Continuing on from last week- here are more of my favorite 90s songs. I could probably do this list 100 times and get 100 different lists, but it's still fun to listen to the songs as I attempt the making of the list.
11) "Rosealia" by Better Than Ezra
I still feel like BTE is a highly underrated band. I know they occasionally stray into a country-ish twang, but how can you go wrong with "Deluxe" or "Friction, Baby?" Answer: you can't. "Rosealia" just makes me feel good (wah-o, wah-o, wah... good! [Ok, I know that was lame.]) Seriously though, I am consistently glad when this song comes on and I never change the station if it happens to grace to airwaves on my radio.
12) "This Is A Call" by Foo Fighters
I think nostalgia has a ton to do with this song making the list. I remember when I first heard "Dave Grohl's new band" on the radio. This was the first single and I was blown away. I was still sad about the loss of Kurt Cobain's suicide and Dave Grohl came in to fill the musical void that the absence of Nirvana had created. This song rocks hard and is worth a careful re-listen to realize just how fantastic it really is.
13) "Plowed" by Sponge
Sponge had a few hits, but none of them are quite as good as this song. It starts with a sick lead guitar line and never lets up until it concludes. Say a prayer for me and anyone else from the 90s that happened to be in a mosh pit during this song.
14) "My Name Is Jonas" by Weezer
How great is this song?! So simple, yet with so much depth. Much like "Rosealia," this song just makes me feel better in any context. Weezer bring catchy hooks- it's what they do best.
"Perfect" by Smashing Pumpkins
They have so many great songs, but this one stands out to me. It is a melancholy love song with a very weird video that I can't say is all that great. The song, however, is my favorite in the entire catalog of Smashing Pumpkins (which of course, contains many other great songs.) Enjoy this awful music video.
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I've got five more for next week. I really do love talking about 90s music, even if it is impossible to make a truly accurate list, I stand behind all of these songs as awesome.
Showing posts with label Foo Fighters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Foo Fighters. Show all posts
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Cover Song Debate: Round 1
First, let me say this- people who needlessly back into parking spots and struggle with the process are douchebags. I'm totally ok with someone backing into a spot because it functionally is easier than going forward. However, I recently saw someone back into a spot in the parking garage at work for no reason at all. There were open spots on either side and they had to readjust the line of their car four fucking times. Ask yourself this, was that process worth it later in the day just so you can pull out of a spot without anyone seeing your reverse lights? I wager that in the parking garage, while everyone is leaving for their commute home, putting your car forward is less helpful because people won't see your reverse lights and let you in. Granted, the parking garage is not usually crazy busy at quitting time, but my point still stands. The effort you put in just to get your car in reverse position was much more than just pulling in regular, then backing out regular upon leaving. Final verdict- if you're going to back into a spot, be competent enough to do it efficiently. Otherwise, you look like an ass.
Today, we're going to try something called "The Cover Song Debate." I've heard the old cliche: "The original version is ALWAYS better than the cover version because it is the original." Well, that obviously can't be true because if Country music allowed the original writers of songs to perform rather than the famous performers, they would go out of business. Just because a song makes it to the market place first, does not mean that someone can never do it better. However, it can go both ways. So let's make some decisions on which versions of songs are better. Some of these decisions will be easier than others. Without further ado...
"Radar Love" - Golden Earring (original) vs. White Lion (cover)
This song original came out in the 70's by Golden Earring. The song definitely rocks, but it was covered by 80's hair band White Lion in what potentially is a better version. Both versions have similar tempo and both versions sound true to the decade they were released. It's probably just a matter of personal preference as neither version has a massive flaw that creates a Mike Tyson's Punchout! KO decision.
Verdict: I grew up in the 80's - White Lion's hair band version FTW!
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"Ballroom Blitz" - The Sweet (original) vs. Tia Carrera (cover)
To be honest, "Radar Love" reminded me of "Ballroom Blitz" this is a similar debate. The original has that 70's sound and definitely rocks. Tia Carrera's version was on the "Wayne's World" soundtrack and she was once the smokin' hot chick that would never date Mike Myers in real life. This one is close to being a push. Rockin' song vs. Tia Carrera's fine ass...
Verdict: I'll go with the original based on the fact that I'm not as into female lead singers. Not trying to be an asshole, just my personal preference. This is by the slimmest of margins.
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"Smooth Criminal" - Michael Jackson (original) vs. Alien Ant Farm (cover)
Michael Jackson was the King of Pop and also the King of Molesting Kids. Alien Ant Farm were somewhat intelligent to release this alternative rock version of "Smooth Criminal." In the end, the novelty has worn off of the cover version...
Verdict: MJ - It is hard to molest kids better than MJ, but it is also difficult to sing his songs better than him. Props for Alien Ant Farm having almost 14 million views on the YouTube video I posted here, though.
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"Best Of You" - Foo Fighters (original) vs. Price (cover)
I know G$ has suggested that the Foo Fighters should play the Super Bowl halftime show. I fully support this idea. Back in 2007, Prince covered "Best Of You" during his own Super Bowl halftime show. Apparently, this was meant as a dig against the Foo's for covering his song "Darling Nikki." Way to get back at them Prince! Nothing shows them like playing one of their song during a performance that 1 billion people watch! In the end, I know what version I highly prefer...
Verdict: Foo Fighters by a landslide!
---
We may try this again. Disagree with any of the verdicts? Have any suggestions of future debates? Leave them in the comments and have a great weekend.
Today, we're going to try something called "The Cover Song Debate." I've heard the old cliche: "The original version is ALWAYS better than the cover version because it is the original." Well, that obviously can't be true because if Country music allowed the original writers of songs to perform rather than the famous performers, they would go out of business. Just because a song makes it to the market place first, does not mean that someone can never do it better. However, it can go both ways. So let's make some decisions on which versions of songs are better. Some of these decisions will be easier than others. Without further ado...
"Radar Love" - Golden Earring (original) vs. White Lion (cover)
This song original came out in the 70's by Golden Earring. The song definitely rocks, but it was covered by 80's hair band White Lion in what potentially is a better version. Both versions have similar tempo and both versions sound true to the decade they were released. It's probably just a matter of personal preference as neither version has a massive flaw that creates a Mike Tyson's Punchout! KO decision.
Verdict: I grew up in the 80's - White Lion's hair band version FTW!
---
"Ballroom Blitz" - The Sweet (original) vs. Tia Carrera (cover)
To be honest, "Radar Love" reminded me of "Ballroom Blitz" this is a similar debate. The original has that 70's sound and definitely rocks. Tia Carrera's version was on the "Wayne's World" soundtrack and she was once the smokin' hot chick that would never date Mike Myers in real life. This one is close to being a push. Rockin' song vs. Tia Carrera's fine ass...
Verdict: I'll go with the original based on the fact that I'm not as into female lead singers. Not trying to be an asshole, just my personal preference. This is by the slimmest of margins.
---
"Smooth Criminal" - Michael Jackson (original) vs. Alien Ant Farm (cover)
Michael Jackson was the King of Pop and also the King of Molesting Kids. Alien Ant Farm were somewhat intelligent to release this alternative rock version of "Smooth Criminal." In the end, the novelty has worn off of the cover version...
Verdict: MJ - It is hard to molest kids better than MJ, but it is also difficult to sing his songs better than him. Props for Alien Ant Farm having almost 14 million views on the YouTube video I posted here, though.
---
"Best Of You" - Foo Fighters (original) vs. Price (cover)
I know G$ has suggested that the Foo Fighters should play the Super Bowl halftime show. I fully support this idea. Back in 2007, Prince covered "Best Of You" during his own Super Bowl halftime show. Apparently, this was meant as a dig against the Foo's for covering his song "Darling Nikki." Way to get back at them Prince! Nothing shows them like playing one of their song during a performance that 1 billion people watch! In the end, I know what version I highly prefer...
Verdict: Foo Fighters by a landslide!
---
We may try this again. Disagree with any of the verdicts? Have any suggestions of future debates? Leave them in the comments and have a great weekend.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
90s Rock: Foo Fighters
This is archived from my previous blog.
In honor of the Foo Fighters' album release yesterday (the album is good people!)
, I'm going to take a look at the songs they made in the 90s. Just like Horatio Sanz in "Step Brothers" singing only "80s Joel," I do NOT want to hear about how I left off "Times Like These
" or "The Pretender
." 90s Foos only!
"This Is A Call
" - The first single and first track from the first CD that Dave Grohl ever released under the name Foo Fighters. I was instantly a fan, although the vocals could go a little higher in the mix for my taste. Other than that- it's a rocking song that was a great way to lead off Grohl's career as "not just Nirvana's drummer."
"I'll Stick Around" - Now, if you thought "This Is A Call" rocked... then this one was an absolute treat as it rocks even harder! Dave Grohl yelling "I don't owe you anything!" is sweet. Many believe that line is aimed at Courtney Love, and I like to believe that is the case.
"For All The Cows" - What's that? You wanted the video with them doing a fake Mentos commercial? Go look it up on YouTube then! This is an underrated jam from the first record. I'm pretty certain we used this song in a video my friends and I made for our Freshman Biology in high school. I don't even remember what the video was about, but I remember this song being in there- you can tell where my head was in high school.
"Monkey Wrench" - After all the success of the first record, it was time to go record a new record with the new band Dave Grohl had assembled. This was the first single out of the shoot- and it is so fricken' awesome I don't have a great way of describing it. I was blown away when I first heard it.
"My Hero" - Varsity Blues
anyone?
"Hey, Johnny Park" - Another one of those underrated tracks. I know it got some radio play, but this song crushes harder than a savage hangover after a night of drinking Wild Turkey.
"Gimme Stitches
" - This wasn't a single, but I love the groove with the guitars hitting on the backbeat. Well done again, Mr. Grohl.
"Stacked Actors" - Yeah, I'm staying away from the singles of their third album because I love the "deep tracks" so much. I used to listen to this song a ton in my dorm room Freshman year of college. Foo Fighters is probably at their best with lighter verses, a build up, then a savage rocking chorus. This song is textbook FF's.
"Aurora" - I love this intro and the song is extremely well written. Again, we're looking at a softer verse with a livelier chorus.
There are plenty of songs that could have been on this list. "Walking After You," "Learn To Fly," "Alone + Easy Target," "Breakout" and so many others. The point is, Foo Fighters are great and it's nice to see that they have still retained their rock base sound unlike many other bands from the 90s who have lost their ability to re-create their signature rock songs from that decade (cough*Radiohead*cough.) I'm all for experimentation, but sometimes it's nice to see bands slide back into their original songs like an old pair of jeans.
In honor of the Foo Fighters' album release yesterday (the album is good people!)
, I'm going to take a look at the songs they made in the 90s. Just like Horatio Sanz in "Step Brothers" singing only "80s Joel," I do NOT want to hear about how I left off "Times Like These" or "The Pretender." 90s Foos only!"This Is A Call
" - The first single and first track from the first CD that Dave Grohl ever released under the name Foo Fighters. I was instantly a fan, although the vocals could go a little higher in the mix for my taste. Other than that- it's a rocking song that was a great way to lead off Grohl's career as "not just Nirvana's drummer." "I'll Stick Around" - Now, if you thought "This Is A Call" rocked... then this one was an absolute treat as it rocks even harder! Dave Grohl yelling "I don't owe you anything!" is sweet. Many believe that line is aimed at Courtney Love, and I like to believe that is the case.
"For All The Cows" - What's that? You wanted the video with them doing a fake Mentos commercial? Go look it up on YouTube then! This is an underrated jam from the first record. I'm pretty certain we used this song in a video my friends and I made for our Freshman Biology in high school. I don't even remember what the video was about, but I remember this song being in there- you can tell where my head was in high school.
"Monkey Wrench" - After all the success of the first record, it was time to go record a new record with the new band Dave Grohl had assembled. This was the first single out of the shoot- and it is so fricken' awesome I don't have a great way of describing it. I was blown away when I first heard it.
"My Hero" - Varsity Blues
anyone? "Hey, Johnny Park" - Another one of those underrated tracks. I know it got some radio play, but this song crushes harder than a savage hangover after a night of drinking Wild Turkey.
"Gimme Stitches
" - This wasn't a single, but I love the groove with the guitars hitting on the backbeat. Well done again, Mr. Grohl. "Stacked Actors" - Yeah, I'm staying away from the singles of their third album because I love the "deep tracks" so much. I used to listen to this song a ton in my dorm room Freshman year of college. Foo Fighters is probably at their best with lighter verses, a build up, then a savage rocking chorus. This song is textbook FF's.
"Aurora" - I love this intro and the song is extremely well written. Again, we're looking at a softer verse with a livelier chorus.
There are plenty of songs that could have been on this list. "Walking After You," "Learn To Fly," "Alone + Easy Target," "Breakout" and so many others. The point is, Foo Fighters are great and it's nice to see that they have still retained their rock base sound unlike many other bands from the 90s who have lost their ability to re-create their signature rock songs from that decade (cough*Radiohead*cough.) I'm all for experimentation, but sometimes it's nice to see bands slide back into their original songs like an old pair of jeans.
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