Sunday, October 12, 2008

sys26 :: A NEW CAREER IN A NEW TOWN


Songs to keep you entertained while it remains very Seattle-esque outside....

1. Pearl Jam - "Leash"
The most powerful PJ track ever recorded. Really brings me back to my "angst-y" days.

2. Terry Lynn - "Kingstonlogic" [Angry Mix]
Imagine if Basement Jaxx's "Crazy Itch Radio" disc had been overseen by KMFDM's menacing mastermind Sascha K....

3. Del the Funky Homosapien - "Things You Can Do"
Pardon my "French," but I can't f------ believe this is Ice Cube's cousin! Recommended if you miss the playful nature of the Gorillaz debut.

4. Bob Dylan - "Step It Up and Go" [Blind Boy Fuller cover]
The only good thing about the ridiculous film "Just Add Water." Well, besides the stunning Tracy Middendorf, that is.

5. Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank - "Any Decent Dog's Dream"
My CD reviews don't lie: The brothers Alexy strike gold with this lovable Teague-penned composition, which centers around the unspoken bond the musician shares with his dog Diego and some humorous (mis)adventures they have shared in Holyoke, Minn. Maybe it’s just my wife, a proud owner of “The Dog Bible,” rubbing off on me, but I couldn’t help but smile when I heard “Any Decent Dog’s Dream.” As far as storyteller songs go, they don’t get much more heartfelt than this.

6. Zwan - "Baby Let's Rock!"
Say what you want about the "Great Pumpkin," but he's still good for at least a few tracks every couple years.

7. Air - "Alpha Beta Gaga"
For everybody's favorite French duo, this is hard hitting. Like PJ Olsson's "The Whistle Song" meets a slightly toned-down Death in Vegas.

8. The Boy Least Likely To - "I Box Up All the Butterflies" [MP3]
Pure joy.

9. Islands - "Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby"
In the spirit of Ween, here's another f----- jam for the masses.

10. The Format - "The First Single"
The perfect single? Pretty damn close.

11. Nirvana - "Very Ape"
The mighty K.C. meant a lot of things to a lot of different people, but I'll always remember him for his intense song structures. Fifteen years later and this song hasn't lost one bit of its edge.

12. Weezer - "It's Easy"
For once, Brian Bell gets center stage!

13. JJ72 - "Algeria"
Fact (of the literary kind): Meursault killed an Arab in Algiers. <- Just something to think about when you're caught up in the moment.

14. Seed Math - "Planet Earth"
Anyone for doomsday? Experimental end-of-times fun from Anthony Bennett, the Cars & Trucks/Dames/Bloodstool mastermind.

15. Michael Franti and Spearhead - "Soundsystem"
If you'll remember, I sure liked the "All Rebel Rockers" album. Won't you join me in this politically charged dance party?

16. Kanye West feat. Consequence and Cam'ron - "Gone"
I'm stumped ... how can you put into words musical bliss? I can't get over how amazing this record is. Even the guest shots fit into the impeccable framework of this track.

17. Loudon Wainwright III - "Motel Blues"
A complete 180, I know, but it takes wholly unforgettable storytelling to bump against something like "Gone."

18. Federal Weights and Measures - "Indiana Highway" [Live on Radio K]
Next time you're blazing down the highway, you better be listening to this road anthem. (I'm just full of empty threats, aren't I?)

19. The Long Winters - "Scent of Lime"
Recommended if you like Built to Spill pre-"jam band mode."

20. Jeremy Messersmith - "Franklin Avenue"
Again, I'd like to use a lifeline and refer to one of my Budgeteer CD reviews: Everything that made “Alcatraz” such a revelation — namely Messersmith’s fascination with the late great Elliott Smith’s skill set (see “Franklin Avenue”) — is still present on “The Silver City,” but there’s an extra layer of polish that will help the troubadour reach greater audiences.

21. Sparrow - "This is How it's Done"
Back in the day there was Zumpano. It featured Carl "A.C." Newman and Jason Zumpano. After they called it a day, Newman formed the New Pornographers and Zumpano re-emerged with this oh-so-glorious act. Hail.

Thus concludes your twenty-sixth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Mister Tibbs!" No, wait, that doesn't sound right....

No comments: