What Are You Listening to Wednesday - Week 17

Once again I am slack on my music posts, but I have returned! This week I once again chose five songs off Ana's list and five songs off Vanessa's list using Random.org.

From Ana's List I Listened to:
27 - 'Summer on the Westhill' by Kings of Convenience
39 - 'Instant Street' by dEUS
21 - 'Let Down' by Radiohead
37 - 'Samson' by Regina Spektor
50 - 'Killing All the Flies' by Mogwai

'Summer on the Westhill' by Kings of Convenience


Thoughts: This is a quiet song. It's actually great for listening to in the background while you are doing something else or when you want to listening to a more meditative type of music. I actually really liked it more and more as I listened to it. I followed along with the lyrics and they are well written, too. It really is just an all around peaceful song.

'Instant Street' by dEUS


Thoughts: Unfortunately the only not live version of this song on YouTube has the end cut off. But, you get the idea of the song. I really liked it. It is actually getting catchy the more I listen to it.

'Let Down' by Radiohead


Thoughts: I actually went through a Radiohead stage at one point, so I was familiar with this song to begin with. I do like them, so I am not entirely sure why I stopped listening to them. This was another quiet song, but a good one. Once again I listened to it and followed along with the lyrics. (Well, sort of. Casey needed attention and then she knocked over her water dish. I listen to the songs off and on over the course of about two weeks, but then I pay close attention to them while watching YouTube videos in order to write up the posts.)

'Samson' by Regina Spektor


Thoughts: I really like both this song and the video. You should definitely check them out!

'Killing All the Flies' by Mogwai


Thoughts: This song is instrumental. I am not usually a huge fan of instrumental stuff, but I really liked this.

From Vanessa's List I Listened To:
45 - 'The Model' by Kraftwerk
117 - 'You and Whose Army' by Radiohead
93 - 'Jesus Built my Hotrod' by Ministry
95 - 'Walk' by Pantera
21 - 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' by The Stooges

'The Model' by Kraftwerk


Thoughts: This is an older song, but if you read the lyrics you can easily still compare them to right now. They still fit. It is not an amazing song, but it is good in its simplicity.

'You and Whose Army' by Radiohead


Thoughts: I thought it was funny how Radiohead was on both lists this week. I actually knew this song better than the one Ana suggested. I am not sure why. It has been a long time since I paid a lot of attention to Radiohead, so they are a distant memory until I listen to them again. (Apparently the lyrics are wrong in this video, but not enough to take away from anything.) And, apparently this was in a movie. That's probably why I know it better.

'Jesus Built my Hotrod' by Ministry


Thoughts: I just don't know on this one. One on the one hand I am not drawn to it, but on the other hand it is catchy. Does that make any sense to anyone? I couldn't entirely make out everything he was saying so I looked the lyrics up. It's an interesting song...

'Walk' by Pantera


Thoughts: Yep, so Pantera. I sort of cringed when I saw this on the list because I have heard this song before and I was never a huge fan... But, I was a dutiful list follower and when this song came up I listened to it again. It's not HORRIBLE, but I still can't picture me rushing out to listen to more from them... What I have been thinking about is what the song is really about. I was browsing through the comments while I was listening to it and people were saying it promotes aggression, fighting, etc... I don't get it. It says 'Respect' and actually says to walk away... How does that promote fighting? Did I get the meaning wrong? Please don't tell me that head-banging-type music is what promotes that stuff because that is just silly. I might not be a huge fan, but even I don't think that... Thoughts?


'I Wanna Be Your Dog' by The Stooges


Thoughts: I had heard this song before. Joan Jett also does a version that I am familiar with. Yep, music trivia from me of all people! Both versions are catchy.

If anyone is curious, this is my favourite Joan Jett song.

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.

What Are You Listening to Wednesday - Week 14

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

This post is a bit late, but I decided to wait until I had the house to myself and could really concentrate. This week I am going to be posting about 10 songs. I listened to 5 songs off Ana's list and 5 songs off Vanessa's list. When I started this project I was just going through Ana's list in order, but decided that I was going to start using random.org to decide my choices for the week.

From Ana's list I listened to:
46 - 'Lost Cause' by Beck
25 - 'There is a Light That Never Goes Out' by The Smiths
32 - 'The Only Living Boy in New York' by Simon & Garfunkel
45 - 'Neighbourhood #2' by The Arcade Fire
37 - 'The Jeep Song' by The Dresden Dolls

'Lost Cause' by Beck:




Thoughts: I have quickly discovered with Ana's songs it is as much about listening to the songs as paying attention to the lyrics. I always try to make sure to both listen to the song and, thanks to YouTube, familiarize myself with the lyrics. I have heard Beck before, but I was not familiar with this song. I actually really liked it. I wasn't sure with the first listen, but as I listened it grew on me. And, I think getting a feeling for the lyrics was a benefit. A keeper.

'There is a Light That Never Goes Out' by The Smiths




Thoughts: This was actually on my list to listen to before I changed my methods, so I had been listening to it for a while. I was all set for a week and then didn't get a chance to post. I think this song is my favourite off the list for this week. I have to say that following Ana's list has been hard for me because we actually listen to entirely different music, but I am starting to benefit from it. In the beginning I was not sure this was a good idea, but now I am so happy that I am sticking with it. I am starting to change my ways and find new music to explore. Also, this song makes me think I need to watch the movie 500 Days of Summer.

'The Only Living Boy in New York' by Simon and Garfunkel




Thoughts: I was very happy to see Simon & Garfunkel on this list. I actually quite like them and I had this song to begin with. I went through a period at the end of last year where I was listening to them while cooking supper. It was a nice trip down memory lane. I actually consider a few other of their songs more my favourites, but I do really enjoy this one. They are very talented and Simon and Garfunkel: The Concert in Central Park is one of my favourite concerts ever!

'Neighbourhood #2' by The Arcade Fire




Thoughts: Well, for those of you that do not know, Arcade Fire is a band from Montreal, Canada. They had a really good year last year... maybe the year before... and we were hearing about them all over the place. I have to admit I didn't quite get it when I heard them perform. I am still not so sure that I get the big deal over them. They do write very interesting lyrics, someone on YouTube calls them prophets, but they didn't really call to me at all. It is not even as though this song is bad. I just feel like I am missing something. I am thinking I might have to listen to them more. Maybe get a CD by them? (Saying that, I am humming this song at the moment, so maybe they are growing on me...) (I have to say that they do write some very good lyrics. I just got distracted browsing some of them...)


 'The Jeep Song' by The Dresden Dolls

I wasn't able to find a decent video of this song... If anyone has one, please share the link!

Thoughts: Well, first of all I had no idea there was a song called 'The Jeep Song'. I had heard of the Dresden Dolls before, but I was actually saying the other day that I wasn't really aware of what they sang. When they came up as a song choice for this week I was curious. So, I listened to the song and I couldn't help saying 'Seriously?'. Then, I looked up the lyrics and had a similar reaction. I can't believe this song actually works, but it does. The Dresden Dolls are a bit of an acquired taste, I think, but they are worth exploring a bit more.

Overall Thoughts: I actually didn't mind any of these songs. I am not sure if they will all become favourites, but none of them really bothered me. I actually think I might explore some more songs by each artist. If anyone has any suggestions please share them in the comments. Thanks Ana!

From Vanessa's List I Listened to:
112 - 'Between the Bars' by Elliott Smith
31 - 'Search and Destroy' by Iggy and the Stooges
48 - 'Being Boiled' by The Human League
57 - 'Heartattack & Vine' by Tom Waits
89 - 'Touch Me I'm Sick' by Mudhoney

'Between the Bars' by Elliott Smith




Thoughts: So, apparently Ana and Vanessa are Elliott Smith fans. I had never heard of him before, but I listened to 'Waltz #2' back on week 10. Unfortunately there were many other things on my mind that week, so he sort of fell through the cracks. I was happy to have the chance to go back and explore him a bit because he did spark some interest with that song. He is very different than what I normally I listen to. I tend to listen to livelier music, so I am slower to appreciate him than some. I have to say, though, I am really starting to enjoy him. I am planning to explore more from him. Thanks to Ana and Vanessa for bringing him to my attention!

'Search and Destroy' by Iggy and the Stooges




Thoughts: Well, this was quite the contrast after listening to Elliott Smith. I had heard The Stooges before, but I am not so sure this was one of the songs. Punk is another type of music that I have not entirely come to love. I listened to this song several times, but it just didn't grow on me. That being said, I browsed other songs by them and I do like a few here and there. That's saying something!

'Being Boiled' by The Human League




Thoughts: I had never heard of this band before. This song is catchy in its own way. I enjoyed it for the most part and am curious about more from them. They actually seem to be still around. (And, upon a bit of exploring I have heard some of their songs before. I am bad with names.)

'Heartattack & Vine' by Tom Waits




Thoughts: I had heard of Tom Waits before and this song, so I was happy to re-listen. It had been ages since I heard it. I wasn't even entirely sure how it went any more, but I have been listening to it off and on for the last little while to refresh my memory. I wanted to concentrate on the songs that were on the actual list, but I think I am going to get one of his CDs. Thanks for reminding of him, Vanessa!

'Touch Me I'm Sick' by Mudhoney




Thoughts: As far as I know I have never heard of Mudhoney before. They do illustrate the importance of listening over and over again, though; because when I listened to them the first time I was not quite sure. I actually like it, though. It is apparently a song that grows on you with time. I actually find it almost catchy once it gets going.

Overall Thoughts: Well, Vanessa, I have come a long way with my music tastes. I remember when we were younger I didn't always get what you were listening to, and vice versa, but I would like to think I have progressed very well. In junior high I probably would have been trying to think of a polite way to get out of this music project, but instead I am very excited about it. Actually, between this list and your blog I have discovered you listen to a lot of music I never pictured you listening to. You have surprised me. And, I didn't really start listening to bands like Iron Maiden until I was older, so I have a very different taste in music now than I did before. I look forward to the next batch of songs!

What Are You Listening to Wednesday - Week 13

Off and on for the last little while, I have been listening to music provided for Debi by Ana. I still intend to get back to doing that, but I also have my own list. My friend Vanessa from A Journey Through My Music Collection made me my own list, though. She went through the book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die and made me a list from there.

The list is as follows:

1. Hank Williams – “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (1949)
2. Little Richard – “Tutti Frutti” (1955)
3. Johnny Cash – “I Walk the Line” (1956)
4. Roy Orbison – “In Dreams” (1963)
5. The Ronettes – “Be My Baby” (1963)
6. The Kinks – “You Really Got Me” (1964)
7. The Supremes – “Stop! In the Name of Love” (1965)
8. The Who – “My Generation” (1965)
9. Beach Boys – “God Only Knows” (1966)
10. Love – “7 and 7 Is” (1966)
11. The Velvet Underground – “Heroin” (1967)
12. The Velvet Underground – “Venus in Furs” (1967)
13. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Fire” (1967)
14. Love – “Alone Again Or” (1967)
15. Pink Floyd – “See Emily Play” (1967)
16. Procol Harum – “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)
17. Cream – “Sunshine of Your Love” (1967)
18. Big Brother and the Holding Company – “Piece of My Heart” (1968)
19. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” (1968)
20. The Band – “The Weight” (1968)
21. The Stooges – “I Wanna Be Your Dog” (1969)
22. MC5 – “Kick Out the Jams” (1969)
23. BB King – “The Thrill is Gone” (1969)
24. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Up Around the Bend” (1970)
25. Black Sabbath – “War Pigs” (1970)
26. David Bowie – “The Man Who Sold the World” (1970)
27. Neil Young – “Oh, Lonesome Me” (1970)
28. Simon and Garfunkel – “The Only Living Boy in New York” (1970)
29. Big Star – “Thirteen” (1972)
30. Dolly Parton – “Jolene” (1973)
31. Iggy and the Stooges – “Search and Destroy” (1973)
32. Dolly Parton – “I Will Always Love You” (1974)
33. Bob Dylan – “Tangled Up in Blue” (1975)
34. Bruce Springsteen – “Born to Run” (1975)
35. Blue Oyster Cult – “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” (1976)
36. ABBA – “Dancing Queen” (1976)
37. Ramones – “Blitzkrieg Bop” (1976)
38. The Modern Lovers – “Roadrunner” (1976)
39. Kraftwerk – “Trans-Europe Express” (1977)
40. Kate Bush – “Wuthering Heights” (1977)
41. Television – “Marquee Moon” (1977)
42. Richard Hell and the Voidoids – “Blank Generation” (1977)
43. Pere Ubu – “Non-Alignment Pact” (1978)
44. The Jacksons – “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” (1978)
45. Kraftwerk – “The Model” (1978)
46. Buzzcocks – “Ever Fallen In Love” (1978)
47. Siouxsie and the Banshees – “Hong Kong Garden” (1978)
48. The Human League – “Being Boiled” (1978)
49. The B-52s – “Rock Lobster” (1978)
50. The Clash – “London Calling” (1979)
51. Joy Division – “Transmission” (1979)
52. ABBA – “Voulez Vous” (1979)
53. The Cure – “Boys Don’t Cry” (1979)
54. Dead Kennedys – “California Uber Alles” (1979)
55. The Slits – “Typical Girls” (1979)
56. ABBA – “The Winner Takes It All” (1980)
57. Tom Waits – “Heartattack and Vine” (1980)
58. Joy Division – “Dead Souls” (1980)
59. Killing Joke – “Wardance” (1980)
60. Motorhead – “Ace of Spades” (1980)
61. Talking Heads – “Once in a Lifetime”(1980)
62. Ultravox – “Vienna” (1980)
63. Kraftwerk – “Computer Love” (1981)
64. The Specials – “Ghost Town” (1981)
65. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five – “The Message” (1982)
66. Venom – “Black Metal” (1982)
67. Yazoo – “Situation” (1982)
68. David Bowie – “Let’s Dance” (1983)
69. The Smiths – “This Charming Man” (1983)
70. Run-DMC – “It’s Like That” (1983)
71. New Order – “Blue Monday” (1983)
72. Iron Maiden – “The Trooper” (1983)
73. Echo and the Bunnymen – “The Killing Moon” (1984)
74. Meat Puppets – “Plateau” (1984)
75. The Replacements – “I Will Dare” (1984)
76. The Smiths – “How Soon Is Now?” (1984)
77. Prince and the Revolution – “Purple Rain” (1984)
78. Kate Bush – “Running Up that Hill” (1985)
79. Big Black – “Kerosene” (1986)
80. Slayer – “Raining Blood” (1986)
81. Hüsker Dü – “Don’t Want To Know if You Are Lonely” (1986)
82. The Church – “Under the Milky Way” (1987)
83. The Cure – “Just Like Heaven” (1987)
84. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl – “Fairytale of New York” (1987)
85. Depeche Mode – “Never Let Me Down Again” (1987)
86. Dinosaur Jr. – “Freak Scene” (1988)
87. Pixies – “Where Is My Mind” (1988)
88. Fugazi – “Waiting Room” (1988)
89. Mudhoney – “Touch Me I’m Sick” (1988)
90. Metallica – “One” (1988)
91. Pixies – “Monkey Gone to Heaven” (1989)
92. Sonic Youth – “Kool Thing” (1990)
93. Ministry – “Jesus Built My Hotrod” (1991)
94. Rage Against the Machine – “Killing in the Name” (1992)
95. Pantera – “Walk” (1992)
96. Bruce Springsteen – “Streets of Philadelphia” (1993)
97. The Breeders – “Cannonball” (1993)
98. Hole – “Doll Parts” (1994)
99. Pavement – “Cut Your Hair” (1994)
100. Nirvana – “All Apologies” (1994)
101. Nine Inch Nails – “Hurt” (1994)
102. Soundgarden – “Black Hole Sun” (1994)
103. Stone Temple Pilots – “Interstate Love Song” (1994)
104. Jeff Buckley – “Hallelujah” (1994)
105. Beastie Boys – “Sabotage” (1994)
106. Portishead – “Sour Times” (1994)
107. Pulp – “Common People” (1995)
108. Eels – “Novocaine For the Soul” (1996)
109. Fugees – “Ready or Not” (1996)
110. Beck – “Devil’s Haircut” (1996)
111. Chemical Brothers – “Block Rockin’ Beats” (1997)
112. Elliott Smith – “Between the Bars” (1997)
113. The Cardigans – “Erase/Rewind” (1998)
114. Aimee Mann – “Save Me” (1999)
115. At the Drive In – “One Armed Scissor” (2000)
116. Daft Punk – “One More Time” (2000)
117. Radiohead – “You & Whose Army” (2001)
118. White Stripes – “Fell In Love With a Girl” (2001)
119. Tool – “Schism” (2001)
120. Nirvana – “You Know You’re Right” (2002)
121. Modest Mouse – “Float On” (2004)
122. Foo Fighters – “Best of You” (2005)
123. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss – “Please Read the Letter” (2007)
124. Robyn with Kleerup - “With Every Heartbeat” (2007)
125. Fleet Foxes – “Mykonos” (2008)
126. MGMT – “Time to Pretend” (2008)

Looking at this list, here are some songs I thought about:
The Roy Orbison song on the list made me think of this one:




The Metallica song 'One' reminded me of one of the few songs I like by U2:




And, just because this is stuck in my head: