:: walterindenver ::

:: Friday, October 04, 2002 ::

Some Self Indulgence

Last week Samizdata had this post, listing songs for a CD to while away the time on a desert island. I added my choices, reproduced here with additional comments.

Kansas - The Wolfgang Press TWP were on the 4AD record label, one of the most innovative outfits in the 80's. There's a special joy in listening to music that not many others have heard, but I doubt the band shared that sentiment.
Wicked Game - Chris Isaak I first heard this in the David Lynch's movie 'Wild at Heart.' The song left a bigger impression than the movie.
Yin and Yang the Flowerpot Man - Love and Rockets Sheer manic bliss. Always fun live.
Way Down Now - World Party I don't go more than a few weeks without putting this one in the CD player.
So. Cenral Rain - REM I could have chosen any of several REM songs for this list.
Greetings to the New Brunette - Billy Bragg Billy is a socialist, and his politics color his music, but not on this song. Proof that dumb political views are no obstacle to musical genius.
Here Comes Your Man - The Pixies 4AD's first American band, I could have picked several Pixies tunes for this list as well.
Ed's Funky Diner - It's Immaterial This duo released one brilliant record and then disappeared. Proof that mere musical genius is not enough to guarantee success in the industry.
Zero Zero Zero - Sam Phillips No, not that Sam Phillips. This Sam is a she, and she's married to T-Bone Burnett.
Ever Changing Moods - The Style Council Why do Brit bands do the blue-eyed soul thing so well?
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash Especially the version recorded live in prison.
Blood and Roses - The Smithereens Back in my college days, right after this came out, I had the pleasure of interviewing Pat Dinizio, lead singer, for a radio show. Still love their first CD.
Once Around the Block - Badly Drawn Boy Yeah, I'm still listening to new music. I haven't included much on this list, but I suppose if I were to redo this a few years from now I'd change some selections.
Mrs. Robinson - The Lemonheads This was the promise of punk, clean, loud, short songs with lots of punch. That formula still works.
Heartland - The The I noticed a couple of the lists at Samizdata had The The songs. My wife would have included a fourth song, Infected. Not bad for a band that never enjoyed much commercial success.

So there it is. After compiling the list I noticed a lot of my favorite artists didn't make the cut. Wilco, Ministry, Belle and Sebastian, The Reverend Horton Heat, and several others, might be better artists than ones on this list, but it is a list of favorite songs, not bands.

:: Walter 8:09 AM [+] ::
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