5 Disconnected Songs With No Theme

You know, I really couldn't think of 5 more random songs to put together. Actually, I could, but I have played them already and I don't want to put them here. Here are 5 songs I haven't played, that somehow made sense when I put them on.

Let's start it off with, Blues Traveller, with "Hook."

Why? Because the Hook always brings me back.

Sixpence None the Richer -- "Don't Dream it's Over." A great Crowded House cover, since I probably wouldn't go to a CH show (anymore, I don't have feathered hair or parachute pants), listening to their covers make things better.


Seriously, I mentioned them for almost two years, and I didn't link any of the songs?
Social Distortion, with "Ball and Chain." One of the best songs, ever.

I'm lovely, and I'm tired, and I can't take any more pain.

Let's speed it up a bit. Love the way this song starts. I feel better listening to this. English Beat, with "Tears of a Clown." I still love the fact that I saw this band within the last 10 years, and they rocked hard.


And wow, we have to end this with Party Ben's -- "Alive Part 2."

That was fun. Random. This is the Universe. Big, isn't it?
-om

A MidWeek, Birthday 5.

So, Today was the day after my birthday. This is the first time in about 15 years that I really didn't make a "Big Freaking Deal" about the day. I guess it's because it doesn't matter to me anymore. However, some of my friends thought differently. I created my Grandmother's steak, we drank G&Ts and went to my favorite live cover band, 2 Buck Chuck.

2 Buck Chuck has to be one of the greatest Seattle Bands around today. With a huge request list, a loyal following and a varied set list, 2BC should be seen if you have the opportunity to grace the PNW. Seriously, a totally fun group. Anyway, to today's choices.

First off, the Zac Brown Band, with "Toes." Life is good, today.


Also covered a great version of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." This video is dirty hot. Excellent.


And now, let's change it for a bit of Cash. Johnny Cash. With "Ring of Fire." My favorite Social Distortion song. Well, one of them anyway. Here's the original rock and roll bad boy. Most others are pussies.


I have never had The Cure on here? Seriously? Wow, I don't channel 80's Goth as much as I thought I did. Here's "Just Like Heaven," cause it was played and it was fun. I am breaking out the black hair dye right now.


Ok, we are going to stop with this one from the Counting Crows: "Big Yellow Taxi."

Happy Birthday to me. Thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday, to all who sang, to all who cared.

And to my little girl, who read Dr. Seuss to me; You are the greatest thing in this world. You are loved.
-om

Happy Birthday!

Have a good week all! I am going to celebrate with a bottle of Islay's greatest, and a ton of music. Today's 5 are Birthday songs that make me smile.

Let's start it off with the Soup Dragons, singing "Divine Thing."


Now we go off to Susanna Hoffs, singing a Boingo cover of "We Close our Eyes." Maybe one of the best Boingo covers out there. I don't know, I need to see if I can catch the Boingo cover band when I am down in LA.


Aerosmith's "Living on the Edge." Definitely. Something is wrong with the world today, I may know what it is...


Amazulu. You is? Just kidding. Amazulu's "Montego Bay." This was my ultimate driving summer song. 1987, wow, so long ago.


OK, I think I'll end it with Blondie's "Hanging on the Telephone." An amazing, classic tune.


One last one. I didn't include this last year. Altered Images' "Happy Birthday." I had too much going on with all the stuff I had lined up, I must have missed this one.

Enjoy my Birthday, folks! Actually, to the heck with that, enjoy the songs.
-om

Cover songs in the key of crap.

Why not? I'm going to get flack over this first pick, that I know. Starting this one of with Jay-Z's version of Alphaville's "Forever Young." Don't care, this song blows, and kills a perfect set of memories. Don't like it, get your own blog.


Archive, covering The Smiths' "Girlfriend in a Coma." This version is probably the most unemotional effort to date. Hard to top this one.


Next up, Suspiria, with Depeche Mode's "Behind the Wheel." Not bad. Kinda grew on me. Wait, they sang. Darn it. Next.

At least that was better than Jazzhole's "Enjoy the Silence." Look that one up, I dare you.

Ok, now we're cooking. David Hasselhoff, covering Madonna's "La Isla Bonita." Like a sexy Shatner. I can almost see this crappy video in my head, gauzy lens, bellbottoms and the smoulder.


Finally, there is the Immortal William Hung. Balls as big as churchbells, and two more albums than I have. Here he is butchering Elton John's "Rocketman." The backup music track sounds straight from a bloody karaoke machine. Didn't even rate session players. Awesome.

Go out and conquer. William did. Have a great week.
-om

Midweek Folk Tune

The Decemberists, "The Legionnaire's Lament." Because the world is better due to Portland Oregon bands like this. How could you not like the instrumentation, the lyrics of the story, the vocals? That ending layered chord rocked.


Lord, I don't know if I'll ever be back again...
-om

Five Time Travelling Tracks

Ever heard a tune that immediately takes you back in time? The one that stops you dead in your tracks, immediately making you think, wonder and imagine? It may not be the actual tune, but even a version of it can do it to me. Here are my five.

Not the best video, but what can you do? Hammond Organ, Paul Carrack, Squeeze? "Loving You Tonight." Great White Buffalo.


The Bangles, with "If She Knew What She Wants." Yeah, enough with the gay jokes. This song was in heavy rotation in So Cal, heard it almost every day on the beach. Surfing, bonfires, sun and Coppertone come into sharp relief when this song is played. This song was all about the last summer with zero responsibility.


Jimmy Buffett's "One Particular Harbour." More beach. This time, I'm in Guantanamo Bay, far away from everyone, drinking too much (since there is nothing left to do), relaxing in the sun, waiting for that C-130 to take me back to the states. No thoughts other than getting home, getting out, and getting some.


R.E.M.'s "Superman." While people were humming "Stand," this was the tune in my head. This song played to my narcissism, my confidence and my state of mind as a high schooler. I still feel that this song speaks to be, but wouldn't anyone?


The Vega Choir's version of "Creep." It is the centerpiece of the trailer for The Social Network coming out this fall. This song takes be back to the military. Specifically, the day before my birthday, when I was in Basic Training, holding a rifle in a foxhole. I kinda lost it for a few moments of insane introspection. If there is any more poignant, more defining moment in my life, it's that 5 minute perfect, impossible juxtaposition of everything and nothing.

You know what, I'm glad that's the last one. I'm wiped.

-om

Top Five Random Summer Songs...

So, we are going to start out with Paramore's "The Only Exception." I am a sucker for a cute redhead singer. Except for Tori Amos... the sideways perch on the piano bench is completely retarded. Seriously? We know you are a female, but sit correctly on the bloody bench.


The next hip song is Neon Tree's "Animal." Electric, fast and fun. I can see myself writhing to this song at a really hip club. Of course, it would be a clip of the tune, and not the full one. If you are longing for the fun tune, come out anytime I am tending bar. I guarantee awesome tunes and stiff drinks.


Slowing it down. What we need to do for the third tune. This is Christina Perri, singing "Jar of Hearts." Quite a good song, for a first chart hit. The only thing that stands out as a strange thing for me is the fact that she doesn't deviate much from the initial major chord that she creates in the beginning of the song. The chord progression is pretty predictable, nothing really difficult about the tune. Good lyrics, great vocals. Seriously, the vocals save the song.


The fourth one out of the 5 is kinda poppy, but I like it. We Are Kings, with "We'll be a Dream (with Demo Lovato)," Yeah, Disney, what of it? It's not bad. Classic power pop, great vocals, decent sound. If I were marketing to the heartland, this would be a great song. And it is. Suck it up and listen, get off the high horse.


Ok, the last one is a request of a great song. This is the Zombies tune of "This is Our Year." Overlooked, since everyone knows "Time of the Season." Such a lame, stoner song, this is a great one to end the week's top five on.

Have a great week, kids. Already thinking of the next year.
-om

PS -- And a Late Addition... Amanda Palmer doing "Creep" by Radiohead. This took by breath away. Awesome.

-om