What? You thought just because I'd gone playlist crazy I'd ignore my monthly posts? You ain't know I'm putting in work? These cats ain't inform you? I ain't playin' here! I ain't playin' this year!
Flatbasset - October '09
01. David Bowie - Space Oddity
I don’t know exactly when it happened, but it struck me at some point that this is probably my answer to the question, “What’s your favorite song?” What’s so great about it? Tough to say. It’s a killer sing along song. It has two distinctly different parts, tied together well. It’s lyrics are nonsensical, yet kind of relatable. It’s the only song I’ve ever heard that is actually improved by the presence of a saxophone. It helps you separate which people you can trust if a fire breaks out in your bar. Fuck it, I dunno. David Bowie is my homey.
02. Red Pens - Street Issue
This is my favorite Minnesotan-based song of the month. That being said, isn’t it a little suspicious that just a year ago Wavves blew up with a single, distortion-filled guitar-and-primitive-drum sound and now Red Pens are blowing up the Twin Cities? I’m not trying to knock ‘em. Hell, the song’s on here, innit? Just a little suspicious, that’s all.
03. Steely Dan - Peg
Fucking classic. This one’s for you-know-who.
04. Drag The River - Until I Say So
Back when All was still a functioning entity, they turned this Chad Price song into one of the best songs off their Mass Nerder album. I always had the sense that when each of the members of All brought their songs to the table, running it trough the other three members sensibilities was a positive thing, giving the songs their distinctive Allular feel. This one makes me question that whole theory. Clearly, Chad’s DTR version is much better.
Sidenote to Sarah Elise: I would have loved to see just how far your eyes rolled when this song came on.
05. Morrissey & Siouxsie - Interlude
Lil’ Squawk Box shuffled to this song a few weeks back and it blew me away. I had forgot it existed. In fact, given Morrissey’s reclusive and, let’s face it, egotistical, nature, the fact that this song even exists is hard to fathom. Yeah, it’s typically lovelorn, but here we have Morrissey actually sharing the spotlight. Sharing! When has that ever happened? Ever? Not only that, but he’s even a little overshadowed by Siouxsie. If this same song was presented to him today with a comparable pop star (um… I don’t even know who’s comparable. Lucinda Williams? Chan Marhsall?) there is absolutely no way he’d agree to it.
06. Brother Ali - Best @ It (w/Freeway & Joell Ortiz)
Ali’s new album still hasn’t completely grown on me. He’s a much more interesting MC when he’s talking about himself rather than telling stories. I do love his little shot at Weezy and Yeezy on this one.
Freeway has played his cards very well. He couldn’t quite make it in the mainstream, but in his defense he was rolling in a posse with Jigga and Kanye. I mean, that’s not a lot of breathing room. Still, with the music industry gone sideways, he went back underground and hitched his wagon to Brother Ali & Jake One (remember how good “The Truth” is?). Tell me this is a bad career move.
07. Sloan - Try To Make It
A pop song about getting invited to go out with your friends, kind of wanting to, but ultimately deciding that staying in is more fun than going out? I haven’t been able to relate to a song this well since The Ying Yang Twins “Wait (TheWhisper Song).” I’m glad Sloan gets their props up north. These guys are so good. If you’re ever at Cheapo, I highly suggest you find a $4.95 copy of A-Sides Win: Singles 1992-2005.
08. Kill The Vultures - Moonshine
I caught Kill The Vultures a couple months back, just before The Uptown Bar closed. It was just Crescent Moon and his DJ and about 30 of us in the bar and it was still a fantastic show. I definitely get the impression that Crescent Moon has realized that KTV is just too rough to ever get digested by the mainstream, so he’s doing it for the love of it and the respect of the people who have taken the time to embrace it. At least that’s the vibe I get. Maybe he’s just pissed off. Tough call.
09. Dirty Pretty Things - Doctors And Dealers
Carl Barat was always the more driven, less artistically exciting half of The Libertines. Without Pete Doherty, he and what was left of The Libertines managed to put out a great album, Waterloo To Anywhere, as Dirty Pretty Things. This is one of my favorite British albums of the last few years. Sadly, I heard that the band has broken up. Who would have thought Babyshambles would outlast… well, anyone really?
10. Hockey - Too Fake
My favorite Current song from September. I know it’s just snarky, hipster bullshit, but when the chorus kicks in with those keyboards… mmmm… The fact that the band is named Hockey doesn’t hurt either.
11. Local H - All The Kids Are Right
If you have any taste at all you were probably sick of this song 5 years ago. I love the premise of this song. It’s crazy, fan-based, fourth-wall-breaking premise is a thing of beauty. I still can’t figure out if, “They won’t wear our t-shirts now…” is supposed to be an asshole thing to say (like, “Oh, I’m really hurt that you won’t wear our t-shirts”) or if it’s something that a young Scott Lucas would have taken seriously (like, “I really loved Big Black, but I met them and they were assholes. I’m never wearing this shirt again.”). Plus, I miss Joe.
12. MK Larada - Teddy Bear And A Tazer
MK Larada is the man behind the scenes when it comes to Doomtree. He has one album out under his own name titled Break In Two: Music For B-People. It’s like thirty tracks without a break that is meant to be the soundtrack for a breakdancing party. This track is the only time anyone else from Doomtree turns up and it’s the highlight of the album.
13. The Killers - Under The Gun
I haven’t heard the latest Killers record yet, but I’ve heard bad things. That’s why I’m surprised that Sawdust, their collection of b-sides from their first couple albums, is so great. Clearly, these guys had quality songs to spare (did you see that? That was my hipster cred getting up and leaving the room).
14. Elvis Presley - (Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame
I wonder if Elvis' faith in love is still devout?
15. The Neptunes - Popular Thug
Say what you want about Pharrell the pop star, but don’t knock The Neptunes beat making ability. Clones, their album full of guest MC’s is pretty spotty rhyme-wise (what MC would bring his A game to someone else’s album?), but the beats are phenomenal.
I really can’t believe Nas and Kelis couldn’t make their marriage last. How was Kelis not aware that Nas was, in fact, a popular thug? Tough break. Back to the yard, girl.
16. Silver Jews - Sleeping Is The Only Love
I’ve really come around on the Silver Jews lately. I don’t know exactly why. David Berman seems to share a similar screwball sensibilities with people like Aesop Rock, Buck 65, & Yoni Wolf. Except it’s a little countrified. For some reason that’s the type of stuff I’m digging right now.
17. Dillinger Four - Gainseville
Unfortunately, it felt nothing like summer this October. Damnit Erik Funk! You jinxed it!
