Random 10 for Nov. 12, 2008
1. Grant Lee Buffalo, “Mockingbirds”
One of the most criminally overlooked bands of the Nineties, Grant Lee Buffalo produced supple, dreamy pop with a drizzle of country-folk added for good measure (it’s delicious on a Ritz, by the way). “Mockingbirds,” from the outfit’s 1994 album, Mighty Joe Moon, is typical of the charming music they crafted.
2. The Brian Setzer Orchestra, “Drink that Bottle Down”
3. Howlin’ Wolf, “Spoonful”
4. The Rolling Stones, “Time Is on My Side”
It’s tough to watch this clip from the Stones’ 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and not think, Geez, these guys were babies. And the song is certainly accurate in the case of the Stones. Mick is more athletic on stage these days than he was here, at the tender age of 21.
5. Dianne Reeves, “TV Is the Thing This Year”
6. The Who, “Black Widow’s Eyes”
7.The Starlight Mints, “Popsickle”
Norman, Oklahoma’s own Starlight Mints –Whimsical, feisty and thoroughly enchanting. This 2002 video is terrific, but I sure wish Mr. Noodle from Elmo’s World had made an appearance.
8. Big Star, “Nightime”
9. Sergei Rachmaninov, “Syumphony No. 2 in E Minor – Largo”
10. Counting Crows, “Mr. Jones”
– Chase
Random 10 for Nov. 10, 2008
1. Marvin Gaye, “How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)”
This velvety smooth Motown hit from 1965 is the perfect antidote for rainy Mondays. Enjoy.
2. Beck, “Sleeping Bag”
3. The Barenaked Ladies, “Conventioneers”
4. Bruce Springsteen, “Magic”
The man who sings about New Jersey dreamers and pretty girls isn’t especially known for metaphorical songwriting, but the title track from Bruce Springsteen’s 2007 album is a notable and dazzling exception. “I’ll cut you in half / While you’re smilin’ at me,” the Boss croons in this Brendan O’Brien-produced meditation about the sleight-of-hand of oppression.
5. Ryan Adams, “She’s Lost Total Control”
6. Possum Dixon, “Executive Slacks”
7. Dave Edmunds, “Girls Talk”
8. Louis Lane, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, “Rodeo – 4. Hoe Down”
9. The Sweet, “Love Is Like Oxygen”
One of the great bubblegum relics of the Seventies, the Sweet graced the world with such memorable power-pop tunes as “Ballroom Blitz,” “Little Willy” and “Fox on the Run.” But the group was never more profound that its final hit single from 1978, which tells you some things you really ought to know about good ol’ oxygen.
10. Lou Reed, “Beginning of a Great Adventure”
– Chase
Video of the Day: Kid Koala, “Floor Kids”
How long has it been since you had a nice, steaming bowl of electric boogaloo? Well, that’s too long.
Random 10 for November 6, 2008
1. The Knux, “Bang Bang.” While “Cappuccino” had all the earmarks of a De La Soul throwback, “Bang Bang” is much more Stankonia. Either way, beats the hell out of most hip-hop I’ve heard this year.
2. Anjali, “Asian Provocateur.”
3. Blitzen Trapper, “God + Suicide.”
4. Hot Chip, “No Fit State.”
5. LCD Soundsystem, “Someone Great.” James Murphy out Phil Oakeys da League and a guy gets intimate with a shadow. These are the things that make America great.
6. Charles Mingus, “Original Faubus Fables.”
7. Battles, “Rainbow.”
8. Dennis Wilson, “School Girl.”
9. Ben Folds, “Free Coffee.”
10. Chromeo, “Bonafied Lovin.” Our Quebecois electro-funk heroes tap into their dormant love for Dire Straits and 1985 MTV fromage.
A Not-So-Random Election Day 10
1. Bruce Springsteen, “The Rising.”
2. Green Day, “American Idiot.”
3. Bob Dylan, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”
4. Devo, “Freedom of Choice.”
5. Marvin Gaye, “What’s Goin’ On?”
6. The National, “Mr. November.”
7. Primal Scream, “Come Together.”
8. Patti Smith, “People Have the Power.”
9. John Lennon, “Power to the People.”
10. Public Enemy, “Fight the Power.”
Either/Or, Episode 11: Election Day
In Either/Or, we take two people in similar pursuits, and you choose between them. It can be based on any criteria: professional ability, personality, intellectual prowess, physical pulchritude, or who you’d want backing you up in a knife fight. It really doesn’t matter: just choose Either/Or.
Either Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)…
Or Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Random 10 for November 3, 2008
1. Stereolab, “Neon Beanbag.” The second video from Chemical Chords, and while it’s commonplace to refer to Stereolab’s more recent discs as auxillary utility music if Emperor Tomato Ketchup isn’t available, this one really is their best since Dots and Loops or so.
2. Roxy Music, “Pyjamarama.”
3. Jason Segel, “Jesus is Just Alright.”
4. The Flatmates, “Happy All the Time.”
5. Eisley, “If You’re Wondering.”
6. She & Him, “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?” Ah, such grisly beauty. And yes, Kevin, she just winked at you.
7. Blonde Redhead, “23.”
8. The Beatles, “Revolution.”
9. Ben Folds, “Hiroshima (B-B-B Benny Hit His Head).”
10. Au Revoir Simone, “Fallen Snow.” Yes, the female artists dominated today. Nice calming effect that I desperately need.
Video of the Day: Black Sheep, “The Choice is Yours”
The Native Tongues duo revives its classic for the presidential election. You can get with this, or you can get with that.
Vote.
Ben Affleck Does “Countdown”
As a frequent viewer, I don’t think Affleck gets the Keith Olbermann cadence quite right here — it lapses into a patrician accent when he really should be affecting old-school CBS radio voice. But he does capture Keith’s Orwell obsession and his tendency toward mania during the special comment about being denied an apartment by a co-op board because of his fuzzy kitty.
My guess is that Olbermann will be featuring this prominently tonight. He tends to be a good sport about these things.
