What Are You Listening to Wednesday - Week 16

What Are You Listening to Wednesday is a Meme started by Dolce Bellezza.

Sorry about the double-posting today. I didn't want to skip a week with the music as I have all ready listened to the songs and taken notes. As I did 2 weeks ago, I listened to 5 songs off Ana's list and 5 songs off of Vanessa's list. I used Random.org to select them.

From Vanessa's List I Listened to:
98 - 'Doll Parts' by Hole
24 - 'Up Around the Bend' by CCR
12 - 'Venus in Furs' by The Velvet Underground
73 - 'The Killing Moon' by Echo & the Bunnymen
52 - 'Voulez Vous' by ABBA

'Doll Parts' by Hole:


Thoughts: I have heard Hole before because I remember Vanessa listening to them. I never really minded them, but I never set out to listen to them on my own either. This is probably the first time I have heard anything by them in about 10 years or more and I didn't mind the experience. I actually like this song. I am not so sure they would be a band I listened to all the time, but if they were to come up on a music player I wouldn't mind. I think at some point this year I am going to refresh my memory of other songs by them.

'Up Around the Bend' by CCR:


Thoughts: CCR is one of my favourite bands ever. I have one of their greatest hits albums, so listening to this song was a breeze because it was on it of course. I always enjoy an excuse to listening to their music, so I was happy to have this song on my list. One of their best!

'Venus in Furs' by The Velvet Underground


Thoughts: This song has an interesting beginning. And then the song overall has a very different sound to it. I found it a bit catchy. I have heard of The Velvet Underground before, but this was my first time listening to them as far as I remember. This different sound they have makes me curious about more of their stuff. My only quibble with this song is another lead singer with a bit of a flat voice, but it only really bothered me the first couple times. If you listen to it a few more times you start to see that his voice works.

'The Killing Moon' by Echo & the Bunnymen


Thoughts: When I listened to this song the first couple times I knew I knew it, but I couldn't place it. Sharing that observation with Vanessa revealed it is from the movie Donnie Darko. We watched that movie sometime in the last few months, so obviously the song was still in the back of my mind. This song has grown on me and I added it to my playlist so I can hear it once in a while. I tried listening to the CD it was off, but this was the only song that impressed me with the first run-through. I plan to listen again, though, and should be posting about it next Wednesday.

'Voulez Vous' by ABBA


Thoughts: I know who ABBA is and sometimes you can hear them played on the radio. I have probably heard most of their popular songs over the years, but I have never pursued them. That is not to even say they are bad. Their songs are catchy and they can sing rather well. That fact that their is an entire musical based around their music is saying something about the lasting power of their songs. A fun diversion.

From Ana's List I Listened To:
33 - 'Somewhere There's a Feather' by Nico
23 - 'Lost Verses' by Sun Kil Moon
29 - 'Listzomania' by Phoenix
31 - 'Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town' by Pearl Jam
47 - 'Wrapped Up in Book' by Belle & Sebastian

'Somewhere There's a Feather' by Nico


Thoughs: I am not crazy about Nico's voice, but I really like the song. I seem to be very critical of singers voices, huh? I think she could grow on me if I explored her a bit more, though. It is just different.

'Lost Verses' by Sun Kil Moon


Thoughts: In the beginning I thought I wouldn't mind this song, but I have to admit that every time I have listened to it I have found myself getting distracted and doing something else. I think it is just too long for me... I don't mind the singers voice or anything, though, so it could just be this one song. This band is on my list to explore a bit more. The reason I have started listening to CDs of the bands from this project is just because Ana (or Vanessa) love a song, doesn't mean I will. Or, I could listen to the CD and find something I love 10 times better even if I did like the song they chose.

'Listzomania' by Phoenix


Thoughts: This is another song I felt like I had heard before. Maybe on Satellite Radio? Anyway, I actually really liked this song. I don't know what is up with the video, though. I have listened to all those other songs with no problem, but I had to turn the volume up for this one. With the video it is not so obvious, but when I was listening to this song over the last two weeks I felt it ended rather abruptly.

'Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town' by Pearl Jam


Thoughts: Was this song in a movie? I just thought I remembered it playing in the background of something... The simple thing to say about this song is I have heard of Pearl Jam for years, but I have no idea what they sing. I have just never pursued them myself. I liked this song, though. Maybe I should have listened to them a while ago...

'Wrapped up in Books' by Belle & Sebastian



Thoughts: I have to admit that I am all for a song called 'Wrapped up in Books' and with a video taking place in a book store? This is a song after my own heart! That being said, Belle & Sebastian is not a band I have a huge reaction to overall. I don't hate this song, but at the same time it didn't blow me away. They are a quiet band, judging by this song, and you can't help having a quiet reaction to this song. If that makes any sense.