Buzzkill

I had to upload three of these tracks today. I know nobody cares.

Marvin Gaye, “Flyin’ High (In The Friendly Sky)”

I’m pretty confident I’ve posted my contrarian/asshole take on What’s Going On, which is that it has some seriously great tunes, but actually is kind of flabby as an album and as a consequence is a flawed record. This song is an example - it’s kind of meandering and doesn’t add much to the album.

Today!

Mr. Lif, “Jugular Vein”

A repeat! But still a good song.

Simon & Garfunkel, “Feuilles-O (Demo)”

I don’t think Simon & Garfunkel need an introduction, do they? Anyway, my copy of Bridge Over Troubled Water has a couple of demos whacked onto the end. They’re kind of pointless.

Merle Haggard, “I Can’t Hold Myself In Line”

OK, we’re doing quieter today, apparently. Cool, cool.

Mark Eitzel, “Gentle On My Mind”

Mark Eitzel was the main force behind American Music Club, and he embarked on a long a solo career as well. I always preferred American Music Club, but he’s a good songwriter, so his solo work usually has something to recommend it. This album, Music For Courage & Confidence, a mid-career record that is uneven. Another pretty quiet song!

Today!

Bob Marley, “Fussing and Fighting”

I find myself listening to early Bob Marley more than his later, better produced stuff. Something about the raw nature of these recordings really appeals to me.

Buzzkill, “Me”

Are Buzzkill sending up Slint here? I think they might be sending up Slint. We haven’t had Slint yet. I used to sit around in the dark in my dorm room in college and listen to Slint’s Spiderland and just feel so goddamn sorry for myself. It’s really good, y’all!

Please listen to these songs. They need love. Or don’t, but if you don’t, I don’t know why you’re here.

Secrets of the Sky, “Eternal Wolves”

Obviously, this is metal. I mean, come on. “Eternal Wolves”? So corny. Anyway, this is doom metal, one of the more theatric branches of the metal family tree, which is all about long build ups. I’m pretty hit or miss on doom in general, as sometimes the payoff isn’t really there for me.

Punk, punk, “punk”, ex-punk, “punk”.

Buzzkill, “Soft Insides”

More forgotten hardcore from Buzzkill. The instrumental section after the first verse is just delightful.

Sicko, “Ya Ya”

I don’t think I’ve taken a run at ranking Sicko’s albums, have I? (checks the previouslys) Nope, I haven’t! Here we go:

…this is really hard. Fundamentally, all their albums are very good, but here goes:

• You’re Not The Boss Of Me
• You Can Feel The Love In This Room
• Chef Boy R U Dum
• Laugh While You Can Monkey Boy

Green Day, “Church on Sunday”

This is from Warning, which seems to get pretty overlooked in their discography. Everybody knows about Dookie, and it seems like American Idiot gets talked about a lot, but I actually like Warning the best out of their post-Dookie albums.

The 4th of July was excellent! I hope everybody reading this who had a celebration also had a great time. I want you all to party as much as you can! I have music for you! It might even be party music?

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, “Drums and Chicken”

Yeah, OK, I can party to the Bosstones. This song appears on the Mashin’ Up The Nation: The Best of American Ska Volumes 1 and 2 compilation, which was indisputably a collection of American ska bands. I’ve never known if this was a misprint on the comp, as this same song is on Devil’s Night Out as “Drunks and Children”. Baffling. Anyway, the compilation is deeply inessential.