Staff Blog
10-Track Mind: Sort of like a cross between T-Boz and a prepubescent Bobby Brown
Every week, we have a staffer, freelancer or friend/enemy/frienemy of The Clog put their iTunes or iPod on shuffle and tell us about the first 10 songs that come up. The only rules: No skipping, no cheating and you don’t need to be all music critic-y about it. (If you’d like to submit a 10-Track Mind of your own, contact Drew Lazor at drew.lazor[at]citypaper[dot]net.) This week, Andrew Zitelli of Von Hayes writes a love letter to new jack swing, among other things. The band dropped their debut, Evident Eyelid, last month, and are releasing an EP, Quartered Lots for the Umbrella Soldier, on State Capital Records later this year.
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1. The Time – "Jerk Out" (Pandemonium)
The Time sound a lot like early Prince (who wrote this song) albeit a slightly regressive, everyman version of The Purple One. Amongst the numerous hits in the Paisley Park catalog, I'd rank this somewhere in the middle third, which is definitely saying something.
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2. The Cows – "Allergic to Myself" (Orphan’s Tragedy)
Catchy riff, clever lyrics, slick mid-'90s pop-grunge production, loads of quirky fun — why wasn't this a big hit? The Cows were sort of like the grunge Devo in that they subverted their genre just enough to stay fresh and stand out from the pack, but maybe a bit too much to truly catch on with the buying public. The crazy bendy slidey notes at around 1:40 border on self-parody, but that's The Cows. One of the great, un-heard alternative rock songs.
3. Miaow - "Sport Most Royal" (C86 compilation)
This is honestly the first time I've knowingly listened to this song. Sort of a twee-ish new wave "rave up" with husky female vocals. Not doing much for me.
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4. SWV - "I'm So Into You" (It’s About Time)
Quintessential new-jack swing from a forgotten girl group. I've always loved this song. The singer's voice sounds so eerily androgynous, sort of like a cross between T-Boz and a prepubescent Bobby Brown. I think I would take SWV in a cage match between TLC and New Edition.
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5. Echo and the Bunnymen - "The Killing Moon" (Ocean Rain)
I guess this song is good, but I've never really understood the appeal of Echo. Maybe it's because, in the past five years, we've heard this version of new wavey brit-rock over and over again from dozens of new bands. My friend Dan has boasted proudly that he only owns the Pavement cover version.
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6. The Beatles – "I'm So Tired" (The White Album)
While it certainly stands on its own next to other random tracks, hearing this out of the familiar context of THE WHITE ALBUM — a straight-forward John rocker in between two whimsical Paul poppers — is a little strange. Makes you realize how strong those later Beatles albums are taken as wholes. Second best song I’ve heard today (next to SWV).
7. Circus Devils – "In Your Office" (Sgt. Disco)
Here's an example of a song that doesn't work too well on its own in a random playlist, but isn't bad as part of the full album (the great Bob Pollard/Todd Tobias collab from last year). A neat throwaway track.
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8. The Drive-by Truckers – "Dead, Drunk and Naked" (Southern Rock Opera)
Solid Southern boogie rock from a great album. I don't listen to these guys a lot, but when they come on I'm always impressed. I think they write consistently good-to-great melodies and are excellent singers.
9. Pink Floyd - "The Gnome" (Piper at the Gates of Dawn)
Big change of pace from the last one. Tuneful prog/psych/folk from the sick mind of Syd Barrett, a big influence of mine. Also, the inspiration for the 90's post-rockers Grimble Gromble's name. I suppose I should also say R.I.P. Rick Wright.
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10. Kool G Rap – "It's a Demo" (Road to the Riches)
Whoa, I haven't heard this in years. I think I'm going to put this album on and call it a day.
yeaa nice cloq mr. Zitelli
thanks for showinq me this !
& it’s so cool how your online !
ok bye