Telephone Line
"Telephone Line" is a song that stumbled into my life out of necessity. A different kind of necessity that allowed me to fit in and share something with my best friends.
I had long been listening to ELO, but like many other bands I had failed to indulge in the entire discography of those specific artists. "Telephone Line" eluded me and although I had heard it before, I wasn't able to sing along with my friends as they belted out the words. I just didn't know the lyrics and that made me feel left out. What it really did was reintroduce me to a wonderful and memorable track that evokes a certain set of emotions fantastic for having a great time with your pals.
I found myself singing these lyrics at work this past week as I passed the time where there was no actual music to be had. It did the trick of entertaining me for the afternoon as I surely annoyed my coworker with my off pitch singing voice. In an effort to kick the playlist off with a "gooden," here's something you can get stuck in your head for the rest of the week. You're welcome.
Sod in the Seed
A WHY? song jam packed with lyrics, "Sod in the Seed" speeds out of the gate and makes you shake your booty. While I may not hit 100% of the words as I sing/rap along to Yoni's odd and fantastic lyrics, I'll skip by with a passing grade close to 90%.
I remember this EP coming out in high school and my best friend and I becoming obsessed with it's songs, but most specifically the title track and it's upbeat rhythm. WHY? songs seem to occupy their spaces perfectly with unique passages that draw your attention, make you dance, and make you think. Yoni Wolf definitely has a way with words and a way with weaving those words into a groove that is nothing like you've ever heard before. If this is your first introduction to WHY? I'm happy to provide you with a fantastic base for a great journey of discover ahead.
The Ballad of Moose Bruce
I hadn't even heard this song this week before I decided to put it on the playlist. It came to me out of the blue as I reminded myself how I loved this track and the delightful beginnings of Born Ruffians.
The best part of this song, and the reason I decided to incorporate it here, is a rhythm break towards the end of the track where the electric guitar saunters in with a perfect phrase of quick staccato notes that caught me by surprise the first time I heard it. I've wanted to learn this part ever since my first introduction but haven't given it the proper time and effort to find out just where and how it is played.
Overall, I love the low end rhythm of this track as the drums create a complimentary tom beat for the rest of the instruments to fall into their eerie places. "The Ballad of Moose Bruce" has its distinguished feeling and it finds its way on many of my playlists that cater to specific moods. Enjoy with a fine beverage of your choice or really anywhere or with anything.
Lyin' Eyes
As I delved further into the Eagles catalog and my parents copy of their greatest hits record I came to land time and time again on "Lyin' Eyes." A peaceful journey of easy listening that graced my ears with lush voices and what feels like an audible hug.
I found myself singing this song all week as I putzed around the house. Despite the subject matter, I find this track very calming and comforting. The lyrics have their purpose and their story, but as I've just realized through a recent epiphany, I hear the human voice as its own instrument that uses words as its notes and embellishments. As I've said before, I'm not a lyric guy although I love to sing along.
"Lyin' Eyes" is my favorite Eagles track to sing along to and one of those soothing tracks that helps me lose myself and drift away from whatever mood I may have been in. Hopefully it can do the same for you.
Crystal Baller
I only sort of care that I've added yet another Out of the Vein track to the playlists so close to each other. The other portions of me love that this song came to me this week through the shuffle game. I have no shame. So here it is in all its glory.
Sitting in my car, first to the field and waiting for the rest of the team to show up, I sang away to "Crystal Baller" and got pumped for a night hanging with the boys. 3EB will more times than not get played whenever it comes on. This song is no exception as the moment it came on the volume subsequently rose along with my attitude.
I've got nothing more than saying this was a beautiful song to add to the playlist solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy another great 3EB track.
Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
This weekend I had the pleasure of celebrating a very close family friend and neighbor as she married the love of her life. My neighborhood has a unique and lucky relationship with each other as five families coexist on a horseshoe street that's seen our friendships grow incredibly over time.
We found ourselves all dressed up, boozed up, and looking great as "we had a little fun." In the midst of dancing and having a great time we had multiple photo shoots highlighting various groups throughout the night. As I tried to whisk the groom away from his lovely bride in an attempt to rile up all the boys for a photo booth session I was met with a word for word response that summed up the decision we just had to accept. "Not while Shania's on."
I accepted my defeat and quickly followed suit in getting my ass on the dance floor and enjoying myself some good Shania. We eventually got the photos, unfortunately, with no groom, but we'll always have the memories right?
A Skeleton at the Feast
This last track closes off the playlist for one specific and understandable reason - I thought it might scare away the crowd before we got to some of the above tracks. A dark and unusual offering that would surely garner dirty looks from my mother, "A Skeleton at the Feast" is the perfect amount of eerie for a case of the Sunday night scaries.
I first heard this bass driven oddity in my local record store on an off day where I actually asked the employees a question. I had to know the name of the song playing as I dug through music quite possibly on the opposite musical spectrum as Middle Class. There was just something about a song played in that record store that peaked my interest. I can remember only one other time where I enjoyed a song coming from the shops stereo in comparison to the usual odd ball tracks that have me questioning what the heck is happening. Those owners sell some great music, but they have an eclectic taste in what they like to play at work that's for sure.
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