Middle Aged Dummies - Artist - Round 3 - #1's have been posted! (5 Viewers)

[kupcho1]

OK, so I know Andrew Bird isn't ranked order, but the Cure? How in the name of sweet baby Ganesh is Boys Don't Cry in the #18 playlist?
If the Cure is a ranked list, this is a criminal underrating.

 

[Don Quixote]

Curtis Mayfield

Don Quixote

Back to Living Again, by Curtis Mayfied (feat. Aretha Franklin) - YouTube Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen. youtu.be https://open.spotify.com/track/47G06GEnF4Ujd1lYCs0Eqd?si=obRMh7GkSHKa-5YLYQQ84g

This one is from Curtis Mayfield’s last album, New World Order, released in 1996. As I mentioned my write-up of one of my last five outs of Ms. Martha, he recorded this album after the concert accident that left him paralyzed.

I’m not sure how many are familiar with what happened on that day in 1990, but here is the account from Traveling Soul:

[New York State Senator Martin] Markowitz stood confused. Then he felt it—a hurricane-force blast of wind. Stacks of speakers on the front of the stage—big mothers, heavy and stout—fell off like they were committing suicide. Trees thrashed above the panicking crowd. Markowitz didn’t know what to do. He was in the middle of an introduction. The band was playing. Composing himself, he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, Curtis Mayfield,” and turned to hand over the microphone. My father strode toward Markowitz, axe slung across his body. Halfway there, Hell paid him a visit.

It happened in a matter of seconds, starting with the wind that had thrown the first two rows from their seats and razed the speakers. The gust also toppled the cymbals on the drum riser. Lee Goodness leaned back and caught them with his left arm, keeping the beat with his right. As Markowitz turned with the microphone, another gust heaved the front lighting truss off the ground and sent it tumbling, knocking the back truss off the stage as it fell. Markowitz collapsed in fear, lying on his stomach. The front truss plunged down, down, down, like a freight train dropped from the sky. As it plummeted, stage lights fell from it like raindrops.

One of those falling raindrop lights cracked Curtis on the back of the neck and crumpled him to the ground. Then the falling truss pulverized the tom drums with a mighty crash. If Lee hadn’t leaned back to catch the cymbals, it would have severed his arms, maybe worse. His bass drum stopped the truss before it could squash my father like a bug.

Dad blacked out, came to, and discovered neither his hands nor arms were where he thought they were. He lay splattered on the stage, helpless as an infant. People screamed and cried and hollered, everyone in frantic motion, running for their lives.

Then it rained. Big drops. Torrents poured from the sky; thunder exploded like shrapnel. Lee rushed over to his bandleader. “Are you all right?” he yelled into the rain. “I think so, but I can’t move,” my father groaned, sodden in the squall, powerless to take cover. He kept his eyes open, afraid that if he closed them he’d die. Someone covered him with a plastic sheet, and everyone waited without breath until an ambulance arrived. “I knew what had happened right away,” my father told an interviewer later. “The first thing I told myself was just to stay alive.”

Nothing was assured beneath the plastic sheet. The ambulance rushed him to Kings County Hospital. In the only stroke of luck that day, the hospital stood right next to the field. Paramedics saved his life, but not his body. After stabilizing him in traction, doctors told him the brutal truth—the stage light had crushed several vertebrae. Paralyzed from the neck down, he would never walk, let alone play guitar, again.

He was forty-eight years old.

After a few years dealing with the paralysis, the thing that Curtis Mayfield missed the most was playing his guitar and songwriting. So, he decided to work on another album to keep him connected with music, but needed a lot of help to do so and could not sing the way he usually did. He found that he could sing the best lying on his back as could better control his diaphragm that way. But he still could only do it a few lines at a time and had to be spliced together. The production team of Organized Noize also came in to help, who had worked with OutKast and on TLC’s Waterfalls.

The first song that he worked on for the album was “Back to Living Again.” He also brought in one of his former collaborators to help sing it, with Aretha Franklin coming in in the song’s last minute. While it does not directly mention his paralysis, it is a clear subtext with its message about focusing on the positive things in life.

If there's ever somethin' bad you don't wanna see
Just keep on walkin' and let it be
I don't wanna hear 'bout all that's bad, no, no
'Cause all that's bad just makes me sad

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Between this and the Olympics, I have exactly zero free time.

It's good to keep busy as we age.

(Narrator: Uruk changes his name and flees to Mongolia)

People in Mongolia realise it's quiet.

Too quiet.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

18. Gypsy (of a Strange and Distant Time)

Gypsy kicks off the second side of the album and begins its exploration of emotions one may experience during space travel, such as the isolation of being so far removed from planet Earth and hurtling through its dark, empty void. This is the only song from the album that they were able to play live, and they opened their shows with it for a couple of years the album's release.

This is the last song on the list from this album, which again, is my favorite of their entire catalog, and one that the band themselves recalled as a highlight, despite not having a hit song on it. Producer Tony Clarke stated in an interview 25 years after the album's release, "The intensity was just tremendous-the camaraderie, the interaction, the second guessing, the fun of it all, and the exploring. I think it shows in the music. I've got happy memories of that album." In the same interview, Mike Pinder added that the album "still lifts you off the planet. In a sense, it was ahead of its time, as were the moon landings when you look back on them now."

Despite having no hit singles, the album was well-received by critics, reached #2 on the UK albums chart and #14 in the US. Additionally, a cassette of the album was taken aboard and played during the Apollo 15 mission to the moon.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

18. Cat Fever
Album: Charity Ball (1971)
Writer: Nickey Barclay
Lead vocals: Nickey Barclay

Like Changing Horses (#21) and another one to come, Cat Fever is an energetic Stones-style rocker from Fanny's Nickey Barclay. The rumbling, rollicking first half offers lots of pleasure on that front, but as with many Fanny songs, the best is saved for the second half. The guitar bursts at 2:00 signal a kick into even higher energy, and the coda starting at 2:45 with a wailing guitar solo from June Millington and momentous rhythm from everyone else is one hell of a thrill ride.

In a 2003 interview, Jean Millington said she loves Cat Fever because it "really pushed and just showed off the playing and the band."

There are no live performances of this song on YouTube or Spotify, but we have evidence it appeared in setlists in 1971 and 1972. It was performed on the D!ck Cavett Show (along with Charity Ball's title track) on 9/22/71 and closed the 4/11/72 Cleveland show that was released as Fanny: Live in 1972 (but is out of print and not streaming anywhere).

Fanny's recording and touring schedule was so compressed and hectic that they were releasing songs as fast as they could write them. At #17, we have a rare example of a song that existed for several years before making it onto an album.

 

[Don Quixote]

I ain't gonna lie, I was a little apprehensive when I saw the album title (New World Order) Back to Living Again was on, but my fears were unfounded.
One oddity, though, the song lists featuring Aretha Franklin (above), but she isn't credited on Spotify (at least I don't see it). And to be honest, I don't hear her on the gong. Still, a very good tune, but my expectations were heightened as I was expecting the Queen.

Actually, maybe she is singing some backup toward the end. If so, I think the song could have been even better if she'd been featured a little more prominently.

Yeah, that’s Aretha with the backup vocals in the last minute. Hopefully my write-up gives some better context for it.

 

[-OZ-]

A Franklin (above), but she isn't credited on Spotify (at least I don't see it). And to be honest, I don't hear her on the gong.

Do you hear her with a bong? Did she go to Hong Kong? Is she playing ping-pong? This just seems wrong.

 

[kupcho1]

A Franklin (above), but she isn't credited on Spotify (at least I don't see it). And to be honest, I don't hear her on the gong.

Do you hear her with a bong? Did she go to hong? Is she playing ping-pong? This just seems wrong.

Although she's known primarily for her vocals, don't sleep on her gong playing.

 

[Yambag]

18's PLAYLIST

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams

Yambag

I Put A Spell On You - 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

NOT ON SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

Back to another special live show, the Annual Halloween Costume Ball, which I was able to attend a few years ago. As it is only held once a year, some fans travel hundreds of miles to attend it. Dressing up is encouraged (there is a costume contest) and a few songs are broken out just for this show. Here is a cover of I Put a Spell on You featuring Eric Person on saxophone.

Tink describes the magic of their live shows: "The Slambovian Circus of Dreams is kind of a zone, a realm, when we play a show. There's this communication that goes on between the musicians. When you're playing it's a big mind meld, but the audience also becomes part of it. The word circus means “circle.” So, it's something between the band and the audience as well. It's that transcendent thing, which is really why people go to shows."

 

[Tau837]

Dave Matthews

Tau837

Some Devil Some Devil Provided to YouTube by RCA Records LabelSome Devil · Dave MatthewsSome Devilâ 2003 BMG MusicReleased on: 2003-09-22Engineer, Mixing Engineer, Producer: Step... www.youtube.com

"Some Devil" is the title track from Dave's 2003 solo album. The album marked a significant departure from his work with DMB, showcasing a more introspective and somber side of his music. The song "Some Devil" stands out for its haunting melody, emotional depth, and poignant lyrics.

The lyrics delve into themes of heartbreak, loss, and existential reflection. The song conveys a sense of sorrow and introspection, addressing the complexities of relationships and the pain of separation. The recurring line "Some devil's got my soul" captures the essence of feeling trapped or tormented by inner demons or external circumstances.

Dave's vocal delivery is raw and emotive, perfectly complementing the somber tone of the lyrics. The arrangement is relatively sparse, featuring acoustic guitar, piano, and subtle string arrangements. This minimalist approach allows the emotional weight of the lyrics and vocals to take center stage.

The song resonated deeply with fans, many of whom appreciated the raw honesty and vulnerability in Matthews' performance. It has become a favorite among listeners who connect with its themes of heartbreak and introspection.

The song is well-suited to more intimate, acoustic settings, where the subtleties of the arrangement and the depth of the lyrics can be fully appreciated by the audience. On that note, here are a couple other versions:

• Live at Radio City 2007 (Dave and Tim) - starts around 1:15
• Live in Charlottesville 2020 (Dave solo)

 

[Tau837]

OK, so I know Andrew Bird isn't ranked order, but the Cure? How in the name of sweet baby Ganesh is Boys Don't Cry in the #18 playlist?
If the Cure is a ranked list, this is a criminal underrating.

I considered taking the Cure as an artist in one of these countdowns. Boys Don't Cry wouldn't make my top 31.

The ones I would have had higher in my ranking so far are Purple Haze and, especially, How Beautiful You Are.

With 17 songs remaining, I feel like I could predict at least 15 of them... though @Juxtatarot 's playlist has been pretty unpredictable so far, so maybe not.

 

[-OZ-]

I considering taking the Cure as an artist in one of these countdowns. Boys Don't Cry wouldn't make my top 31.

It probably makes my top 31 but not higher than 18.

 

[MAC_32]

This Tea Party song, "Turn the Lamp Down Low," is my new favorite song.

I played all my new hearts straight through Thursday and concluded it's definitely in the top 5 new to me's.

 

[Yo Mama]

STP #18 - Still Remains
Album - Purple (1994)

Upon registering to this yesterday, I wondered why I had this so low, but I looked ahead on my list and didn’t really see anything I would move down for it. This is a song that has one line in it that just blew me away and made the song instantly memorable (the first quote below, not the second).


This is a song about the depths of love.

The profound:
If you should die before me
Ask if you can bring a friend


And the creepy:
Take a bath, I'll drink the water that you leave

 

[Zegras11]

I considering taking the Cure as an artist in one of these countdowns. Boys Don't Cry wouldn't make my top 31.

It probably makes my top 31 but not higher than 18.

I'm there also. Have seen them twice and thought having it as an encore song was a little off.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Known and liked songs from #19 include Ferry, Beach Boys, Hoffs (again, only known because I listened to the covers albums during the covers countdown), The Doors (a surprisingly effective workout of funk) and EWF (this song is in my top 5 of theirs).

Thoughts on some of the others:

The Blue October song reminds me of Peter Gabriel.

Live for Today is almost punk. The production of the guitars is still very '70s mainstream hard rock, as are the harmonies, but the rhythm and the sentiment of the lyrics (not just because of the F bomb) are closer to what was happening in the underground.

Imposter is from Boingo's frenetic new wave beginnings -- as with some of the other early songs, I hear XTC in here, but in this case, also debut album-era Talking Heads. "You're just a critic, we know/Why you drink so much" is a hilarious line.

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams really does sound like circus music on A Very Unusual Head. And once again, the vocal reminds me of Bowie.

A Song for Sleeping is gorgeous and is very different from what I would have expected from STP coming into this.

The guitar line of Fool for You is a good match for the desperation of the lyrics.

Strand of Oaks' Keys sounds like a My Morning Jacket song, which makes sense because MMJ's Carl Broemel played on it. I can't place whether it sounds like a specific song, but it sounds like it would fit on their second album At Dawn (which was recorded before Broemel joined the band.)

The guitar on Mazzy Star's Happy sounds Neil-ish.

Blood Red Skies suffers from stereotypical '80s overproduction, but Rob Halford's vocal is spectacular, as is the guitar solo.

The Kiss is a whirlwind of guitar sounds, with a careening vocal to match.

Iron and Wine's cover of Love Vigilantes shows how good the song is when stripped of technology.

Pissin' in the Wind is an enjoyable ramshackle of a song. Love the Dylan reference at the end.

I like the chorus of Over.

Crimson Tide's bass line is the most memorable thing about it for most of the song, until the soaring guitars come in a little more than halfway through.

Masterswarm reminds me of the best Sufjan Stevens songs.

Killing the Dragon is EXACTLY the kind of thing I expect to hear from Dio. And yes, I was the one who shared the anecdote about the "killed by a dragon" meme.

 

[simey]

18's PLAYLIST

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams

Yambag

I Put A Spell On You - 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

NOT ON SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

Back to another special live show, the Annual Halloween Costume Ball, which I was able to attend a few years ago. As it is only held once a year, some fans travel hundreds of miles to attend it. Dressing up is encouraged (there is a costume contest) and a few songs are broken out just for this show. Here is a cover of I Put a Spell on You featuring Eric Person on saxophone.

Tink describes the magic of their live shows: "The Slambovian Circus of Dreams is kind of a zone, a realm, when we play a show. There's this communication that goes on between the musicians. When you're playing it's a big mind meld, but the audience also becomes part of it. The word circus means “circle.” So, it's something between the band and the audience as well. It's that transcendent thing, which is really why people go to shows."

I think their cover is really good, and I like the couple of thrown in altered verses from "Yer Blues." They fit well in the song, and I love that sax player. I like the singer, too.

Well the eagle picks my eye
he wormies (?) up my bone
He's so suicidal
Even hates my rock n roll

I put a spell on you
because you're mine
I put a spell on you
because you're mine

Well my father's of the sky
My mother's of the earth
but I am of the universe
and you know what it's worth

I put a spell on you
because you're mine
I put a spell on you
because you're mine

 

[simey]

Rob Halford's vocal is spectacular

He can hit some crazy high notes and hold them long enough to go to the bathroom and wash his hands.

 

[Juxtatarot]

OK, so I know Andrew Bird isn't ranked order, but the Cure? How in the name of sweet baby Ganesh is Boys Don't Cry in the #18 playlist?
If the Cure is a ranked list, this is a criminal underrating.

I considered taking the Cure as an artist in one of these countdowns. Boys Don't Cry wouldn't make my top 31.

The ones I would have had higher in my ranking so far are Purple Haze and, especially, How Beautiful You Are.

With 17 songs remaining, I feel like I could predict at least 15 of them... though @Juxtatarot 's playlist has been pretty unpredictable so far, so maybe not.

Yeah, if I were solely picking 31 Cure songs for just me personally, it wouldn't be on it either. Heck, I'd probably rank at least 10 songs on Disintegration alone over it.

When I was picking songs, I decided to have two requirements: make sure to pick most of their biggest hits and pick at least one song from each of the 13 albums. I filled in the rest with personal favorites.

 

[KarmaPolice]

@simey - sorry, I should have PMd you, but I did the playlist late. The link what I had was just to his artist page, so I guessed at the song version and meant to warn you about that.

 

[KarmaPolice]

A Franklin (above), but she isn't credited on Spotify (at least I don't see it). And to be honest, I don't hear her on the gong.

Do you hear her with a bong? Did she go to Hong Kong? Is she playing ping-pong? This just seems wrong.

When she hits the gong does a character appear named Long Duck Dong?

 

[-OZ-]

The Blue October song reminds me of Peter Gabriel.

I hadn’t placed that, but I can see it.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#18 NO SPILL BLOOD

No Spill Blood (1988 Boingo Alive Version)

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupNo Spill Blood (1988 Boingo Alive Version) · Oingo BoingoBoingo Aliveâ 1988 UMG Recordings, Inc.Released on: 1988...

www.youtube.com

Hate the title, and honestly this song didn't even make the first cut when I went through, so I don't like the album version much. Broken record and all, but I loved the way the live version popped and the guitars were front and center. It's also almost a minute longer to allow for some soloing around. Like I did last time, I will also link the album version in case anybody wants to compare. I also linked below their live version of No Spill Blood from their Farewell live album from 1996. I also find this comparison very interesting as well. I don't like show all that much, as it feels like a 90s cover band doing Oingo Boingo songs, and this is a great example of that. 40sec longer and those 90s guitars drown out everything else in the song, and IMO it loses it's original swing and swagger too much. I was excited that they has something like that on Spotify to listen to, but I was done after the one listen. I think of them as an 80s band and it sounds too 90s, so I just listen to the other stuff. I do recommend it for the comparison or in case my opinion is crap.

No Spill Blood

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupNo Spill Blood · Oingo BoingoGood For Your Soulâ 1983 UMG Recordings, Inc.Released on: 1983-07-26Producer: Danny ...

www.youtube.com

No Spill Blood

Song · Oingo Boingo · 1983

open.spotify.com

Oingo Boingo Farewell - No Spill Blood

Oingo Boingo Farewell concert.Track order:1 - Intro - Tender Lumplings2 - Insanity3 - Little Girls4 - Cinderella Undercover5 - Controller6 - Burn Me Up7 - In...

www.youtube.com

No Spill Blood - Live

Song · Oingo Boingo · 1996

open.spotify.com

Next Up: we will now have a run of 4 songs from the 2 main albums- Dead Man's Party and Nothing to Fear.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Sweet​

#18 - AC-DC​

- YouTube

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

m.youtube.com

Producer - Phil Wainman
Writer - Chinn/Chapman
Chart Positions - Album Track
Album - UK - Sweet Fanny Adams, US - Desolation Boulevard
Year - 1974
Lead Vocal - Brian Connolly
Steve Priest Vocal - Backing Only
Notes - This song has been subsequently covered by Joan Jett and Vince Neil of Motley Crue. The song is 50 years old, but the material would be problematic these days or would it? Maybe its a celebration of identity? I dont ****ing know anymore lol
She's got funk but they call her a punk
She got zing you wanna see her ding-a-ling
Well lesbian it together

ACDC obviously refers to someone who is bisexual, which is where the band who uses that title also got it from. This is when Bon Scott used to dress in drag on the Australian pub tours. Funny how that sort of gets erased from the deification the band gets now.
Anyway, this is a catchy number. Good fun.

Next Up - There are a whole heap of weird songs in the Sweet catalog. Ones that are out of place, a different sound etc. Songs you wouldnt expect the band to sound like. The next one takes the cake though. Surprisingly it actually reached the lower area (#88) of the US Billboard Hot 100. When they couldnt buy a hit.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Chvrches​

#18 - Out of My Head (featuring Wednesday Campanella)​

CHVRCHES - Out Of My Head ft. WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA

Out Of My Head Is Out Now – https://CHVRCHES.lnk.to/OutOfMyHeadMusic video by CHVRCHES performing Out Of My Head. © 2018 CHVRCHES, under exclusive license to...

m.youtube.com

Producer - Chvrches
Writer - CookDohertyMayberryKOM_IKenmochi Hidefumi
Album - Love is Dead - Japanese Deluxe edition only
Year - 2018
Notes - One of the great things about Chvrches is the unusual places they go with their covers and collaborations. Here they team up with J-Pop band Wednesday Campanella for an energetic japanese/english language collaboration.

Next Up - A track that does or does not feature a collaborator. The collaborated artist is from a Tennessee band that has had a US#1 album. Not as famous as Robert Smith mind you. The collaborated version is the one here.

 

[tuffnutt]

18.
Muddy Hymnals- Iron and Wine
from The Creek That Drank The Cradle (2002)

Found your name across the chapel door
Carved in cursive with a table fork
Muddy hymnals and some boot marks where you'd been
The shaking preacher told the captained man
The righteous suffer in a fallen land
And pulled the shade to keep the crowd from peeking in
We found your children by the tavern door
With wooden buttons and an apple core
Playing house and telling everyone you'd drowned
The begging choir told the captained man
We all assume the worst the best we can
And for a round or two they'd gladly track you down
We found you sleeping by your lover's stone
A ream of paper and a telephone
A broken bow across a long-lost violin
Your lover's angel told the captained man
It never ends the way we had it planned
And kissed her palm and placed it on your dreaming head



The closing song from the I&W debut album has some of Beam's best lyrics... each verse adds a layer to the plot of the song, all together building a heart-wrenching story of a young widower. Carried by a weary sounding melody, steeped in sadness... this song sounds like it could be from another time... the 4 track sound makes this one seem to take place in antiquity. Just a great tune.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

@simey - sorry, I should have PMd you, but I did the playlist late. The link what I had was just to his artist page, so I guessed at the song version and meant to warn you about that.

@KarmaPolice for me, it linked to "Mr Bojangles".

 

[simey]

@simey - sorry, I should have PMd you, but I did the playlist late. The link what I had was just to his artist page, so I guessed at the song version and meant to warn you about that.

It was my fault for accidentally sending Zegras a link to his artist page instead of the song. JJW re-recorded a lot of songs due to some of his albums being out of print, so it would be hard to figure out which version to pick. The album Jerry Jeff Walker was out of print for a long time, came back into print, and is out of print again. The 1972 album is on Spotify, which is the version I wanted on the playlist. The album is in need of a good remastering, but the more rockin' songs like this one (and hairy *** hillbillies) are a bit louder vs some of the others. I've actually used some of the re-recorded versions of the folk songs off that album, so they could be heard better, and they sound great. I love JJ's original version of L.A. Freeway, so it needed to be the '72 album version. Anyway, thanks for changing it for me.

If I can just get off of that L.A. Freeway without getting killed or caught
Down the road in a cloud of smoke, for some land that I ain't bought bought bought
If I can just get off of that L.A. Freeway without getting killed or caught

 

[Eephus]

If I can just get off of that L.A. Freeway without getting killed or caught
Down the road in a cloud of smoke, for some land that I ain't bought bought bought
If I can just get off of that L.A. Freeway without getting killed or caught

When I was in college, our weeknight hangout was a local bar called the Brat & Brau. They had cheap pitchers and a popcorn machine so we could drink and eat--the condiment station for the brats was next to the popcorn machine so we could also fill a separate basket with pickles and sauerkraut to accompany the popcorn.

Anyway, the jukebox had a misspelled title card for this song that read L.A. Freewall; I have no idea what a freewall is supposed to be but that's what it said so that's what I thought the name of the song was. It took me about a decade to realize I was mistaken.

 

[Eephus]

Strand of Oaks #18 - "Communication" (2024)

"Communication" is another song off the new meditation synth opera album Miracle Focus. If I were to get a do-over, I would probably swap this one with the other Miracle Focus track I picked. I guess that's how it goes with new material; there's some early jockeying for position before the favorites get set in stone. This one is a poppy, upbeat synth song with some of the vocals run through a vocoder. I have no idea why the chorus "Two arms to hold you/Three eyes to know you/Com-mu-ni-ca-tion" mention an odd number of eyes--maybe it's a robot.

It's probably never going to be my favorite Strand album but I'm glad Tim finally made his all synths album. He's had a couple of abortive stabs at this before releasing the songs with more conventional band instrumentation. He seems to be at peace with this direction and has been particularly happy and goofy (even for him) in the round of media for the album's release. I was curious how he'd work the new stuff into his shows but rather than rearrange them for a band, he's singing the Miracle Focus stuff solo to backing tapes like some middle-aged teenpop star.

Strand Of Oaks - "Party at Monster Lake"/"Ananda"/"Communication" (KUTX Studio 1A)

KUTX Presents Strand of Oaks live in Studio 1A. May 29, 2024Set List:"Party at Monster Lake""Ananda""Communication"Album: Miracle Focus (Western Vinyl, June ...

youtu.be

 

[Mister CIA]

So beautiful...

A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left - Andrew Bird | Live from Here with Chris Thile

Subscribe to the Live from Here channel and click the bell for notifications: https://bit.ly/2JCVkzdAndrew Bird performs "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to...

youtu.be

 

[Mt. Man]

Ronnie James Dio #18
Artist: Dio
Song: The Eyes (off Master of the Moon, 2004)

(Youtube Version) The Eyes
(live version - warning 1st 20 seconds or so are super quiet) Dio - The Eyes Live In Wacken Open Air 08.06.2004

I'll be lost so no goodbyes
If no one moves then nothing dies
Just the eyes

It wasn’t intentional, but here we have the last of a group of songs from the 2000’s. This is the only song from this album in the 31, though I included the title track in the last 5 out, and the ballad-y “The Man Who Would Be King” came relatively close too.

As far this song, it’s another one with varied tempo and mood. Guitar-driven and doom-y through most of it, with the small chorus going slower but not really mellower. As you might guess from the title (or the previous teaser), it’s a song about perception, introspection, and self-discovery. It’s another song that embraces individuality and finding your own path. So you know, whatever you get out of it works for me.
—
Next up on the countdown, some people want to be an actor or artist. Others have a different aspiration.

 

[-OZ-]

Sweet​

#18 - AC-DC​

- YouTube

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

m.youtube.com

Producer - Phil Wainman
Writer - Chinn/Chapman
Chart Positions - Album Track
Album - UK - Sweet Fanny Adams, US - Desolation Boulevard
Year - 1974
Lead Vocal - Brian Connolly
Steve Priest Vocal - Backing Only
Notes - This song has been subsequently covered by Joan Jett and Vince Neil of Motley Crue. The song is 50 years old, but the material would be problematic these days or would it? Maybe its a celebration of identity? I dont ****ing know anymore lol
She's got funk but they call her a punk
She got zing you wanna see her ding-a-ling
Well lesbian it together

ACDC obviously refers to someone who is bisexual, which is where the band who uses that title also got it from. This is when Bon Scott used to dress in drag on the Australian pub tours. Funny how that sort of gets erased from the deification the band gets now.
Anyway, this is a catchy number. Good fun.

Next Up - There are a whole heap of weird songs in the Sweet catalog. Ones that are out of place, a different sound etc. Songs you wouldnt expect the band to sound like. The next one takes the cake though. Surprisingly it actually reached the lower area (#88) of the US Billboard Hot 100. When they couldnt buy a hit.

I was only mildly disappointed that This didn’t guest star Brian Johnson

 

[Oliver Humanzee]

19. Big Black -- The Power of Independent Trucking

18. Big Black -- Racer-X

I dunno what to write about these songs. They're just badass,

I like that the muttered, telephone vocals on "Trucking" evoke the sound of CB radio chatter without directly referencing it. The chorus is violent and powerful and feels like having a semi blow past your '82 Chevette at highway speeds.

Speed Racer was always the corny Homestar to Racer-X's infinitely cooler Strong Bad. It makes sense that Steve would find Racer-X to be the more tragic and compelling character. Also funny is how much t his song sounds like Ministry's "Stigmata".

 

[Pip's Invitation]

he's singing the Miracle Focus stuff solo to backing tapes like some middle-aged teenpop star.

The one Todd Rundgren show I saw (supporting his "interactive" album No World Order), he did this -- sometimes playing guitar or keys/synths along with the tapes.

The funny thing was, the one technical malfunction was on a song that had no tapes -- during the ballad Cliche, his acoustic guitar broke a string.

Tagging @New Binky the Doormat because it's Todd.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Annie Lennox was first in a group called "The Tourists". I had no idea what the language in the song was.

It seems there's a Mongolian group with the same name. And the same eponymous album title.

Boy was I confused. I'm very glad I wasn't high.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Speed Racer was always the corny Homestar to Racer-X's infinitely cooler Strong Bad. It makes sense that Steve would find Racer-X to be the more tragic and compelling character. Also funny is how much t his song sounds like Ministry's "Stigmata".

I loved Speed Racer as a kid, so I was happy to see this song on the list.

 

[Yambag]

18's Thoughts From Slambovia:

Known: STP, DMB, Priest (LOVE THIS ONE), Cure, Doors

Previously established favorites: Blue October, Fanny, Tea Party, Oingo Boingo, Chvrches and now Brian Setzer

5 Standouts
Moody Blues: Gypsy
Curtis Mayfield: Back to Living Again
Beach Boys: Sail On, Sailor
Jerry Jeff Walker: L.A. Freeway
April Wine:' Don't Push Me Around

 

[MAC_32]

I'll be pleasantly surprised if Kenny Chesney - Living in Fast Forward gets any shoutouts from this group. It's guitar driven and fiddles its way out, but there may be a bit too much honky tonk for this crowd. With hind sight I should have pegged All The Pretty Girls instead, not because of where they reside with me, but what I'm expecting from this particular audience. Both follow a similar formula and are shallow lyrically, but the latter may be more identifiable. There's some redundancy, which is why I squeezed one out of the 31, but if this choice wasn't your jam, I urge you to give the alternate a shot. For me, both hit the spot while chilling at the beach Friday afternoon, which is why I've fallen behind again

 

[-OZ-]

With hind sight I should have pegged All The Pretty Girls instead, not because of where t

It’s funny you mention that song. I liked it at first but quickly grew to not care for it.

Off hand, I think there might be five songs left of his that I’ll include in my faves for the rest of this countdown. But, two of his songs not shown yet would land in my top 100 all time (one being with an artist on my list of possibilities for future countdowns), maybe higher.

I mentioned before, but he’s basically country Rob Deer to me. (Home run when he connects but he strikes out often).

 

[MAC_32]

With hind sight I should have pegged All The Pretty Girls instead, not because of where t

It’s funny you mention that song. I liked it at first but quickly grew to not care for it.

This reads like why it fell off for me. When I first heard it, I enjoyed it. When it was sprinkled in a handful of times per summer in the years that followed, same. When I spun Chesney frequently in the weeks leading up to this thing it went from teens to 20's to watch list to out. It's got its place on shuffle, but it isn't one I'm seeking out anymore.

I mentioned before, but he’s basically country Rob Deer to me. (Home run when he connects but he strikes out often).

This is the right opportunity to share with those wanting to hear She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy that you're going to be disappointed **whiff**

 

[-OZ-]

With hind sight I should have pegged All The Pretty Girls instead, not because of where t

It’s funny you mention that song. I liked it at first but quickly grew to not care for it.

This reads like why it fell off for me. When I first heard it, I enjoyed it. When it was sprinkled in a handful of times per summer in the years that followed, same. When I spun Chesney frequently in the weeks leading up to this thing it went from teens to 20's to watch list to out. It's got its place on shuffle, but it isn't one I'm seeking out anymore.

I mentioned before, but he’s basically country Rob Deer to me. (Home run when he connects but he strikes out often).

This is the right opportunity to share with those wanting to hear She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy that you're going to be disappointed **whiff**

I suspect both will be on your list. Although it wouldn’t shock me if one isn’t.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Stone Temple Pilots

Yo Mama

Still Remains

This might be the finest overall STP song, IMO.

 

[Yo Mama]

Stone Temple Pilots

Yo Mama

Still Remains

This might be the finest overall STP song, IMO.

Awesome - of all the heavy hitters on Purple (and there are plenty to come on my list), there was a stretch where this was the song I would revisit the most due to its high points.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Can someone fix the thread title? Looks like something that is 1 foot 8.

 

[Yo Mama]

Can someone fix the thread title? Looks like something that is 1 foot 8.

I think that’s how Canadians spell 18.

 

[Raging weasel]

The 19's

Known and liked songs

Happy
The Changeling- haven't heard this in years
Killing the Dragon

New to me likes

You're the One
Apathy- back in the 80's I discovered the cure to apathy while tripping on mushrooms but no one cared
Beyond
Okie Dokie Stomp-dumb name,good track
Fool For You
Til It's Gone
Over
Serpentine Fire
Masterswarm
The Power of Independent Trucking- almost left it off because it's too short

Honorable Mention

A Very Unusual Head- my least liked of theirs so far but like someone else mentioned, exactly what I expected this band to sound like

 

[Raging weasel]

#18 A Touch of Evil

Don't usually comment on my songs but felt compelled as it's the playlist title. No long write up just a couple tidbits
- one of only a few Priest songs where a non band member got a writing credit. Producer Chris Tsangarides wrote the guitar riff and received a credit
- only song from the Painkiller album where the Synthesizer wasn't removed before the final mix.
- last song on my list from 1990 or later

 

[Yambag]

#18 A Touch of Evil

Don't usually comment on my songs but felt compelled as it's the playlist title. No long write up just a couple tidbits
- one of only a few Priest songs where a non band member got a writing credit. Producer Chris Tsangarides wrote the guitar riff and received a credit
- only song from the Painkiller album where the Synthesizer wasn't removed before the final mix.
- last song on my list from 1990 or later

This statement has me very curious, especially as we have not seen the title track from the album A Touch of Evil is from.

 

[Raging weasel]

#18 A Touch of Evil

Don't usually comment on my songs but felt compelled as it's the playlist title. No long write up just a couple tidbits
- one of only a few Priest songs where a non band member got a writing credit. Producer Chris Tsangarides wrote the guitar riff and received a credit
- only song from the Painkiller album where the Synthesizer wasn't removed before the final mix.
- last song on my list from 1990 or later

This statement has me very curious, especially as we have not seen the title track from the album A Touch of Evil is from.

Would've been in my last 5 out if I had done one. I replaced it with Dreamer Deceiver at the last minute.