The Shuffle Album, Vol. 2

I had this shuffle going while I was driving the kids to school and liked it so much I thought I’d write my own version of Jim’s Shuffle Album concept. Here goes.

1. “Androgynous” —Replacements, Let It Be (1984)
I don’t think the ‘Mats hold up as well as other indie rock bands from this era, which I know is sacrilegious. But this gem holds up just fine. Love the sparse, ramshackle arrangement and the goofy ending.

2. “Queens of Noise” —The Runaways, Queens of Noise (1977)
I’m a newcomer to the Runaways, but what’s not to like? I love the slapback drums, and the lazy feel of this tune. Another plus is the lyric, “We’re the queens of noise, come and get it boys.” On the con side, what’s up with the Styx-like synthesizer? Also, the harmonies at the end don’t work for me.

3. “King Kong” —Half Japanese, Greatest Hits (1995)
First of all, I love that Half Japanese has a greatest hits album. It’s a bit much to sit through in one listen but perfect for an iPod shuffle. This track is a priceless cover of Daniel Johnston’s 1983 classic. And while I love his version, this one’s better IMHO, thanks to the atonal guitar work. Who better to cover Daniel Johnston other than Half Japanese? My son was digging this track, mostly because it was about King Kong, but it goes to show you that kids can handle “difficult” music. I love how the song mostly recounts the movie until suddenly it starts talking about how Willis O’Brien (the special effects artist of the original movie) died.

4. “Let Down” —Radiohead, OK Computer (1997)
Not much needs to be said about this great tune, other than it’s the one track on OK Computer that sounds like it could have been on The Bends. OK, I’ll also add that I love the off-kilter guitar work at the beginning.

5. “Les Bon Bons Des Raisons” —Stereolab, Sound-Dust (2001)
Sound-Dust is my favorite Stereolab album and this is that album’s glorious closing track. Too much great stuff happening to fully comment, but a few highlights are: 1. The moment when you first hear Mary Hansen’s backing vocals: It’s so perfect. Brings a smile to my face every time. 2. The curious mix of English and French. 3. The amazing transition at 2:29 when it goes back to the main theme but you still have the keyboard playing at a different tempo and in a different key. 4. The “Bon Bon” part at the end, which brings a nice closure to the album.

6. “I Killed the Cuckoo” —The Geraldine Fibbers, Butch (1997)
As I mentioned during the Stereolab song, Sound-Dust is my favorite album by them, which is definitely not the album of choice by the critics. This is another example of that. All the critics love the Fibber’s previous album Lost Somewhere Between Earth and My Home, but Butch is way more interesting in my opinion. I think we need a new category for Splat Macumba called “Critics Schmitics!” Having said that, this is one of my least favorite songs on the album, although I do love the percussive nature of the bass and guitars. My son and his friend were loving the fact this woman is screaming “I hate you!”

7. “Downs” —Big Star, Third/Sister Lovers, (1992)
If I remember the liner notes to this album correctly, the producer was convinced that Alex Chilton was trying to ruin his career when he turned “Downs,” which apparently was a pop gem, into this shambling mess. It’s hard to believe this could have been anything other than a shambling mess. And what a nice mess it is.

8. “Poptones” —Public Image Ltd., Metal Box (1979)
I delve into PiL’s music more in my entry about “Memories,” so I’ll just say that this song has probably my favorite bass line of any song ever. My son’s friend though John Lydon sounded like Darth Vader. Oh wait, I dig want to mention that I do love the clipped beginning of this song and the sound of someone snorting coke.

9. “Maybe the Last Time” —James Brown, Star Time (1991)
I love the weird, out-of tune guitar chord that comes blinging in between every sixth and seventh beat. In the car with the windows down, all you can really hear is the vocals, drums, and that guitar. And frankly, that’s all you need.

10. “Twenty-Four Hour Blues” —Bobby “Blue” Bland, Dreamer (1974)
Listening to this album, I kind of wish Bobby Bland had worked with Al Green’s producer, Willie Mitchell. He’s such a great singer (although his voice is past its prime at this point) and the production on this album just doesn’t work. He has a couple nice moments, but this is just kind of a bland song. Check out I Pity the Fool: The Duke Recordings, Vol. 1 for some great blues vocals.

11. “Shaving Cream” —Fabulous Five, Trojan Box Set: X-Rated Reggae, (2002)
I can’t say enough great things about these Trojan box sets. Having said that, this is one of the few terrible tracks from that glorious period in Jamaican music. I mean, who needs a reggae version of the stupid Dr. Demento track? Second, it cracks me up that this is on the X-Rate box set, since the whole point of the song is that they don’t curse. It’s just uninspired, which is rare for the Trojan records of this time.

12. “Revolution” —Mother Earth, Nuggets: Love is the Song We Sing, (2007)
I love all the Nuggets box sets, especially for shuffles. I like the way the song shifts between 5/4 and 6/8 time. Aside from that, it’s a little lifeless.

Well, this shuffle started out really strong and kind of petered out at the end. But that’s OK. Favorite track: Toss up between “King Kong” and “Queens of Noise.”