One Band Forever

Here's a question that came up today as the family and I were driving to the grocery store. If you had to limit your musical listening to exactly one band (or artist), who would it be?

The question came up as we backed out of the driveway with Squeeze's "Another Nail in My Heart" on the radio. It's not the first (or second or third) Squeeze song that comes to mind, but it's a darn good song. My wife went one further, saying that -- now that she's thinking of it -- if she had to only listen to one band for the rest of her life, it would be Squeeze.

Now, Squeeze wouldn't be my choice. I'd probably go for The Clash for sheer variety -- there's garage rock, punk, ska, dub and pop in The Clash catalog. So I throw it out there -- if you had to listen to one artist -- and only one artist -- forever, who would it be?

Three for the Road - Christmas Songs

Christmas songs fascinate me.  Hundred of thousands of songs are recoded and played for 30 days straight, and then disappear until the next year to do it all over again.  I like Christmas songs.  There are good ones and bad ones, originals, and poor covers of songs.  For today's Three for the Road, I  choose three that you probably know, but are not radio mainstays.  Don't get me wrong, Springsteen, Sinatra, Andy Williams,Vince Guaraldi, and even the Waitresses are special, but I thought, why not look at three that I would be glad to sing along with in the car.

"I Wish it Was Christmas Today." - Julian Casablancas
Originally written and performed on Saturday Night Live by Horatio Sanz, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan, and the dancing styles of Tracy Morgan, this song has been a reoccurring skit that has been done live several times.  The Strokes voice, Julian Casablancas obviously got the joke and covered it.  Something about it is catchy.

"Mele Kalikamaka" - The Puppini Sisters
An odd holiday song, but the cover by the "Swing Punk" trio (they are not really sisters) is clean and peppy.  Their influences range from the Andrew Sisters and Fred Astaire to the Smiths and Tom Waits.  I couldn't even tell you how I found them.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" - Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan

There is something pure and simple in this version from our neighbors up North that I really like.  Funny, for neither the group of the founder of the Lilith Fair do much for me otherwise, but this version lakes me back to, what I imagine, are simpler times. 

I love it LIVE!

The most recent Rolling Stone magazine came up with their 25 best live albums (in no particular order.)  They did a decent job covering a pretty wide spectrum.  Before looking, I tried to come up with my five favorite (not saying best) live records.  I specifically took into account some that were major influences to my musical tastes, or that I still listen to live. Great records like "Live at the Fillmore," "Kiss - Alive!" "Live at the Apollo" or "Stop Making Sense" do not make the cut for these reasons. Feel free to post whatever you feel is deserving or was omitted.

Neil Young - Live Rust.
A favorite of mine.  So many great songs.  Much like many great live records (Cheap Trick's Live at Budakon, or Frampton Comes Alive comes to mind), the performance of these are better than their studio versions.  CD's might not do this record justice, as it came out with side A being acoustic, and side B being electric.  So many great performances.  "Powderfinger," "Like a Hurricane," and even "Lotta Love," just make this record such a classic. 

Grateful Dead - Live Europe '72
You cannot discuss live music without including the Dead.  I know, with all the Dick's picks, and vast catalog of liver recordings, to go with this one makes me look like a poser.  This record turned me on to so many great Dead songs.  Dead worlds collided on this record as it was the last one with Pigpen, but also the first to feature the Godchauxs. A true classic.

Bruce Springsteen - Live '75-'85
This one is kind of a cheat, but I must include it.  Christmas 1985 my parents bought me a cd player.  I was the first kid I knew to have one.  With it I received this box set.  I wasn't a hug fan of Springsteen at the time, but my parents (my mom, who helped form my musical tastes) felt it was an essential set to have.  I must have listened to it in its entirety and shuffled for a few years.  I can still do Bruce's "rap" before the River" or "Growin' Up."  Cannot say I play much off of it anymore, but boy, did they create a serious foundation for my musical tastes.

Nirvana - Unplugged
Never has an album, so stripped down, shown the true talents of a band like this "unplugged."  Kurt Cobain was struggling with drug withdrawal and nervousness at the time, and things were very tense going into that performance.  What made this special and different than all the other "unplugged" shows, Nirvana did these song sin one take, like a true live show.  I love that Nirvana shied away from the "hits" and played 6 covers.  The songs with the Meat Puppets really showed the talents of the group.

Rolling Stones - Rock & Roll Circus 

Not a true, live concert performance, but a live recording, none the less.  The Stones put out various live recordings, but this 1968 Jagger-based concept is something most causal Stones fans have never seen.  Based off of a circus theme, the Stones gathered up some strong acts such as the Who, Jethro Tull, and the Dirty Mac to perform.  The performance was supposed to air on the BBC, but the Stones felt it was substandard and fought its release until 1996. Their performance of "Sympathy for the Devil" alone is worth this recording. 

Three for the Road: The Doors

When I was in college, I was heavily into the Doors. around the same time, the Oliver Stone movie came out, and Val Kilmer put on a performance truly becoming the lizard king.  I own every record they put out.  I have read countless biographies on them.  Yet, I rarely listen to them now days.  Picking three songs is not an easy task, but it should be a fun one.

1.  "The Soft Parade."  On their fourth album, Morrison is deep into his poetry and alcoholism, and Robbie Kreiger has to step forth and really give a presence to the album. This one is all Jim.  From the sermon at the beginning to the poppy middle and odd lyrics, to the heavy blues based ending.  It is a bizarre masterpiece.  The band did not perform this song live often, but did record it for a PBS special.   Organist Ray Manzarek later called the performance "A mother... all four Doors in perfect sympatico".  It also features a rare bearded Morrison.  "The Monk...bought...lunch!"

2.  "Hello, I Love You."
Surprisingly, my last two come from Waiting for the Sun, my least favorite album from the Doors.  The songs are fine, it just doesn't flow conceptually as well as Morrison Hotel, or the self titled Doors.  This to me, is their best radio friendly single.  A cool groove, a spacy, slow motion bridge, and Morrison screaming "HELLO!" to end the song.  the video, shot on a Paris street, was one that caught my attention to the coolness that is Jim Morrison.

3.  "Love Street."  A contrast to "The Soft Parade" and the radio-friendly, "Hello, I Love You," is this nice little ode to  his wife, Pam, and a simple moment of happiness he found while sitting on the front porch of his Laurel Canyon home.  A simple little poem that features a little spoken-word.  Pleasant, and what I feel, was the closest to a love song Morrison has gotten. 



Rock & Roll HoF Honors two of the Discordants favorites

Congratulations go out to Rush & Public Enemy for their acceptance into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  Both groups have led to a few discussions by the boys of the Discordants.

Rush, although eligible since 1998, were only put on the ballot for the first time.  The Canadian trio are something that girls just cannot understand, but seems to resonate with most 30+ men.  The master drummer & lyricist, the quiet guitar soloist, the bass, playing, keyboard playing high pitched lead singer make up a group that has spanned almost 40 years.  They deserve their moment in the limelight.

Public Enemy was just discussed in our Three for the Road: Hip-hop post.  I will share this little anecdote.  About 20 years ago, my father was flying (1st class.)  when he returned home, I remember him telling this story that he sat next to this strange man.  He was African-American with gold teeth.  He had a baseball hat with a top hat on top of it, and he wore this giant clock around his neck.  He was on a cellular phone (before it was common to have one) the whole time.  My mother cracked up, and I was floored to know my dad brushed with a legend - only he thought the guy was crazy.  Keep on fightin' the power boys!

Three for the Road: David Bowie

Has there been an artist who has had more relevance for as long as David Bowie has? He's been pushing the envelope on many levels -- music, visual arts -- for decades. But having said that, my picks all come from the 1970s -- here goes:

 

"Heroes" - We had a German language version of this song growing up ("Helden") and even that was good.

"Starman" - I always love Bowie's soaring choruses -- like on this track and also on "Life on Mars" (which admittedly I probably like because of its inclusion in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou).

"Kooks" - Always a fan of this one -- and even more so now that I'm a dad.

Notice, no inclusion of "The Laughing Gnome." And that wasn't an oversight on my part. By the way, Bowie's five-borough tour in New York City a few years ago was one of the highlights of my concert-going life.

Three For the Road - Hip Hop

As I was taking care of me weekly grocery shopping, I strolled through the magazine department to look at my usual favorites (Car & Driver, Men's Health, Rolling Stone, etc.) when I saw the cover of the newest Rolling Stone magazine featuring the 50 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.  The top portion of the chart is filled with many old school rap, which, like most Rolling Stone charts, plays ode to pioneers and ground breakers.  So this led me to my "Three for the Road" for today.  Three hip-hop songs.  I excluded all Beastie Boys songs, out of an unfair bias.  Still, I had a hard time whittling down the list to just three.  So, with all respect to Jay Z and Kanye West, who both JUST missed out with "Jesus Walks" & "Big Pimpin'" respectfully, here are my three.

 "Peter Piper" - Run-DMC. 
I practically wore out my Raising Hell cassette, not because of "Walk the Way," but because of this song.  So much of the newer hip-hop owes respect to Jam Master Jay for sampling so many classics that show up in today's rap world: the bell, video games, and some fine scratching.  Awesome!   

"Can't Truss It" - Public Enemy
Truly one of the pioneering hip-hop groups.  So powerful.  Chuck D.'s vocals are so booming, intertwined with the playful interjections of Flavor Flav.  Mix that with the live presentation of Professor Griff, and the mixing of Terminator X, and this group was the coolest around.  I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb listening to this, but you cannot go against greatness.  Most people do not choose a song form their later catalog, but it's quality.  The video was also a solid and striking one.  I still get ticked when I see the baby, and it's the slave masters!

"My Mind's Playing Trick's on Me" - Geto Boys
In my mind, this is the greatest hip-hop song of all time.  Gald to see it got soem respect form RS, coming in at #5. Scarface tells about how he is delusional and cannot handle his new day to day life.  He was supposed to do all three verses, but then Bushwick Bill comes through with a gem.  This group was so hardcore, that when Bill suffered a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the eye, the boys met him at the hospital and posed for a photo that would later become the cover art for the album. 

Song in My Head... Song of the Year?

Maybe I'm pushing it a little too hard. But the new song from Bob Mould proves the ex-Husker Du and Sugar frontman is back at the top of his game. It's called "The Descent" and even my kids like the video.

Three for the Road: The Cars

I bought a new car today. So now I have cars. Plural. And that got me thinking about today's Three for the Road entry, about classic rock's favorite new wave band. The Cars came out of Boston in the late 70s and were pegged as part of the new wave, but with guitars AND synths they were acceptable to mainstream rock and today remain unique in their status as the only new wave band in the classic rock pantheon. And they were one of the first new bands I listened to as a kid and kind of got into -- you know, knowing the band members by name and instrument and all that. Definitely brings me back to my youth.

Needless to say, they've been an influence - albeit an understated one - on a lot of bands, and they've had a bunch of great songs. Here are my three:

1) "Let's Go" - I like the nightlife, baby. OK, this is an obvious choice for the leadoff spot, but too bad.

2) "It's All I Can Do" - The highlights for me are Greg Hawkes' synths over Benjamin Orr's chorus, and the great interplay between Hawkes and Elliot Easton's guitar solo.By the way, that's two-for-two off Candy-O.

3) "Moving in Stereo" - Let's give Hawkes his full due on this one -- he partially wrote the song, from the band's debut album. Not sure who gets credit for the great line "Life's the same, except for my shoes."

In My Shopping Bag

What's the last musical purchase you made? Yesterday, I picked up a used copy of the 1973 Krautrock classic Future Days by Can. It was $6.99 at Academy Records in New York. What a deal! And, like our recent posts about the Grateful Dead, Can's at heart a jam band. Check out the title track of Future Days.

Three for the Road - the Grateful Dead

For today, I tried to go with a band that has such a vast catalog that we wouldn't share a song.  I had a very hard time picking the three songs to go with.  Here is what I came up with (and I'm still debating #3 as I type.)

1.  Jack Straw.  Something tugs at my heartstrings as we learn of two forced outlaws where one has to kill the other just to be able to stay on the run.  It is one of the few Dead songs that have Jerry and Bob trade the lead vocals.  I still love the line "We use to play for silver, now we play for life."  The slow start which picks up pace is the best opener to get moving. 

2.  Brown-Eyed Women.  Another song that tells a story of a time and place of the American past, that sounds romantic.  So much to like here.  The band gets into a nice groove that allows Jerry to freestyle in between verses.  It has a catchy chorus to sing along with and a nice, soft ending.  A very underrated Dead song.  

3.  Box of Rain.  A masterpiece.  Written by Phil Lesh to his dying father.  I melt with this song.  So emotional.  The harmonies following Phil's lead are just a thing of beauty.  The sweeping slide guitar of Jerry, and the drum fills just make this, in my opinion one of the greatest songs of all time.  I almost didn't go with this, for it's not truly a car song.  I debated "U.S. Blues," "New Speedway Boogie," "Ramble on Rose," among so many other gems.  Good luck!

RIP Dave Brubeck

When people begin their foray into Jazz, they go to Coltrane, Armstrong, Holliday, Gillespe, Monk, or even Miles Davis.  For me, it was Dave Brubeck. The first time I heard "Take Five" I was mesmerized.  Something about it just screamed cool.  I even remember Infiniti using it to sell cars early on in their birth.  The Quartet made many great songs like "Take the 'A' Train," "Blue Rondo a la Turk" & "Unsquare Dance" which have been used in countless movies.  Dave was 91.

Three For The Road - The Smiths

I enjoyed today's balmy weather by taking the day off. I'm owed a lot of time at work after what has been a busy year, and it was just luck of the draw that I took off on a December day when temperatures reached the 60s. In any case, I was driving by the local high school during their lunch hour -- this was not planned, I'm not one of those pathetic losers -- windows down and "How Soon is Now" playing loudly in my sensible family station wagon. And that little anecdote leads to my Three for the Road, Smiths edition:

1) "Hand in Glove" - It fades up on Marr's guitar riffs and then that harmonica kicks in and it's gold. Johnny Marr at his finest.

2) "Half a Person" - "Sixteen clumsy and shy" pretty much sums up the Smiths for me.

3) "The Headmaster Ritual" - A song after your own heart -- about public education.

Das Racist Calls it Quits

I cannot do this story justice, so I will send you all to the following link:

www.grantland.com

Three for the Road: Rush

As a middle school teacher, I am surrounded by kids who love Beiber, One Direction and Ke$ha.  I usually am listening to music on my prep period while I work.  As my sixth period shuffles in, they usually are curious as to what I am listening to.  They also love to give requests - mostly to songs I would never be playing.  But, for some strange reason, this class loves to request RUSH.  Guys, girls, you name it.  Strange to see a 12 year old girl ask for "Tom Sawyer."  So, if you need three by the Canadian trio, here is what I would go with:

1.  "Spirit of the Radio": It is a great wake up song as it tells of getting in your car and starting your day, only to be influenced by commercialism. It also features Geddy Lee hitting astronomical high notes with the words, "...of salesmen."

2.  "Closer to the Heart": name anotehr song that uses bells so well.  It interrupts the song only to bring it back to the next verse.  I actually think it's a nice song.

3.  "Fly by Night" : Is there an automobile company that better implements music than Volkswagen?  From "Da, Da, Da" to this gem, which is, by far, my favorite commercial of the year.

Rumour Has It...

I happily read the feature article in this Sunday's New York Times about the reunification of Graham Parker with his old band-mates, The Rumour. And yet I can probably only name one friend of mine who actually likes Graham Parker - and he's over 60.

According to the Times, Parker "anticipated the energy of punk and set the bar for smart, literate lyrics married to a danceable beat." And while critics here in the States compared the band to Bruce Springsteen, American record buyers didn't. And Parker - at least in this country - faded into oblivion.

But now Graham and his mates are back together thanks in large part to Judd Apatow, who cast them in the new movie "This is 40" as a once-famous band whose career is revived -- no stretch there.

And that got me singing one of Parker's best and best-known songs, "Discovering Japan". If you're unfamiliar with Parker's work, or the great 1979 album Squeezing Out Sparks, I encourage you to listen to it.

Three for the Road: The English Beat

Maybe it's because I'm putting together my Christmas list and this is on it: A box set featuring 5 glorious CDs from the English Beat. There probably the only band featuring a saxophone that I'd actually want to listen to. In any case, here are the three English Beat songs I'd want to hear in the car:

1) "I Confess" -- "No it's not a joke, it's cards on the table time"

2) "Ackee 1 2 3" -- to get you in a happy mood

3) "Save it for Later" -- just a classic

And I realize that -- despite mention of the box set -- all three of my tracks come from the same album, 1983's Special Beat Service. I know I may be living in the past, but Dave Wakeling is still touring as the English Beat, and word is he puts on a great show. Meanwhile, Ranking Roger tours as the Beat in England and -- like most partnerships that have gone south -- you can't help but wish there would be a reconciliation that would bring both partners together.

Three for the Road

Ok, here's the game.  On the road, driving in the car. You get to hear three songs in a row from a specific artist.  What three do you choose?  It could be their best, or something that just resonates with you.  Seven days - seven artists - back and forth.  Feel free to comment on your three from "said" group.

Today, let's start easy - The Clash.

1. "Clampdown" - I love the workingman's anthem.  Gets me fired up!

2.  "Police on My Back" - a cover, I know, but such a great version.  The siren-like guitars, and the chours "What have I done?"  I always end up speeding when driving listening to this song.



3.  "Death or Glory" - We're gonna raise some hell...

Song In My Head

I'm going on the second day now with "Golden Brown" by The Stranglers stuck in my head. And while it's a great song, it's a highly unusual one. For starters, it's built around a harpsichord riff... AND it's in a really weird time signature: it's waltz-like, but with an extra beat so it ends up being 6/8 for one measure and then 7/8 for the next (which makes it impossible to dance to).

The song was released as a single in England in 1981, and it was a huge hit -- peaking at #2 (while The Jam's "A Town Called Malice" locked down the top spot.) It was tacked onto the Stranglers' 1982 album Feline in this country and I distinctly remember listening to it in my family's Cadillac Coupe De Ville (what a car) as we drove to look at colleges for my older brother. I'm quite sure we were the only ones on the entire length of Interstate 81 listening to Feline back in those days, or any days for that matter.

I went back and listened to some of the other tracks from Feline -- "Blue Sister" (which still holds up), "The European Female (In Celebration Of)" and "Midnight Summer Dream" (which don't). And I'm truly astounded at the change in direction the album represents for The Stranglers, who had a gritty edge with classic post-punk tracks like "No More Heroes" (which was later ripped off by Elastica's "Waking Up").

New Order's Place in History

New Order are in town tonight for a two-night stand. I'm going to see them tomorrow, and that's got me thinking about New Order's place in musical history. Now before you go dismissing such a thought as the un-moored musings of a Manchester madman, hear me out.

To make my argument, I need to bend the rules somewhat. To consider New Order is also to consider Joy Division, as the band soldiered on after Ian Curtis' death, albeit with a new moniker. So New Order includes everything they did when they were Joy Division, which seems fair enough because they've been playing no fewer than five Joy Division songs ("Isolation", "Shadowplay", "Transmission", "Atmosphere", "Love Will Tear Us Apart") on their current tour.

Now let's take a look at the Acclaimed Music list of the most recommended songs since 1900. And this really blows me away. Acclaimed Music is a website administered by a Swedish statistician that attempts to rank the best - and most recommended - songs of all time.Here's their top 20

#1 - Bob Dylan - "Like a Rolling Stone"
#2 - The Rolling Stones - "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
#3 - Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
#4 - The Beach Boys - "Good Vibrations"
#5 - Aretha Franklin - "Respect"
#6 - Chuck Berry - "Johnny B. Goode"
#7 - Sex Pistols - "Anarchy in the U.K."
#8 - Marvin Gaye - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
#9 - Otis Redding - "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"
#10 - The Ronettes - "Be My Baby"
#11 - The Who - "My Generation"
#12 - The Beatles - "Strawberry Fields Forever"
#13 - Marvin Gaye - "What's Going On"
#14 - Led Zeppelin - "Stairway to Heaven"
#15 - Elvis Presley - "Heartbreak Hotel"
#16 - The Beatles - "A Day in the Life"
#17 - Joy Division - "Love Will Tear Us Apart"
#18 - The Kingsmen - "Louie Louie"
#19 - OutKast - "Hey Ya!"
#20 - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five - "The Message"

So there's the top 20. I would argue that the average American could sing nin19 of those songs. But I'm willing to bet they don't know "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

In 2000, I said it was the best song of the past 20 years. In 2010, it was the best song of the past 30 years. And today it remains the best song of the past 32 years. And I'm hard-pressed to name a better song in my lifetime.

One song in the top 20 is quite an achievement in and of itself. But I can hear the naysayers out there saying "Sure, but OutKast is on the list, too". So I kept reading the list, and I was surprised to see "Blue Monday" sitting pretty at number 40. The only other artists with multiple songs in the top 40 are the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Marvin Gaye. That's some pretty elite company.

Music is totally subjective. What I think is great may not be the same as what you like. But a band with a pair of songs among the most recommended in history cannot be denied.

Song In My Head

It was in my head...and yes, I'm back!

R&R Hall of Fame: Who's In?

There are 15 nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. And the list couldn't be more eclectic.It includes Rush, Deep Purple, Public Enemy, N.W.A. and the Marvelettes-- all nominated for the first time. And returning nominees include Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Randy Newman, Donna Summer, Chic, Albert King, Procal Harum, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Kraftwerk.

And for the first time, we the people can vote for the inductees, who will then be honored on April 18th in Los Angeles.

So who would you choose?

If I had to pick five from the list, I would choose the following.

Kraftwerk - I know, big surprise, right? But in the 1970s, the hugely influential German band laid the groundwork for much of the electronic-based music that was to follow. And "Trans Europe Express" extended their influence to hip-hop and house music as well. Plus my niece learned to count in German thanks to "Pocket Calculator".

Public Enemy - One of the biggest rap acts of the late 1980s, PE brought political and social consciousness to the world of hip-hop, mixed it with rock, and made it mainstream. It Takes A Nation Of Millions... remains one of the greatest recordings of my lifetime.

Rush - Of all the cheesy hard rock bands out there, these guys are my favorite to love to hate. Songs like "Trees" are just so easy to pillory. But these three Canadians had serious chops. I mean, when Chester Cheetah tips his hat to Neil Peart, you know you're destined for the Hall of Fame.

Chic - I'd put these guys in the Hall on the strength of Nile Rodgers ubiquitous bass line from "Good Times" -- it practically launched hip-hop and that chunky bass sound helped fuel the 80s New Romantic sound of Duran Duran. Plus their music was catchy, interesting and - of course - danceable.

Donna Summer - What can I say? It's her first time on the ballot since her death in May, and you can bet she'll make it in this year. And even though she's probably best remembered as the Queen of Disco, her 1977 song "I Feel Love" advanced the genre light years into the future, influencing the likes of David Bowie and Brian Eno and changing the course of club music for the next decade and a half.

Song In My Head

Simple Minds' sublime instrumental "Somebody Up There Likes You" from 1982's New Gold Dream. It's a perfect respite between harder driving (and better-known) songs like "Promised You a Miracle" and "New Gold Dream". I just got the somewhat misleadingly titled X5 collection (it's actually the first six studio albums if you separate Sons and Fascination from Sister Feelings Call, as was originally intended) and I'm enjoying it immensely. Before John Hughes movie "The Breakfast Club" pigeonholed them, Simple Minds were an interesting and artistic band.

Song In My Head

Today it's "The Metro" by Berlin -- I can't get this synth-pop gem out of my head today for some reason. I'm not sure when I first heard this track -- I'm sure I was pretty young -- but I remember instantly liking it. And the video as well. And despite the worldwide success of Berlin's "Take My Breath Away", it's this song that remains Berlin's signature achievement in my mind. And if that statement sounds funny -- and I'll admit, it does -- don't take it from me: Take it from John Frusciante and System of a Down.

Back to the Phuture

It's been a long time since we've posted here. Too long. So tonight, I want to report on the slick new magazine I picked up recently. It's a brand new magazine called electronic (with a lower-case e) and it's from England (of course). And while Underworld are featured on the cover, the inside is full of great features on seminal electronic and new wave bands from the late 70s and early 80s. Among them: Can, Gary Numan, the Human League, and Kraftwerk. And there's even a 14-track CD included, with some real electronic gems. And that's mainly what I want to share with you in this post.

Here's the track listing, and my thoughts:
1) Roxy Music - "Ladytron"
I can't say enough about Roxy Music. They took art-rock and glam and introduced synths and really laid the foundation for everything that came later. This track's a bit romantic with a definite early 70s vibe, but you can hear the future in it.

2) Can - "I Want More"
Totally infectious and danceable track from the hugely influential Krautrock jam band superstars. The keyboard riff is what sticks in your head, but that shaky guitar line that starts the song and carries throughout is really very cool. And the fact that they found lead singer Damo Suzuki busking on the street on the day of a gig and invited him to join the band on the spot has to rank as one of the best stories in rock music. Did you know the Fall has a song called "I Am Damo Suzuki"?

3) The Normal - "TVOD"
The first label release for Mute records back in 1978. This minimalist J.G. Ballard-inspired track looks and sounds quaint now, but portrays what - at the time - felt like something bleak and futuristic.

4) Cabaret Voltaire - "Nag Nag Nag"
Strip away all the electronics and you basically have a pretty solid punk song. In the late 70s, they often shared the bill with Joy Division -- what a show that must have been.

5) OMD - "Electricity"
I've always been a huge fan of this song. And now I know why: Martin Hannett's production. Listen to the drums and you can hear Joy Division or early New Order. The other reason I like this track is because -- unlike so much of the genre -- it's idealistic and warm.

6) Fad Gadget - "Ricky's Hand"
I didn't really know Fad Gadget -- the magazine even refers to him as a "criminally overlooked synth maverick" who "didn't get the recognition he deserved." This track is about drinking, driving and mutilation. It's a bit of its time -- perhaps not as much as "TVOD" -- but I do appreciate the synth sounds Frank Tovey aka Fad Gadget achieves here, given the limitations of the technology of the era.

7) Devo - "Whip It"
The most commercially accessible song on the compilation. And since everyone knows it inside and out, I don't feel like I need to say anything more about it.

8) Simple Minds - "I Travel"
This is a tremendous track that I wrote about in an earlier post. Before Simple Minds tried to conquer America with "Don't You (Forget About Me)" and other arena rock tripe, they were artsy and inventive. And back in 1980, this was the lead-off track to Simple Minds' third album Empires and Dance. And yet, Jim Kerr's familiar yelp is there -- as is the very predictable (and very satisfying) chord structure of the chorus. Their next album was actually two separate releases now considered one -- Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call and it featured the terrific "70 Cities As Love Brings the Fall". And then came one of my favorite records of all time New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84 which was a commercial success in the UK and across Europe with singles like "Promised You a Miracle" and "Glittering Prize" and "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" -- all songs of my youth.

9) The Human League - "Marianne"
The magazine has a whole feature on the making of the Human League's breakthrough Dare album -- that's the one with "Don't You Want Me" on it. And it recounts the story of Phil Oakey finding teenage backup singers Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley and totally reshaping what was a dark, avant-garde synth outfit into a pop juggernaut that would take over the world.

10) Japan - "Gentlemen Take Polaroids"
This new romantic band was a big influence on Duran Duran, as you can kind of hear in this 1980 track. They're already hitting the fashion themes ... now add some more brash vocals and a chunky Nile Rodgers bass, and you're getting very close.

11) Ultravox - "Mr X"
A slick, minimalist piece that marked the arrival of Midge Ure as Ultravox lead singer. A bit too ethereal and detached for my tastes.

12) Heaven 17 - "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang"
This song is a response to the Thatcherism that was taking hold in Britain in the early 80s and the rise of Ronald Reagan in this country. And it's overtly political -- and was banned by BBC Radio 1. Check out the cover by the Red Hot Chili Peppers version, which they played on tour in Heaven 17's hometown of Sheffield.

13) Yazoo - "Situation"
This is the extended remix of the very familiar song by the band -- Vince Clark and Alison Moyet -- known as Yaz here in the States. I think it's safe to say that Vince Clark -- whether it as a member of Depeche Mode, Yaz or Erasure -- is responsible for some of the best synth pop ever written.

14) Nitzer Ebb - "Join In the Chant"
One of the weaker tracks, and for me one that doesn't stand the test of time. I always preferred the later Nitzer Ebb track "Family Man".

The History of Rock-n-Roll

...in 100 guitar riffs. All in one take. This is very cool.

Happy Birthday, America

Celebrate America's 236th with Mojo Nixon's 1989 take on "This Land is Your Land". I can't think of a better way to improve the USA than to put barbecue sauce in waterslides. Good call, Mojo!

Blur Returns!

This Discordant's favorite band are back. That's right, Blur -- with Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon reunited -- are out with two new songs available now, "Under the Westway" and "The Puritan".

My quick take: "Under the Westway" is grand and sweeping, and very clearly Damon Albarn. It opens with a Gorillaz beat and adds an almost Pachelbel Canonesque keyboard riff.

"The Puritan" is much different -- it's bouncy and up-tempo. And it leans heavy on the synths but still maintains Graham's rock-oriented influence. My first impression is it's the better of the two tunes. Either way, what better way to celebrate the 4th of July with two new Britpop gems. Thanks, Blur!

"Greatest Hits"

Here's a perfect pop song by the English band Mystery Jets. It's "Greatest Hits" -- a breakup song about splitting up a record collection. And yes, Mark E. Smith of the Fall is name-checked. It's only July, but this song is bound to make my best of the year list. Pay special attention to the little homages they do after some of the albums -- like The Village Green Preservation Society, Country Life (with the tribute to "The Thrill of it All" and Band on the Run (with the  tribute to "Jet".)  Enjoy!

By the way, a few years back, Mystery Jets released a catchy singalong called "Two Doors Down" and the video is a pure time machine back to 1983, both musically (sax solo?!?) and visually.

Vacation!

As I head off to a week at the Jersey Shore, I leave you with a fairly obscure Simple Minds track from 1980 -- "I Travel". Like most early Simple Minds, it sounds nothing like you'd think it would. It's dancy, edgy, political and arty.

By the way, Simple Minds released their first five albums -- all the ones before New Gold Dream -- as a special box set called Simple Minds x5. It's a great reminder of a band that totally changed its sound in an effort to become commercially viable. But there's some pretty cool stuff going on in the early Simple Minds catalog, and for $20 it's probably worth picking up.

Enjoy the week!

Video Vault

Here's something to get you in the mood for summer's scorching hot weather -- "I Want More" by Can. The tune sounds as good as it did back in 1976 and the video will make you seek out the nearest beach break.

By the way, Can are enjoying a revival of sorts with the release of their three-disc Lost Tapes collection of unreleased material from 1968 to 1977. Should be a good one.

Song In My Head

"Red Hill Mining Town" by U2.

For some reason, I started humming this song at the grocery store late last night. It always reminds me of high school -- the whole Joshua Tree album does -- and coming to realize I wasn't a kid anymore and that the wide world had risks and rewards I hadn't considered up to that point. Enough about that. Musically, I don't know if I should love or hate The Edge's obvious fret squeals -- I can't think of another song where they're as over-pronounced as they are here -- but the more I think about them, the less I like them. The Edge famously once said that he always tried to come up with new guitar sounds and never use the same sound twice. I'll let you judge whether it works in this case.

Video Vault - 1977

In the year of Star Wars, a great Southern rock classic was released by a group specifically because for this song.  Ram Jam was born to play "Black Betty."  Black Betty is an old early 20th century African-American work song, most likely about a musket.  What Ram Jam does with it, is turn it into  a mystery with gongs, double guitar leads, and a scorching solo.  You can hear Ram Jam rip off Dickie Betts, Lynryd Skynyrd, even Edgar Winter in this version.

What is most striking is the video.  This looks like it was filmed in my neighborhood, by some guys on a Saturday afternoon who parked their bikes in the yard, took out their equipment and decided to lip sync a video.  The lead singer looks like he is wearing a Star Trek Next Generation shirt, while we have a guy in the band (far left) who's only job is to dance around.  Is he the original hype man?

Also look for the random things like the girl dancing with the cup of coffee, or the kid going into the house while filming.  Priceless - ram-a-lam!

Another Dead Music Legend

Well, not exactly. Eduard Khil, the Russian singer whose "Trololo" song became a YouTube sensation, died after complications from a stroke. He was apparently a big enough deal in Russia that Vladamir Putin expressed his condolences.

And while you won't find Khil's CDs at your local music store alongside those of other recently deceased musicians -- Donna Summer, Doc Watson, Levon Helm, Whitney Houston and Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys -- his passing is worth one more trololo. Enjoy it.

Songs of Summer - the rebuttal

My problems with "Songs of Summer" is that many are cliche, and not very good.  After reading your post, I thought of songs that make me think most of summer.  Most of them blow. My list would have included Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime," and Seals and Crofts "Summer Breeze," but here are four decent picks and one AWFUL one.

"School's Out" - Alice Cooper

I'm a teacher, so this song, every June is the sweetest tune.  One line specifically makes this song.

Well we got no class
And we got no principles
And we got no innocence
We can't even think of a word that rhymes

That last line always cracked me up.

"Magic" - the Cars

This song brings me back to my junior high days.  Such innocence and fun.  Plus, Rick Ocasek walks on water with that awful mullet wig he wears. 

"Doin' Time" - Sublime

The song has that slow lingering feel that you get on a humid, middle of the summer day.  The main chorus is lifted from Gershwin's "Porgy & Bess."  Plus, how can you go wrong when they sample a line from the Beastie Boys "Slow & Low"?

"Summertime Blues" - Blue Cheer

The 1st heavy metal song!  Love the deep bass line.  This version, the Eddie Cocharan one, the Who's, or even Springsteen's version all do the song justice.  The best song about frustration when all your friends are having fun in the summer & you're stuck at a lame job working that night.  I lived it.

...and the worst - "Summertime Girls" LFO

"I like girls who wear Abercrombie and Fitch..."  Ugh the dumbest song to ever make money.  I had a kid on the soccer team I was coaching try to justify this as a good song.  I should have cut him right then and there.

"Boys of Summer" is not my favorite, but it has a good end of summer feel.  I always liked the line about the deadhead sticker on the Cadillac."  Billboard came up with their own list. Predictably, it is loaded with songs from the 60's.