matmusic ministries

At long last, I present for you my top album of the year.

#1

The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead

After a forced four year hiatus, The Helio Sequence returns with a great American rock album that should make us all wonder why we didn’t miss them more while they were gone. Relentless touring in support of their last album Love and Distance put too much strain on the voice of front man Brandon Summers and he had to stop singing altogether. Good thing his incredibly talented drummer and band mate Benjamin Weikel waited for him to heal because the duo is, indeed, dynamic. They return with force in 2008 with the mature yet easy-on-the-ears Keep Your Eyes Ahead, an album that must not be missed.

How such a large amount of quality sound can come from a group of just two is hard to fathom. Layers of electric guitar sounds, acoustic guitar strums, keyboard lines, blips and bleeps mix together with the solid and steady drumming to create a sound that is more indicative of a full band. These excellent musical constructions are coupled with well-thought-out and well delivered lyrics that make up songs that are familiar but never boring.

It’s the most solid album in the group’s discography, haunting with moments of near perfection.
Alternative Press
[Mar 2008, p.140]

I pulled the above quote from Metacritic.com and it’s hard for me not to agree with the “near perfection” sentiment. This is an album that I could listen to from start to finish just about any time or anywhere. And if you have not heard it yet, you need to see if you agree as soon as you have a free 40 minutes.

Finally, after my blast of a trip to Portland, Oregon this past summer, I feel a stronger draw to people from the great Pacific Northwest. The members of Helio Sequence happen to hail from that great town and I can’t say that that fact had nothing to do with this selection.

The ironically named Lately is the album’s first song and the lyrics almost echo what must be the thought in Summer’s mind. While he is talking about a former lover, the lyrics could also refer to a music public that most likely wrote the band off as a flash in the pan. “Lately I don’t think of you at all.”

While the first four songs of the album are solid and steady rock tunes, the album rests a bit with Shed Your Love. This thought provoking song about a person who is trying to get over a lost love borders on sad. But the excellent guitar work by Summers makes the song entirely listenable.

“Drank the dark wine of the New York night
My shattered mind across the borderline
Spent the night in someone else’s arms
Shed your love, shed your love
Shed your love, shed your love
On a subway train before the dawn
The ride was short but my thoughts were long
Couldn’t figure what got in to me
Shed your love, shed your love
Shed your love, shed your love”

But just when you think that Shed Your Love’s gentle finger-picked guitar and equally gentle vocals might induce nap time, the album gives way to the hard hitting and creatively composed title track Keep Your Eyes Ahead. When the double cymbal crash at :21 kicks the song into high gear, it is obvious that no sleep is needed. Be sure to check the drumming closely in each verse (verse one starts at 1:19 elapsed.) The tom roll followed by the tripping snare is to be admired.

Even the video for Keep Your Eyes Ahead is engaging with a travelling box of a stage housing both members and surrounding them with lights, magnifying glasses, and colored liquid. All this is done outside where the falling snow indicates just how cold the filming must have been. If you are interested, see the link below (just be sure to hit the back button after the video to finish the review.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIicqULYhGw

Hallelujah calls us to “move around with ease” and to this steadily marching track, it’s easy to do. The solo which begins at 2:11 won’t blow you away with technical guitar excellence but it’s building layers and sounds enchant and add to an already excellent song.

The album is complete with the lo-fi romp of No Regrets. What sounds like a song recorded at a party of friends is actually a song with a challenging message and folk sensibility. The harmonica and vocal delivery are quite obviously Dylan-influenced and done to near perfection. How fitting that a singer with vocal problems would want to send the album off with a Dylan feel.

“Well, I lived my whole life
When I saw your face, sayin’
“Please don’t leave me now.”

Well, I cry a lot
When I see your face, sayin’
“Please now leave me down.”

And when that sun sets
I’ll have no regrets
I’ll walk out that door
I’ll shed all my faith
And I wont shed a tear”

Any 37-minute, 10-song album that boasts more than one or two memorable tunes seems increasingly rare in our current download-ready singles era, but this is such an album.
By Mason Jones
http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/4066

Check the band on the web at:
http://www.subpop.com/artists/the_helio_sequence
http://www.myspace.com/theheliosequence

So tell me what you think by posting a comment, I do enjoy reading your thoughts. And if you have posted a comment already, check the replies, I may have replied to you with a comment of my own.

The time has come for me to share my favorite albums of last year. I enjoy listening back to the albums that made an impact on me over the last year. Some will be no surprise but I hope I help a few of you discover new music…that seems to be a great reward for me and a major motivation for me writing about the tunes. I look forward to your comments and hearing your list of favorites.

Before we get too far into 2008, I thought it would be fun to review previous years and see how they stack up today.

In 2006, here were my top five favorite albums.

5. We Are Scientists – With Love and Squalor
4. Hot Chip – The Warning
3. Phoenix – It’s Never Been Like That
2. Decemberists – The Crane Wife

1. Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere

As a whole, I am still proud of the list. St. Elsewhere is a great album but I would not put it at number one today. The best album from the list is the Decemberists’ Crane Wife. I still give it a listen today and look forward to their next offering.
The Phoenix album sounds really poppy by today’s standards. The Warning still stands up and Hot Chip’s album from 2008 is also good (but not on my list.) I still listen to With Love And Squalor at a high volume from time to time.

This time last year, in 2007, here were my favorites:
Top Worship Album:
Robbie Seay Band - Give Yourself Away
Read the review here.

Top Rap Album:
Kanye West – Graduation
Read the review here.

Top Albums of the Year:
6. Pela - Anytown Graffiti
5. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
4. Radiohead - In Rainbows
3. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
2. Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
Read the review here.

1. Menomena - Friend and Foe
Read the review here.

I still love the Menomena album and like the pick…admittedly partly because of the novelty of a new and mostly unheralded band. The Rilo Kiley album is solid but tired now. Can’t go wrong with any Spoon album in my book. The same could be said for Radiohead and The Shins. I heard a Pela song on the radio the other day and still really enjoyed the sound.

So there is a look back. Tomorrow, we begin a look forward starting with the Christian Album of the Year and some notable albums that did not make the list…stay tuned.

Obviously, this post is WAY overdue. I have had this album in my mind since March but am just getting to writing about it. Albums for April and May will follow soon.

The matmusic Album of the Month for March 2008 is Oracular Spectacular by MGMT.

[audio:04 Electric Feel.mp3]
Click the above to listen to the music as you read the write up.

Falling in close step with artists like the Klaxons and Of Montreal, MGMT (pronounced ‘Management’) deliver a satisfying and trippy blend of music to move to. Much like the more popular artists in this genre, as you listen, you cannot help but sing along. This, to me, is the appeal. It’s not simply about sounds and synths and computers, there are actual words to engage the listener. Often meaningless, they still work to draw you in. The mind bending, ethereal sounds, though, should not be over looked. They, combined with the singing, lend to a feel that wraps the listener is a blanket of good-ole-days memories.

The band has an entirely complete sound for only having two main members: Ben Goldwasser and Andrew Van Wyngarden. Van Wyngarden’s falsetto vocals remind of early 70’s while Goldwasser’s synth sounds complete the decades old feel.

The album kicks off with Time To Pretend which is also the title of their first EP. The high pitched and warbled electric piano hook is hard to forget.

YouTube video here

I am usually not the biggest fan of slower tempo songs. I want something to get me going, not put me to sleep. Track number three, The Youth, while sitting at a slower tempo is actually both infinitely singable and addictive. The country guitar intro kicks off the unique tune by throwing the listener a bit off kilter. Then, when the band modulates down a step at the 2:35 mark, it somehow works to actually take the song up a notch.

Electric Feel is one of the heart songs of the album. The guitar line moves the song along and gives it the real punch. “Ooh girl, shock me like an electric eel” is a perfectly cheesy throwaway line that is nothing but fun.

Finally, the breakdown starting at 3:00 of Kids should be sought out and listened to at a very high volume.

If you like what you hear, support the band and it’s art by purchasing the album.

Happy listening.

Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs

Last week, I started a rundown of the list of the 500 greatest songs that Rolling Stone magazine released in 2004. I continue the countdown today. Look for my comments which will be marked by a
 - 
and italicized text. Also, let me hear what you think of the list. Your favorites, your “I can’t believe this or that song is this low or high” comments, your agreements.
Also, for this installment, I looked for the funniest album covers from the entries. Scroll and enjoy.
Undeniably, there is some good stuff on this list.

Numbers 249 – 100

249. Chain of Fools, Aretha Franklin
 -  Mat: This is the first of three from this artist on the list, can you guess the others?
248. Rappers Delight, The Sugarhill Gang
 -  Mat: What some music historians refer to as the first “recorded” rap song to get airplay…look how far we have come…or have we?

(Now THAT is an afro to be proud of)

247. Hot Fun in the Summertime,Sly and the Family Stvanone
246. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, Jackie Wilson
245. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, The Band
244. Gimme Some Lovin’, The Spencer Davis Group
243. Love Shack, The B-52’s
242. Rocket Man, Elton John
241. Stand!, Sly and the Family Stone
240. Son of a Preacher Man, Dusty Springfield
239. The Wanderer, Dion
238. I Fall to Pieces, Patsy Cline
 -  Mat: What a classic country vocalist.
237. Planet Rock, Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force
 -  Mat: A hip-hop groundbreaker.
236. Everyday, Buddy Holly and the Crickets
 -  Mat: This is the first entry (and my favorite song) from Dallas’ own.
235. I Got a Woman, Ray Charles
 -  Mat: Second.
234. I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better, The Byrds
233. We Gotta Get Out of This Place, The Animals
232. Only the Lonely, Roy Orbison
231. Sexual Healing, Marvin Gaye
 -  Mat: The first from a great talent who’s time on this earth was tragically cut short by his own father.
230. Just Like a Woman, Bob Dylan
 -  Mat: Fourth
229. Mannish Boy, Muddy Waters
228. Should I Stay or Should I Go, The Clash
227. Fire and Rain, James Taylor

(A pencil thin jaw-beard is never a good look for a white person.)

226. Moondance, Van Morrison
225. Hoochie Coochie Man, Muddy Waters
224. Good Times, Chic
 -  Mat: Love the song but would not have been able to name the band.
223. Dance to the Music, Sly and the Family Stone
222. Oh, Pretty Woman, Roy Orbison
221. Walk on the Wild Side, Lou Reed
220. Walk Away Renee, The Left Banke
219. Spoonful, Howlin’ Wolf
218. Boom Boom, John Lee Hooker
217. Jolene, Dolly Parton
216. Do You Believe in Magic, The Lovin’ Spoonful
215. Sh-Boom, The Chords
214. Rockin’ in the Free World, Neil Young
213. Your Cheatin’ Heart, Hank Williams
212. 1999, Prince
211. Caroline, No, The Beach Boys
 -  Mat: Second.
210. 96 Tears, ? and the Mysterians
209. In My Room, The Beach Boys
 -  Mat: Third.
208. Gloria, Them
207. Bye Bye Love, The Everly Brothers
206. Reach Out, I’ll Be There, The Four Tops
205. Lean On Me, Bill Withers
204. Try a Little Tenderness, Otis Redding
203. Positively 4th Street, Bob Dylan
 -  Mat: Fifth
202. Come Together, The Beatles
 -  Mat: Eighth
201. Bizarre Love Triangle, New Order
200. Loser, Beck
199. Flash Light, Parliament
198. Hey Joe, Jimi Hendrix
197. Don’t Be Cruel, Elvis Presley
 -  Mat: Fifth
196. Sweet Child O’ Mine, Guns N’ Roses
195. Maybe, The Chantels
194. Peggy Sue, Buddy Holly
193. There Goes My Baby, The Drifters
192. Wichita Lineman, Glen Campbell
191. Free Bird, Lynyrd Skynyrd
190. Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Bob Dylan
 -  Mat: Sixth

(”No, no…the headband sells it, John”)

189. Stayin’ Alive, The Bee Gees
188. Who’ll Stop the Rain,Creedence Clearwater Revival
187. Back in Black, AC/DC
186. I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You), Aretha Franklin
185. Desolation Row, Bob Dylan
 -  Mat: Seventh
184. Please Please Me, The Beatles
 -  Mat: Ninth
183. The Thrill Is Gone, B.B. King
182. Save the Last Dance for Me, The Drifters
181. Green Onions, Booker T. and the MG’s
180. Hey Ya!, Outkast
 -  Mat: Wow, never thought I would see this song on the list. Yes, it is a great song and gets the booty shakin’ like a polariod picture but top 500 of all time, and 180 at that!?.
179. Love Will Tear Us Apart, Joy Division
178. September Gurls, Big Star
177. Free Fallin’, Tom Petty
176. Don’t Worry Baby, The Beach Boys
 -  Mat: Third.

(Matching maroon suits…classy)

175. I Fought the Law, The Bobby Fuller Four
174. Paint It, Black, The Rolling Stones
 -  Mat: Eighth
173. God Save the Queen, The Sex Pistols
172. Dream On, Aerosmith
171. Dancing Queen, Abba
 -  Mat: Beware: this song, no matter how cheesy WILL get stuck in your head in a bad way.
170. Both Sides Now, Joni Mitchell
169. Losing My Religion, R.E.M.
168. Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, The Temptations
167. Let’s Get It On, Marvin Gaye
166. Lose Yourself , Eminem
165. Fast Car, Tracy Chapman
164. Folsom Prison Blues, Johnny Cash
163. Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
162. Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O’Connor
 -  Mat: As I listened to this son I realized that she really isn’t a good singer.
161. I Can’t Stop Loving You, Ray Charles
160. Bring the Noise, Public Enemy
159. I’m Waiting for the Man, The Velvet Underground
158. (We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock, Bill Haley and His Comets
 -  Mat: This song and band might be the lynch pin for the emergence of popular rock in America. “Rock Around the Clock” set the table for an Elvis explosion.
157. I Only Have Eyes for You, The Flamingos
156. The Sounds of Silence, Simon and Garfunkel
 -  Mat: “Hello darkness my old friend” – a depressing but memorable song.
155. Proud Mary, Creedence Clearwater Revival
154. Rave On, Buddy Holly and the Crickets
153. A Hard Day’s Night, The Beatles
 -  Mat: Tenth
152. Foxey Lady, Jimi Hendrix

(I think the penguin itself is a nice touch)

151. Earth Angel, The Penguins
150. Eight Miles High, The Byrds
149. Cathy’s Clown, The Everly Brothers
148. Me and Bobby McGee, Janis Joplin
147. Lust for Life, Iggy Pop
146. Rock Lobster, The B-52’s
145. Everyday People, Sly and the Family Stone
144. I Wanna Be Sedated, The Ramones
143. Purple Rain, Prince
 -  Mat: This song has one of the best guitar solos ever.
142. Please, Please, Please, James Brown
141. All I Have to Do Is Dream, The Everly Brothers
140. Kashmir, Led Zeppelin
139. I Saw Her Standing There, The Beatles
 -  Mat: Eleventh
138. Family Affair, Sly and the Family Stone
137. Eleanor Rigby, The Beatles
136. Your Song, Elton John
135. While My Guitar Gently Weeps, The Beatles
 -  Mat: Twelfth
134. In the Midnight Hour, Wilson Pickett
133. Won’t Get Fooled Again, The Who
132. Who Do You Love, Bo Diddley
131. With or Without You, U2
130. Maggie May, Rod Stewart
129. Born to Be Wild, Steppenwolf
128. Rock & Roll Music, Chuck Berry
127. Changes, David Bowie
126. Shake, Rattle & Roll, Big Joe Turner
125. Will You Love Me Tomorrow, The Shirelles
124. Jumpin’ Jack Flash, The Rolling Stones
 -  Mat: Eighth (and my favorite Rolling Stones song. What’s yours?)
123. It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World, James Brown
122. House of the Rising Sun, The Animals
121. Stand By Me, Ben E. King
120. I Want You Back,The Jackson 5
 -  Mat: Surprisingly, this is the only entry by the group that launched Michael and Janet.
119. Go Your Own Way, Fleetwood Mac
118. Shout (Parts 1 and 2)], The Isley Brothers
117. Take Me to the River , Al Green
116. Honky Tonk Women, The Rolling Stones
 -  Mat: Ninth
115. You Send Me, Sam Cooke
114. Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home), The Crystals
113. Up on the Roof, The Drifters
112. That’s All Right, Elvis Presley
 -  Mat: Sixth
111. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Hank Williams
110. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now), Otis Redding
109. Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison

(while this is not the picture for Little Red Corvette…how could I resist?)

108. Little Red Corvette, Prince
107. Not Fade Away, Buddy Holly and the Crickets
106. Mr. Tambourine Man, Bob Dylan
 -  Mat: Eighth (my favorite by him)
105. The Boxer, Simon and Garfunkel
104. Living for the City, Stevie Wonder
103. Hot Stuff, Donna Summer
102. Be-Bop-A-Lula, Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps
101. Voodoo Child (Slight Return), Jimi Hendrix
100. You Can’t Always Get What You Want, The Rolling Stones
 -  Mat: Tenth

So now all that is left is the top 100 songs of all time. What are your thoughts on these? Let me hear from you in the comments.

Stay tuned for the top 100 coming soon.

Back in 2004, Rolling Stone published a special issue in which they counted down the top 500 Rock Songs of all time. While I didn’t buy or read the printed issue, I did discover the list recently on Rolling Stone’s website. I was intrigued to know what industry “experts” thought were the best songs ever made.

So I set out on a mission. I decided that through means of collecting, downloading and other means, I would listen to all 500 songs in countdown form starting at 500 and listening through to number 1. And, over the last several weeks, I have done just that. It’s been fun. It’s taken a long time (1.2 DAYS worth of music listening time spread over several weeks). It’s given me some blog fodder.

Over the next few days, I will post the list with some comments I have. I want to hear what you have to say so add your comments below.

Without further rambling, here is the list:

Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

500 More Than a Feeling, Boston
499 The Boys Are Back in Town, Thin Lizzy
498 Rainy Night in Georgia, Brook Benton
497 Buddy Holly, Weezer
 - Mat: I love this band, this is their only entry.
496 Miss You, The Rolling Stones
 - Mat: Deservedly the first of MANY from this band.
495 Shop Around, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
494 Desperado, The Eagles
493 Then He Kissed Me, The Crystals
492 Running on Empty, Jackson Browne
491 You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, Dusty Springfield
490 Brown Sugar, The Rolling Stones
 - Mat: Second.
489 I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor
 - Mat: Ah, disco.
488 Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win), Fleetwood Mac
487 Under the Boardwalk, The Drifters
486 How Soon Is Now?, The Smiths
 - Mat: How someone with Morresey’s voice could make a living singing is beyond me. Unique, I will give him that.
485 Graceland, Paul Simon
484 I Love Rock ‘N Roll, Joan Jett
483 Just Like Heaven, The Cure
482 I’m Eighteen, Alice Cooper
481 Young Americans, David Bowie
 - Mat: Thematically, the above two songs go well together.
480 Into the Mystic, Van Morrison
479 Lady Marmalade, Labelle
478 White Rabbit, Jefferson Airplane
477 Super Freak, Rick James
476 I Want to Know What Love Is,Foreigner
475 Sabotage, Beastie Boys
474 One Nation Under a Groove, Funkadelic
473 Do Right Woman, Do Right Man, Aretha Franklin
472 Where Did Our Love Go, The Supremes
471 On the Road Again, Willie Nelson
 - Mat: This classic should have been higher on the list.
470 Free Man in Paris, Joni Mitchell
469 It’s Too Late, Carole King
468 Search and Destroy, The Stooges
467 Welcome to the Jungle, Guns n’ Roses
466 Runaway, Del Shannon
465 Surrender, Cheap Trick
464 Standing in the Shadows of Love, The Four Tops
463 Rain, The Beatles
 - Mat: The first of many, many from this band. Have to admit, I had not heard this song.
462 Respect Yourself, The Staple Singers
461 Kiss, Prince
460 One Fine Day, The Chiffons
459 Rollin’ Stone, Muddy Waters
458 Soul Man, Sam and Dave
457 Sheena Is a Punk Rocker, Ramones
456 Stagger Lee, Lloyd Price
 - Mat: I had never heard this song but despite the subject matter of a man taking deadly revenge, my kids now love to dance to this one.
455 All Apologies, Nirvana
 - Mat: The first of several by this industry changing band.
454 My Sweet Lord, George Harrison
453 Paradise City, Guns n’ Roses
452 Cupid, Sam Cooke
451 The Twist, Chubby Checker
 - Mat: Another kid favorite.
450 By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Glem Campbell
449 Penny Lane, The Beatles
 - Mat: Second.
448 Heroin, The Velvet Underground
447 Leader of the Pack, The Shangri-Las
446 Pressure Drop, Toot and the Maytals
445 Come As You Are, Nirvana
 - Mat: Second.
444 I Got You Babe, Sonny and Cher
443 I Shot the Sheriff, Bob Marley and the Whailers
442 Keep a Knockin’, Little Richard
441 Come Go With Me, The Del-Vikings
440 Push It, Salt-n-Pepa
439 Pink Houses, John Cougar Mellencamp
438 I Wanna Be Your Dog, The Stooges
437 Love Me Tender, Elvis Presley
 - Mat: First of many.
436 Alone Again Or, Love
435 Beast of Burden, The Rolling Stones
 - Mat: Third.
434 Mustang Sally, Wilson Pickett
433 Ramble On, Led Zeppelin
432 Midnight Train to Georgia, Gladys Knight and the Pips
431 Ain’t It a Shame, Fats Domino
430 White Man in Hammersmith Palais, The Clash
429 Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, Solomon Burke
428 Devil With a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
427 New Year’s Day, U2
426 Smoke on the Water, Deep Purple
425 William, It Was Really Nothing, The Smiths
424 Tumbling Dice, The Rolling Stones
 - Mat: Fourth.
423 Blue Suede Shoes, Elvis Presley
422 Lola, The Kinks
421 Piano Man, Billy Joel
420 It’s Your Thing, The Isley Brothers
419 Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang, Dr
418 Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Crosby, Stills and Nash
417 F*** tha Police, N.W.A
 - Mat: Crosby, Stills, and Nash as the meat of a gangsta hip-hop sandwich with “Nuthin’ But A G Thang” and “F the Police” as the bread…that is about as “opposite ends of the spectrum” as you can get.
416 The Boys of Summer, Don Henley
415 I Can’t Help Myself, The Four Tops
414 Young Blood, The Coasters
413 The Girl Can’t Help It, Little Richard
412 Ode to Billie Joe, Bobbie Gentry
411 I Feel Love, Donna Summer
410 Monkey Gone to Heaven, Pixies
409 Crossroads, Cream
408 Sweet Emotion, Aerosmith
407 In Bloom, Nirvana
 - Mat: Second.
406 I Believe I Can Fly, R Kelly
405 We’ve Only Just Begun, The Carpenters
404 Visions of Johanna, Bob Dylan
403 C’mon Everybody, Eddie Cochran
402 Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), Sly & the Family Stone
401 Tonight’s the Night, The Shirelles
400 Kicks, Paul Revere and the Raiders
399 Enter Sandman, Metallica
398 Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd
397 (Don’t Fear) the Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult
396 Thirteen, Big Star
395 Remember (Walkin’ in the Sand), The Shangri-Las
394 Can’t Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley
393 Summer in the City, The Lovin’ Spoonful
392 O-o-h Child, The Five Stairsteps
391 Band of Gold, Freda Payne
390 Baby I Need Your Loving, The Four Tops
389 Just My Imagination, The Temptations
388 Roxanne, The Police
387 Tiny Dancer, Elton John
386 I Know You Got Soul, Eric B and Rakim
385 Ohio, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
384 Ticket to Ride, The Beatles
383 Whipping Post, The Allman Brothers Band
382 Bitter Sweet Symphony, The Verve
381 Tell It Like It Is, Aaron Neville
380 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John
379 Radio Free Europe, REM
378 Pride (In The Name of Love), U2
 - Mat: First of Many.
377 Hit the Road Jack, Ray Charles
 - Mat: First of Many.
376 Fake Plastic Trees,Radiohead
375 Another Brick in the Wall Part 2, Pink Floyd
374 Brown Eyed Handsome Man, Chuck Berry
373 Wonderful World, Sam Cooke
372 Marquee Moon, Television
 - Mat: I had never heard this song or the band but had to look them up after hearing this one.
371 I Can’t Explain, The Who
370 The Wind Cries Mary, Jimi Hendrix
 - Mat: First of many by a guitar savant.
369 I’m A Man, Bo Diddley
368 Personal Jesus, Depeche Mode
 - Mat: I actually liked Johnny Cash’s cover of this song even more.
367 White Room, Cream
366 How Deep Is Your Love, The Bee Gees
365 Unchained Melody, The Righteous Brothers
364 Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan
 - Mat: First of inexplicably many. Ok, not inexplicably, but he wouldn’t have made my list so many times.
363 The Letter, The Box Tops
362 All You Need Is Love, The Beatles
 - Mat: Fourth.
361 Complete Control, The Clash
360 Killing Me Softly With His Song, Roberta Flack
359 Got My Mojo Working, Muddy Waters
358 Nowhere to Run, Martha and the Vandellas
357 Little Wing, Jimi Hendrix
356 Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), Eurythmics
355 Bad Moon Rising, Creedence Clearwater Revival
354 Watching the Detectives, Elvis Costello
353 Tears in Heaven, Eric Clapton
352 All Shook Up, Elvis Presley
 - Mat: Fourth.
351 The Great Pretender, The Platters
350 The Locomotion, Little Eva
349 Spanish Harlem, Ben E King
 - Mat: Heard the song 100 times but would have never been able to name the artist. I thought it was a food service company.
348 That Lady (Part 1 and 2), The Isley Brothers
347 Candle in the Wind, Elton John
346 California Love, Dr
345 La Bamba, Ritchie Valens
344 Piece of My Heart, Big Brother and the Holding Company
343 Jim Dandy, Lavern Baker
342 Runaround Sue, Dion
341 The Harder They Come, Jimmy Cliff
340 Baba O’Riley, The Who
339 You Keep Me Hanging On, The Supremes
338 Maybe I’m Amazed, Paul McCartney
337 Beat It, Michael Jackson
336 Walk This Way, Aerosmith
335 Sweet Jane, The Velvet Underground
334 Wild Horses, The Rolling Stones
 - Mat: Fifth.
333 Spirit in the Sky, Norman Greenbaum
332 Subterranean Homesick Blues, Bob Dylan
 - Mat: Fourth.
331 I Can’t Make You Love Me, Bonnie Raitt
330 We Will Rock You, Queen
329 That’s the Way of the World, Earth, Wind and Fire
328 The End, The Doors
327 For Your Precious Love, Jerry Butler and the Impressions
326 Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine, James Brown
325 Good Lovin’, The Young Rascals
324 Baby Love, The Supremes
 - Mat: A good three song “love” set.
323 Dancing Barefoot, Patti Smith Group
322 Fight the Power, Public Enemy
321 Cortez the Killer, Neil Young
320 Heartbreaker, Led Zeppelin
319 School’s Out, Alice Cooper
318 Alison, Elvis Costello
317 Many Rivers to Cross, Jimmy Cliff
316 Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd
315 Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, The Animals
314 Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd
313 I Put a Spell on You, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
 - Mat: The above two go well together.
312 In Dreams, Roy Orbison
311 Wake Up Little Susie, The Everly Brothers
310 Iron Man, Black Sabbath
309 What’s Love Got To Do With It, Tina Turner
308 Lonely Teardrops, Jackie Wilson
307 Why Do Fools Fall In Love, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
306 That’s Entertainment, The Jam
305 Say It Loud — I’m Black and Proud, James Brown
304 With a Little Help From My Friends, The Beatles
 - Mat: Fifth.
303 Ruby Tuesday, The Rolling Stones
 - Mat: Sixth.
302 Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain, Willie Nelson
301 Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Rod Stewart
300 Like a Prayer, Madonna
299 Sign ‘O’ the Times, Prince
298 One Way or Another, Blondie
297 Heart of Gold, Neil Young
296 Get Up, Stand Up, Bob Marley and the Wailers
295 Street Fighting Man, The Rolling Stones
 - Mat: Seventh.
294 Black Dog, Led Zeppelin
293 Tired of Being Alone, Al Green
292 Train in Vain, The Clash
291 She’s Not There, The Zombies
290 Stan, Eminem featuring Dido
 - Mat: Good rapper and all but two songs in the top 500 songs of ALL time?
289 Can’t Buy Me Love, The Beatles
 - Mat: Sixth.
288 Money (That’s What I Want), Barrett Strong
287 Walk This Way, Run-DMC
286 Summer Babe, Pavement
285 Smoke Stack Lightning, Howlin’ Wolf
284 (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding?, Elvis Costello and the Attractions
283 Call Me, Blondie
282 Help Me, Joni Mitchell
281 You Are the Sunshine of My Life, Stevie Wonder
280 Ain’t No Sunshine, Bill Withers
 - Mat: Sunshine songs are pleasant and of course need to go together.
279 Chapel of Love, The Dixie Cups
278 Pictures of You, The Cure
277 Ziggy Stardust, David Bowie
276 I’ll Take You There, The Staple Singers
275 Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen
274 Somebody to Love, Jefferson Airplane
273 Something, The Beatles
 - Mat: Seventh.
272 Sweet Little Sixteen, Chuck Berry
271 Sloop John B, The Beach Boys
270 He Stopped Loving Her Today, George Jones
269 Roadrunner, The Modern Lovers
268 Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2
267 Personality Crisis, New York Dolls
266 Walking in the Rain, The Ronettes
265 Tighten Up, Archie Bell and the Drells
264 Sail Away, Randy Newman
263 He’s a Rebel, The Crystals
262 Ooo Baby Baby, Smokey Robinson
261 Higher Ground, Stevie Wonder
 - Mat: A great song with a great Red Hot Chili Peppers (painfully NOT on the list at all) cover.
260 Oh, What a Night, The Dells
259 Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley
 - Mat: VERY glad to see this poignant and beautifully sung song on the list.
258 I Can See for Miles, The Who
257 Wild Thing, The Troggs
 - Mat: Heard the song but never would have guessed the band’s name.
256 Paranoid Android, Radiohead
255 Heart of Glass, Blondie
254 Highway to Hell, AC/DC
253 All the Young Dudes, Mott the Hoople
252 Money Honey, The Drifters
251 Mack the Knife, Bobby Darin
250 Paranoid, Black Sabbath

So there is the first half of the list, what do you think? Let me know by commenting.

Stay tuned for numbers 249 to 100 coming soon.

Each month of the year, I am planning to review one or two of my favorite albums that have recently been released. These will be the crème of the crop and albums that have a lot to offer.

Despite my best efforts, this February review has spilled into March. The album reviewed below has, however, been my pick for the February review since I got it soon after it came out at the end of January. The first listen was as I drove toward the ski slopes of Colorado…that may have something to do with how much I enjoy the work but even on subsequent listens, this is a great album.

The matmusic Album of the Month for February 2008 is the debut, self-titled Vampire Weekend.

[audio:06Campus.mp3]
Click the above to listen to the music as you read the write up.

The unique and fun mix of sounds started when this group formed as a college band at Oxford Columbia University (Thanks Davey). And the college sound is definitely in full effect. These sounds include a furiously high necked strummed reggae-like guitar, an off kilter pared down drum kit, and a lazy but appropriate vocal delivery. All of this works together to give Vampire Weekend a sound that is familiar but fresh.

Mansard Roof begins the album and brings an imagery of some easy going, fake ray ban wearing kids lounging on a sailboat…o, wait…that’s actually the video for this song. But it fits perfectly and is a choice way to set the tone for the record.

The next tune, Oxford Comma, despite it’s profanity is catchy, funny, and modern (notice my use of the aforementioned punctuation?…you like that?) Thirdly is A-Punk, the strongest song on the album with its adept bass line…it is one that will drive itself like a pleasing spike into your head. Also check the video for this one; it’s great stop-motion fun. Finally, I would be remiss to not mention Campus with it’s climbing guitar plucks and syncopated keyboard hits…the reminder of college days is hard to miss.

The one drawback is the sometimes lackadaisical musicianship. This is especially evident in the drumming which is at times simplistic. This trait however, is somehow endearing at the same time.

I would say not being able to pick out just a few songs on which to focus is a good problem for an album to have. If you do not own Vampire Weekend, fire up your iTunes now and make the purchase.

MP3 - Campus Right click this link and choose Save to File to download the mp3. Enjoy.

I was recently challenged by David Crowder over at his blog to try a fun little game. (Check the write up here.)

The gist is to put your iPod (or other inferior music player) on shuffle for ALL songs and list the first ten songs that come up in order. The catch is that you have to be completely honest…no padding your stats.

Below is my list with some needed explanations.

1. 32 Footsteps
by They Might Be Giants
from They Might Be Giants (Self Titled) aka The Pink Album
I’m glad that a song by one of my very favorite bands of all time came up in the list…and the first song is even more perfect. This particular song is not the greatest but it is from TMBG’s first album which is cool.

2. Hold On
by The Maccabees
from 21st Century Spin
The Maccabees are a Christian band that I know very little about. I heard one of their songs, Run For Your Life, on the local Christian rock station and liked it. So when I saw their album on clearance at Mardel, I jumped on it. They have a cool, UK rock sound so it was worth the $3.

3. Longtime Sunshine
by Rivers Cuomo
from Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
Mr. Cuomo fronts the ever popular Weezer. He seems to be a fun-loving and immensely talented artist who writes some crazy and unique music. In late 2007, he released an album of some concept songs. Some were good, some not; this one is catchy with some strange clarinet accompaniment.

4. Creep
by Radiohead remixed by Panzah Zandahz
from Me & This Army: Radiohead Remixes
I first heard one of these remixes while streaming the great KEXP out of Seattle (www.kexp.org) and absolutely had to have the album. This song features a robot playing the part of Thom Yorke.

5. Blackest Year
by Nada Surf
from The Weight Is A Gift
This one comes from one of the better albums of 2006 by a longtime Indie Rock mainstay. Too bad this song has the F bomb prominently featured in it’s chorus…it’s not indicative of the rest of the album.

6. James K. Polk
by They Might Be Giants
from Dial-A-Song: 20 Years of They Might Be Giants
I do have a lot of TMBG on my iPod but I am surprised two of their songs made the list. This song is a great history lesson about the overachieving president. And the fact that a singing saw performs the solo…perfect. This album would be a great pick up for a TMBG newbie.

7. Face to Face
by Daft Punk
from Discovery
What can I say about techno pioneers? Some would say, they are the start of techno. This song is from their second, excellent release.

8. Not To Us
by Chris Tomlin
from Passion: Sacred Revolution
This is one of my favorite worship songs of all time; an upbeat rocker with great lyrics. I’m glad worship is representing itself on this list.

9. Mercury Tears
by Chromeo
from She’s In Control
Montreal’s Chromeo brings back synth sounds of the 70s and early 80s in light-hearted and downright funny ways. This album is worth a listen if only to check the nostalgic, toe-tapping flow.

10. To Be Myself Completely
by Belle and Sebastian
from The Life Pursuit
This was a well-reviewed album by most accounts in 2007 but I much preferred their Dear Catastrophe Waitress album from a couple of years earlier.

So there you have it. So what is YOUR list…please share, I am itching to know.

By the way, I would also be interested to know how many total songs you have on your music player. This will help us all understand what percentage of total those 10 songs are.

For me, my iPod has 12,346 total songs at this point. So these 10 songs are only .08% of the total. Regardless, these 10 songs are a decent representation of my music tastes.

This will be infinitely more fun if you would respond in the comments below with your 10 songs. You don’t need comments, just list out the songs…and no embarassment allowed! Let me hear from you!

Here is part two of the fun audio quiz about One Hit Wonders. (see below for part one)

I went 10 for 10 on this one also. Tell me how you did in the comments below.

http://mentalfloss.com/quiz/quiz.php?q=201

I went 10 for 10…how well can you do? Tell me by posting a comment below.

http://mentalfloss.com/quiz/quiz.php?q=174

Day Five : Album of the Year

It’s been a fun week of discussion, some good natured disagreement, discovery and general tomfoolery. Thanks for joining me and for making my time worthwhile…it’s been cool for me to share my viewpoints with you.

Be sure to check matmusic.net throughout the year. While you will find a lot of family stuff and pictures and some worship music talk, I am planning to do an album review/feature each month of 2008. If you like what you have seen this week, these reviews may give you some hints on what to check out as the year goes on.

So, without further ado…here is my album of the year.

#1

Menomena - Friend and Foe

Talk about taking the listener on ups and downs, twists and turns; this album does just that. And what a sonic joyride it is. The creativity of this release begins with the album art itself. Illustrated by artist Craig Thompson, it’s detailed drawings are layered through several pages and have strategic cutouts that give window to other colorful illustrations. http://sleevage.com/menomena-friend-and-foe/

As for the music, it’s hard not to respect a band in which each member is multi-instrumentalist playing each with skill and passion. I have not heard another band that uses baritone saxophone and whistling to such a pleasing end. Also, their sweat-soaked live show, while I have only seen clips on YouTube, seems like a visual and aural assault.

The songs on the album are well produced, well arranged and well ordered. “Wet and Rusting” with it’s genius lyric, “It’s hard to take risks with a pessimist” is one of the strongest tunes on the album and takes you on a thrill ride of changing tempos, frantic drums, tinkering piano and an adventuresome bass line. “Rotten Hell” is another strong song. A lilting piano and falsetto harmonies keep the song on an understated pace until the last minute when cymbals and drums bring the intensity up. The video for the song, however, sold me most of all with it’s super slow motion grade school food fight. A face full of spaghetti has never looked so gross.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0LIBCw8syA

“Evil Bee” is the crown jewel of a diamond studded release. “O to be a machine, o to be wanted, to be useful” is a refrain that could ring in the Everyman’s brain for days. The video is also thought provoking and well done. Friend and Foe even ends on a building piano phrase that leaves the listener wanting more…or at least wanting to put the iPod on repeat.

If you have not yet discovered this excellent band and their excellent release, you should do so today. To quote the great theologian Ferris Bueller, “If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.” Menomena’s Friend and Foe rounds out a great year of great music.

“With this ring that I wear today
My whole world is your property

O, to be a machine
O, to be wanted
to be useful”

MP3 - Evil Bee

Now for the surprise mentioned in the emails…I would like to share my 2007 music finds with you if you do not already have the albums and if you do not plan to purchase them. Just reply to my email with your physical address and the albums from the list that you would like to have and I will mail you an MP3 CD at my expense. Take note that this offer is extended to the small number of people who read my blog so we will not be taking thousands of dollars away from the artists. But in the essence of discovery with the potential for future purchases, I would like to help you expand your musical horizons. Pretty sweet deal! The only caveat is that you comment below to let me know what YOUR favorite albums of 2007 were. I hope that there is something that I missed that I will enjoy discovering myself.

Will 2008 bring another new and surprising band with a solid debut, or will seasoned veterans take the top spot? I hope to see you all next year.