Random 10 for Aug. 19, 2008
1. Midnight Oil, “Power and the Passion”
One of the most cerebral and biting political bands of the 1980s (not that there was a great deal of competition for that distinction, natch), Midnight Oil eventually proved its political bona fides in 2004, when lead singer Peter Garrett was elected to Australia’s House of Representatives (he now serves as that country’s Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts). In the music video for “Power and the Passion,” however, Garrett is not so much a politico as a groovy golem.
2. Louis Jordan and His Tympani Five, “What’s the Use of Gettin’ Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again)”
3. The Plimsouls, “Apology”
4. William Shatner, “Common People”
God bless William Shatner. His earlier attempts at crooning (see “Mr. Tambourine Man”) were utter hilarity, but Has Been,his 2004 full-length LP collaboration with Ben Folds, was no novelty. Captain Kirk lends his own indelible spin — or, as Shatner would say: Lends … His own … Indelible … Spin — to Pulp’s “Common People.” The accompanying music video is fan-made, but its Legos animation seems like a good fit.
5. Franz Ferdinand, “Outsiders”
6. The Fuzztones, “She’s My Witch”
7. Elvis Costello, “Moods for Moderns”
8. Rilo Kiley, “It’s a Hit”
I know some StaticBlog readers have expressed befuddlement at the success of Rilo Kiley, but I don’t know how anyone can dispute the worth of a single like 2004′s ”It’s a Hit,” a caustic, word-packed, stripped-down pop confection in which these Los Angelenos nicely skewer everything worth skewering. And I’m not just saying that because Jenny Lewis is … what’s the phrase I’m searching for? … extremely marketable.
9. The Mingus Big Band, “Eat that Chicken”
10. Charles Brown, “New Orleans Blues”
– Chase
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Comments
Which Gainsbourg did you get? Histoire de Melody Nelson? That one is the best. I’m curious, so that I can get the one that you mentioned. When he’s good, he’s great. When he’s bad, he’s weird. Hey, did you know that Anna Karina has three records?? I’m going to check them out tonight if possible. So curious!
It was an anthology set, called “Love and the Beat vol. 1.” I got it on e-music. When my credits renew I’m going to get Volume 2 as well.
It’s a really fun set, for the reasons you said. There was one surprise: “Goodbye Emmanuelle,” a tune that was the title song for the first late night Cinemax movie I can remember watching as a young pre-teen. it made me feel a little funny listening to it again.
Very cool tidbit about Peter Garrett. I didn’t know that.
Count me in as a fan of “Has Been.” Much of the album goes way beyond novelty into actual quality; Sure, it’s almost all due to Ben Folds being able to build around Shat’s strengths and keep his weaknesses in check, but it’s a fine piece of work that’s much more than a winking joke. While novelty acts like Richard Cheese get old once the joke gets played out over and over again, tracks like “It Hasn’t Happened Yet” still hold real power.
And I’m one of the people who doesn’t get Rilo Kiley. I think it’s as much a reaction to the hype as anything; the Fleetwood Mac comparisons were lost on me, and everyone seemed more interested in Jenny’s, um, marketability than the actual music. I gave them another listen the last time you brought them up, and I have to say I was reminded of some songs I did like (“Portions for Foxes” is one of the best unhealthy relationship songs in the last few years).
1. “Nocturnal Intermission,” Charlotte Gainsbourg – I just picked up a collection of songs by her dad Serge, and have never wanted to be French so badly.
2. “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More,” The Allman Brothers
3. “I Don’t Want It,” Ween
4. “No Earthly Good,” Johnny Cash
5. “Eternal Sunshine Theme,” Jon Brion
6. “Know That,” Mos Def
7. “Love at 20,” Xavier Despras (Thanks Susan)
8. “My Very Best,” Elbow – I like to listen to Elbow and pretend it’s Peter Gabriel and he’s still relevant.
9. “The Moon,” – Swell Season – Anyone going to see them at the Brady?
10. “If Not For You,” Derek Webb and Sandy McCracken – Derek Webb gets stereotyped as a Christian Artist, but really he’s more in the mold of a Sufjan Stevens, but with a “Revolver” sensibility.