sir_samuel's Last.fm Journal

365 Songs in a Year - March

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 00:00:54 +0000

So 20 out of 28 isn't all that bad for Feb, my calculator even tells me it is 71.4%. Here's to hoping for March improvement.

March 27 god's gona cut you down by Johnny Cash
Sometimes I get so angry at this world and its collective snubbing of God. I know this isn't exactly a very good reaction but discovering this song has helped me verbalize my feeling. No one can escape God and even though I am no better than anyone else it is slightly comforting to be reminded that one day God will catch up with us all.
"Go tell that long tongue liar,
go and tell that midnight rider,
tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter,
tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down."

March 26 L'Via L'Viaquez by The Mars Volta
Prog Rock sung by crazy Mexicans in a mix of English and Spanish = big win for everyone, especially when it is this song. Seriously, it may be over 12 minutes and have some flat out weird moments but this song rocks some serious socks off. Biting vocals and guitar that treads the line between being driven yet still whimsical are what make this song good. However it is the trumpets, pianos and occasional psychedelic treatments of the music that turn this song into 12 minutes you won't regret giving up.

Also features one of my favorite guitarist, John Frusciante for the first two solos, which is always a good thing,

March 25 I'm Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys
Today me and some of my mates went to a play ground at about 10pm. We played this song while we were running around to make it seem epic. The chorus leaves a bit to be desired but it has a powerful build in the intro and through the verses. Folk Punk at its absolute best.

March 24 Mad World by Gary Jules
My lack of entries right now are because I have basically been running around too much to worry about writing this. I feel that this song expresses the calm within a storm I'm feeling right now. Hopefully I will get stuff under control though.

March 18 The Man Who Sold The World by Nirvana
Originally written by Bowie, to me this take on it is Cobain looking in the mirror at the man who got bigger than he could ever want to imagine. Introspective and quite depressive but an absolute classic.

March 17 Draw Your Swords by Angus & Julia Stone
My second fav song off their Down the Way album. A bit more moody than most of the other songs on the album but that is not a bad thing is it. Slightly questionable chorus but otherwise it blows me away.

March 16 Yellow Brick Road by Angus & Julia Stone
I'm behind in just about everything in life (uni, this blog, just to name two) but I absolutely love this album and cannot stop listening to it. This song is the pick of the album, with it's great vocals and amazing guitar solo. The whole album (and this song in particular) really remind me of Neil Young. It just has such a timeless feel to it. As for this song, well, listen to it and be taken away to a land of sunshine and beaches. Love it.

March 13 Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
Every music lover has a few songs that mean everything to them. Well this song is one of the songs that just seems to dominate my life. On first listen it sounds like a middle finger to a jilted lover but I truly believe this song is Dylan slapping himself in the face. To me it is a cry of my conscious, I am the one who has no idea how I got to where I am in this life and certainly no idea of the way home.

To me this song is possibly one of the finest lyrics ever penned.

March 12 He's a Pirate by Hans Zimmer
My 5 step guide to fun:
1. Forget Pirates of the Carribean, it's not that it's a bad movie, jsut do it for the sake of this exercise.
2. Find this song.
3. Turn up your speakers to as loud as they will go.
4. Close your eyes.
5. Hit play and listen to this song, revel in it's pure awesomeness as the orchestra in your room builds to a crescendo.

March 11 This Too Shall Pass by OK Go

Watch this movie clip and be amazed. One of the coolest video clips I have seen in a long, long time. Not a half bad song to go with it either.

March 10 Vitriol by Bluejuice
For my beautiful girlfriend Jane.

March 9 The Wrestler by Bruce Springsteen
With the Monday Night Wars (don't know what it is?) restarting today I think it is kinda apt that I do a wrasslin' song for today. I imagine with TNA and WWE going head to head the stakes are going to get higher and there will be more and more hotshotting and the risks the wrestlers take will get higher and higher. With that in mind, have a listen to the song that was robbed of an Oscar last year and take note of these two lines.

"Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free,
If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me."
AND
"Then you see me, I bet I can make you smile when my blood, it hits the floor."

March 8 Hey You by Pink Floyd
Today I don't particularly feel like writing anything. I have a class tomorrow morning and honestly I don't feel all that great about life. This song just helps. Sorry to go all emotional on you but I've always thought honesty is the best policy and it is just how I feel.

March 7 Rock of Ages by Pressie Church Band
Rock of ages, cleft for me. Want to know what I believe? look up the lyrics to this song (kinda).

March 6 Running Up That Hill by Placebo
So, I came across this song >here<. Yes, it is wrestling but my God it is a good video pacakage with a perfect backing track. The actual song itself is really well done, Q Magazine put it best when they said it sounds more like a pact with the devil than a deal with God. The song just gives me shivers.

March 5 Hell of a Ride by Adam Brand
I love singing this song with one of my mates Swanny, it is such a great song to just let rip to. For me this is an example of when country music gets it right, when it is something I can feel in my bones and just want to sing along to. Be it melancholic or triumphant music the Tamworth boy in me secretly does like the most unfashionable music out there.

March 4 Exit Music (For A Film) by Radiohead
The saddest song I have ever heard.

March 3 Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.
"Don't let yourself go,
Cause everybody cries.
And everybody hurts,
Sometimes"

March 2 Anna Julia by Los Hermanos
I never heard this song when I was in Brasil but it really reminds me of my year there. REally upbeat tune with a really punchy bridge. I think it also hits home because my host Mum was called Anna Claudia and she had a sis called Anna Julia. One of the better Brazilian songs I have heard.

March 1 My Girl by The Pet Shop Boys
My taste in techno/electonica isn't exactly great but this song is really tickling my music taste buds. It really creates an atmosphere well, something this genre has the potential to do better than any other genre. I used this as backing music for one of my packages for my tech/IT radio show, and it really slipped behind the rest of the audio, creating a great atmosphere without dominating.

365 Songs in a Year - February

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 05:44:36 +0000

I initially thought of doing this around October 2009 and though I'd wait untill the 1st of Jan 2010 to start. Well January has come and gone and I have eventually got my act together.
Here is the brief: everyday I will pick a song that has been tickling my fancy, maybe write a bit about it and expect no one to ever read this.

February 20 Take my life by Whoever was playing at Nick and Laura's Wedding
When it comes to Christian songs I have a few types that I really dig. Take My Life is what I would call a 'prayer song' and one of my favourite ones at that. Today I heard it at Nick and Laura Ionidies weddings and it really fit. Sure the arrangement wasn't as I would have done it but this song is about the words and this dedication really fitted into the wedding ceremony.
"Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise"

February 19 Line in the Sand by The Doors
I love it when Motorhead slow down and grind out a song instead of just rip through it and this is possibly their best example of this. Really burns along, costantly on the edge of exploding. Also one of the best wrestling songs ever.

February 18 The End by The Doors
This is the most messed up song I will listen to. Jim Morrison is one disturbing fellow.

February 17 Great Leap Forward by Billy Bragg
As left as a red flag (and he has sung under his fair share of them in his time), as working class as a coal mine and as outspoken as Pauline Hanson in her prime Billy Bragg demands attention. This is perhaps his signature track and in it he sums up both my disgust at war, my dislike of consumerism, my curiosity with how the internet will effect politics and offers perhaps one of my favorite lines of all time:
"So join the struggle while you may,
the revolution's just an ethical haircut away,
when you're waiting for the great leap forwards."

Feburuary 16 Imitation Of Life by R.E.M.
R.E.M. are perhaps one of my favorite crafters of music art around. It manages to be both melodic and catchy yet still intelligent. This song and it's film clip really sum that all up. If you haven't seen the film clip then it is really worth a look.

February 15 One Crowded Hour by Augie March
I went through a period about half a year ago where I listened to just about nothing but Augie March. I think in just one and a half months I clocked up over 150 tracks and I would have to say that this song, the one that drew me to this fantastic Aussie band, remains one of my favorite of all time. It is one of those timeless songs that will never really go out of fashion. The music and lyrics work together to create a beautiful, yet ambiguous image. I've listened to this song countless times but am still not sure exactly what it is about. One thing I'm certainly sure of though is that I wish I could write like this.

February 14 In His Image by the Bathurst Pressie Church Band
The first thing that hooks me in this song is the guitar hook. It can be done quite delicately (as Emu Music do) but I like to give it a bit more grunge, a bit of character when I play it. This isn't just because I, generally speaking, like that sound more but making the riff a bit rougher around the edges adds another layer to the meaning behind the song.

"In his image, we have been made though we see shattered remains."

I can't rave enough about the lyrics of this song, they are just such a great explanation of the gospel: We were made in God's image, but with sin we have shattered that vision. But Jesus, the "exact perfect picture God" was "shattered that we may be whole." So in conclusion, while the initial hook is the guitar riff, the bit that sticks with me is the lyrics. Go Emu Music!

February 13 Wheels by Foo Fighters
I've listened to a lot of the Fooies in the last 3 months and as this is their newest song it has coped a fair bit of air time. I must say, it took a while to grow on me but right at the moment I would rate this as one of the Foo Fighters better songs. While it has nothing on the likes of The Pretenter or My Hero and can't even stand next to Everlong (possibly my favourite song ever), it is really quite catchy. From the classic "one, two, three, four" count in to the great vocal track it is just flat out solid. The bit that gets me though is when the guitar 'drops out' in the intro and verse guitar riffs, coupled with some very effective sliding up and down the neck (which these guys do as well as anyone) it creates a really nice effect and give the song a slightly unique feeling.

February 12 Master of Puppets by Metallica
From the opening crunching riff through the sordid tale of cocaine addiction, through the instrumental, through to the final grinding chorus this song just plain rocks. Metallica can blow the cobwebs off my speaker any day.

February 11 Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
This song is so epic it made mopping the floor after Foodworks closed tonight feel epic.

February 10 Wonderwall by Oasis
It's a pitty this song is so cliched but also no real wonder that it is. It is just that darn good.

February 9 Where Did You Sleep Last Night by Nirvana
There comes a time every night when I have to turn my music down so the neighbors don't get angry. Nirvana sucks when that happens. The exceptions are anything they did acoustically, like this one. I like to see this as Kurt's last scream off into the dark. So beautifully raw.

February 8 Lachlan Tigers by The Bushwackers
Funny story about this track. I was out at a friends place for a bonfire when I was about 9. At that stage in my life I absolutely loved this band and song and I somehow convinced the bush band that was play to give this a go and let me sing it.

February 7 Blessed Be Your Name by the Bathurst Pressie Church Band.
I decided that at least every Sunday I will throw in a Christian song and more than likely it will be one I played at church. Today this one kicked off the service and we rocked it out, was lots of fun, just an out and out praise to God, a modern day Psalm if you will. It left me smiling while I played and sung it, just a great way to worship the Blessed Lord.

February 6 Gimmie Shelter by The Rolling Stones
Was watching a doco called The Seven Ages of Rock today and it talked about at the end of the first 'age' (the 60's basically) the Stones thrived in the darkness created by the fall of the Hippy dream. Songs like this one and Sympathy for the Devil delved into dark depths where songs had not yet been. This forced me into my Stones collection and I really listened to this song for the first time ever. I cannot believe in my time as a fan of the Stones I have not really listened to this song before.

February 5 Blind Willie McTell by Bob Dyan
Another beautifully written song, just a tribute to all those who have ever strummed a guitar and song a crackling tune. Dylan at his sublime best.

February 4 Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons
It may be cliched enjoy listening to the song that won the hottest 100 around this time of the year but so what. Once again, I wish I could write like this.

February 3 I Am Mine by Pearl Jam
Dusty, brooding, powerful, I wish I could write like this.
"The ocean is full 'cause everyone's crying
The full moon is looking for friends at hightide
The sorrow grows bigger when the sorrow's denied
I only know my mind
I am mine"

February 2 The Widow by The Mars Volta
I bought the album Frances the Mute on a whim about three weeks ago after hearing this song on the store PA out at Foodworks. Every time I hear it it punches me in the face. I think my favorite part is when it runs out of the chorus into the amazing guitar solo but really the slow, brooding build up is what makes that moment so amazing and honestly quite cathartic.

February 1 Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Well, I can't say this song has particularly popped out today as much as it pops out every single time I hear it. As I have said before, there is no such thing as a perfect song but this is as close as rock will ever come.

10 000 Songs in

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:02:59 +0000

So, I have now listened to a bit over 10 000 songs and for my own memories sake here are my top 10's.

Artist
1. Red Hot Chili Peppers: 709 plays
2. Bob Dylan: 504 plays
3. Foo Fighters: 356 plays
4. Augie March: 341 plays
5. Coldplay: 332 plays
6. Hans Zimmer: 309 plays
7. The Whitlams: 266 plays
8. The White Stripes: 265 plays
9. U2: 249 plays
10. Led Zeppelin: 244 plays

Albums
1. Stadium Arcadium: 178
2. Led Zeppelin Remastered: 173
3. Watch Me Disappear: 165
4. In You Honour: 155
5. In Time: The Best Of REM: 133 (tie)
5. Live In Hyde Park: 133 (tie)
7. True Blue: The Best of John Williamson: 124
8. OK. Computer: 123
9. So Many Nights: 120
10. Unplugged: 118

Tracks
1. Everlong: 66
2. One: 56
3. No Longer There: 55
4. Hearts a Mess: 38
5. Like A Rolling Stone: 37
6. One Crowded Hour: 36
7. Fans: 34 (tie)
7. Hey Ya: 34 (tie)
7. Beauty In Me: 34 (tie)
10. The Times They Are A-Changin': 32

Top 10 Artists

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:49:30 +0000

Write the top 10 artists from your last.fm page:

1. Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. Bob Dylan
3. Foo Fighters
4. Augie March
5. Coldplay
6. The White Stripes
7. U2
8. The Whitlams
9. Led Zeppelin
10. AC/DC

What was the first song you ever heard by 6?
Seven Nation Army - Heard it on an add for the album and it rocked my socks. I got the album for Christmas at the end of 2003 and didn't really like any of the other songs but as my taste in music matured I really started to enjoy them. Now I think Jack White is a genius.

What is your favourite album of 2?
Can I choose his greatest hits?
No...
Well it would have to be Highway 61 Revisited, it has so many classic Dylan songs: Tombstone Blues, Ballad of a Thin Man, Desolation Row, Highway 61 Revisited.... oh and a pretty good song called Like a Rolling Stone that kinda slapss u in the face every time you listen to it.

What is your favourite lyric that 4 has sung?
Stuffed if I know..... there are too many good ones
I'll say this from The Slant is an excellent example that really hit me first time I hear it.
"But did they pave the streets of Hobart town?
Lop the old wood forests down?
For the press of King and Crown,
For honey? Milk and honey? "

What is your favorite song by 7?
As cliched as it is I have to say One.

What is a good memory you have involving the music of 10?
Listening to Alex, a French exchange student I became friends with play TNT on the guitar and just blowing me away.

Is there a song of 3 that makes you sad?
Not really, they are a band I normally listen to when I want to rock out a bit but when they play My Hero or Everlong acoustically it gets me going a little.

What is your favorite lyric that 2 has sung?
HAHAHAHAHA, What kind of a question is that? Picking my favorite Bob Dylan lyric is even worse than doing it for Augie March. Never the less, I'll have to go with this from Like A Rolling Stone.
"How does it feel?
How does it feel?
To be on your own,
With no direction home,
Like a complete unknown,
Like a rolling stone?"

What is your favorite song by 9?
Stairway to Heaven, there is no such thing as a perfect song but I think this is as close as rock music we will ever get.

How did you get in to 3?
Started with Best of You which really just got my blood pumping, listened to In Your Honor and kept going from there..

What was the first song you heard by 1?
I have no idea but I suspect it would have been Under The Bridge.

Is there a song of 8 that makes you sad?
Keep The Light On, especially the orchestral version.

What is your favorite album of 5?
Tempted to say Viva la Vida or Death and all his Friends but it is yet to have a lasting impact so I would have to say Rush of Blood to the Head.

What is your favorite song of 10?
I'm a fan of the theory AC/DC only actually have one song, they have just recorded it over and over again.
But if I am pushed I would probably say Back In Black.

How many times have you seen 8 live?
Unfortunately I haven't.

What is your favorite album of 1?
Californication

What was the first song you heard by 8?
I don't know for sure but I would be surprised if it was anything other than No Aphrodisiac.