Monday, January 11, 2016

David Bowie Died Last Night

David Bowie is one of those larger than life figures. He's beyond legendary, he's iconic. I remember the first time I heard Ziggy Stardust on the radio when I was 13, the song was 26 years old and I immediately asked my Dad about it. He bought me the album for Christmas and I proceeded to collect all of them. The only one I'm missing on CD is 1987's "Never Let Me Down" which I have on vinyl, if you have the CD msg me, I want it. Most music fans identify themselves as Bowie fans but whenever you come across another hard core fans there is an instant connection, like "ya, you get it."

I love all the Bowie era's. I a lot of people neglect his later works, which take a little more acclimation than his more popular 70's stuff, but if you dive into them there is a ton of interesting sounds and direction. Bowie is such a genius at taking a song in one direction and then just missing that obvious note that you would expect, or bailing on a rhyming scheme just to keep you on your toes. It's like pop music sometimes and then out of nowhere its completely anti-pop in every way. He always keeps you guessing. Like what might happen in a jazz song, but fused into a pop, rock, and blues hybrid. It's hard to describe and wrap your mind around sometimes but undeniably brilliant.

I could go on all day but I'd like to do one of my favourite thing  and compose a list of his 41 best songs, in my opinion. Pretty subjective list and can change from day to day, but here are 41 gems that really stand out for me. Why 41? Because 40 is too obvious, this is more Bowie-like. I'll do it countdown style:

41. The Man Who Sold the World - Joffrey Lupul tweeted that Nirvana's cover was better than the original, but it's actually not even close. Pure Bowie.

40. Something in the Air - Did you know this song is used for the end credits in 'American Psycho' and Christopher Nolan's classic 'Memento'? It's true. The off key singing is not for everyone but definitely by design, very cool take.

39. Heroes - I've found that this is a lot of people's favourite, actually. This is a really great song. Just a straight rock tune and full of emotion.

38. Big Brother - The whole Diamond Dogs album is a concept album about Orwell's 1984, Big Brother is the 2nd last track and ties together all the themes. It's almost an acceptance of defeat, like "It's there world and we're just living in it" kind of attitude. Really cool song.

37. Moonage Daydream - I love the guitar solo outro. A real classic from the Seminal "Ziggy Stardust" album.

36. The Jean Genie - This song is your good old fashioned blues lick, turned rock n roll, gone right!

35. Queen Bitch - Heavily distorted guitar playing the signature lick over top of an acoustic rhythm guitar? Yes please!

34. Where Are We Now? - Real touching song from 'The Next Day'.
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33. We Prick You - Eerie, but still kind of a pick me up deep into the Outside album.

32. Seven Years in Tibet - The metal riff over the otherwise R&B style music is too filthy. Bowie really emodes on the chorus here. Great stuff.

31. DJ - underrated tune from 1979's Lodger. It's catchy and disco-like, but still a rock tune. Really great song.

30. Cracked Actor - Dirty guitar licks and a shrieking Bowie.

29. The Heart's Filthy Lesson - Hard to believe this song wasn't produced or affiliated with Trent Reznor in any way. The music video is great. Very dark, twisted, and very great. The piano solo is like a call back to the Aladdin Sane piano, it's so chaotic and fitting to the theme of the song.

28. Modern Love - Maybe the Let's Dance album signaled a transition into a more poppy sound and veered Bowie away from experimental sounds a bit. Maybe. It's definitely less obscure but by Bowie standards that makes it kind of experimental unto itself and the hits are undeniably catchy. I love this song.

27. Diamond Dogs - This song is so cool, it's full of references to Orwell's '1984' (as is the whole album in one way or another). This particular song almost has a country vibe, spliced with signature Bowie glam rock.

26. Lady Grinning Soul - This was not so much a hit from the Aladdin Sane album, but one the hard core fans often talk about. Definitely a great song.

25. God Bless the Girl - Not off any studio album but an outtake from 'The Next Day'. The backing vocals add a ton of soul and depth to this one. The acoustic guitar is reminiscent of the classic 1974 Bowie tune "Panic in Detroit."

24. Blue Jean - In the mid 80's he released his work at a much slower pace, toured a lot, got into other projects, movies, etc. But he did pump out this awesome song on 1984's Tonight album.

23. All the Young Dudes - Such a catchy, chorus. Mix of sadness and hope evoked by DB.

22. Starman - Ziggy classic. That's all.

21. The Stars Are Out Tonight - What a cool song from 'The Next Day'. Once you get used to the lower pitched version of Bowie it's easy to get lost in this song.

20. China Girl - "I stumble into town, just like a sacred cow. Visions of swastikas in my head, plans for everyone. It's in the white of my eyes..." Wait, I thought this song was about girl ;)

19. Station to Station - This influential song and album are referenced in so many other works from other artists. I always make note of it but can only think of Red Hot Chili Pepper's Californication right now. "...Singing songs from Station to Station." This title track is over 10 minutes long, but it's a real work of art. Love when Bowie gets to the "It's Too Late!" section. So much desperation, but still hope.

18. Slow Burn - From 2002's Heathen. The guitar (played by Pete Townsend of the Who) on this track is so bluesy and gritty. Amazing song and one of the great one's from the later era Bowie.

17. Rock n Roll Suicide - Perfect end to the perfect album. Another Ziggy classic.

16. Aladdin Sane - The piano solo is so all over the place I don't even know what to make of it. But it's one of those things where mid song, I'll rewind and go back and listen again.

15. Rebel Rebel - What an iconic riff! This is a real standout on the Diamond Dogs concept album. Great change of pace.

14. Young Americans - The title track from his experimental soul album is the one song on there that isn't really so much a soul tune. This song is a brilliant crescendo, however, when he builds up to the "break down and cry" line... wow.

13. Fame - Massive, classic. Did you know John Lennon is on this track with Bowie? It's true.

12. Golden Years - The only song from the brilliant 'Station to Station' that still gets radio play. This was definitely the most poppy hit from Bowie's masterpiece, and it's a great one.

11. How Does the Grass Grow? - "Blood blood blood!" Statement piece off 'the Next Day". The 50's style "ya ya ya ya" hook is so catchy and the abrupt verses are perfect. I crank the volume on this one every time.

10. Hallo Spaceboy - The third incarnation of the "Major Tom" figure is a great one. This song is so gritty and heavy, yet somehow a little dancey. If you get a chance, youtube a live version with Dave Grohl on the drums.

9. Oh! You Pretty Things - This is poetry. Like everything on the Hunky Dory album, the lulls are perfect contrast to set up the hooks.

8. Let's Dance! - This song is a masterpiece. It's dancey but still very artistic. It's '80s but still awesome. Stevie Ray Vaughn ripping solos? Love it. Gotta listen to the full length album version, not the radio edit or else it's totally compromised.

7. I'm Afraid of Americans - The 1998 Earthling album was a cool evolution for Bowie who had been experimenting with industrial rock sounds on Outside. This one was done with Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails, who was at the forefront of that sound - and it really rocks hard!

6. Ashes to Ashes - The reprise of the "Major Tom" character. Really personal song for Bowie and obviously one of the classic songs in music history.

5. Ziggy Stardust - One of the first songs I ever learned to play on guitar. That riff is so good. What a perfect song to bring the Ziggy album down the home stretch.

4. Space Oddity - When I saw him live in Toronto in 2004 on the Reality tour he teased us by starting to play this iconic anthem which he had retired from his repertoire for decades. When he played the first couple of notes the crowd whipped into a frenzy, before he told us he was kidding. Still awesome.

3. Suffragette City - Ever seen him live? Remember the "wham bam, thank you ma'am" part? Oh...My...God.

2. Changes - Such a classic. You know it and you love it.


1. Life On Mars - This is just a masterpiece. Emotional, passionate, fierce, soft, vulnerable. Everything. It's great right up to it's climactic finish.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Rating the Beatles Albums - Best to least Best (To Pete Best)

Only rating the original studio albums, no compilations, and I'm not counting the original Yellow Submarine soundtrack which borrows songs off of older albums, though it does have some new material (Hey Bulldog for example), nor am I putting the Hey Jude single, which contains the B-side "Revolution" because it wasn't a full album.

12. Please Please Me! (1963)

Best tracks - I Saw Her Standing There, Love Me Do
Underrated track - Please Please Me
Overrated track - Twist and Shout

The Beatles triumphant debut is a fun early 60's rock n roll album that helped bring the rock sound from the United States of late '50's to England. I rate this one at the bottom because 6 of 14 tracks are 50's covers. They do a great job, but it's a little bit of a bubblegum pop/rock album.

11. With the Beatles (1963)

Best tracks - All My Loving, You Really Got a Hold on Me
Underrated - I Wanna Be Your Man (Ringo is clutch)
Overrated - Roll over Beethoven

6 of 14 tracks are covers again, although the covers are bit better on this one. It's still bubblegum 60's pop/rock, but at least these first two albums are the Beatles finding their groove and setting the stage for future greatness.

10. Beatles for Sale (1964)

Best tracks - 8 Days a Week, I'll Follow the Sun
Underrated - No Reply
Overrated - None.

The follow up to the masterpiece 'Hard Days Night' saw the Beatles go back to their rock n roll covers of the '50s for the last time, thankfully. This one gets lumped in with the first two albums, because it has that feel, although its the best of the three because they've started to realize how to use great vocal harmonies. Still it pails in comparison to the earlier album from '64.

9. Rubber Soul (1965)

Best tracks - In My Life, Think for Yourself
Underrated - Girl
Overrated - Norwegian Wood (This Bird has Flown), Michelle

Follow up to Help, released in December of '65 is the first time the Beatles vere into a more experimental sound. Unfortunately I don't think this album holds up because it sounds very '60s, almost comical at times (listen to 'I'm looking through you' to the Monkees'esque sound coming out of when Paul says "and you're nowhere"). However there are a lot of cool songs on here like 'Drive My Car' and so on.

8. Revolver (1966)

Best tracks - Eleanor Rigby, I'm Only Sleeping, Tomorrow Never Knows
Underrated - For No One, I Want to Tell You
Overrated - Yellow Submarine (come on...this is a kid's song)

A lot like Rubber Soul, the follow up album is guilty of being too '60s at times. It doesn't always have that timeless quality that you hope for. Experimental for sure, and absolutely groundbreaking, it's got a lot of really cool sounds that range from eerie, to sad, to fun.

7. Help! (1965)

Best tracks - Ticket to Ride, I've Just seen a Face
Underrated - The Night Before, You're going to lose that girl
Overrated - Yesterday (one of the most overrated songs in rock history, sorry)

Help is a cool album. It's a lot like 'A Hard Days Night' in that they play straight rock. It's pre-psychedelic era, and not overly experimental, but it's straight rock done right. There are a lot of memorable songs on here including the title track and You've got to Hide your Love away, etc. It's a fun listen.

6. Magical Mystery Tour (1967)

Best tracks - Hello Goodbye, Strawberry Fields, I am the Walrus, All you Need is Love
Underrated - Your Mother Should Know
Overrated - Penny Lane (great song, but not a top 10 or 15 Beatle tune like many would argue)

The Mystery Tour is a very cool album. It fully embraces psychedelia in all its glory, but has a lot of big time Beatle classics as well. On any given day this could arguably be my favourite Beatles album, as is the case for each album from here on out on the countdown. One great thing about this album is that its just solid from top to bottom and even includes some instrumental tracks to help keep the flow going. It rings really well from beginning to end, but loses points for being kind of short (36 minutes).

5. A Hard Day's Night (1964)

Best tracks - I should have Known Better, Any Time at All, Tell Me Why
Underrated - When I Get Home
Overrated - Can't Buy Me Love

This was their first real work of art. Beautiful album full of fast and slow melodies, hard and soft, and it flows from track to track perfectly. I listed the big hit as overrated because I feel that it was the obvious single for that time, and might be the only track that doesn't hold up as timeless as it sounds like a mid 60's oldie. Great album though.

4. Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

Best tracks - A Day in the Life, With a Little Help from My Friends, Title track
Underrated - Lovely Rita (great song)
Overrated - Within You Without You (sorry, George)

This iconic album is one of the first ever concept albums, loaded with a variety of instruments, sounds, high's lows, and comes to a crashing conclusion at the end of 'A Day in the Life'. Really great stuff, although you have to be in the mood to get ready for this one. I think the reason I don't rate it number 1, as many magazines, radio stations, and bloggers have throughout time, is because it does dance the line sometimes with a mix of timeless classics and songs that sound like they belong in the 60's. Timelessness seems to be the major qualification for my assessments.

3. Let it Be (1970)

Best tracks - I've got a feeling, Let it Be, For You Blue, Get Back
Underrated - Dig a Pony, I Me Mine
Overrated - Across the Universe

Beautiful album, probably the one that best exemplifies one of the Beatles greatest qualities and most distinctive sounds - the vocal harmonies. Arguably this is their deepest and most impressive album from a timeless standpoint. This collection of songs is great, and they even put 'One After 909' an old song that John wrote when he was 17. John and Paul would play it on trains when they were starting out. There are all kinds of cool tidbits like this on 'Let it Be'. In fact, I can add to the info of 'One After 909' - they recorded that song years earlier but used the version from their rooftop concert on 'Let it Be'.

2. Abbey Road (1969)

Best tracks - Something, Come Together, Here Comes the Sun, Oh Darling
Underrated - She Came in through the Bathroom Window, I want You (she's so Heavy)
Overrated - None

The last full album they recorded, except for a couple of touch ups they made to the shelved 'Let it Be'. It's a shame because they were obviously in such a groove when they made this, they had it down to a science. This album is magic, from beginning to end. The medley on the back half of the album is outstanding, and bringing a reprise of "You Never Give Me Your Money" into the middle of "Golden Slumbers/Carry that Weight" is pure genius. Wrapping it up with "the End" perfectly highlights the outstanding guitar ability of George Harrison, who riffs and shreds throughout the entire album. Definitely this is George Harrison at his shrieking best. He goes soft and smooth like his buddy Clapton when its called for and goes hard like only he can when he feels it. Great stuff, and the vocal harmonies, wow. This is why we love the Beatles.

1. The White Album (1968)

Best tracks - Back in the USSR, Glass Onion, While my Guitar Gently Weeps, Helter Skelter
Underrated - Savoy Truffle, Why don't we do it in the road, I'm So Tired
Overrated - Birthday

Had to list a lot of tracks because this double album has a lot of tracks. What a masterpiece of sound. Rock n Roll, country, folk, blues, hard rock, big riffs, and a handful of the most classic, well known and memorable songs in the history of music. This album is just a work of art and it has it all. The acoustic doo-wap version of 'Revolution 1' is a fantastic change of pace to take the album down the home stretch (if you're listening on vinyl it kicks off the beginning of side 4). This album has a real narrative and I think sums up the Beatles in all their greatness quite well.

Hard to believe these guys recorded all of this in 7 years. Ridiculous...


Monday, June 10, 2013

Top 30 Queens of the Stone Age Songs

1. Make it Wit Chu
2. Little Sister
3. If Only
4. In the Fade
5. Burn the Witch
6. Misfit Love
7. Go With the Flow
8. I Sat by the Ocean
9. God is on the Radio
10. Run Pig Run

11. 3's and 7's
12. I'm Designer
13. If I had a Tail
14. No One Knows
15. My God is the Sun
16. Tangled Up in Plaid
17. How to Handle a Rope
18. Kalopsia
19. Sick, Sick, Sick
20. Regular John

21. Auto Pilot
22. Do it Again
23. Broken Box
24. The Fun Machine took a Shit and Died
25. Turning on the Screw
26. The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret
27. Mexicola
28. You Got a Killer Scene there man...
29. Avon
30. Leg of Lamb

Apologies to 'Song for the Deaf' and any of the new tracks that haven't resonated with me enough yet.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Top Simpson Characters

1.Homer Simpson
2.Bart Simpson
3.Chief Clancy Wiggum
4.Moe Sizlack
5.Marge Simpson
6.Krusty the Klown
7.Montgomery Burns
8.Lionel Hutz
9.Principal Skinner
10.Waylon Smithers
11.Groundskeeper Willie
12.Grampa Simpson
13.Side Show Bob Tewilliger
14.Mayor "Diamond" Joe Quimby
15.Apu Nahasapeenapedulon
16. Milhouse VanHouten
17. Fat Tony
18.Lenny and Carl
19. Troy McClure
20. Superintendent Chalmers

Apologies to Nelson, Lisa, Ralph, Dr.Nick, Captain Horatio McAllister, Dr.Julias Hibbert, and Otto.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Top 15 King of the Hill Characters

1. Hank Rutherford Hill
2. Peggy Hill
3. Boomhauer
4. Dale Gribble
5. Kahn Supanoosenfon (sp?)
6. Bobby Hill
7. Cotton Hill
8. Lucky
9. Buck Strickland
10. Luanne Platter
11. Min Supanoosenfon
12. Joe Jack
13. Principal Moss
14.Bill Dautrive
15. Dooley

Apologies to John Redcorn, Nancy Gribble, Glarke, and Enrique. No apologies to Joe Jack, honey.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Top 10 (non-main) Seinfeld Characters

Frank Costanza
Jay Peterman
David Puddy
Newman
Mr.Kruger
Kenny Bania
Estelle Costanza
Morty Seinfeld
George Steinbrenner
Mr.Wilhelm

Top Futurama Characters

1. Phillip J. Fry
2. Bender Bending Rodriguez
3. Professor Farnsworth
4. Calculon
5. Hermes Conrad
6. Zap Brannigan
7. John Zoidberg
8. Amy Wong
9. Scruffy
10. Leelah