. It was a relief to see Hunter & Laura being more themselves, a little more tightly wound than usual, who could blame them, but it all felt...normal.

Unfortunately, normal was short lived. Summer went progressively better, but that all came crashing down early fall. There was one brief period of time they thought he may course correct, but once on the other side of christmas his demise was inevitable. He was put in hospice January 2023 and succumbed to this awful condition about a month later. But while Hunter & Laura were in the hospital in his final days, Laura didn't...feel right. So she took a test...

The angel closes her eyes
The confusion that was hers
Belongs now, to the baby down the hall

...and she was positive. Lightning crashes, a new mother cries.

 

[simey]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

25. Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy

21. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry

20. Goddess On A Hiway - Mercury Rev

19. Dark Therapy - Echobelly



Incorrect guesses:

Songs that give advice

Bands That Have Never Been in My Kitchen

Songs by artists who have headlined Glastonbury

Songs featuring the Mellotron

Fear mongering

Song titles that could be part of geometry proofs

Bands who have a member whose first or last name is a James Bond reference

Bands with family members

Songs that reference a location in another country

Songs that have nine or more words in the title

Songs that mention famous streets

Bands who had a member mysteriously disappear, get declared dead, but no body has ever been found

Songs that reference footballguys user names

Songs without a guitar

Song titles that are commands

First two words of song titles in order of lyrics from The Youngbloods’ Get Together

Songs about resilience in the face of adversity

Songs about the importance of progress

Songs to make people overthink and speculate about an imaginary theme that doesn't really exist

31 songs that MADs submitted in prior MAD rounds, but judge disqualified because the submitting MAD failed to get the long-form birth certificate of all band members before submitting

Songs NOT produced by Todd Rundgren

Artists without umlauts

Songs Sam Rockwell has danced to in a movie

Songs about navigating and adapting to a constantly changing world

Songs credited to more than one songwriter

UK top ten singles

Singles released by UK artist/bands

31 British Isles Songs That Did Not Appear in the MAD British Isles Countdown

Non-guitar driven songs

Songs in 4/4 time

Broadway shows

Songs that all charted in the same six countries:
UK
Australia
Germany
France
Ireland
Netherlands

Songs under 5 minutes

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety

A break up and starting over

Things that will drive a bunch of middle aged dummies who are trying to find a pattern go crazy

Stages in Rustoluem’s marriage

Guinness World Records

Songs that can qualify for other people’s themes

Songs by people with facial hair

All songs use an instrument with keys

Songs that are the narrative arc of a divorce

Addiction

Songs with 125 BPM or more

Songs that sample other songs on the list

Songs representing different Nicholas Cage movies / characters

Songs

This is your life, Krista

Something to do with Tina Turner/abused women

Jimi Hendrix

Detailing Britney Spears’ descent into madness

Addiction ... to love

Songs in A Minor

The plot to Thelma and Louise

Kourtney Kardashian

Songs about a major change in someone's life

Midilfe crisis

 

[Eephus]

I need to do this more. I do not get out enough. Turn 63 in a week. When is your birthday, Eeph? Mine's the 27th.

23rd

 

[Yo Mama]

World’s Worst Superheroes #19

Little Sister
Artist - Queens of the Stone Age (2005)

Strengths - Not afraid to stand up to those older and bigger than her: always knows all the right buttons to push; is an expert at crying on command

Weaknesses - Reliant on others for transportation; above all else she is incredibly, amazingly, immensely, undoubtedly, extremely annoying


There Goes My Hero

Situation - You (Robert) and your buddies are planning on going to Six Flags, but your fourth member had to drop out at the last minute after being grounded for some incident at a pie eating contest. You need a fourth person to join you, or the roller coaster seating arrangements are all messed up.

You (Robert): “Oh man, who can we ask to come at a last minute. I don’t want to ride Colossus by myself.”

Buddy: “How about Domingo? He’s the coolest guy at school.”

You (Robert): “Nah, he’s feeding the homeless at a soup kitchen today. How about Slammin’ Sandy Sanderson? She’s super hot!”

Your mom: “Rob, you know I have my 8-hour hair perm treatment and weekly waxing appointment today! You’re taking your little sister!”

You (Robert): “Aw mom, come on! That sucks!”

Scene 1 - On the car ride to Six Flags, you (Robert) and your buddies are talking about how excited you are to see the new Bruce Willis movie.

Little Sister: “Oh, Robby! I saw that yesterday, it was awesome when we find out at the end that Bruce Willis is really dead!”

Scene 2 - While waiting in line for the Revolution, you (Robert!) and your buddies are all bragging to each other about who is the most popular with the ladies.

Little Sister: “Did you guys know that Robby has seen Frozen over 25 times and he sings along to all the songs?”

Scene 3 - You (it’s Robert!!) and your friends finally get to the front of the two-hour line.

Little Sister: “I have to pee! Right now! Take me to the restroom, Robby!”

Scene 4 - You (sigh, Robby) and your buddies decide to try chewing tobacco for the first time right before getting on the Tilt-a-Whirl ride, ultimately vomiting all over yourselves and the other riders.

Little Sister [soaked in used tobacco and funnel cake, using by far her greatest known super power]: “I’M TELLING MOM!!!!!!”

 

[Chaos34]

Good old Herb Alpert should be on every audiophile's list.

You may just being doing songs you like that sound good to you, but you do have a keen ear for audiophilia. First there's a reason I keep mentioning studios. I also mentioned a fun ai/music project I've been messing with for almost a year. Part of that is learning about studios with rich histories that deserve the Muscle Shoals, Abbey Road, Sound City documentary treatment. Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Land studio is in development.

With backing from A&M records, Herb founded his own LA based studio in 79/80. I can't recall its name atm. Grrr, getting old. But I do recall some cool info. He wasn't the first to purchase 3Ms new massive and expensive 32 track digital recording system, but he was close, and he was first to use it to produce mainstream music. The other was some well-funded symphony or something. Until Rise, everything mainstream was analog. In 79/80 they didn't have the sophisticated editing and mastering tech they would have in a few years. So all 32 hyper sterile digital tracks were painstakingly dumped on 16 track analog tape for editing. It may have been 24 track by then. The result was outstanding. The best of both worlds, and it's a damn shame studios stopped doing that. Rise! is a unique and respected recording in the audiophile world.

I'm behind listening again. Try to catch up today.

 

[simey]

simey – train songs

Train - Leo Sayer

Leo insisted that we pick up Mister CIA on this train ride, because he is the one who turned me on to the Just A Boy album in the 15th Anniversary Desert Island Album draft. There is plenty of room for others to hop aboard as well. Poker is being played in the club cars at 2!

 

[simey]

I need to do this more. I do not get out enough. Turn 63 in a week. When is your birthday, Eeph? Mine's the 27th.

23rd

whew, you were almost an aquarius. glad you waiting a few days.

Hey! I'm an aquarius!

 

[Chaos34]

I need to do this more. I do not get out enough. Turn 63 in a week. When is your birthday, Eeph? Mine's the 27th.

23rd

whew, you were almost an aquarius. glad you waiting a few days.

Hey! I'm an aquarius!

yeah but you're a girl. that's different.

 

[El Floppo]

Here ya go, Floppo. Garage psych rockers and charter members of the Reverberation Appreciation Society.

they're regulars in my Spotify RR.

loving the picks so far

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Round 19 - Wicked Game - HIM
HIM is a FInnish Gothic Rock band from Helsinki. Mikko Viljami "Linde" Lindström is on guitar. Juhana "Pätkä" Rantala is on drums. Oskari "Oki" Kymäläinen also on guitar.

This band is living the umlaut life.

And I'm pretty sure everyone knows this is a cover. Sorry, KP. They will be showing up again sometime in the future.

 

[Zegras11]

Senses Working Overtime - Remastered 2001

XTC · English Settlement · Song · 1982

open.spotify.com

"Senses Working Overtime" is a song written by Andy Partridge of the English rock band XTC, released as the lead single from their 1982 album English Settlement. He based the song on Manfred Mann's "5-4-3-2-1" (1964). The album and single became the highest-charting records XTC would ever have in the UK, peaking at number five and number 10, respectively.

At the suggestion of its director, the song's music video was filmed at double-speed and then slowed down, to make the musicians appear "more graceful". Partridge recalled: "That one was done really quickly, in Shepperton Studios while we were rehearsing for the English Settlement tour. And so that's us rehearsing.

Making Plans For Nigel

XTC · Drums And Wires · Song · 1979

open.spotify.com

Dear God - Remastered 2001

XTC · Skylarking · Song · 1986

open.spotify.com

Generals And Majors - 2001 Remaster

XTC · Black Sea · Song · 1980

open.spotify.com

Mayor Of Simpleton - 2001 Remaster

XTC · Oranges & Lemons · Song · 1989

open.spotify.com

 

[jwb]

Good old Herb Alpert should be on every audiophile's list.

You may just being doing songs you like that sound good to you, but you do have a keen ear for audiophilia. First there's a reason I keep mentioning studios. I also mentioned a fun ai/music project I've been messing with for almost a year. Part of that is learning about studios with rich histories that deserve the Muscle Shoals, Abbey Road, Sound City documentary treatment. Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Land studio is in development.

With backing from A&M records, Herb founded his own LA based studio in 79/80. I can't recall its name atm. Grrr, getting old. But I do recall some cool info. He wasn't the first to purchase 3Ms new massive and expensive 32 track digital recording system, but he was close, and he was first to use it to produce mainstream music. The other was some well-funded symphony or something. Until Rise, everything mainstream was analog. In 79/80 they didn't have the sophisticated editing and mastering tech they would have in a few years. So all 32 hyper sterile digital tracks were painstakingly dumped on 16 track analog tape for editing. It may have been 24 track by then. The result was outstanding. The best of both worlds, and it's a damn shame studios stopped doing that. Rise! is a unique and respected recording in the audiophile world.

I'm behind listening again. Try to catch up today.

Interesting stuff here - thanks!

 

[El Floppo]

Senses Working Overtime - Remastered 2001

XTC · English Settlement · Song · 1982

open.spotify.com

"Senses Working Overtime" is a song written by Andy Partridge of the English rock band XTC, released as the lead single from their 1982 album English Settlement. He based the song on Manfred Mann's "5-4-3-2-1" (1964). The album and single became the highest-charting records XTC would ever have in the UK, peaking at number five and number 10, respectively.

At the suggestion of its director, the song's music video was filmed at double-speed and then slowed down, to make the musicians appear "more graceful". Partridge recalled: "That one was done really quickly, in Shepperton Studios while we were rehearsing for the English Settlement tour. And so that's us rehearsing.

Making Plans For Nigel

XTC · Drums And Wires · Song · 1979

open.spotify.com

Dear God - Remastered 2001

XTC · Skylarking · Song · 1986

open.spotify.com

Generals And Majors - 2001 Remaster

XTC · Black Sea · Song · 1980

open.spotify.com

Mayor Of Simpleton - 2001 Remaster

XTC · Oranges & Lemons · Song · 1989

open.spotify.com

THANK YOU! for picking this tune and not one of their probably "bigger" tunes... my favorite of theirs.

eta: interesting to see it IS their biggest tune, at least in the UK. I feel like Dear God hit bigger here in the US, but I could be wrong about that.

Their first 3 or 4 albums are amazing.

 

[Zegras11]

Senses Working Overtime - Remastered 2001

XTC · English Settlement · Song · 1982

open.spotify.com

"Senses Working Overtime" is a song written by Andy Partridge of the English rock band XTC, released as the lead single from their 1982 album English Settlement. He based the song on Manfred Mann's "5-4-3-2-1" (1964). The album and single became the highest-charting records XTC would ever have in the UK, peaking at number five and number 10, respectively.

At the suggestion of its director, the song's music video was filmed at double-speed and then slowed down, to make the musicians appear "more graceful". Partridge recalled: "That one was done really quickly, in Shepperton Studios while we were rehearsing for the English Settlement tour. And so that's us rehearsing.

Making Plans For Nigel

XTC · Drums And Wires · Song · 1979

open.spotify.com

Dear God - Remastered 2001

XTC · Skylarking · Song · 1986

open.spotify.com

Generals And Majors - 2001 Remaster

XTC · Black Sea · Song · 1980

open.spotify.com

Mayor Of Simpleton - 2001 Remaster

XTC · Oranges & Lemons · Song · 1989

open.spotify.com

THANK YOU! for picking this tune and not one of their probably "bigger" tunes... my favorite of theirs.

eta: interesting to see it IS their biggest tune, at least in the UK. I feel like Dear God hit bigger here in the US, but I could be wrong about that.

Their first 3 or 4 albums are amazing.

On Spotify, Nigel has 61M listens, Dear God has 34m. Senses has 19.9.

Never was a huge fan of Nigel. I don't get why it has 3x more listens than Senses.