Alcest

Camper Van Beethoven, “One of These Days”

I think my tolerance (or even enjoyment) of the violin has been more or less a straight line upwards. I used to think that the violin was an obnoxious affectation in Camper Van Beethoven, irritating and not rockin’. Now, of course, I think it’s probably the best part of the proceedings.

The Kinks, “Animal Farm”

Even more broadly, my tolerance (and enjoyment) of folk inspired stuff has also increased over time. So something like this from the Kinks also hits me better. Am I mellowing as I get older? Well, I also listen to more extreme metal, so who knows?

Overstuffed one today!

Steady Earnest, “Put It On”

Yes, this is the Bob Marley song. Yes, this song rules. Yes, this cover is probably pushing the tempo too much, but whatever, see point #2 above.

The Police, “One World (Not Three)”

Ghost In The Machine is easily the worst Police album, with neither of the energy and catchiness of the best of their early work, but not yet settled into the progressive pop of Synchronicity. It just doesn’t really hang together well for me, and I basically never listen to it.

I’ll often leave shuffle running for a little while after doing one of these things, and sometimes I get these fantastic runs of songs and artists that would make for some great writeups. I have a lot to say about Operation Ivy! But, alas, that would be cheating. The way I’m doing things is that I decide I’m going to write about songs, and then start up the shuffle machine to see what I get from that moment forward. No retroactive choosing of shuffle runs for me! Luckily, there’s almost always something worth talking about. Listen along with me, won’t you?