Ten song culled from my library that have been given the "Music to Shoot Stuff To" tag. Essentially, these are the soundtrack to playing Call of Duty with my friends.
1. Jay Reatard - My Shadow - Blood Visions
(Whoa, I could not have asked for a better leadoff track....)
2. Dub Pistols - Something to Trust - Speakers and Tweeters
3. Project 86 - Breakdown in 3/4 - Songs to Burn Your Bridges By
4. MxPx - I'm Ok, You're Ok - Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo
5. Martin O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori - Halo Theme (Mjolnir Mix) - Halo 2, Vol 1
6. Powerman 5000 - Danger is Go! - Anyone For Doomsday?
7. The Go! Team - Grip Like a Vice - Proof of Youth
8. ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - Baudelaire - Source Tags and Codes
9. Aphex Twin - Windowlicker - Windowlicker
10. Quarashi - Mr. Jinx - Jinx
Showing posts with label ten random. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ten random. Show all posts
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Ten Random: "Been a While" Edition (12/10/2009)
In honor of me kicking off the 'Ten Random' thing for the first time in three months, we're doing something a little different. This list is ten random songs, taken from a playlist of songs in MediaMonkey that I've rated 4 stars or higher, but haven't listened to in over 3 months.
1. The White Stripes - Little Cream Soda (Icky Thump)
2. Lupe Fiasco - Streets on Fire (The Cool)
3. The Hold Steady - Slapped Actress (Stay Positive)¹
4. East West - Closure (The Light In Guinevere's Garden)²
5. Little Boots - Meddle (Hands)
6. Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard - Why So Serious? (The Dark Knight Soundtrack)
7. The Bobby Fuller Four - I fought the Law (I Fought the Law)
8. Jars of Clay - Fade to Grey (Much Afraid)
9. The Avalanches - Since I Left You (Since I Left You)
10. The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It (Hot Fuss)
¹ - I can seriously not believe I haven't listened to that song (or that entire CD, for that matter) in three months. I must rectify this immediately.
² - I'm more surprised that this song was rated 4 stars. I might also have to rectify that...
1. The White Stripes - Little Cream Soda (Icky Thump)
2. Lupe Fiasco - Streets on Fire (The Cool)
3. The Hold Steady - Slapped Actress (Stay Positive)¹
4. East West - Closure (The Light In Guinevere's Garden)²
5. Little Boots - Meddle (Hands)
6. Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard - Why So Serious? (The Dark Knight Soundtrack)
7. The Bobby Fuller Four - I fought the Law (I Fought the Law)
8. Jars of Clay - Fade to Grey (Much Afraid)
9. The Avalanches - Since I Left You (Since I Left You)
10. The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It (Hot Fuss)
¹ - I can seriously not believe I haven't listened to that song (or that entire CD, for that matter) in three months. I must rectify this immediately.
² - I'm more surprised that this song was rated 4 stars. I might also have to rectify that...
Friday, July 10, 2009
Ten Random: 7/10/2009 - Work Computer Edition!
Ten random songs from my work computer, because I forgot to bring my iPod, didn't have time to write this up from my home PC yesterday, and will be spending my evening planting flowers...
These are songs that have found their way onto my work PC through download, CD rip, or simply pilfering from other folk at work who've left their network shares a little too wide open. Since that last option is in play, these songs may not represent my musical taste.
With that out of the way, let's dig in!
1. Ghislain Poirier - Blazin' (Modeselektor Remix) (Scion A/V Remix)
I really like this remix (way more than the original, actually). It's got lots of bass, some cool breakdowns, and is just about perfect driving music. Not bad for a remix which grabs nothing at all from the original save one line ("we keep it").
2. AKI, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Michiru Yamane - R.A.V.E. (Contra Hard Corps Soundtrack)
A cool little track from the awesome (and awesomely difficult) video game Contra Hard Corps. My friends and I played this game all the time as kids, and though we got to one of the final bosses a couple of times, we never beat him. This track plays during one of the middle boss fights, if I recall. That boss probably killed me about a thousand times, but I've chosen to block that memory.
3. Animal Collective - My Girls (Merriweather Post Pavilion)
This file is actually damaged for whatever reason on this PC. I'm keeping it, though, because it's one of the best songs of the year. Insanely fun, insanely catchy, and the "WOO!!" they do after every chorus makes me break into a huge smile every time they do it.
4. Inhale Exhale - A Call to the Faithful (The Lost. The Sick. The Sacred.)
Wow. Color me a little surprised that someone has this on their work computer. I'm not even sure why I grabbed this except for the fact that I didn't recognize the artist name. Now I know why. Most post-hardcore, metalcore, x-core music just isn't for me. I'll be deleting this, now.
5. Radiohead - Reckoner (In Rainbows)
This is one of my favorite songs. Ever. Top 10-20 range, I'm thinking. I may have to actually make a list (which I would, of course, post here after I were done). From the opening drums to the string-filled closing, the whole thing is just awesome.
6. Blonde Redhead - Spring and By Summer Fall (23)
I like this song anyway, but the guitar lines that occur just after the choruses (AllMusic described them as "streaming comet-tail" guitars) just floors me every time I hear them. There's nothing technically impressive about them, but they just add an amazing atmosphere to the song. For sure one of my favorite moments in music (another list to be made!).
7. Parallax Software - Descent - Level 9 (Descent Soundtrack)
The Descent soundtrack is one of my favorite video game soundtracks (yet another list for later), but this isn't one of the better songs on it. It's a little slower, a little more atmospheric, and a little less listenable away from the game itself.
8. Kyle Gabler - Rain Rain Windy Windy (World of Goo Soundtrack)
I just downloaded this for free the other day (you can do the same here). It's a decent soundtrack. I hadn't heard this song yet, but it's pretty good - full of big epic swells and orchestration that would fit in one of those old-school biblical epics (at least, that's what it reminded me of).
9. The Medic Droid - The Killer Anna (What's Your Medium)
I don't really have any comment on this except to remark that the only time auto-tune is really acceptable is when someone is using it to comedic effect. Autotune the News does a great job of this, you should probably just stop reading this and go check it out (numbers two and five are the best, but they're all pretty great).
10. Gringo Star - All Y'all (Gringo Star)
I wish this song were more popular. As it stands, at least I get to enjoy it. You have a listen so you can do the same.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Ten Random: 06/19/2009
It's back! Ten more songs, picked at random. Your results may vary.
1. Phil Joel - El Salvador (The Saviour) (Watching Over You)
Wait... haven't we already seen this one? Like, just one month ago? That makes two repeats. I wouldn't have expected that to happen this quickly. Statistically speaking, this would seem to be an anomaly.
2. Another Soundscape - Golden Feathers (Racing Chocobos - Place Your Bets!) (Final Fantasy VII: Voices of the Lifestream)
This is a mildly annoying remix of a fairly memorable song from the Final Fantasy 7 soundtrack. It's from a large remix project put on by the masters of the video game remix, ocremix.org. It's a little too perky for my taste, but the middle eastern flavoring is kind of cool, I suppose.
3. Lucerin Blue - Cold (Tales of the Knife)
I never seem to know what to think of Lucerin Blue. If I'm in just the right mood, they sound powerful and energizing. If I'm in the wrong mood, they sound samey and mostly tuneless. Regardless of which mood I'm in, the guitar line to this song, simple as it may be, resonates to some extent. This song is one of the better ones on the CD.
4. Relient K - Down in Flames (The Anatomy Of The Tongue In Cheek)
This CD and the next showed Relient K at their best. Sarcastic and fun music that didn't take itself too seriously. I wish they still made music like this.
5. Panic at the Disco - Northern Downpour (Pretty. Odd.)
It's strange to listen to old Panic (minus the '!') now. The ridiculous thesaurus-laden emo-punk-pop blitz replaced replaced by equally ridiculous thesarus-laden Beatles-inspired pop. I definitely prefer the newer band, but it has to be mentioned how completely "not cut out for it" they are. It's refreshing that they don't care.
6. Elbow - An Audience With the Pope (The Seldom Seen Kid)
I really liked The Seldom Seen Kid when I first heard it, and it's only grown on me since. It's another band that I can't get anyone into. It's too slow for some, too over-the-top for others. Absolutely worth a listen, though.
7. The All-American Rejects - The Wind Blows (When the World Comes Down)
A very different sounding song. Sounds something like what an emo band would have been if such a thing had existed in the realm of 80's pop. Doesn't make any sense at all as a single.
8. KJ-52 - Where Were You (feat. Golden Child) (Collaborations)
Oh. Well. Let's pretend this whole phase never happened. Failing that, let's put it this way. KJ-52 is responsible for some of the worst things to ever happen in music. What's worse than a blatent Eminem copycat? When said copycat attempts to make rap-rock music. KJ-52 makes me rage like few musicians in history can. Gaah...
9. Oliver Lieb - Subraumstimulation (John Johnson RMX) (Crystal - Volume 1)
Ah, nothing like a dollar store techno CD. While Crystal doesn't have the obvious highs of, say, Electrocution, it's still classic Dollar Store material. This particular one is fairly generic trance music to my ears, but I don't dance, and I'm not tripping on E, so I might not be the target audience.
10. The Hit Crew - Smack My Bitch Up [Domestic Abuse Mix] (Electrocution)
Speak. of. the. Devil. I'd absolutely listen to original a million times before I'd listen to this one again, and it's easily one of the worst songs on the aforementioned Electrocution disc, but this is the soundtrack to many a ridiculously late night with Stu, Branny, and Jordo. Obviously this song can't be mentioned without mentioning the famous music video to the original song (NSFW).
1. Phil Joel - El Salvador (The Saviour) (Watching Over You)
Wait... haven't we already seen this one? Like, just one month ago? That makes two repeats. I wouldn't have expected that to happen this quickly. Statistically speaking, this would seem to be an anomaly.
2. Another Soundscape - Golden Feathers (Racing Chocobos - Place Your Bets!) (Final Fantasy VII: Voices of the Lifestream)
This is a mildly annoying remix of a fairly memorable song from the Final Fantasy 7 soundtrack. It's from a large remix project put on by the masters of the video game remix, ocremix.org. It's a little too perky for my taste, but the middle eastern flavoring is kind of cool, I suppose.
3. Lucerin Blue - Cold (Tales of the Knife)
I never seem to know what to think of Lucerin Blue. If I'm in just the right mood, they sound powerful and energizing. If I'm in the wrong mood, they sound samey and mostly tuneless. Regardless of which mood I'm in, the guitar line to this song, simple as it may be, resonates to some extent. This song is one of the better ones on the CD.
4. Relient K - Down in Flames (The Anatomy Of The Tongue In Cheek)
This CD and the next showed Relient K at their best. Sarcastic and fun music that didn't take itself too seriously. I wish they still made music like this.
5. Panic at the Disco - Northern Downpour (Pretty. Odd.)
It's strange to listen to old Panic (minus the '!') now. The ridiculous thesaurus-laden emo-punk-pop blitz replaced replaced by equally ridiculous thesarus-laden Beatles-inspired pop. I definitely prefer the newer band, but it has to be mentioned how completely "not cut out for it" they are. It's refreshing that they don't care.
6. Elbow - An Audience With the Pope (The Seldom Seen Kid)
I really liked The Seldom Seen Kid when I first heard it, and it's only grown on me since. It's another band that I can't get anyone into. It's too slow for some, too over-the-top for others. Absolutely worth a listen, though.
7. The All-American Rejects - The Wind Blows (When the World Comes Down)
A very different sounding song. Sounds something like what an emo band would have been if such a thing had existed in the realm of 80's pop. Doesn't make any sense at all as a single.
8. KJ-52 - Where Were You (feat. Golden Child) (Collaborations)
Oh. Well. Let's pretend this whole phase never happened. Failing that, let's put it this way. KJ-52 is responsible for some of the worst things to ever happen in music. What's worse than a blatent Eminem copycat? When said copycat attempts to make rap-rock music. KJ-52 makes me rage like few musicians in history can. Gaah...
9. Oliver Lieb - Subraumstimulation (John Johnson RMX) (Crystal - Volume 1)
Ah, nothing like a dollar store techno CD. While Crystal doesn't have the obvious highs of, say, Electrocution, it's still classic Dollar Store material. This particular one is fairly generic trance music to my ears, but I don't dance, and I'm not tripping on E, so I might not be the target audience.
10. The Hit Crew - Smack My Bitch Up [Domestic Abuse Mix] (Electrocution)
Speak. of. the. Devil. I'd absolutely listen to original a million times before I'd listen to this one again, and it's easily one of the worst songs on the aforementioned Electrocution disc, but this is the soundtrack to many a ridiculously late night with Stu, Branny, and Jordo. Obviously this song can't be mentioned without mentioning the famous music video to the original song (NSFW).
Friday, June 5, 2009
Ten Random: 06/05/2009
Back and at full strength! Click the links... listen to the songs... you know you want to.
1. Nobuo Uematsu - Aerith's Theme (Final Fantasy VII Soundtrack)
I really like a lot of old-skool(ish*) video game music. The best of it manages to be incredibly nostalgic, which somehow makes it sound like more than the "just barely above MIDI quality" that it actually is. This is actually one of the more famous video game tracks out there, not quite "Mario Brothers" level, but very well known by folks who dwell in the creepy, dark corners of the internet where this sort of thing is revered. The slightly more fully arranged, piano-only "Advent Children" version is pretty sweet as well.
* Does not apply to old Atari games or most Nintendo games with which I have no nostalgic connection.
2. MF Doom - One Beer (mm.. food)
This man spouts word salad. AWESOME word salad. Rhyming things like "pizza guy" with "skeezers eye" - all over some of the most colorful beats and old-school comic references rap has to offer. Highly enjoyable. His new CD (Born Like This) doesn't compare to mm.. food, but it's still pretty good.
3. Quarashi - Malone Lives (Jinx)
This track was already featured in the second Ten Random, and is thus our first repeat. 11,000+ tracks and already a repeat? Ridiculous!
4. Beck - Steal My Body Home (Mellow Gold)
I really do like Beck, and Mellow Gold has some of his most interesting music, but this is a weird song. Beck goes ultra-slow and sings this with his molasses drawl. It's still good, but weird.
5. Spineshank - New Disease (The Height of Callousness)
Another song from the Shawn Palmer soundtrack. It's fairly generic Nu-Metal, but I guess it serves its purposes. I actually hadn't listened to this one in a long time til now.
6. Blur - On Your Own (Blur)
I prefer Gorillaz to Blur. That being said, this is a pretty great song. My initial experiences with Blur, like about 80% of America, revolved around Song 2 (aka "Woohoo!"), but most of the rest of this CD is quite a bit better, if slightly less energetic. Still holding out for more Gorillaz, though.
7. P.O.S. - Gimme Gimme Gunshots (Ipecac Neat)
Love me some P.O.S., and this is the first song off his first full length, so it gets hella points. As a song, it's pretty strange. The beat is so slow, as is the rapping, that it almost sounds like normal talking over a beat until the hook (or rather, the closest thing in the song to a hook) hits. The beat doesn't really change, but suddenly he's rapping about 15 times faster - it's sort of exhilerating. It's a good live song.
8. Church of Rhythm - I Still Believe (Church of Rhythm)
Oof. This song ruled when I was 12. Another one of those that really hasn't aged all that well, but the fact that it's off of the first CD I ever had (a sampler CD - a gift from my mother, who bought it in the bookstore at a bible camp) makes it just about irresistable to me. Cheesy as all get out, but what can you really do?
9. Coldplay - Death And All of His Friends (Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends)
I wasn't able to convince anyone that this CD was actually pretty damn good. Seriously, listen to Lost! and tell me that isn't at least a little interesting. This song's alright. It's the closing song to the album, and it draws the whole thing to a close nicely.
10. People in Planes - If You Talk to Much (My Head Will Explode) (As Far As the Eye Can See)
I really liked this CD when it came out (2006), and Baracuda remains an awesome song (I still can't over the opening guitar riff), but a lot of the rest of the CD sort of strikes me as "okay" now. This song still packs in the melody and crunchiness that drew me to the band in the first place, though. It just seems like a band like this should be able to make more consistantly interesting music.
1. Nobuo Uematsu - Aerith's Theme (Final Fantasy VII Soundtrack)
I really like a lot of old-skool(ish*) video game music. The best of it manages to be incredibly nostalgic, which somehow makes it sound like more than the "just barely above MIDI quality" that it actually is. This is actually one of the more famous video game tracks out there, not quite "Mario Brothers" level, but very well known by folks who dwell in the creepy, dark corners of the internet where this sort of thing is revered. The slightly more fully arranged, piano-only "Advent Children" version is pretty sweet as well.
* Does not apply to old Atari games or most Nintendo games with which I have no nostalgic connection.
2. MF Doom - One Beer (mm.. food)
This man spouts word salad. AWESOME word salad. Rhyming things like "pizza guy" with "skeezers eye" - all over some of the most colorful beats and old-school comic references rap has to offer. Highly enjoyable. His new CD (Born Like This) doesn't compare to mm.. food, but it's still pretty good.
3. Quarashi - Malone Lives (Jinx)
This track was already featured in the second Ten Random, and is thus our first repeat. 11,000+ tracks and already a repeat? Ridiculous!
4. Beck - Steal My Body Home (Mellow Gold)
I really do like Beck, and Mellow Gold has some of his most interesting music, but this is a weird song. Beck goes ultra-slow and sings this with his molasses drawl. It's still good, but weird.
5. Spineshank - New Disease (The Height of Callousness)
Another song from the Shawn Palmer soundtrack. It's fairly generic Nu-Metal, but I guess it serves its purposes. I actually hadn't listened to this one in a long time til now.
6. Blur - On Your Own (Blur)
I prefer Gorillaz to Blur. That being said, this is a pretty great song. My initial experiences with Blur, like about 80% of America, revolved around Song 2 (aka "Woohoo!"), but most of the rest of this CD is quite a bit better, if slightly less energetic. Still holding out for more Gorillaz, though.
7. P.O.S. - Gimme Gimme Gunshots (Ipecac Neat)
Love me some P.O.S., and this is the first song off his first full length, so it gets hella points. As a song, it's pretty strange. The beat is so slow, as is the rapping, that it almost sounds like normal talking over a beat until the hook (or rather, the closest thing in the song to a hook) hits. The beat doesn't really change, but suddenly he's rapping about 15 times faster - it's sort of exhilerating. It's a good live song.
8. Church of Rhythm - I Still Believe (Church of Rhythm)
Oof. This song ruled when I was 12. Another one of those that really hasn't aged all that well, but the fact that it's off of the first CD I ever had (a sampler CD - a gift from my mother, who bought it in the bookstore at a bible camp) makes it just about irresistable to me. Cheesy as all get out, but what can you really do?
9. Coldplay - Death And All of His Friends (Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends)
I wasn't able to convince anyone that this CD was actually pretty damn good. Seriously, listen to Lost! and tell me that isn't at least a little interesting. This song's alright. It's the closing song to the album, and it draws the whole thing to a close nicely.
10. People in Planes - If You Talk to Much (My Head Will Explode) (As Far As the Eye Can See)
I really liked this CD when it came out (2006), and Baracuda remains an awesome song (I still can't over the opening guitar riff), but a lot of the rest of the CD sort of strikes me as "okay" now. This song still packs in the melody and crunchiness that drew me to the band in the first place, though. It just seems like a band like this should be able to make more consistantly interesting music.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Ten Random: 05/29/2009
Sadly, time constraints dictate that you'll only get the ten random songs. Also, because I only have my iPod with me, not my full music library on my home PC, this will be from a smaller sample size (3000+ instead of 11000+)
1. My Chemical Romance - The End (Welcome to the Black Parade)
2. Have a Nice Life - Who Would Leave Their Son Out in the Sun (Deathconsciousness)
3. Fort Minor - Remember the Name (The Rising Tied)
4. Jimmy Eat World - Just Tonight (Futures)
5. The Go! Team - Panther Dash (Thunder, Lightning, Strike)
6. P.O.S. - Graves (We Wrote the Book) (Never Better)
7. The Alarmists - Hired Gun (The Ghost and the Hired Gun)
8. Flight of the Conchords - Ladies of the World (Flight of the Conchords)
9. Lil' Wayne - Dr. Carter (Tha Carter III)
10. P.O.S. - I Play the Matador (redo) (Ipecac Neat)
1. My Chemical Romance - The End (Welcome to the Black Parade)
2. Have a Nice Life - Who Would Leave Their Son Out in the Sun (Deathconsciousness)
3. Fort Minor - Remember the Name (The Rising Tied)
4. Jimmy Eat World - Just Tonight (Futures)
5. The Go! Team - Panther Dash (Thunder, Lightning, Strike)
6. P.O.S. - Graves (We Wrote the Book) (Never Better)
7. The Alarmists - Hired Gun (The Ghost and the Hired Gun)
8. Flight of the Conchords - Ladies of the World (Flight of the Conchords)
9. Lil' Wayne - Dr. Carter (Tha Carter III)
10. P.O.S. - I Play the Matador (redo) (Ipecac Neat)
Friday, May 22, 2009
Ten Random: 05/22/2009
You know the drill - ten songs, links to listen. Let's rock this out...
1. The Who - I Don't Even Know Myself (Who's Next - Remastered 1995 Version)
To be completely honest, I've don't usually get this far into Who's Next. I usually hit up the original 9 tracks and move on. This is a pretty good song, though. What can a person honestly say about The Who that hasn't been said six billion times?
2. Phil Joel - El Salvador (The Saviour) (Watching Over You)
I never really got into this CD. In fact, truth be told, I couldn't tell you if I've ever listened to it all the way through. This is only track three, but I don't remember it at all. It's actually halfway decent for easy listening Christian music, with Phil's trademark accent working to nice effect. Maybe I should give the source CD another shot? Mmm... after a couple of other tracks, I'm thinking I was probably right the first time - this one's still halfway decent, though.
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (Stadium Arcadium)
The thing about Stadium Arcadium is that it's practically impossible for me to listen to both discs all the way through. It works a lot better to create one disc full of the best songs from both discs. This particular song would be on such a disc.
4. Relient K - The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything)
This song is kind of dumb. It's a punk-pop remake of a Veggie Tales song, so that should really tell you all you need to know about it. I actually sort of enjoy both Relient K and older-school Veggie Tales, but this song..... eh.
5. DJ Amuro - AA (Dance Dance Revolution: Somethingoranother)
This song is off one of the Dance Dance Revolution soundtracks (the particular game's name eludes me at the moment, and I'm feeling lazy about looking this useless fact up). The style is knd of a cool mashup of classical string & piano alongside a fast-paced electronica backbeat. I don't mind this song, but the previous song to this one (Simply called 'A') is much better.
6. Bleach - Sun Stands Still (Bleach)
It's truly shocking how many of the songs this whole random thing is coming up with are songs that I have no recollection of. I suppose that with a sample size of well over 10,000 it was bound to happen, but it's still weird. I bought this CD at a pawn shop for $1 - strictly for the song "Once Again Here We Are". This song is - again - actually pretty good.
7. Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard - Blood on My Hands (The Dark Knight)
A nice cut off of the Dark Knight soundtrack. It's not terrifying like "Why So Serious?" or supermega epic like "A Dark Knight", and it's fairly easy to overlook in the context of the rest of the soundtrack, but it's nice, anyway.
8. The All-American Rejects - One More Sad Song (The All-American Rejects)
Linds is a big fan, I'm not so much, but they're actually not bad in concert. This is one of the better songs off of their first CD - not that that's saying much.
9. Lifehouse - We'll Never Know (Lifehouse)
Lifehouse is pleasant enough, but the obvious problem is that if you've heard one Lifehouse album, you've heard their discography. They come in two flavors: soft aching ballad & fairly generic pop-rock song. There's nothing that bad about them, but it's all pretty much the same. This song falls into the second category... which basically means that even if you haven't heard it, you've heard it.
10. Beck - Lazy Flies (Mutations)
The same friend that scored me the complete works of Faith No More did the same with Beck. I honestly haven't dug into Mutations very much, but I hear it's pretty good. This song is decent, but not the type of song that grabs your attention first time through.
1. The Who - I Don't Even Know Myself (Who's Next - Remastered 1995 Version)
To be completely honest, I've don't usually get this far into Who's Next. I usually hit up the original 9 tracks and move on. This is a pretty good song, though. What can a person honestly say about The Who that hasn't been said six billion times?
2. Phil Joel - El Salvador (The Saviour) (Watching Over You)
I never really got into this CD. In fact, truth be told, I couldn't tell you if I've ever listened to it all the way through. This is only track three, but I don't remember it at all. It's actually halfway decent for easy listening Christian music, with Phil's trademark accent working to nice effect. Maybe I should give the source CD another shot? Mmm... after a couple of other tracks, I'm thinking I was probably right the first time - this one's still halfway decent, though.
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (Stadium Arcadium)
The thing about Stadium Arcadium is that it's practically impossible for me to listen to both discs all the way through. It works a lot better to create one disc full of the best songs from both discs. This particular song would be on such a disc.
4. Relient K - The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything)
This song is kind of dumb. It's a punk-pop remake of a Veggie Tales song, so that should really tell you all you need to know about it. I actually sort of enjoy both Relient K and older-school Veggie Tales, but this song..... eh.
5. DJ Amuro - AA (Dance Dance Revolution: Somethingoranother)
This song is off one of the Dance Dance Revolution soundtracks (the particular game's name eludes me at the moment, and I'm feeling lazy about looking this useless fact up). The style is knd of a cool mashup of classical string & piano alongside a fast-paced electronica backbeat. I don't mind this song, but the previous song to this one (Simply called 'A') is much better.
6. Bleach - Sun Stands Still (Bleach)
It's truly shocking how many of the songs this whole random thing is coming up with are songs that I have no recollection of. I suppose that with a sample size of well over 10,000 it was bound to happen, but it's still weird. I bought this CD at a pawn shop for $1 - strictly for the song "Once Again Here We Are". This song is - again - actually pretty good.
7. Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard - Blood on My Hands (The Dark Knight)
A nice cut off of the Dark Knight soundtrack. It's not terrifying like "Why So Serious?" or supermega epic like "A Dark Knight", and it's fairly easy to overlook in the context of the rest of the soundtrack, but it's nice, anyway.
8. The All-American Rejects - One More Sad Song (The All-American Rejects)
Linds is a big fan, I'm not so much, but they're actually not bad in concert. This is one of the better songs off of their first CD - not that that's saying much.
9. Lifehouse - We'll Never Know (Lifehouse)
Lifehouse is pleasant enough, but the obvious problem is that if you've heard one Lifehouse album, you've heard their discography. They come in two flavors: soft aching ballad & fairly generic pop-rock song. There's nothing that bad about them, but it's all pretty much the same. This song falls into the second category... which basically means that even if you haven't heard it, you've heard it.
10. Beck - Lazy Flies (Mutations)
The same friend that scored me the complete works of Faith No More did the same with Beck. I honestly haven't dug into Mutations very much, but I hear it's pretty good. This song is decent, but not the type of song that grabs your attention first time through.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Ten Random: 05/15/2009
You know the drill... ten random songs, links to listen. Let's rock this out.
1. The Hush Sound - Honey (Goodbye Blues)
I really like this song. The Hush Sound are an indie pop band with just the slightest bluesy bend to their music (very enjoyable in concert). This is the best song off of their newest, which happened to be a pretty solid CD.
2. Michael Card - Jubilee (Joy in the Journey)
This is the second CD I ever owned. I was 11. There's not much in terms of non-nostalgic value for a lot of it, but some of it has a certain lyrical way to it. This song in particular takes me back to a certain road trip to see my grandparents in Arizona (during which my parents purchased this for me - I actually requested it for reasons unknown).
3. Death Cab For Cutie - Marching Bands of Manhattan (Plans)
I guess Plans is supposed to be Death Cab's worst CD. I don't know exactly where that thought comes from, I thought the melodies were excellent, and the best songs rank with some of the best stuff the band has put out. It's not quite as good as Transatlanticism, but matching up to that one is a pretty tall order. This is the opening track from Plans. It's pretty unassuming, building up to sort of a false crescendo before breaking into the truly awesome 'Soul Meets Body'. Still a good song.
4. Broomtree - Sunshine (Maybe This Time)
I really don't remember this song that much. This was Broomtree's "mature" CD - which, of course, means it was the last one they put out. It wasn't bad, and this song has some tasty guitar midway through it (or, should I say, as tasty as guitar riffs get in this sort of music). Decent enough, I guess.
5. Robbie Seay Band - Better Days (Better Days)
I have no idea how this song got on my computer. I can't say I'm really a big fan. Who exactly are these guys? Sort of a really laid back vibe to it.
6. Tom Smith - Cat Macros (The FuMP Volume 3)
Oh. Dear. Lord. Lolcats put to song. Truly these are the end of days.
7. Fanmail - I Want It That Way (Fanmail 2000)
This is sort of getting embarassing. My brother downloaded this while he was in some sort of "Ironic punk covers of famous pop songs" phase. I'm not sure how I came across it, but there must have been a time where I didn't find such songs to be annoyingly desperate attention grabs disguised as ironic detachment. Those days are gone, and this one is a particularly egregious example. Ironic covers are really tough to do well without sounding like a hipster douchebag or a attention starved covers band (for the record, this doesn't really sound like either... I'm just not a fan).
8. Trocadero - Alien Champion (Red vs. Blue: Season 3)
Nice, hazy pop from the Red vs. Blue soundtrack.
9. Martin O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori - Opening Suite (Halo)
Speaking of halo... This is the famous 'choral monk halo chant' with a little bit of original score after it. I like it, but Lindsey finds it to be one of the most annoying recorded sounds put to media of any type. We're talking vehement hatred. There's no quicker way to get her attention.
10. Tomoyasu Hotei - Battle Without Honor or Humanity (Electric Samurai)
Easily on the short list of "shit is going down right here and right now" songs - a list that is topped by Dropkick Murphy's "I'm Shipping Up to Boston", btw. Used to good effect in "Kill Bill", and to absolutely horrible effect in "Dance Dance Revolution: Supernova" (seriously... how are you supposed to dancedance to this??) Hearing this song makes me want to toss on some ridiculously expensive sunglasses, pull out a sword, and start swaggering down the street, shooting dangerous glances at the frightened passersby....and creepy as that sounds, with this song backing it, it would be AWESOME.
1. The Hush Sound - Honey (Goodbye Blues)
I really like this song. The Hush Sound are an indie pop band with just the slightest bluesy bend to their music (very enjoyable in concert). This is the best song off of their newest, which happened to be a pretty solid CD.
2. Michael Card - Jubilee (Joy in the Journey)
This is the second CD I ever owned. I was 11. There's not much in terms of non-nostalgic value for a lot of it, but some of it has a certain lyrical way to it. This song in particular takes me back to a certain road trip to see my grandparents in Arizona (during which my parents purchased this for me - I actually requested it for reasons unknown).
3. Death Cab For Cutie - Marching Bands of Manhattan (Plans)
I guess Plans is supposed to be Death Cab's worst CD. I don't know exactly where that thought comes from, I thought the melodies were excellent, and the best songs rank with some of the best stuff the band has put out. It's not quite as good as Transatlanticism, but matching up to that one is a pretty tall order. This is the opening track from Plans. It's pretty unassuming, building up to sort of a false crescendo before breaking into the truly awesome 'Soul Meets Body'. Still a good song.
4. Broomtree - Sunshine (Maybe This Time)
I really don't remember this song that much. This was Broomtree's "mature" CD - which, of course, means it was the last one they put out. It wasn't bad, and this song has some tasty guitar midway through it (or, should I say, as tasty as guitar riffs get in this sort of music). Decent enough, I guess.
5. Robbie Seay Band - Better Days (Better Days)
I have no idea how this song got on my computer. I can't say I'm really a big fan. Who exactly are these guys? Sort of a really laid back vibe to it.
6. Tom Smith - Cat Macros (The FuMP Volume 3)
Oh. Dear. Lord. Lolcats put to song. Truly these are the end of days.
7. Fanmail - I Want It That Way (Fanmail 2000)
This is sort of getting embarassing. My brother downloaded this while he was in some sort of "Ironic punk covers of famous pop songs" phase. I'm not sure how I came across it, but there must have been a time where I didn't find such songs to be annoyingly desperate attention grabs disguised as ironic detachment. Those days are gone, and this one is a particularly egregious example. Ironic covers are really tough to do well without sounding like a hipster douchebag or a attention starved covers band (for the record, this doesn't really sound like either... I'm just not a fan).
8. Trocadero - Alien Champion (Red vs. Blue: Season 3)
Nice, hazy pop from the Red vs. Blue soundtrack.
9. Martin O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori - Opening Suite (Halo)
Speaking of halo... This is the famous 'choral monk halo chant' with a little bit of original score after it. I like it, but Lindsey finds it to be one of the most annoying recorded sounds put to media of any type. We're talking vehement hatred. There's no quicker way to get her attention.
10. Tomoyasu Hotei - Battle Without Honor or Humanity (Electric Samurai)
Easily on the short list of "shit is going down right here and right now" songs - a list that is topped by Dropkick Murphy's "I'm Shipping Up to Boston", btw. Used to good effect in "Kill Bill", and to absolutely horrible effect in "Dance Dance Revolution: Supernova" (seriously... how are you supposed to dancedance to this??) Hearing this song makes me want to toss on some ridiculously expensive sunglasses, pull out a sword, and start swaggering down the street, shooting dangerous glances at the frightened passersby....and creepy as that sounds, with this song backing it, it would be AWESOME.
Friday, May 8, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Ten Random: 04/24/2009
Over at the World's Greatest Online Magazine (WGOM), they have a weekly tradition where all of the various members will turn on their respective media players, turn the selection to 'random', and post the first ten songs that come up. I'm going to start doing the same in this space. I'm also going to post any comments I may have.
...and because I vary wildly between over-achieving and not achieving anything at all, I'll (hopefully) be including links to listen to the songs, themselves (usually via imeem).
1. Switchfoot - Meant to Live (The Beautiful Letdown)
Switchfoot's first three CDs were pretty good for back in the day, but they started losing me with 'Letdown'. I don't know if it was changing musical taste or what, but it didn't click nearly as much as their old stuff. Then I saw them in concert, and they virtually ignored their first three albums. I liked this song well enough, but there must have been a lot of disappointed people who bought the CD based on this song, only to find next to nothing like it on the remainder of the disc.
2. Scott Krippayne - Love Me Enough (More)
Scott was once my favorite artist. Those days are long since gone, but certain songs still give me a sense of shuddering nostalgia. I never really liked this song, so this isn't one of them.
3. Innerpartysystem - Everyone is the Same (Innerpartysystem)
Not much to mention here. The song is pretty standard for IPS (sort of a electronica/alternative mix)
4. Sum 41 - Intro (Chuck)
Yeah, this shouldn't even count. It's a 46-second long intro which bleeds directly into 'No Reason'. I like the CD, and the song sets the mood, I guess, but it's not really standalone material.
5. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin IV)
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Any comments I have would obviously be worthless.
6. Kaiser Chiefs - Retirement (Yours Truly, Angry Mob)
This is the perfect song for the gainfully employed. I mean, who doesn't wish they had invented something that made them fabulously wealthy enough to retire?
7. Aaron Benward - Captured (Imagine)
More CCM. The only remotely passable song for me on this CD.
8. Faith No More - Pristina (Album of the Year)
A friend of mine gave me the complete Faith No More discography, but I have to be honest: this is the first time I've heard this song. It sounds Patton-tastic (which is to say, of course, that is sounds theatrical, kind of creepy, and generally awesome.)
9. Jason Hayes - Tavern (World of Warcraft)
This song is the track that plays when you enter a tavern in World of Warcraft. It's got a nice, laid back, Celtic quality to it. Perfectly decent away from the game.
10. Beck - New Round (The Information)
I've been getting more into Beck lately (only a little over a decade late). The Information isn't one of his better ones, but there's enough going on in this song to make it a good listen.
...and because I vary wildly between over-achieving and not achieving anything at all, I'll (hopefully) be including links to listen to the songs, themselves (usually via imeem).
1. Switchfoot - Meant to Live (The Beautiful Letdown)
Switchfoot's first three CDs were pretty good for back in the day, but they started losing me with 'Letdown'. I don't know if it was changing musical taste or what, but it didn't click nearly as much as their old stuff. Then I saw them in concert, and they virtually ignored their first three albums. I liked this song well enough, but there must have been a lot of disappointed people who bought the CD based on this song, only to find next to nothing like it on the remainder of the disc.
2. Scott Krippayne - Love Me Enough (More)
Scott was once my favorite artist. Those days are long since gone, but certain songs still give me a sense of shuddering nostalgia. I never really liked this song, so this isn't one of them.
3. Innerpartysystem - Everyone is the Same (Innerpartysystem)
Not much to mention here. The song is pretty standard for IPS (sort of a electronica/alternative mix)
4. Sum 41 - Intro (Chuck)
Yeah, this shouldn't even count. It's a 46-second long intro which bleeds directly into 'No Reason'. I like the CD, and the song sets the mood, I guess, but it's not really standalone material.
5. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin IV)
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Any comments I have would obviously be worthless.
6. Kaiser Chiefs - Retirement (Yours Truly, Angry Mob)
This is the perfect song for the gainfully employed. I mean, who doesn't wish they had invented something that made them fabulously wealthy enough to retire?
7. Aaron Benward - Captured (Imagine)
More CCM. The only remotely passable song for me on this CD.
8. Faith No More - Pristina (Album of the Year)
A friend of mine gave me the complete Faith No More discography, but I have to be honest: this is the first time I've heard this song. It sounds Patton-tastic (which is to say, of course, that is sounds theatrical, kind of creepy, and generally awesome.)
9. Jason Hayes - Tavern (World of Warcraft)
This song is the track that plays when you enter a tavern in World of Warcraft. It's got a nice, laid back, Celtic quality to it. Perfectly decent away from the game.
10. Beck - New Round (The Information)
I've been getting more into Beck lately (only a little over a decade late). The Information isn't one of his better ones, but there's enough going on in this song to make it a good listen.
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