Ten Random: 05/08/2009

I missed last week, but as I mentioned a couple weeks ago, 'Ten Random' is a idea from the always brilliant WGOM. I listen to ten songs at random, note them here, and make any comments that come to mind as I listen. I'll be putting links where (most of) the songs can be listened to for your convenience.

Last time was pretty diverse, let's have another go at it.

1. Quarashi - Malone Lives (Jinx)
Among all guilty pleasures that have ever existed (a topic I still plan on mentioning at some in this space), Quarashi have to be my favorite. Iceland is generally known for heady stuff like Björk, Sigur Rós, and the like. Quarashi is a rap-rock band that breaks almost no new ground. They sound like the Beastie Boys, they take almost nothing seriously, and they rule. This song is one of my favorite "chilled out" songs of theirs.

2. Kaiser Chiefs - Oh My God (Employment)
Another Kaiser Chiefs song. It's a good song, and one of their more popular (as well as one of their better covered). I really don't listen to all that much Kaiser Chiefs. Most of their stuff is great through a couple listens, and becomes sort of filler sounding after 4 or 5. 'OMG' is still a good song, though.

3. Stereomud - Don't Be Afraid (Perfect Self)
A song I first heard on Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder (a game which also introduced me to Shaun White). While this song may sound like every other generic early 2000's anger anthem - and make no mistake, it certainly is exactly that - it has a certain resonance to me. It captures the sound better than most did, I thought. Every other song I've ever heard from Stereomud makes me want to vomit in my shoes.

4. Justifide - 9 out of 10 (Life Outside the Toybox)
Bah. A regretable purchase. One of several I made while under the influence of P.O.D. and their ilk. This song sounds.... exactly like all of the others on the album.

5. Lacuna Coil - Aeon (Comalies)
The first time I heard this song, I thought I had purchased a bad CD (the parts where it skips and seems to jump around). Interesting song on a pretty good CD. It's really more of an interlude than anything, though. It's also worth noting that the song it bleeds into ("Tight Rope") wins three dozen internets for its well-placed 'Descent' sound clip.

6. Oasis - Guess God Thinks I'm Abel (Don't Believe the Truth)
It's a known fact that I'm a big Oasis fan, but it took seeing this song in concert last fall for it all to fully connect. The album cut is pretty good, but it doesn't have that same feel. It does earn props for being on Oasis' "comeback" album, though.

7. Kelly Clarkson - Low (Live: Independent Tour, St. Paul: 01/31/2004)
I was at this show, so I guess that's something. Kelly Clarkson is Linds' all-time favorite musical artist, so it stands to reason that I've been to more Kelly Clarkson concerts than any other artist. I'll probably end up going the next time she's in town. Ah, well...

8. Sölvi Blöndal - Eve (EVE Soundtrack)
Sölvi was one of the founding members of Quarashi. This is a song he did for the soundtrack of the MMO game 'EVE'. Most of the other stuff off the soundtrack has a electro-industrial sound to it ('Assault Team' in particular is an energetic track), but this one is pretty laid back.

9. Megadeth - Tears in a Vial (The System Has Failed)
Why so blue, Dave Mustaine? 'The System Has Failed' was pretty good, but this is not one of the better tracks off of it. It's also kind of interminable.

10. The Hold Steady - Hot Soft Light (Boys and Girls in America)
The perfect way to close this list out. A great song by a great band.