There's More To Life Than Chronic Dissatisfaction

Originally posted 3/16/04

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Well, I'm not really re-stocked on music, yet. I have begun reloading songs, and finding a bunch of new music that I scavenge from the mounds of bad CDs to be found in the freebie piles. I've actually mined a few gems over the past few weeks. One was by a relatively new band called Young & Sexy.

Born out of a chance meeting at a coffee house (if the bio is to be believed) this alt-pop, adult pop group is the kind of intelligent but catchy stuff you are mostly likely to never hear on the radio again. The best example of the imploding music business and sheer inbred corruptness of corporate radio is the fact that this intelligent, talented group will never get air play, despite two excellent CDs.

Formed in the early to mid '90s, this group didn't release an album until 2002, with Stand Up For Your Mother. In 2003, they released the follow up Life Through One Speaker which is what I found down in the dining center. Reviewers constantly compare their harmonies to the Beatles, but I swear ANYONE who uses harmonies is compared to the Beatles; as if harmonies didn't exist before John and Paul tried 'em out.

The hardest part about this is selecting which track to send. This is really an album and works best when heard as a whole. My favorite track is a melancholy ode full of post-modern irony, comments on religion and politics, and still manages to be a simple and honest love song. It features the stunning voice of Lucy Brain in a quiet, reflective... minimalist piece. I can easily picture her singing this in a dark and smoky bar, haloed by the spotlight with the quiet accompaniment coming from the dark background and the audience quietly absorbed.

You might want to take this one home... because it deserves an undistracted listen.
"More Than I Can Say" by Young and Sexy.

Transfixed By The Inner Sound

Originally posted 3/2/04

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Anyway... today's tune is a request. A number of folks sent in songs they would like to hear, so I just picked one for today. Another classic '80s alternative blast from the past... one of those cult classics anyone over 25 should at least be passing familiar with... Siouxsie & the Banshees.

Interesting fact I only recently learned, John Simon Ritchie... better known as Sid Vicious... started with the Banshees as they're first drummer, before joining the Sex Pistols. Siouxsie & The Banshees were one of the longest running acts to come out of the '70s London punk scene, their last album The Rapture, coming in 1995.

For a band whose first gig consisted of nothing more than a 20 minute screaming and grinding guitar version of the Lord's Prayer, they certainly changed their sound as they grew without ever losing a truly avant garde sound.

Pop Fusion

Originally posted 2/25/04

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Since I was out on Monday... today is Tuesday for me. (At least that is my excuse for not sending this yesterday, and I'm sticking to it!)

Based on the poll the only other category to receive a vote was Folk/World. I figured I'd dig around in my music files and see what I can come up with. Both examples I found actually blend their genres with serious pop influences, so I went with the more current of the two.

The Afro Celt Sound System has been around for almost ten years now, getting their first real exposure at the WOMAD festival in 1995. They have four studio albums, my favorite being 1999's Volume 2: Release which continued their Irish/West African electronic fusion of sounds into a truly alternative pop sound. The track I've selected "Lovers of Light" is simple and addictive. You could put it on REPEAT and keep yourself groovin' for a long time. I think it matches my mood now that the days are getting noticeably longer and the sun was bright and warm today. (Well... warmER, anyway.)

Enjoy.

This Is How To Use An Organ

Originally posted 2/10/04

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Well... Pop/Rock won handily in last week's poll... but then I was never going to stop sending Pop/Rock tunes. That's my true love, but this week, I thought I'd go with the second place vote... something in the Jazz/Blues area.

Now, I'm not a Jazz aficionado... nor can I listen to too much of the blues in any one sitting... but I do like them both. I dug around in my very limited collection for something enjoyable and not too heavy. Sometimes listening to Miles or Mingus can be like reading Literary Criticism. Deep, insightful... but slow going, difficult and not really what I'd call fun.

To that end, I chose a piece from Reuben Wilson. Originally part of the acid jazz and soul/jazz period in the late 60's, Reuben recorded three albums of organ music for Blue Note during that time, but never hit it really big. Wasn't heard from much until the early to mid 90's when retro acid jazz became all the rage and his previous albums became collectors items. (No, I don't have those...) During this time Reuben made new recordings, including the 1998 "Organ Donor." This was a re-recording of his more popular tunes, made with new, young, hip-hop influenced artists backing him up. I dunno from Jazz, and this album didn't get the best reviews, but I find this music infectious. I selected my favorite track. One entitled "Orange Peel." Enjoy.

It Was Good In The Beginning

Originally posted 2/3/04

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Quiz: How long until the next date is a sequential set of numbers like today. 2/3/04... hmmmmmmm.

Anyway, back to the Tuesday Tune. Though I live a little too much in the past, I can still find current music that I enjoy. Top of the list in that category is Pete Yorn. (Mr. Fugate anticipated my selection yesterday, by asking if I had any of Pete's music to send to him. Freaky.)

An alt-rocker in the classic singer/songwriter vein, Yorn made a huge splash in '01 with his debut musicforthemorningafter. He was a session drummer and guitarist before this, playing with the likes of Liz Phair. (I read somewhere that he pulled off the dream-come-true scenario, performing impromptu for a record exec and getting a deal out of it.) His "Just Another" was later featured on the WB's Dawson's Creek... which doesn't sound like much of a recommendation, but believe me, even the sappy young adult prime time soaps show some taste now and then.

His sophomore project was the album The Day I Forgot, and while the critics thought it not quite "all that" when compared to his debut, I liked it even better! (I'm an INTP... have to do it MY way, darnit!) There is one clunker of a song that disrupts the flow of the album as a whole, but I personally find each individual track both powerful and catchy. Yorn shows he isn't afraid to let a simple pop hook run free.

I chose "Crystal Village" for this week's tune, striking me as particularly appropriate sentiment for this time of life. It speaks to how things were... and aren't anymore... but without the angst and melodrama. Instead, the lyrics indicate a wistful optimism... acceptance of what is gone coupled with a belief that there is still something new and good to be discovered.

Living In The Gap Between Past & Future

Originally poste 1/20/04

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Since I'd heard some comments about the lack of Tuesday Tunes, I thought I'd try again. I looked at the mailing list and had to clean it up a bit... I'm sorry if I left anyone off the previous list.

Anyway... having done some driving over the past weekend, I had a car full of music. This was a CD I hadn't listened to in a long time. Once again, my choice is evidence of my rather eclectic tastes and 80's alt-pop-rock bias.

As past Tuesday Tune ramblings have indicated, I certainly tie my personal history to music. The songs I was listening to define the times. In my mind, certain albums are the definitive of their era. For the 80's, I've always felt that The Clash's London Calling was the album that ushered IN the decade (technically 1979, but hey, this is just my opinion). Not nearly as well known though, I feel that Kate Bush with The Sensual World was the last truly 80's album.

In my world the King of 80's pop wasn't Michael Jackson, it was Peter Gabriel. Kate Bush was the Queen. Mainstream may have had Madonna, but Kate was the true original. Though she had one more studio album in '93... The Sensual World was truly her big finish. The techno-layering of the 80's still comes through, but you can see that she grew up with the decade. This album shows her maturity as she begins to leave much of her eclecticism aside and delving into some truly lush sounds. Her voice, always unique, powerful and stirring, never sounded so good.

My favorite song off the album is "Love & Anger", which I've attached here. It is a strangely practical, cathartic, introspective, almost-love song that has a sense of both "past & future" (as she puts it) to it's message. Her final, husky, satisfied "Yeah" at the end seems to me a fitting send off for the decade of my youth.

Mind The Gap!

So... as I was reposting these, I got to this point in my files and realized that while I'd been somewhat regular up until now... my sending out of the Tuesday Tune abruptly ceased that July of 2003, and would not resume for five months. I have no recollection of why in particular I stopped. Lots of difficult things were going on in my life throughout the six plus years I sent out the songs, but for some reason it came to a screeching halt at this point.

I'm kind of intrigued about what happened, but I don't know if I'll ever remember. Perhaps I just got lazy.

It Is A Cutting Thing, Growing Old

Originally posted 7/2/03

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Yeah... I know it's Wednesday, but I'm sending this out in desperation.

During my lunch hour I stopped in at the Record Exchange to look for some used CDs. (You can find some great bargains if you are willing to hunt through the cheap stuff.) First thing I noticed, though, was that it was no longer "The Record Exchange" and was now, simply, "The Exchange."

Turns out that not enough of their customers even know what a record is. Seriously, the dude behind the counter told me this with a straight face.

Feeling old, here... and it gets worse.

So while I'm scanning through the Electronica section the two young employees were discussing what to listen to next on the overhead system. They decided on some "old stuff" (his words) and put on The Cure Staring At The Sea." The gir... er... young woman laughed and danced and said, "I just love this stuff! It's classic!"

Like as in "Classic Rock" or other OLD things.

I smiled and said, "I owned this on vinyl." Then I made my little purchase asking for a senior citizens discount and staggered out the door on my walker.

Gah!!

So in my attempt to act somewhat hip and current, I'm only going back as far as 1998 for today's tune. Air is a French duo creating ambient electronica with a lot of pop stylings. They are best known for the Virgin Suicides Soundtrack. Their debut CD, Moon Safari, is an eclectic and addictive album that is darn near perfect in it's melding of older pop elements with modern electronic equipment. This is the opening track from Moon Safari, called "La Femme d'Argent"

I like it, even if I think I'm getting hard of hearing in my old age.

Cowboys Are No Fun At All!

Originally posted 6/24/03

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It's been a while since we've had a Tuesday Tune. I've been inspired by the unfolding drama taking place in Mark Trail's Arizona Adventure, so I thought I'd look for an appropriate soundtrack for the strip.

Title Theme - "Desert Rose" by Sting
Meth Addict Beth's Theme - "Being Alone Together" by David & David
The Eagle chick's Theme - "Feed Me" by Julianna Hatfield
The Injured Eagle's Theme - "Fly Away" by Lenny Kravitz
The Side-burn Badguys' Theme - "The Fun Lovin' Criminal" by Fun Lovin' Criminals
The Bobcat's Theme - "Kitty" by Presidents of the United States of America
Bob's Theme - "Our Love Would Be Much Better (If I Gave A Damn About You...)" by DAG
Devil Child's Theme - "Bad Baby" by Public Image Limited
The Giant Lizard's Theme - "Godzilla" by Blue Oyster Cult

But for our main man Mark Trail we need a special theme

"Here Come Cowboys" by the Psychedelic Furs.

"Here come Cowboys. Here to save us all. Here come Cowboys. They're so well inside the law. Here come Cowboys. They're no fun at all."

Seems to me to nail ol' Mark right on the head.

(For characters outside this current storyline, I suggest the following...

Cherry's Theme - "Spooky Girlfriend" by Elvis Costello
Doc's Theme - "Medicine Show" by Big Audio Dynamite
Rusty's Theme - hmmmm... maybe "Posterchild for Tragedy" by Sugarbomb? (Not sure on this one.)

Anyway... enjoy!

Nothing Common About The Common Man

Originally posted 5/27/03

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David mentioned this song many months ago, and when I went shopping at Borders this weekend I remembered to pick up a copy.

Copland’s Appalachian Spring is such a ubiquitous collection of pieces it is hard to escape them. “Rodeo” (in its four parts) is used in movies and for beef commercials. “Spring” is simply one of the most played orchestrated pieces ever!

The most famous of course, is “Fanfare For The Common Man” which I have attached here. Utilized straight or bastardized for uncountable sports shows and movies, this song is truly ingrained in our cultural medulla oblongata.

That’s not a bad thing. It’s quite the inspirational piece. Enjoy.

The Commitments I Swear

Originally posted 4/29/03

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If you’ve seen the movie The Commitments you’ll know what I’m talking about.

My friend Matt and I were sitting in a theatre years ago, watching this movie based on the book by Roddy Doyle, when we turned to each other and said, “Hothouse Flowers!” at the same time.

The movie/book, for those of you unfamiliar, follows a group of young Irish musicians as they try to form a classic blues based rock and roll band. It’s a wonderful movie, with excellent music, and well worth a rental.

Hothouse Flowers is a band from the late 80's early 90's that fits the same description. Classic story of schoolmates putting a band together. Liam O’Maonlai and Fiachna O’Broainain (What great names!) putting roots rock, gospel sound and Irish folk together and making some most excellent music. They were getting rave reviews but no contract, until U2’s Bono saw them and got them their first deal.

They haven’t done much since their third album in ’93, but all three albums, People, Home and Songs From The Rain are worth owning.

This tune is from their first and is called “I’m Sorry.” You won't be sorry if you listen to this one!

Love Receive This Romeo

Originally posted 4/15/03

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Feeling maudlin, today.

Previously we’ve spoken of those songs that resonate most on the late night drives through darkness. Today though is the first really hot and beautiful day of this year (here in Michigan at least). Life will out, and sometimes there is nothing to do but enjoy it.

The following are the lyrics for today's tune which is from the 1993 album Pain Makes You Beautiful, by the Judybats. I’d followed this group since their debut in 1990, and this album was always my favorite. It struck the right chord in my life at the time. The song is “All Day Afternoon” and its lyrics tread the line between poetry and painful doggerel. Still, I find them a paean to the hope and promise I remember, back when I was young enough to still have some.

Love receive this Romeo
Novice see, novice do
Novice shake and need someone and hope some sweet survive
Radiance reveal itself
Have someone say him beautiful
Beautiful beyond the eye, beyond this flesh nontruth

CHORUS
All day afternoon I-love-ya's
All day afternoon let sun shine down
All day afternoon taking things as the come and then so gently watching
them go

Gently traipsing on the wire
Falling soon, falling soon
Falling preclude being one with every non-new thing
Lifting up and letting blow
Swaling down
Swirling go
Swirling into open arms
Embrace him youngsung youth

CHORUS

Waiting for the coronation of gods
Paper thin the poetry come rapture my heart
Gear me in the griding moon and turn me to dust
Let me levitate and learn the loins of love's lust
Love receive this Romeo
Novice see, novice go
Novice shake and need someone to rip him through this ride
Radiance reveal itself
Have someone say him beautiful
Beautiful beyond the lie that flesh will tell the truth

CHORUS

Red Hair And Black Leather

Originally posted 4/8/03

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I am without a theme for another week. It is so much easier to pick a song when folks have been discussing Mark Trail oddities or the Friday Question has engendered some strange tangent commentary. Right now, it’s all work, the cold and snow, or the Women’s NCAA Basketball Championship tonight (GO UCON!)… none of which are necessarily musically inspiring.

So I just selected a song I liked, from an artist I’ve admired for years. One of the founding members of Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson was in the vanguard of folk rock in the late ‘60s. He left to pursue a solo career, which had the dubious credit of containing the worst selling record in Warner Bros history. It was with his wife, Linda, that he had the greatest breakthrough with one of the most powerful albums I’ve ever heard, Shoot Out The Lights. This album documents the painful end to the Thompson’s legal and musical marriage and is well worth a listen.

Richard went back into the relative obscurity of critical acclaim for the rest of the 80's and then surfaced in 1991 with the amazing Rumor and Sigh. A touch of pop flavor to this album brought him more notice, but it is the folk ballad “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” I wanted to share today. It really showcases his song writing, guitar playing and understated vocals to a perfect degree… and you can’t beat a classic story of romantic tragedy.

Something Special In Bird Land!

Originally posted 4/1/03

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April Fools!

Just a little ditty to send you on your way. My vote for one of the best single of the ‘90s. Infectious pop, hip hop, blues and jazz. US3, from their first album. The song was pretty ubiquitous at the time. Probably familiar to many of you. Hard not to tap the foot and do a little chair dancing to this one.

Have a good evening!

A Cameo In The Rushes

Originally posted 3/25/03

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Based on the movie question that has been circulating in email I thought I’d continue the theme in the Tuesday Tune. This week, we have a song from ’91… from another artist who’s promising career was brought to a screeching halt by Nirvana, Pearl Jam and the grunge "alternative rock" movement that exploded in ’92.

Born Wesley Harding Stace, John Wesley Harding is a Brit folk rock artist with some serious shoes to fill. (One guess where his name comes from.) For the movie theme part of this deal I chose Wes, as he’s called by people other than me, because he certainly had a penchant for movie themed references. His first album was It Happened One Night… his second was Here Comes The Groom… and his third, from which I’m selecting today’s song, was The Name Above The Title. (Three more guesses as to the link between all these.)

While Name isn’t the greatest album in the world it really hooked me at the time, and it was the soundtrack for the summer of that year. Today’s selection is a little too obvious for this theme, but hey... "The Movie Of Your Life."

I Won't Stop And Falter

Originally posted 3/18/03

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Because "A" was bugging me, I'm sending out another Tuesday Tune. This one comes from a Saturday night shopping spree at 01. Having recently worked on some "Album Cover" quizzes (had to name band and album title from just the cover) I realized that I was missing some classic 80's discs that I otherwise had only on vinyl or tape.

I picked up Kate Bush's Sensual World as well as the Psychedelic Furs, Talk, Talk, Talk. From the 90's, I picked up Blur's Modern Life Is Rubbish.

The king of the picks was from '85, though. The heyday of synth pop, by a true master. I bought Howard Jones', Dream Into Action. This is a classic piece album from the days of "Instruments? Who needs instruments? I've got a Casio!"

Actually, I really like this stuff in a nostalgic, "Wasn't this cool!" kind of way. Jones had two great albums, this and Human's Lib and he was a dynamite "one man show" live performer. He proved that a good enough musician could make synth pop work outside the studio.

Anyway, seeing as the following song was written during the height of the Reagan/Thatcher years, I feel it's appropriate once again as we hit the new lows of the Bush/Blair years (though I think Blair should be commended for tempering our cowboy president's gung ho actions as much as possible.) Anyway... as the saying goes, "Things Can Only Get Better."

Warm When You Need It

Originally posted 2/11/03

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An actual Tuesday Tune... on Tuesday! What a novel idea.

Anyway... having just returned from South Beach to find Michigan even colder than when I left... I thought I'd try to warm things up with some Latin style jazz.

This song is from Roy Hargrove's Crisol, a US/Cuban band formed in Havana in 1996. Hargrove was originally known for his "hard bop" jazz style and this album was his first foray to stretch him. There is a beautiful asymmetry to the Afro Cuban rhythms that keeps the ear interested, while never losing the anticipated structure that makes music pleasurable. Personally, I just love the strong use of trombone... deep but energetic.

Enjoy... "Afrodisia" by Roy Hargrove's Crisol... off of Habana.

A Hand That Points At Me

Originally posted 1/31/2003

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Here is a song I always played on late night drives in all encompassing solitude. With the windows down and the warm air surrounding me... on a straight open road, with nothing but stars and speed... this song was (is) transcendent. G's description of his most memorable trip very much reminded me of those days.

Peter Murphy... "Time Has Got Nothing To Do With It"... Love Hysteria... 1988 (the greatest year for music... EVER... IMO)

Mark Trail Rides Again!

Originally posted 1/23/03

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This week's 'Tune was delayed due to the need to for prerecording at the Pasadena Old Folks Home For Annoying Radio Personalities.

"Hello everybody. This is Casey Casum. I'm glad you could join us on Casey's Countdo... er... the Tuesday Tune? What the hell is a Tuesday Tune? What? Speak Up! Wha...?

---- silence ------

"Well, we're back. This is Casey, and thanks for sticking with us. This week we have a special Long Distance Dedication.

A young woman from the Lost Forest writes:"
Dear Casey,
The last few days have been difficult for me. In our normally idyllic lives, jealousy and anger can still rise up, and I've seen, first hand, how fragile love can be. I am a married woman, you see. My husband, Tom, is a strong and capable provider... but I don't love him. It isn't easy for me to admit... but recent events have shown me just how suddenly the wheel of life can turn. I must follow the dictates of my heart. I sit here in tears, separated from my true love, a soft and gentle being, the complete opposite of Tom... my Sweetie Pie. He isn't that far away... only a few acres and a wire pen separate us... but it seems like an infinite expanse. Still, I want him to know how much I care... and Rusty has promised to set the old Victrola in the yard for him to listen to. Please Casey... if you could find it in your heart... I'd love for you to play our song for us. I want Sweetie to know that I'm thinking of him.

Yours in pink,
Judy

"Well Judy... this Long Distance Dedication is for you, and your terrible love triangle tragedy. I hope you're listening, Sweetie Pie... or should I say... Maurice?"

I Beg To Differ...

Originally posted 1/17/2003

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Ok... busy, busy week... but I have a moment and thought I'd send this out. Having had a number of suggestions for possible "tunes" I'm taking them in order.

A.S. once said she would like to hear anything by David Gray. As his White Ladder album became so ubiquitous as to need no further dissemination, I thought I'd wait for his new work. Unfortunately, having listened to A New Day At Midnight I was saddened to find it... well... blah. Nothing original, music serviceable at best... lyrics rather tired. In the words of Kevin Kline's Otto "DISAPPOINTED!"

So I went back in time, instead. From 1996's release Sell,Sell,Sell I picked my favorite song. This was prior to any big breakthrough by Gray, being before he toured with and was promoted by Dave Matthews. It is a touch harder and edgier than the work that made him famous, but I really like this album and this song.

This is the title track. Enjoy.

O Fortuna!

Originally Poste 1/7/03

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To start off the new year, I thought I'd take D's advice, and branch out from the pop/rock genres and provide a wider variety of music. In this case I thought I'd try to provide a work that appeals to D's long standing involvement in choral music and performance.

A few caveats...

First, I know jack-diddly-squat about classical music, so have little information to provide.

Second, I own very few classical, jazz, blues or other genre albums, so my selection is limited. I'd love to take suggestions about anything I could purchase and share with everyone. (No Kenny G! or other "light jazz!" You are on your own for that stuff.)

Third, without a more advanced MP3 program, which would allow the mixing of mp3 tracks, I've found it difficult to translate classical works to easily shared computer files. CDs write the individual tracks based on the individual movements of a piece, so, for example, to send the entire Concerto No. 2 in F Major by J.S. Back, it would require four separate files, each more than four minutes long. At best, to conserve space, I'll be sending single movements.

Anyway... back to today's piece. Again, the only choral work I know by ear... mostly because it's been used for dramatic soundtracks in dozen's of movies. Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff, is still a very stirring piece. I've only included the introduction, which should be instantly recognized by most.

Composed in 1936, I believe performed first in 1937, this cantata stands as one of THE essential 20th century choral works.

This is the 1989 recording for Naxos records, by the Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. The Beauty of Naxos is that they recorded hundreds of classical works during the 80's and '90s, using Eastern European orchestras and performers... STARVING Eastern European orchestras and performers... who would work for food money and be happy about it. You get these incredible performances for like $6.98... because the recording royalties were so minimal.

Gotta love exploitive capitalism.

Anyway, enjoy "O Fortuna" the first movement of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.

She Comes With Guns Underneath Her Dress

Originally posted 1/5/2003

(The same group of people who received the Tuesday Tune also formed a work bowling league, so this post took the form of a suggested team name... plus theme song!)

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My first vote goes for "Where's Gumby?" That's simply a great name for a team.

My second vote goes for the following, as I can also offer a theme song to go along with the name.

Action Figure Party!

Name of our team... (Plus it's the name of the band, one guy really, and the album.)

I Forgot Cranberries Too!

Originally posted 12/24/02

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Despite the lack of any comment on my "Thanksgiving" selection ("Appetite" by Prefab Sprout), I thought I'd try to stick with the seasons and send out a Christmas song. Whether you celebrate the holiday or not... whether it is spiritual or secular... the sheer fact of Christmas is something that can't be ignored.

So here is a little pop ditty by The Waitresses called "Christmas Wrapping". Considered a "One Hit Wonder" group with their '82 hit "I Know What Boys Like" this post-punk, new wave band put out two albums before self destructing. (Plus they did the theme song for "Square Pegs" if you remember that show.) Unfortunately the lead singer, Patty Donahue, died in 1996, of cancer. Her vocal stylings are what sold the biting lyrics, and put the Waitresses on the map... at least for a little while.

Enjoy.

Take Me Away From This Big Bad World

Originally sent 12/10/02

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Blur was the greatest British guitar band of the '90s. I'll take on anyone who claims that Oasis was better. The Gallagher brothers may have been bigger in the states, but they couldn't compare with Blur in terms of originality and all around talent. Oasis and all the other British guitar bands wouldn't have even been considered for major release if Blur hadn't paved the way with Parklife in '94.

Originally seen as part of the dying Madchester scene with their '91 debut Leisure, Blur, headed by Damon Albarn, took great pains to grow beyond that musical style and forge a unique sound that continued to change with the times.

My favorite song of their more recent releases is "Coffee and TV" from the album 13. Not only is this tune subtly charming but the video that goes along with it is an instant classic. Too bad this kind of thing doesn't make it on to MTV anymore.




(Note: If interested, Albarn recently has joined up with an eclectic group, including Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads, and comic creator Jamie Hewlett, to create a virtual/cartoon band, called Gorillaz. It is an Alt Rock/Rap group that pushes the envelope of what it means to be a band. Gorillaz is created, produced and even tours internationally as a group of animated characters (2-D, Murdoc, Russell and Noodles)... and the actual performers are very far behind the scenes. Their single "Clint Eastwood" was a huge hit in 2001, and the entire album is worth checking out.)

Server Down - Gotta Love Technology

For some reason, my website via Comcast is completely down, which means the music I have stored there is not accessible via link. Very strange. As soon as I know more, I'll have things back up and runnning. It currently only shuts down the song "Everybody Loves Jill" so other than that... hmmm... guess we'll see.

The Best Part Of The Blame

Originally sent 11/26/02

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Happy Thanksgiving to you all. If this works, this e-mail should send on Tuesday, even though I'm not there. Hope you all have a good day (or more) off. Relax... eat... enjoy the moment.

For your holiday celebration (even if all you are celebrating is a day off) here is an appropriately titled song to go along with what seems to be our most favored past time, in this department... eating. Clearly the song is not about that kind of appetite, but it still fits.

The group is Prefab Sprout and the album Steve McQueen, or as it was released here in the states, Two Wheels Good. Relatively unknown over here, this group was huge in Britain in the 80's and early 90's. Probably one of the most under appreciated groups ever, in my opinion. The driving member of the group, Paddy McAloon, is a formidable song writer and lyricist. Lilting and satirical, I often get the sense that Paddy has his tongue planted firmly in cheek, but finds himself biting it a lot. No other group I've ever heard really compares here. Along with R.E.M., U2, the Replacements and others... I set Prefab Sprout up as defining Alternative Pop/Rock in all ways good.

Mostly out of print at this point, Epic/Legacy issued a Prefab Sprout collection in 2001 that should still be available. I highly recommend it.

This is "Appetite."

The Luckiest In Luckydom

Originally sent 11/19/02

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Since I've been so busy, I thought that this week, I'd let the computer choose today's selection. See, I have close to 500 mp3 files on my hard drive, and when I listen to them, I put the player on shuffle, and let the computer select them "randomly."

But they don't seem all that random. I have something like 50 some songs that have never been played by the computer... while at the same time, I have a couple songs that have been played 10 or 11 times. The bell curve is around 2 for the selections, but clearly my computer likes certain songs better than others.

True, it could be explained by statistics or chaos theory or a poorly designed algorhythm... but I prefer to anthropomorphize the circuit board.

It has a current taste in pop music. The two most listened to songs are Pete Yorn's "Life On A Chain" from musicforthemorningafter at 10 plays, and "Lucky One" by Michael Penn, from MP4. Both albums from the past year or so.

Here is "Lucky One" by the musical Penn brother and husband of Aimee Mann.

Personally, I'm kinda sick of this song. heh.

Should I Cry Like A Baby Or Die Like A Man?

Originally sent 11/12/02

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Just sending this to you five, as it is what I want to send out for Tuesday's Tune, but probably shouldn't.

I may be taking a bit of a risk here. I don't think this song is inappropriate, but my comments below just might be. No offense intended to anyone, but today's foreign policy climate inspires this choice.

Back in the '80s, while America flailed about under the rule of a doddering actor with delusions of grandeur, our English neighbors across the pond were in much more dire straights. Reagan may have been the village idiot made good, but Thatcher was pathological and dangerous. This was the woman who supported criminalization of poverty and rounding up AIDS victims into quarantine camps. The pop culture of Britain is replete with images of young people trying to find their way in a bleak and hostile environment. The punk movement grew out of this, and the post-punk, alt-rock genres continued the cry. If you want one album to encapsulate the Britain of the '80s, it has to be Infected by The The. (No that isn't a typo... the band is called The The) The The is really a solo project by Matt Johnson, who uses a variety of musicians and bands on this album (notably Neneh Cherry and Pop Will Eat Itself). As was the beauty of a lot of 80's pop, it combined new found electronics with dance beats and social commentary that was lost in the boom 90's and the Nexter's simple minded optimism. (Ooohhh... that sounded bitter, now didn't it?)

The song I've chosen is "Sweet Bird of Truth" and with one listen I think you'll understand why I feel it quite appropriate for our 21st century world.

Everybody Happy As The Dead Come Home

Originally posted 11/5/02

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First: Haiku from last Saturday night...

Bouncing, all laughing
Often bruised and collapsing
Trampoline beckons


From my recent experience on the trampoline, I'm tempted to submit Lil Bow Wow's "Bounce With Me" as the song of the week. Then, I thought I'd look for something a little better.

Ok...next...

In honor of the recently arrived BFA, now known as Esme, I looked for any songs by that name. I found one..."Esme"... by a British Jazz/Pop artist named Andy Sheppard. His self titled album came out back in 1988, and seems to be out of print. I'm actually intrigued enough by this to try and track it down, but that could take a while. Not going to make it for this Tuesday.

Strike Two.

So... late for Halloween, I'm submitting Shriekback, "Nemesis" from their album Oil & Gold. I noticed that Carla had this on her list, and Andrea knew about this group as well. It is rare that I run into folks who know this band. An 80's New Wave, dance, alt-rock band... this song was a staple on the "alternative nights" I frequented at Graphitti's on Thursday's. (Unfortunately that bar is long gone.) Shriekback was one of the few bands successful at incorporating electronica with incredible bass lines from Dave Allen (formerly of XTC), adding haunting rock/dance arrangements without becoming synth-pop or goth.

Their greatest song is probably "Gunning For The Buddha" off of Big Night Music, but I couldn't resist exposing you all to the only song I know that effectively used the word "parthenogenesis" as a lyric.

Tuesday Tune Talk

Originally from 10/28/02

The Tuesday Tune generated some musical discussion which culminated in some Top 10 lists that I thought I'd share.

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From JFA:

I've been working on this list for weeks now and am frankly tired of having it sit next to my desktop so I thought I would send it out this morning. The baby has heard all of them so should be prepped once s/he decides to join us topside.
Following Steve, Cindy and Jamie's leads of several weeks ago, this is my list of.....
GREAT ALBUMS FROM THE EARLY 90'S AND BEFORE THAT I CAN'T PUT AWAY
1. Nevermind Nirvana
2. Joshua Tree U2
3. Synchronicity The Police
4. Graceland Paul Simon
5. Blonde on Blonde Dylan
6. Blood on the Tracks Dylan
7. Sticky Fingers The Stones
8. Exile on Main Street The Stones
9. Little Creatures Talking Heads
10. Legend Bob Marley
11. Any Beatles but mainly Sgt. Peppers and Revolver

Elvis Costello would be on this list but I can't decide which one since I didn't really become a fan until the mid 90s. At this moment, it would be This Year's Model.

Okay, as you can tell, this waiting for the baby to show up is kind of like those first 15 minutes of a party when you're waiting for the first guests to come. You do anything to keep yourself busy.

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My Reply:

Looking back at an old, and unrevised list of Top 10 from the '80s... here is what I've found...

Top 10 Albums of the '80s (not just favorites, but influential works as well)

U2 - Joshua Tree
Peter Gabriel - So
R.E.M. - Life's Rich Pageant
Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
Beastie Boys - License To Ill
Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair
Sinead O'Connor - The Lion & The Cobra
The Cure - Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
Living Colour - Vivid
Roxy Music - Avalon

(Other notables that wouldn't necessarily be on my personal list, but were great albums...
Bruce Springsteen - Born In The USA
John Cougar Mellencamp - Pink Houses
Richard & Linda Thompson - Shoot Out The Lights
The Clash - London Calling (barely makes it, as it was released January of '80)
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back


Top 10 Favorite Albums (my choices, pure and simple)

Billy Bragg - Worker's Playtime
Peter Gabriel - So
Lloyd Cole & The Commotions - Rattlesnakes
Robbie Robertson - Robbie Robertson
Simple Minds - Sparkle In The Rain
The The - Infected
Shriekback - Oil & Gold
Chris Isaak - Heart Shaped World
R.E.M. - Document
Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues

(Almost rans...
Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom
Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden
Joe Jackson - Night & Day
Pete Townshend - White City
Big Audio Dynamite - No. 10 Upping Street
Prefab Sprout - Two Wheels Good
Guadalcanal Diary - Jamboree


Top 10 Favorite Singles of the '80s

The Church - "Under The Milky Way"
The The - "Uncertain Smile"
Pop Will Eat Itself - "Can U Dig It?"
Echo & The Bunnymen - "Lips Like Sugar"
R.E.M. - "It's The End Of The World As We Know It"
Psychadelic Furs - "Ghost In You"
Ministry - "Stigmata"
They Might Be Giants - "Don't Let's Start"
Jane's Addiction - "Jane Says"
Jerry Harrison - "Man With A Gun"

Some "Guilty Pleasure" albums from that period...

Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega
Underworld - Underneath The Radar
Jon Astley (no NOT Rick Astley) - Everyone Love's The Pilot (Except The Crew)
Hipsway - Hipsway
Love & Money - Strange Kind Of Love
Phil Collins - Face Value

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From CW:

In no particular order, my albums that I can't seem to put away...(Most of which fall into the 90s)

U2 - Zooropa (really any U2 however, this one is always at the top of my list)
Shriekback - Oil & Gold
James - Laid
Live - Throwing Copper
Boingo - self titled
Indigo Girls - self titled
Pearl Jam - Ten
Jesus & The Mary Chain - Stoned & Dethroned
Pink Floyd - The Final Cut

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I thought this was interesting, because I'd say my Top 10 has definitely changed in my reflection on the 80's, but I still love all this music.

We'll Remember This All Of Our Lives

Originally posted 10/29/02

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America may be the home of Rock & Roll, but pop music at it's best is from Britain. Britpop is a thriving, diverse and eclectic environment. They just seem to be a lot more experimentation going on over there. Maybe it's the legacy of the Beatles, I don't know, but UK artists seem to put a lot more heart and soul into what is essentially a disposable art form.

Like most musical genres, any close scrutiny reveals a fracturing of the perceived whole. Pop is so broad as to be meaningless, and carries hundreds of sub-categories under it's heading. Britpop often refers specifically to '90s bands that consciously aimed at the Beatles tradition, (and everything else since punk, new wave, glam, alt rock) AND was unambiguously commercial. Oasis and Suede are prime examples of Britpop bands.
Some of the more fun sub-genres that have developed over the years are "Madchester," "Twee Pop" and my favorites "Shoegazing" and "Sadcore" The last two are just what they sound like... music for depressed people, by depressed people, to listen to while staring at your feet.

Formed in 1998, coming strongly out of the Britpop scene, Cousteau is considered to be in the Sadcore realm. Their orchestrated songs are much deeper and richer than most pop music... but there is a mature melancholy here, rather than angst and despair. Their eponymous first album, released first in the UK, and then re-recorded for the states, is beautiful throughout and wonderful for intense listening, as well as more ambient background music. They released a second album this past summer, but I haven't picked it up, yet.

Their "almost hit" is below, called "The Last Good Day Of The Year." I think it was sampled for a Nissan commercial, recently.

Sometimes You Just Gotta Dance

Originally posted 10/24/02

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Well... something came up, earlier in the week. Many of you would call it work... I simply called it HIGHLY inconvenient. Sheesh. When's a guy supposed to have a chance to goof off on the computer?

Anyway... Jane badgered me again and again about missing Tuesday's Tune. (Actually, she sent one, gently phrased question in an e-mail, but badgered sounds better.) But... because it was Wednesday... and Wednesday's Tune is without alliteration... I couldn't send it out yesterday. Without alliteration... what are we?

So, we have Thursday's Tune. (Technically, still without alliteration, but the first letters are the same and that will just have to do.) In my personal listening, I'm still stuck on Beck and Rachid Taha... alternating back and forth between these albums constantly. They get better every time I play them. I had to really step back and try to think of another artist to share with you all.

In the past I've tended to focus on some of the sad and nostalgic, angry and melancholy sounds, but there is some music that I listen to for fun. Some of the high energy electronica that developed throughout the 90's is what gets my foot tapping and the blood flowing. Bands like the Chemical Brothers made Big Beat and Club music much more mainstream and, of course, this made them reviled in some circles. I love this kind of music when it's done right and probably the best band to jump wholeheartedly into this scene is the Propellerheads. Two Brits, Alex Gifford and Will White, these guys mix drum & bass, hip hop, jazz, rock and spy movie themes to create some really fun music. This kind of stuff makes me feel young again.

I could select a number of songs off of their album Decksandrumsandrockandroll (including "Spybreak" which was used in the Matrix during the huge shootout scene in the elevator lobby) but my favorite song of theirs is below. Topping out at near 10 minutes long! Guaranteed to have you red lining your car if you listen while driving! Caution advised... dancing may ensue!

This is "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"

Black Hawk Down

Originally posted 10/15/02

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Going in slightly a different direction this week, I've had this tune in mind for some time now, and was inspired by the World Beat session yesterday, to dip my toes into world music.

The following artist I discovered on the Black Hawk Down soundtrack. This song was not written for that movie, but I can understand why it was selected. It captures the volatile, hostile sense of the Mogadishu environs at the time (and probably still) in an aggressive but captivating fusion of American guitar sounds and Algerian rhythms.
The artist is Rachid Taha, an Algerian/French singer/songwriter who has been writing punk rock/Algerian African fusion of music for the past 20 years. He has been a social activist for most of his life... "lobbing musical molotovs at the latent and, as recent events have proved, not so latent racism of the French... whilst berating his fellow North Africans for lack of ambition, obsession with tradition, cabaret complacency and enslavement to rai."
(BBCi - www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/womad2002/biog_taha.shtml)

He sounds like my kind of guy. He picks on everyone, equally.

I don't speak Algerian, and only know that "barra" means bar (n) in Italian and bared (v) in French. Exactly what is specifically being said in the song, "Barra Barra" I can't say... but the music is driving, loud, and intoxicating, and I'm looking for his album work.

Enjoy... and play it LOUD.

It's A Treacherous Road

Originally posted 10/8/02

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Someone has ripped out Beck's heart and we are all the richer for it. His new album, Sea Change is flat out the greatest album I've heard in years. Forget Coldplay or Aimee Mann (sorry Aimee), this is the best album of 2002, and likely to make Top 10 of the decade.

From the opening song, "The Golden Age" Beck leads us down his latest musical path. A man who has given us such innovative works as Odelay and Mutations has finally opened up his personal side and turned his innovative genius to what music SHOULD be about... loss and pain and despair. Heavily country influenced, the album continues Beck's ability to avoid categorization. It is lush and absorbing. Real late night listening.

No single track can convey how amazing this album is. The sum is truly greater than the parts. Go buy it... now. Three thumbs up.

Wish I Knew What You Were Searching For

Originally posted 10/1/02

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First day of October. Hope everyone is doing well.

This week's selection was influenced by the ongoing discussion of "Top 10" from last week. As I mentioned, I usually do my list making by decade... so I flipped through some of my old lists, and came across a song I had planned on sending out at some point. I figured this would be a good time.

The following is my selection for the #1 Single of the '80s. Clearly this is my bias more than some other measures like popularity, influence or originality, but likely more of you will have heard this song than some of the past selections.

As you probably notice from many of my choices, it is the emotional response of a song that makes it mean something to me. I'm not a musician and could only be called musically inclined if I leaned on my stereo, but I think that pop/rock music is the popular poetry of our generation. Schmaltzy or surreal, insipid or inspired, pop rock is the common language for coming of age in the last half a century. Past generations may have quoted Shakespeare or Shelly, we have Pete Townsend and Bono and Tracey Thorn...

... or in this case, we have The Church.

"Under The Milky Way" was playing during some of my most pivotal moments. In the soundtrack of my life, the distinctive jangle of the guitar would reprise throughout, and then the whole song would play when the credits roll.

From the amazing album Starfish... this is "Under The Milky Way"

Tigers Waitin' To Be Tamed

Originally posted 9/24/02

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This week's selection comes from the Fife-Adam clan, via my laptop in Houston. (If there is never another Tuesday's Tune, then Hurricane Isidore has been the end of me.) The e-mail below stemmed from my mention of the new Coldplay album A Rush Of Blood To The Head in last week's Tune. I really like this album a lot, but I don't know if I'd rate it as high as U2's Achtung Baby. If I'm listening to Rush of Blood... ten years from now, then maybe...

From Steve:

My favorite songs are "In My Place", "The Scientist" and "Clocks". Of the three, I'd probably choose "Clocks" as the one to send out, because it's not as anthemic as "In My Place" (don't want people bellowing along in their cubicles) and doesn't quote U2 as blatantly as "The Scientist". It also prominently features Chris Martin's piano, which is a signature characteristic of the band.

I think this album is better than Wilco's, and hundreds of orders of magnitude better than Coldplay's first album, which struck me as Radiohead-lite. The Vines have some songs that equal Coldplay's, but the whole falls short, so I guess Coldplay gets my vote so far as best album of the year. I haven't heard the new Aimee Mann other than the song you sent, but I've always mentally placed her at the level of "highly talented craftsperson," a la her husband or Neil Finn or Beth Orton, all of whom have had moments of knee-shattering genius, but none of whom have made an album as great as REM's Automatic For the People or U2's Achtung Baby or Radiohead's OK Computer, which is nearly the level Coldplay reaches on Rush of Blood... There's something visceral about the band dynamic when it's really working that I think a singer-songwriter has an extraordinarily hard time matching. Elvis Costello did it--but he had The Attractions. Elliott Smith is a one-man band, not a singer with a bunch of studio musicians. Same goes for Moby. Following along those lines, it seems to me Aimee Mann would have to have assembled a really top-notch band performing at the top of its game to match Coldplay on my list--the songs, as great as I'm sure they are, wouldn't be enough on their own.

Nothing Fuels A Good Flirtation

Originally posted 9/17/02

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A couple of weeks ago, I completed one of the most successful music shopping days I've ever had. New releases are on Tuesdays, so I often stop by 303 to see what has come out. That Tuesday was something special. Not only did I pick up some remastered The Who ("Tommy" and, for the first time "My Generation" finally in stereo, in a special edition double disk) but I also picked up Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay... and best of all, the new Aimee Mann album.

I never paid much attention to 'Til Tuesday back in the '80s, but with Whatever in '93 she proved to be THE savior of Alt Rock in the '90s. I'm With Stupid... in '95 almost broke through big time... but her next album Bachelor No. 2 was held in limbo by her record label. They didn't think she was marketable. Only after a lengthy legal battle to win back the rights to her own music was she able to release this superb album.

Wrapped in inventive pop stylings, her lyrics are what deliver the killing blow. Always clever... always resigned and bitter... you'd think she was the ultimate relationship loser. She is actually in a long term, happy marriage to singer/songwriter Michael Penn, as far as I know. Lost In Space, her new album, is even darker and more biting than ever. Probably her best yet, it is still one that requires care if listening while driving. You may find yourself swerving toward steep cliffs and/or into oncoming traffic.

"The Moth" is my favorite song. Simple and true, with one of the best lyrics ever written, IMO.

Going Home With Someone Else

Originally sent 9/10/02

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I'd never heard of Jill Sobule, before last year. She has two albums out, and appears to be well respected in the music community, but I was ignorant of her charms until I caught her in concert. I went to Chicago to see Lloyd Cole (more on him later) with his new band, the Negatives, at Park West. (An excellent small venue if you ever have chance to see a show there.) Jill plays in the Negatives, and was the opening act, doing her own material. She was flat out hilarious, and extremely engaging with only herself and a guitar. Biting lyrics that are full of pathos and humor. I bought Pink Pearl on the spot, and was lucky enough to have Jill sign it.

"Mexican Wrestler" is a syrupy song of heart break, with the appropriate ironic metaphors for relationships that just crack me up. I wish I had a live version of this tune, as she really belted it out in an aggressive, angry manner in concert.

Eating Red Cake With a Red Spoon

Originally sent 9/3/02

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Cowboy Mouth is simply a fun band. Hailing from New Orleans, this group is reputed to be the single best Live show you will ever see. After seeing The Who last week, I'd have to doubt that... but I've never seen Cowboy Mouth in concert... so who knows. Unfortunately, I'm a recent convert and their latest tour doesn't cross north of the Mason/Dixon line as far as I can tell... so it may be a while before I get a chance to see 'em.

They've released 8 albums and EPs, at least three of them live albums, since 1992. "Jenny Says" was their one break through single, from Are You With Me? in '96. Fronted by their drummer, Fred LeBlanc, their latest release from the studio, Easy, is raucous, simple and just a good time. I get a big kick out of this song.

Lay Me Down

Originally Sent: 8/27/02

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Back in the '80s, if there was an Alternative Rock Mecca (like Seattle became in the early '90s) it was Athens, GA. From this town hailed all time greats like R.E.M., the B-52s, and Guadalcanal Diary. Other bands got contracts just for being from the area. Dreams So Real is one of those. I don't think they ever released a second album, but Last Night In Jericho was a mainstay in our college apartment.







I'm feeling a bit melancholy this week. It's that time of year. "Bearing Witness" has always been an end of summer song for me. The dying colors of Autumn are fast closing. The sun is fading. We are forced to recognize all that is good shall pass.

Lay me down.

All That Is Old Is New Again

This blog is being created for a specific purpose... to house the Tuesday Tune.

The Tuesday Tune began as a weekly (mostly) e-mail I sent around at work where I shared an anecdote and some information about a band I liked, either current or past, and then I attached an MP3 or such of the song I most liked. I did this for nearly seven years at my job, until I was just laid off a couple of weeks ago.

It occurred to me that I could continue the tradition on a blog such as this... and then provide the link to those previously on the mailing list to see if they'd enjoy reading this.

I'm starting this blog by posting every song I'd sent out in the past 6 plus years, in chronological order, with the tune embeded. I have every e-mail I ever sent out but the first, so I'll copy them verbatim with the date they first appeared.

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The first song I ever sent out was by the Tragically Hip. I can't remember what I wrote about it at the time, other than it was the inaugural e-mail and I really liked (and still do) this song.

From their 1996 album (yes, I call them albums... deal with it) Trouble At The Henhouse this is the Tragically Hip with "Ahead By a Century."