Today's song is...
Oprah
Do you think Oprah ever wakes in the middle of the night haunted by the ghostly voice of John Linnell calling her name behind a strong bass beat?
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 562
Today's song is...
Asheville
This was one of the venue songs I was most excited to hear in it's original venue because, while it is included on the DVD with a video, it was never included in the venue song shows the band performed. (I believe it is also the only venue song with a video but no studio recording of the song but I could be mistaken about that.) Thus it has only been performed at The Orange Peel. And it is among my favorite venue songs, largely because it is so much fun listening to the way Linnell pronounces "orange" but also because it is fun to sing along with. I think I can honestly say that The Orange Peel is one of my favorite venues. It is just a neat place, the sound is great, the stage is huge. And they have a ridiculously large ceiling fan made by a company called Big Ass Fans. We will not talk about the fact that I did not realize the line in the song was "French Broad River" and not "french frog river" until I passed a sign for said river heading into Asheville. Total head slapping moment.
Asheville
This was one of the venue songs I was most excited to hear in it's original venue because, while it is included on the DVD with a video, it was never included in the venue song shows the band performed. (I believe it is also the only venue song with a video but no studio recording of the song but I could be mistaken about that.) Thus it has only been performed at The Orange Peel. And it is among my favorite venue songs, largely because it is so much fun listening to the way Linnell pronounces "orange" but also because it is fun to sing along with. I think I can honestly say that The Orange Peel is one of my favorite venues. It is just a neat place, the sound is great, the stage is huge. And they have a ridiculously large ceiling fan made by a company called Big Ass Fans. We will not talk about the fact that I did not realize the line in the song was "French Broad River" and not "french frog river" until I passed a sign for said river heading into Asheville. Total head slapping moment.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 561
Today's song is...
Space Jam
I wish all of the regular little musical jams that get played on a tour had names like this one so we could document all the recurring ones. This one is fun. I'm sorry I missed it. That is some intense drum work.
Space Jam
I wish all of the regular little musical jams that get played on a tour had names like this one so we could document all the recurring ones. This one is fun. I'm sorry I missed it. That is some intense drum work.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 560
Today's song is...
Somnabulist Spy Improvisation
I think I had previously deemed this track unqualified for SOTD because it is technically part of another song I had already used. But since it is actually a track that exists outside of the song it is a spin off from (and as I have said, I am running out of songs) I decided to give it its day. I have a feeling, if I possessed a broader musical awareness, that I would recognize a few odes to other bands within this improv. There is something rather reminiscent of The Who. But mostly, to me, it just sounds like the boys having fun and if I close my eyes, I can nearly perfectly picture the track playing out live.
Somnabulist Spy Improvisation
I think I had previously deemed this track unqualified for SOTD because it is technically part of another song I had already used. But since it is actually a track that exists outside of the song it is a spin off from (and as I have said, I am running out of songs) I decided to give it its day. I have a feeling, if I possessed a broader musical awareness, that I would recognize a few odes to other bands within this improv. There is something rather reminiscent of The Who. But mostly, to me, it just sounds like the boys having fun and if I close my eyes, I can nearly perfectly picture the track playing out live.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 559
Today's song is...
To Serve Mankind
There are parts of this that remind me of days as a child playing around with the various pre-grogrammed settings on a electronic keyboard, particularly the vocal setting. I'm always kind of amazed at the kind of music you can create without using any actual instruments and still have it come out sounding like instruments were involved. This song seems to fit squarely into the category of "Flansburgh experiments with sonics" which is a wide and varied collection of songs and a pretty interesting collection at that. I'm all for it as it has provided us with some pretty fascinating music.
To Serve Mankind
There are parts of this that remind me of days as a child playing around with the various pre-grogrammed settings on a electronic keyboard, particularly the vocal setting. I'm always kind of amazed at the kind of music you can create without using any actual instruments and still have it come out sounding like instruments were involved. This song seems to fit squarely into the category of "Flansburgh experiments with sonics" which is a wide and varied collection of songs and a pretty interesting collection at that. I'm all for it as it has provided us with some pretty fascinating music.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 558
Today's song is...
Coffee Table Of Love
My recording of this song is so terrible it is nearly unlistenable. I don't know if there is a better recording out there somewhere but it is a shame if there isn't because it sounds like a sort of interesting track. Or at least what I can hear through what sounds like a wind storm.
Coffee Table Of Love
My recording of this song is so terrible it is nearly unlistenable. I don't know if there is a better recording out there somewhere but it is a shame if there isn't because it sounds like a sort of interesting track. Or at least what I can hear through what sounds like a wind storm.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 557
Today's song is...
Theme From Unlimited
This song has me thinking, not for the first time, what an incredible number of great instrumentals this band has produced. If I was more musically well-rounded I might be able to think of another band that has produced so many instrumentals along with their rock music but I am not familiar with one. But this has renewed my desire to make myself the instrumental mix CD I've been meaning to make forever.
Theme From Unlimited
This song has me thinking, not for the first time, what an incredible number of great instrumentals this band has produced. If I was more musically well-rounded I might be able to think of another band that has produced so many instrumentals along with their rock music but I am not familiar with one. But this has renewed my desire to make myself the instrumental mix CD I've been meaning to make forever.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 556
Today's song is...
Invisible
I don't have this recording so I don't really know what it is or if it should qualify for SOTD but I am running out of songs and running short on time today, so I am going with it. Hopefully at least someone has heard it and can go "Oh yeah, that!" fondly in their head.
Invisible
I don't have this recording so I don't really know what it is or if it should qualify for SOTD but I am running out of songs and running short on time today, so I am going with it. Hopefully at least someone has heard it and can go "Oh yeah, that!" fondly in their head.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 555
Today's song is...
Don't I Have The Right?
Flansburgh really has a knack for heartbreaking tear jerker songs sometimes. And boy this is one. He also has a knack for writing songs writing songs with a real retro feel, in this case very 60s style. And it sure does work here. The song is sad and beautiful. Excuse me, I need to go find a tissue.
Don't I Have The Right?
Flansburgh really has a knack for heartbreaking tear jerker songs sometimes. And boy this is one. He also has a knack for writing songs writing songs with a real retro feel, in this case very 60s style. And it sure does work here. The song is sad and beautiful. Excuse me, I need to go find a tissue.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 554
Today's song is...
Which Describes How You're Feeling
I am always a little surprised these days when I turn up songs I haven't used that are actually from one of the main studio albums. This is one of the songs I think of as sort of quintessentially TMBG. Non-sensical lyrics sung quickly and backed by a catch melody. It's not a song that ever really stood out for me among the rest. Rather it sits patiently among the rest of the excellent songs in the back catalog, waiting for me to discover it over and over and over when I happen to pop Apollo 18 into the CD player. I love that there are so many great songs like this that make up that catalog and always give me something good to listen to without feeling like I am listening to the same 40 songs over and over and over. P.S. The bass in this song is pretty cool.
Which Describes How You're Feeling
I am always a little surprised these days when I turn up songs I haven't used that are actually from one of the main studio albums. This is one of the songs I think of as sort of quintessentially TMBG. Non-sensical lyrics sung quickly and backed by a catch melody. It's not a song that ever really stood out for me among the rest. Rather it sits patiently among the rest of the excellent songs in the back catalog, waiting for me to discover it over and over and over when I happen to pop Apollo 18 into the CD player. I love that there are so many great songs like this that make up that catalog and always give me something good to listen to without feeling like I am listening to the same 40 songs over and over and over. P.S. The bass in this song is pretty cool.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 553
Today's song is...
People Died Today
Re-listening to this just now, the big burst of sound at the end totally startled me. Compared to the quiet xylophone sound of the rest of the song, it is explosion level loud. An intriguing little piece of music to say the least.
People Died Today
Re-listening to this just now, the big burst of sound at the end totally startled me. Compared to the quiet xylophone sound of the rest of the song, it is explosion level loud. An intriguing little piece of music to say the least.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 552
Today's song is...
One Car Motorcade
Can't really comment on this one as I've never heard it. It doesn't seem to be hidden in any of my rare and random track folders. Sigh. Oh well. Can't have everything.
One Car Motorcade
Can't really comment on this one as I've never heard it. It doesn't seem to be hidden in any of my rare and random track folders. Sigh. Oh well. Can't have everything.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 551
Today's song is...
Ram On
I have to admit, with a little bit of shame, that I have never heard the Paul McCartney original of this song (at least not to my knowledge). But I do enjoy this instrumental. It's funky and spacey and has some nice instrument work. Definitely much more TMBG than McCartney style. Just the way I like it :-)
Ram On
I have to admit, with a little bit of shame, that I have never heard the Paul McCartney original of this song (at least not to my knowledge). But I do enjoy this instrumental. It's funky and spacey and has some nice instrument work. Definitely much more TMBG than McCartney style. Just the way I like it :-)
Friday, May 18, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 550
Today's song is...
Hodgman Promo 3
The funniest of the three Hodgman promos, in my opinion. Because, lets face it, the masturbating out the window bit is pretty damn funny. Particularly in reference to Hodgman. I don't tend to enjoy crude humor but when delivered by people who usually do very smart humor, it is occasionally hilarious. And this is one of those cases.
Hodgman Promo 3
The funniest of the three Hodgman promos, in my opinion. Because, lets face it, the masturbating out the window bit is pretty damn funny. Particularly in reference to Hodgman. I don't tend to enjoy crude humor but when delivered by people who usually do very smart humor, it is occasionally hilarious. And this is one of those cases.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 549
Today's song is...
Severe Tire Damage Theme
This song screams theme song. I half expect a game show or a 1960s sitcom to start after listening to it. Love the horns. That is some very nice brass. Actually, come to think of it, there is something rather Muppet-like about this track. Like, old school Muppets. Not quite sure why my brain just made that connection, but yeah, that is what this makes me think of. Good stuff.
Severe Tire Damage Theme
This song screams theme song. I half expect a game show or a 1960s sitcom to start after listening to it. Love the horns. That is some very nice brass. Actually, come to think of it, there is something rather Muppet-like about this track. Like, old school Muppets. Not quite sure why my brain just made that connection, but yeah, that is what this makes me think of. Good stuff.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 548
Today's song is...
Marshie
It is highly debatable whether this should count as a SOTD track but I am getting much more lenient as I am running out of songs. This is a case of a song that was meant to work visually live and is about a character I am unfamiliar with from a website I have barely ever visited. In other words, I am really not sure what is going on. And it is still pretty entertaining despite that. But I bet it would have made a lot more sense if I had actually seen it.
Marshie
It is highly debatable whether this should count as a SOTD track but I am getting much more lenient as I am running out of songs. This is a case of a song that was meant to work visually live and is about a character I am unfamiliar with from a website I have barely ever visited. In other words, I am really not sure what is going on. And it is still pretty entertaining despite that. But I bet it would have made a lot more sense if I had actually seen it.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 547
Today's song is...
Unforgotten
I never realized, until just now, how sad this song is. Maybe its just that it strikes a chord with me now, that it didn't before. But at least today, this one is an emotional wringer. But set to a lovely arrangement. I love the way the strong bass chords and the guitar riff and the vibrating notes on the keyboard set off the vocals. I was startled to see that this song has actually been performed live. I would have liked to see that. Where is my time machine?
Unforgotten
I never realized, until just now, how sad this song is. Maybe its just that it strikes a chord with me now, that it didn't before. But at least today, this one is an emotional wringer. But set to a lovely arrangement. I love the way the strong bass chords and the guitar riff and the vibrating notes on the keyboard set off the vocals. I was startled to see that this song has actually been performed live. I would have liked to see that. Where is my time machine?
Monday, May 14, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 546
Today's song is...
Darlin' Allison
This seems like a song from another decade. It could totally pass for a song from the 50s or 60s at least lyrically. The arrangement is a little more modern. Is that some sort of marimba playing through the track? It's got a nice sound what ever it is, and the echoey quality of the mix really works for the song.
Darlin' Allison
This seems like a song from another decade. It could totally pass for a song from the 50s or 60s at least lyrically. The arrangement is a little more modern. Is that some sort of marimba playing through the track? It's got a nice sound what ever it is, and the echoey quality of the mix really works for the song.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 545
Today's song is...
Your Mom's Alright
Definitely not one of my favorite songs but it seemed appropriate for today. Can not say I am a big fan of either of the Doughty tracks though I prefer this one over the other. It's just a style of music I am not fond of. But the great thing about TMBG is if you don't like one song there is always another in a completely different style waiting for you in the next track.
Your Mom's Alright
Definitely not one of my favorite songs but it seemed appropriate for today. Can not say I am a big fan of either of the Doughty tracks though I prefer this one over the other. It's just a style of music I am not fond of. But the great thing about TMBG is if you don't like one song there is always another in a completely different style waiting for you in the next track.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 544
Today's song is...
European
This reminds me of something but I am not sure what it is. I feel like it is something related to a ride a Disney. I have no idea why I make that association. It is also quite odd to listen to the MITM tracks outside of the episode when you don't have any plot context for them.
European
This reminds me of something but I am not sure what it is. I feel like it is something related to a ride a Disney. I have no idea why I make that association. It is also quite odd to listen to the MITM tracks outside of the episode when you don't have any plot context for them.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 543
Today's song is...
Free To Be You And Me
This is a much more rocking' version of the song than I remember the original being. I think it's a definite improvement and good proof that kiddie music doesn't have to be always presented at folk song pace.
Free To Be You And Me
This is a much more rocking' version of the song than I remember the original being. I think it's a definite improvement and good proof that kiddie music doesn't have to be always presented at folk song pace.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 542
Today's song is...
Z Y X
It is thanks to this song that I will never have any trouble reciting the alphabet backwards if ever put on the spot while under the influence... as long as I'm aloud to sing it. I've always like the end of the song and how it builds to an overly dramatic finish. And the nice, simple piano arrangement and, what is that, a dulcimer? Whatever it is, it works. It's a lovely little melody.
Z Y X
It is thanks to this song that I will never have any trouble reciting the alphabet backwards if ever put on the spot while under the influence... as long as I'm aloud to sing it. I've always like the end of the song and how it builds to an overly dramatic finish. And the nice, simple piano arrangement and, what is that, a dulcimer? Whatever it is, it works. It's a lovely little melody.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 541
Today's song is...
Lesson 16
Yet another trip in the bizarre, brilliant psyche of John Linnell. The total deadpan nature of the delivery in this track is key to its humor. I wish there were more things like this in the world so I could constantly be discovering and being surprised by them, and giggling uncontrollably.
Lesson 16
Yet another trip in the bizarre, brilliant psyche of John Linnell. The total deadpan nature of the delivery in this track is key to its humor. I wish there were more things like this in the world so I could constantly be discovering and being surprised by them, and giggling uncontrollably.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 540
Today's song is...
San Francisco
You guys would not believe how many times I had to hit the random button on the wiki this time to find a song I hadn't used. I REALLY need to finish making my list of songs I haven't used yet.
In my opinion this is one of the more musically unique, but lyrically uninteresting venue songs. It's a bit of a cop out as venue songs go. But it is still fun and one I'd like to see in it's home venue someday, as it is one of the ones that has been most frequently revived in its original location.
San Francisco
You guys would not believe how many times I had to hit the random button on the wiki this time to find a song I hadn't used. I REALLY need to finish making my list of songs I haven't used yet.
In my opinion this is one of the more musically unique, but lyrically uninteresting venue songs. It's a bit of a cop out as venue songs go. But it is still fun and one I'd like to see in it's home venue someday, as it is one of the ones that has been most frequently revived in its original location.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 539
Today's song is...
The Big Big Whoredom
All bow to the remarkable guitar stylings of Mr. Linnell. Remarkably awful that is. An incredibly bland and endearing sort of awful. I rather like this song. It's pretty weird and (gasp!) quirky, but also kind of sweet. It kind of reminds me of young kids performing music they made themselves, except for the whore reference of course. I especially like that faint, struggling trumpet. Keep at it kids!
The Big Big Whoredom
All bow to the remarkable guitar stylings of Mr. Linnell. Remarkably awful that is. An incredibly bland and endearing sort of awful. I rather like this song. It's pretty weird and (gasp!) quirky, but also kind of sweet. It kind of reminds me of young kids performing music they made themselves, except for the whore reference of course. I especially like that faint, struggling trumpet. Keep at it kids!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 538
Today's song is...
Doris Cunningham
Am I the only one who pictures Tinkerbell as the twinkly sounding being in this song? Yes? Ok. Thought so. Anyway, it's cute.
Doris Cunningham
Am I the only one who pictures Tinkerbell as the twinkly sounding being in this song? Yes? Ok. Thought so. Anyway, it's cute.
Happy Birthday Flansy!!
To celebrate the birth of our favorite guitar wielding frontman, please enjoy these photos of the man himself.
Rock on, Flansy. Rock hard.
Rock on, Flansy. Rock hard.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 537
Today's song is...
G-L-O-kenspiel
The only reason I know how to spell glockenspiel consistently is from looking at the name of this song. I wish I had a glockenspiel with it's own theme song. For that matter, I wish I had seen this one. But I have settled for service bells, which, though not the same, are cool in their own way.
G-L-O-kenspiel
The only reason I know how to spell glockenspiel consistently is from looking at the name of this song. I wish I had a glockenspiel with it's own theme song. For that matter, I wish I had seen this one. But I have settled for service bells, which, though not the same, are cool in their own way.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 536
Today's song is...
Hodgman Promo 2
Snicker, snicker, snicker. Nothing about this isn't funny. The end.
Hodgman Promo 2
Snicker, snicker, snicker. Nothing about this isn't funny. The end.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 535
Today's song is...
(She Was A) Hotel Detective In The Future Commentary
I LOVE this. This makes me laugh out loud because it is so random. So very random. Celery. Cornstarch. "It's the part of the song where they've used up all the other ideas." Things like this make me want to spend a day vacationing in Linnell's brain.
(She Was A) Hotel Detective In The Future Commentary
I LOVE this. This makes me laugh out loud because it is so random. So very random. Celery. Cornstarch. "It's the part of the song where they've used up all the other ideas." Things like this make me want to spend a day vacationing in Linnell's brain.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 534
Today's song is...
Through Being Cool
I have seen Sky High but I am sorry to say, I forgot this song was in it and forgot to listen for it. Bad fan. I like this cover but I am not crazy about Linnell's vocals. I do appreciate some of the acoustic guitar work though. I've never really listened to Devo so I can't say how I like it as a cover. but as a TMBG song, I'll give it a solid "okay".
Through Being Cool
I have seen Sky High but I am sorry to say, I forgot this song was in it and forgot to listen for it. Bad fan. I like this cover but I am not crazy about Linnell's vocals. I do appreciate some of the acoustic guitar work though. I've never really listened to Devo so I can't say how I like it as a cover. but as a TMBG song, I'll give it a solid "okay".
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Song of the Day - Day 533
Today's song is...
Here in Higglytown
Higglytown seems like a wonderful, silly place to live, with such helpful neighbors. Except for the whole problem of no one having any legs. That must be a major drag having to hop everywhere you go. But hey, talking squirrels, right?!
Here in Higglytown
Higglytown seems like a wonderful, silly place to live, with such helpful neighbors. Except for the whole problem of no one having any legs. That must be a major drag having to hop everywhere you go. But hey, talking squirrels, right?!
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