My iPod #273: They Might Be Giants - Dig My Grave

This video is weird (bear in mind it isn't the official one), but it's the music we're here for.

Opening They Might Be Giants' fourth album "Apollo 18" is "Dig My Grave", another typical rocker by John Flansburgh that lasts only for a minute and few seconds. Only They will know why it took four albums for Flansburgh to get an opening track, the first two were penned by Linnell and the previous one didn't feature the Johns at all. This was Flansburgh's time to shine. That time was used well. Even if it was very quick.

There is not a lot to say just because it is so short. Not even its page on the band's dedicated fan Wikipedia site states a vast amount of information. Nevertheless, it is the perfect way to get things started. It's a track that one doesn't have to think about. The lyrics are from the perspective of a person who wants their grave to be dug when they see someone and when that same someone calls the person's name. Whether it's because the person hates that someone so much that they would rather die than be in contact with them or they're simply too shy is the real question I have about 'the meaning of the lyrics'. But I'm not so deep about that stuff.

I just like the song's simplicity. The four chords accompanied with Flansburgh's double tracked vocals and shrieks of the song title, the messed up 'guitar solo' which consists of the high guitar strings being plucked at a fast rate way up the fretboard and especially the last few seconds when the song speeds up and the cello and violin rise in volume before the song comes to a stop. Just a short and sweet way to start it all off.

I hold "Apollo 18" with very high regards; I feel as if it is a TMBG album that doesn't get much love as it should do..... I love you "Apollo 18". I think you're better than "Flood". I am not ashamed.

My iPod #269: Billy Talent - Devil on My Shoulder

So yesterday I wrote about another Billy Talent track. One that starts off another of their albums. This one is about another devil but instead of it being in a midnight mass, it is now on a shoulder. The song's narrator's shoulder. It is the first song on Billy Talent's third/fourth album, and was released as its second single.

This was the one that really got me pumped up for the release of "Billy Talent III". "Turn Your Back" was the first new song that showed that the group had a new album in the works when a live performance of it at the Hurricane Festival in 2008 was uploaded onto YouTube. That was all well and good, but it would be almost a year until anticipation for the upcoming album really started rolling. "Rusted from the Rain" was released as the first official single, which I thought was okay upon first listen. It grew on me over time, but there wasn't anything particularly striking about it initially.

Then..... this happened. A trailer previewing another new song from the album. A sneaky bassline joined by Ben growling the title of the song, then followed by an assault from the guitar and drums. This was what I wanted to hear. It sounded so cool. That was "Devil on My Shoulder".

It probably should have been released as the first single. I wouldn't have had the same amount of doubts about the album if it had been. The song itself is from the perspective of someone who has very bad luck, feeling nothing but self-loathing and self-pity. In terms of its sound, it was very different to anything else that Billy Talent had released. Brendan O'Brien - who has produced albums for artists such as Rage Against the Machine, The Offspring and Pearl Jam - brings a real studio atmosphere into the album, something that was not so obvious on the albums prior to it. This was a proper hard rock song. This was no longer a band who needed to scream, or were as angry as they used to be in previous songs. Billy Talent had.... matured (eerrrr).

It had to happen one day. But "Devil on My Shoulder" was the sign that showed me that the fire was still roared in the belly of Billy Talent.

My iPod #227: The Who - Cut My Hair

"Cut My Hair" is the fourth track on The Who's sixth album and second 'rock opera' "Quadrophenia". It is sung by the main songwriter and guitarist Pete Townshend with lead vocalist Roger Daltrey providing melodies in the chorus.

"Quadrophenia" got me through some lonely times. Hearing it in Summer 2010 and being bored due to staying in my house all the time made me take pointless walks around the local area. Sometimes I would go to the shops or go to my aunt's house around the corner and just chill there until I felt like I wanted to get back home again.

Weather-wise, I distinctly remember that summer not being very great. Rain or slight overcast that turned into dark and gloomy clouds, and I would sing this song all the time when I went on my excursions. It got me through it.

Townshend decribed the song as: "A domestic interlude. The boy recalls a row with his folks that culminated in his leaving home. We also hear a news broadcast mentioning riots in Brighton between Mods and Rockers, events at which he was present the previous week."

I can say I cannot relate to any of that, I like my family a lot. The latter relates to the concept/context of the album which I won't go into. It's too much.

But yeah, the song's good. Have a listen. I'll be back tomorrow. 

My iPod #192: Eminem - Cleanin' Out My Closet

"Cleanin' Out My Closet" was the bitter, and brutally blunt second single from "The Eminem Show" after the humorous chart-topper "Without Me" in 2002.


Up until the album's release Eminem's previous albums contained lyrics alluding to his mother's incompetence as a parent and his crappy childhood, but this track is the culmination - basically a direct verbal attack at her. Do not worry though, it's all for justifiable reasons which he makes very clear in the song.

He has now apologised for the song, and has confirmed that he won't perform it at shows and cringes when it comes on the radio.

Every rapper really loves their mum.

My iPod #159: The Offspring - (Can't Get My) Head Around You

There's not much I can say about "Head Around You". I remember trying to watch the video on Windows Media Player from the band's official website circa 2004. It was in terrible quality, which made the multi-camera concept much worse.

It's a short but sharp song - only two and a bit minutes long - but it always feels a lot longer when I listen to it. I don't know what it is about it that makes me feel that way. It's probably the riff, it virtually plays throughout the whole thing bar two times. It is a simple punk rock song, that's what it is.

I do also like the wah-wah effect during the instrumental break, that gets a special mention.

The song was released as the second single from the band's 2003 album "Splinter".

Jamie.

My iPod #93: be your own PET - Bicycle, Bicycle, You Are My Bicycle

 Ah... the joys of riding a bicycle. Something I can't relate to seeing as I've never owned one. However, it's an activity that be your own PET profoundly express their fondness in this song, and in just over two minutes.

The band are a force that ought to be recognised according to the track. The sky will turn brown, they'll change the eye colour of every lady (which could only suggest that some violence may occur), the sleepyheads will wake up due to their presence, they'll fuck shit up too! All this because they are on their bicycles, because cars are for idiots.

I didn't even make that paragraph up, those are all lyrics in the song. These are backed up with a very aggressively shouted vocal by lead singer Jemina Pearl and the rest of the band, and a rapid guitar riff capturing the urgency of theme. The instrumental break fools you for a bit, starting off slow like a train pulling out of a station but it then gradually becomes faster and faster before returning back to its normal velocity and in regards to the song, the final verse and chorus.

They're on two wheels, baby.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.

My iPod #62 & #63: Paul & Linda McCartney - The Back Seat of My Car/Big Boi - Back Up Plan

Right. I have some explaining to do.

Yesterday I went out with friends to watch "Man of Steel", the new Superman movie. I was out for a long time, I couldn't put out my post and for that, I apologise to the small number of people who actually view this blog.

To be honest the film wasn't that good; I don't see what all the fuss is about.

Today, I bring a special two-in-one post. Only to make up for yesterday though, don't be expecting anything more.

"Ram" is the second album released by Paul McCartney after The Beatles split in 1970. However, it was credited to both he and his wife Linda, and therefore doesn't really count as a solo album.

"Ram" is one of the happiest albums I've listened to. Whereas "McCartney", his first album, was more of a collection of old songs he had written whilst he was still in The Beatles, "Ram" on the other hand gave off a sense of freedom and also a sense of closure. Paul had 'found his love awake and waiting to be' and was ready to take things head on.

"The Back Seat of My Car" is the final track on the album, and probably the most emotional. Love is a theme that runs throughout, but this is when it reaches its peak.

The story in the song is pretty simple. The couple have dreams of getting away 'along the highway' to 'Mexico City' but prefer making out in the back seat of a car unbeknownst to the girl's father who is always nagging at them. Awww. How romantic is that?

Sure, the story is short and sweet. The actual composition is beautifully performed, with calming and soothing vocals by Paul and slight changes in tempo here and there culminating in an audience participation section and a rocking outro make it perfect for the album closer.

Also, the song contains what is probably the best vocal delivered by McCartney. Ever.

I can't describe it very well, just listen to it; you'll get what I mean.

John Lennon thought this was one out of several songs on the album on "Ram" that was aimed at him and Yoko, it isn't, but you can hear his thoughts about it if you search for it on YouTube.

Big Boi - Back Up Plan

Put that bitch in smash mode.

Ooh, another closing track from an album.

"Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty" was Big Boi's debut in 2010. I wrote a bit about it in my previous Big Boi post, but all you need to know is that it was released and a lot of people liked it.

It has a completely opposite message compared to Paul McCartney. This time around, Big Boi's been cheated on or dumped or whatever, and the relationship has ended. But what does he do? He only picks himself up, dusts himself off and moves on to a new one. That being his 'back up plan'.

That is pretty much all I can say about the song. Big Boi basically tells the story of the relationship in the song, so again listen to it. It's a confident closer, I enjoy it. What could go wrong?

I hope that makes up for everything.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.

My iPod #47: Big Boi - Apple of My Eye

Yeeeah. Antwan André Patton (The Only One) aka Daddy Fat Sax aka Sir Lucious Left Foot aka Big Boi in the hizz-ouse.

I'm only joking.

You all know him as one half of the influential hip-hop group, OutKast, along with André 3000.

OutKast released their most recent album, 'Idlewild', in 2006 which received positive reviews. The film it was released alongside, however, did not fare so well. After enjoyable single releases such as 'Morris Brown' and 'Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me)', OutKast faded away but it was okay, because they only faded away to record their next album, right?

WRONG. Since 2006, no new material has been released under the OutKast name. André has featured on various songs here and there but hasn't released any solo albums. We still love him though. He's so classy. Have you seen that Gillette advert? Mmm-mmm-mmm.

Big Boi stepped up to the plate and unveiled his debut 'Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty' to the world in 2010, which got everybody worried because they were still waiting for the new OutKast album, but was eventually recognised to be one of the best hip hop albums of that year. Then My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy came out, and everyone was less hyped about Lucious.

I downloaded 'Left Foot' in summer last year, and I found it rather enjoyable. The beats were huge, Big Boi's lyrics and flow were on par, full to the brim with hubris. Big Boi was at the top of his game, and if he wasn't getting enough respect already I would assume that he only received more after such a confident debut.

The album became one of my favourites, hip-hop wise, and it got me wondering when he would release his sophomore. As I said, I listened to the full album two years after it was released so something would have been coming soon.

It came as a surprise to me. In December 2012, I go onto Spotify to listen to an album and there under 'WHAT'S NEW', I see it:

BIG BOI - VICIOUS LIES AND DANGEROUS RUMORS

I am British, so 'rumours' without the 'o' looks quite weird but it's fine.

"Ooh! Let's listen."

So I did. Annnnnd it was good. 'Apple of My Eye' was the song that really caught my attention. Booming bass, the lyrical delivery, the chorus is an ear worm if there ever was one. I know he released 'Mama Told Me' as the first official single, maybe just because of Kelly Rowland's appearance and because it is probably the song most suited for radio play from the album. Despite this, 'Apple of My Eye' could have been that first single. It's got everything you want, a great song with only Big Boi at the reins and the soulful chorus. I would have chosen it as my first single, I'm just saying.

Overall, 'Vicious Lies' wasn't as positively greeted as 'Left Foot' was upon its release. I feel the same way too. I don't know what it is. It's hard to explain. Maybe you can have a listen to both albums, and comment on how you feel about them.

Until next time.

Jamie.