Special guest, Diana Parry-Cruwys, finally gets another chance to pick a song of her very own with this week's "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High) by alt-country, prolific rocker, Ryan Adams. Not the guy who sang "Summer of '69". We discuss how unlike My Bloody Valentine this song is, how hard it is to pick just one song when you write an album a year, how drugs are bad. Stay in school kids.
Even though she's been our special guest more than anyone else, poor Diana Parry-Cruwys has only gotten to pick one song all on her own. Well, we're making up for it by talking about Ryan Adams' "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)" this week. Diana then fell asleep before we could record and I forgot to post the preview blurb...so we're going to be a little late this week. Please don't think this reflect poorly on how much I appreciate my wife's taste in music.
A return visit from Jack Every to the TPOS studio gets us bringing the funk. Noise may be brought as well. Regardless, we spend a pleasant time talking about the amazing Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings' "I Learned the Hard Way". What makes this modern take on the Motown sound so cool? And does anybody know how to make a hang-up click on a cell phone? We're plumbing unknown genres this week, folks! Also, a rare TV recommendation unrelated to music but correlated with deliciousness.
Returning guest and math teacher extrordinaire, Jack Every, returns to ensure the unrepresented genre of Motown gets its due by talking with us about Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings "I Learned the Hard Way", a song I had never heard of before last week. Which is reason enough to listen in.
After comparing our local classic rock stations (RIP, radio), super-guest and music encyclopedia, Chris Hornbostel, and I get into the deep talk about The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter". Buy why is it an amazing song? Not just because it captures the turmoil of the 60's, not just because it's a secretly scary song, not just because of Keith Richards blusey, jazzy guitar, not just because of Mick Jagger's excellent lyrics, not just because of Merry Clayton's virtuouso performance, not just because of Charlie Watts' perfect snare beats, but...well, listen to the episode to find out. Let's celebrate the end of the peace and love era together, shall we?
Music super-afficianado, Chris Hornbostel is back to break down The Rolling Stone's epic reflection of the waning days of the age of Aquarius, "Gimme Shelter". It's an eerie episode, folks!
Rob's solo-casting it up this week with one of his personal favorite's, ELOs "Mr. Blue Sky". Listen in horror as he attempts to describe fancy orchestral words! Stare in sympathy as he consults his thesaurus to come up with new words for "awesome"! Flee from the overwhelming gushing of good vibes and joyousness! Feel happy emotions deep inside your soul as you realize that you've already started humming the chorus. Don't hide away for so long, listener: embrace the sun before Mr. Night comes to ruin the party.
With the sun high in the sky and something of a drought on here in Massachusetts, I'm reminded of one of my favorite songs to blare out my car window on these beautiful summer days: ELO's "Mr. Blue Sky"! Honestly, this is one of the songs that I did this show to talk about. Hope you'll enjoy listening to me do just that.
Matt Summers makes a triumphant return with a song that has absolutely nothing wrong with it, The Breeders' "Cannonball". Is it true that the Ewoks provide backing vocals to Kim Deal? Is anything cooler than early-90s distortion effects? And is being a great band with an awesome single the same as being a one-hit wonder?
Have a swig of this delicious shimmy shake while you listen.
All-star guest Matt Summers want to immortalize his love for The Breeders' '90s masterpiece, "Cannonball". So, I guess the best way to do that is to come on the show. Posterity will thank him for that. And, if the A.V. Clubagrees with him, those crazy kids must be on to something.
While I messed up and forgot that "Imagine" was actually from the album Imagine, special guest, Terry Parretti, lifelong educator and dancer, forgives me in the name of John Lennon's message of peace, humanity, and love. We discuss what happens when we die and if it even matters, the power of music in teaching, and just how crummy the 70s were. Stay tuned until the end for some free choreography consultation.
Given all the terrible goings-on in the world, we decided to slow things down a notch to discuss John Lennon's "Imagine" with educator and choreographer, Terry Parretti.
This week we sip lemon gin with writer/comedian/nice person, Hunter Gardner. to celebrate the season with a discussion of "Almost Summer" by Jason Collett. We wonder why summer sounds so sad in this song, opine on the indignities of youthful intoxication, and embarrass each other with bad date stories. Our pants remain securely around our ankles.
Well, despite the fact that it's actually summer, let's just pretend that it isn't 80+ degrees out and all of our lawns are still alive with the bounty of spring rains. How about Hunter Gardner and I discuss Jason Collett's "Almost Summer" to get you in the right frame of mind.
Because they did me the favor of visiting me, I forced a good 40% of my extended family into the ol' podcast studio to discuss our favorite songs about America and the summertime, but mostly the summertime.
Hang ten and put your wayfarers on for a deep conversation on topics like what's the opposite of America, when's the best time to barbeque, is Dave Matthews music a substitute for Ambien, and just how awesome is a bottle of Zima? And in a They're Playing Our Song first: country music! Then a somber tangent about regret, past joys, and growing up as summer vacation hits the halfway point.
Please very much nostal-joy!
If you want to join us in thinking fondly about the songs we discussed, here's the final list:
During our annual family 4th of July get together, I managed to wrangle about 50% of my relatives into my makeshift studio behind the grill to talk about favorite summer songs. From hip-hop to country, we discuss an eclectic mix of tunes that get us in the mood to relax at the beach and enjoy the heat. No links or lyrics this week due to the sheer number of songs we discussed. Just join us on Wednesday to hear our choices. And feel free to share your summer songs in the comments or on Twitter or the (poorly updated) Facebook page.
It's the big 50th episode of the show! And I booked a bunch of young children to make noise in the background. What better way to celebrate our house party than by talking about Grouplove's "Tongue Tied". Listen to me wax philosophically about the deep, deep meanings of the song and how it taps into our collective unconscious about how crappy it is to try to get a date. Everyone else just talks about medical problems and strategies for laser tag.
Thanks to everyone for listening and thanks to all our guests for sharing their songs! You all make this show a pleasure to do.
After a fun family vacation, I drag my family in to celebrate our big 50th episode with Grouplove's "Tongue Tied"! How we got this many episodes I'll never know.
It's Part 2 of the epic battle royale that is ETHERIDGE-OFF!! This week, I'm rejoined by Diana Parry-Cruwys who hopes to derail my assertion that the most superior song is Melissa Etheridge's "I Want To Come Over". We break all our concert plans to warble a passionate plea for all the star-crossed lovers out there before explaining the secret meanings of the too happy guitar-solo and why are is so damn sad. Remember, place your vote for Etheridge-Off on Twitter, Facebook, or in the comments below.
