4/19/14

It's been awhile since I thought out a playlist, but I felt particularly compelled to create this one. I present: TBS Slow Jams, a pretty excellent collection of Taking Back Sunday at their most delicate, or at least destroyed enough to the point of slowed tempos. This selection is complete with deluxe, anniversary and re-issue tracks that bring out the best in some old favorites. It is designed to break your heart. I am going to listen to this for hours.

"You always come close but this never comes easy
I still know everything."
~Great Romances of the 20th Century, Taking Back Sunday (Deluxe Version)

"This is all I ever asked from you
The only thing you couldn't do."
~This is All Now, Taking Back Sunday 

"I can’t say I blame you but I wish that I could
I’m sick of writing every song about you."
~Head Club, TAYF10 acoustic

"Something real, make it timeless,
An act of God and nothing less will be accepted.
Now if you're calling me out,
Then count me out."
~Divine Internvetion, Louder Now

"Hoping for the best just hoping nothing happens
A thousand clever lines unread on clever napkins."
~Cute Without the 'E' (Cut from the Team) acoustic, Tell all Your Friends Re-Issue

"Well cross my heart and hope to...
I'm lying just to keep you here
So reckless, so thoughtless
So careless, I could care less."
~...Slowdance on the Inside, Notes from the Past

"And I dare you to forget the marks you left across my neck
from those nights when we were both found at our best."
~Your Own Disaster 04, Notes from the Past

"We spoke all night in a language only we could know."
~It Takes More, Happiness Is

"And all I need to know
Is that I'm something you'll be missing.
Maybe I should hate you for this
Never really did ever quite get that far."

~You're So Last Summer, TAYF10 acoustic

"Well I don't know where you're going
but I know where you've been.
I've been tracing all your footsteps,
I've been counting all your sins."
~Call Me in the Morning, Taking Back Sunday

"And when that push comes to a shove
We've got a headfirst kind of love."
~All the Way, Happiness Is

"And I'm not so sure
if I'm sure of anything anymore."
~The Blue Channel, TAYF10 acoustic

"I wanna hate you so bad, but I can't,
I can't stop this anymore than you can."
~Bike Scene, TAYF10 acoustic

"Just ask the question come untie the knot
Say you won't care, say you won't care
Retrace the steps as if we forgot
Say you won't care, say you won't care
Try to avoid it but there's not a doubt
And there's one thing I can do nothing about"

~New American Classic, Where You Want To Be

"I get what I want until I want nothing at all
Until I want nothing at all."
~Nothing at all, Happiness Is

2/29/12

A few things about this NME list about the 50 best choruses:

*Oh my god, oh my god, could you BE any more British?
*Adele should not be on this list. That chorus ("Someone Like you") isn't that good.
*"Enter Sandman?" I'll take it.
*"Sex on Fire" chorus is not > than "Use Somebody" chorus melody-wise, it just has sex in the lyrics.
*"Pride(In the Name of Love)" could totally be higher.
*I understand lists need to take into account new things, in an attempt to shape what will still be cool or insert your knowledge & relevancy but really...Lana Del Rey at 11? That song isn't *that* good. I mean, maybe it's only because I've heard it once, when she sang (horribly) on SNL, but I've seen way more talent out of hick bar open mic nights. Even from people who weren't my friends.

But, beyond those gut reactions, I have to say I love the concept driving this list. Who doesn't love a great chorus? Sub-par verses (too wordy, too spoken or too bland) can easily be redeemed by a great chorus - in fact, some songs are only *worth* listening to because of the chorus - for example, Toto, earning a well-deserved #32 on this list. We all know that chorus - it's soo nice - but sing a verse? Could't if you gave me tequilia.

Also, a really solid built-up, with plenty of tension and bite, can be perfectly topped off with a line or two performed with enough power. For example, one of my favorites off the list(at 33):

"You can go your own way, go your own way
You can call it another lonely day
You can go your own way,
go your own way"
~Go Your Own Way
Fleetwood Mac, Rumours

Not too over-the-top, but it gets the point across. Doesn't it? The throw-away line at the end is trademark Lindsey Buckingham bitterness. I love.

Beyond those impressions, I have to say I love lists. Journalists do, you see, they are easy to compile, and readers love them because why read 25 two-sentence paragraphs instead of 50 kitschy one-liners?

Also, I will be tracking this playlist down on Spotify when I'm working tomorrow afternoon, and in need of a midday inspiration burst.

(My tags indicate I haven't mentioned Spotify on this blog yet, which is a bit of a shame because it makes at-home listening oh-so fun. All my songs, and all the other ones, too? It's pretty fantastic, and I'm really happy I joined. Should 2012 see me make more money, I'll maybe even subscribe.
Naw. I won't, actually.)