What I've Been Listening To Lately
I haven't been vibing on albums the past couple of days, so that's why there hasn't been a 'great albums' update. There's a few I'm shifting in between every couple of days, but the words just aren't coming. So I'm going to take this post and instead talk about a playlist-size collection of songs to write about.
1. Thief, You've Taken All That Was Me - Weezer (Bootleg, The Kitchen Tape, 1992)
This song is from Weezer's now-legendary "Kitchen Tape" demo recorded in 1992. Some of the songs on the demo would go on to be recorded for 1994's Weezer. It's an interesting glimpse into Weezer's songwriting process during their formative year. I'm actually surprised that this song didn't make it onto an album at some point. There are the early-Weez jangling acoustic guitars as well as the characteristic Cuomo guitar solo in the midpoint of the song.. maybe the only thing that the song lacks is a definable 'catchy' chorus. For some reason, the production sounds especially 'epic' (for the lack of a better term) for a bootlegged recording.
2. Teach Me Sweetheart - The Fiery Furnaces (Bitter Tea, 2006)
Man, does this band piss a lot of people off. I wasn't too wild about 2004's Blueberry Boat and found 2005's Rehearsing My Choir alternately charming and an experiment in music appreciation. (Note to Matt and Eleanor: The idea of having your grandma sing on your album seemed like a good idea, but actually doing it was another thing...)
Anyways, the duo seems to be getting back on track with "Teach Me Sweetheart". It's full of goofy swirling sounds, and of course, organ, and thankfully, no grandma. But what really carries this song is Eleanor Friedberger's sweet plea of "I'm alone/teach me sweetheart" before Matt comes in and totally plays some bizzaro organ riff. I dig it.
3. Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye (Midnight Love, 1982)
I don't know what it is about this song. Is it Marvin's smooth lyrics? Could be. Maybe that killer porn-guitar riff? Possibly. Or what about the classic 'BAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYBEEEEEEEEEEEEEE' line? I don't know. I can't escape it. Just put it on and groove..or do dirty things. Your choice.
4. Walking The Cow - Daniel Johnston (Hi, How Are You?, 1983)
The minute I heard this I was blown away. In fact, I'm not going to type any more about it. Just watch this trailer and then download the song. It will make so much more sense than I could ever write down.
5. These Days - Nico (Chelsea Girl, 1967)
"These days/I seem to think about/how all the changes came about my way.."
Complete rainy day music. Nico sounds like such a mope on this track. It's really easy to relate to if you're just kind of sitting around one day with nothing to do or no forseeable plans coming up. It's my 'figure out something to do and get off your ass' song.
6. Your Song - Elton John (Elton John, 1970)
Painfully cliched, I know, but I just keep playing it repeatedly. It's a sad little ballad with big strings, and somehow manages to work as both something to listen to when you're down and out, or when you're feeling really good. Songs like this just aren't written anymore. It's kind of sad when you think about it. Oh well. Maybe one day. Again, I will state that Elton's output until Captain Fantastic is amazing. No room for discussion.
7. The E Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen (The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle, 1973)
Young Springsteen is the best Springsteen. Pre Born to Run, the man just sounds reckless. It's absolutely wonderful. His music was messy, spastic, and he was fitting more words in one verse than humanly possible. It's a complete rush, and even though the music was recorded well over thirty years ago, it feels like you're there. The E Street Shuffle is a perfect representation of this. It's wild, funky, and you sort of feel like you're missing out on a big party or something.
The song starts with the horn section warming up, and then Bruce's guitar and then enters an incredible bassline to compliment the Stevie Wonder-style keyboards. The call and response 'woah's' in the chorus are what make this track..and the band shouting for god knows what reason. So good. It's definately one to crank up in the summertime with the windows down.
8. Reason To Believe - Tim Hardin (Tim Hardin 1, 1966)
I thought this was a Rod Stewart song for years - until about last week. Hardin, a largely forgotten folk singer from the 60's who stopped recording in 1973, died in 1980 of a heroin overdose. It's a shame, because the melody is absolutely beautiful. Instead of being some overblown raspy-ass radio single by Stewart, the song is a sweet folky meditation with just an acoustic guitar and gentle strings to carry it along. Just as you're swept up by the track, suddenly, it's over, ending just exactly at the 2:00 mark.
9. I Can't Get Next To You - The Temptations (Puzzle People, 1969)
Elizabethtown is the only reason why I even know this song. It's Drew Baylor's ringtone. Anyways, this song is pretty ridiculous, obviously funky, and I CANNOT get over the verse (I can turn the grey sky to blue/I can make it rain whenever I want it to/I can build a castle from a single grain of sand/I can make a ship sail on dry land). So cheesy, but so worth the 2:55 of my life.
10. What Is Life - George Harrison (All Things Must Pass, 1970)
George Harrison at his best before Jeff Lynne came in and crapped all over his music (and his life, probably). The percussion and chorus are huge on this song, obviously benefitting from producer Phil "I'm crazy and hold people at gunpoint/kill them" Spector's famed 'Wall of Sound' production. The song is probably Harrison's best attempt at replicating American soul music.
1. Thief, You've Taken All That Was Me - Weezer (Bootleg, The Kitchen Tape, 1992)
This song is from Weezer's now-legendary "Kitchen Tape" demo recorded in 1992. Some of the songs on the demo would go on to be recorded for 1994's Weezer. It's an interesting glimpse into Weezer's songwriting process during their formative year. I'm actually surprised that this song didn't make it onto an album at some point. There are the early-Weez jangling acoustic guitars as well as the characteristic Cuomo guitar solo in the midpoint of the song.. maybe the only thing that the song lacks is a definable 'catchy' chorus. For some reason, the production sounds especially 'epic' (for the lack of a better term) for a bootlegged recording.
2. Teach Me Sweetheart - The Fiery Furnaces (Bitter Tea, 2006)
Man, does this band piss a lot of people off. I wasn't too wild about 2004's Blueberry Boat and found 2005's Rehearsing My Choir alternately charming and an experiment in music appreciation. (Note to Matt and Eleanor: The idea of having your grandma sing on your album seemed like a good idea, but actually doing it was another thing...)
Anyways, the duo seems to be getting back on track with "Teach Me Sweetheart". It's full of goofy swirling sounds, and of course, organ, and thankfully, no grandma. But what really carries this song is Eleanor Friedberger's sweet plea of "I'm alone/teach me sweetheart" before Matt comes in and totally plays some bizzaro organ riff. I dig it.
3. Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye (Midnight Love, 1982)
I don't know what it is about this song. Is it Marvin's smooth lyrics? Could be. Maybe that killer porn-guitar riff? Possibly. Or what about the classic 'BAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYBEEEEEEEEEEEEEE' line? I don't know. I can't escape it. Just put it on and groove..or do dirty things. Your choice.
4. Walking The Cow - Daniel Johnston (Hi, How Are You?, 1983)
The minute I heard this I was blown away. In fact, I'm not going to type any more about it. Just watch this trailer and then download the song. It will make so much more sense than I could ever write down.
5. These Days - Nico (Chelsea Girl, 1967)
"These days/I seem to think about/how all the changes came about my way.."
Complete rainy day music. Nico sounds like such a mope on this track. It's really easy to relate to if you're just kind of sitting around one day with nothing to do or no forseeable plans coming up. It's my 'figure out something to do and get off your ass' song.
6. Your Song - Elton John (Elton John, 1970)
Painfully cliched, I know, but I just keep playing it repeatedly. It's a sad little ballad with big strings, and somehow manages to work as both something to listen to when you're down and out, or when you're feeling really good. Songs like this just aren't written anymore. It's kind of sad when you think about it. Oh well. Maybe one day. Again, I will state that Elton's output until Captain Fantastic is amazing. No room for discussion.
7. The E Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen (The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle, 1973)
Young Springsteen is the best Springsteen. Pre Born to Run, the man just sounds reckless. It's absolutely wonderful. His music was messy, spastic, and he was fitting more words in one verse than humanly possible. It's a complete rush, and even though the music was recorded well over thirty years ago, it feels like you're there. The E Street Shuffle is a perfect representation of this. It's wild, funky, and you sort of feel like you're missing out on a big party or something.
The song starts with the horn section warming up, and then Bruce's guitar and then enters an incredible bassline to compliment the Stevie Wonder-style keyboards. The call and response 'woah's' in the chorus are what make this track..and the band shouting for god knows what reason. So good. It's definately one to crank up in the summertime with the windows down.
8. Reason To Believe - Tim Hardin (Tim Hardin 1, 1966)
I thought this was a Rod Stewart song for years - until about last week. Hardin, a largely forgotten folk singer from the 60's who stopped recording in 1973, died in 1980 of a heroin overdose. It's a shame, because the melody is absolutely beautiful. Instead of being some overblown raspy-ass radio single by Stewart, the song is a sweet folky meditation with just an acoustic guitar and gentle strings to carry it along. Just as you're swept up by the track, suddenly, it's over, ending just exactly at the 2:00 mark.
9. I Can't Get Next To You - The Temptations (Puzzle People, 1969)
Elizabethtown is the only reason why I even know this song. It's Drew Baylor's ringtone. Anyways, this song is pretty ridiculous, obviously funky, and I CANNOT get over the verse (I can turn the grey sky to blue/I can make it rain whenever I want it to/I can build a castle from a single grain of sand/I can make a ship sail on dry land). So cheesy, but so worth the 2:55 of my life.
10. What Is Life - George Harrison (All Things Must Pass, 1970)
George Harrison at his best before Jeff Lynne came in and crapped all over his music (and his life, probably). The percussion and chorus are huge on this song, obviously benefitting from producer Phil "I'm crazy and hold people at gunpoint/kill them" Spector's famed 'Wall of Sound' production. The song is probably Harrison's best attempt at replicating American soul music.
