Album of the Month: July 2006

Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere

For those of you who know me, you are probably baffled at this album of the month placement, since Hip Hop and/or Pop have never been my cup of tea. Some might even think its 'Crazy' that I am doing this. Pun definitely intended. But I recieved this album about a week and a half ago and I haven't stopped listening to it since.

Musically the album is amazing. I cant get enough of the energy and the amazing beats throughout this record. There isnt a whole lot of rapping as much as there is some great singing, which was a huge plus in my book. I enjoy the feel of this entire album, and it really was the perfect album for the summer feeling (thanks George). It has everything from songs like 'The Boogie Monster' which made me think of Frank Zappa, to the ultra catchy 'Crazy'. The only weak spot in my mind was the Violent Femmes cover of 'Gone Daddy Gone'...but no matter who re-does it, the Violent Femmes always end up being annoying eventually.

So basically this album easily replaces 'Justified' for me as my favorite pop record, and not only that, but it bitch slaps it on the way up.

Track 2 Mix

I've always considered Track 2 to be the most important track of an album. I don't know why. I guess from a listener's perspective, if you are listening to an album for the first time and aren't sure about it, everyone always makes it to atleast track 2. Track 1 gets the initial reaction of whether or not you think a band sucks or not, but if you hate track 1, most people will at least press skip once, and Track 2 is sometimes the only chance an album has to redeem itself.

Of course I've been wrong before.

Anyways, here is a mix of some track 2's. Some of my favorites, and some unique stuff that might intrigue you to hear more.

1. Staring at the Sun - TV on the Radio - Off of their album 'Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babys'. This is one that intrigued me to listen to the rest of this album.
2. Date With the Night - Yeah Yeah Yeah's - Off of their album 'Fever to Tell'. I love this band...they rock. I'm a man of few words.
3. It's a Boy - The Who - Off of the album 'Tommy'. Short but sweet.
4. Clap Hands - Tom Waits - Off of his album 'Rain Dogs'. Tom Waits does some bizzare stuff and some really great stuff. This is a little of both.
5. I'm Ready - The Twilight Singers - Off of their album 'Powder Burns'. I just got this album from a friend and this song left me wanting to hear more.
6. Hell is Chrome - Wilco - Off of their album 'A Ghost is Born'. This is one of my favorite track 2's off of one of my all time favorite albums.
7. Frail and Bedazzled - The Smashing Pumpkins - Off of their album 'Pisces Iscariot'. This is one of those great bands I often overlook when looking for music to listen to, especially this album.
8. Stephanie Says - The Velvet Underground - This is a pretty song. I got it off of an Album of unreleased tracks I found somewhere once.
9. Prologue - Trey Anastasio - Off of his album 'Seis de Mayo'. This is a beautiful classic piece based around the song 'Pebbles and Marbles'.
10. The Ruling Class - Loose Fur - Off of their album 'Born Again in the USA'.
11. The Bends - Radiohead - Off of their album 'The Bends'. This is another one of my favorite Track 2's from before the time of Ok Computer and Thom Yorke making himself a self-proclaimed musical genius.
12. The Wake Up Bomb - REM - Off of their album 'New Adventures in Hi-Fi'.
13. Flings of the Waistcoat Crowd - Robert Pollard - Off of his album 'Kid Marine'. I heart Robert Pollard.
14. Unconsciously Screaming - The Flaming Lips - Off of their album 'In a Priest Driven Ambulance'.
15. Straight Street - The Fiery Furnaces - Off of their album 'Blueberry Boat'. There is no way to explain this band.
16. GhettoMusik - Outkast - Off the album 'SpeakerBoxx/Love Below'. Shake it, but not like a polaroid picture.
17. Evil - Interpol - Off of their album 'Antics'. Great Indie band.
18. Romantic Rights - Death From Above 1979 - Off of their album 'You're a Woman, I'm a Machine'.
19. Secret - Candid - Off of their album 'Traffic and Old Habits'. One of my favorite Candid songs, despite the crappy mix from this era in their careers. If you want to hear more Candid get in touch with me.

Well thats all for now...Until next month. Mix it up...

Bahahahahaha