Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Seven Songs

Apparently I have been tagged by a fellow blogger to post 7 songs of current love/fascination. The songs were chosen by going through the last 50-odd CD's that have gone through my player over the last few months, and then pulling out my favorite 7 CD's and, finally, picking the best song off of each disc. In no particular order...

The Clean-Platypus

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The Clean were a rather late discovery for me, and the anthology that I picked up 9-10 months ago has not left the current rotation of CD's that I pick through when i'm not rippin' on the wheels of steel. This song gets stuck in my head for at least half a day every time I hear it.

Mahogany-Supervitesse

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I have a deep love for this little known Brooklyn via Lansing, Michigan band and their infectious brand of dream pop. Their sound, in a nutshell, is kinda' like that Belle and Sebastian song, Electronic Music, that's on their debut record, Tigermilk. Usually there is steady disco beat accompanied by a groovy bassline. The vocals are always dreamy and pillowy soft. Meanwhile the guitars are chiming away in the distant background. Supervitesse is the archetypal Mahogany song. Fall in love NOW.

Percee P-The Man To Praise

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I have said it many times before but this time I really mean it: Percee P is the most underrated MC of all time. Of course, it doesn't help his plight that he didn't release a full length album until 20 years into his career. Said album is Perseverance and is also my second favorite hip hop record of 2007 after Dalek's Abandoned Language. The entire album was produced by Madlib and features some of his most varied production. The Man to Praise is the album highlight and also chronicles the storied history of Percee P's career. Anyone who needs a quick rundown on one of the best MC's to ever grace the mic should be pressing play up top.


Pussy Plays-The Open Ground

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Amazing group from the late 60s that released only one album (i think? internet search doesn't pull up much except what you would expect when typing those words into google) of swirling psychedelia. Fans of Barrett era Pink Floyd gotta hear this. The CD remains out of print and the LP is a mere dream you'll never have. Download the whole thing here.

Susuma Yokota-Cherry Blossom

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This is off Yokota's masterpiece The Grinning Cat, which is an amazing record of beautiful and hypnotic IDM. Just picked up the vinyl re-issue recently at Audiopile (Zulu can't seem to get this) and have been listening to it heavily...along with the CD version, which I play often on the ol' discman when I ride to work.

Sebadoh-Forced Love

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Bubble and Scrape is soon to be re-issued (disclosure: this is by far my favorite Sebadoh album) and I put it on a few weeks ago to remind myself just how damn varied and amazing the record is. One of few Sebadoh albums where all members contribute equally. This isn't the best track on the album but it'll give you a general feel of the record. Also, i'll be in Chicago this summer to check out Sebadoh play the album in it's entirety, thus, furthering the re-infatuation.

King Crimson-Red
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Red is not the best track off the best King Crimson record but it has been getting steady play here at casa del Richardson. I remember putting this album on for the first or second time, in a tired state, and I thought I had accidentally put on a Queens of the Stone Age album. Seriously, listen to the opening riff and tell me it doesn't sound exactly like some QOTSA riffage.

3 comments:

Bjorn Olson said...

The Clean: "Platypus" def. one of my favourite Clean songs besides "Tally Ho". Good choice.

Mahogany: would not play.

Percee P: Certainly alluded me. Nice crunchy beats.

Pussy: Very intrigued. Definitely Floyd-ian, definitely my thing.

Susuma Yokota: dead sure I've heard this before so it's nice to put a name to the sounds.

Sebadoh: Bubble & Scrape is good yeah, but as good as Bakesale? Hells no!

King Crimson: Oh God, not you too? ARRRRRGH!

Mark E. Rich said...

The Clean: "Platypus" def. one of my favourite Clean songs besides "Tally Ho". Good choice.

Tally Ho is easily the second best song but I declined to put it up cuz its their best known

Mahogany: would not play.

Worked at home and work. Doubt you would like it anyways

Percee P: Certainly alluded me. Nice crunchy beats.

The man has alluded a lot of people over the years. Surprising because he has guested on so many albums over his entire career.

The best part about this track is the pitched up soul sample in the chorus.

Pussy: Very intrigued. Definitely Floyd-ian, definitely my thing.

Glad to hear you liked this. The entire album is awesome. I recommend you track down the whole thing. Though, i'm sure you are already on top of it...

Susuma Yokota: dead sure I've heard this before so it's nice to put a name to the sounds.

I have put this song on a dozen mixtapes over the years. I'm sure it has ended up on at least 2 that you have.

Sebadoh: Bubble & Scrape is good yeah, but as good as Bakesale? Hells no!

Bakesale is Lou Barlow's pop masterpiece. Bubble and Scrape is the sound of 3 unique artists all gelling together for the entire 45 minutes.

King Crimson: Oh God, not you too? ARRRRRGH!

tell me you hear the QOTSA in there! Just tell me that.

Bjorn Olson said...

tell me you hear the QOTSA in there! Just tell me that.

Sort of, but mainly I hear a million shitty prog-metal bands. Never understood the appeal of KC, probably never will.