Geographic Vagaries
Written by Chad Orzel
Published April 25, 2003
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  • "Automatic," Chris Whitley. A simple, repetitive, ear-wormy song, that seems like it goes on forever, and yet ends too soon.

  • "Heart of Gold," Neil Young. For some reason, the guitar riff in "Automatic" made me think of this song, so it comes next. I have no idea why, but it works pretty well.

  • "Pirate Radio," John Hiatt. Ever since Perfectly Good Guitar, John Hiatt has released a new album every year or so, and every one of those albums has had one good song on it, with a bunch of undistinguished filler. This is the good song from Little Head.

  • "Spiderweb," No Doubt. I'd like to be able to cop a cooler-than-thou stance, and claim I liked this band back before they were cool, and this song before it was on WHFS every half-hour or so. And as far as you know, I did.

  • "So Lonely," the Police. Sting was really at his best when he was fronting a white reggae band-- screw the tantric tree-hugging, and bring on the night. This is a fun one to sing along with, doubly so because I really can't sing in that octave...

  • "Sell Out," Reel Big Fish. See "Spiderweb," above.

  • "Kate," Ben Folds Five. I know what you're thinking, but really, she couldn't be less like the girl in the song. And to cop a phrase from a record reviewer, it's not so much a song about a girl, as a tribute to every song about a girl ever written. Or something.

  • "Under Pressure," Queen and David Bowie. Proving once again that Freddie Mercury was so cool he didn't need to sing actual words.

  • "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the Beatles. Possibly George Harrison's best song, and Clapton is God.

    Side Two:


    • "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," The Band. I was dimly aware that Joan Baez had recorded this, but somehow managed to avoid hearing it until very recently. Ye gods, what a horrible, inappropriate version that is, compared to the original. Levon Helm's plaintive voice has a wounded dignity to it that is just perfect-- nobody should tamper with this song.

    • "Rough God Goes Riding," Van Morrison. Van the Man is on sort of the same recording plan as John Hiatt (see above). I wish they'd both slow down a bit, and save up the good tracks for one kick-ass album, but they insist on bleeding money from me slowly...

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    Geographic Vagaries
    Published: April 25, 2003
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    Section: Music
    Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Country and Americana, Music: Pop, Music: Rock
    Writer: Chad Orzel
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