Halloween 2015 Playlist

Happy Halloween, ghouls, goblins, and all you ordinary people dressing up.  Here's a playlist to keep the frights going.        

The 111 Best Songs By New Order

In these lists, the order is always arbitrary.  If I were to publish this list every day...every day there'd be a new order.  And I'd look back at the old order and wonder what the heck was I thinking.  The old order is nowhere as good as the new order.  But I'm not going to do that.  I'm going with one order, it's not a new order, it's not an old order, it's the only order.  But if you don't like my order and prefer a new order then just hit random and you can have your New Order in any order you want. Here are the 111 Best New Order Songs:

1. Bizarre Love Triangle (Brotherhood)
2. Regret (Republic)
3. Sub-Culture (Low-Life)
4. True Faith (Substance)
5. Broken Promise (Brotherhood)
6. Love Vigilantes (Low-Life)
7. The Perfect Kiss (Low-Life)
8. Round & Round (Technique)
9. Shellshock (Pretty In Pink)
10. All The Way (Technique)
11. World (Republic)
12. Here To Stay (24 Hour Party People)
13. 1963 (Substance)
14. State of the Nation (Substance)
15. Sooner Than You Think (Low-Life)
16. Mr. Disco (Technique)
17. World in Motion (World In Motion)
18. Dream Attack (Technique)
19. Thieves Like Us (Substance)
20. I'll Stay With You (Lost Sirens)
21. Sunrise (Low-Life)
22. Vanishing Point (Technique)
23. Paradise (Brotherhood)
24. This Time of Night (Low-Life)
25. Touched By The Hand of God (Salvation Soundtrack)
26. Age of Consent (Power, Corruption, & Lies)
27. Waiting For The Siren's Call (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
28. Blue Monday (Power, Corruption & Lies)
29. Crystal (Get Ready)
30. Temptation (1981-1982)
31. Face Up (Low-Life)
32. Confusion (Substance)
33. Dreams Never End (Movement)
34. Way of Life (Brotherhood)
35. Close Range (Get Ready)
36. Weirdo (Brotherhood)
37. Ceremony (Substance)
38. Elegia (Low-Life)
39. Hey Now What You Doing (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
40. Primitive Notion (Get Ready)
41. Guilty Partner (Technique)
42. Dracula's Castle (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
43. Liar (Republic)
44. Turn (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
45. Love Less (Technique)
46. Special (Republic)
47. Turn My Way (Get Ready)
48. Krafty (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
49. Guilt Is A Useless Emotion (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
50. Sugarcane (Lost Sirens)
51. Who's Joe? (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
52. Times Change (Republic)
53. Vicious Streak (Get Ready)
54. All Day Long (Brotherhood)
55. Angel Dust (Brotherhood)
56. Spooky (Republic)
57. Procession (1981-1982)
58. Run (Technique)
59. Such A Good Thing (World In Motion)
60. Everything's Gone Green (1981-1982)
61. Ruined in A Day (Republic)
62. The Village (Power, Corruption, & Lies)
63. Best & Marsh (Technique Collector's Edition)
64. Cries and Whispers (Power, Corruption & Lies Collector's Edition)
65. Brutal (The Beach)
66. 60 Miles An Hour (Get Ready)
67. Jetstream (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
68. Let's Go (Best of New Order)
69. Someone Like You (Get Ready)
70. Fine Time (Technique)
71. Hellbent (Lost Sirens)
72. Morning Night And Day (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
73. Leave Me Alone (Power, Corruption & Lies)
74. As It Is When It Was (Brotherhood)
75. Your Silent Face (Power, Corruption & Lies)
76. Young Offender (Republic)
77. Denial (Movement)
78. Ecstasy (Power, Corruption & Lies)
79. Chosen Time (Movement)
80. California Grass (Lost Sirens)
81. Truth (Movement)
82. We All Stand (Power, Corruption, & Lies)
83. Recoil (Lost Sirens)
84. Don't Do It (Technique Collector's Edition)
85. I've Got A Feeling (Lost Sirens)
86. The Him (Movement)
87. Sabotage (Get Ready B-Side)
88. Sister Ray (BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert)
89. Lonesome Tonight (Substance)
90. Mesh (1981-1982)
91. I Told You So (Waiting For The Siren's Call)
92. Everyone Everywhere (Republic)
93. Doubts Even Here (Movement)
94. Behind Closed Doors (Get Ready B-Side)
95. Chemical (Republic)
96. In A Lonely Place (Substance)
97. Ultraviolence (Power, Corruption & Lies)
98. Slow Jam (Get Ready)
99. Every Little Counts (Brotherhood)
100. Hurt (1981-1982)
101. Shake It Up (Lost Sirens)
102. ICB (Movement)
103. Too Late (Peel Sessions)
104. Video 5-8-6 (Single)
105. Rock The Shack (Get Ready)
106. Senses (Movement)
107. MTO (Run 2 B-Side)
108. Turn The Heater On (Peel Sessions)
109. Murder (Substance)
110. Vietnam (War Child)
111. Salvation Theme (Salvation Soundtrack)

    Buy New Order's new album, Music Complete...now!!!    

The Best Playlist for September 2015

  September has always had that schizophrenic nature of being placed in the middle of the year, yet it's the month that represents the beginning of many new things in our culture.  September is the month that a new school year begins, it's the month when TV shows begin their new season and new TV shows debut, and it's the beginning of the award season for Golden Globes, Oscars and Grammys. It's also the time of the year when record labels begin releasing their biggest albums of the year, gearing up for the holiday season.  There are more new album releases in the first two weeks of September than in July and August combined.  (I just made that up but it sounds accurate.)  To kick off this new start as we head into the end of the year, I've concocted a playlist for such a time.  I've chosen a wide variety of music from old artists, new artists, rock to hip-hop to dance and everything in between.  Some of these are new songs to debut this month, others are from albums that will be released in the coming weeks.  Sit back, enjoy, while watching the new NFL season. The Best September 2015 Playlist This Month:

1. The Arcs - Outta Of My Mind
2. New Order - Restless
3. Neon Indian - Annie
4. Disclosure - Willing & Able
5. The Weeknd - In The Night
6. Small Black - No One Wants It To Happen To You
7. Big Grams - Fell In The Sun
8. The Libertines - Gunga Din
9. The Dead Weather - I Feel Love
10. Silversun Pickups - Nightlight
11. Chris Cornell - Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart
12. Metric - The Shade
13. Empress Of - How Do You Do It
14. Baio - The Names
15. CHVRCHES - Leave A Trace
16. Mac Miller - 100 Grandkids
17. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Downtown
18. Craig Finn - Maggie I've Been Searching For Our Son
19. HONNE - No Place Like Home
20. Lana Del Rey - High By The Beach
21. Glen Hansard - Lonely Deserter

     

Led Zeppelin - End Credits

Led Zeppelin made albums.  Like others of their generation, Led Zeppelin didn't make music to be radio stars.  They didn't make music to be featured in commercials, movies, or TV shows.  They didn't make music for any other reason but to make great music.  Their albums were islands.  Moments in time.  A place to journey to.  A sonic landscape to escape to.  Back then, it was about quality not quantity.  There are very few songs that slipped out from in between the cracks.  In fact, prior to the Led Zeppelin box set of 1990, the band only officially released one extra song as a B-side (Hey, Hey What Can I Do). This week sees the final release of the Led Zeppelin remasters series.  Though most of the bonus tracks were alternate versions and demos, some better than others (actually, few better than others), there was a handful more unreleased tracks in the overall series. Led Zeppelin bonus tracks are a rarity.  They may exist in small doses but only to draw attention to their larger contributions.  They exist like bonus scenes at the end of a Marvel movie.  The end credit scenes.  Over the course of the remasters and box sets, enough bonus material has come out to form one additional album...an "end credits" album. With the releases of Led Zeppelin coming to a close, here is the final culmination of their remaining music, compiled in one album, aptly called "End Credits."          

The 11 Best Grateful Dead Songs Not Played on the Fare Thee Well Tour

Last weekend, I went to my first Grateful Dead concert in Santa Clara as part of the Fare Thee Well mini-tour.  I have never been a Deadhead.  I have liked the dead, listened to them on many occasions, and I even own a few CDs and a couple of vinyl bootlegs.  If this was any other band, I'd be considered a fan.  When it comes to the Dead, I'm an outsider.  I appreciated the Dead musically but I was always a bigger fan of their studio material than their live jams. American Beauty has been spun on my system as much as any of my favorite albums (I own over 10,000 albums to give you some perspective).  As a first timer at a Dead show...this is my impression:  now, I get it.  I was blown away.  This is easily one of the ten best concert going experiences of my life and I've seen hundreds of shows.  The musicianship was excellent, even with the few missteps (which should be expected) their craft was better than 99% of the musicians playing music today.  Vocally, they were functional...but let's be honest, the Dead were never great singers.  They were unique in the vein of Dylan.  I always thought they sounded like old men singing...now they live the part.  I hate Phish, but thought Trey was a perfect guest to fill Jerry's shoes for this celebration. The show was stunning and will be a great memory to my musical life.  I wasn't a Deadhead before the show, I am now.  Now I'm off to catch up with 50 years of concerts, albums, and side projects. I'm shocked by the reactions of some people about the 2015 shows and the abilities of the band.  Some say it's a cash grab, which is a petty argument.  Aren't all concerts cash grabs?  People say the show wasn't the same as in the old days.  Of course not, these guys are in their 70s, get some perspective. After listening and watching old shows on Youtube...I'll be honest...they still sound exceptional.  Are the 70s shows better?  Yes.  The 80s shows?  Sometimes.  The 90s shows?  eh.  The biggest difference isn't the band...it's the crowd.  The Dead culture was as big as the band.  That culture no longer exists...which is the bigger aspect of what was missing.  The music was sharp as ever.  As a concert experience, it was still mind-bending. This list is meant to be fun.  It's not a list of what should have been played. Not at all.  It's a list of some of their stronger songs that didn't make the tour.  I made a list of live versions of all these songs, so you can enjoy them. Here Are the 11 Best Grateful Dead Songs Not Played During Fare Thee Well: 

1. Good Lovin' (Shakedown Street)
2. Sugaree (Garcia)
3. Mexicali Blues (Ace) 
4. Ramble On Rose (Europe 72)
5. Peggy-O (Go To Heaven)
6. Ship of Fools (From The Mars Hotel)
7. Mama Tried (Grateful Dead)
8. Looks Like Rain (Ace)
9. The Promised Land (Steal Your Face)
10. Dire Wolf  (Workingman's Dead) 
11. Dupree's Diamond Blues (Aoxomoxoa)

       

The 11 Best Albums of 2015 (so far)

It's too early in the year to really get a chance to digest which are the best albums, so right now it's more about which albums I find myself listening to on repeat. Here are the 11 Best albums of 2015 (so far):

1. Jamie XX - In Colour
2. Sleater-Kinney - No Cities To Love
3. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
4. Hot Chip - Why Make Sense?
5. Natalie Prass - Natalie Prass
6. Title Fight - Hyperview
7. American Wrestlers - American Wrestlers
8. Faith No More - Sol Invictus
9. Susanne Sundfor - Ten Love Songs
10. Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$
11. Modest Mouse - Stranger To Ourselves

     

The 11 Best Songs By The xx

This summer Jamie xx will have us up raving all night with his new album.  It's already easily one of the best albums of the year but there is still something missing.  I don't know if it's the appearance of his xx band mates on a few random songs that makes wish this was a full xx album...or if it's the appearance of his xx band mates who make me wish this was a full Jamie xx album.  When something leaves us wanting more, it's only because it's great.  We don't wish for excess of mediocrity. Here are the 11 Best Songs By The xx:

1. Shelter (The xx)
2. Islands (The xx)
3. Intro (The xx)
4. Chained (Co-Exist)
5. Sunset (Co-Exist)
6. VCR (The xx)
7. Crystalised (The xx)
8. Reunion (Co-Exist)
9. Night Time (The xx)
10. Heart Skipped A Beat (The xx)
11. Hot Like Fire (The xx)

Buy Jamie xx's new album, In Colour now!!!    

The 11 Best Songs By Imperial Teen

It's Faith No More week but that doesn't mean the Mike Patton gets all the guts and glory.  Let me tell you...he wants them, too; but it's more about the guts than the glory.  Keyboardist Roddy Bottum may have the second best post-FNM career to Patton; it is just a lot less known since Patton has 50 side projects and is everywhere.  Roddy's band Imperial Teen has had a decent life of its own and they deserve their own list. 

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Imperial Teen (listen here):

1. Out From Inside (Feel The Sound)
2. Alone In The Grass (What Is Not To Love)
3. Over His Head  (Feel The Sound)
4. Don't Know How You Do It (Feel The Sound)
5. Year of the Tan (What Is Not To Love)
6. Shim Sham (The Hair The RV The Baby and The Band)
7. All The Same (Feel The Sound)
8. Undone (On)
9. Balloon (Imperial Teen)
10. My Spy (On)
11. 21st Century (The Hair The RV The Baby and The Band)

 Buy Faith No More's new album, Sol Invictus...now!!!

The 11 Best Live Music Performances on the David Letterman Show

Thank you, Dave. Here are the 11 Best Musical Performances on the David Letterman Show: 1.  Bruce Springsteen - Glory Days 2.  Future Islands - Seasons 3.  Foo Fighters - Everlong 4.  R.E.M. - So Central Rain 5. Beastie Boys - Ch-Ch-Check It Out 6.  Warren Zevon - Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner 7.  Eminem & Jay-Z - Renegade 8.  The Orwells - Who Needs You 9.  The Vines - Get Free 10.  James Brown - Sex Machine (July 12, 1982) 11.  Eddie Vedder - Black      

The 11 Best Songs By Mr. Bungle

When Mike Patton joined Faith No More, he was wilder and crazier than any other frontman at the time.  He made Axl Rose look like a librarian. Patton was so wild and crazy...that one band could not contain him.  He kept it together for his stint in Faith No More...which by Mike Patton standards was keeping it together.  He unleashed his insanity in his side project known as Mr. Bungle.  Get ready for one wacky playlist.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Mr. Bungle (listen here):

1. Carousel (Mr. Bungle)
2. Slowly Growing Deaf (Mr. Bungle)
3. Retrovertigo (California)
4. Vanity Fair (California)
5. Squeeze Me Macaroni (Mr. Bungle)
6. Pink Cigarette (California)
7. The Girls of Porn (Mr. Bungle)
8. Quote Unquote (Mr. Bungle)
9. Phlegmatics (Disco Volante)
10. My Ass Is On Fire (Mr. Bungle)
11. Chemical Marriage (Disco Volante)

Buy Faith No More's new album, Sol Invictus...now!