Guest Review of Countdown Tracks (Episode 7)

 When my daughter was about to be born, I had a problem. How was I going to keep the podcast going? She was coming 5 weeks sooner than expected and it was in the first year of the podcast, so the idea of having a pretaped episode hadn't occurred to me (although, now that I think about it, I had done that Memorial Day episode, so perhaps I just wasn't thinking because her birth took us by surprise). So anyways, I asked my friend Andy if he could listen to the current songs on the chart and send me a review of them that I could publish. And that's what happened. And now every so often, I get someone to listen to the tracks that I have compiled into a CD-length mix and give their honest (often VERY honest) reviews of them. My sister is that guest this time. You've heard her before on podcasts both bonus and regular.

She didn't have a tracklist to start, so you'll see that a lot of her reviews are based on her not knowing who it is. That's really how I prefer it. Everything you read after this that isn't italicized is hers. The italicized stuff is mine. Because sometimes it's fun to add my own commentary.

Songs reviewed in this post appeared on episodes published between 3/1/14 and 5/16/15 (Which I think is roughly Episodes 187-246. Quite the span.)

ALT LISTENING NOTES

Track 1 (alt-j - Left Hand Free):

Ahhh, the new Alt-J.  I was really into their last album a few years ago and actually saw them in Boston with my good friend Greg.  I love Boston and that night was really fun so I always have positive associations with Alt-J. I’ve been seeing things online making fun of their sometimes nasally harmonies but I think it’s just their fun, unique sound and this song reflects this sound well.    

Track 2 (Arctic Monkeys - Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High):

I definitely have limited experience with the Arctic Monkeys.  I think I’m so instantly turned off by their name that I’ve never taken the time to listen which is probably a little ridiculous on my part.  I think they’re a little overrated but probably going to be remembered 50 years from now--there’s definitely a big enough cult following.  This song’s kind of fun.  If it came on the radio I probably wouldn’t switch it off. (It *is* a ridiculous name. I'm trying to think if you would like the rest of their stuff. I think it's possible if you were in a certain mood.)

Track 3 (Bastille - Bad Blood):

I know that once I look it up, I’m gonna kick myself for not being able to come up with the band. Yup. Fuckin Bastille. I’m super into this song! It’d be cool to come up with a mash-up of this Bad Blood with Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood. (I would be very interested to see how that turned out. I'm almost universally FOR mashups with Taylor Swift)  His voice is beautiful!   

Track 4 (Bastille - Flaws):

This song is kind of catchy? Is this Bastille again? They sound the same but with different electronic stuff.  Oh.  Hah.  It is Bastille again. Huh. Welp. This song is pretty cool too.  I liked the other song better though.  

Track 5 (Bear Hands - Giants):

I know it’s called I’m Loving You More but I can’t remember the band.  Is it like the Bleachers or something? It’s kind of catchy but also everything about it is sort of generically “alt”.  I have literally never heard of the band Bear Hands and the song is called Giants.  Huh. Well that song is alright.  

Track 6 (Big Data featuring Joywave - Dangerous):

Killer bass riff.  I like this song a lot! I’ve never heard it, but I like it.  I have never heard of the band Big Data. 10/10 would listen again. I like the steel drums--or whatever drums they are.  

Track 7 (Black Keys - Fever):

The electronic riff is very 1st wave alternative like Oingo Boingo or B-52s which is kind of fun but everything else is kind of generic.  I’ve never heard of this song but I feel like I’ve heard the vocals before.  Oh it’s the Black Keys.  I’ve never been wild about them.  This song is okay.  They’re another band with a really big, cult-like fan base that are intensely into the Black Keys.

Track 8 (Black Keys - Gotta Get Away):

This has a mid-late Beatles vibe which is probably a very grand statement but oh well.  The solo is fun and very classic. I like this song! I’ve never heard it! The chorus is really catchy.  Lol. It’s the fuckin Black Keys *eats words* (Ha ha. Made you say something nice about them.)

Track 9 (Bleachers - I Wanna Get Better):

I WANNA GET BETTER! The Bleachers!!!! I am super into this song.  It never gets old.  Some of the feelings conveyed are definitely relatable to a certain degree.

Track 10 (Coldplay - Magic):

I’m gonna say Jamie XX has something to do with this.  That guitar is all too familiar.  I don’t know this song isn’t bad.  I don’t love it but I don’t hate.  Oh weird! Coldplay? I didn’t even know they had a new album coming out. Huh. I thought I recognized the vocals.  Still, it has a sound similar to The XX.  I was really into Coldplay in like 8th grade.  They came to my hometown and this girl from a group of acquaintances I hung out with invited everyone else in the group but I wasn’t invited.

Track 11 (Coldplay - A Sky Full of Stars):

Jk I forgot that this song was a thing. Of course Coldplay released a new album.  I like this song a lot! I admire Chris Martin’s attempts to stay relevant in the music world after all these years.  

Track 12 (Dirty Heads - My Sweet Summer):

I don’t like this song but I do appreciate the ambiguousness of Summer, a girl, and summer, a season.  But yeah, I’m not a fan of Dirty Heads and this song just reinforces my distaste.

Track 13 (Fall Out Boy - Centuries):

FOB! I don’t like this song but I can see how others would like it.  The chorus is annoying.  I like Uma Thurman from the new album better.  The only music video I have on my iPod is This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race.               

Track 14 (Fitz & the Tantrums - The Walker):

This song is in every commercial on TV I feel like.  I don’t like this song.  It’s annoying.  Nothing about is really original but then again I’ve never written a song so who am I to judge.  Idk.  Something about this song is really off-putting. I don’t even care who it is. (This is one of your niece's favorite songs. So, I don't know how you feel about that, but it is the case. It went on her 2014 Christmas Mix)

Track 15 (Hozier - Take Me to Church):

TAKE ME TO CHURCH! UGHHHHHH this is a great song. His voice is beautiful.  It’s such an intimate song.  I can’t wait to see what else Hozier comes out with. (You and me both. I get excited by this kind of up and coming musician)

Track 16 (Jack White - Lazaretto):

The first band I thought of was RHCP. But I doubt it’s them.  Whoops. It’s Jack White.  Never been a huuuuge fan but this song is pretty cool!  The middle part is fun n trippy.  Interesting usage of violins/violas.  There’s a lot going on in this song.

Track 17 (Kings of Leon - Wait For Me):

The intro sounded like the intro to Twin Peaks a little bit...like maybe if you had an ear infection or something.  I know the vocals… oh yeah Kings of Leon.  Idk.  This song is ok I guess.  Kinda pretty.

Track 18 (KONGOS - Come With Me Now):

NOOOO I can’t stand this song. It’s so obnoxious. It’s also on every TV commercial for like beer or like ice hockey or something now. Ughhhhhhh. I would instantly switch the station if this came on the radio. (Right but you have to understand what a breath of fresh air this song was when it came on the countdown. And then advertisers discovered it, too)

Track 19 (Milky Chance - Stolen Dance):

The chorus ruins it but everything else about this song is kind of fun.  I like the parts when there are no vocals...I feel like I’m at a bleak, minimalist disco. I’ve never heard of the band Milky Chance.   

Track 20 (Vance Joy - Riptide):

Damnit. Everything about Riptide is super catchy. It’s a very solid song.  I’m eager to see what else Passenger comes up with. (I totally get how you made this mistake. I don't hold it against you one bit.)

Track 21 (Weezer - Back to the Shack):

Duh. This song rocks. Long live Weezer. (Amen sister. Amen.)

Thanks to my sister for doing this. It's always awesome to pick the brain of someone as into music as I am, hearing these songs with new ears!

Guest Review #6: Rickey Takes the Wheel

Every so often, I meet someone who is so like me when it comes to music, that it's scary. Rickey was one of those people. We met through a mutual friend and just immediately started messaging eachother large swaths of text about music. I was so excited for him to do this Guest Review and he did not let me down. I'm so excited to post this, that I'm not really going to annotate it like I normally do. It's long, but I think you'll find that you don't notice the length. I certainly didn't.

The songs in this guest review appear on Countdowns that span a period of time from 7/27/13-7/12/14

So, as James already knows, when it comes to music I do several very… specific things. To start off, I have a 35 Day Playlist. I used to consider it a project, but now it’s just MY radio. I don’t listen to the actual radio because, well, I just don’t have a radio… nothing snobby. So when I put on my iPod, I’m usually listening to this playlist made up of (you guessed it) music I’ve added to my iTunes library in the last 35 days. Simple enough. But here’s where it becomes more specific and, well, a project. As music runs the course of those five weeks, I make sure I listen to every album at least three times. On the third listening I rate every song. 3 Stars means I actively DISLIKE the song and clearly think the album would be better without it. 4 Stars means I like the song well enough, it works with the album as a whole, but there’s just something about it that doesn’t GRAB me. Also there’s a good chance that if it came up on shuffle, I would skip it. And, of course, 5 stars means I feel the song is not only essential to the album, but I also love the track on its own, plain and simple. I do all this for two reasons. The lesser is because I like to rate and rank the albums I’ve acquired in a year-end post on my blog. The greater reason is… I have an iPod Nano, and there has to be SOME way to whittle my 7200+ track collection down to a solid 2500 essentials I can carry with me at all times. I guess I should note, I use 1 and 2 star ratings purely for organizational purposes.

The other applicable thing I do with music is compile mixes (mixtapes, mix playlists, etc…). I started at about two a year back at the turn of the century, then three, then last year I did one for each season. This year I’ve done four so far, and it’s only July... So why am I sharing all this information? Because that’s how I’m approaching this Guest Review: Fast forward in one listen as if it were a new addition to my library and about to run it’s course through the 35 Day Playlist, rating tracks from 3 to 5 stars, with an extra little boost if it would make (or has made) one of my mixes. Simple enough? After the reviews, I’ll introduce a third specific thing I do with music that probably crosses the line from enthusiasm into obsessive compulsion. But HEY, it’s how we do...

1. Arctic Monkeys: Do I Wanna Know? ::: I actually started listening to Appetite For Distraction at the beginning of this year because I WANTED to be more in touch with what’s new and currently on the radio without, you know, having to dig out an actual radio. The thing is, I had NO idea some songs would be on The Countdown for more than half a year. So if someone came up to me and asked, “What’s the biggest alternative song of 2014?” I’d have to say this one because when I think of it, I think of The Countdown. So DEFINITELY a great opener for this mix! The only thing is, I’m really not a fan of the song. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely grown on me... Kind of like a musical Stockholm Syndrome, if you will, after being exposed to it for SO long. So I don’t know. In and of itself, it’s a 3 star track for me. BUT as an essential track for The Countdown it *should* get 5 stars. Compromising right out of the gate, 4 stars.

2. Bastille: Pompeii ::: Conversely, this is a song that got me from day one of listening to The Countdown. I’m thinking it might have even been on the 2013 Year-End episode… In any case, it made me feel like Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade, that I had chosen wisely by drinking the Appetite For Distraction Kool-Aid. I also love it because even though it’s really unlike any other song off Bastille’s Bad Blood, it’s an excellent gateway song INTO that album, where you discover so much more. “Oh, where do we begin? The rubble or our sins.” Just the symbolism and metaphor or whatever between the historical destruction of Pompeii and the breakdown of a relationship or even one’s self… How do you recover? Gorgeousness and gorgeousity, I say. Definitely 5 stars and not only did it make the first mix of 2014, but it was one of the core songs I built that mix around. 

3. Cage The Elephant: Come A Little Closer ::: Here’s another one from the first mix of 2014! Too funny, I’m trying to write about these songs AS I’m listening, but these last two tracks… I just want to listen. I like the flow here. Makes me feel like I’m on a magical journey… The driving rhythms of the verses has me racing across plains and deserts, then the groove of the chorus puts me at the edge of a cliff, seeing the vast jungles and waterfalls below... And then you reach 2 minutes and 20 seconds and it all changes. You’re wandering along a dimly lit path, not exactly sure where you’ll end up, tension building with the repeated refrain, “Time flies by. They all sang along.” And then BAM daylight! Now that I think about it... it’s possible I got some of this imagery from watching the video back in January, but that doesn’t matter. The fact that this song can take me on this kind of internal journey every time I hear it says something. Just lovely. A++ would do business with again. 5 stars.

4. Foster The People: Coming Of Age ::: Okay. I’m not sure I recognize this… “Feels like…” something, right? Yeah, “Feels like I’m coming of age.” Okay... Hmmm, I’m not sure why I never went out of my way to track this song down. I’m actually digging it. Maybe I was turned off by him saying, “like an animal I protect my pride,” just following the sentiment that he hurts the ones he loves the most. I get there’s another meaning to word “pride,” but the metaphor gets muddied… And wasn’t he just on a boat or something? Still, I may have to give this another day in court. I really like the song “Warrior” by Kimbra which features Mark Foster (he’s Foster The People, right?)... Yeah, not bad. 4 stars. Mix contender. Oh wait… I thought it was wrapping up… Over a minute to go. THIS might actually be what lost me. I’m not a fan of the false ending. Return Of The King was pure Civil War leg amputation for me. Still, not bad.

5. Grouplove: Ways To Go ::: I DO NOT know this at all. I’m kind of loving it. OH! THIS IS GROUPLOVE! I LITERALLY just got chills. Their 2011 album just passed through the 35 Day Playlist. It was pretty much flawless. This must be off their latest release. At 47 seconds, restarting… Yeah, Amazon is DEFINITELY gonna be $10 richer this weekend. This is almost a total departure from their Never Trust A Happy Song but it’s still TRUE to who they are. Man… You know, when you have a song you love and you give it 5 stars, where can you go from there? Well, when you love it SO MUCH and you need that extra push over the cliff… You give it 6 stars. Seriously, I love this so hard core. Guaranteed to be on a future mix (unless, of course, the album offers even brighter gems, which is absolutely possible if not probable). 

6. Kings Of Leon: Supersoaker ::: Yeah, I don’t know this either. Not sure how to convey my sense of underwhelment after the wonder I just experience. Not terrible... Kinda sounds like The Strokes, I guess, but I promise you this isn’t Casablancas. Hmmm. It doesn’t really do much for me, but I could imagine this band capable of making something that would. So, if I HAD heard it on The Countdown, I’d still check out their other music. Okay, googling now. Oh, Kings Of Leon. I’m not really familiar with this band, but I just put their song “Wait For Me” on my July mix after hearing it WAY too briefly on The Countdown. So yeah, I could dig this band, but this particular song… 3 stars.

7. Linkin Park: A Light That Never Comes ::: Oooh! Nice change of pace. Again, not familiar. I’m starting to think this tracklist goes backwards chronologically from when it was on The Countdown? If so, there’s a good chance I’ll be less and less familiar as we go. I like this. Linkin’ Park? Guessing by the Rap-ish verse then the… I dunno… NOT rap-ish chorus? Google ahoy!... Called it! Linkin Park (no apostrophe). Checking my library… Yeah, I have no Linkin Park songs in my collection, but back in the day when I was a radio queen I heard my fair share of their work and this is LOT better than most of their stuff I remember. Kudos for evolution! Yeah. I’m definitely adding this to my collection, but I don’t really see it making one of my mixes. Just not in my “wheelhouse,” as the kiddies might say. Kind of a tough call rating-wise. Hmmm. 4 stars. Final answer.

8. Lorde: Royals ::: OOOH GIRL! Now THIS is all up in my alley. Perfect first single for the album. I remember James reading a comment where someone said, “we get it Lorde, you grew up poor.” He wondered if that’s what the whole album’s really about.. Well, it pretty much is and this song really encapsulates that sentiment. But the album is even MORE about the limits of what you can do for fun as a lower-class teenager and how, with the right people, you can make your own fun, even if you’re broke. So, at it’s core, it’s about friendship and bonding and disregarding the materialistic conventions pop culture tells you are needed in order to be happy. Definitely a 5 star song, but never quite made one of my mixes due to poor timing and me just loving “Ribs” more.

9. Lorde: Team ::: Ha! Another Lorde song. Actually, I wish I had known this was next, because, even more than “Royals,”  this song is really about the bonding and friendship aspects of the album. I gotta say, though, not my favorite song off the album. I see it DOES have 5 Stars in my library, but I’m gonna give it 4 stars for this mix. Maybe it’s just hearing it on The Countdown for SO LONG... What’s the opposite of Stockholm Syndrome? Dengue Fever? The truth is, after “Royals” the single choices off of this album have been rather disappointing and even angered me at times. Just SO MANY stronger songs on that album… “400 Lux,” “Buzzcut Season.” Hell, even Lorde herself has said “Ribs” is her favorite. I guess “Glory And Gore” wasn’t a terrible choice, but “A World Alone” would make a GREAT single because it’s a strong song but a departure from what she’s had on the radio so far… Damn. Now I just want to listen to Pure Heroine!

10. MS MR: Hurricane ::: Don’t know this. Dark and moody… Oooh. Wasn’t expecting a female voice. This is definitely working for me. Kind of Zola Jesus, or a darker Florence And The Machine… Okay, it’s MS MR. Never heard of them. Hmmm… I dunno. As it continues I have to say it’s good but not great. Like the Kings Of Leon song, I could see there being some more solid tracks on this album or from this band, but not sure I’d go out of my way to find out. I find it very odd that I’m more compelled to add that Linkin Park song to my collection before this. I mean, it’s totally the kind of thing I’ve been into more and more lately like CHVRCHES and Phantogram, but there’s just something… missing. For that reason alone, I’m gonna have to give it 3 stars. I SHOULD love it, but I don’t. 

11. The Neighbourhood: Afraid ::: Love this song. I know James has commented a few times how much it contrasts with the previous single “Sweater Weather,” and I have to agree. Sounds like it could be a completely different band, honestly… But it’s that contrast that makes me appreciate both songs all the more. The funny thing is, I was a HUGE fan of “Sweater Weather” when I first heard it, and was about to obtain the whole album back in early 2013… then I made the mistake of watching the video. Just… every single thing about it (aside from the music) turned me off. Then THIS song came on The Countdown… Or maybe it was on the 2013 Year-End, not sure. In any case, once I discovered it, I snatched it up real quick and put it on my first mix of 2014. I still have yet to check out the rest of the album, may have to give it a few listens on Spotify (NOT on YouTube) and see if it’s worth the pretty polly. 5 Stars.

12. Panic! At The Disco: Miss Jackson ::: I think I remember hearing this…. WOAH! That was unexpected. Is this Linkin Park again? Ha! Not bad. I’m assuming it’s called “Miss Jackson.” Wait… “Are you nasty?” Is this a Janet Jackson tribute song? Someone needs to mash this up with something off of Rhymefest’s Man In The Mirror. Hmmm. Again, not bad… Definitely makes my head move. But does every song that makes my head move deserve 4 or more stars?... Okay, I had to replay this one. There IS something here. I dunno... It’s fun. Nice integration of hip-hop elements in a mostly rock song, gets a little heavy in parts. Tough call. But you know what, now that I’m deep into this mix, I gotta start rating on a curve and give this 3 stars. *struggling internally* Man. It REALLY is a fun song, and if I were a Lincoln Park Trixie (no relation to the band…) and at some bar in Wrigleyville and this song came on, I’d probably cry out, “Oh my God! This is my JAM!” down the fifth drink some rando bought me and pull my girlfriends out onto the dancefloor. But I’m not. So yeah, 3 stars it shall be.

13. Pearl Jam: Sirens ::: Ahhh. I seriously CAN NOT believe how I fell for this song. I mean, if you would have told me that I’d EVER put a Pearl Jam song on a mix that wasn’t “Black” on a retro 90’s playlist, I would have laughed in your face. But there’s so much… beauty here. The music, the lyrics… It just grabbed a hold of me. I mean, just when he sings, “I study your face... The fear goes away...” and then that guitar solo. I’m sorry, it DESTROYS me. So yeah, this was on my second mix of 2014. So, of course, 5 stars. “I want you to know that should I go, I always loved you… Held you high above too.” And then he studies your face again and the fear continues to go away. Seriously, chills listening to this. Love it.

14. Phantogram: Fall In Love ::: OH MY GOD! Talk about being destroyed and chills, this song at 10 seconds… hell this WHOLE song. I think it’s EVERYTHING I love in new music right now. I have nothing to say. Go spotify, youtube, itunes, amazon this now because it’s just absolutely phenomenal. With a score of 730, it’s album of origin, Voices, shares the top spot for highest rating of the 20+ albums I’ve added to my music library so far this year. Don’t worry your pretty little heads, you’ll be subjected to my neurotic album rating system soon enough. So yeah. 5 stars and it was on my May mix this year.

15. Phoenix: Trying To Be Cool ::: And HERE is everything that… I won’t go as far as saying I HATE in today’s music, but it’s just… So much of nothing. It’s like someone took all the elements of what’s popular nowadays and ran them through a computer and it cranked out this song. Just the same dude with the same voice over the same synthy vanilla funk disco whatever… Thank you, no! And what’s worse is that these dudes trick me over and over again. I’ll hear a song and, on its face, it seems like the kind of music I’d like. So I go and buy the album and just find myself regretting everything, lost in this haze of white noise, you know... HA! I absolutely ADORE how appropriate it is that this song is called “Trying To Be Cool.” Also, it’s Phoenix, one of the very bands that tricked me in the past with their album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Boo-urns. If I had a gong I’d Jamie Farr the hell out of that thing, and these dudes would be off the stage. 3 stars. This might actually bump “Miss Jackson” up to 4 stars on the curve… We’ll see. 

16. Tame Impala: Elephant ::: Oooh. Sexy… Idiosyncratic. Hmmm. I’m kinda surprised that this even made The Countdown. I wonder how high it got. I don’t so much like it as I’m impressed that it has the balls to be what it is. No idea how to google this one. Shazam! Elephant. Tame Impala. Not sure which is the title and which is the band. I’ve already said twice in this review that it’s possible I’d find something I’d really like on a band’s album, even though I’m not particularly crazy about the song at hand. Well, here I have to say I think there’s an equal chance that I’d end up hating everything. In either case, I definitely want to check them out… Once I figure out which is the band and which is the song title. 4 stars.

17. Thirty Seconds To Mars: City Of Angels ::: Nice little digital opening. Drums kick in, good. Piano? Sweet. Only 45 seconds in and I might already be sold on this one… Ugh. Really? Okay, you know how I referenced “the same dude with the same voice,” earlier… well I forgot about the OTHER dude that’s on every other generic alternative pop song. Only difference from the dude who tricks me into thinking I’d like his music, I can not STAND this dude. I am so utterly disappointed right now. I mean, I was REALLY digging this. *sigh* And these lyrics! “The hills of Hollywood on fire.” Really? What, did he take the same creative writing class as Francine Smith? And I PROMISE you this guy thinks every word is gold too, cascading from his throat like water onto a hot summer sidewalk… Quelle dommage. I bet people LOVE this song. And you know what, I don’t fault them if they do. It’s definitely got its act down. I just… have no way of wrapping this up. 3 stars. Next.

18. Twenty One Pilots: House Of Gold ::: Oh dear… Just like that Elephant / Tame Impala song, I’m surprised to see this made the countdown… just for VERY different reasons. I mean, it’s cute and sweet and everything, but… OH MY! Child, what is this screaming nonsense??? Seriously, how was this even on the radio? Is Dr. Demento still on the air, because this belongs RIGHT between “Funny Farm” and “Spiders And Snakes.” I’m starting to fear I’ll never know what it’s like to feel happiness again. 3 stars.

19. Vampire Weekend: Unbelievers ::: THANK YOU! Another song I had heard on The Countdown and made a note to obtain at some point, but never got around to. Hmmm. I really like it, it’s got a kind of modern day Paul Simon feel… Wait… is this Vampire Weekend? Oh dear... *googling* Sure as sugar! So I basically just said what every other reviewer on earth has ever said about this band. Ha! In any case, now that I’ve been reacquainted with this track, it’s very likely to be on my next mix... In fact, as I sit here a month in the future, cleaning up this review, it has since seen it’s way onto my July mix. 5 stars.

20. Young The Giant: It’s About Time ::: FULL DISCLOSURE: When I first listened to this mix and wrote these reviews I was totally hating on this song. But, again, sitting here and now some 30 days later, it ain’t so bad... Honestly, now that I think about, I could probably write the exact same review here as for the opening track on this mix. Not really a fan but it’s definitely grown on me and it makes for a GREAT closer on a mix reflecting The Countdown. *shrug* I originally had it down for 3 stars and even used it to validate bumping that Linkin Park track up to 5. But let’s not go nuts… 4 stars, again compromising as we cross the finish line.

AND NOW WE SCORE!!! I know I threatened earlier to walk you through my obsessive rating system… But it’s not so hard to figure out. It’s a scale from 00X to X00… Or I guess 10 to 1000. This mix has 20 tracks, so let’s see. 
5 stars: 8
4 stars: 6
3 stars: 6
Take the sum of each rating, divide it by the total number of tracks, round up or down accordingly. [So like 8/20 = 0.4, so 4 goes in the first slot. 6/20 = 0.3, so 3 goes in the second slot, etc.] Final score 4-3-3, which is the lowest B on my scale. I know this may seem VERY forgiving since 433 is less than %50 of 1000, but it’s actually just under the top third of all 66 possible combinations of stars. So yeah, if you haven’t already figured it out, I’m an insane person. But I love my music, and I thank James for asking me to take on this guest review. If you made it through all 4000 words, I thank you for reading, and hope you found it at least a bit entertaining. Thanks!

Oh yeah… Here’s where most of my nonsense takes place ::: http://sleepoverjesus.tumblr.com/

Thank you so so so so so much Rickey. This was fantastic.

Guest Review of Countdown Tracks! (Episode 5)

It's time once again for a Guest Review. I have one mix CD of Countdown tracks still awaiting review, so sometime soon we're going to go back to songs from early 2012, but I have some more recent songs from a mix CD that I sent to my friend Shalini! I know her via the internet, because she is Internet Friends with my friend Erin (she did the second Guest Review).

So here are Shalini's thoughts on 20 songs from the Countdown. Some of these songs go back almost a year! In fact, the oldest song in this list (Atlas Genius - Trojans) debuted on Episode #130. And, of course, some of these songs are on the Countdown that will be going up on Sunday. Four of 'em, in fact. I'm not going to give away which four, but I bet you can figure it out!

And now! Heeeeeeeeeere's Shalini!


alt-J - Breezeblocks

Oh! I know this song. It’s….that song. On the radio.

I like it. It always reminds me of if the Swedish Chef from the Muppet Show started his own band, it would sound like this guy singing. There’s even a xylophone in it! (I think? It sounds like a xylophone.)

Atlas Genius - Trojans 

I know this song too. I even own it! Do I win something? Or are you trying to stump me? Because FAIL. I even know the name of the song (Trojans? Right? Which is a terrible name.), but that’s their fault for being understandable in their pronunciation, unlike Swedish Chef up there. I especially like the electric guitar (or…whichever instrument is playing that riff over and over again—did you know one of my sons absolutely loves music, and started watching Austin City Limits when he was two? Two. He had a favorite indie band and everything (it was Death Cab for Cutie, but he was also partial to My Morning Jacket, and I didn’t even know who My Morning Jacket was, and I was a young mom! In my twenties! Hip! Fine, I was never hip or young. You got me.) This song sounds nothing like My Morning Jacket or Death Cab. This sounds like a song stay-at-home moms listen to while running on the treadmill. That’s a compliment to me, but probably an incredible insult to music lovers everywhere.


Atlas Genius - If So

Peppy! I could also run to this on the treadmill. (I’m sorry Cool Band Guys.) And I’ve never heard it, so that’s probably extra Cool Band Guy points. It strangely makes me crave parmesan cheese. I don’t know why. I might just be hungry. 

It actually sounds a lot like the last song. [Good ears! Same Band!]


Capital Cities - Safe and Sound

This is horrible, but my kids take swimming lessons at a place called “Safe and Sound,” so that’s all I ever think of when I hear this song. I do really like it, except for the part where he says, “I could fill your cup,” which sounds vaguely porny. Ew. Wait, he also uses the phrase, “tidal wave of mystery,” and “hurricane of frowns.” As a writer, I must say I’m a little offended that this guy isn’t even TRYING. Come. On. 

Whatever, my river won’t evaporate. 


Daft Punk - Get Lucky

Daft Punk! Oh, the lyrics to this always get me. They’re so varied and veiled. What are they talking about? What do they want to DO? It’s like a Where’s Waldo of song lyrics! So mysterious! (I do like it.)

Fall Out Boy - My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light 'Em Up)

Oh, any song with clapping or simulated clapping has me at hello. Except, wait. I hate this.
 I really hate this guy’s voice. A lot. And…I don’t know, this sounds kind of like what The Eagles would sound like if they weren’t old and decrepit and awful musicians. 

Fast forward.


Fitz & the Tantrums - Out of My League

I’ve heard this song before, too. I really like it. Heeeey, this CD is MINE. I can listen to these songs again. Score! 

This song is super depressing though. Someone’s out of this guy’s league? Well, just wash your hair and put on a clean shirt, Cool Band Guy. You’re pretty talented, so don’t worry. Any girl who can’t see that isn’t worth your time. –Mother of another Future Cool Band Guy speaking 

[I think this song is more about being absolutely blown away by how lucky you are to be with the person you're with. Being sure that there must be some mistake. It's a happy song!]

fun. - Carry On

Somber. This is different. There’s a piano. Oh, it’s that man that sounds like Tracy Chapman. This is…fine. A little love ballad. Meh.


Imagine Dragons - Demons

Why do singers think that moaning into a microphone in the beginning of a song is what people want to hear? That’s not what I want to hear. Is there something written in music reviews that says artists should do that? No. 

I’ve heard this song a bazillion times and I kind of hate it now, but I think at one point I liked it a little. I don’t have much to say about it, just like I don’t have much to say about, like, Red Hot Chili Peppers, except that no one likes their songs as much as radio thinks we like their songs. Please stop.


Imagine Dragons - Radioactive

This sounds like a song that would be on Grey’s Anatomy. I haven’t watched that show in a long time, but I could see this played over a dramatic scene between Mer and Der and like, a surgery where someone bleeds out and they hug each other and are sad and then go home and cuddle on the sofa, but what about that poor guy who bled out on the table, Mer and Der? The life of a plot device is not for the weak of heart.

The Lumineers - Stubborn Love

I have this album. I really like The Lumineers. But I don’t understand the lyrics. “The opposite of love is…in dear?” ["The opposite of love is indifference." Does that help the line? It does for me.] That’s my guess, but that doesn’t make sense. Maybe these guys need to write for some poetry journals so we can all feel their broken-hearted pain. Also, ladies, don’t date sensitive guys who will write about you later in poetry journals and song lyrics. It sounds romantic now, but when you’re explaining to your kids how you knew the Kinks and yeah, you were Lola, it’s going to be awkward.


Mumford & Sons - Lover of the Light

Starts slow, picks up…a little. Could use some banjo. Banjo makes everything a little more peppy. This song is in the genre of what I like to call, “those songs on the album that no one gives a fuck about,” like the second book in a trilogy. Yeah.


Muse - Panic Station

This song is annoying me. Fast forward.


The Neighbourhood - Sweater Weather

Oh, Sweater Weather. This is just a strange song. I don’t want anyone’s hands in my sweater. Is that romantic? No, it’s not. It’s creepy. Get your hands out of the sleeves of my sweater, you cold-hearted man. Go far, far away.


New Politics - Harlem

This song reminds me of something cheerleaders would do a peppy routine with lots of backflips and claps to. I like it very much. 


Nine Inch Nails - Came Back Haunted

Nine Inch Nails played every single day of my high school. Just the beginning of this song makes me barf. If I listened to all of it, I would probably bleed out of my ears. I have never hated music more.


Of Monsters & Men - Mountain Sound

This song belongs on a pebbly Irish beach with, like, a thick cable knit sweater and a tambourine. With some soup. 


Silversun Pickups - The Pit

Is a chipmunk singing this song? I think so.


Thirty Seconds to Mars - Up in the Air

I can’t tell if it’s the synthesized music, the “fucked up on life” lyrics, or the “whoaaa ooo ooo” background girls singing, but this song is supremely awful.


Twenty One Pilots - Holding On To You

Last one! It seems to feature Chopsticks in the beginning, but it seems to work for the song. I think this is one of the only songs I haven’t heard before. And, hey, clever lyrics: “the mountain range of my left side brain,” “when we gonna stop with it/ lyrics that mean nothing/we were gifted with thought.” MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY. 

Well, unless it’s Katy Perry, because ROAR, I love her. 

Niiiice. These guys are good. I might say this is my favorite song on the whole CD. Bravo, Cool Band Guy. 

Thanks so so so so much to Shalini for this amazing Guest Review. 

Hey everyone! Shalini has a BOOK coming out in a couple of days! An actual book! Go over to her blog, READING AND CHICKENS,  for more information. 

No New Countdown: Guest Review and Video!!

So, this week has been an absolute train wreck. Lots of things going on and work and all of that. So, I have been unable to record a new podcast (beyond the first intro, which I do on Wednesday nights) for this week. BUT all is not lost. I have a guest review that my friend Andy (from RVA Playlist) sent me and I'm going to post a Radiohead music video, so that we can at least feature another aspect to OK Computer this week.

First, the video. This is one of the most memorable videos I've ever seen. And it's a video for one of the most memorable songs I've ever heard. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be very weirded out by the video for Paranoid Android!




And now, here's the Guest Review for some songs that were on the chart late last year. And some songs that are still on the chart this week. (The range is 5/5/12 to present to be specific. And episode 102 to present to be a different kind of specific. Wow. So it's been just over a year since the first of these songs entered the chart. And one of them is still on it!)

Last December, James sent me a CD with the top songs of the year (Note from James: they weren't technically the top songs of the year. They were just the songs that had come out since the last CD for Guest Review was completed. But some of these songs WERE the top songs of the year, so he isn't entirely wrong) and asked me to do a guest review giving my opinions on each track. I should have done this in January instead of being lazy not writing it until May. My opinions are so different now from when these songs first came out last year. I should also note that I really don't pay much attention to mainstream music, so many of these songs I'm hearing for the first time. But here it goes.

Alex Clare- Too Close

Even after listening to this song for half a year. I still feel like it's two songs that mesh into one. It's starts off as a nice dark pop song, but then goes into the hard synth rock and I don't think it meshes well.

AWOLNATION - Kill Your Heroes

It has a beat and you can dance to it. If you have no shame. I have no shame and am now dancing.

The Black Keys - Little Black Submarines

I really like this song. It's so soft and melancholy.  Then the 1:00 minute mark hits and we're treated to fun and raucous rock song. This does not disappoint.

Fun - Some Nights

I hated this song at first. Then loved it. Then hated it again because everyone else loved it. Then loved it again when they won a Grammy. Then hated it because radio would NOT STOP playing it. Then I loved it again. I miss The Format.

Green Day - Oh Love

While I love Green Day, I stopped paying attention to them after "21st Century Breakdown." I had completely forgotten they were releasing 3 albums in a row in 2012 and this song sounds a lot of what I've expected from the group. Very pop-friendly rock. I personally want to see a return to albums like "Insomniac."

Imagine Dragons - It's Time

I really like this song and I feel like it completely came out of nowhere. Very upbeat and fun. And I totally thought their name was Magic Dragons when I first heard them. I really liked that name.

The Killers - Runaways

Every Killers song now is sounding the same. Or rather every Killers song that's released to the radio now is sounding the same.

Linkin Park - Burn It Down

Linkin Park doing what they do best. Be loud and synth-rock-y.

The Lumineers - Ho Hey

I am so tired of the Lumineers right now. This song needs to not be played anymore.

Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait

This song got me into Mumford & Sons. Yes, I missed the boat when "Little Lion Man" came out and everyone went all crazy for them. I really enjoy this song. It's simple but very good. And the "raise my hands" part gets me every time.

Muse - Madness

This one grew on me. I like Muse but wasn't feeling this song at first. Each listen made it more enjoyable.

The Offspring - Days Go By

Listening to the Offspring always makes me smile. They’ve been my favorite band since high school and I remember the days were I would fall asleep listening to every album they had on my CD Walkman. While I like “Days Go By,” there are so many better songs on the album I wish they had gone with. And while they don’t really do anything new, it does manage to invoke the history and style of every one of their albums since 1989. And yes, I know every single song they’ve done by heart.

Passion Pit - Take A Walk

I like this song but I hate the chorus. The "take a walk" part gets on my nerves every time.

The Shins - Simple Song

I have a love/hate relationship with the Shins. Ever time we played the Pandora station at work, whatever artist we chose to play, it would always, ALWAYS, play the Shins. It never failed. It got to a point where I couldn’t listen anymore because I was so tired with the Shins. And then they had to release a new album – and a great one at that. After this album came out, we started listening to it constantly and once again, the Shins were back in our musical lives at work. "Simple Song" is still my favorite off the album.

Silversun Pickups - Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)

I want to like this song, but I just can't. Sorry, Silversun Pickups. Play with Bloody Mary? No.

Walk the Moon - Anna Sun

This song just gets me in a good mood. I'm always pumped when I listen to this. Put this in your "get ready for the day" mix.

Youngblood Hawke - We Come Running

Why was this song not played more often last year? A catchy sing-along chorus and a whole bunch of whoa-oa-oa's? This has pop hit written all over it.

Guest Review of Countdown Tracks! (Episode 3)

And so we find ourselves with another guest review! This time, it's by the illustrious and delightful Tricia from I Sing in the Kitchen: A blog where she showcases musical treats and delicious eats! 9 times out of 10, I'm drooling by the end of her posts. It's a great site. Check it out.

We're still hoping to get Betsy's review of the tracks Erin reviewed in Episode 2. I'm not worried about her reviewing old songs. The point is not keeping up to date. The point is getting fresh perspectives on songs we listen to!

You can find the tracks she talks about on my podcasts starting on Episode 66. And there are still songs on the countdown I'll record this week! As always, if you would like to listen to an old episode that is no longer available to download, let me know and I'll hook you up!

Tricia's Guest Review
 
The Black Keys-Lonely Boy

What you get from this song is rocking fun. It is exactly the uptempo mess of music that
made The Black Keysʼ album ʻBrothersʼ one of my favorite albums of 2010.

“Whoa-oh-oh”

Blink 182-Up All Night

Up All Night takes off with an Edgar Winterish Frankenstein vibe.

Epic drums, indie rock and roll. A wall of jam-out sound.

“Do you want me here?” Thatʼs my favorite part for its calmer feel.

Bush-The Sound Of Winter

Here we have more of that typical post-grunge sound not unlike the Blink 182 track.

Unlikely love songs, such as this one, always make me smile. The music points more to
a night of billiards in a smoky bar than a guy declaring that “Iʼll be with you until the
end.”

Coldplay-Paradise

It is only in the past year that I have become a fan of Coldplay. My son played Clocks at
his piano recital and I was sold.

Coldplayʼs music is catchy, if not completely predictable. Honestly, if you donʼt pay close
enough attention, a whole busload of Coldplay songs could come on in a row before
you look up and say “Oh, listen to that. Itʼs Coldplay.” Again, the music is good, but not
ʻstop you in your tracks listen modeʼ.

And, what do you know? Another song with a prominent “Whoa-oh-oh”.

Foster The People-Helena Beat

It appears that we are now leaving indie land and heading to the dance lounge. This
song is cosmo in one hand, Jon Hamm looking dude in the other. You would clap along,
but you donʼt want to spill your drink.

I can see a Macarena type dance getting made to go along with Helena Beat.

Janeʼs Addiction-Irresistable Force

Arryhthmic rhythms, like in this song, are so cool. I love the bass line and the irresistible
hook, too.

You know, there is almost a “Whoa-oh-oh” in there.

“Banging and banging and banging”. Sounds like Janeʼs Addiction still has the magic
touch.

The Joy Formidable-Whirring

From the opening notes of ʻWhirringʼ you expect it to morph into ʻLiving In Colourʼ by
Frightened Rabbit.

The insistent drums are excellent.

The way that the music drags on at the end of the song isnʼt really my thing. I tend to
like a cleaner finish. However, that said, I can understand how this frenetic build up
appeals to some music fans especially when seeing the band live.

Mumford & Sons-Roll Away Your Stone

I love every song on the album ʻSigh No Moreʼ, this song being no exception.

That banjo! Lead singer Marcus Mumfordʼs voice. Lyrics so full of passion and vivid
images.

I really enjoy the slowing down and speeding up that occurs throughout Roll Away Your
Stone, culminating in the final round of “Stone”. My feet canʼt tap any harder.

Red Hot Chili Peppers-The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie

I love this hazy-gazey tune.

I want to press myself against a full body speaker and let that bass course through me.

Hey Now, catchy, cool.

“I want to rock this body proud.”

Rise Against-Make It Stop (September's Children)

Even more “Whoa-oh-ohs”!

This is a ʻuse your cell phone flashlight in a cigarette lighter kind of wayʼ song.

I envision college age boys listening to Make It Stop while playing beer pong or shining
up the skateboard.

Switchfoot-Dark Horses

See comments for the previous song and replace “Whoa-oh-ohs” with “La la las”.

Young The Giant-Cough Syrup

I canʼt even believe it--More “Whoa-oh-ohs”!

I love this song.

“Lifeʼs too short to even care at all”.

Light, poppy, infectious.

Whoa-oh.

311-Sunset In July

Yes, please.

I will take this song to an expensive restaurant and then out for drinks. That is how
much I like it.

I adore the drum/guitar interplay.

Now, you must be kidding me. Is that a “Whoa-oh-oh” I hear?


End of Review

Thanks Tricia! It's so great to hear people's writing styles mirror the way they speak and think about things! Tricia noticed that a lot of the songs had "Whoa-oh" in them. Here's a song by NOFX about that:

NOFX - Whoa on the Whoas from 45 or 46 Songs That Weren't Good Enough To Go On Our Other Records

Guest Review of Countdown Tracks! (Episode 2)

I asked one of my best friends in the entire world to listen to all the tracks we'd had on our countdown (at the time I sent it to her) that Andy didn't review a couple months ago and she came back with this. She also asked her friend Betsy to review them, too, and I will post that as soon as I get it! And now....Here's Erin!

PS. Erin has a blog where she talks about life with her new baby. Her baby is adorable and I think you'll find Erin is a very comfortable writer. You can find her blog HERE.

PPS. You can find the tracks she talks about on my Podcasts starting on Episode 40. And there are still some songs on the countdown I'll record this week! If you try to download an old episode and it's no longer available, let me know and I'll re-link it.

Erin's Guest Review

A disclaimer: It could be said that I am … not overly into music. My taste runs toward pop and ‘80s hair bands (my iPod contains a crap-ton of Bon Jovi and Backstreet Boys), and I may or may not have the entire Newsies soundtrack on repeat. My husband finds it utterly hilarious that I am doing a music review for James. In fact, when I told him about it, he said, “I want to be there when you listen to these songs, just so I can laugh at your reactions.” (He’s not here, though. If I waited for a time when he was here and the baby was asleep so I could actually do this, I would be missing out on precious hours of my own sleep. The joys of parenthood!)

A few things before I get going:

1)      I’m listening blind. James gave me the list of songs names and artists, but I have a tendency to decide I hate a band based on one song, so to avoid allowing myself to go into this with any sort of bias, I am not looking at the song titles or artists until I’m done. And since I’m terrible at recognizing bands based on sound, it’s unlikely that I’ll recognize the band without knowing ahead of time who it is, unless it’s a band I really like. If it’s one I’ve only heard one or two songs by, I won’t recognize it. At any rate, if I have more to add after I find out who the band is, I’ll put that in brackets after the initial review. {And I, James, will comment on anything that I find comment-able in these squiggly brackets, and I'll italicize it like this too}

2)      James told me I’m only allowed to say, “Ick” to one song, so I must choose wisely. He knows me well.

So here I go. Reviewing music, and stuff. Whee!

                                                                                                                      

1)      The Airborne Toxic Event: Changing. I like this one! I don’t really have anything intelligent to say on it, but I could listen to it again. Which is, for me, high praise. I feel like I may have heard it before, or at least maybe I’ve heard the band before.

2)      AWOLNATION: Sail. Ick. That’s right, I’m using my “ick” early, but I can’t help it. This song reminds me of both high school open mic nights (and not in a good way) and empty Army bunkers. (I don’t know what that means either, but that’s the mental image I got while I was forcing myself to listen to this whole song.)

3)      Beastie Boys: Make Some Noise. This totally sounds like the Beastie Boys. I dig it. [OMG, this actually IS the Beastie Boys. I thought they broke up or something. I totally did not think this was actually them.] {They are still going strong, even though one of them, Adam Yauch, was recently diagnosed with cancer. He's in remission, I believe was the last news. The album that this track comes from, Hot Sauce Committee, Part Two, has been hailed as their best since Hello Nasty}

4)      The Black Keys: Howlin’ For You. Was this song on an episode of “So You Think You Can Dance”? I think it was. I just tried to Google it but I couldn’t find anything, so maybe I’m making that up. Anyway, I like this one too. I got a little bored by the end, but I tend to have a short attention span.

5)      Coldplay: Every Teardrop is a Waterfall. Why does this seem reminiscent to me of the Ataris’ cover of “The Boys of Summer”? Not that it sounds like that song, but it’s got the same feel to it, for me. I would listen to this with the windows down, head-bobbing and not even feeling like I should turn the volume down at stoplights (which I usually do, out of embarrassment and respect for my fellow drivers – the rest of the world doesn’t need to hear my circa-2001 Britney and the soundtrack to Wicked). [Okay, Coldplay? Really? Would not have guessed that.]

6)      Death Cab for Cutie: You Are A Tourist. Crap, what is the name of this band? I recognize this band, I like this band, they did “Birdhouse in Your Soul” … They Might Be Giants! Gah, that would have made me crazy. Thank goodness for Google. Although this doesn’t sound like them except for the singer. Maybe I’m wrong. Either way, I like this. Again, with the head-bobbing. [Surprise! It’s not They Might Be Giants. Is Death Cab a side project of the singer for TMBG? This right here shows you what I know about music. Half the people reading this right now want to slap me, and the other half are probably too busy crying to want to slap me.] {I never saw the similarities between Ben Gibbard (lead singer of Death Cab)'s voice and John Linnell (lead singer of TMBG)'s voice until now.}

7)      Foo Fighters: Rope. I like this one. So does the baby. She’s been singing along. She should be napping, but whatever. If she’s going to be in a good mood and let me do this, I’m okay with her being awake.

8)      Foo Fighters: Walk. I’ve heard this before! I don’t know who it is or where I’ve heard it, though. My guess is that it’s been on Alt Nation and I’ve heard it in my husband’s car. More head-bobbing, on my part and my daughter’s. Though hers might be because she’s only five months old and her neck doesn’t work super-well yet.

9)      Foster the People: Pumped Up Kicks. I am bored with the first 45 seconds of this song. Perhaps it will pick up? … Yes. Yes, it picked up, but it’s still pretty repetitive. I am not revoking the “ick” from song #2, though, because this one is just boring, it doesn’t make me want to stab my eyeballs out. Lorelai seems to like it, she’s singing along again.

10)   Incubus: Adolescents. This one reminds me of Incubus. I don’t think it’s Incubus, I think Incubus might be too mainstream for this list, but it’s got some of the same … I don’t know what they’re called. Sound things. Not the instruments themselves, but some of the same types of sounds that the instruments make. James, aren’t you glad you asked me to review music for you? [Wow, I called another one! I am awesome!] {That's what they call them in the industry: "Sound Things" ;-)}

11)   Middle Class Rut: New Low. I don’t have anything clever to say about this one. I didn’t like or dislike it. It just was. {Frequent listeners to the podcast will remember that this song got overwhelmingly average reviews. And here's another one}

12)  Mumford & Sons: The Cave. I recognize this group too, but can’t identify it. I’m enjoying the Irish-sounding riffs. [This right here is why I didn’t look at the artists before I listened. Mumford & Sons has another song that annoys the crap out of me and I’d have disliked this one without giving it a chance if I had seen it was them before I heard it.]

13)   Rise Against: Help is On the Way. This one’s okay. I don’t love it, but it’s fine. If it came on the radio, I would listen to it – but only after making sure my other presets didn’t have something better (but I do that even if a song I love comes on). Oh, wait. I just got to the screamy part. I don’t like the screamy part. Why do singers feel the need to do that? They take a perfectly nice song and go and add in the screamy parts that make my throat hurt just listening to them. [Rise Against did another song back when my husband and I first started dating that he put on a mix CD for me, and I actually rather liked it. I don’t remember what it was called and I don’t know that I’ve heard anything by them since, but I do like them. And I probably like this song even more now that I know it’s theirs, because that’s how I roll.] {I will wager 1000 no-bucks that he put "Swing Life Away" on the mix CD.}

14)   Seether: Country Song. This is another one that I don’t love but I could listen to if it came on the radio. I like the harder parts, the verses in between kind of bore me a little though.

15)   Social Distortion: Machine Gun Blues. Oooh, I like this. This sounds like something you’d hear in a movie in a scene where the main characters are at some underground music club seeing an obscure band that seems like a no-big-deal scene but then turns out to come around full circle when at the end the guy sends her tickets to see the band as a peace offering after their fight, and then he shows up there and they make up to the sounds of the same song they were hearing in the first scene. (Why yes, I did just watch a movie where this happened. My taste in movies is about as deep as my taste in music. You should see my DVR, the amount of reality TV would gag you.) {We just watched "Going the Distance", too!}

16)   Sublime with Rome: Panic. This sounds like an angry version of Save Ferris. Although I think Save Ferris is a ska band (yes?) and the thing that defines ska is the horns, which I don’t hear in this song. But they might be there and I just don’t hear them. That happens a lot. Oh, no, wait, there is a horn. I think. Maybe. Anyway, angry Save Ferris. [Sublime with Rome? Like, those are two groups joining forces? Sublime, like “Caress Me Down” Sublime? I thought that guy died.] {Sublime with Rome is the two surviving members of Sublime playing with new lead singer Rome Ramirez. Save Ferris was indeed a ska band (they broke up a few years back) and Sublime (and Sublime with Rome, I would imagine) had ska elements to the music, but I wouldn't call them a ska band in the same way I would call Save Ferris a ska band. And yeah, the horns are there, they're just a little bit down in the mix.}

17)   Young the Giant: My Body. I could dance to this. Not well, because I’m a crappy dancer, but this could easily be in one of my dance-party-in-the-living-room-to-make-the-baby-stop-fussing playlists.

18)  Naked and Famous: Young Blood. I’m not loving this one. I mean, it’s okay, but it’s not really doing anything for me. Let’s go back to the Beastie Boys one

End of Review

Thanks so much, Erin. It's actually kind of REALLY refreshing to have someone not immersed in this music (ok...random indentation...) giving it a listen.

If you are interested in doing a guest review of countdown songs, shoot me an email at aodblog@gmail.com and we'll hook it up.