The Best CD’s of the Decade

First of all, forget all that academic blather about the decade actually being 2001-2010: us here at Random Ramblings are counting 2000-2009 as the official decade, like most other sane people.  So it is time to pick the best CD’s of the decade.  Alas, there was no earth shattering album like Nevermind this decade (but how many times has that actually happened? like one or two other times?). But there was plenty of quality. In a way, it is odd to think of it as a decade past. Something about the 2000’s makes it seem like it is still the same time frame.  Weird.

Here they are. Normally I do them in not particular order, but for the sake of argument, I have attempted to rank them in descending order.

13. The Decemberists-Picaresque

This cd could easily be higher, but I’m a little biased, as I just got into it recently and am still in the middle of the blissful unending rotation.  So it’s being punished for recent appreciation, which isn’t entirely fair, but I’d rather ere on the side of caution than inflate its worth. An incredible collection of intelligent, catchy, completely original music (see my recent post for more in depth discussion about them).  Best songs: We Both Go Down Together, The Sporting Life, On the Bus Mall

12.  Zwan-Mary Star of the Sea

Many were quick to claim that this album just sounded like Smashing Pumpkins, but to discerning ears it has a different sound to it.   Still contains Jimmy Chamberlain’s galloping drums and Billy Corgan’s thunderous guitar, but also more of a sense of humor than any of the Smashing Pumpkins albums ever had. Really underrated and worth a second listen if you dismissed it initially.  Best songs: Settle Down, Ride a Black Swan, Yeah

11.  R.E.M.-Accelerate

It took R.E.M. about 14 years to get over the loss of Bill Berry, but when they did, it was worth the wait.  They finally did not mind rocking out again, but you can’t just rock out for the sake of rocking out: you’ve got to have the songs, and they certainly did.  Best songs: Man Sized Wreath, Supernatural Superserious, I’m Gonna DJ

10.  Mastodon-Blood Mountain

People labeled this as thinking man’s metal.  Whatever it’s called, it is complex, shredding, and relentless.  A nice mix of the melodic and the monstrous.  Best songs: The Wolf is Loose, Circle of Cysquatch, Hunters of the Sky

9.  Metallica-Death Magnetic

Like R.E.M., this band was due for a comeback, and this album lived up to the hype. While not a complete return to the old style (more of a mix of  the 80’s and early 90’s), it thankfully dimissed the slower tempos and blues based rock of their late 90’s albums in favor of punishing paces and aggressive vocals.  Best songs: All Nightmare Long, The Judas Kiss, My Apocalypse

The Decemberists

The Decemberists are my Radiohead of 1997.  I did not fully appreciate Radiohead until Ok Computer came out. I actually bought The Bends when it came out in 1995, for “Fake Plastic Trees”.  But besides that song and “Just”, the rest of the cd did not really grab me. But once I heard the brilliance of Ok Computer, I went back to The Bends and realized what an amazing cd it is. The guitar freakout of “My Iron Lung”, the spacey beauty of “Bulletproof…I Wish I Was, etc.  So fast forward to the very end of 2009. I get The Hazards of Love for Christmas, mostly cause it was a cd I couldn’t be bothered to buy on my own.  I had heard the albums Picaresque and some of Her Majesty from a friend, but besides “The Sporting Life” and “Los Angeles I’m Yours”, I didn’t find myself going back for repeat listens.  Sure, I thought it was good music, but it just didn’t hit me in that way that I had to keep listening to it.  In the years since, I’ve read the music press slobbering over The Crane Wife, and then even The Hazards of Love. And I had a friend (my highest musical authority) tell me that it was really good, and that it had come highly recommended to him. And still, on the few occasions I went to Best Buy with some money in my pocket, I would hover around the D’s, only to move on to something else.

But when I went to paint my soon to arrive child’s nursery, I had the perfect opportunity to listen to a cd that needed to be heard at one time from start to finish. After one listen, I thought “pretty good”.  After a second listen, I thought “This is REALLY good!”. After the 3rd and 4th listens, I could not believe a band could intertwine a story and great music so brilliantly. Every subsequent listen gives me more evidence that I should quit my job and follow this band around on tour.

So what makes them so great? It’s something in the combination of literary acumen with melodic songs.  No other band has made me look up words to fully understand a song. But it’s not done in a heavy handed way. Usually I only really like bands with lyrics that are emotional, and in first person. But The Decemberists (or more specifially, Collin Meloy) has managed to write imaginative, episodic songs that never include cliches, but always emotionally hook the listener.

The 5: Best CD’s I Heard in 2009

Best CD’s I heard in 2009

2009 was a pretty good year for music.  While there wasn’t really anything that was a blockbuster, there was quality music that was released.  Some disclaimers: you will not be seeing anything that could be classified as modern pop on this list (with the possible exception of the honorable mention of Mandy Moore-who knew she had it in her?).  Without further ado, in not particular order:

She and Him-Vol. 1: sometimes a little cutesy, but still a great album of stripped down, old fashioned catchy tunes.  Nothing fancy-just memorable songs in the vein of 60’s pop. Best songs: Black Hole, I Thought I Saw Your Face Today, This is Not a Test

Pearl Jam-Backspacer: I know people are quick to say ” (fill in the blank) is the best album since (fill in the blank).  Seems it is easy to say something that just came out is amazing, compared to albums you haven’t listened to in a while. But this album truly is the best thing they have released since Yield in 1998.  It delivers on the promise that their self titled album in 2006 hinted at.  This is a CD that has no filler. Inspired and trimmed of fat. Best songs: The Fixer, Johnny Guitar, Just Breathe.

Pete Yorn-Back and Fourth: Another set of solid well written songs by Mr. Yorn.  While he may never again reach the heights of his first album, he still consistently puts out great music (all of his albums have been good).  Best songs: Social Development Dance, Close, Last Summer

Music Potpourri

With a blog name like Random Ramblings, it is highly appropriate for me to just throw out some completely unrelated musical thoughts that have been floating around my brain lately. So without further ado…

I like all of Coldplay’s albums.  But after listening to songs off “Parachutes” for the first time in a while, I’m thinking it might be good for Chris Martin to be a little bummed out again.  Anyone with me? Maybe Apple can be a little terror. But somehow I don’t think parental issues will conjure up a song as haunting as the lovelorn blues of “Sparks” or “Trouble”.  Just wishing you a teeny tiny bit of sadness, Chris. Not too much, though.

I really like the new Them Crooked Vultures album.  Really good, hard, intelligent, original stuff.  But I think I will always like music that I connect to emotionally more than stuff that I think just rocks.  Each one has its own place/time, but as far as favorites go, the artist that wear their hearts on their sleeves still make the most lasting impression on me.

Somewhere, somehow, is Zack De La Rocha still mad about something?

Anyone else remember listening to Rick Dees’ Top 40 radio show in the late 80’s, and how he would end each show with the song “Two Occasions” by The Deele (featuring Babyface)? If not, it’s the song that goes “I only think of you on two occasions, that’s day and night”.

Baby Business

So, as all 6 of my devoted readers know,  my wife and I are going to have a baby in March. Actually, only she is having the baby.  This simple fact is perhaps the main reason that I am glad to belong to the male gender.  The other is that it is not a pre-requisite that I love the original 90210, or that I still hold a special place in my heart for Jordan Knight.  She is 6 months pregnant, so I have had plenty of time to be exposed to the craziness that is the expectant parents market. This market has been there all along, but understandably so, it was not on my radar until this past June, when we found out the news.  Now I am being exposed to the wonderful world of onesies and medieval pumps.

So the baby my wife is incubating is one of the female variety.  So my world is about to get a lot pinker.  It’s no wonder many girls hate pink when they are older: it’s because their world must be absolutely saturated with it when they are young.  Pink outfits? check. Pink nursery? check. Pink toys? check. Spraypainted pink baby? check.  Then they grow to hate the color, a feeling that wears off right about the time they are ready to have a child of their own. Then the vicious cycle starts again.

As I passed by the diaper section of the local Target, I started thinking about why you can’t have more options with your children.  When you buy a car, you get to decide the color, the additional features you are willing to spring for, and what you can live without. Now, I’m not suggesting we should manipulate nature in such a way that we can determine hair color, IQ, or taste in music. Well, maybe that last one would be pretty cool.  But you get my point. However, one idea that I stole from the lottery seems ingenious to me. When you win the lottery, you get the option of getting checks for the rest of your life, or getting paid in a lump sum, which of course is lower than you would get originally, cause of taxes.  When it comes to the diaper business, seems like you are locked into getting “payments” for the duration of your child’s diaper life.  See where I am going with this? Yeah, so did my wife. She said I was disgusting.  What some people call disgusting, others (ie-me) call brilliant. Sure, I’d have to figure out a location for the “lump sum”, but wouldn’t you rather deal with that all at once and get it over with? I rest my case.

Wolverines, Dancing

 

I’m not afraid to admit it: I like the movie “Dirty Dancing”.  Always have, since the first time I saw it. Didn’t see it in the theater, but did see it on the old glorious VCR eventually.  In fact, my family bought our copy from Kroger, who must have swindled us: the sound was all muffled, like it was a copy of a copy (can’t you give me a decent copy, For Goodness Sake?)  Now many would claim this to be the ultimate chick flick.  Perhaps they are right.  But that doesn’t nullify all the good points that my world weary, sentimental pre-teen eyes enjoyed. First, it has great music. Yes, I know the soundtrack featured “She’s like the Wind”, but we here at Random Ramblings have a standing rule not to slander songs by recently deceased actors, no matter how mediocre the song may be (Rest in Peace, Bodhi).

Second, it’s set in the past, so it has the whole nostalgia factor.  Third, the central theme is breaking away from authority figures, so there’s the whole independent, coming of age vibe, which was/is right up my alley (I know, you are shocked, hearing that from a professed Wonder Years fan).  And finally, at least ¾’s of the entire world’s population has at some point uttered those famous words: “No one puts Baby in the corner”.  Even if there was no actual baby or corner in the vicinity.

However, for all it’s greatness, there is always once scene that has stuck out like a sore thumb to me.  And after recently watching the end of the movie again, I had to break out of my silence, and voice my concerns to all 3 of you that may read this column.  At the end of the movie, after Johnny has already left, there is the end of the summer recital.  They are singing that dreadful Kellerman’s song with the chorus “Join hands and hearts and voices, voices hearts and hands”.  Baby’s sister is for some inexplicable reason letting anyone other than herself and God hear her atrocious singing voice.  And yes, Baby is in the aforementioned corner.

The 5: Supergroups

Seems the latest fashion is to combine your individual strengths to form one massive monolith of destruction.  Case in point: Them Crooked Vultures.  I, along with many rock fans, am salivating at the prospect of Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters) on drums, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) on bass, and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) on vocals/guitar. Their debut album comes out November 17th, and from the snippets posted online, should be a monster.

Their idea is not of course a new one in the world of rock.  The list of supergroups is long. Some examples: Cream, Temple of the Dog (witness the latest “reunion” of them live), Damn Yankees, Velvet Revolver, The Traveling Wilburys, Nelson (both Nelson brothers in the same band? I can’t live without your love and affection indeed. Plus, any group that includes a mystical Native American in their video is in my book super).

In the Random Ramblings universe, we believe this should move to all areas of life. Why should it be limited to just music? The Transformers were way ahead of their time with this.  The Constructicons should be in the Supergroup Hall of Fame. Who is better-Nelson or Devastator? Tough call.  But either way, we the fans win.

So here are the 5 supergroups we would most like to see.  Start your petitions now.

Coming of Age characters supergroup: Kevin Arnold (The Wonder Years),  Alex P. Keaton (Family Ties), Angela Chase (My So Called Life), Troy (Reality Bites), Charlie (The Perks of Being a Wallflower)

These characters represent all that is blissful, confusing, and overwhelming about growing up.  Alex P. Keaton gets the nod for his heartwrenching episode with Ellen (Billy Vera and the Beaters, anyone?), Angela for her blindness to Brian Krakow’s affection, Troy for his ability to feel he is owed a Snickers, and Charlie for his love of music. And Kevin Arnold-for every single thought he ever let us hear.

Saturday Night Live supergroup: Phil Hartman, Will Ferrell, Dana Carvey, Jack Handey, Chris Farley, Kevin Nealon, Mike Myers.

Two many awesome characters to list them all.  But here are some: Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, Harry Carey, the “Chopping Broccoli” singer, Gap girl (I’M STARVING), Mr. Subliminal, and Phillip the Hyper Hypo.  And Jack Handey-for every single thought he ever let us hear.

80’s action movie bad guys supergroup: Predator, Ivan Drago (Rocky IV), Master Control Program (Tron), Colonel Bella (Red Dawn), Killian (The Running Man)

Alone they are all able to be defeated. But with their forces combined, you would be shot with a laser while taking a devastating punch to the face, while being taunted by a massive electronic face, while being taken to Cuba, all televised on a futuristic game show. Or some variation on that.

Hail Hail

It’s hard to believe that Backspacer is Pearl Jam’s 9^th album.  Even weirder is that they’ve been in the cultural consciousness for 18 years.  7 more years and they’ll be eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. All of these things show their age, unlike the new album.  Critics are all repeating the same mantra: that this is their punkiest album yet. And they are mostly right (although I would argue that Vitalogy is up there as well).  They also are pointing out the brevity: at 36 minutes it is obvious on first listen that this is an album trimmed of all fat. I’m sure there are some great songs that didn’t make the cut, but the album is stronger as a result.  Short and punchy and to the point.

I am not sure why I continue to allow myself to get annoyed with some of the reviews in Rolling Stone.  Rob Sheffield wrote the review for Backspacer, and it’s a good review, with one major exception (It should be noted that Rob Sheffield was incapable for writing about a band for a few years without “cleverly” using some of their lyrics in an ironic (ie-stupid/lazy/boring) way. Case in point: Pearl Jam are still alive; Eddie Vedder’s thoughts arrive like butterflies; The band’s albums have all been washed in black, tattooed everything, etc…no, Rob, you cannot use those). Anyway, Mr. Sheffield’s major offense in the review was calling “Spin the Black Circle” off of Vitalogy filler. He claims that people were usually skipping those kind of songs to get to the latest torch song by the band.  While they very well may have skipped said songs, they were hardly filler.  I didn’t have the chance to see Pearl Jam on their tours for Ten or Vs, but I’ve seen enough footage to know they were a very kinetic live band, and that frenzy did show up on the recordings.  Their punky side showed up in songs like “Porch”, “Blood”, “Whipping”, “Brain of J”, “Do the Evolution”, etc.  None of these songs would be what Pearl Jam fans consider “filler”.  Stale references to lyrics and pop culture are a better definition, I think.

Beatles Supremacy

Watch the goliath eat a small exiled snack

First, let me apologize for the long delay. My hobby (teaching/coaching) has taken away from my day job (blogging).  Can’t say it won’t happen again, but hopefully the break will not be a month plus next time.

The Beatles are big again. Not that they ever really went away. But with the whole catalog being remastered, and Beatles: Rock Band being released, they are back in the news.  You know who hates this more than anyone else: The Rolling Stones.  Yes, the eternal debate is always Beatles vs. Stones, with the Beatles seemingly more universally regarded as the most popular/influential/best band in the history of music.  There are those sad, mistaken souls who somehow think the Rolling Stones were more influential, and more popular. And true, the fact that they have been able to continue to put out albums and tour does skew the perception a bit (some would say it dampens their legacy, but that is another debate).  But how can you argue against all that the Fab Four squeezed into the years 1962-1970?

The Beatles juggernaut continues to march on. In the words of Yogurt from Spaceballs, “Merchandizing, merchandizing, merchandizing!”. Now, I don’t think we will be seeing Beatles toilet paper or flamethrowers anytime soon (although I do plan on start an online petition when I finish writing this). But since they are now branching out into video games, it is opening them up to a brand new audience.  The Stones, on the other hand, are left to pick up the scraps, grasping for whatever they can grab.  Perhaps they are in talks with Leapfrog to come out with a Rolling Stones themed game for small children (Hey kids! Count the pills in Keith’s hand!).

Movie Ephemera

Having the summers off lends itself to some quality time with various cinematic gems.  So I’ve had myself on a steady diet of knocking out those movies that I’ve never gotten around to watching. When seemingly unrelated bits of cinema info clatter around in my brain, there is no choice but to collect them all into a tasty dish movie casserole. So dig in, but be warned: our health rating is not posted.

While listening to the B.S. report podcast 2 weeks ago, I heard Bill Simmons’  astute observation that Tim Lincecum, a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, looks a lot like Mitch Kramer (played by Wiley Wiggins) in the classic movie “Dazed and Confused”.  I believe this is grounds to go ahead and give him the Cy Young right now.

I recently watched “North Shore” for the first time.  Having been to Hawaii this summer, the thought was that viewing this movie would be fun, since I’ve been to the North Shore. What I did not expect was a lecture series disguised as a movie.  Most action movie feature dialogue only has little as possible in order to get back to things being blown up, killed, or jumped off of. This movie kept coming back to informing the viewer about all things surfing and Hawaii. Don’t know about how a surf board is cut? Let me show you. Want to know how the ancient Hawaiians viewed the ocean? How about the customs of the locals? how to become one with the ocean? This movie has to be Bodhi’s favorite.

Watched “Misery” again.  Yep, Annie Wilkes is still maybe the craziest character in the last 20 years.  If I was a popular author and anyone claimed to be my #1 fan, I would immediately get a restraining order, reinforce my house with steel, and roll around in a bulletproof bubble for the rest of my life. A little extreme, but also effective.

I had never seen “A Few Good Men” until the last week. Must say I was underwhelmed.  Tom Cruise’s performance was dialed in straight from the “hey, look at me, I’m acting!” school of drama.  And there had to be a sitcom writer helping out. That scene where Demi Moore comes back to the door and Cruise thinks she is going to say she is falling for him, but she just tells him to wear matching socks? That would not have been out of place on “Alf” or any other cheesy sitcom from the 80’s or 90’s.  But the confrontation between Cruise and Nicholson made the whole movie worth it. Jack plays an exceptional pompous jerk, and Cruise saves the day. 

And last but not least: caught the last 30 minutes of “Wayne’s World” tonight. Definitely takes the prize of “Best SNL Skit Movie” (it was tough, going up against ”It’s Pat!” and “Stuart Smalley Saves His Family”).  and I’m at a loss as to why Alice Cooper did not get an Oscar nod. Can they create an Academy Award category for best cameo?