Life, Soundtrack Included

See this post, and the rest of this project at my new blog: Recording the Recordings

So, as part of my constant search for new music, I am often trying to educate myself on the history of the music I already enjoy and stretch my boundaries. So when I heard Tom Moon on the NPR show All Songs Considered talking about his new book, 1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die I picked it up for my best friend John87, who is probably more obsessed with music than I am. I tried wrapping it as a Christmas gift, but ended up reading it as I wrapped all the other presents. When I finally wrapped it, it was the last present left, and my wife was starting to get irritated, so I finally had to finish up. A couple months later I went back to the store and bought the book for myself. My goal is to hear every song.

I am already 221 recordings (mostly albums, but some songs scattered here and there, and also some box sets) into the book, and I just now decided to start recording the trip. Partly it's because there is so much music I often can't remember what the stuff I listened to sounds like. Partly it's because most of the recordings here are worth sharing, and this is a great way to point others in the right direction. And partly it's just fun.

So, with that said, I am now keeping a record of my journey through a great book, and a great challenge. As I said, I have already listened to 221 of the recordings. This includes about 125 that I have now listened to alphabetically starting with ABBA on page one, plus nearly 100 other recordings scattered throughout that I had already heard when I picked up the book. Since my interest in music generally lies in the rock and blues genres, I realized if I picked my way through the book, in the end I would be left with opera and classical, and I would never go back and listen to those recordings. So I started at the start, and I have choked down my medicine of British opera and experimental jazz, and along the way already discovered lost greats like Baby Huey and the Babysitters, Dock Boggs and others. So you might be wondering, am I listening to one of the recordings right now? Hell yes I am.



Artist: Nati Cano's Mariachi los Camperos
Album: Viva El Mariachi!
Album #221

I didn't know what to expect from this one, but it comes charging out of the gates from the start with "Los Arrieros." It was the perfect start to my morning, as I actually got a decent amount of sleep for the first time in a week. My son still has a problem with being put in his crib, but he is finally eating better, which helps to knock him out, and lowers the stress level for my wife and myself. The voices on this album are so plaintive and strong, and the strings twist in and around each other, raising the whole affair to heights so much higher than what you would expect mariachi to sound like. In fact, there are a couple songs, "El Gustito" and "La Maleguena," where the falsetto singing sounds almost like something you would hear in a traditional Hawai'ian song. Now that isn't to say that I'm not craving some Mexican food right now (specifically a fried avocado, but I don't know where to get that besides La Playa in Corpus Christi, TX), but in general this recording surprised me. I should really stop being surprised at this point though, because so many of these recordings shock me with their incredible sound, in genres I had never even considered.

Many of the albums I listen to can be found on Grooveshark, one of my favorite websites ever. I discovered it a few years ago when it first came out, and now it seems pretty mainstream with ads for Rock Band interfaced right into the player, so hopefully it won't go the way of so many websites I have loved before and disappear. I used to use Lala.com, but iTunes just bought them out last month, so my classical music hookup is gone now, and classical is very difficult to find on Grooveshark. I know eventually I will have to start paying money to finish this list, first with an account to Napster or Rhapsody to stream music, and then eventually buying the very rare albums. But for now, free streaming and the library are the keys to making it through most of the book. I know the above playlist is glitchy, but if you open it in Grooveshark you can rearrange the tracks and eventually they will all play.

Buy Viva El Mariachi! on Amazon

High School Kids Kill the Radio Star

Love this. Originally seen here. Here's their myspace page. Haven't had a chance to hear their other stuff, but I thought this video deserved to be shown, because it just makes me happy.

New Lonely Forest Album Streamed for Your Pleasure

So this band I've been talking about for over a year finally released a new album yesterday, and I forgot. The plan was to buy it in the morning on iTunes and have it on the ipod by the time I left for work, which then became today's plan because of how crazy yesterday was. So I will not be able to tell you what I think til later (but hopes are very high for a good one), but you can check it out for yourself. A little try before you buy, if you will.

We Sing the Body Electric

Hope you enjoy it and support a great local band. Oh, and see them in Seattle this Friday (since I will be out of town... damn)

Mike's 104 Songs to Hear Before You Die: Song #8

Photo by Mike

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird

Who: Lynyrd Skynyrd, the kings of Southern rock.

What: Free Bird, over 9 minutes of rock ballad, blazing glory. The song is on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is VH1's 26th Best Hard Rock Song

When: 1973, although I heard it on the radio in the 80's probably. I liked the song, but I don't think it was until 2005, and, this is not a joke, the movie Elizabethtown, when the band Ruckus (which mostly consisted of My Morning Jacket) plays it at the end of the film. All of a sudden I realized why people yell it out at concerts-- it's that good.

Where: Jacksonville, Florida. I have been to the bar, Free Bird's, to see a concert before. Jax loves their Skynyrd

Why: Ok, I don't have to say too much about this one, because I think it is a lot cliched for me to put this on my list, but man, 5 minute, 3-guitar solos that have that much power don't come around very often. Free Bird is listed 3rd on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar solos of all time, but I think that's ridiculous. It's #1 for me without a doubt. This is one of only 3 songs my my list greater than 7 minutes long-- most songs just can't hold your attention for that long. Anyways, you've probably heard the song before, but try listening with fresh ears and see if you can deny loving it.

If I leave here tomorrow

Would you still remember me?

For I must be travelling on, now,

cause theres too many places Ive got to see.

But, if I stayed here with you, girl,

Things just couldnt be the same.

cause Im as free as a bird now,

And this bird you can not change.

Lord knows, I cant change.



Bye, bye, its been a sweet love.

Though this feeling I cant change.

But please dont take it badly,

cause lord knows Im to blame.

But, if I stayed here with you girl,

Things just couldnt be the same.

Cause Im as free as a bird now,

And this bird youll never change.

And this bird you can not change.

Lord knows, I cant change.

Lord help me, I cant change.

Here are all the songs covered so far


...plus some free bird covers- the Built to Spill guitar solo rocks- I need to get ahold of some more of their CDs




Here are the previous posts on my list:
#1) The Smashing Pumpkins - Muzzle (for teaching me how to be a teenager)
#2) Sufjan Stevens - Vito's Ordination Song (beautiful sounds, transcendent lyrics)
#3) They Might Be Giants - Number Three (goofy lyrics, unstoppable foot-tapping fun)
#4) Counting Crows - Four Days (beautiful harmonies, sweet metaphors)
#5) Drive-By Truckers - Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (heartwrenching lyrics, heartstring pulling slide guitar)
#6) Architecture in Helsinki - It'5! (fun!)
#7) The Thermals - Power Doesn't Run On Nothing (intensity, indignation, insanely good)

And John87's list:
#100) Sonic Youth- The Diamond Sea
#99) Ani Difranco - Both Hands (Live)
#98) Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
#97) Eels - P.S. You Rock My World
#96) Vienna Teng - City Hall

Mike's 104 Songs to Hear Before You Die: Song #7

Photo by Mike

Read a review yesterday that prompted me to pick this song, as the band just released a new album this year.

Here it is, numba 7:

The Thermals - Power Doesn't Run On Nothing

Who: The Thermals, Power Trio from Portland, OR

What: " Power Doesn't Run On Nothing, from their 2006 breakout album The Body, The Blood, The Machine, loosely based on a "young couple who must flee a United States governed byfascist faux-Christians."

When: '06, although I probably heard it in '07 (thanks to John87), but it sounds like it came from a distopic near-future, thanks to its "no-fi" production and paranoid lyrics.

Where: U.S. I suppose

Why: Righteous indignation pounded into your ears whether you like it or not, baby! The Thermals are not afraid to take on religion and government throughout this album, but this song is their most effective. The description of the U.S. as "just a child," and "old as hell," both ring true just a minute apart. The immediacy of Thermals' singer Hutch Harris' voice drives the song forward. When he shouts "we need the land you're standing on, so let's go!" you can see him leading the charge. That's pretty much it for this song- hardcore lyrics and righteous indignation- but it definitely makes a strong point using very little more than some power chords and shouting. If you like it, check out the whole album (none of the songs standout quite the way this one does) or check out their new one (that I believe I will be purchasing and reviewing soon, based on the strength of the title track) Now We Can See.

We are just a child
we are just a child
we are wide awake
but our legs are shaky
we're unaware
we're hyper-active
we stare into space
with grins on our faces
so give us what we're asking
for cause either way,
we're gonna take it
our power doesn't run on nothing
we need the land you're standing on
so lets go
move it

we are old as hell
we are old and tell
the children when to kill
and when to sit still
everyone doing what we say
till our dying day,
till our breath is empty
so give us what we're asking
for cause either way we're gonna take it
our power doesn't run on nothing
we need the land you're standing on
so lets go
move it
yeah you need to let it go
move it
yeah we're, more equal,
we'll move you people,
off the planet cause goddamn we need the fuel

so, so let the beat roll over,
the beat roll over,
everyone in line, one in line
so, so let the beat roll over,
the beat roll over,
everyone in line one at a time
they'll give us what we're asking for,
cause God is with us, and our God's the richest
our power doesn't run on nothing,
it runs on blood, and blood is easy to obtain
when you have no shame
when you have no shame
so let the sun bathe
let the sun bathe
we'll still have life,
we'll burn even brighter
we'll drain the well, turn all to hell,
leave the earth's surface to the worthless dirt
let the beat roll over,
let the beat roll over,
to everyone in mind,
everyone in line
you think we'll cease?
to see a reason,
to think it's fair?
to think it's fair,
to think we care?

Here is the song with all the previous songs on my list:

Previous songs on my list:
#1) The Smashing Pumpkins - Muzzle (for teaching me how to be a teenager)
#2) Sufjan Stevens - Vito's Ordination Song (beautiful sounds, transcendent lyrics)
#3) They Might Be Giants - Number Three (goofy lyrics, unstoppable foot-tapping fun)
#4) Counting Crows - Four Days (beautiful harmonies, sweet metaphors)
#5) Drive-By Truckers - Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (heartwrenching lyrics, heartstring pulling slide guitar)
#6) Architecture in Helsinki - It'5! (fun!)

And John87's list:
#100) Sonic Youth- The Diamond Sea
#99) Ani Difranco - Both Hands (Live)
#98) Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
#97) Eels - P.S. You Rock My World
#96) Vienna Teng - City Hall