Middle Aged Dummies!! Artists #1's have been posted!! (1 Viewer)

[Mt. Man]

The 11s are a tough group, as there’s too much goodness to distill. Seriously, even shuffle hit me with two strong blocks where I wanted to list every song (and I guess I have now):
*F.O.D/Chove Chuva/Congregation/Severed/Love is Like A Rock
*Heart/Queen/AC-DC/Daft Punk, and I’ll stop there to not list another 4-5 songs.

Some selected ones from 11s besides the above, then:
*The Wagon - Dinosaur Jr.
*Listen - Chicago
*Sea Of Destruction - Clutch
*Babe - Taylor Swift. I mostly know this from my workplace’s playlist, but it still counts!
*Sinners, Saints and Fools - Brandi Carlile
*Limelight - Rush. Limelight was the song I spotlighted for Rush in M-AD, so obviously great to see it here.
*Kick In the Eye - Bauhaus. It hit me as part Frank Zappa, part “You Dropped A Bomb On me”.
*I Wish - Stevie Wonder

If I didn’t list yours, it’s plausibly because I was too lazy to drop a comment for every song!

 

[plinko]

Songs I know and love -- Love Hate Love always takes me back to Live Facelift

Heh, I used that exact same link. Though that performance can't get enough love (so to speak?), so it's all good there.

Ha, my bad!

Great VHS quickie

 

[MAC_32]

Green Day

MAC_32

F.O.D. F.O.D. Song · Green Day · 1994 open.spotify.com

I thought about picking live F.O.D. but I really like both versions for completely different reasons. Billy Joe speeding up the solo live is an enhancement to the show, it contributed to their Woodstock performance delving into anarchy, and is what they were playing when the plug was pulled on their free show in Boston. The studio rendition going from an acoustic strum to pure chaos at the flip of a switch is the one I always find myself coming back to though. I appreciate Billy Joe not hiding where this song is going at the live show because most in attendance know, but the studio version can catch the listener by surprise on first listen.

I put this to the test in 5th grade music class. We had a bring your own music to class thing every Friday and we had time for each to play a handful of songs. I handed Mrs. Lewis the CD and said play track 14 - FOD? what does that stand for? I don't know, but I think the class will like it. Are you sure it's appropriate? Yes, play the first few bars and you'll understand. So she did then after the first verse she calmly walked back to her desk and far away from the sound system blissfully unaware of what was to come. I kept a strong poker face until the acoustic part started closing around the 90 second mark then glanced around the room at a few I knew were familiar with this song that also had **** eating grins on their faces and then KA-BOOM

YOU'RE JUST
A ****
I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT CAUSE I THINK YOU SUCK
I'M TA...KING PRIDE
IN TELLING YOU TO **** OFF AND DIE

I have never seen that old woman move so fast and I was banned from ever bringing in music again.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I'm a fan of the vocals from The Hold Steady, whether before or after he took lessons. "Banging Camp" was one of my favorite performances from him.

A strange thought hit me when I heard Banging Camp. The relationship between Craig Finn's vocals and The Hold Steady's music is kind of like the relationship between John S. Hall's vocals and King Missile's music. That is, there really isn't one -- the singer does their thing on top of the band doing their thing. As if the vocals and the music were conceived and performed completely separately.

I don’t know King Missile’s music, but the description definitely fits The Hold Steady. It occurs to me now that that is part of what I love about it.

They honestly have some and I mean SOME pretty solid stuff

ED

They played my “eating club” in college about a year before their big hit came out. They were a lot of fun. I’ve told some anecdotes about that night in other music threads.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

JML’s Reimagined rankings
Part 4 - The Police 31-21 re-ranked
Drafter - @Zegras11

Every song gets 3 full listens, more if I feel its going somewhere and i need to persist. If I havent given it 3 listens, its because something really annoyed me. That will show up in the comments

Prior Knowledge of artist
As one of the major chart acts between 77 and 85, they are well known to me. At least the singles are. I dont think I have ever got through a full Police album though. I have a greatest hits and several singles in my collection, so all but a few of the songs to come should be known to me. The ones so far, not so much.

Expectations
As I know the band, I walk in with half excitement, half trepidation. I have seen the Police compared unfavorably to Coldplay. Polarising lead figure and devotion of the fanbase etc. i think Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland are not as anonymous as the rest of Coldplay though. When the Police hit with me, especially on songs to come I love them. When Sting is a arse, less so.

My Reimagined Rankings
31 - Too Much Information
Too much repetition

30 - Murder By Numbers
This one hits all the points where the Police can get divisive. Too much Sting here

29 - The Truth Hits Everybody
This has a good riff and chugs along nicely.

28 - Voices Inside My Head
Has the vibe of a recorded jam session.

27 - Walking in Your Footsteps
This is the kind of track you love to hear on an album. Care and dedication went into making it and its more than a time filler

26 - Regatta De Blanc
This sounds like if you got AI to make a Police song. All you need to know is here

25 - Bring on the Night
This is a song i persisted with and glad I did. Took a while to grow on me

24 - The Beds Too Big Without You
One of their failed singles. Its more a strong album track than a single though

23 - Man In a Suitcase
Dig the Ska beat on this one. This is the Police at their best

22 - It’s Alright for You
Another one that bounces along and keeps Sting in check. Early stuff of course.

21 - So Lonely
Very familiar with this one. Great to go crazy on. Such a great vibe
This is sure to finish higher for me

Comments to date
I know the best is yet to come here so am not so worried about my lack of enjoyment in some here to date. Of course there are some crackers as well, my typical response to The Police. Some great, some not. I have a stronger preference to their earlier material.

Next up Modest Mouse

 

[Tau837]

Foo Fighters

Just Win Baby

Congregation Congregation Song · Foo Fighters · 2014 open.spotify.com

This is the second of 3 songs I chose off Sonic Highways. As I mentioned in my Foos introduction post, Sonic Highways is a project different from most albums. From Wikipedia:

In writing the album's eight songs, singer and guitarist Dave Grohl traveled to eight cities across the United States to conduct interviews with musicians, recording engineers, record producers, and other individuals discussing each city's musical history, which he used as inspiration for the songs' lyrics. The band and Vig then traveled to a different recording location in each city to record the songs. Each track features contributions from one or more musicians with ties to that city's musical history. The process was filmed for a companion television series, Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways, which was broadcast on HBO in the months surrounding the album's release.

The city for this song was Nashville and features a guest appearance by Zac Brown. Here is a video about the making of this song: Making of Congregation - Foo Fighters (but from about the 11:15 mark on, it is just video of the band eating, so you can probably skip that part ).

Here is the official video: Foo Fighters - Congregation (Official HD Video)

About the song:

The third episode of Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways focuses on the country music scene of Nashville that is known as the Nashville sound. Foo Fighters' bassist Nate Mendel told NME that "The song 'Congregation' is a play on how a lot of the folks in the Nashville country music scene came together in church, in a sort of gospel environment, to learn their craft."

Foo Fighters' front man Dave Grohl told Q that of the collaboration with Zac Brown: "Zac Brown is an enormous country star. I met him in a store and he asked me to produce an album. I'd never heard of him. I said to someone, 'Zac Brown has asked me to produce him' - they said, 'You should do it, he's huge' So I did the record without hearing any of his songs."

Grohl also explained that the lyrics: "And they're singing like a bluebird in the round," references Nashville's iconic Bluebird Café, stating that "The Bluebird I knew a little bit about, but I learned a lot," explained Grohl. "In Nashville, it seems like there are these rites of passage that you have to go through to become a star, whether you're a singer or a songwriter, and the Bluebird is really one of those. If you can get down at the Bluebird, you've got a gig."

Around 2019 (2014 article was updated "4 years ago"), Spin ranked what they characterized as all 152 Foo Fighters songs up to that point, ranking Congregation #15. Here is their writeup:

Even if it’s not as country as “Seda” or even “Wheels,” the Nashville influence looms large on this jangly Sonic Highways tune. Grohl evokes the spiritual side of the Music City, paying tribute to the famed Bluebird Cafe, where he did an acoustic set, while the band takes some countrified spins on the guitar licks. It’s easily the most inspired of the band’s newest material.

Music Times said this about the song:

Featuring some guitar assistance from country rocker Zac Brown (whom Grohl previously worked on for a 2013 Zac Brown Band EP), "Congregation" blends together the lighter side of Foo Fighters with classic Southern rock and the newfound growl and metal direction that Sonic Highways has taken as a whole.

The energy and tempo of "Congregation" recall heavily of the Foo Fighters' Greatest Hits single "Wheels." Though the song does eventually take that promised left turn at the 3:12 mark, the first half of the song is distinctly a mid-tempo Foo Fighters anthem.

The post-3:12 mark is where "Congregation" really begins to shine and explode. After taking his voice on a relatively smooth journey throughout the beginning of the song, Grohl really lets his signature growl rip, following a lengthy and winding guitar solo.

"And you need blind faith / No false hope, no false hope / Do you have blind faith? / Where is your blind faith? / Open your eyes / Step into the light," Grohl screams near the end of the song.

With 10 songs to go, here are the Foos songs so far:

Rank	Song	Album	Year
11	Congregation	Sonic Highways	2014
12	This Is A Call	Foo Fighters	1995
13	Breakout	There Is Nothing Left To Lose	1999
14	Over And Out	In Your Honor	2005
15	Halo	One By One	2002
16	Monkey Wrench	The Colour And The Shape	1997
17	Rope	Wasting Light	2011
18	Miracle	In Your Honor	2005
19	Skin And Bones	Skin And Bones	2006
20	Walk	Wasting Light	2011
21	What If I Do?	In Your Honor	2005
22	Stranger Things Have Happened	Echoes, Silence, Patience, And Grace	2007
23	I Should Have Known	Wasting Light	2011
24	Learn To Fly	There Is Nothing Left To Lose	1999
25	Best Of You	In Your Honor	2005
26	Aurora	There Is Nothing Left To Lose	1999
27	End Over End	In Your Honor	2005
28	What Did I Do / God As My Witness	Sonic Highways	2014
29	Let It Die	Echoes, Silence, Patience, And Grace	2007
30	Run	Concrete And Gold	2017
31	Iron Rooster	Saint Cecilia EP	2015

 

[shuke]

12's: Hearted Brandi, Modest Mouse, and Doves songs. Love the Spoon song. Other great selections for Todd, Decemberists, ELO, Foo.

11's: This Trail of Dead song is epic! My favorite Tragically Hip song. Good stuff by Sigur Ros, Daft Punk, Queen, Simon and Garfunkel.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

Initiation - Todd Rundgren #11

You don't hear a lot about Todd's "Initiation" album but it's among my favorites. It's a 68 minute album - one of the longest non-double albums ever, the sound had to be squished and sped up in order to squeeze that much music onto the platter. I guess audiophiles could tell the difference - but I never picked it up.

as the typical angst-ridden teen looking for life's meaning and a purpose - so much of Todd's music hit me in the right way. This song soars - I love everything about it.

It's very much a 2-sided album with six songs on one side and the side 2 is a 36 minute synth and rock treatise. For those fans of long form - put this one on after lighting up your favorite blends and kick back.

 

[rockaction]

11. Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers - Get Lucky

She's up all night 'till the sun
I'm up all night to get some
She's up all night for good fun
I'm up all night to get lucky

This song was probably Daft Punk's biggest, and some would say, best. Off of the big-budgeted album Random Access Memories, the song features Pharrell Williams and funk/disco God Nile Rodgers. How big of a song was it back when it was released in 2013? Huge. It was one of the few songs Daft Punk have that can call itself a chart-topper, hitting #1 in seventeen countries worldwide, including #2 in the United States for five weeks, finishing second those five weeks only to Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines." "Get Lucky" won two Grammy awards, one for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and the other for Record Of The Year. The song premiered in teasers on Saturday Night Live and set the Spotify record for streams in one day at that point.

And what kind of a song was it? Per Wikipedia, Critics note that the song "is composed in the key of F♯ minor, in the B dorian mode and follows the chord progression of Bm7–D–F♯m7–E.[19] The song runs at common time with a tempo of 116 BPM." It is based on Nile Rodgers's funk riff that repeats throughout the song. Rodgers has said that the group had a track built, then he played the guitar lick for the track, and Daft Punk reconstructed the track around his guitar riff. Per Wiki, "...the song as it appears on the album also features a synthesizer by Daft Punk, keyboards by Chris Caswell and additional guitar performed by Paul Jackson, Jr." Both song and album eschewed typical drum machine beats and instead were based on drum tracks that real drummers had laid down either via the expression of humming or via sheet music. Regardless of how it was communicated for this particular track, it made for a warmer analog drum sound, a departure from Daft Punk's usually digitzed and mechanical beats.

Anyway, it was a huge megahit from a mega-album in 2013. That was ten years ago. Seems like yesterday.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

For those fans of long form - put this one on after lighting up your favorite blends and kick back.

Todd has another 30-minute song that I love, but this one has never done anything for me.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Random thoughts on some #11s that I know:

I included Initiation in my 1975 countdown. What I said there:

58. Initiation -- Todd Rundgren (from Initiation)

Power changes hands in the unseen worlds
'Cause in '75 something comes alive

Here we go, @Binky The Doormat. Todd was fully on the prog train by 1975, having released the super-spacey first Utopia album shortly before the close of 1974. He carried some of those ideas over to his next album, which he released under his own name. The title track distills ideas from the likes of Yes and Mahavishnu Orchestra but sets them to a hard-driving rhythm, paced by drum tracks from Bernard Purdie and Rick Marotta. It includes spectacular solos from Todd on guitar, Utopia's Roger Powell on synthesizer and, you guessed it, David Sanborn on saxophone, and became a concert favorite for many years. Certain of its elements were first developed in Hall and Oates' Can't Stop the Music, from their 1974 album War Babies, which Todd produced.

King of Pain was so ubiquitous that in middle school we would sing it with fake/gross lyrics. "There's a little black spot on my underwear..."
Get 'Em Out by Friday conveys Serious English Music in a way that comes off as a bit stilted. Genesis would employ it more distinctively and flexibly starting on their next album, Selling England by the Pound. Despite being stiff in spots, the song never fails to keep your attention and its lyrics are an amusing mix of whimsy and social commentary.
(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman may be the most successful mix of disco and rock -- even more than Miss You. It flat-out rocked when they played it at the show I saw in 1990.
Limelight is one of my very favorite Rush songs. The main riff is ridiculous.
Ruby Baby is a fun cover but I like other things from The Nightfly better.
I never heard Get Lucky until the US MAD countdown. I missed out bigly.
I Wish is impossible not to get down to.
The Moma Dance began as a funk instrumental called Black-Eyed Katy developed during Phish's funk-obsessed year of 1997. Lyrics were added later and the title is a pun on the lyric "the moment ends." It is a rare non-jokey lead vocal from drummer Jon Fishman.
Rockaria! is one of the few ELO singles that was a big hit in the UK but not the US. Probably because the classical/opera influences were even more overt than usual.
The Wagon is a good thing to play if someone asks you what '90s Dino Jr. sounds like.
Over Now is one of the most emotional AIC songs in a career full of them.
Can any-BODY find MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE???????????????????????????????
America is one of S&G's best, achieving the rare feat of being both pensive and anthemic. I love the Yes cover and included it in my 1975 countdown. What I said there:

10. America -- Yes (from Yesterdays)

Yes was on hiatus in 1975. To fill the gap, Atlantic issued Yesterdays, a compilation of 8 older tracks, 7 of which were recorded in 1969 and 1970, before Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman joined. The eighth was a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's America that the 1971-72 lineup including Howe and Wakeman had cut. It was included on an Atlantic multi-artist sampler released in the UK in 1972, but didn't appear in the US until Yesterdays.

Their version completely reinvents the song (and, as you might expect, makes it way longer), with all members bringing their signature style to it. Most notable to me is Chris Squire's thick bass parts, giving the bottom a heft that the S&G version doesn't have. The final minute is one of the most spectacular passages this spectacular lineup committed to vinyl.

 

[falguy]

God. You go away for a week's vacation and suddenly are 4 playlists behind . This will be a daunting task catching up.

First, want to pass along best wishes for @Eephus and family. That is absolutely devastating news. I can't imagine what you are all going through. Sending as many positive thoughts as I have.

 

[shuke]

11. Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers - Get Lucky

Was it Krista who claimed to have never heard this before?

 

[krista4]

11. Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers - Get Lucky

Was it Krista who claimed to have never heard this before?

“Claimed to”

 

[krista4]

I never heard Get Lucky until the US MAD countdown. I missed out bigly.

Oh, and…

 

[simey]

A few thoughts on some new to me 11s I like

Goodbye Lorraine - I hear a pedal steel.
Lord, I'm Discouraged - I love this one.
English Girls Approximately - This is good.
Spud Infinity -
Chove Chuva - Light and breezy tune.
Get 'Em Out by Friday - I'm not sure what all went down lyrically in this song, but I like it.
Love is Like a Rock - You know when Slade is in the house.
Gobbledigook - Extra points for song title.
Ruby Baby - I like the music in this one.
Straightened Out - I can workout to this tune.
Severed - I can work out to this one too.
The Wagon -
Protest Streets - The ending surprised me. At first I thought a new song started.
Kick in the Eye - Groovy bass in this one.
Sinners, Saints and Fools - I like the story in the lyrics, and dig that last minute musical climatic outro.
Eleven Miles Out - I can't decide if I get a Coldplay vibe from this one, or if I inhaled too many magic marker fumes this morning.
Utilitarian - Oh yeah
I Came As a Rat - There are a couple lines in a verse that are very similar to TP's Mary Jane's Last Dance.
Tall, Dark Handsome Stranger -
Stylo - Hello, Bobby

There are more new ones I like, but I am running out of time. bye bye

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I included Initiation in my 1975 countdown. What I said there:

58. Initiation -- Todd Rundgren (from Initiation)

Power changes hands in the unseen worlds
'Cause in '75 something comes alive

Here we go, @Binky The Doormat. Todd was fully on the prog train by 1975, having released the super-spacey first Utopia album shortly before the close of 1974. He carried some of those ideas over to his next album, which he released under his own name. The title track distills ideas from the likes of Yes and Mahavishnu Orchestra but sets them to a hard-driving rhythm, paced by drum tracks from Bernard Purdie and Rick Marotta. It includes spectacular solos from Todd on guitar, Utopia's Roger Powell on synthesizer and, you guessed it, David Sanborn on saxophone, and became a concert favorite for many years. Certain of its elements were first developed in Hall and Oates' Can't Stop the Music, from their 1974 album War Babies, which Todd produced.

Almost forgot: Sax-less live version for @krista4 : https://open.spotify.com/track/75EB1OdxYDCvaVuinfmzdu?si=988bad4683aa4988

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I never heard Get Lucky until the US MAD countdown. I missed out bigly.

Oh, and…

I feel like I heard it twice a day, at some point, and the only time I would have a radio station that would play it on was the ten to fifteen minutes Michael controlled the radio while I drove him to school in the morning.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I thought "I Came as a Rat" was Eminem when it started. Halfway through it still kinda does sound like him.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Random thoughts on some of the new-to-me songs I was able to get through before lunch:

More great vocals from Jorge Ben Jor and Brandi Carlile. The former is a beautiful samba and the latter recalls some of the "edgier" '70s country-pop hits like The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.
Severed is much more electronic than I was expecting from The Decemberists. The guitar, synth and vocal fit together well.
Protest Streets is by far the most interesting vocal arrangement we have heard from TOD in this countdown. They never attempted anything like this in the first half of their career, which is what I'm familiar with.
Gobbledigook seemed "lighter" than the other Sigur Ros songs so far.

I haven't listened to Dookie in decades and I had forgotten about the abrupt transition in F.O.D. The story about having it played in music class was hilarious.

 

[scorchy]

Notes on a few of my favorites from the 12s and 11s:

Todd Rundgren/I Saw the Light: Hey, I've actually heard this one before, and I kind-of like it.
Brandi Carlile/Wherever is Your Heart: krista4's comparison to Lucinda Williams leapt off the page from the first line (bad metaphor, leapt off Spotify? leapt into my headphones?)
ToD/So Divided: Still can't get a read on these guys - everything sounds so different (but I like it).
Green Day/Welcome to Paradise: The sweet sound of nostalgia
Taylor Swift/Nothing New: I'm probably too old to like this as much as I do, but I couldn't help myself.
Elliott Smith/Happiness: Find myself appreciating his more musical stuff vs the lo-fi material
Frank Black/Headache: it's chalk, but Headache was my favorite post-Pixies Frank Black tune prior to MAD31.
Warren Zevon/Keep Me in Your Heart: Always loved this. Knew I should have skipped it but couldn't make myself. So I ended up bawling a bit while walking the dog. So that was fun explaining to a couple of neighbors I passed on the route.
Foo Fighters/This is a Call: see Green Day above

Decemberists/Severed: This one caught me by surprise. Sounds like it could be straight out of a Brooklyn dance-punk party circa 2004.
Superman/The Kinks: strangely enough, so does this (lyrics excepted)
Daft Punk/Get Lucky: we're on a run here. Dance floor filling up quickly.
Dinosaur Jr./The Wagon: top 3 DJ now off the table
Ray Charles/I Cant' Stop Loving You: This takes me back to riding around in my dad's pickup in the late 70s. Though it might have been the Conway Twitty version. Just listened - Ray's is better.
Bauhaus/Kick in the Eye: Top 5 Bauhaus for me and my favorite of them all to dance to. Perfect for some spasmodic goth moves.

 

[tuffnutt]

11.
Alameda- Elliott Smith
from Either/Or Album
"Nobody broke your heart
You broke your own because you can't finish what you start
Nobody broke your heart
If you're alone it must be you that wants to be apart"

Either/Or is often considered Elliott’s best album and I think that's completely fair ( although the Self/titled gets my vote). Alameda is probably the most lush song on the album. its a bouncy song about affectation and alienation. The song paints a vivid picture and you can almost see yourself walking down the street with Elliott contemplating life choices... I remember listening to this over and over when I was first getting into Elliott. Either/Or holds a lot of memories for me. Great lyrics, great guitar, great melody... And that Snare drum throughout just hits.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

More thoughts on new-to-me #11s:

Babe, Alameda and English Girl Approximately are all exquisite acoustic constructions.
Straighten Out sounds (musically, not lyrically) like the kind of stuff the Clash were attempting in 1979/80. And here are the Stranglers doing it 2+ years earlier.
I love the Donnie Iris original of Love Is Like a Rock. Slade's version is more martial, but they had to do something to differentiate if they were going to keep the main guitar riff, which of course one should. Another one that sounds like a Mutt Lange production.
Sea of Destruction is another Clutch song with awesome riffage and vocals that are just on the right side of the singing/screaming divide. I am getting some Sabbath vibes (particularly Ozzy and Iommi) from this one.
Lord, I'm Discouraged may have been my favorite Hold Steady yet. Their slower songs are more my speed to begin with (less Bruce-isms, usually) and this one has extremely compelling music and lyrics.
Stylo was infectious.
Eleven Miles Out was even better than the usual high standard from Doves. The lyrical guitar lines had a lot to do with that.
The second half of Congregation really soars, and that's after a pretty good first half.
Seeds has an excellent guitar solo -- is that Bruce, Van Zandt or Lofgren?
The bass is boss on Kick in the Eye.
Tall, Dark Handsome Stranger shows that Heart was still badass in 1990, just not on the material promoted to radio stations.
Into the Old Man's Shoes is another good example of Elton's early appeal and has a lovely guitar solo.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I'm playing catch up too. Krista just got back from England. I can't believe they still haven't mastered ice cubes.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Where has the time gone - we are already rounding on the top 10s??!!
Now y'all will finally get some long Mascis solos.

 

[Yo Mama]

Looking ahead to my #10, I think I’m going to say this for all my top ten that they could all easily fit in my top 2-3 depending on my mood.

 

[Galileo]

Looking ahead to my #10, I think I’m going to say this for all my top ten that they could all easily fit in my top 2-3 depending on my mood.

I could say this from about #15 on down for my Kinks list. Also, while I obviously have some predictable songs remaining, I suspect a few of my top ten spots wouldn't even sniff others' lists of 31. Likewise, I am certain there are some selections outside of my 31 cut that would easily be top 10 for others. the catalogue is just too good and big.

 

[otb_lifer]

#11 Kick In The Eye

more David J flex on bass - the lads relished finding these crunchy grooves, then letting themselves loose in the vast space they afforded - Danny stabs in n' outta the Haskin bros meticulous backbeat with piercing lunges that stop just short of making this another guitar hero foray ... but he finds it in this live version from '82, renowned for Peter's "let's all break the sound barrier" intro, which were a nod to the Maxell Ad Campaign that he were chosen to be poster boy of.

as for the lyrics (searching for Satori/the kick in the eye) we cite Kerouac, once again:

"Somewhere during my ten days in Paris (and Brittany) I received an illumination of some kind that seems to’ve changed me again, towards what I suppose’ll be my pattern for another seven years or more: in effect, a satori: the Japanese word for ‘sudden illumination,’ ‘sudden awakening’ or simply ‘kick in the eye.'”

- Satori in Paris (1966)

 

[titusbramble]

I'm playing catch up too. Krista just got back from England. I can't believe they still haven't mastered ice cubes.

When it's warm enough to warrant them, we'll get on it

Will catch up on write ups once 10's are posted

 

[KarmaPolice]

@higgins - I added the Exit..Stage Left version, assuming that your youtube link was purposeful.

 

[rockaction]

renowned for Peter's "let's all break the sound barrier" intro, which were a nod to the Maxell Ad Campaign that he were chosen to be poster boy of.

That's Peter Murphy from Bauhaus? That's a legendary ad. I think even Bloom County (the comic strip) did a send-up of that ad with either Steve Dallas or Cutter John as Murphy. That's unreal.

 

[otb_lifer]

renowned for Peter's "let's all break the sound barrier" intro, which were a nod to the Maxell Ad Campaign that he were chosen to be poster boy of.

That's Peter Murphy from Bauhaus? That's a legendary ad. I think even Bloom County (the comic strip) did a send-up of that ad with either Steve Dallas or Cutter John as Murphy. That's unreal.

Maxell BLACK were the gold standard, so to speak, back in the early 80s mixed tape heyday.

Peter cut quite the profile - very photogenic cat.

 

[rockaction]

Maxell BLACK were the gold standard, so to speak, back in the early 80s mixed tape heyday.

Peter cut quite the profile - very photogenic cat.

I gather there was a non-Murphy Maxell print ad which might be the one with all the fuss, but that television ad and another similar one were both pretty famous in their own right. Perhaps the print ad was also Murphy. I do not know.

Bloom County - It was the Milo character that was Murphy's stand-in

 

[falguy]

Very late in this update but here are my songs and a few comments for 14-11.

#14 Shoot To Thrill (Back in Black)

It’s time for an another song off this fantastic album. This is probably my current favorite but I love every song on Back in Black. "Shoot To Thrill" wasn't released as a single and no video was made for it, but many radio stations played it anyway. The song quickly became an AC/DC favorite and a staple at their live shows. Fantastic rock song and one of the very best from the Brian Johnson era.

I love the guitar solo in this one. Nothing loud or extravagant but just sound frickn cool to me.

#13 Shot Down in Flames (Highway to Hell)

This is my second favorite song off this album which is loaded with great songs. It’s pretty short, just 3:25 but rocks from beginning to end. Super solo for Angus in this one. I expected others to like this song too but saw no mention of it up thread so maybe I’m the exception.

#12 High Voltage (High Voltage)
This is the 4th song I’ve picked off of High Voltage. Most of them I’ve used the live version from If You Want Blood, You’ve got it album. These tunes are just meant to be heard live and the Apollo Theatre concert in ’78 must have been otherworldly. I’m not usually a fan an artist enlisting fan participation but I love it in this song (at the 3:00 minute mark). Bon screaming “HIGH!” as loud as he can. It’s followed by a spectacular Angus solo.

#11 Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution (Back in Black)
Love the intro to this song. It’s a perfect final song on a perfect album. Although Back in Black is loaded with great songs I find I don’t tire of this one like a few others. Likely due to it not being overplayed. I feel it’s underrated gem in their catalog. Really like the lyrics too.


Album breakdown
0 74 Jailbreak
4 High Voltage
2 Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
3 Let There Be Rock
2 PowerAge
3 Highway To Hell
3 Back in Black
1 For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
1 Flick of the Switch
0 Fly On The Wall
0 Who Made Who
1 Blow Up Your Video
0 The Razor’s Edge
0 BallBreaker
1 Stiff Upper Lip
0 Black Ice
0 Rock or Bust
0 Power Up

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Top 10 coming up, baby!!

Have to finish the 11s today.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I was somewhat joking about the solos coming up, but it very much applies to today's pick. Just a quick scan, but I think I have the 3 longest songs in the Dino catalog on my list and my #10 is just a tick shorter than Plans, but the ending solo is around 3mins if I am remembering correctly, so +

We still have 6 albums represented in the top 10, but it has become really concentrated on the middle years. Only one more earlier song with a song in the top 5 from Bug, but that's it. It might be obvious what album I am crowning their best after this is over, but if not, we will be eliminating guesses in the next 4 days because there are 3 left from that album in the top 10 and all are in the top 6.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Oh, and I have my playlist for Part 2 completed.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Oh, and I have my playlist for Part 2 completed.

I have the framework for 3 different bands completed (it was 4 but deleted one) - need to make a decision on which one and tweak a bit.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Wow - just another classic from Frank Black that I've never heard. Blown away by him so far.

 

[Raging weasel]

Just had the weirdest thing happen while doing research for the next countdown. Listening to an album on Spotify and it stopped mid song and advanced to the next track. Went to go back and that song is blacked out and no longer available. Sucks if it stays that way because it's probably a top 10-12 song.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

This is what I've taken from the playlists thus far. Don't see much changing after the Top 10:


Bands/Artists I didn't really know that will be added into my "heavy" rotation:
Big Thief
Elliot Smith
Frank Black (and the Catholics)
Blur

Bands/Artists I knew (but not deeply) that will be added into my "heavy" rotation:
The Decemberists
Spoon
Dinosaur Jr.
Brandi Carlisle

Bands/Artists I didn't really know that will be added into my rotation (but more for when I'm the mood):
Jorge Ben Jor
Daft Punk
Sigur Ros
deadmau5

Bands that are much better than I thought before this:
Green Day
Foo Fighters
The Stranglers
Slade

Comfort Food that's always been in my rotation and was a joy to revisit:
The Police
AC/DC
The Kinks
Simon and Garfunkel
Phish
Stevie Wonder
Ray Charles
Alice in Chains
Queen
Sir Elton
Warren Zevon
Chicago
Rush
Steely Dan
ELO

Sorry if I left your artist off here, but rest assured every artist had a least a few songs I dug - just didn't make the same overall impact for now.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Oh, and I have my playlist for Part 2 completed.

I have the framework for 3 different bands completed (it was 4 but deleted one) - need to make a decision on which one and tweak a bit.

This is similar to me. I have been slowly doing 31s for my favorite bands, but a few don't feel like doing for this as there isn't that spark with some of them. I guess one of the things I liked most about Dino was there was an album or two that I had overlooked and got to dig into, or felt pulled to it very strongly. For this I want the artist to be a bit of a discovery to me in some way as well to get the creative juices flowing for discussion and playlist.

I am also working on a rap artist, 70s artist, and narrowing down my "fun" one in case a backup is needed or more to keep me doing stuff. This has really sparked a connection with music I haven't had for a bit, so I am just embracing it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Stats on my Chicago top 10:

By album:
Chicago Transit Authority: 3
Chicago (aka Chicago II): 2
Chicago V: 1
Chicago VI: 2
Chicago VII: 1
Chicago XI: 1

By writer (adds up to more than 10 because of collaborations):
Robert Lamm: 4
James Pankow: 3
Peter Cetera: 1
Terry Kath: 1
Lee Loughnane: 1
cover: 1

By lead vocalist (adds up to more than 10 because of sharing):
Peter Cetera: 6
Robert Lamm: 5
Terry Kath: 3

Charting singles: 9

 

[Raging weasel]

Just had the weirdest thing happen while doing research for the next countdown. Listening to an album on Spotify and it stopped mid song and advanced to the next track. Went to go back and that song is blacked out and no longer available. Sucks if it stays that way because it's probably a top 10-12 song.

Turned out to be user error. Phone was in my pocket while I was walking and somehow switched to the options screen for the song and then clicked block. Never knew that was even a thing lol

 

[Yo Mama]

As we get to the top ten, here are my Genesis rankings so far by album. This is closer to how my playlist is sorted.

Tresspass - 1970
#24 - The Knife
#27 - Dusk

Nursery Crime - 1971
#14 - The Fountain of Salmacis

Foxtrot - 1972
#11 - Get 'Em Out by Friday

Selling England by the Pound - 1973
#12 - I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
#17 - The Battle of Epping Forest
#23 - More Fool Me

A Trick of the Tail - 1976
#16 - A Trick of the Tail
#18 - Mad Man Moon
#21 - Ripples...
#22 - Squonk

Wind & Wuthering - 1976
#30 - One for the Vine
#Oops - Eleventh Earl of Mar

Duke - 1980
#15 - Turn It On Again
#26 - Behind the Lines

Abacab - 1981
#19 - No Reply at All
#25 - Abacab
#29 - Dodo/"Lurker"

Genesis - 1983
#13 - Mama
#28 - Home by the Sea
#31 - That's All

Invisible Touch - 1986
#20 - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight


My top ten comes from 5 of these albums.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I don't know if this happens to any of you but, every morning when I wake up, a song starts playing in my head. It'll play until I leave the house to go to work. Sometimes, I know why it's there - like, I ran across it one of these threads a day or two before or I saw/heard it recently on TV/Youtube/radio. But sometimes it's completely random. This morning, it was "Have You Never Been Mellow" by Olivia Newton John. I can't tell you the last time I heard that song (before this morning.....in my head.....while I was getting ready for work).

 

[Galileo]

I don't know if this happens to any of you but, every morning when I wake up, a song starts playing in my head. It'll play until I leave the house to go to work. Sometimes, I know why it's there - like, I ran across it one of these threads a day or two before or I saw/heard it recently on TV/Youtube/radio. But sometimes it's completely random. This morning, it was "Have You Never Been Mellow" by Olivia Newton John. I can't tell you the last time I heard that song (before this morning.....in my head.....while I was getting ready for work).

Take it to the earworm thread, pal

 

[Charlie Steiner]

All I will say about my top 10 is that at least half of them will be surprises, and there are stunning omissions.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I added Rush, Chicago and Steely Dan to my comfort food list. Forgot them originally.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Update on how Higgins' Rush list compares with Ghost Rider's Rush top 50 countdown thus far:

Double Agent -- Higgins #31, Ghost Rider #29
Open Secrets -- Higgins #30, Ghost Rider not ranked
Ghost of a Chance -- Higgins #29, Ghost Rider #37
Witch Hunt -- Higgins #28, Ghost Rider #28 (BINGO!)
The Pass -- Higgins #27, Ghost Rider #21
The Spirit of Radio -- Higgins #26, Ghost Rider #8
Closer to the Heart -- Higgins #25, Ghost Rider #23
Lakeside Park -- Higgins #24, Ghost Rider not ranked
Finding My Way -- Higgins #23, Ghost Rider not ranked
Between the Wheels -- Higgins #22, Ghost Rider #27
The Weapon -- Higgins #21, Ghost Rider #33
Middletown Dreams -- Higgins #20, Ghost Rider #31
Losing It -- Higgins #19, Ghost Rider not ranked
Working Man -- Higgins #18, Ghost Rider not ranked (very controversially)
Red Sector A -- Higgins #17, Ghost Rider #18
Tom Sawyer -- Higgins #16, Ghost Rider #7
The Camera Eye -- Higgins #15, Ghost Rider #35
Cold Fire -- Higgins #14, Ghost Rider #25
Territories -- Higgins #13, Ghost Rider #14
Analog Kid -- Higgins #12, Ghost Rider #42
Limelight -- Higgins #11, Ghost Rider #20

More disparity in these last 5 than previously, except for Territories.

We have only seen 2 of Ghost Rider's top 10 on Higgins' list so far. Does this mean they share 8 in the top 10? Stay tuned.