List #761: A Few Things I like about Rush

List #761: A Few Things I like about Rush (the band, not the Limbaugh)

1. "2112"

2. "Take Off" by Bob and Doug McKenzie, feat. Geddy Lee

3. Geddy plays a Rickenbacker

4. "Limelight," "Spirit of Radio," "Tom Sawyer"

5. They are Canadian

6. They are one of two things in the world for which Ayn Rand had any positive influence (the other is Debate Evidence).

7. The title of the Song "By-Tor and the Snow Dog"

List #751: Good Things about the Twilight Series

List #751: Good Things about the Twilight Series

1. It got a lot of non-readers to read books

2. The films have disproportionately cool bands on the sound tracks (like good enough that I bought one of the soundtracks, and songs off of a few others)

3. Nothing Else.

List #737: Favorite Albums of 2011

List #737: Favorite Albums of 2011 (albums I first heard in 2011)

1. The Joy Formidable "The Big Roar"

2. Los Campesinos! "Hello, Sadness"

3. Childish Gambino "Camp"

4. Low "C'Mon"

5. Florence & The Machine "Ceremonials"

List #717: Favorite Holiday Albums

List #717: Favorite Holiday Albums

1. Anything by Andy Williams

2. Low "Christmas"

3. Sesame Street Christmas

4. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones "Jingle All the Way"

5. Motown Christmas

6. Sufjan Stevens

7. anything with Christmas Carols played by brass quintets

8. Alvin and the Chipmunks christmas

List #708: Thoughts on Viewing the St. Olaf Christmas Fest Live at a Movie Theater

List #708: Thoughts on Viewing the St. Olaf Christmas Fest Live at a Movie Theater

1. Aside from one small child, we were the youngest people there by at least 15 years

2. The videography was very well done

3. The sound was very good, but I was hoping for full crazy THX Suround Dolby whatever

4. I can't even imagine how big it must have sounded live

5. They tucked my brother way out in a corner of the stage, so it took me a while to find him (which gave me flashbacks), but his hair got decent screen time

6. The trumpet players in the orchestra got a work out

7. The St. Olaf Choir was really good (actually maybe too precise for some of the songs)

8. The Chapel Choir had the best musical selections (others thought the Manitou singers did)

9. There was no Jazz Band, so I still like the DEHS Christmas concert better ;)

10. It was way cooler than just singing for the White House (sorry Carleton... I promise that this is the only time where I think that the Oles win).

List #693: Thoughts on Last Night's Los Campesinos! show at The Black Cat

List #693: Thoughts on Last Night's Los Campesinos! show at The Black Cat

1. They've grown up and aren't just youngsters anymore

2. The lack of violin was noticeable, but they did a good job trying to fill it in

3. The lead singer has lost some range, but gained a ton of power and presence

4. The main female vocalist sounds great on the newer stuff, but was two low in the mix and is sometimes under-pitch on the old stuff

5. The bass player's image has changed (but she still does 'stoic bassist' very well)

6. The set list was pretty great and included "My Year In Lists" (!)

7. The Black Cat is an enjoyable venue

8. There were a fairly decent number of hipsters in the audience.

9. I would hate to be short at a show

10. Dinosaur Feathers (the opening act) were also a lot of fun. I liked the harmonies and the song about George R. R. Martin.

11. LC!'s sound has gotten a lot bigger or more intense.

12. I've reached the age where earplugs seem like a good idea.

List #671: Favorite Parts of Selected Broken Social Scene Songs

List #671: Favorite Parts of Selected Broken Social Scene Songs

1. The intro guitar riff to "ibi dreams of pavement"

2. The horn riff in the later part of "It's All Gonna Break" (not the fanfare at the end, which is also good)

3. The pitch shifter in the second half of "Anthems for a 17 year old girl"

4. Feist in " 7/4 (Shoreline)"

5. The riff over 'gold and red her colors change' in "Looks Just Like the Sun" (also all of the talking)

6. That all three girls are on "Sentimental Xs"

7. When everyone sings all at once on "Churches Under The Stairs"

8. The guitar lead near the end of "Cause=Time"

9. The intro bassline and drumbeat of "Stars and Sons"

10. The video* for "Fire Eye'd Boy" ('Are you scared')

* Man they have cool videos.

List #652: Songs From a Elementary School Soccer Pump Up Tape

List #652: Songs From a Elementary School Soccer Pump Up Tape, IIRC (West End Piedmont Wingers, AYSA Silver Division Champions U12, circa 1991)

1. Run Riot -- Def Lepard

2. Rocket -- Def Lepard

3. Kickstart My Heart -- Motley Crue (self edited for profanity)

4. Dr. Feelgood -- Motley Crue

5. something by Poison, I think.

List #591: 5 Cool Things about 1991

List #591: 5 Cool Things about 1991

1. The Twins won the World Series (including the 2nd Greatest Game of the modern era)

2. I got to go to World Series, Game 2

3. I went to A Summer Camp for the first time

4. We moved to Northfield St.

5. Pearl Jam's "Ten" released (also Nirvana's "Nevermind", RHCP's "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" AND A Tribe Called Quest's "Low End Theory," the three of which were released on the same day)

List #586: 5 Thoughts on the Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Show Last Night

List #586: 10 Thoughts on the Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Show Last Night

1. Even if I still miss Jeff Coffin (grrrrrr.... DMB), it's nice to have Howard Levy back because he wails on the harp, and the piano fills out the sound

2. I must be polytheist, because both Victor Wooten and Bela Fleck both have the Right Hand of God

3. Future Man had a new Drumitar

4. They played "Big Country" which is my favorite, and was unexpected (and was the only song from the Coffin Era)

5. The 4th row isn't a bad place to see them from (though last time I was in the 4th row, Bela sat down next to me and played the Big Country solo)

6. The Big Top is a fun Venue

7. Victor had more groove and less slap than normal (and was channeling Stanley Clarke throughout the evening)

8. There were no Hippos thrown (and I was even in range... sadface)

9. Quotations from "Caravan", "Well You Needn't," and "A Night in Tunisia" from Howard, and a ton of classical references from Bela

10. I didn't notice any references to "The Wizard of Oz" this show

List #578: 5 Thoughts on Lady Gaga

2List #578: 5 Thoughts on Lady Gaga

1. The first album had some fun stuff on it

2. The only thing I've heard on the new one was so country sounding I thought it was Carrie Underwood

3. I'm glad she's a hero for some people

4. For me, she is to be heard and not seen.

5. Was one of her parents really a motorcycle? I don't think so.

List #574: 3(0) Day Song Challenge, part 3

List #574: 3(0) Day Song Challenge, part 3

• day 21 – a song* that you listen to when you’re happy -- "Major Label Debut (fast)" -- Broken Social Scene
• day 22 – a song that you listen to when you’re sad -- "Miserabilia" -- Los Campesinos!
• day 23 – a song that you want to play at your wedding -- I haven't written it yet (or had need to choose one)
• day 24 – a song that you want to play at your funeral -- " 4'33" -- John Cage **
• day 25 – a song that makes you laugh -- "Dare to Be Stupid" -- Weird Al Yankovic
• day 26 – a song that you can play on an instrument -- "The Shadow Government" -- The Shadow Government
• day 27 – a song that you wish you could play (or would like to play soon) -- "Alex Chilton" -- the Replacements
• day 28 – a song that makes you feel guilty -- "Cream" -- Prince and the New Power Generation
• day 29 – a song from your childhood -- "Africa" -Toto***
• day 30 – your favorite song at this time last year -- "Your Love is My Drug" - Ke$ha****

*Assuming that song means "something with words"

** I'm pretty sure it's the only song I'll be capable of playing... there may or may not be words. It will depend. Or, I'd like someone other than me, possibly my brother, to play "Surprise! You're Dead" by Faith No More.

*** Runner Up: "Sailing" -- Christopher Cross, "Rubber Duckie" -- Ernie

**** I was in Scandinavia, and I listened to it about 3 times per day

List #573: 3(0) Day Song Challenge, part 2

List #573: 3(0) Day Song Challenge, part 2

• day 11 – a song* from your favorite band -- "Epic" -- Faith No More
• day 12 – a song from a band you hate(or dislike) -- "Crazy B*tch" -- Buckcherry**
• day 13 – a song that is a guilty pleasure*** -- "Party in the USA" -- Miley Cyrus
• day 14 – a song that no one would expect you to love -- "Hand in the Fire" -- Clint Black
• day 15 – a song that describes you -- "My Year in Lists" -- Los Campesinos!
• day 16 – a song that you used to love but now hate (or just can't listen to anymore) -- "Company Calls Epilogue" -- DCFC
• day 17 – a song that you hear often on the radio -- "lazy song" -- Bruno Mars
• day 18 – a song that you wish you heard on the radio -- "Green" -- Viv/Fours
• day 19 – a song from your (current) favorite album -- "Whirring" -- The Joy Formidable
• day 20 – a song that you listen to when you’re angry**** -- "Screamager" -- Therapy?

* Operating under the premise that a "Song" has words

** I don't know any other songs by this band, but I hate this song enough not to want to.

*** I don't believe in 'guilty pleasures', but this is one that I've had to occaisionally defend my love for

**** I highly recommend it!

List #572: 3(0) Day Song Challenge, part 1

List #572: 3(0) Day Song Challenge, part 1

• day 01 – your favorite song*: "All Along the Watchtower" -- written by Bob Dylan, performed by many
• day 02 – your least favorite song: "Time of Your Life" -- Green Day**
• day 03 – a song that makes you happy: "Bring it all Back" -- S Club 7
• day 04 – a song that makes you sad: "Motion Picture Soundtrack" -- Radiohead***
• day 05 – a song that reminds you of someone: "The Christmas Song" -- Mel Torme (my mom)****
• day 06 – a song that reminds you of somewhere: "Flicker" -- unknown (the fire circle at a place long ago)
• day 07 – a song that reminds you of a certain event: "Cherry Pie" -- Warrant (my brother being born)
• day 08 – a song that you know all the words to: " I Come Off" -- Young MC
• day 09 – a song that you can dance to: "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" -- Eiffel 65
• day 10 – a song that makes you fall asleep: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" -- Tori Amos *****

*Going by the rubric that a "Song" is something that has words that can be sung, Otherwise: In A Silent Way/It's About That Time" - Miles Davis/Joe Zawinul and "Big Country" - Bela Fleck

** Runners Up: "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime", "One tin Soldier"

*** Runner Up: "Wait for Me" -- Anais Mitchell/Hadestown

**** also "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" (my Grandpa), "Amy" -- Pure Prairie League (My Dad)

**** A song that PREVENTS me from falling asleep: "Satellite" -- DMB

List #538: Things that may or may not be played at a rock show tonight

List #538: Things that may or may not be played at a rock show tonight

1. Jump

2. Psycho Killer

3. Jet Pack

4. Alex Chilton

5. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

6. Kanadian Youth

7. Astronaughty

8. whatever else we can manage.

List #520: Favorite Def Leppard Songs

List #520: Favorite Def Leppard Songs

1. Run Riot

2. Photograph

3. Rocket

4. Pour Some Sugar on Me

5. Animal

6. Don't Shoot Shotgun

7. Armageddon it

8. Tear it Down

9. Rock of Ages

10. Foolin'

11. Demolition Man

12. Excitable

13. Rock Brigade

14. Hysteria

15. Gods of War

16. When the Walls Came Tumblin Down

List #515: Favorite Miles Davis Eras

List #515: Favorite Miles Davis Eras

1. 1968-1975 (Electric Miles)

2. 1981-1991 (Fusion and new Standards)

3. 1964-1968 (2nd Great Quintet)

4. 1959-1964 (Modal)

5. 1950-1954 (Hard Bop)

6. 1955-1958 (1st Great Quintet)

7. 1957-1963 (Gil Evans Stuff)

8. 1948-1948 (Cool jazz)

9. 1944-1948 (Bebop)

List #512: Favorite Trumpeters

List #512: Favorite Trumpeters

1. Miles Davis

2. Freddie Hubbard

3. Hugh Masakela

4. Dizzy Gillespie

5. Louis Armstrong

6. Wallace Roney

7. Chuck Mangione

8. Sweets Edison

9. Randy Brecker

10. Wadada Leo Smith

List #505: 5 Favorite Jazz and or Fusion Quintets

List #505: 5 Favorite Jazz or (mostly) Fusion Quintets

1. Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams

2. Manolo Badrena, Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Jaco Pastorius, Alex Acuna

3. Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Joe Farrell

4. John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, Rick Laird, Billy Cobham

5. Cannonball Adderly, Nat Adderly, Joe Zawinul, Victor Gaskin, Roy McCurdy

List #504: Favorite Keyboardists

List #504: (5 of my) Favorite Keyboardists

1. Joe Zawinul

2. Herbie Hancock

3. Chick Corea

4. Count Basie

5. Rick Wakeman