Friday, June 04, 2010

Bleh

It's a crappy, rainy day here in Marquette today, a perfect day to play some tunes, stare at the gray sky, and contemplate the frailty of human existence/make some dick jokes. Unfortunately, my white collar has become electrified this week (although thankfully not explosive), so I need to pay The Man his dues today.

Despite the workload, things are good. We have an offer (albeit a crappy one) on the house, and more people coming to look at it. Libby grows more adorable daily, although I had not one but two dreams this week about confronting her about her pot smoking (as a teenager, not as a toddler, which would have been kind of awesome). And today's weather notwithstanding, the weather gods in Marquette have definitely smiled upon us this year. Who says blood sacrifices don't work?

However, this doesn't mean we can't have a little fun. I saw a great question on Facebook this week: what's the best opening track on an album? My answer was super obvious but I had to be honest -- not even my beloved Rush gets me as pumped as this does:



Hit me with your nominees, and have a good weekend.

22 comments:

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

Tie for me: London Calling (natch)

and Memphis, Egypt by the Mekons (also Natch) on Rock 'n' Roll

both are unbelievable openings, nay, introductions to sublime albums. Can't turn 'em up loud enough.

OT: my wife wants to go see some bands. We are skipping Natalie Merchant in favor of Old 97's. Should I pop for an extra ticket for her to The New Pornographers next weekend? Yes, I am gloating. The Pabst/Turner/Riverside Axis Of Awesome has really come through this summer.

Also upcoming: Edward Sharpe (thanx Snag!) Trampled By Turtles, Heartless Bastards, Billy Bragg, Squeeze, Built to Spill, MGMT, Neon Indian, The National, eels, Broken Social Scene.... shit, I don't have that much money.

fish said...

While I can admittedly be a bit contrary at times (okay, shut up), I am with you 100% on Baba O'Riley Brando. I may even be willing to go so far as to say it is IMO the greatest rock and roll song ever. And in the sprit of compromise, I will go on to say that London Calling is the greatest rock and roll album of all times. Essentially flawless.

Brando said...

"London Calling" is a good call. "Smels Like Teen Spirit" is pretty high on my list too.

But "Baba O'Riley" makes it because it manages to give me everthing I love about bombastic arena rock, but wraps it in such a unique, original package. Not only do I never get tired of hearing it, it's lost none of its emotional punch for me.

ZRM, that's quite a nice list. New P's are high on my list of bands I'd like to see, as is Built to Spill. Also, that new National album is so good.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

yeah, even after downloading Led Zep 4 and Boston last week, My primary tendencies are still toward punkish (I am watching the Joy Division bio right now) so the big arena stuff doesn't quite make it to the heights for me.

I redeemed myself by getting the new Paul Weller.

Mendacious D said...

My two cents:

Cat Empire (self-titled): Sly

And a personal favourite, which needs no introduction to Brando:

Post-Nothing (Japandroids): The Boys Are Leaving Town. It really needs to be seen live for the full effect.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

The Clash was huge for me in college (and ever since).

Never through out my Zeppelin, though.

Whole Lotta Love, Black Dog...we used to crank those babies on the senior lounge stereo. Good times!
~

Hamish Mack said...

Interesting the resonances between Bab O'Rielly and London Calling wiv the teenage wasteland and all that. Have to think a bit more about what is my fave tho.

Substance McGravitas said...

Jeez.

Blitzkrig Bop, Ramones
See No Evil, Television
Holidays in the Sun
Janie Jones
Bad Reputation, Joan Jett

And N-Sub Ulysses from which I must quote amusing lyrics:

I'm not talking about a Beatles song
Written 100 years before I was born
They're all talking about the round and round
But who's got the real anti-parent culture sound?

Snag said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
fish said...

If I'm going with Bowie, I have to go with Young Americans. The drums into the sax is just awesome.

fish said...

Just to prove awesomeness.

Snag said...

I'm glad to see that "Blogger is currently unavailable" means "As soon as we're back online, your comment will get reposted once for every time you hit the 'Return' button in rage."

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

Funny Snag is Funny.

Not sure whether I'm going to Edward Sharpe tonight. I haven't received a check from a client that is way overdue, It's raining, and I am depressed because I totaled Young Zombie's iBook Sunday, and my wife kept yelling at me for asking questions.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

Highway to Hell is a good one.

What about Drive, from Automatic for The People?

Maxwell Murder, ...And Out Come The Wolves.

Tell Balgeary, Balgury is Dead, by Ted Leo...

See No Evil, Marquee Moon.

Not my favorites, those are in my first comment, but contenders.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

This Post Has Been Deleted By The Man.

Brando said...

I don't know what was up with Blogger. I did delete the duplicate comments.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is another one, although it reminds me of Jack Black mocking John Cusack for that choice in High Fidelity.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

Great, so now my comments, and Snag's, make no sense.

Well, LESS sense.

That's a fish tactic. But I love fish, so good on you, Brando.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

OK, I feel myself being banned forever from IMS-hood for this, but what about More Than A Feeling?

or either of the first two Cars albums, Let's Go and/ or Good Times Roll.

Also, Someone's Looking At You, by the Boomtown Rats from Fine Art of Surfacing.

zombie rotten mcdonald said...

well, FACK me, but Edward Sharpe was last night.

Hamish Mack said...

Well I looked at my vinyl (yes that's what the kids are calling it) and decided thus:
Respectable Street- XTC
Let it Bleed - Rolling Stones
Thomas the Rhymer- Steeleye Span
Say Goodbye- Hunters and Collectors
Legendary Hearts- Lou Reed
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised- Gil Scott Heron compilation

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Slow Ride wasn't the first track, but album cover posted nonetheless.
~

fish said...

The revolution will not be brought to you by Xerox
In 4 parts without commercial interruptions.