Awhile back I decided to post a list of what songs I had been listening to. The readers and the other captains seemed to enjoy it, so I’ve decided to do it again and this time include some more insight on the tracks selected. I realize their are some of you out there who could positively not give a flying fuck about what music i’m listening to. If that’s the case, this should ease your pain.
For everyone else, here is the list:
- Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – “Hopscotch Willie” Real Emotional Trash (2008)
Malkmus oozes stoner guitar god out of his penis and this 7 minute song is no exception. One of the best modern songwriters giving us the story of a bum being “framed” for murder. Who else could pull off lines like, “The Dick said to Willie/”You’re in the clink/so save the pity party for the county shrink/i’m sure he’ll find some profound parallels to mine” - The Kinks – “Picture Book” Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
Acoustic jangly 60’s British pop. This band never got the acclaim other British bands received, but they are fucking great. We now know Green Day shamelessly ripped them off. Oh, and the song isn’t about children’s books apparently picture book is British for photo album. - Weezer – “You Gave Your Love To Me Softly” (B-side To “El Scorcho”) (1996) I like 2 Weezer albums, the first self titled one and Pinkerton, way before the Weezer Snuggie. This song was recorded during the Pinkerton sessions and eventually released as the B-Side to “El Scorcho” An inferior cleaned up version was released on the soundtrack for the fat kid movie, Angus in 1995. The B-Side version is raw and ragged with it’s catchy pop melody buried underneath. The same combo that made the early Weezer sound so enduring. (Note: the version included here is the one from the Angus soundtrack)
- Nirvana – “About A Girl” Bleach (1989)
Allegedly, Cobain listened to Meet The Beatles for hours on end one night to teach himself to write a song like theirs. It paid off. - Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Born On The Bayou“ Bayou Country (1969)
John Fogerty’s wail could raise the dead without even trying. A song busting full of that strange, epic, mystic south that never existed (who didn’t run naked as a kid with their dog through the woods chasing down a “Hoodoo”???) This song might also contain the first know use of the word chooglin‘ - Julian Casablancas – “Out Of The Blue” Phrazes For The Young (2009)
It’s been 4 years since the last Strokes album. Most of the other band members spent the time working on various solo projects. But this is the one most people have been waiting for, undoubtedly (based on principle alone) the lead singer’s solo album will likely sound the most similar to the band’s output. The lead off track to his just released album sounds like a Strokes song had they recorded a follow up directly after First Impressions Of Earth and continued their new wave/synth make over. Casablanca’s plays all the instruments on this album and in the process reveals himself as the architect for the Strokes’ sound. Hypnotic guitars riff in clean precise rhythm, drum machines lock everything into place with a sheen of synthesizers. It contains a future classic line, “Yes, I know I’m going to hell in a leather jacket, at least I’ll be in another world while your pissing on my casket” - Vampire Weekend – “Horchata” Contra (2010)
The first single released off their upcoming album (due out January 12, 2010), we can only hope the title Contra is a reference to the incredible Nintendo game. I don’t like “Horchata” nearly as much as anything from their first album. Apparently, something about rich white kids doing Caribbean/Afro centric music appeals to me. Hell, I was obsessed with Paul Simon’s album, Graceland too. I feel like this is what Dave Matthew should sound like. - The Beatles – “I Should Have Known Better” A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
The 2nd song on their 1964 album. Every time I listen to the title track, “I Should Have Known Better” comes on next and all the will power on Earth can’t force me to turn it off. The bouncy acoustic jangle and party harmonica (that sounds at one point that Lennon needs to gasp for air) is just the perfect combination. This track is all Lennon on vocals and when he hits the first chorus and gets to, “you love me tooooo” I get goosebumps. You couldn’t ask for a more emotive singer belting out fun romance pop songs. - Them Crooked Vultures – “New Fang” Them Crooked Vultures (2009)
Did you really think I’d abstain from these guys? Finally, a modern rock radio song that doesn’t suck dick for pesos. I don’t think this song particularly highlights the Godlike status of their superstar billing. “New Fang” does have a Zeppelin-esque drum intro combined with strange but muscular riffing and a psychedelic swirl of guitar underpinning the track. All this makes it feel like a forgotten Soundgarden B-Side from Down On The Upside (minus the Chris Cornell banshee wail). - Television – “Torn Curtain” Marquee Moon (1977)
The last song on these slightly obscure (now marginally more famous) NY art punkers debut album. It’s a slow burner of a “ballad” that’s elegantly forceful and contains some beautiful intertwining guitar work. My secret belief is it’s actually written in reference to the 1966 Alfred Hitchcock movie, “Torn Curtain” starring Paul Newman and Julie Andrews about an American scientist defecting to Germany behind the so called Iron Curtain. Although, the lyrics within the song does not support my ridiculous assumption in the slightest.
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[...] their first album. You can also listen to the song “Horchata” from Contra by clicking here. var addthis_pub = 'Sulley'; var addthis_language = 'en';var addthis_options = 'email, [...]
[...] Nick Valensi) do their own solo projects. Most recently and most Strokes sounding was lead singer, Julian Casablancas’ album. Well, we finally have good news to report as the band is back in the studio recording and eying a [...]