I apologize to everyone for taking an unexpected vacation from SC and not making this post about four months ago. I have excuses for what happened, but they're just excuses, so I won't trouble you with them.
[u]my disc[/u]
As the cover suggests, all of the bands on this disc are bands that are "old school" to me -- bands that I listened to when I was younger or that shaped my musical taste. When I told Drexle about my plans for this disc, he suggested that I make it sort of a chart of the evolution of my musical taste. I thought that was a good idea, so I ignored it like I do with all good ideas. ;) Fact is, to do that, I would have had to put a lot of songs on here that I don't like anymore, and a fair amount of popular bands that I imagine everyone has already heard and made their own decision about. Probably the best part of these swaps, in my opinion, is getting to hear music you might not have otherwise, so I wanted to use mostly stuff that might still be new to some people.
[b]1. KoRn - Blind [KoRn]
2. Rage Against the Machine - Snakecharmer [Evil Empire][/b]
I'm glad these tracks didn't get the negative reaction I feared. I took some flak for liking these bands back in high school. But the truth is, they really struck a chord with me when I first heard them, and they haven't lost any of their appeal over the years and the repeated listenings since then. Hard rock, passionate singing, and a meaningful message are practically a guarantee that I'll like a song.
Blind is one of KoRn's best songs, and an obvious choice to lead off the disc. I didn't really think much about Snakecharmer on its own until I was listening through my Rage discs in search of a good track to use.
[b]3. Deftones - Around the Fur [Around the Fur]
4. Filter - Gerbil [Short Bus][/b]
I think I was introduced to these bands by the same friend from my hometown, probably around the same time in high school. I like them for more or less the same reasons I like the previous two.
The Deftones put out some pretty consistent albums, but if you don't like them, you'll find Stripcreator's own lima a kindred spirit. (I like his strips even if he does frequently dis one of my favorite bands.) I think the lyrics in Around the Fur are clever and the vocals intense. I also really like how they kind of meander around for a bit, singing and playing lazily, then decide to get their act together and rock out for a while, then repeat.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend any Filter other than their first album, Short Bus, from which this track comes. I do like that album a lot, though. Gerbil's intellectual elitism was perfect for me in high school. Not so far off the mark now, either.
5. Helmet - Biscuits for Smut [Betty]
One of my friends once described Helmet's Meantime as "the same song repeated ten times". (At least I think it's a good song.) Betty is very different; the songs are more varied, more interesting, and more playful. If you want to give Helmet a chance, pick it up. It also features Milquetoast, with which you're familiar if you've heard the soundtrack to The Crow.
6. Pennywise - Nothing [Unknown Road]
One of my favorite punk bands ever. Anyone who doesn't get a kick out of the line "If you don't want to hear my problems, then you can fuck off and die" will never fully understand me. ;P Like many punk bands, Pennywise have a lot of great lyrics. Their albums helped me survive high school.
7. Clutch - Escape from the Prison Planet [Clutch]
One of the greatest bands ever. One of their best albums and best songs too. Was introduced to them by a good friend around the time I started college.
[b]8. Pizzicato Five - Happy Sad [The Sound of Music]
9. Polopop - Take Me to Your Leader [Very Cherry]
10. Cowboy Bebop - Cats on Mars [Cowboy Bebop: No Disc (Original Soundtrack 2)][/b]
Hopefully the rockin'-ness of the first seven tracks established my masculinity well enough for it to withstand these next three.
P5 are fun J-pop that reminded me of the friend who shared them with me during my first year of college. I wanted to use Happy Sad because it has both English and Japanese lyrics.
I've never actually listened to Polopop much. She was the female vocalist for Abstract Reality, who appeared on my first swap disc.
Yoko Kanno shouldn't be credited as "Cowboy Bebop". That's just the name of the anime she wrote this song for. I've used the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack on all three of my swap discs so far, and every time I've picked a song from disc 2. So, if you're interested in one of the soundtrack discs, I suppose that's the one I'd recommend.
11. Sifl & Olly - Convoy
My college roommates and I were initially divided on the issue of whether Sifl & Olly were stupid or hilarious, but we all watched the episodes anyway. (The correct answer, of course, is the latter.) Two seasons aired on MTV, and the third is available on their website.
I went through a lot of S&O MP3s trying to find one that was intact and suitable for this position on the disc. I think this one was a good choice.
Fun fact: the S&O song "United States of Whatever" has become popular with the disaffected youth it mocks, and appears on the soundtrack for the video game Tony Hawk's Underground.
12. 3rd Bass - Al'z A-B-Cee'z [Derelicts of Dialect]
In typical popular-music-fan fashion, I bought this album simply because I liked "Pop Goes the Weasel". Fortunately it turned out that all the other songs on it were really great too. 3rd Bass is now the yardstick by which I measure all other rap. Not surprisingly, much of it comes up short.
But none of that is relevant to this absurd, hilarious, non-rap track which my brother and I may occasionally still be heard quoting.
That's Dave Brubeck's Take Five in the background. First time I'd heard it.
13. Sebastian Baxter & the John Malkovich Orchestra - Hipster Sweater [Chaos (1996 Loyola College compilation CD)]
I very much doubt that this band existed before or after they recorded this track. It's got a certain charm, though.
14. Benjamin Luxon & Bill Crofut - Old Joe Clark [Simple Gifts]
My brother and I loved this album when we were too young to do things like listen to the radio or make our own decisions about what music we liked. Luxon and Crofut were a British and American (don't ask me which is which) folk duo who sang folk songs from either or both of those cultures. Old Joe Clark is classic American fiddle playing. I defy anyone not to be impressed.
You can still get some Luxon & Crofut albums on the web, but I couldn't find this one. My brother, a music major and drummer in a band, helped me record my parents' vinyl in .WAV format so I could include this track. Unfortunately I don't think the pops and crackles really come through.
15. De Danann - Mulvihill's Reel/The Dawn [The Best of De Danann]
Ethnically speaking, I'm 7/8 Irish. My family has always celebrated St. Patrick's Day (even the Italian cousins), and my parents even taught my brother and I the Irish National Anthem (which, disturbingly, is more or less about killing the English) when we were young. I've seen my fair share of Irish dancing in my house. I love good Irish music despite all that.
16. OneUp Mushrooms - Coast of the Sun [Project Majestic Mix: A Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu]
The 'Shrooms play video game music. This is the theme for Costa del Sol in Final Fantasy 7. Final Fantasy games (if not necessarily this one) account for a larger part of my childhood than you might think reasonable.
17. Matt Pollard - Mystic Mountain 2late Mix [Unreleased Squaredance track from OneUp Studios MAGFest 2002 Promo]
Eponine and I may have seen this guy drunk and making an ass of himself at the MAGFest 2003 concert; I can't remember whether we eventually decided it was him or not. Anyway, Squaredance is a two-disc set of music from Squaresoft video games (Final Fantasy and such) turned into dance tracks. A die-hard fan such as myself ought to be able to tell you what game this is from, but I can't.
18. Minibosses - Castlevania 1
The Minibosses play music from NES games exclusively. They have a Megaman medley which is not to be missed, and all three of their Castlevania tracks are excellent. If the character string "NES" makes you nostalgic, and you haven't downloaded the 'bosses songs yet, stop whatever you're doing and get to it.
19. Spin Doctors - More Than She Knows [Pocket Full of Kryptonite]
The Spin Doctors' Jimmy Olsen's Blues is the song I credit with getting me interested in modern rock. But everyone's heard that, so I used this one instead. Pocket Full of Kryptonite is a thoroughly pop rock album that withstands the test of time.
Astute listeners will already have noticed that this song features a harmonica solo by The Blues Traveler's John Popper.
20. Modest Mouse - Make Everyone Happy/Mechanical Birds [This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About]
I included this song mostly for the sake of the "Mechanical Birds" half, which I think is amazing. I had listened to it several times before Eponine pointed out to me what the title was, and then I suddenly realized, wow, that's exactly what it sounds like.
Actually, MM aren't very old school for me. Sea gulls are, though, so I guess you could make a case for this song....
21. Blind Melon - Change [Blind Melon]
It's a damn shame Shannon Hoon overdosed after only two albums. Blind Melon -- and their fans -- deserved a lot better. This song in particular helped me through some depressing times in high school. I kind of feel like it got shoved in here after some songs that don't quite go with it, so if you didn't take notice of it before, just listen to this one by itself sometime.
[u]little_kitty[/u]
1. Bad Religion - Infected
Own the album and like it. Used Incomplete on my second swap disc.
2. Lillix - Sick
Nice vocals, good punk sensibilities. I like it.
3. Nickleback ft.Kid Rock - Saturday Nights Alright
This sounds a lot like '80s rock, but I kind of like it despite myself.
4. Closure - Look Out Below
Good ol' rock. Nothing beats rock.
5. Poison - Talk Dirty to Me
This sounds a lot like '80s rock, and I don't like it as much as the third track. :P
6. Brad Sucks - I Think I Started a Trend
Been keeping up with Brad's albums. This is definitely one of my favorite tracks.
7. Evanescence - My Immortal
Conveys its tone really well, I think. I can't bear to listen to music this sad regularly, but it's good that someone makes me every now and then.
8. Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar on Me
I think by now you probably know what I'm going to say about this. :P
9. Adam Gregory - The World Could Use a Cowboy
Yeah, not too sure I like where this is going. Decent music, as country goes.
10. Trippingbillee - I Fuck Goats
What can I possibly say about this that would do it justice?
11. Russian Techno - Fuck Me Kalabock
I don't even know what's going on here. Not exactly relaxing listening, I'm afraid.
12. Garth Brooks - The Thunder Rolls
Not bad, but I'm not a huge fan.
13. Linkin Park - Somewhere I Belong
A lot of fun to listen to. I'm not sure "fun" is how they expected me to describe this, but.
14. MC Solaar - Victime de la Mode
Before receiving this disc, I had never heard of MC Solaar. Now, I own his albums Prose Combat and Cinquieme As. I think that's all I need to say about this one.
15. New Found Glory - Understatement
Kinda punk, kinda emo... pretty good. Reminds me very much of some band I've heard before, but I can't think of who.
17. Grandaddy - Revolution
I... have to admit I don't like this at all. It fails to pick up on a lot of what made the original great.
18. Sum 41 - What We're All About
It's what I'm all about too. I think it's interesting that this is, IMO, a rap song about rock music.
19. Transplants - DJ DJ
The shouted part is my favorite.
20. The Verve Pipe - The Freshman
I remember this from when it was on the radio. A really powerful song.
[u]jes_lawson[/u]
Outrospective
1. Sibelius - Finlandia (Intro)
An excellent introduction to track 2.
2. A - Nothing
I bet it's hell trying to search for these guys on a filesharing service. This is probably my favorite song on either disc. I kind of feel like I shouldn't like it for some reason, but it rocks too hard to argue.
3. Apples in Stereo - You Said That Last Night
Somehow "Apples in Stereo" strikes me as a perfect name for a band that wrote this song. I like it a lot.
4. Hundred Reasons - Remmus
Don't have a lot to say about this other than that I like it.
5. St. Germain - Rose Rouge
I would probably love this if I could hear it without the vocals. I just find them annoying and don't know what they contribute to the track. Other than that, it's some good jazz.
6. Ian Dury & the Blockheads - What a Waste!
Interesting, lyrics are alright, but for some reason this just doesn't do much for me.
7. Co.uk - Big Green Bath
Nice punk-ish sound.
8. The Wannadies - You and Me Song
I don't hate this song as much as everyone else does.
9. Super Furry Animals - Juxtaposed with U
"Juxtapose" is one of my favorite words. This song is pretty good too.
10. Higher Intelligence Agency - Lines in the Sand
Don't have any trouble believing this.
11. Travis - Tied to the '90s
I really like this and your other Travis track, and I can't quite put my finger on why. I kind of feel like they make me nostalgic. For the '90s, I guess. Anyway, they're good music.
12. Focus - Hocus Pocus
I don't know what's going on here, but it's not bad listening.
13. John B - Jazz Session 2
Mmmm, jazz.
14. David Holmes - Rip Rip
Entertaining dialogue. Good music too.
[b]15. Max Romeo & the Upsetters - Chase the Devil
16. Mr. Scruff - Spandex Man
17. Plaid - Scoobs in Columbia
18. Selecter - On My Radio[/b]
Not a huge fan of the Max Romeo track, but on the whole this is a decent group of songs, fun to listen to.
Introspective
As I keep saying, I find it difficult to comment on instrumental tracks. I'm not sure why that is. I do like them; in fact, I'm finding that lyrics distract me while I'm working, so lately I'm seeking out instrumental music a lot more than I used to. All this by way of saying, I don't have a lot of specific comments on this CD's tracks, but in general I like them and they're good listening while at work.
1. Mum - Celtic River Dance
Tranquil and contemplative. Reminds me of something I might have heard my parents listening to.
2. Boards of Canada - In a Beautiful Place out in the Country
I've heard good things about Boards of Canada, but I must admit I'm not real big on this track. The music and beat are okay, but the voice is kind of jarring. I guess it would help if I had the memories that were supposed to be evoked.
11. Roy Budd - Jazz it Up
When I heard this, I thought, man, this would be perfect for a movie. Guess I was right. That's a good thing.
14. Low - Closer
The instruments in this song are really cool -- makes me think of falling water.
15. Roger Whittaker - Durham Town
Ignoring any mistakes, this is a nice, bittersweet, and well-performed song.
16. Orbital - Belfast
Probably my favorite track on this disc. It sounds good, and I like how it progresses, adding and removing instruments/themes throughout the track.
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The what mentioned above is total fiction. Please don't take it seriously!
