Random Shmandom
As comforting as it is to have a mindless just-add-ipod-and-shuffle post to fall back on when I’m weary and unfocused at the end of the week, I don’t know that the whole Random 10 meme does much for me this week. It’s an interesting exercise to a point, but today I thought I’d choose songs that I’ve been listening to a lot lately and even relate some thoughts as to why they’ve captured my fancy.
Feel free to share your own (or your own Random 10 if you so desire) in the comments below or on your own site.
- “Arc of Time (Time Code)” from Bright Eyes’ Digital Ash in a Digital Urn — Let’s get something out of the way: this album cowers in the shadow of its sibling I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning. To put it bluntly, most of Digital Ash isn’t worth de-urning. But this song just plain owns me. From the twitchy, clappy march beat to the acoustic flourishes playing off the bubbly synth, I am powerless to do anything but turn the damn thing up and boogie. At some point, I should probably figure out if the song attempts to be anything more than just a sarcastic laugh in the face of eternity, but for now, I’m too busy dancing to care. (iTunes store link)
- “Go It Alone” from Beck’s Guero — Similarly, if you asked me right now what this song is about, I wouldn’t be able to tell you. I think there’s a coin and a fountain and some dogs running, quite possibly in a coal mine? I’m not sure it matters. Here’s what you need to know: “Na na na na na na… I’d better go it alone.” Everything else is just an excuse to sing along with Jack White’s fiercely groovalicious bass. (iTunes store link)
- “Wiggley Fingers” from Patty Griffin’s Flaming Red — O.K. I definitely know what this song is about, and it’s diiirrrty. Or not. I picked up Flaming Red after it received several vigorous recommendations from some new friends, and I haven’t been disappointed. There are indisputably better songs on the album, but for some reason I’ve been giving this one the most play. I think it’s because I expected an album a little more in the acoustic singer-songwriter vein only to discover that this girl can flat out wail. I promise I’ll move on eventually, but for now, I can’t turn away. (iTunes store link)
- “Falling Away with You” from Muse’s Absolution — I found out about this band when Dustin played along with my first Random 10. I scored a used copy and I love it. But frankly, it kinda creeps me out. See, Jeff Buckley’s supposed to be dead. Yet these guys come along, and it’s hard to know what to say. There are definitely more Buckleyan songs than this on the album ("Blackout," for example), but this is my one true love. It flows from spare gorgeous melodies to passionate soaring “Grace"esque choruses and back. And the ending gets me every time. (iTunes store link)
- “Lilac Wine” by Nina Simone (remixed by The Album Leaf) from Verve Remixed 3 (this part got eaten during a server migration. oops.)
Update: Here’s an iTunes link to the Jeff Buckley version of “Lilac Wine,” in case you haven’t heard it.
4 Ripples from “Random Shmandom”
jpe says:
April 8, 2005 at 7:04 pm
Two things: first, the album leaf is great.
Second: Bright Eyes is the most pretentious bunch of crap I’ve ever heard. A friend and I went to see Six Parts Seven 3 or 4 years ago when I was home for a break from college, and Bright Eyes came on immediately after. The lyrics were so trite and the song structures so banal that we thought they were winners of a high school battle of the bands. There was a middle aged man taping the show (at a verrrry small club where battle of the band finalists were known to play), and we were convinced it was Ober’s dad.
A few months later, back at school, someone whipped out a Bright Eyes CD and I was simply amazed that anyone thought it was more than schlocky juvenalia.
As you can tell, they piss me off. On the other hand, a friend of mine from school occasionally plays cello with them, so all this is off the record.
Y’know, in case the media asks for a quote from this comment or something.
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zalm says:
April 8, 2005 at 10:04 pm
I had a feeling that the Bright Eyes mention would get a rise out of you, jpe. *grin*
I have nothing to say in defense of Bright Eyes circa 2004 or earlier. Until two months ago, I’d heard maybe 2 or 3 fairly forgettable songs. I’ve never heard his earlier albums. Frankly, it was the hype that kept me away. I’ve never heard him live or even heard a live recording, although I can definitely see how Conor’s voice could be grating in concert. And it could very well be that the majority of the Oberstian catalog is indeed pretentious crap. (Not that I haven’t been known to fall for pretentious music in the past.)
And as much as I love it, even this song has fairly conventional structure and a few of the lyrics are admittedly trite. Although one man’s trite is another man’s treasure. Or something.
But here’s the thing.... Regardless of what I don’t know about Oberst’s past sins, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning is the album of the year for me so far. Sadly, I can’t tell you why it might be more acceptable than what came before. And I’m not going to say too much about it now, since I’ll most likely take on the album in a longer post at some point. But this (if you can make it past the unfortunately theatrical monologue at the beginning) doesn’t seem pretentious to me. It’s broken in the best sense. Hell, if you riled me up enough, I’d even be tempted to pull out the “masterpiece” word.
Your tastes may vary, and most likely do. But I stand by this album.
jpe says:
April 9, 2005 at 8:04 am
Sadly, I can’t tell you why it might be more acceptable than what came before.
Y’know, I was listening to some internet radio station, and a song from Wide Awake came on......and I liked it. a lot. I was very conflicted.
But this?
Hell, if you riled me up enough, I’d even be tempted to pull out the “masterpiece” word.
is almost enough to put you on my “enemies list,” along with Jane Fonda and Barney Gumbel.
zalm says:
April 9, 2005 at 2:04 pm
Wait a minute! That’s not even your enemies list. That’s Moe’s. You just crossed out his name and put yours.