Shuffle of the week #34

1. Grandaddy – The Warming Sun (Sumday, 2003) [singlepic id=300 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Indie pop from Modesto, California, with the voice of singer Jason Lytle (a former professional skateboarder) resembling Neil Young’s one on this track. Unfortunately, the same can not be said about the lyrics.

2. Pixies – Vamos (Surfer Rosa, 1988) [singlepic id=243 w=80 h=50 float=left]

One of the Pixies’ songs that open with a monologue, from Black Francis this time, after which the acoustic guitar and pounding bass drum kick off the song for real. The first version of this song appeared on the band’s debut album Come On Pilgrim, just like ‘Isla de Encanta’ (and ‘Crackity Jones from Doolittle ) drawing upon Francis’ adventures in Puerto Rico.

3. Spirit – Morning Will Come (Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus, 1970) [singlepic id=303 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Finally, seems like years ago that I listened to this. Penultimate track on the fourth and probably best album of Spirit, an eclectic rock band that was founded (like so many others) in California ’67. Released some very good albums during the late sixties, with Led Zeppelin being their support act at live gigs (Spirit’s influence is clearly traceable on later Zep records). This song at his turn reminds of David Bowie with a small touch of Josh Homme during the chorus.

4. Jimi Hendrix Experience – Foxy Lady (Are You Experienced, 1967) [singlepic id=25 w=80 h=50 float=left]

King of riffs, that was also used by Jimmy Page during later Led Zeppelin gigs, when it was one of the many improvisations that would come up during the instrumental powertrip on ‘Dazed and Confused’. And of course a well-known favorite of Sir Paul McCartney, who plays it now and then after ‘Let Me Roll It’.

5. The Doors – Roadhouse Blues (Morrison Hotel, 1970) [singlepic id=304 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Back to the American Westcoast with another uptempo track including shrilling guitars, while the other Jim of the ’27 club’ shouts.  The Doors immediately abandoned the experimental direction from the previous album (The Soft Parade) on the very first track of Morrison Hotel, with a safe and satisfactory return to psychedelic and blues rock.

6. Queen – Don’t Try So Hard (Innuendo, 1991) [singlepic id=302 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Death all over again, with Queen’s last album before the death of Mercury. No safe return to a familiar sound for Freddy however, as he tries to imitate Kate Bush here before the guitars give this track some dignity.

7. Robert Palmer – Come Over (Double Fun,1978) [singlepic id=185 w=80 h=50 float=left]

That makes five death singers in a row (Spirit’s Randy California died in 1997). Funky song (Stevie Wonder will endorse that), being one of the highlights on a rather mediocre album. Palmer really shows his instrumental skills here, playing guitar, bass, drums, percussion, drums and keyboards on this one.

8. Beulah – Sunday Under Glass (When Your Heartstrings Break, 1999) [singlepic id=299 w=80 h=50 float=left]

More indie rock from California, San Francisco this time. Band that was discovered by Apples in Stereo singer Robert Schneider from Elephant 6. Have to give it another try.

9. Meat Puppets – Lake of Fire (Meat Puppets II, 1984) [singlepic id=301 w=80 h=50 float=left]

One of the three songs from this album that were covered by Nirvana during their legendary unplugged performance. This less polished version however creates the right atmosphere to its lyrics.

10. The Beatles – Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967) [singlepic id=267 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Closing with the circus song from Pepper, that was played live for the first time ever last year by Paul McCartney, after he revealed it is partially his song. Henry the Horse did not speak out on the subject yet.

Shuffle of the week #20

This is an ode to the shuffle. How better to get a good insight in your digitized album collection than by a classic shuffle? Finally discover the albums you never got into, finally throw the ones away you will never get into and worship those classics that never grow old again. The Shuffle of this week:

1. Wolfmother – Woman (Wolfmother, 2005) [singlepic id=208 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Led Zeppelin never really returned after John Bonham’s death, so this is probably the best attempt after the disbanding of the group to come close to their legendary sound. As fast as this band reached its peak, as quick they seem to disappear again in the archives of rock history. After this debut album, they were even asked by Led Zeppelin to perform one of their songs (‘Communication Breakdown’) at their induction to the UK Music Hall of Fame. However, the sound of this nice debut might even be closer to Blue Cheer‘s one.

2. The Move – Beautiful Daughter (Shazam, 1970) [singlepic id=205 w=80 h=50 float=left]

One of the shortest songs on one of rock’s greatest albums but nevertheless one of its gems. Strange that this band never became successful in the US, as it started in the early days as a group covering Westcoast songs. This track is one of the side 1 (original) songs, on an album which greatest trump is total variety.

3. Radiohead – I Might Be Wrong (I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings, 2001) [singlepic id=159 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Thrilling live version of this original Amnesiac song. Talking about attempts, this band must be 21st century’s best one to write rock history.

4. White Stripes – The Union Forever (White Blood Cells, 2001) [singlepic id=207 w=80 h=50 float=left]

From the same year: White Stripes’ third studio album. After digging up Elephant again a few months ago, I further explored the recent past with this one. Although containing some good songs (this one for example), their fourth that would follow two years later still tops the list.

5. Anathema – Fragile Dreams (Alternative 4, 1998) [singlepic id=202 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Band from Liverpool I kinda lost out of sight. Maybe later.

 

6. Beasty Boys – Shambala (Ill Communication, 1994) [singlepic id=203 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Another lost album, as I eventually didn’t even recognize these bizarre sounds, which are described best by Gregorian chants through a didgeridoo. So better pick this one to give another try (update: masterpiece).

7.  King Crimson – Epitaph (In the Court Of the Crimson King, 1969) [singlepic id=204 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Flying back 25 years in time to sit back and enjoy this prog rock gem (probably the albums best track). How can this éver be a debut album?! I mean, can you ever imagine a band debuting tomorrow with such an album? Yes I fear tomorrow I’ll be crying.

8. The Smiths – Never Had No One Ever (The Queen is Dead, 1986) [singlepic id=206 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Without any doubt one of the best albums that the eighties delivered us. Would He meanwhile has found somebody?

9. Led Zeppelin – Over the Hills and Far Away (How the West was Won, 1972) [singlepic id=195 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Is the shuffle starting its own tradition? Second time in a row that we get the opportunity to enjoy some live music brought by Led Zeppelin during the ninth track. Just like last time, this one (Plant searching for Acapulco Gold) is from their 1972 live gigs, the original song would later appear on their 1973 album Houses of the Holy.

10. 16 Horsepower – Horse Head Fiddle (Folklore, 2002) [singlepic id=201 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Album I played a lot when I was totally into watching Deadwood. There might be a connection, it  certainly succeeds to create a special kind of atmosphere. Beautiful album, time to cheat on time and discover their debut.