MOG - glenncase's Posts

Day 20 - Incubus - Stellar

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:07:04 GMT

Originally posted on October 2nd, 2006

I was able to pick up a fairly cheap copy of "Make Yourself", and I primarily bought it because I liked "Pardon Me", and "Drive". I never used to be very big on "Stellar", but that changed when it became one of my favorite songs to play on Guitar Hero.

Yes, that's right. A music-based videogame actually helped me appreciate the song more. The version on the game isn't even the original artist or recording, but they did a good job with it. Good enough to make me like a song that I didn't really care for at first. Way to go, Harmonix!

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 19 - U2 - Angel of Harlem

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:03:14 GMT

Originally posted on October 1st, 2006

Technically, this is a song from U2's "Rattle and Hum", but I didn't discover it until I bought this greatest hits package. I have always been lukewarm about U2. They are incredibly hit and miss with me, but I liked enough of the songs that they put on this disc to go ahead and just buy it.

I thought that maybe I would warm up the band a little more if I exposed myself to some of their better material. Well, I still wouldn't call myself a huge fan of their work, but there are some solid songs on the collection, and I think the addition of a horn section complimented their sound very well for "Angel of Harlem."

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 18 - Queen - Don't Try Suicide

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:00:32 GMT

Originally posted on September 30th, 2006

Queen really worked with dynamics in this song, and it pays off handsomely. Freddie Mercury croons a smooth vocal to compliment the minimal bass, handclaps and guitar in the verses, and it all builds up to a satisfyingly powerful chorus every time. The lyrics seem to fluctuate between serious, playful, and downright weird in some places.

"The Game" is the same album where you will find "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love". It's a very good album. I am confident that this will not be the last song from this album to make my list.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 17 - Sly and the Family Stone - Just Like a Baby

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:57:39 GMT

Originally posted on September 29th, 2006

Here’s another song that I heard as a result of having a library card.

This has one of the coolest basslines I have ever heard. This one OOZES soul. It’s another one of those songs that I can listen to on repeat play for hours if I’m in the right mood.

I don’t have much else to say about this one right now, but if you like music with a lot of soul? Find this song.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 16 - Ellis Paul - Looking For My Friends

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:53:05 GMT

Originally posted on September 28th, 2006.

Think of a man who writes like Bob Dylan, but sings much better. I never thought that I was big on folk music, but since Ellis has become one of my favorite singers and songwriters… I guess I was wrong.

I have seen him perform live in Seattle twice. He signed my acoustic guitar between the strings the first time. The second time, he stopped the last song during the first chorus to invite Rachael and I up to sing with him on stage.

He’s an amazing songwriter. He’s an amazing singer. He’s an amazing performer. Basically, he’s an amazing person.

My favorite lyrics from this song:

“She left the note in the sleeve of my coat, that was not nice -- I called her on the phone, the voice that spoke, it was cold, it was hard as ice. I tried to speak, the connection was weak 'cause I was talking to a machine. She said, "If this is you, we're totally through," and that's the last of her I've seen.”

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 15 - Hostess Mostess - Unless I Change My Mind

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:47:55 GMT

Originally posted on September 27th, 2006

Songfight.org could be described as my online home. The basic idea is that song titles are given, songs are written around the title within a week's time. The one with the most votes wins absolutely nothing, outside of maybe bragging rights. Entrants tend to lean towards being internet geek musicians.

These are my people.

The entries themselves vary wildly between professionally produced songs, to the most obnoxious, poorly produced songs that you will ever hear. The lack of a filter is one of the things that makes the site great, in my opinion.

Mp3 archives of all of the fights exist, and one of my favorite Songfight songs happens to be one of my favorite songs by anyone. It is by Hostess Mostess, it is called "Unless I Change My Mind." Unlike tracks from musicians who are signed to a record label, I can actually post a link to the song here without any fear of legal repercussions.

Rachael and I performed the song live at the most recent Songfight Live. A video of the performance can be found on YouTube, and here's a link for your convenience.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 14 - Caviar - Sugarless

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:40:18 GMT

Originally posted on September 26th, 2006

I first heard this on the Gone in 60 Seconds soundtrack, and I liked it enough to buy the album. The album sounded nothing like I was expecting, and I hated it at first.

There are three distinctly different sounding sections to the song: The fuzz keyboard bass verses, the guitar distortion that rules over the bridge and chorus sections, and the sample from “Pretty Ballerina” from the Left Banke that jumps in there from time to time.

This song rocks, plain and simple.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 13 - Anita Baker - Talk to Me

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:36:14 GMT

Originally posted on September 25th, 2006

Anita Baker’s voice makes me smile practically every time I hear it. Today was one of those mornings where her singing felt downright therapeutic.

From what I have read, most of the “Compositions” album was recorded live in the studio with only a few overdubs.

Compassionate lyrics, a voice that nearly defines the word “Soulful”. Yes, this one is absolutely a winner. This is a woman who took a decade off near the height of her career so she could be with her family. That’s an uncommon move in the music industry to say the least, but Anita IS uncommon. I think she’s amazing.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 12 - Olivia Newton-John - Magic

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:34:04 GMT

Originally posted on September 24th, 2006.

I don’t remember much about the movie, but the soundtrack to Xanadu rocks my world. The first side features songs from Olivia Newton-John, and the second side features the Electric Light Orchestra. We had the album on 8-track at one time.

I learned to play this song on acoustic guitar when my friend Jason (Agent Fresh) requested a version from me. The song actually has some really cool chords in it that I had never used before learning it.

This is one of those songs that the “cool kids” would probably never admit to liking, but then again, when have I ever been cool?

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 11 - Radiohead - No Surprises

glenncase — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:27:52 GMT

Originally posted on September 23rd, 2006.

I have not listened to the entire Radiohead catalog, and what I have heard from them has been hit and miss, but I know an exceptionally gorgeous song when I hear one.

I am not ranking the songs from this journal in order of preference, but I think this particular song would belong in my top 10 if I was keeping track. I can listen to this song an alarming number of times in a row without ever getting sick of it. Simply put, it’s an amazing piece of music.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 10 - Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:38:47 GMT

Originally posted on September 22, 2006

One of the first cassette tapes I remember owning was Peter Gabriel’s “So”. My grandmother bought that tape and Genesis “Invisible Touch” for me. I had no clue about the connection between Peter Gabriel and Genesis at the time. They were both fairly popular at the time, and I loved their songs when I heard them on the radio.

Besides being a great song, “In Your Eyes” brings a couple of things to mind. At a time when I was in Junior High, I had many crushes. I was absolutely crazy about girls in general, but the feeling was never mutual. The biggest crush of this era was a girl named Noelle, who lived fairly close. My family lived on 5 acres at the time, and her house was just up the hill from our place. I remember taking my Casio keyboard, going out on the pavement outside our garage, and doing mini-concerts in the hopes that she would somehow secretly fall in love with me because I played music. It’s not that I learned how to play “In Your Eyes”, but it’s a song that I would listen to and think about her. As romantic as this song is, maybe learning this one would have helped, but I doubt it.

In recent history, I think of my friends Doug and Monte. They are a two man show called “Hat Rabbit” and they play acoustic guitar and bass on Wednesday nights. They do an incredible version of this song. Monte is this guy with an unbelievable voice that is best showcased on emotional songs that make him use his higher range. Doug is a very good bass player who can hold it down nicely, and his harmony is effortless. He’s not too shabby on lead vocals too. “In Your Eyes” is one of our favorite songs that the guys do, and so it’s become a memory for Rach and I too.

The bottom line is that it’s a passionate, fantastic, romantic song. The memories that might drift through my mind while listening to it will ping-pong between the recent, and the not-so recent. No matter what the memories are, it’s a song I enjoy.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 9 - Paul Westerberg - It's a Wonderful Lie

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:31:48 GMT

Originally posted on September 21st, 2006

If I am able to get in touch with my old boss Aaron, I should buy him dinner or something. He is responsible for introducing me to some of my favorite music, including Paul Westerberg, who is quite possibly my favorite songwriter.

It started with an interest in Elvis Costello.

In this day and age, it’s easy to research just about anything through the internet and search engines, but I didn’t get a computer until the late 90’s. That meant going to the Library, and counting on other people’s input. When I asked Aaron if he knew much about Elvis Costello’s music. He said that he did. On a break, he had me go out to his truck with him.

He hands me an Elvis Costello CD to listen to, AND a Billy Bragg CD, AND a Big Star CD, AND about 5 other discs! The one that made the biggest and quickest impact was the Replacements double disc “All For Nothing/Nothing For All”. When I listened to the Replacements, I thought out loud “It sounds like the Goo Goo Dolls were severely influenced by these guys!”

Then I read the booklet, and Johnny Rzeznik is one of the many who wrote liner notes! The songs and the outrageous stories in those liner notes made my Elvis Costello research slow down, and it put Paul Westerberg and the Replacements to the forefront.

Little did I know that I would eventually enjoy one of Paul’s albums enough to do my own cover version of it. Little did I know that I would meet him after a Seattle show.

He has been described as “Perfectly Imperfect”, and I think that’s a valid description. He’s not the best vocalist you have ever heard, but he is far from the worst. He is famous for hitting some sour notes and missing lyrics at live shows, and his fans still want more after two encores. I tend to think that this is because he is about as genuine as it gets, and it shows. Of course, I am biased…

There are many Paul Westerberg songs that will make this list of 10,000. This is one of the songs that I love to play on my acoustic guitar. The lyrics are very clever. My favorite verse:

“You can dress to the eights You can dress to maim It'll make you feel great This fortune and fame Wearing too much makeup Not near enough clothes It a wonderful lie and I still get by on those”

I don’t have access to the liner notes of the Besterberg CD at the moment, but he talks about how this song was an afterthought for the album, he pretty much did his part in one take, and went back to his hotel alone.

Paul is one of the few artists that I listen to for musical therapy. I just found out that he did the music for the Open Season soundtrack, which means new material, which makes me very happy at the moment. I have bought a new copy of every CD he has made since “Stereo” and I tend to think that I will continue to.

I could probably continue to go on about Mr. Westerberg, but this entry is probably too long as it is, and this is far from the last time you will see his name in this journal.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 8 - Alice in Chains - Rotten Apple

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:28:28 GMT

Originally posted on September 20th, 2006

We're one week into this! Woo-Hoo!

When I met my friend Tracy, there were only three bands that we both liked a lot. Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, and Journey.

Yes…Journey. I am aware that it is probably not very cool to like Steve Perry and co.

At any rate: Tracy had a background in hard rock/heavy metal. I had a background in 80’s music, rap, and oldies. What eventually happened is that Tracy was exposed to some of my favorite bands, and he was exposed to mine. There was one band in particular that would open me up to the sounds of hard rock and alternative. That band was Alice in Chains.

What impressed me is that the guys in Alice in Chains could ROCK, but their acoustic songs were incredible. I guess you could say that they reminded me of Led Zeppelin in that way. Not because they SOUNDED like Zep, but the versatility was there.

The whole “Jar of Flies” album has an amazing vibe to it, and the opening track sets things up quite nicely. I love that opening bassline. I love the harmonies. The lyrics set up great mental pictures. Simply put, It’s a great song from a great album from a great band.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 7 - Eels - Woman Driving, Man Sleeping

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:20:27 GMT

Originally posted on September 19th, 2006

I tend to think about how my relationship with Rachael started when I hear this one. I did not get my driver’s license until my mid to late twenties. There are a few reasons for why I waited, but that’s a story for another day. I met Rach when I was 21, and I was relying on public transportation and rides from friends to get from point A to point B. It sucked.

My job was on the other side of town, and the city’s bus system doesn’t run for very long on Sundays. It just so happened that I was scheduled late on a Sunday, with no clue of how I was going to get home. If memory serves, I tried to get it re-scheduled, but they needed me for that shift. Rachael was a co-worker, and she offered me a ride home in my time of need.

She was in the driver’s seat for at least the first few years of our marriage. We weren’t making much money so our reasoning was that it was more affordable to just have her on the insurance.

So, the lyrics of “Woman Driving, Man Sleeping” remind me of the early years of our marriage, and how we had a long way to go to get to where we are now.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 6 - Marshall Crenshaw - You're My Favorite Waste of Time

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:15:43 GMT

Originally posted on September 18th, 2006

Rachael and I first heard Marshall Crenshaw’s music on our 5th anniversary. We were hanging around Spokane, and we went into a local record shop that was playing his greatest hits CD. We were just browsing around and Rachael liked what she was hearing enough to ask who it was. We bought a copy of the CD that day.

In my opinion, the first 8 songs of this compilation are particularly fantastic, but the song that I couldn’t stop listening to was “You’re My Favorite Waste of Time”. This is my definition of the perfect pop song.

Check out the ending of the song. I think it was recorded on a 4-track, and you can hear what sounds like another song starting and fading out. It sounds like one of those happy mistakes that you just keep in the final mix, because it grows on you.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 5 - INXS - Mystify

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:10:44 GMT

Originally posted on September 17th, 2006

I taught myself to play keyboards by ear in the mid to late eighties. One of the first songs that I remember trying to figure out was this song. I remember seeing concert footage of INXS performing “Mystify”, and thinking that they sounded fantastic live. Michael Hutchence was one hell of a frontman.

If I start keeping track of my favorite albums, “Kick” deserves a spot for sure. I actually started checking into the rest of the INXS catalog as a result of how much I liked “Kick”. The other albums have a few great songs here and there, but I don’t think they have another full-length that is as great as “Kick”.

“Listen Like Thieves” is close, mind you.

When they had tryouts for the INXS reality TV show, I was going to try out for it, and I even filmed myself doing an acoustic version of “Mystify” before changing my mind. For one, there are way better vocalists than me out there. Secondly, those are some gigantic shoes to fill, as far as I am concerned. I pretty much eliminated myself from the competition before the judges had a chance to.

From the little bit of the show that I did watch, I’m kinda glad that I didn’t go through with it. It looked like they were making it more of a “Let’s see how quick they get on each other’s nerves” thing.

At any rate: This is a fantastic song, and the album that it came from is highly recommended.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 4 - Truckee Brothers - One Little Indian

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:03:03 GMT

Originally posted on September 16th, 2006

I made a music podcast that lasted for 42 episodes. It was called The House of Delusions Podcast. I would play some of my favorite songs, and I would seek out new favorites. Well, Myspace introduced me to the Truckee Brothers, and I am very glad that it did.

They describe themselves as “The Beatles on crank with a good dose of Burt Bacharach swallowing Nick Cave's Bad Seed.”

The entire “It Came From the Speakers” album is filled with fun lyrics, excellent harmonies, and a quirky rock attitude. “One Little Indian” is an example of the Brothers at their finest.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 3 - Dar Williams - The Christians and the Pagans

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:58:24 GMT

Originally posted on September 15th, 2006

Public libraries have been good to me over the years. I have discovered some of my favorite music as a result of having a library card. That’s how I found this song.

Dar Williams was a familiar name to me, but I couldn’t remember why. I checked out the “Mortal City” CD along with 15 other albums. I popped the CD in, and I let it play. My first thought? She sounded like a cross between Shawn Colvin and Ani DiFranco.

The song caught Rachael’s attention first, and then I noticed it too… The music is cute and upbeat. The lyrics are a clever story about a Christian family getting a visit from their Wiccan niece at Christmas.

“So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able And where does magic come from, I think magic's in the learning Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning”

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 2 - Elliott Smith - Coast to Coast

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:48:57 GMT

(Originally posted on September 14th, 2006)

The tragedy of great performers dying young is nothing new as far as history is concerned. Plane crashes, drug overdoses, murders, suicides… However, it doesn’t make it any easier when a new name is added to that list of heroes cut down in their prime.

It could be asked “Why do we always lose the GREAT ones?”

It’s no secret that Elliott idolized John Lennon, and it shows in this song. I think it sounds like a Lennon composition that wouldn’t feel out of place on the White Album. While I haven’t listened to all of his output, I can’t help but believe that some of Elliott’s greatest material was silenced forever when his life was taken. Unlike Lennon’s death, it makes it that much more cruel when we learn that it was supposedly done by Elliott’s own hand.

This is one of those songs that should be listened to with headphones to get the full stereo experience. The song has a powerful, desperate energy to it, complete with lyrics that convey the hopelessness that was nearly Elliott’s trademark.

Almost every time I hear the “That’s why” in the song’s ending amongst the outbursts of poetry hitting each ear, it sends a chill through me. It’s almost as if he’s telling us that there’s some explanation in the song that would make sense of his death, and when you think of all the hidden messages that supposedly exist within the Beatles catalog, it’s almost fitting that Elliott would have at least one similar conspiracy theory.

I have not listened to anything else from his last album yet. I can’t bring myself to do it, but this opening track is heart-wrenchingly good.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Day 1 - Blood Sweat and Tears - Lisa, Listen to Me

glenncase — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:44:40 GMT

(Originally posted on September 13th, 2006)

So, how did I become interested in oldies? That's simple: Old school rap.

I know that sounds a little strange, but it's absolutely true. I listened to almost nothing but hip-hop from 1987 to 1992. I was 13 years old when "Licensed to Ill" by the Beastie Boys came out. I tend to think that I hit my teens at an absolutely ideal time for that reason alone. Liking the Beasties would lead to appreciation for Run DMC, L.L. Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Big Daddy Kane, and way too many others to list.

My appreciation for Blood, Sweat and Tears would come through 3rd Bass.

For those who are unfamiliar with them, 3rd Bass were probably the first white rappers to have respect from the hip hop community at large. On "The Cactus Album", the opening track (directly after the “Stymie’s Theme” intro) was a slam on the Beasties called “Sons of 3rd Bass”. I absolutely loved the beat.

Fast forward a bit. Now, I’m on a road trip with my parents, and they’re listening to oldies radio. I wasn’t exactly keen on the music at this point. Then this song comes on the radio, and it’s REALLY familiar. After a bit I realize: “Hey, WAIT a minute! That’s the song that 3rd Bass sampled for “Sons of 3rd Bass”!

That song was “Spinning Wheel” by Blood, Sweat and Tears. I like “Spinning Wheel” too, but the song I listened to on the way to work this morning was “Lisa, Listen to Me”. My mp3 CD walkman was on random, the song came on, and it made me smile. I love the tone on the opening guitar riff, and like most BS&T songs, the horn section is a powerful force that drives the song along nicely. The vocals of David Clayton Thomas might annoy some people, but I am not among that crowd of detractors. I like his voice.

In most cases, I think that I tend to hear the music of a song LONG before I pay any attention to the lyrics. This is one of those times. The lyrics tell a vague story of what we can assume is a lady who has kept something quiet, and the man who spoke the gentle words that she had never heard before. Is there a deeper meaning to the words that I’m missing out on? Quite possibly. I think the lyrics leave themselves open to interpretation precisely BECAUSE they are so vague.

Me? I’m not going to overanalyze it. I’ll just CRANK IT UP, thankyouverymuch.

ROCK!

Glenn Case

Wedding Song

glenncase — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 07:34:56 GMT

This one is called "Wedding Song"

It was a Songfight title in November of 2006. I received 15 votes for this song, but did not win that week.