Do The Shuffle

Let's rock and roll!

The Impressions - "Same Thing It Took"
The great thing about the Impressions is how many of their songs have become standards to me without even knowing it. When listening to a compilation of theirs, I was stunned at the number of tracks I recognized.

The Alarmists - "New Romans"
Appropriately, a track from a local band I've been enjoying over the last few years. The synths make me think of some ancient AM '70s Gold song, which I mean as a compliment. [I have substituted another Alarmists song in lieu of the inexplicable absence of "New Romans" from the Imeem database.] The Alarmists' Eric Lovold submitted his own My Three Songs set earlier this week in honor of MN150, the state's 150th birthday. What are you doing to celebrate?

The Gothic Archies - "Dreary, Dreary"
One of Stephin Merritt's many side-projects teamed up with Daniel Handler and wrote a song for each of the Lemony Snicket audiobooks. The compilation, The Tragic Treasury, has piqued my interest for this book series (I've never read Harry Potter, either), and it's good to hear Merritt being depressing, but having fun while doing it.

Johnny Cash - "Hurt"
Speaking of having fun, Johnny Cash recorded this Nine Inch Nails cover for his American IV release; perhaps you've heard it. You may also be familiar with the accompanying music video, which is both catastrophically depressing and sadly uplifting: the former for its subject matter and depiction of the passing of time, the latter because of its technical virtuosity -- it may be the greatest video of all time.

Wilco - "The Late Greats"
In various other projects and forums, I've probably written a thousand words on this song. Let's just say I couldn't imagine A Ghost Is Born ending other way.

I'm disappointed, because song #6 that came up on the iPod was Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". But I suppose it's for the best, as that song warrants an entry all its own...

Let's see what Mr. Pod has to play for us today...

Weezer - In The Garage
"I've got Ace Frehley, I've got Peter Criss waiting there for me..." This brings me back to my garage days with my high school friends jamming in the garage and annoying the neighbors. Except we were way into Rush by that point.

The Futureheads - Let's Dance
This is a pretty impressive semi-Acapella cover of Bowie's original. Using the harmonies to fill in the spaces.

Freedy Johnston - This Perfect World
I wept the first time I heard this song it affected me that much. Also features very tasteful guitar licks from Mark Ribot, long-time Tom Waits sideman and eccentric player.

Sour Times - Portishead
The classic Portishead song. Cut and paste the link to hear a new take on how one of my fave comedians feels that "Zippity Doo Dah" should be performed...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS7el6U1Dyc

Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
Will Sergeant plays my favorite guitar solo of all time on this. Total economy of notes while creating a beautiful melody. The best 8 or so notes used in a solo ever.... the rest it isn't too shabby either...