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Shuffle of the week #21

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. Arcade Fire – No Cars Go (Neon Bible, 2007) [singlepic id=209 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Exciting start with the fourth single of Arcade Fire’s second studio album. First album still is one of the greatest debuts from the past twenty years and this album met his expectations as a good follow-up. The characterizing full sound shows up again next to the clear vocals, probably due to the fact that it was recorded in a renovated church which served as their studio.

2. Monster Magnet –  Goliath and the Vampires  (Powertrip, 1998) [singlepic id=212 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Talking about  a prevailing instrumental strength. This fourth album from Jersey’s stoner rock band was entirely written by Wyndorf while residing in Las Vegas. I don’t know exactly which role Goliath and the vampires had during that stay, but this instrumental song exactly describes the atmosphere at the moment some Goliath is about to have vampires for breakfast.

3. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Cotton Fields (Willy and the Poor Boys, 1969) [singlepic id=5 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Country rock cover from CCR of Lead Belly’s blues classic. This makes it the only song on this great album that wasn’t written by John Fogerty.

4. Frank Zappa – Mom & Dad (We’re Only in It For the Money, 1968) [singlepic id=111 w=80 h=50 float=left]

An album I really discovered only a few months ago and which perfectly succeeds to let cynicism tango with humor in an isolated room full of strange sounds. This song somehow reminds of Alice Cooper’s ‘Dead Babies’.

5. Van Morrison – Bulbs (Veedon Fleece, 1974) [singlepic id=214 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Single from Morrison’s eight album. One of his best albums and this song is another one of his definite classics, on which he uses his voice once again as full-fledged instrument, making lyrics redundant during the chorus. Time to review one of his works to fill up another artist hiatus.

6. The Move – The Last Thing on My Mind (Shazam, 1970) [singlepic id=205 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Here we are again with one of my all-time favorite albums (and vinyl showpiece) , more specifically with the magnificent final piece this time.  It’s a cover of an original 1964 Tom Paxton song, which is covered by numerous other artists. Although I certainly didn’t hear all of them, this must be one of the best.

7. Death Cab for Cutie – Scientist Studies (We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes, 2000) [singlepic id=211 w=80 h=50 float=left]

I have to admit that I got to know this band only after seeing Magical Mystery Tour. Unfortunately the music on this album and 2003’s Transatlanticism didn’t really raise my curiosity.  Maybe it’s time to get rid of it. This song however is not bad at all.

8. Belle & Sebastian – Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying (If You’re Feeling Sinister, 1996) [singlepic id=210 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Another indie band not heard in a long time, being the second album from these Scots. Perhaps I should give this one another try, but the needless long titles are starting to annoy me.

9. Neil Young – Here for You (Prairie Wind, 2005) [singlepic id=213 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Father Neil knows what i mean, although we might say that he wrote better songs during his impressive career. The album to the contrary is hands down one of Young’s better works from the past 15 years. Best served on the Heart of Gold documentary.

10. Guided By Voices – My Son Cool (Alien Lanes, 1995) [singlepic id=172 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Robert Pollard once again comes around to close the door, performing one of the last songs from his best album.

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Shuffle of the week #4

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.    Guided By Voices – Echos Myron (Bee Thousand, 1994) [singlepic id=66 w=80 h=50 float=left]
After giving the shuffle some inspiration with The Beatles’ ‘Sexy Sadie’, it exceeds my espectations by finding a Guided By Voices track that lasts longer than 2 and a half minutes. After being recommended this album so many times, the shuffle gives the sign to finally listen to this one thoroughly.

2.    Arctic Monkeys – 505 (Favourite Worst Nightmare, 2007) [singlepic id=31 w=80 h=50 float=left]
It also tries to make clear to me that I have to listen to the Arctic Monkeys more, but this offer I’m going to reject one more time.

 

[singlepic id=70 w=80 h=50 float=left]3.  Tindersticks – My Sister (Tindersticks (II), 1995)
After Lambchop last time, we meet another one from the same genre, a long one this time (8 minutes). This one appeared on their second album, which was a very pleasant sequel to their debut, and features a spoken monologue from Drugstore singer Isabel Monteiro.

4. Beatles – There’s a Place (Please Please Me, 1962) [singlepic id=33 w=80 h=50 float=left]
There’s the Fab Four again, another one from their debut album.

 

5. Johnny Cash – We’ll Meet Again (The Man Comes Around, 2002) [singlepic id=67 w=80 h=50 float=left]
From the Cavern to a dark jazz club, where the old Johnny Cash is performing this Vera Lynn evergreen in the back, wrapped up in smoke. Marvellous album that’s full of beautiful covers of rock classics, including contributed vocals from the original artists. It hardly ever happens that an artist makes such a beautiful album at such an age.

6. Of Montreal – Disconnect the Dots (Satanic Panic in the Attic, 2004) [singlepic id=68 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Directly from the jazz club to the fun-fair then, with the nice and enchanted opening track of this melodious rollercoaster. Neo-psychedelia that sounds like The Beach Boys getting high on 21st century technology.

7. Uncle Tupelo – John  Hardy (No Depression, 1990) [singlepic id=71 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Something completely different: pure alternative country from this epic album. Suppose you’d be a decade, you would be pleased with such an album to kick off things.

 

8. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Keep on Chooglin’ (Live in Europe, 1973) [singlepic id=64 w=80 h=50 float=left]
We continue with some 13 minutes of jamming with these rock veterans, full of some good old improvisation. The live track almost turns into a medley when Fogerty sets in a very threatening version of ‘Pagan Baby’ in the middle of the song.   .

9. Django Reinhardt – Ou est-tu, mon amour? (Djangology 49, 1949) [singlepic id=65 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Small Belgian jazz song about a guy who has lost his Abbey Road album.

 

10. Pink Floyd – Hey You (The Wall, 1979) [singlepic id=69 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Always pleasant to conclude with Pink Floyd, certainly when it’s one of my favorite album tracks, delivered to you with excellent vocals from Gilmour and Waters.