Monday, April 22

Music Monday: Directional Songs

by Scott Lydon 2 months ago

Happy Music Monday! Do you know which way you're facing now? Well, that's the start point on our wonderful journey through the maze of music. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Get settled. And then do what the music says. If nothing else, you'll get some exercise as you move around the room. Okay, now, get ready… three, two, one… we're off!

The Beatles - I'm Down

Down has been the primary direction for music for a long, long time. Rappers get down, dancers get down, some rock stars get down and then also get dirty, and even Swan Lake has some down under the wings of the main characters. And don't even get me started on the blues. Why is down so important? Maybe it's because, without down, there's no place from which to grow.

Get the idea? More directionals coming up, just after the jump.

Monday, April 15

Music Monday: Names That Don't Belong In Rock

by Scott Lydon 2 months ago

Happy Music Monday! Today Scott's lost his mind and gathered a bunch of people you've probably never heard of because they have names that don't sound like rock stars. Yeah, we know. He's just been under a lot of pressure lately, okay? Anyway, take a look, maybe you'll have a few ideas of your own...

Grayson Hugh - Talk It Over

The late '80s were sort of like rock's midlife crisis. All the new stuff was in electronic music and hip hop wasn't yet mainstream, but all the classic bands were either broken up or sucking. That context should explain why a guy who dressed like a Guardian Angel could stick two backup singers in suitcases and score a minor hit, all with a name like "Grayson." To be fair, he's not a bad singer, but the moment he was up against a guy named Ice T, poor Grayson had no chance.

See you after the jump for what might end up being our least-read Music Monday of all time. Wish us luck!

Monday, April 08

Music Monday: Call Me

by Scott Lydon 2 months ago

Happy Music Monday! So here's a funny story: last week Scott had already pre-planned a Music Monday all about phone call songs, and only then did he discover that April 3rd was the 40th anniversary of the cell phone! Nice coincidence, right? So please consider this mix a tribute to the device that changed the world. We'll hand you the receiver and let you hear this first song…

Go West - Call Me

That bright burst at the beginning is a perfect start to a song about a telephone, right? And Go West was never going to be a game changer, especially not with that seizure dance goin' on, but wasn't this was the perfect song for zipping around Vice City? It's meaningless metaphor-filled synth pop with a simple message. I wish you were here, give me a call.

If you can't find your way inside, give us a call and we'll help you out. See you after the jump?

Monday, April 01

Music Monday: Fooled You

by Scott Lydon 3 months ago

Happy Music Monday! It's April 1st, and if you don't know what day this is, you're in biiiiig trouble. But if you do, great! You've guessed what our theme is this week! We'll let Scott get started with his first foolish choice:

Led Zeppelin - Fool In The Rain

A lovely song from an often-underrated Zep album, this fool is one of those guys who fell in love with the wrong woman. But if it wasn't for loving and losing, where would songs like this come from?

We get more foolish inside, after the jump. See you fools there...

Monday, March 25

Music Monday: Commercial Jingles

by Scott Lydon 3 months ago

Happy Music Monday! Today we're selling out. That's right, it's all about the commercials today. Scott's chased down five songs that are forever entwined with the products for which they were shilling. Hey, if it pays the bills, who are we to judge? As long as they keep it entertaining, everybody's happy. And this first video's a perfect example...

Shaggy - Boombastic

How do you turn a song into a masterpiece? Claymation! This Levi's ad told a whole action movie worth of story in roughly a minute, all while selling jeans AND reminding people to go buy Shaggy's record. Talk about running the table.

Four more and the usual fun after the jump!

Monday, March 18

Music Monday: The Impending Equinox

by Scott Lydon 3 months ago

Happy Music Monday! As you may or may not know, this week we arrive at the Vernal Equinox, which means the long, long, long winter is finally, officially over. So in the brief window between jackets and shorts, we get to celebrate Spring! Scott's mix this week is a nice look at songs to get us in the mood for open windows and sunny afternoons. We'll start with a woman who was made for spring… the great Blossom Dearie!

Blossom Dearie - Might As Well Be Spring

This tiny-voiced jazz singer just bubbles out French over the piano, and in a way that makes you feel the flowers peeping up through the city snow. If you're a Francophobe, you can also check out a different Spring song in English but there's just something about the one I posted.

After the jump, four more songs to get you ready for the sunny weather up ahead. See you there...

Monday, March 11

Music Monday: Pop Songs That Are Questions

by Scott Lydon 3 months ago

Happy Music Monday! Say, aren't there a lot of questions in music? Don't you think it's time Scott addressed that matter? Today we're making a list of musical interrogation. That's right, we're asking the questions here! Where were you on the night of October 32nd? Oh, wise acre, huh? Up against the wall, pal! And while you're there, take a look at the first song:

Duran Duran - Is There Something I Should Know

Not many songs say please, so we'll give the Durans points for politeness. But let's be honest with ourselves on this: there are not many lines dumber than "you're about as easy as a nuclear war." Nuclear wars require, what, some yelling and then two guys turning a key and a few button pushes? You barely even have to aim! And you get to sit down the whole time!

More questions, like "Why do we let this guy write these each and every week?" are coming up, after the jump.

Monday, March 04

Music Monday: March Forth

by Scott Lydon 4 months ago

Happy Music Monday! In honor of the 4th of March, Scott's decide to focus on the one thing everyone knows: the march! No, no, don't run away, you know more of them than you think. Marches are all over the place in modern society. Don't believe it? He'll prove it right now!

Pomp & Circumstance No. 1 in D Major

If you make it to about the two minute mark, you'll hear what most of us know as The Graduation March. Sir Elgar's contribution to education has long outlived his other works. I'm just sorry I couldn't find that "Peanut Butter And Jelly" version from The Electric Company. You old people know EXACTLY what I'm talking about, too. Fressssh bluuuuberrrry piiiiie!

Never underestimate the memory powers of an aging Gen Xer, right? Scott's got last week's Spotify playlist, plus four more marches, after the jump. Lord help us if he starts talking about the Thundercats somehow.

Monday, February 25

Music Monday: Funny Voices

by Scott Lydon 4 months ago

Happy Music Monday! Say, what's better than a catchy tune? A catchy AUTO-tune! Ha ha! Shut up! Today Scott's looking at the songs that make you go "How is he doing that?" Today's five songs all contain funny voices! That's right, you know what we mean by funny. Here's one now.

Zapp & Roger - I Wanna Be Your Man

Did you know that every time Roger Troutman sang into that little talk box tube, he was getting his lip shocked? It's true! And yet, he suffered each and every time, just to make sure we could say WOW THAT GUY SOUNDS LIKE A ROBOT and be happy. Thank you for your sacrifice, Roger. We computer love you.

Get to thinking, because inside you'll find four songs and last week's Spotify mix, and then it'll be YOUR turn to submit! See you after the jump ...

Monday, February 18

Music Monday: Songs You Can't Believe Exist

by Scott Lydon 4 months ago

Happy Music Monday! Everybody's had that moment when they hear a strange lyric and say "Did I REALLY hear that right?" Well, today Scott's sorted out five of his very favorite "How did that actually get on the freakin' radio?" songs to share with you, and after the jump, he'll be expecting you to share with him! If you don't already get the idea, here's an example:

Live - Lightning Crashes

"The placenta falls to the floor." Let's just say that again, in case you didn't catch it: "The placenta falls to the floor." That having been said, you've gotta give it to Live. Lots of songs cover the heart, a few songs might mention the brain, maybe one or two touch on the stomach and lungs, but nobody else in rock history has EVER talked about placentas. Point to you, Ed Kowalczyk. Bet that song goes over real well with the folks on next fall's The Mark McGrath & Friends Cruise.

Four more, plus last week's Spotify playlist, comin' up inside.