The Smiths - There is a light that never goes out
I don't think I really have a favorite Smith's song, but the chorus of this song always gives me a kind of strange, uneasy feeling. to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
Bob Dylan - It's alright ma
In contest with "The Gates of Eden", "Like a Rolling stone" and a few others, but overall this takes the cake. I've only heard it on the bootleg 1964 album, but god damn. It is such a cynical look on humanity.
Wilco - More like the moon
A desperate love song. There are two distinct types of Wilco for me, the sad kind and the happy kind. "I am trying to break your heart", "misunderstood" and this song are good examples of the sad wilco.
REM - Nightswimming
I and other people I know have tremendous amounts of empathy for this song. It's one of the weaker songs on "Automatic for the people" but that is all excused because it reminds me of my good friends. It's almost too bittersweet to be enjoyed, however.
The New Pornographers - bleeding heart show
The pinnacle song of one of my favorite bands.
The Doors - The End
A similar tone to the previously mentioned Dylan song. It's like listening to a dream.
Nick Cave and the bad seeds - babe i got you bad
I'm not sure, I just like this song.
Smashing pumpkins - perfect
It explains my view on relationships.
Elliott Smith - King's crossing
The best song on his unimaginably depressing final album. It's long and it has the same aura as The End. I found this amazing music video for it that was created by a fan in memory of Elliott smith. I wish I still had that link.
David Bowie - Heroes
Just my favorite Bowie song.
edit: dammit, I should have put The velvet underground - All tomorrow's parties in there
The Roots - Long Time
I dont know why this song works, but it does and it does it well.
I agree this song is amazing, but I mean damn there's a few more in the Roots catalogue I'd rate higher. It was hard not to say The Seed v. 2.0, Star, Dynamite, The Lesson Pt. 1, and then maybe yeah Long Time. It's an incredible song.
Blackalicious - Green Light Now Begin
Blazing Arrow is such a fucking amazingly good album and this is my favourite off of it. Gets your ass into gear and not sitting around in apathy.
Awesome. You're one of the few people I know who seems to love this album as much as me, and this is definitely one of my favorite songs off the album as well. Did I mention on the 22nd I'm seeing Lyrics Born, Pigeon John, and Cut Chemist? I know you're jealous.
And yeah, people need to take these threads less seriously. I do.
The Roots - Long Time
I dont know why this song works, but it does and it does it well.
I agree this song is amazing, but I mean damn there's a few more in the Roots catalogue I'd rate higher. It was hard not to say The Seed v. 2.0, Star, Dynamite, The Lesson Pt. 1, and then maybe yeah Long Time. It's an incredible song.
yeah, i can see those but sometimes i like the gems that arent so obvious
Blackalicious - Green Light Now Begin
Blazing Arrow is such a fucking amazingly good album and this is my favourite off of it. Gets your ass into gear and not sitting around in apathy.
Awesome. You're one of the few people I know who seems to love this album as much as me, and this is definitely one of my favorite songs off the album as well.
Blackalicious - Green Light Now Begin
Blazing Arrow is such a fucking amazingly good album and this is my favourite off of it. Gets your ass into gear and not sitting around in apathy.
Awesome. You're one of the few people I know who seems to love this album as much as me, and this is definitely one of my favorite songs off the album as well.
BA is like a bible to me man.
Fucking A. How that album ISN'T being heralded as the future sound of hip hop I just don't know. Okay, the Aural Pleasure song sucks, but the rest of the album is fucking mind-blowing futuristic shit, I swear to god. I might intentionally lose my copy soon just so I can buy another one. "Green Light" is a good choice, I personally would have taken "First in Flight" without any hesitation, and even though it's the first single "Feel That Way" is still NEVER a bad choice, plus the Saul Williams song that is secretly one of the best hip hop songs going.
Yeah, I fucking love that album. You're like the only person in the world I'm aware of that seems to care about it as much as me.
Yeah, First in Flight is probably my favorite on Blazing Arrow.
'cause you can choose to say 'good morning, god" or "good god, morning" with black clouds storming i walk without umbrellas into these woods don't need 'em 'cause the mighty trees above will shelter me good i'm eating berries from the bushes of the heavenly good from the stakes the power came to us whenever we stood reverberating out we're reaching each and every hood whenever we could, the spiritual anatomy, fool, but never take the credit for it because that'd be rude it's just the way in life we searching for that had to be new you gotta work it though 'cause everyday ain't saturday, fool- evolve into a better life and be happy with you and you'll be
Pigeon John has amazing live shows and thoroughly unremarkable albums.
:?
I completely agree, except PJ Sings the Blues is better than anyone actually thinks. But then everything pales in light of his live act. Even the main act.
Fuck, I really hope he delivers for you Cel. It'd be a damn shame to be let down now. I've only seen him once about three years ago.
Yeah, First in Flight is probably my favorite on Blazing Arrow.
'cause you can choose to say 'good morning, god" or "good god, morning" with black clouds storming i walk without umbrellas into these woods don't need 'em 'cause the mighty trees above will shelter me good i'm eating berries from the bushes of the heavenly good from the stakes the power came to us whenever we stood reverberating out we're reaching each and every hood whenever we could, the spiritual anatomy, fool, but never take the credit for it because that'd be rude it's just the way in life we searching for that had to be new you gotta work it though 'cause everyday ain't saturday, fool- evolve into a better life and be happy with you and you'll be
first in flight
it's just so uplifting and inspirational.
It's not an exaggeration to say that I live by that song, and that I yell and scream that "good morning, god" or "good god, morning" shit EVERY time he says it. Every time I finished a semester or when I actually finished college, I'd listen to that thing for like a weekend straight.
Wolf Parade - I'll Believe in Anything
Its been mentioned before, and anyone who loves this song does it, but its the best drunken anthem. Or driving anthem.
I was so disappointed when I watched a video of them playing this live at CMG. There was barely any energy. This is the kind of song that when you play it live, you don't give a shit how clean it sounds you just have to flip the fuck out and put all your energy into it. They played it so quietly too, this is the kind of song that needs to level a concert hall.
Yeah, First in Flight is probably my favorite on Blazing Arrow.
'cause you can choose to say 'good morning, god" or "good god, morning" with black clouds storming i walk without umbrellas into these woods don't need 'em 'cause the mighty trees above will shelter me good i'm eating berries from the bushes of the heavenly good from the stakes the power came to us whenever we stood reverberating out we're reaching each and every hood whenever we could, the spiritual anatomy, fool, but never take the credit for it because that'd be rude it's just the way in life we searching for that had to be new you gotta work it though 'cause everyday ain't saturday, fool- evolve into a better life and be happy with you and you'll be
first in flight
it's just so uplifting and inspirational.
It's not an exaggeration to say that I live by that song, and that I yell and scream that "good morning, god" or "good god, morning" shit EVERY time he says it. Every time I finished a semester or when I actually finished college, I'd listen to that thing for like a weekend straight.
Every morning I actually wake up and say that, even though Im not really the biggest believer in anything but I dont think he necessarily means God but more so, you know, the Universal Whatever. Well, ok knowing Gab he actually means God but I'll interpret it as the UW
Every morning I actually wake up and say that, even though Im not really the biggest believer in anything but I dont think he necessarily means God but more so, you know, the Universal Whatever. Well, ok knowing Gab he actually means God but I'll interpret it as the UW
I heard he was pretty seriously diabetic and really had these serious health problems which really made every day a gift, which is why so many of his lyrics are just about loving life and enjoying the moment. God it's all so beautiful to me, even if it does have some religious undertones.
His solo album is one of the greatest lyrical works I've ever heard, as far as I'm concerned.
Every morning I actually wake up and say that, even though Im not really the biggest believer in anything but I dont think he necessarily means God but more so, you know, the Universal Whatever. Well, ok knowing Gab he actually means God but I'll interpret it as the UW
I heard he was pretty seriously diabetic and really had these serious health problems which really made every day a gift, which is why so many of his lyrics are just about loving life and enjoying the moment. God it's all so beautiful to me, even if it does have some religious undertones.
His solo album is one of the greatest lyrical works I've ever heard, as far as I'm concerned.
I wrote it off pretty quickly about a year ago but I'll give it another go. I think I was getting a lot of music around then and didnt give much a chance unless it hit pretty quickly
Arcturus - Nightmare Heaven
Totally badass song. Weirdness with the drums (HELLHAMMER!) at the beginning but builds into a really intense climax with a great solo and what I think is easily one of Garm's defining moments as a vocalist.
"and the miracle is that
nothing has happened
nothing has a history
or a name"
Sacrifice - Re-Animation
Neck-breaking headbanger. The riffs are unreal and Urbinati's screams are out of this world
Propagandhi - Purina Hall of Fame
Creepy, haunting intro of a sow being kicked (D:) leads into REALLY catchy riffs and a nice solo fading out at the end into a heartbeat. Lyrics are a high point:
"A short fuse to scatter steady hands if I forget to remember that better lives have been lived in the margins, locked in the prisons and lost on the gallows than have ever been enshrined in palaces."
Megadeth - Mechanix
More thrashy goodness. An old Mustaine-Hetfield Metallica song, raw, heavy riffs.
Sepultura - Beneath The Remains
RIFFS RIFFS RIFFS RIFFS
Angra - The Temple of Hate
AMAZING dual vocals with Kai Hansen and Edu Falaschi. The guitarists give the fretboard a serious workout on this song.
King Diamond - Welcome Home
GRAAAAANDMAAAA - WELCOME HOME
YOU HAVE BEEN GOO-OOONE
FOR FAR TOO LOOO-OOONG
Satanic Surfers - Soothing
Goofy ass lyrics but great energy backed up by amazing drums and a fast, catchy bassline.
Arch Enemy - Cosmic Retribution
Classic Arch Enemy, fast, melodic riffs with a little brutal edge, the Amott Bros. amazing soloing and a little classical guitar bit.
Gamma Ray - Somewhere Out In Space
Speed-power awesome. Cements Kai's position as one of the best power metal singers around.
Polyethylene (Parts 1 & 2) - Radiohead, How am I Driving EP
Kinda obscure Radiohead song, but one of their best. Anthemic and powerful.
Optimistic - Radiohead, Kid A
A breathing, driving, beat that pushes the song forward relentlessly.
The Night that Minnie Timperley Died - Pulp, We Love Life
A song about the murder of a beautiful woman that manages to be full of verve, passion and joy.
Chicago - Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Soaring, emotional and lyric.
Blues from Down Here - TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
Passionate, and full of righteous anger and mysticism.
Young Americans - David Bowie, Young Americans
Groovy, melancholy, nostalgic.
Lady Grinning Soul - David Bowie, Aladin Sane
Sexy and melodramatic.
Go With the Flow - Queens of the Stone Age, Songs for the Deaf
Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
The saddest song ever.
I was hesitant about this band at first because the whole indie crowd was flipping a shit about them but it turns out they were right- this band is great. Very orchestral and nostalgic music juxtaposed with the standard indie hihat-snare beats creates a unique atmosphere and while the lyrics don't appear to make much sense (But sometimes/ We remember our bedrooms/ And our parents' bedrooms/ And the bedrooms of our friends/ And then we think of our parents/ WELL WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THEM?) but they way Win Butler sings it, makes them make sense somehow.
03. Wolf Parade- I'll Believe in Anything
I can't deny this song. Yeah they're a new band and yeah they kind of sound like Modest Mouse but their album is just so good and this is far and away their greatest song and quite possibly the greatest song of 2005. It's anthemic without being obvious about it, the kind of song you want to scream at the top of your lungs when you're drunk. Has one of the most exhilarating climaxes I've ever heard. It just builds and builds and builds and explodes with emotion and never comes down until it's over.
Goddammit yes. My way of judging albums and whatnot is whether it can actually make you feel the song and emit some sense of emotion, and if I can listen to it a hundred times and never get tired of it. Both songs do this. The ending to I'll Believe in Anything is fucking amazing; I can't get over it. Just his voice when he's singing "Your blood, your bones, and your ghost"...I don't know it's just so breathtaking. And Neighborhood #1 has been one of my favorite songs of all time for awhile now. Awhile ago I got a bootleg live version of this song, and the way he Win Butler sings it so perfectly, and when the crowd starts singing along...Really makes you love music.
Edit: I'm bored I'll list some faves. (Alphabetically!)
Hardcore Days and Softcore Nights-Aqueduct
Neighborhood #1-The Arcade Fire
Me and the Major-Belle and Sebastian
Bastard-Ben Folds
The Ascent of Stan-Ben Folds
Brick-Ben Folds (Five)
Begin-Ben Lee
The Scientist-Coldplay
The One I Love-David Gray
Your Hand In Mine-Explosions In The Sky
Sunshine-Matt Costa
Oh Dear-Matt Costa
Seventeen Years-Ratatat
Eyes-Rogue Wave
Njosnavelin-Sigur Ros
Staralfur-Sigur Ros
I'll Believe In Anything-Wolf Parade
And literally everything done by Modest Mouse, The Postal Service, and Sufjan Stevens.
As for bands, it goes
Ben Folds
Modest Mouse
The Postal Service
Sufjan Stevens
The Shins
Death Cab For Cutie
Ben Lee
Daft Punk
The Arcade Fire
Andrew WK
The Strokes
Elliott Smith
I'm up for it. My favorite bands and my favorite song by them. My tastes might be called eclectic, though I wouldn't call any of it obscure. These ten artists make up about 95% of my playlists on Winamp, incidentally.
Porcupine Tree - The Sound of Muzak
This song is why Steve Wilson is so great. It's not just an intelligent critique of the music industry, it has great guitar work, an odd time signature, and an awesome solo that doesn't overdo it. Musical bliss.
PT in general has blown me away with their two most recent albums. I can't get into their early stuff no matter what I try, just doesn't work. But In Absentia and Deadwing have impressed me greatly.
Dream Theater - In The Name of God
It isn't a perfect song, but anything thirteen minutes long is bound to have some rough patches. The lyrics serve a purpose: it is not a general criticism on religious zealots, it's about fundamentalist Mormons. You might easily miss the reference. Has one of Petrucci's heaviest riffs and he shows off a ridiculous tapping solo near the middle. Throw in the faint sound of a choir singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic at the end and you have a song that defines epic.
I love Dream Theater because it's obvious they are good musicians, and they aren't afraid to show it off. They get over-the-top a lot and that's what's so great about them. Not everything has to be subtle to sound good.
Tool - Pushit
Nnngh. It was this or No Quarter, and this one's not a cover so it gets the vote. One of Maynard's most emotional songs and it has a great progression throughout three distinct styles. Carey is in top form and the opening riff is one of Jones' best ever. The last stanza of lyrics gives me chills every time. Well not quite, but close.
Tool is easily my favorite band, Lateralus my favorite album. They have a very strange sort of image too and like to weird people out. There's a reason they have such a fanatic following.
Nine Inch Nails - La Mer
I liked the Ruiner nomination earlier, I think it's Trent's best heavy song, but La Mer is something else entirely. Discordant yet melodic, utterly mechanical but it still oozes warmth. Throw in "nothing can stop me now" translated into what I think is French whispered by a female vocalist. Good stuff.
Trent gets a lot of crap for being the Gothman in pop culture, and he deserves it for a lot of his lyrics. But he's a master composer and producer and that's why I like NIN so much. And to be fair, there are times when we all want to fuck you like an animal.
Radiohead - Let Down
I like this song for unspecified reasons. Just not something I can really quanity. It's beautifully arranged and its full of emotion. I like it more than anything else they've done, though a few songs come close.
I never could get into post-OK Computer Radiohead. Too inaccesible, maybe? I could just be thick-skulled and incapable of appreciating it. But both OK Computer and The Bends end up on my playlists frequently, and if they can span such broad styles that I can love them on one album and totally fail to get them on the next, they have to be pretty talented.
Modest Mouse - Black Cadillacs
I love this song. It's frustrated, it's nostalgiac, it knows what it's talking about. The imagery in it is nothing short of poetic.
Sad to say that Good News... is the only Modest Mouse album I've really got into, but it's good enough to make them a favorite of mine. The View, Float On, The World at Large, and The Ocean Breathes Salty are all fantastic tracks.
DJ Tiesto - In Search of Sunrise 2
I'm cheating here, it's an album. Not really, it's a setlist. I think. Techno is categorized really strangely and I'm still unfamiliar with the terminology. But it's great. I got the CD from my sister and it prompted me to start looking into this "techno" genre I'd previously despised. Yes, it has repeitive beats, but they change enough and they're so aurally gorgeous that it's worth listening to over and over.
I like techno for very odd reasons: I'm a junkie for sounds that just tickle my ears the right way. Tiesto comes up with synths that are interesting and melodic and mixes tracks that still have a sense of structure despite being propelled by a 4/4 kickdrum throughout. It's not for everyone, but it's working for me.
Protricity - KRool Intentions
One of OCRemix's most infamous mixers, and it was damn hard to pick a favorite track of his. There's a good 6 or 7 by Prot alone that I love above everything else on OCRemix. I affectionately call it "industrial pirate metal" because it features some great guitar synths, heavily distorted drums, and something which sounds vaguely like an accordion possessed by Satan. Whatever it is, it kicks ass and isn't embarassed about it. Six minutes of face-rocking goodness based on a track from an SNES game.
Protricity is, as I said, one of my favorite OCRemixers. He remixed a Lords of the Realm 2 medley which gets my respect just because I loved the shit out of that game. He did an Age of Empires remix. He has a bunch of really awesome DKC2 mixes. And he's an utter bastard, or at least was when he was still active on the forums. He has the kind of talent which can make people start to pay attention to video game remixes, and that's exactly what the genre needs.
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks
So it's a cover but it's one of Zep's best tracks. Just an all-around great song. Doesn't need a whole lot of introduction, and neither does Led Zeppelin. Suffice to say, they're the first band I ever liked.
A Perfect Circle - The Noose
Not to fellate Maynard too much, but he's a musical genius. There's so much going on in this song, and it's so subtle about it, that you have to listen a few times and you only get more floored with each repetition. I've been in a position to relate to the lyrics too, which always makes songs sound better. It's emotional but it doesn't overdo it, like so many songs do. It's an example of how humans really feel most of the time: we don't tend to scream much or give heartrending soliliquoys. The calm nature of the vocals and the lyrics themselves make this song great, and the instruments just help with that.
APC still gets a lot of listens, Mer de Noms is a solid album and 13th Step has some of my personal favorite songs (The Noose, Blue, Pet, Gravity). It's music you can relate to without having to give the caveat of, "well I wouldn't go that far." It is not over-the-top, emotionally or sonically. APC had a couple flashes of brilliance and I'm glad they managed to share it before the project died.
The Verve - History
Jeff Buckley - Lilac Wine
Nas - N.Y State of Mind.
Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand
The Strokes - Electricityscape
Nirvana - The Man Who Sold the World
Muse - Citizen Erased
Rage Against the Machine - Tire Me
Roy Orbison - In Dreams
Bob Dylan - Standing in the Doorway
Sure, those songs are not compatible with each other, but they're my favourite songs from my favourite artists.
So, there you have it.
edit - Also, if I could throw in a bonus track, I'd add Jeff Buckley's 'Everybody here wants you'. I adore that song with all of my being.
I love so much music it is neigh impossible to make a list of "best" songs. Instead, I'll go dig through my rest-folder and go from there.
I'll list them as I run into them, so it's completely random and I neglect about 80% of my music collection by doing this.
1Animals - Don't let me be misunderstood.
I love this man's voice! I have no ideas if the lyrics are any good, but the voice alone makes it worth it. Plus, this music is so old, but it still sounds hip to me.
2Beach Boys - Sloop John B
This was the themesong of me and some friends from school. Everytime we were somewhere we didn't want to be. (P.E./mathematics/detention/fieldwork with complete jerks) we'd just sing this song.
I wanna go home
tu-dudu tu-dudu
I feel so broke up!
I wanna go home~
3Blur - Song 2
Energy!
4Great Big Sea - Boston and St. John's
I can't explain why, but it is great folk music.
5Live - Overcome
The song that always make me remember 9/11. The lyrics, the minimalistic approach, simply fantabulous.
6Panteon Rococo
Nice latin ska music, it has something to it.
7Racoon - Feel like Flying
Its a dutch band and they make awesome music. It's pretty possitive music but dares to make sensitive songs as well. And their lyrics are great. Especially for dutchies singing in English. I think only The Golden Earring has better lyrics. *nodnod*
8Real McKenzies
Scottisch folk/punk. It amuses me, yes it does.
9Selecter - Brittania
Second-wave ska. The voices are something special and it annoys me that second-wave is neglected so much lately. :x
Ares- I can somewhat understand Kid A and Amnesiac being inaccessible to some, but Hail to the Thief is a pretty standard rock album. I mean, there's some Radiohead weirdness thrown in there, but it's easily as accessible as The Bends.
As for Sufjan Stevens, I don't think Casimir Pulaski Day is his saddest song, for me that goes to Romulis, from Michigan. For the Widows in Paradise is up there, too. It's between that and Chicago for my favorite song by him.
They are simular songs, and which is better varies from day to day, generally whirlwind
Bright eyes - Road to Joy
Seriously hard, i could probably list half a dozen oberst songs, still i hink this is the ones whih has aged best, it was awesome when i firs theard it, it is still awesome, great lyrics, rythm. It is great
"My mind races with all my longings but can't keep up with what i've got"
Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy
I had heard this song a few times before i heard the noice near the very end of the song, and it really creeped me out. But otherwise classic sufjan attributes, really lovely melody, great lyrics of a true story.
The Hives - Hate to say i told you so
It's angry, awesome guitarrs, its Hives at their best
Håkan Hellström - En vän med en bil
The best intro and guitarr riff ever, and not to mention HÃ¥kans emotion flled voice, and the simple yet brilliant lyrics. Whoever doesn't like it sucks?
Radiohead - Street Spirit
Great song, its slow, sad, and if you listen to it while walking down big emptyish streets its perfect
Silverbullit - People get real
'Joy', or 'I promise you' could also have gotten this, but this song is slow and melodic, with ... well once again, epic lyrics describing modern society. No to mention a kick ass bass line
Yu Miyake something something - Katamari on the rocks
So it's a video game song, eat yourself, it's cheery, poppy, I love it.
The pixies - Dig for fire
Well, previous speaker said it, great song, other pixies songs are up there too, but meh, can't pick
err, finally...
Architecture in Helsinki - Like a Call
Yeah, love, whispering, plinky. Pretty.
Hard it is picking just 10 songs, but those'll do
fjafjan on
Yepp, THE Fjafjan (who's THE fjafjan?)
- "Proving once again the deadliest animal of all ... is the Zoo Keeper" - Philip J Fry
0
Options
MrMisterJesus dying on the cross in pain? Morally better than us. One has to go "all in".Registered Userregular
edited October 2006
God writing this list was difficult. I'm pretty mood-dependent with music, and I'll have a craving for a song one minute and be bored with it the next. So, here is my provisional, extremely sketchy list.
Juicy - The Notorious BIG
This song is one of my favorite songs ever, and most likely my favorite Biggie. I love the story of his triumph over poverty and adversity, and the defiant tone as he tells everyone off about it. Of course, the fact that he does it to an amazing beat, and is himself an amazing rapper, doesn't hurt.
Satisfaction - Eve
I like this song for similar reasons. I also have a thing for female rappers, what with how they assert themselves in an frequently misogynist and male-dominated industry. Catchy, as well.
Close call between this and Lil' Kim for this lot.
American Girl - Tom Petty
Tom Petty is most excellent, and this is his most excellent song. I think this is one of his best songs at tapping into the kind of small town restlessness that's strangley universal, even for those of us who already live in the big city. Even the Losers and Don't Do Me Like That are contenders here, but I went with this one because I think it best captures that mood.
17 Again - The Eurythmics
Now, this is a pretty damn pretentious song, and I'll certainly admit it. However, I still like it a lot. I love how it shows us bits and pieces of the relationship between the singer and whomever she's addressing, and lets us fill in what we don't see. We know they have a fraught history, and we know they were famous, but things went wrong--yet they're still somehow tied together and can never really get over each other. Now, this is, as I said, unbearably pretentious, however, it still resonates with me. Perhaps it's pandering to the little part of me that buys into bullshit.
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
"It was Christmas Eve, babe, in the drunk tank." What a classy opener to a classy song. Again we have the same sort of failed romance, though it's more explicitly described here. The musicality of the song strongly appeals to me--I like call and response, I like songs which I can sing along to, and I think that this song features excellent vocals. Kirsty McCall and Shane McGowan can sing.
Bubble Pop Electric - Gwen Stefani
This song reminds me of a retarded chihuahua. I love it. It's the embodiment of the happy retarded fast-beat music I love.
Sonny's Dream - ???
Unfortunately, I don't know whose version of this song I've been listening to. It was labelled as Stan Rogers, however, I can tell it's not him. However, whoever it is can sure sing, and it's a great song to yell along to. I'm starting to get over this song, but I feel compelled to include it both because it's vaguely representative of a lot of my more folkish taste in music and also because I did listen to it almost 400 times before I got tired of it, which is kind of a lot.
Sweetness- Jimmy Eat World
WHOA OH-OH OH-OH-OH.
Seriously, who doesn't like this song?
I Miss You - Blink 182
This song has a completely different sound from most of their music, and it's pretty refreshing. Chellos are cool.
Everything is Alright - Motion City Soundtrack
So, I made fun of my roommate all the time for being a little emo boy and listening to Dashboard, but then he found out I listened to Motion City Soundtrack. That was an unfortunate turnabout. What can I say, they're catchy.
1. Elliott Smith - "See You In Heaven"
This is an instrumental form of a song caled "My New Freedom," and is probably the most listened to track on my computer. When the slow little intro ends and the sleigh bells start, it just immediately picks me up. The bass really keeps the song moving, and the layering is just awesome. There are an insane amount of tracks, and it makes the song sound really full.
The chorus kind of fades out midway, and picks up immediately with much louder and heavier guitars, and a lead guitar going over that. It picks it up, but also leads beautifully into the ending, where the tempo dies down and everything just fades away. I don't know why, but ever since the first time I heard the song I knew it was my favorite.
Where is this song from? I have all of his albums, some unreleased tracks and some live stuff and covers and I don't have this song...
Vapid on
POKEMON DIAMOND : 1418 4085 0727
Mario Strikers: 266395 286788
Like games/movies/other awesome stuff? Check ouy my blog: http://freakinawesome.wordpress.com/
Pedro the Lion - The Fleecing - Pedro the Lion is one of David Bazan's projects (see also Headphones and his solo work), and in my opinion he is definitely the best songwriter working under the (arguable in his case) umbrella of Christian music, and maybe even the best current songwriter. He writes about realistic and flawed struggles for faith which is something you can never find in the 'praise God!.. everything is perfect!' flavor of writing that makes up 99.9% of "Christian" music. He often writes entire albums with nothing but vague references to Christianity, uses language openly (swear words), and often writes about drinking and alcohol, making him somewhat of a rogue figure in the Christian community. But nonetheless, I love his music and love the fact that he has never co opted into the creatively impotent world of contemporary Christian music. See lyrics such as: But I can't say it like I sing it \ And I can't sing it like I think it \ And I can’t think it like I feel it \ And I don’t feel a thing
Pixies - Ana - Picking my favorite Pixies song is like picking my favorite type of beer (i.e. virtually impossible), but I'll go with this one off of my favorite Pixies album, Bossanova. It's a haunting and lethargic surf song about a girl undressing and riding off into sunset on a surfboard. What more could you want? As an extra bonus to careful listeners, the beginning letter in each line of the lyrics spells the anagram "SURFER". An amazing song both sonically and lyrically by, in my opinion, the greatest band of the last thirty years.
BS2000 - The Scrappy - BS2000 was a short lived side project of Adam Horovitz (Adrock) of the Beastie Boys, and Amery Smith (AWOL), a drummer who frequently worked with the Beastie Boys. The lyrics are completely nonsensical and the music is made up of garage sale keyboards and organs and live drumming. It is brutally lo-fi, and absolutely oozing with charm. Very few people have heard of BS200, and even fewer appreciate them, yet this records holds a very special place in my heart.
My Bloody Valentine - Soon - It should be a crime to leave My Bloody Valentine out of any list such as this. This album (Loveless) and song are the opus of a tortured musical genius - Kevin Shields - seeking the patterns in static. A traditional and beautiful melody pushes itself through a thick wall of distortion in a way that even the greats of distortion - Sonic Youth and Jesus and the Mary Chain - could never achieve. I'm actually glad the band never released anything post Loveless and went out on the highest sonic high a band can reach. 'Only Shallow', off of the same album, came a very very close second.
Mountain Goats - International Small Arms Traffic Blues - As already pointed out in this thread, John Darnielle is one of the greatest living songwriters. His writing is overly dramatic and heart wrenchingly sincere at the same time. Musically, his songs are overly simple and intricately complex at the same time. This song was chosen purely for these lyrics - Our love is like the border between Greece and Albania \ Trucks loaded down with weapons \ Crossing over every night - as they could make someone choke up who has never even experienced an abusive relationship.
Stars - Ageless Beauty - "Subversive pop music" is the only way I can describe the Stars. Although they are put under the "indie pop" label, their polished musicianship and impeccable melodies could only be described as pure pop. They write songs about bitter breakup sex, post-breakup sex, meaningless sex, casual sex... and, well, a few things other than sex... that even the most close minded anti-sex conservative would tap his or her foot to and say "wow, I like this song".
Echo & the Bunnymen - My Kingdom - This is off of the album 'Ocean Rain' which is easily one of the greatest albums of the 1980s. This may not be my absolute favorite Echo & the Bunnymen song, but I chose it as, yet again, because it is a deliciously subversive pop song that shows off Ian McCulloch's songwriting genius. The lyrics in the chorus - Burn the skin off and climb the roof top \ Thy will be done \ Bite the nose off and make it the most of \ Your kingdom, king-k- k- k- k - are brutally violent, yet presented in a jangly and happy pop format. This album is about depression, violence, anger and desperation; however, it doesn't make you feel like you have to paint your nails black as a prerequisite to enjoy it.
Devo - Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy - One of the greatest songs by one of the greatest concept bands of all time. I always chuckle when I tell people I love Devo and they reply "oh, that's that band who did Whip It, right?" As with any concept band that accidentally or intentionally has hit singles, those people are completely missing the point.
Sun Kil Moon - Neverending Math Equation - Sun Kil Moon is a project by Mark Kozelek, the former lead singer of the Red House Painters. The album that this song is from is an entire album of quiet acoustic covers of Modest Mouse songs. Kozelek adds a whole new emotional dimension to what were already extremely emotional songs by Modest Mouse. I would say this album is a "must-listen" for any Modest Mouse fan. Kozelek lets the end phrases of lines such as "The universe works on a math equation \ that never even ever really ends in the end" trail off into perfect nothingness, while making lines such as "On a plane, I can see the tiny lights below \ And oh my God, they look so alone" sound just as lonely as the lights are supposed to be. Kozelek previously gave the same treatment to AC\DC, covering an entire albums worth of Bon Scott era AC\DC songs (under the name Mark Kozelek, not Sun Kil Moon), which is also an amazing album.
1. Elliott Smith - "See You In Heaven"
This is an instrumental form of a song caled "My New Freedom," and is probably the most listened to track on my computer. When the slow little intro ends and the sleigh bells start, it just immediately picks me up. The bass really keeps the song moving, and the layering is just awesome. There are an insane amount of tracks, and it makes the song sound really full.
The chorus kind of fades out midway, and picks up immediately with much louder and heavier guitars, and a lead guitar going over that. It picks it up, but also leads beautifully into the ending, where the tempo dies down and everything just fades away. I don't know why, but ever since the first time I heard the song I knew it was my favorite.
Where is this song from? I have all of his albums, some unreleased tracks and some live stuff and covers and I don't have this song...
Here under Basement Demos. I'd also suggest looking around the site and getting everything, because I think a lot of his unreleased stuff was better than his album stuff.
Does it have to be bands? Most of my favourite musicians are solo artists.
Seriously, do you think anyone kick up a shit if you listed a solo artist? Im sick of people asking stupid questions like this music threads
As long as its vaguely in line with the thread then fucking do it!
Well, if you insist.
Leonard Cohen - Stranger Song
This has to be chosen pretty much on an arbitrary basis because I love all of Leonard's songs. But this is definitely a masterpiece. For richness and depth and interest in its poetry... to do it justice would take forever, so I won't. :P
Bob Dylan - Tangled Up in Blue
The first song I learned to play on the guitar. I must have played it every day for six months. Still, every time I hear those opening bars, it makes me want to stop what I'm doing and listen to the story again.
Joni Mitchell - Song for Sharon
I really need to be in the right mood for Joni Mitchell, but when I am, there's no-one else who can do what she does. Emotional depth, lyrical sophistication, sincerity and musical brilliance all come together in this song perfectly.
Richard Thompson - Beeswing
Mmm. So beautiful.
Bruce Springsteen - Badlands
No-one else is like the boss. So many of his songs have been important to me at different times of my life... I guess I chose this one because it was the first one to really speak to me.
Tori Amos - Precious Things
Again, no else is like her... this song is so deeply... tied into some of my... I don't know. Old loves and so on. Um.
Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
What can I say about this... see, yeah, I don't know. I think I can't really say much of anything about how these songs affect me. The words just seem completely inadequate. I can only say that they do. Alright. No more of these silly mini-reviews.
David Bowie - Teenage Wildlife
Loudon Wainwright III - Hitting You
And to satisfy the thread title by including at least one band... The Who - You Better You Bet
Ares- I can somewhat understand Kid A and Amnesiac being inaccessible to some, but Hail to the Thief is a pretty standard rock album. I mean, there's some Radiohead weirdness thrown in there, but it's easily as accessible as The Bends.
Blame my forgetting HttT on sleep deprivation. I like it, at least most of it, but not as much as OK Computer and The Bends.
My favourite song right now has got to be "Illusion" by Keepin 6.
If you like punk/ska type shit, you should check them out.
Al_wat on
0
Options
Triple BBastard of the NorthMARegistered Userregular
edited October 2006
I'll list songs and nothing more. I don't feel like typing a lot. Deal with it. :x
Pearl Jam - "Black"
The Who - "Baba O'Riley"
Bob Dylan - "Most of the Time"
The Beatles - "Hey Jude"
Neil Young - "Rockin' in the Free World"
Mother Love Bone - "Crown of Thorns"
Dave Matthews Band - "Ants Marching"
Our Lady Peace - "Somewhere Out There"
Soundgarden - "Birth Ritual"
Pearl Jam - "Yellow Ledbetter"
I can't really list off 10 albums or songs and go into depth as to why I like them, usually stuff I like just clicks with me instantly. However I feel like talking about one album that I can listen to from start to finish, and play at least one song from it every day.
That alubm is Blood Sugar Sex Magic from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
This is the crossroads of the RHCP sound. Back in the 80's they were a rockin thrash funk-rock band best known for barking vocals, crazy slap bass, and sharp and wailing funk/rock guitar.
But with BSSM they stepped outside of their comfort zone. Some of the lyrics didn't involve sex, drugs, and rock n roll (see Power of Equality, and Righteous and The Wicked), Anthony really started to sing along with rapping and barking, Flea toned down the slap crazy-ness and gave some tasteful and funky grooves (though it still wouldnt be RHCP without some slap bass), John Frusciante came into his own, and developed his own signature guitar style (though Hillel Slovak's influences were still noticable) unlike the layered and heavy guitar tracks on Mother's Milk (which was done against his creative direction), and Chad Smith (IMHO) became a superior drummer to original beat maker Jack Irons (though I still dig Jackie I).
It was the perfect balance of what they were known for, and treading into new territory with songs like Breaking The Girl, I Could Have Lied, and of course Under The Bridge.
It's also the last truly rocking RHCP album before the more mellow and melody heavy material of Californication and onward; no One Hot Minute (though it has some highlights like Aeroplane) with Dave Navarro does not count. Basically my favorite album of my favorite band.
Not a top 10 by any means, just some songs I really like:
Gold Lion-Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I don't know why exactly, but the first time I heard this song I had to hear it 3 times before I was satisfied.
They are Night Zombies!! They are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!!-Sufjan Stevens
If someone forced me to say what my favorite song is period, I'd probaly say this, then change my mind about 5 seconds later.
Springfield-Sufjan Stevens
Another Sufjan Stevens. Just about anything this guy touches is gold. Aside from a horrible guitar solo in the middle very relaxing, flowing, yet powerful song.
Shine a Light-Wolf Parade
This CD has been in my car almost straight since I got it two months ago. And while there are a lot of good songs on it I think I'm in love with this one. Very driving.
Rock the Casbah-The Clash
Anyone who hates The Clash is a nazi. There I said it.
That's Life-Frank Sinatra
It's like the "It's a Wonderful Life" of music. In a shitty mood? Listen to this and you'll feel all better.
Press Gang- Murder City Devils
Just a good 'ole rock the fuck out song. If you EVER have a chance to see this band (assuming they're fully back togather again) take it.
The Mariner's Revenge Song-The Decemberists
Very overly dramatic (just like every other song they do), but this one even a bit more so. Very good, kinda like a fucked up Moby Dick in song form.
Alright thats enough for now.
Hepecarne on
0
Options
cj iwakuraThe Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered Userregular
edited October 2006
Eh, I'll try. I'll also leave out OST stuff, because that would probably take up half the list or more.
BT w/ Jan Johnston - Remember
I have four of the man's albums, since I consider him my favorite DJ ever, but this song really strikes a chord with me. All 8:00+ of it. (The R&R ESCM 12" mix).
Five Iron Frenzy - Where Zero Meets Fifteen
They have a ton of songs I love, but this is just my favorite for some reason. I'm also lucky enough that it's a song they play(ed) at every single one of their live shows.
System Of A Down - Sugar
Their self-titled album was the first album I ever got where every single song was amazing, and this song was the reason I got it. It still doesn't disappoint.
Sarah McLachlan - Possession
Of all things, it was an AMV that got me into this song, and from there, I was hooked on it. The album(Fumbling Towards Ecstacy) is really good too.
Incubus - Stellar
Another song that just strikes a chord with me. It being in Guitar Hero had me all kinds of excited, until I heard how much the redone vocals sucked.
Banya - Love Is A Danger Zone
Arguably the only trance song these guys ever did, and I listened to it about forty times when it was first released. Even at a 1:30 length, I love it to death.
A Perfect Circle - 3 Libras
The whole album is good, but this one immediately clicked with me. (They're also really good live.)
Shai - Comforter
Yes, it's R&B, and yes, it's about 15+ years old, sue me, I grew up on this song and I still love it.
Boa - Duvet (the band, not the kpop artist)
Probably a no-brainer considering the anime it came from, but this song forced me to go track down(and special order) their album, and it was worth it.
Matisyahu - King Without A Crown
A little recent, but I couldn't think of a tenth offhand, and the whole album it comes from is awesome too.
The solo near the end so makes me wish I knew how to play guitar.
Posts
Seriously, do you think anyone kick up a shit if you listed a solo artist? Im sick of people asking stupid questions like this music threads
As long as its vaguely in line with the thread then fucking do it!
I don't think I really have a favorite Smith's song, but the chorus of this song always gives me a kind of strange, uneasy feeling. to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
Bob Dylan - It's alright ma
In contest with "The Gates of Eden", "Like a Rolling stone" and a few others, but overall this takes the cake. I've only heard it on the bootleg 1964 album, but god damn. It is such a cynical look on humanity.
Wilco - More like the moon
A desperate love song. There are two distinct types of Wilco for me, the sad kind and the happy kind. "I am trying to break your heart", "misunderstood" and this song are good examples of the sad wilco.
REM - Nightswimming
I and other people I know have tremendous amounts of empathy for this song. It's one of the weaker songs on "Automatic for the people" but that is all excused because it reminds me of my good friends. It's almost too bittersweet to be enjoyed, however.
The New Pornographers - bleeding heart show
The pinnacle song of one of my favorite bands.
The Doors - The End
A similar tone to the previously mentioned Dylan song. It's like listening to a dream.
Nick Cave and the bad seeds - babe i got you bad
I'm not sure, I just like this song.
Smashing pumpkins - perfect
It explains my view on relationships.
Elliott Smith - King's crossing
The best song on his unimaginably depressing final album. It's long and it has the same aura as The End. I found this amazing music video for it that was created by a fan in memory of Elliott smith. I wish I still had that link.
David Bowie - Heroes
Just my favorite Bowie song.
edit: dammit, I should have put The velvet underground - All tomorrow's parties in there
Elliot Smith-Between the Bars
Elliot Smith-Stupidity Tries
Pantera-Cowboys From Hell
Beatles-Golden Slumbers
Beatles Hey Jude
Daft Punk-Harder Better Faster Stronger
Dragonforce-Fury of the storm
Cake-Never There
Lou Reed-Perfect Day
Not really a good top ten, but I didn't put too much time into it
Awesome. You're one of the few people I know who seems to love this album as much as me, and this is definitely one of my favorite songs off the album as well. Did I mention on the 22nd I'm seeing Lyrics Born, Pigeon John, and Cut Chemist? I know you're jealous.
And yeah, people need to take these threads less seriously. I do.
BA is like a bible to me man.
Have you seen PJ live yet? Everyone needs to!
:?
Yeah, I fucking love that album. You're like the only person in the world I'm aware of that seems to care about it as much as me.
Nope, he might be the biggest reason I'm going.
'cause you can choose to say 'good morning, god" or "good god, morning" with black clouds storming i walk without umbrellas into these woods don't need 'em 'cause the mighty trees above will shelter me good i'm eating berries from the bushes of the heavenly good from the stakes the power came to us whenever we stood reverberating out we're reaching each and every hood whenever we could, the spiritual anatomy, fool, but never take the credit for it because that'd be rude it's just the way in life we searching for that had to be new you gotta work it though 'cause everyday ain't saturday, fool- evolve into a better life and be happy with you and you'll be
first in flight
it's just so uplifting and inspirational.
I completely agree, except PJ Sings the Blues is better than anyone actually thinks. But then everything pales in light of his live act. Even the main act.
Fuck, I really hope he delivers for you Cel. It'd be a damn shame to be let down now. I've only seen him once about three years ago.
I was so disappointed when I watched a video of them playing this live at CMG. There was barely any energy. This is the kind of song that when you play it live, you don't give a shit how clean it sounds you just have to flip the fuck out and put all your energy into it. They played it so quietly too, this is the kind of song that needs to level a concert hall.
Hopefully they are usually better live than that.
Every morning I actually wake up and say that, even though Im not really the biggest believer in anything but I dont think he necessarily means God but more so, you know, the Universal Whatever. Well, ok knowing Gab he actually means God but I'll interpret it as the UW
His solo album is one of the greatest lyrical works I've ever heard, as far as I'm concerned.
I wrote it off pretty quickly about a year ago but I'll give it another go. I think I was getting a lot of music around then and didnt give much a chance unless it hit pretty quickly
Arcturus - Nightmare Heaven
Totally badass song. Weirdness with the drums (HELLHAMMER!) at the beginning but builds into a really intense climax with a great solo and what I think is easily one of Garm's defining moments as a vocalist.
"and the miracle is that
nothing has happened
nothing has a history
or a name"
Sacrifice - Re-Animation
Neck-breaking headbanger. The riffs are unreal and Urbinati's screams are out of this world
Propagandhi - Purina Hall of Fame
Creepy, haunting intro of a sow being kicked (D:) leads into REALLY catchy riffs and a nice solo fading out at the end into a heartbeat. Lyrics are a high point:
"A short fuse to scatter steady hands if I forget to remember that better lives have been lived in the margins, locked in the prisons and lost on the gallows than have ever been enshrined in palaces."
Megadeth - Mechanix
More thrashy goodness. An old Mustaine-Hetfield Metallica song, raw, heavy riffs.
Sepultura - Beneath The Remains
RIFFS RIFFS RIFFS RIFFS
Angra - The Temple of Hate
AMAZING dual vocals with Kai Hansen and Edu Falaschi. The guitarists give the fretboard a serious workout on this song.
King Diamond - Welcome Home
GRAAAAANDMAAAA - WELCOME HOME
YOU HAVE BEEN GOO-OOONE
FOR FAR TOO LOOO-OOONG
Satanic Surfers - Soothing
Goofy ass lyrics but great energy backed up by amazing drums and a fast, catchy bassline.
Arch Enemy - Cosmic Retribution
Classic Arch Enemy, fast, melodic riffs with a little brutal edge, the Amott Bros. amazing soloing and a little classical guitar bit.
Gamma Ray - Somewhere Out In Space
Speed-power awesome. Cements Kai's position as one of the best power metal singers around.
just askin'
Polyethylene (Parts 1 & 2) - Radiohead, How am I Driving EP
Kinda obscure Radiohead song, but one of their best. Anthemic and powerful.
Optimistic - Radiohead, Kid A
A breathing, driving, beat that pushes the song forward relentlessly.
The Night that Minnie Timperley Died - Pulp, We Love Life
A song about the murder of a beautiful woman that manages to be full of verve, passion and joy.
Chicago - Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Soaring, emotional and lyric.
Blues from Down Here - TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
Passionate, and full of righteous anger and mysticism.
Young Americans - David Bowie, Young Americans
Groovy, melancholy, nostalgic.
Lady Grinning Soul - David Bowie, Aladin Sane
Sexy and melodramatic.
Go With the Flow - Queens of the Stone Age, Songs for the Deaf
Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
The saddest song ever.
Crucify - Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes
I'm lost at sea
Don't bother me
Awesome lyrics, great CD
Blackalicious - Make You Feel That Way
Such a feel good song, listen to it all the time.
Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
The saddest song, but I listen to it so much
Rogue Wave - Medicine Ball
Everyone should hear these guys, they are even better live.
Tapes n' Tapes - Omaha
My favorite tapes n tapes, this only five bit I'll finish it later
Goddammit yes. My way of judging albums and whatnot is whether it can actually make you feel the song and emit some sense of emotion, and if I can listen to it a hundred times and never get tired of it. Both songs do this. The ending to I'll Believe in Anything is fucking amazing; I can't get over it. Just his voice when he's singing "Your blood, your bones, and your ghost"...I don't know it's just so breathtaking. And Neighborhood #1 has been one of my favorite songs of all time for awhile now. Awhile ago I got a bootleg live version of this song, and the way he Win Butler sings it so perfectly, and when the crowd starts singing along...Really makes you love music.
Edit: I'm bored I'll list some faves. (Alphabetically!)
Hardcore Days and Softcore Nights-Aqueduct
Neighborhood #1-The Arcade Fire
Me and the Major-Belle and Sebastian
Bastard-Ben Folds
The Ascent of Stan-Ben Folds
Brick-Ben Folds (Five)
Begin-Ben Lee
The Scientist-Coldplay
The One I Love-David Gray
Your Hand In Mine-Explosions In The Sky
Sunshine-Matt Costa
Oh Dear-Matt Costa
Seventeen Years-Ratatat
Eyes-Rogue Wave
Njosnavelin-Sigur Ros
Staralfur-Sigur Ros
I'll Believe In Anything-Wolf Parade
And literally everything done by Modest Mouse, The Postal Service, and Sufjan Stevens.
As for bands, it goes
Ben Folds
Modest Mouse
The Postal Service
Sufjan Stevens
The Shins
Death Cab For Cutie
Ben Lee
Daft Punk
The Arcade Fire
Andrew WK
The Strokes
Elliott Smith
Porcupine Tree - The Sound of Muzak
This song is why Steve Wilson is so great. It's not just an intelligent critique of the music industry, it has great guitar work, an odd time signature, and an awesome solo that doesn't overdo it. Musical bliss.
PT in general has blown me away with their two most recent albums. I can't get into their early stuff no matter what I try, just doesn't work. But In Absentia and Deadwing have impressed me greatly.
Dream Theater - In The Name of God
It isn't a perfect song, but anything thirteen minutes long is bound to have some rough patches. The lyrics serve a purpose: it is not a general criticism on religious zealots, it's about fundamentalist Mormons. You might easily miss the reference. Has one of Petrucci's heaviest riffs and he shows off a ridiculous tapping solo near the middle. Throw in the faint sound of a choir singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic at the end and you have a song that defines epic.
I love Dream Theater because it's obvious they are good musicians, and they aren't afraid to show it off. They get over-the-top a lot and that's what's so great about them. Not everything has to be subtle to sound good.
Tool - Pushit
Nnngh. It was this or No Quarter, and this one's not a cover so it gets the vote. One of Maynard's most emotional songs and it has a great progression throughout three distinct styles. Carey is in top form and the opening riff is one of Jones' best ever. The last stanza of lyrics gives me chills every time. Well not quite, but close.
Tool is easily my favorite band, Lateralus my favorite album. They have a very strange sort of image too and like to weird people out. There's a reason they have such a fanatic following.
Nine Inch Nails - La Mer
I liked the Ruiner nomination earlier, I think it's Trent's best heavy song, but La Mer is something else entirely. Discordant yet melodic, utterly mechanical but it still oozes warmth. Throw in "nothing can stop me now" translated into what I think is French whispered by a female vocalist. Good stuff.
Trent gets a lot of crap for being the Gothman in pop culture, and he deserves it for a lot of his lyrics. But he's a master composer and producer and that's why I like NIN so much. And to be fair, there are times when we all want to fuck you like an animal.
Radiohead - Let Down
I like this song for unspecified reasons. Just not something I can really quanity. It's beautifully arranged and its full of emotion. I like it more than anything else they've done, though a few songs come close.
I never could get into post-OK Computer Radiohead. Too inaccesible, maybe? I could just be thick-skulled and incapable of appreciating it. But both OK Computer and The Bends end up on my playlists frequently, and if they can span such broad styles that I can love them on one album and totally fail to get them on the next, they have to be pretty talented.
Modest Mouse - Black Cadillacs
I love this song. It's frustrated, it's nostalgiac, it knows what it's talking about. The imagery in it is nothing short of poetic.
Sad to say that Good News... is the only Modest Mouse album I've really got into, but it's good enough to make them a favorite of mine. The View, Float On, The World at Large, and The Ocean Breathes Salty are all fantastic tracks.
DJ Tiesto - In Search of Sunrise 2
I'm cheating here, it's an album. Not really, it's a setlist. I think. Techno is categorized really strangely and I'm still unfamiliar with the terminology. But it's great. I got the CD from my sister and it prompted me to start looking into this "techno" genre I'd previously despised. Yes, it has repeitive beats, but they change enough and they're so aurally gorgeous that it's worth listening to over and over.
I like techno for very odd reasons: I'm a junkie for sounds that just tickle my ears the right way. Tiesto comes up with synths that are interesting and melodic and mixes tracks that still have a sense of structure despite being propelled by a 4/4 kickdrum throughout. It's not for everyone, but it's working for me.
Protricity - KRool Intentions
One of OCRemix's most infamous mixers, and it was damn hard to pick a favorite track of his. There's a good 6 or 7 by Prot alone that I love above everything else on OCRemix. I affectionately call it "industrial pirate metal" because it features some great guitar synths, heavily distorted drums, and something which sounds vaguely like an accordion possessed by Satan. Whatever it is, it kicks ass and isn't embarassed about it. Six minutes of face-rocking goodness based on a track from an SNES game.
Protricity is, as I said, one of my favorite OCRemixers. He remixed a Lords of the Realm 2 medley which gets my respect just because I loved the shit out of that game. He did an Age of Empires remix. He has a bunch of really awesome DKC2 mixes. And he's an utter bastard, or at least was when he was still active on the forums. He has the kind of talent which can make people start to pay attention to video game remixes, and that's exactly what the genre needs.
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks
So it's a cover but it's one of Zep's best tracks. Just an all-around great song. Doesn't need a whole lot of introduction, and neither does Led Zeppelin. Suffice to say, they're the first band I ever liked.
A Perfect Circle - The Noose
Not to fellate Maynard too much, but he's a musical genius. There's so much going on in this song, and it's so subtle about it, that you have to listen a few times and you only get more floored with each repetition. I've been in a position to relate to the lyrics too, which always makes songs sound better. It's emotional but it doesn't overdo it, like so many songs do. It's an example of how humans really feel most of the time: we don't tend to scream much or give heartrending soliliquoys. The calm nature of the vocals and the lyrics themselves make this song great, and the instruments just help with that.
APC still gets a lot of listens, Mer de Noms is a solid album and 13th Step has some of my personal favorite songs (The Noose, Blue, Pet, Gravity). It's music you can relate to without having to give the caveat of, "well I wouldn't go that far." It is not over-the-top, emotionally or sonically. APC had a couple flashes of brilliance and I'm glad they managed to share it before the project died.
The Verve - History
Jeff Buckley - Lilac Wine
Nas - N.Y State of Mind.
Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand
The Strokes - Electricityscape
Nirvana - The Man Who Sold the World
Muse - Citizen Erased
Rage Against the Machine - Tire Me
Roy Orbison - In Dreams
Bob Dylan - Standing in the Doorway
Sure, those songs are not compatible with each other, but they're my favourite songs from my favourite artists.
So, there you have it.
edit - Also, if I could throw in a bonus track, I'd add Jeff Buckley's 'Everybody here wants you'. I adore that song with all of my being.
I'll list them as I run into them, so it's completely random and I neglect about 80% of my music collection by doing this.
1Animals - Don't let me be misunderstood.
I love this man's voice! I have no ideas if the lyrics are any good, but the voice alone makes it worth it.
2Beach Boys - Sloop John B
This was the themesong of me and some friends from school. Everytime we were somewhere we didn't want to be. (P.E./mathematics/detention/fieldwork with complete jerks) we'd just sing this song.
I wanna go home
tu-dudu tu-dudu
I feel so broke up!
I wanna go home~
3Blur - Song 2
Energy!
4Great Big Sea - Boston and St. John's
I can't explain why, but it is great folk music.
5Live - Overcome
The song that always make me remember 9/11. The lyrics, the minimalistic approach, simply fantabulous.
6Panteon Rococo
Nice latin ska music, it has something to it.
7Racoon - Feel like Flying
Its a dutch band and they make awesome music. It's pretty possitive music but dares to make sensitive songs as well. And their lyrics are great. Especially for dutchies singing in English. I think only The Golden Earring has better lyrics. *nodnod*
8Real McKenzies
Scottisch folk/punk. It amuses me, yes it does.
9Selecter - Brittania
Second-wave ska. The voices are something special and it annoys me that second-wave is neglected so much lately. :x
10the Wedgewoods - Jesus was a pirate
By far the most idiotic song about jesus.
As for Sufjan Stevens, I don't think Casimir Pulaski Day is his saddest song, for me that goes to Romulis, from Michigan. For the Widows in Paradise is up there, too. It's between that and Chicago for my favorite song by him.
Hmm
Without any ranking order
Broder Daniel - Whirlwind/I'll be gone
They are simular songs, and which is better varies from day to day, generally whirlwind
Bright eyes - Road to Joy
Seriously hard, i could probably list half a dozen oberst songs, still i hink this is the ones whih has aged best, it was awesome when i firs theard it, it is still awesome, great lyrics, rythm. It is great
"My mind races with all my longings but can't keep up with what i've got"
Sufjan Stevens - John Wayne Gacy
I had heard this song a few times before i heard the noice near the very end of the song, and it really creeped me out. But otherwise classic sufjan attributes, really lovely melody, great lyrics of a true story.
The Hives - Hate to say i told you so
It's angry, awesome guitarrs, its Hives at their best
Håkan Hellström - En vän med en bil
The best intro and guitarr riff ever, and not to mention HÃ¥kans emotion flled voice, and the simple yet brilliant lyrics. Whoever doesn't like it sucks?
Radiohead - Street Spirit
Great song, its slow, sad, and if you listen to it while walking down big emptyish streets its perfect
Silverbullit - People get real
'Joy', or 'I promise you' could also have gotten this, but this song is slow and melodic, with ... well once again, epic lyrics describing modern society. No to mention a kick ass bass line
Yu Miyake something something - Katamari on the rocks
So it's a video game song, eat yourself, it's cheery, poppy, I love it.
The pixies - Dig for fire
Well, previous speaker said it, great song, other pixies songs are up there too, but meh, can't pick
err, finally...
Architecture in Helsinki - Like a Call
Yeah, love, whispering, plinky. Pretty.
Hard it is picking just 10 songs, but those'll do
- "Proving once again the deadliest animal of all ... is the Zoo Keeper" - Philip J Fry
Juicy - The Notorious BIG
This song is one of my favorite songs ever, and most likely my favorite Biggie. I love the story of his triumph over poverty and adversity, and the defiant tone as he tells everyone off about it. Of course, the fact that he does it to an amazing beat, and is himself an amazing rapper, doesn't hurt.
Satisfaction - Eve
I like this song for similar reasons. I also have a thing for female rappers, what with how they assert themselves in an frequently misogynist and male-dominated industry. Catchy, as well.
Close call between this and Lil' Kim for this lot.
American Girl - Tom Petty
Tom Petty is most excellent, and this is his most excellent song. I think this is one of his best songs at tapping into the kind of small town restlessness that's strangley universal, even for those of us who already live in the big city. Even the Losers and Don't Do Me Like That are contenders here, but I went with this one because I think it best captures that mood.
17 Again - The Eurythmics
Now, this is a pretty damn pretentious song, and I'll certainly admit it. However, I still like it a lot. I love how it shows us bits and pieces of the relationship between the singer and whomever she's addressing, and lets us fill in what we don't see. We know they have a fraught history, and we know they were famous, but things went wrong--yet they're still somehow tied together and can never really get over each other. Now, this is, as I said, unbearably pretentious, however, it still resonates with me. Perhaps it's pandering to the little part of me that buys into bullshit.
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
"It was Christmas Eve, babe, in the drunk tank." What a classy opener to a classy song. Again we have the same sort of failed romance, though it's more explicitly described here. The musicality of the song strongly appeals to me--I like call and response, I like songs which I can sing along to, and I think that this song features excellent vocals. Kirsty McCall and Shane McGowan can sing.
Bubble Pop Electric - Gwen Stefani
This song reminds me of a retarded chihuahua. I love it. It's the embodiment of the happy retarded fast-beat music I love.
Sonny's Dream - ???
Unfortunately, I don't know whose version of this song I've been listening to. It was labelled as Stan Rogers, however, I can tell it's not him. However, whoever it is can sure sing, and it's a great song to yell along to. I'm starting to get over this song, but I feel compelled to include it both because it's vaguely representative of a lot of my more folkish taste in music and also because I did listen to it almost 400 times before I got tired of it, which is kind of a lot.
Sweetness- Jimmy Eat World
WHOA OH-OH OH-OH-OH.
Seriously, who doesn't like this song?
I Miss You - Blink 182
This song has a completely different sound from most of their music, and it's pretty refreshing. Chellos are cool.
Everything is Alright - Motion City Soundtrack
So, I made fun of my roommate all the time for being a little emo boy and listening to Dashboard, but then he found out I listened to Motion City Soundtrack. That was an unfortunate turnabout. What can I say, they're catchy.
Mario Strikers: 266395 286788
Like games/movies/other awesome stuff? Check ouy my blog: http://freakinawesome.wordpress.com/
Pedro the Lion - The Fleecing - Pedro the Lion is one of David Bazan's projects (see also Headphones and his solo work), and in my opinion he is definitely the best songwriter working under the (arguable in his case) umbrella of Christian music, and maybe even the best current songwriter. He writes about realistic and flawed struggles for faith which is something you can never find in the 'praise God!.. everything is perfect!' flavor of writing that makes up 99.9% of "Christian" music. He often writes entire albums with nothing but vague references to Christianity, uses language openly (swear words), and often writes about drinking and alcohol, making him somewhat of a rogue figure in the Christian community. But nonetheless, I love his music and love the fact that he has never co opted into the creatively impotent world of contemporary Christian music. See lyrics such as: But I can't say it like I sing it \ And I can't sing it like I think it \ And I can’t think it like I feel it \ And I don’t feel a thing
Pixies - Ana - Picking my favorite Pixies song is like picking my favorite type of beer (i.e. virtually impossible), but I'll go with this one off of my favorite Pixies album, Bossanova. It's a haunting and lethargic surf song about a girl undressing and riding off into sunset on a surfboard. What more could you want? As an extra bonus to careful listeners, the beginning letter in each line of the lyrics spells the anagram "SURFER". An amazing song both sonically and lyrically by, in my opinion, the greatest band of the last thirty years.
BS2000 - The Scrappy - BS2000 was a short lived side project of Adam Horovitz (Adrock) of the Beastie Boys, and Amery Smith (AWOL), a drummer who frequently worked with the Beastie Boys. The lyrics are completely nonsensical and the music is made up of garage sale keyboards and organs and live drumming. It is brutally lo-fi, and absolutely oozing with charm. Very few people have heard of BS200, and even fewer appreciate them, yet this records holds a very special place in my heart.
My Bloody Valentine - Soon - It should be a crime to leave My Bloody Valentine out of any list such as this. This album (Loveless) and song are the opus of a tortured musical genius - Kevin Shields - seeking the patterns in static. A traditional and beautiful melody pushes itself through a thick wall of distortion in a way that even the greats of distortion - Sonic Youth and Jesus and the Mary Chain - could never achieve. I'm actually glad the band never released anything post Loveless and went out on the highest sonic high a band can reach. 'Only Shallow', off of the same album, came a very very close second.
Mountain Goats - International Small Arms Traffic Blues - As already pointed out in this thread, John Darnielle is one of the greatest living songwriters. His writing is overly dramatic and heart wrenchingly sincere at the same time. Musically, his songs are overly simple and intricately complex at the same time. This song was chosen purely for these lyrics - Our love is like the border between Greece and Albania \ Trucks loaded down with weapons \ Crossing over every night - as they could make someone choke up who has never even experienced an abusive relationship.
Stars - Ageless Beauty - "Subversive pop music" is the only way I can describe the Stars. Although they are put under the "indie pop" label, their polished musicianship and impeccable melodies could only be described as pure pop. They write songs about bitter breakup sex, post-breakup sex, meaningless sex, casual sex... and, well, a few things other than sex... that even the most close minded anti-sex conservative would tap his or her foot to and say "wow, I like this song".
Echo & the Bunnymen - My Kingdom - This is off of the album 'Ocean Rain' which is easily one of the greatest albums of the 1980s. This may not be my absolute favorite Echo & the Bunnymen song, but I chose it as, yet again, because it is a deliciously subversive pop song that shows off Ian McCulloch's songwriting genius. The lyrics in the chorus - Burn the skin off and climb the roof top \ Thy will be done \ Bite the nose off and make it the most of \ Your kingdom, king-k- k- k- k - are brutally violent, yet presented in a jangly and happy pop format. This album is about depression, violence, anger and desperation; however, it doesn't make you feel like you have to paint your nails black as a prerequisite to enjoy it.
Devo - Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy - One of the greatest songs by one of the greatest concept bands of all time. I always chuckle when I tell people I love Devo and they reply "oh, that's that band who did Whip It, right?" As with any concept band that accidentally or intentionally has hit singles, those people are completely missing the point.
José González - Lovestain - González is mostly known for his song used in the rubber ball Sony Bravia commercial; however, the album which that song came from is amazing. His guitar finger styling is extremely unique and his voice is ghostly yet powerful. I was moved immensely when I first heard this song, and continue to get chills even after almost a year of listening to it.
Sun Kil Moon - Neverending Math Equation - Sun Kil Moon is a project by Mark Kozelek, the former lead singer of the Red House Painters. The album that this song is from is an entire album of quiet acoustic covers of Modest Mouse songs. Kozelek adds a whole new emotional dimension to what were already extremely emotional songs by Modest Mouse. I would say this album is a "must-listen" for any Modest Mouse fan. Kozelek lets the end phrases of lines such as "The universe works on a math equation \ that never even ever really ends in the end" trail off into perfect nothingness, while making lines such as "On a plane, I can see the tiny lights below \ And oh my God, they look so alone" sound just as lonely as the lights are supposed to be. Kozelek previously gave the same treatment to AC\DC, covering an entire albums worth of Bon Scott era AC\DC songs (under the name Mark Kozelek, not Sun Kil Moon), which is also an amazing album.
Seriously, stressful day, get home, put it on, max volume, rock out for 2 mins, relieves any and all pressures you have in life.
Well, if you insist.
Leonard Cohen - Stranger Song
This has to be chosen pretty much on an arbitrary basis because I love all of Leonard's songs. But this is definitely a masterpiece. For richness and depth and interest in its poetry... to do it justice would take forever, so I won't. :P
Bob Dylan - Tangled Up in Blue
The first song I learned to play on the guitar. I must have played it every day for six months. Still, every time I hear those opening bars, it makes me want to stop what I'm doing and listen to the story again.
Joni Mitchell - Song for Sharon
I really need to be in the right mood for Joni Mitchell, but when I am, there's no-one else who can do what she does. Emotional depth, lyrical sophistication, sincerity and musical brilliance all come together in this song perfectly.
Richard Thompson - Beeswing
Mmm. So beautiful.
Bruce Springsteen - Badlands
No-one else is like the boss. So many of his songs have been important to me at different times of my life... I guess I chose this one because it was the first one to really speak to me.
Tori Amos - Precious Things
Again, no else is like her... this song is so deeply... tied into some of my... I don't know. Old loves and so on. Um.
Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
What can I say about this... see, yeah, I don't know. I think I can't really say much of anything about how these songs affect me. The words just seem completely inadequate. I can only say that they do. Alright. No more of these silly mini-reviews.
David Bowie - Teenage Wildlife
Loudon Wainwright III - Hitting You
And to satisfy the thread title by including at least one band...
The Who - You Better You Bet
Blame my forgetting HttT on sleep deprivation. I like it, at least most of it, but not as much as OK Computer and The Bends.
If you like punk/ska type shit, you should check them out.
Pearl Jam - "Black"
The Who - "Baba O'Riley"
Bob Dylan - "Most of the Time"
The Beatles - "Hey Jude"
Neil Young - "Rockin' in the Free World"
Mother Love Bone - "Crown of Thorns"
Dave Matthews Band - "Ants Marching"
Our Lady Peace - "Somewhere Out There"
Soundgarden - "Birth Ritual"
Pearl Jam - "Yellow Ledbetter"
I mean come on
That alubm is Blood Sugar Sex Magic from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
This is the crossroads of the RHCP sound. Back in the 80's they were a rockin thrash funk-rock band best known for barking vocals, crazy slap bass, and sharp and wailing funk/rock guitar.
But with BSSM they stepped outside of their comfort zone. Some of the lyrics didn't involve sex, drugs, and rock n roll (see Power of Equality, and Righteous and The Wicked), Anthony really started to sing along with rapping and barking, Flea toned down the slap crazy-ness and gave some tasteful and funky grooves (though it still wouldnt be RHCP without some slap bass), John Frusciante came into his own, and developed his own signature guitar style (though Hillel Slovak's influences were still noticable) unlike the layered and heavy guitar tracks on Mother's Milk (which was done against his creative direction), and Chad Smith (IMHO) became a superior drummer to original beat maker Jack Irons (though I still dig Jackie I).
It was the perfect balance of what they were known for, and treading into new territory with songs like Breaking The Girl, I Could Have Lied, and of course Under The Bridge.
It's also the last truly rocking RHCP album before the more mellow and melody heavy material of Californication and onward; no One Hot Minute (though it has some highlights like Aeroplane) with Dave Navarro does not count. Basically my favorite album of my favorite band.
Gold Lion-Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I don't know why exactly, but the first time I heard this song I had to hear it 3 times before I was satisfied.
They are Night Zombies!! They are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!!-Sufjan Stevens
If someone forced me to say what my favorite song is period, I'd probaly say this, then change my mind about 5 seconds later.
Springfield-Sufjan Stevens
Another Sufjan Stevens. Just about anything this guy touches is gold. Aside from a horrible guitar solo in the middle very relaxing, flowing, yet powerful song.
Shine a Light-Wolf Parade
This CD has been in my car almost straight since I got it two months ago. And while there are a lot of good songs on it I think I'm in love with this one. Very driving.
Rock the Casbah-The Clash
Anyone who hates The Clash is a nazi. There I said it.
That's Life-Frank Sinatra
It's like the "It's a Wonderful Life" of music. In a shitty mood? Listen to this and you'll feel all better.
Press Gang- Murder City Devils
Just a good 'ole rock the fuck out song. If you EVER have a chance to see this band (assuming they're fully back togather again) take it.
The Mariner's Revenge Song-The Decemberists
Very overly dramatic (just like every other song they do), but this one even a bit more so. Very good, kinda like a fucked up Moby Dick in song form.
Alright thats enough for now.
BT w/ Jan Johnston - Remember
I have four of the man's albums, since I consider him my favorite DJ ever, but this song really strikes a chord with me. All 8:00+ of it. (The R&R ESCM 12" mix).
Five Iron Frenzy - Where Zero Meets Fifteen
They have a ton of songs I love, but this is just my favorite for some reason. I'm also lucky enough that it's a song they play(ed) at every single one of their live shows.
System Of A Down - Sugar
Their self-titled album was the first album I ever got where every single song was amazing, and this song was the reason I got it. It still doesn't disappoint.
Sarah McLachlan - Possession
Of all things, it was an AMV that got me into this song, and from there, I was hooked on it. The album(Fumbling Towards Ecstacy) is really good too.
Incubus - Stellar
Another song that just strikes a chord with me. It being in Guitar Hero had me all kinds of excited, until I heard how much the redone vocals sucked.
Banya - Love Is A Danger Zone
Arguably the only trance song these guys ever did, and I listened to it about forty times when it was first released. Even at a 1:30 length, I love it to death.
A Perfect Circle - 3 Libras
The whole album is good, but this one immediately clicked with me. (They're also really good live.)
Shai - Comforter
Yes, it's R&B, and yes, it's about 15+ years old, sue me, I grew up on this song and I still love it.
Boa - Duvet
(the band, not the kpop artist)
Probably a no-brainer considering the anime it came from, but this song forced me to go track down(and special order) their album, and it was worth it.
Matisyahu - King Without A Crown
A little recent, but I couldn't think of a tenth offhand, and the whole album it comes from is awesome too.
The solo near the end so makes me wish I knew how to play guitar.