"Particle Man"They Might Be Giants
Flood
While I wouldn't go as far as saying that this is the BEST song that's ever come up on one of these "Party Shuffle" entries, I could very easily argue that this is the most FUN song that's ever come up.
It's exactly 1 minute and 59 seconds of catchy, nonsensical perfection.
"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, & Understanding"Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Armed Forces
It comes from an otherwise good album ("Accidents Will Happen," "Oliver's Army," "Senior Service," "Moods for Moderns") but I'm not crazy about this song. The chorus bugs me -- "And each time I feel like this / There's one thing I wanna know / What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding? / Ohhh" -- and makes me cringe a little bit every time I hear it. I don't know, maybe I'm just that jaded; maybe I'm anti-peace and anti-love and anti-understanding.
"Sell My Old Clothes, I'm Off To Heaven"Saves the Day
Bug Sessions Vol. 1
Hearing an acoustic version of one of my favorite Saves the Day songs has a sort of gimmicky, kitschy value upon the first and second listens. But shortly after that, as with most acoustic covers, you get bored with it and wanna hear the original (amplified) take.
Although I will say their acoustic version of "Jodie" is pretty good.
"Smoke Two Joints"Sublime
40 Oz. to Freedom
I obviously can't relate directly to anything about this song, but it's still really fun somehow.
"Art is Hard"Cursive
The Ugly Organ
"Cut it out - your self-inflicted pain / Is getting too routine...Well here we go again / The art of acting weak..."
Not only is this an amazing song (from an overall amazing album) but it's helped define my life philosophy -- the meek shall NOT inherit the Earth.
The lyrics of this song taught me that being weak and soft and timid won't get you anywhere. Sensitivity isn't an excuse for failure. It's kill or be killed. There's nothing admirable or endearing about being a constant victim. Nothing will be handed to you, so if you want it bad enough, you'd better go out and take it. And if someone grabs it first, take it from them. Not to be overly melodramatic, but the key to success really is all about being bigger, faster, stronger.
A lot of the popular music that came out when I was 15-18 years old capitalized on the inclination of teenagers being sniveling, hesitant, and forlorn. And while that sappy kind of stuff served my purposes fine as a kid, this song directly helped shape the adult I would become. That may sound like a lot of credit to give to a two and a half minute song, but it's true.
"Losing My Religion"R.E.M.
Out Of Time
This is arguably their biggest hit and I don't like this song at all. Normally, I'd just skip right by it. Or, if I was feeling especially generous that day, I'd just tune it out and let it play listlessly in the background. Although I want to make it clear that, as a whole, I do like this album a lot.
And if I were to shoot off on a quick R.E.M. tangent, I think they're one of those rare cases of a band actually being NEGATIVELY effected by their own prolificacy. Their body of work is giant...and that ends up being kind of a bad thing. Meaning, they've produced so much quality stuff in their career, but by virtue of the sheer amount of music they've created over the years, they've also managed to produce a lot more garbage. I'm sure they don't regret releasing so many albums in such a short amount of time (nor should they), but that just allows for a lot more opportunity to fail.
"Waste of Paint"Bright Eyes
Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
Connor has grown a lot as a songwriter over the years, but there's something that will always be charming about the lack of polish and ragged edges of these earlier releases.
The earnest repetition of the opening acoustic riff and his typical hesitation of hitting certain syllables to throw off the song's measure is what makes this track great. And he has an awesome delivery of the line "I knew a woman, she was dignified and true / And her love for her man was one of her many virtues."
"Mykel and Carli"Weezer
The Blue Album Deluxe Edition: Dusty Gems and Raw Nuggets
Back in '04, they re-released my beloved Blue Album in celebration of it's ten year anniversary. The "deluxe edition" remastered the original tapes and included a second disc of obscure B-sides and live tracks. I remember FYE was selling it for something ridiculous like $30 or something. Coming from a diehard Weezer fan, there really isn't anything about this re-release that's absolutely essential and doesn't really need to be bought. But this song is actually one of the few bright spots of a second disk that's mostly unlistenable. As many people know, I have a natural distaste for most live (or in this case, partially live) albums.
"We Will Survive"Nas
I Am...
I don't care much for the singing in the chorus, but I can appreciate the name-dropping of Biggie, Pac, the Commodores, Al Green, and (especially) Smokey Robinson.
And yeah, I like the track "Hate Me Now"...even with Diddy.
"Shoulder to the Wheel"Saves the Day
Through Being Cool
I don't consider this an exaggeration at all: from the age of 15 to about 17, this was very likely my absolute FAVORITE non-Beatles song. The two seconds of screeching feedback that opens this song is the single most recognizable, most reminiscent sound of my high school years.
"Kiss"Prince
Parade
If "Particle Man" is the 1st most fun song that I've ever blogged about, than "Kiss" is very possibly the 2nd most fun song, haha.
"I just want your extra time and your...[insert jangly guitar strumming]...kiss"
This track is so awesome. I'm gonna replay it at least one more time once it ends. lol
"No, Not Now"Hot Hot Heat
Make Up The Breakdown
When it first came out, this album was catchy and dancey and energetic. But now, I can't stand it. It's obnoxious, his singing voice grates on the nerves. I think this album (as well as this general sound that came out of this general time period) has basically outlived its usefulness to me.
"Under the Boardwalk"The Drifters
Greatest Hits
The washboard (or whatever it is) that they play throughout this track is extremely soothing. It's like the sound of a babbling brook or rain fall on a tin roof. They should include it on one of those white noise machines you can get at The Sharper Image to help you fall asleep at night. And I mean that to be complimentary, because I do like this song.
"Hey Baby"No Doubt
Rock Steady
I definitely appreciated No Doubt getting back to their ska/reggae/calypso Jamaican roots, but wow, this song (specifically the heavy-handed chorus) gets so annoying, so fast.
"Monday, Monday"The Mamas & the Papas
If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears
I normally find the vocals of the Mamas & the Papas really drab and dreary and droning, but I do enjoy this track.
And it's common knowledge that this urban legend has already been debunked, but Mama Cass did not die choking on a ham sandwich.
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