The following list of songs are another catch-up for the past 15 weeks of the Song of the Week feature. It just so happens that they finish of the second mini-playlist that comprises the final end-year list. Starting with the next song (which must follow this year's restriction of containing "backwards" in the title), the final third of the year commences. When I give out an hour's worth of music like this, it's more about the music itself than my commentary, but I've noted trivia where deemed interesting. Finally, don't let one song you rate iffy distract you from the others! There's two parts to this post, and all 15 songs will appeal to different genre fans, per my usual spectrum.
Take a listen, starting with:
"Number of the Beast" by Zwan from the album Honestly. 2003.
I guess technically, this Iron Maiden cover is by the acoustic branch of Zwan... called Djali Zwan. It's essentially the same group, led by the former head of the Smashing Pumpkins. It forges metal into folk quite successfully. The best covers are ones that re-imagine the original. What's the point of covering a song if you're gonna make it sound the same?
"I'll Come Running Back to You" by Sam Cooke from the album I'll Come Running Back to You / Forever. 1957.
Gosh, just can't go wrong with songs like this. Perfect for both summer days out in the rays or winter nights sheltered inside to spite the cold with coziness. Just peaceful enjoyment with that mellow 50s' swoon.
"I Don't Wanna Lose You" by Rooney from the album Eureka. 2010.
Upbeat rock song ideal for cruising. It drives through a sing-songy melody with cheerful aplomb.
"One Pure Thought" by Hot Chip from the album Made in the Dark. 2008.
This number has been sitting in the potentials list for quite some time. It seemingly can't make up its mind about bearing its indie teeth or living the rock style, yet the two clash in a pleasant manner.
"I Will Go Sailing No More" by Randy Newman from the soundtrack Toy Story: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack. 1995.
First, if you haven't seen Toy Story, what's wrong with you? Second, if you don't remember where this song appears in the movie, do you even have emotions? The touching pratfall of Buzz Lightyear of Star Command lives through this woeful song. It's an experience we all have no doubt lived. The portrayal of this sort of lifetime letdown exceptionally wafts from its entirety. Instruments, lyrics, pacing... it all expertly describes waht we've all felt, from the initial faith, to the discouraging internal voice, a boost of confidence, and finally the painful fall from grace. Even with astronauts aside, this song touches the heart. ...though maybe Newman's voice could use a sheepdog to keep it in the corral when it tries to jump over the fence.
"Broken Heart" by Spiritualized from the album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space. 1997.
Alt- and Indie- fans will lovingly relive this one. Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space often gets cited among the best albums of 1997, if not the 90s in general. Listening to "Broken Heart", you can see why. Often times when you have a song above 6 minutes in length, or just s slow one in general, one finds themselves looking for the end. I've always wondered why popular tunes these days tend to average 3 minutes or so, and I guess a big factor is that it takes a certain mood to listen to the same basic progression of theme or lyrics or whatever for an extended period. "Broken Heart" does not have that problem. At all. Any qualms about drawn out passages just gets silenced with the full out honesty of the whole thing. That's the best word to describe it: honest. Plug a set of speakers into the mind of a broken-hearted fellow and this will float out. The kick drum even plays a subtle heartbeat!
Between the horn and strings sits a lone singer melodically telling the truth. As I'm sure you know, broken hearts take on a whole different force when looking upon or drowning in the goldfish bowl. If the break is severe, it can be hard to do anything, but all the reasoning that can be given is "I can't... My heart is broken..." It sounds ridiculous and anti-climatic to an outsider just gazing upon the disheveled husk. What else can be said, though? The lyrics capture this exactly, and are sung with such realism that one would have to fight to NOT connect with it. "There's a lot of things that need to be done, but I have a broken heart..." It's spectacularly simple.
Final thing to mention, other than a quick link to the album's namesake song, is the packaging. Most records these days print a CD, jam it in a case, and slap a track listing on the back. Bam, bang, boom. Spiritualized released the album as if it were prescription medicine. Credits are described as the "active ingredients", side effects and dosages are listed in the liner notes, and, perhaps most creatively, the limited edition actually has each song on a tiny CD wrapped in foil like any over-the-counter boxes of drugs! Check out the package details here. Very enjoyable.
"Johnny Ace" by Dash Rip Rock from the album Gold Record. 1996.
Myspace Music is the only place I could find the original studio version of this. Oddly enough, Firefox has trouble working their player when IE plays it flawlessly. It's worth fiddling with the browser though because the live versions and the 2010 cut just don't have the same edge. The short number blasts off with "Wellllll, Johnny Ace.... spun the chamber of his cowboy gun!" and furiously zooms through country-rock at palpitating speeds. Ask the Beach Boys, it's Fun, Fun, Fun!
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