As "our girls" stood outside one of the rooms, waiting for their next phase in the contest, they started the familiar rhythmic Stomp stomp clap! Stomp Stomp Clap! before breaking into the first verse of "We Will Rock You" proving to me it's a timeless and classic song of rivalry. However, like many songs that are associated with sporting events, the lyrics and rhythms are such they get stuck in your head and you find yourself still singing them a week later.
Sterfish: "Nothing Like This" from Ruff Draft by J. Dilla
The title of this song really describes it. Every time I listen to it, it amazes me just how unusual it is. Despite a rough, gritty sound filled with distortion, it is really a sweet love song. Dilla doesn't quite rap on this song and he doesn't quite sing either. The beat has Dilla's always excellent drums but features a trippy, warped beat that reveals itself to (possibly) be country in origin by the end.
It sounds like it shouldn't add up to a great song at all but in Dilla's hands, it does. Maybe that's why I like it so much. It defies a lot of conventions. It's sad that, as far as I know, Dilla never made another song quite like it.
Pico: "Korn Dutch" from Live In Tokyo by Lettuce
Nothing works better at getting a Friday afternoon attitude on a Monday morning than some James Brown inspired funk-jazz jams. And who better than to provide those jams than a supergroup consisting of Soulive's keyboard player and guitarist along with John Scofield's drummer from Uberjam, Adam Deitch? It's played live, which is how jam music is meant to be played. "Korn Dutch" contains just enough interesting chord changes to take the tune beyond the generic and offers plenty of solo space. Eric Krasno in particular rips on guitar. The JB-like horns add the cherry to the sundae.
Mark Saleski: "Bad Reputation" from Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
You might be shocked to learn that TheWife™ has a favorite television show: American Chopper. The only way this can be explained, since neither of us gives one hoot about motorcycles, is that she thinks one of the Teutels is hot... I do NOT want to know which one. Seriously.
Article comments
1 - Connie Phillips
Great selections this week everyone. Thanks to the contributors for keeping this going, and thanks to DJR for not only contributing but continuing to compile it for our reading and listening pleasure.
There's a handful I'm not familiar with and will spend some time later today searching out. And several that I've been reminded should compose a playlist in my iPod.
2 - DJRadiohead
Yes, Connie, some great selections this week. I have spent the last two weeks with "Seattle" music. I am going to try to branch out this week to something else.
3 - Mat Brewster
Man, I haven't listened to "In Utero" in a long time. I'm not even sure I know where it is, or if I even own it anymore.
Whenever I hear "We Will Rock You" I always think of one of the opening bits on "cheers" where someone starts tapping on the table with a pencil, then another clicks their glass and it slowly moves into a full on version of the song. Classic.
4 - Connie Phillips
Oh my goodness. I remember that scene too, Mat.
Something happens to a song when it gets associated with sports, it takes on a new life and never really seems to go away. Probably by design, then to be ones with either uber contagious lyrics, rhythms or melodies.
5 - Mat Brewster
It was a great bloody scene on a great bloody show. "We Will Rock You" has that anthematic beat coupled with lyrics that really fit a sporting event. And everybody gets to clap and stomp. Always a plus.