Random Ten
Now listen, there are blog-less children in third-world countries who would give anything to have a random ten list HALF this nice. So I want to hear no more complaining from you, young lady.
01. Dead Can Dance, "Windfall"
An ambient instrumental. Not really meant for active listening, but what it sets out to do, it does well. 7/10
02. Joe Jackson, "(It’s a) Big World"
Big World is one of JJ’s flatter albums, I fear. It has its moments, but this isn’t particularly one of them. Okay lyrics, but musically pretty blah. 5/10
03. Johnny Dowd, "Monkey Run"
Like a desperate, nihilistic "Working for the Weekend." Probably the best song on The Pawnbroker’s Wife. 9/10
04. Pulp, "His’n’Hers"
One of your more obscure Pulp songs: not actually from the album His’n’Hers, it only appears on an EP, and it’s one of only two b-sides from the period (the other being "You’re a Nightmare" from the "Lipgloss" single) to not be collected on the Second Class CD that comes as a bonus with some versions of Different Class. So as far as I know, the only place to find it is on this out-of-print EP. A tragic yet boring tale. Anyway: it’s a good song, vaguely Latin-sounding, with a great part where Jarvis enumerates various things he’s afraid of: "I’m frightened of belgian chocolates," he gasps. "I’m frightened of…pot pourri…James Dean posters…I’m frightened of…figurines," and like that. Worth seeking out. 8/10
05. The Stone Roses, "Elephant Stone"
Man, the Roses recorded some awesome songs, but this ain’t one of them. Probably sounds better on ecstasy. 4/10
06. Salty Dog, "Blackberry Blossom/Saint Anne’s Reel/The Absent-Minded Woman/Flee the Glen/The Panda/Brenda Stubbert’s/Jerry Holland’s VW Truck"
A fun, energetic instrumental medley. 8/10
07. Johnny Dowd, "Hell of High Water"
If that’s not love, it’ll have to do. His best song? Possibly. 10/10
08. Flogging Molly, "If I Ever Leave This World Alive"
This one’s a bit flat, although I like it when it picks up towards the end. 6/10
09. Thomas Dolby, "She Blinded Me with Science"
As a noted SCIentist, it’d be a bit surprising if a girl ever blinded me with science. Admit it: you like this song. A lot. 8/10
10. Echo and the Bunnymen, "Stars Are Stars"
One of their first singles, and surely the highlight of their first album. The universe is completely cold and uncaring! Rock on! 9/10
01. Dead Can Dance, "Windfall"
An ambient instrumental. Not really meant for active listening, but what it sets out to do, it does well. 7/10
02. Joe Jackson, "(It’s a) Big World"
Big World is one of JJ’s flatter albums, I fear. It has its moments, but this isn’t particularly one of them. Okay lyrics, but musically pretty blah. 5/10
03. Johnny Dowd, "Monkey Run"
Like a desperate, nihilistic "Working for the Weekend." Probably the best song on The Pawnbroker’s Wife. 9/10
04. Pulp, "His’n’Hers"
One of your more obscure Pulp songs: not actually from the album His’n’Hers, it only appears on an EP, and it’s one of only two b-sides from the period (the other being "You’re a Nightmare" from the "Lipgloss" single) to not be collected on the Second Class CD that comes as a bonus with some versions of Different Class. So as far as I know, the only place to find it is on this out-of-print EP. A tragic yet boring tale. Anyway: it’s a good song, vaguely Latin-sounding, with a great part where Jarvis enumerates various things he’s afraid of: "I’m frightened of belgian chocolates," he gasps. "I’m frightened of…pot pourri…James Dean posters…I’m frightened of…figurines," and like that. Worth seeking out. 8/10
05. The Stone Roses, "Elephant Stone"
Man, the Roses recorded some awesome songs, but this ain’t one of them. Probably sounds better on ecstasy. 4/10
06. Salty Dog, "Blackberry Blossom/Saint Anne’s Reel/The Absent-Minded Woman/Flee the Glen/The Panda/Brenda Stubbert’s/Jerry Holland’s VW Truck"
A fun, energetic instrumental medley. 8/10
07. Johnny Dowd, "Hell of High Water"
If that’s not love, it’ll have to do. His best song? Possibly. 10/10
08. Flogging Molly, "If I Ever Leave This World Alive"
This one’s a bit flat, although I like it when it picks up towards the end. 6/10
09. Thomas Dolby, "She Blinded Me with Science"
As a noted SCIentist, it’d be a bit surprising if a girl ever blinded me with science. Admit it: you like this song. A lot. 8/10
10. Echo and the Bunnymen, "Stars Are Stars"
One of their first singles, and surely the highlight of their first album. The universe is completely cold and uncaring! Rock on! 9/10
posted by GeoX, one of the GeoX boys. at 10:24 AM
Hurrah for Jarvis! I learn something new each time I read this damn blog :P
Thank you. This blog always strives to be educational. I'll play you the song sometime.