One song, no specific category – just to get the ball rolling.
Week 1 – Vol 0.1 [Release Date: Friday, 3/2/18]
“Knockando” by Michael Hurley
Submitted by Bill
I came across the Hurley track some 15 years ago, after attending his gig in Pittsburgh (he lived in PA somewheres at the time). He’s an old weird folkie from the 60s and had put out a lot of music but never had any commercial success. This is a mysterious song I like for many reasons. It is about drinking. (I assumed “no-can-do” as he pronounces it was a made-up name, but i just learned — “just” as in two weeks ago — that it’s actually a venerable Scotch.) I imagine the song is about sitting around a campfire (the “red” and “blue” of the flames) as the heart of the wood crackles (can you hear it?) and and one ruminates on the folly of mankind, examples of which perhaps took place on this very spot, the “dark and bloody ground.” A lovely, sad, contemplative tune with an unassuming little guitar hook, and I think of it often.
“Feel it still” by Portugal. The Man
Submitted by Alan
My initial salvo.
I would describe it as infectious. It was one of those songs, for me, that I loved from the first time I heard it and couldn’t wait to hear it again. Yes, it has been played a crapton, though every time me or my family hear the opening bars, we break into virtual dance (i.e. not break dance). You may notice the samples from 60’s tunes and the homage to “Please Mr. Postman” in the melody line.
Week 2 – Vol 0.2 [Release Date: Friday, 3/9/18]
“Second Sleep” by The New Pornographers
Submitted by Sir David
Reasoning: It is NOT one of the best songs on the album. An album (Whiteout Condition[s]) which is high on my favorites list of late. However, the fugue like harmony’s they are singing have burned themselves into my skull recently as, to use a technical term; “awesome dude”. I would love to emulate in one of my song creations and I just may try. They are not perfect harmonies…there is a dissonance or off keyness to them that I have grown to love or at least that have grown on me like a fungus
“Bright Eyes, Black Soul” by The Lovers Key
Submitted by Tony
More tambourine…and cowbell
Album is like a soul revue. Check it out. Won’t disappoint. They’re an offshoot of Miami’s The Postmarks. Visuals…..I see old rekkid player, 45 drops onto turntable, needle hits the groove. Maybe the old yellow Atco records label. A little warp as the giant gray tonearm rides the grooves. Clocks in at a tidy 3:00 ish.
Or, local TV music show. Kids are bored and done being polite. The folkies replaced the war with the flowers in their hair. Kick them shoes off, let the shirttails out. It’s urban strife time. Here’s the steamy “black music” group from 4th and Hardscrabble, tryna make mama proud and firing up the kids let loose.
Tambourine guy gets A++, keyboard guy a diamond-studded initials sweat rag. Drippy.
Week 3 – Vol 0.3 [Release Date: Friday, 3/16/18]
“Straight to you” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Submitted by Ian
Because Nick Cave is God. His music is like having 4 seasons in one week, oh wait, that’s Pennsylvania.
“When I Write the Book” by Rockpile
Submitted by Ed
I found myself dancing in my kitchen when this came on in my Pandora mix. It is the song that finally prompted me to start up the MyFive Song Edition.
Week 4 – Vol 0.4 [Release Date: Friday, 3/23/18]
“Something’s Always Wrong” by Toad the Wet Sprocket
Submitted by Frank
this is a song that I learned for a band that I was playing in and it
stuck in my head and ended up on a “guilty pleasures” playlist on my
iPod – it’s the only song I know by this group – I really like the
overall sound quality and melody, and the false ending is pretty cool!
“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” by Sly and the Family Stone
Submitted by Paul
Game changer. Influencer Sylvester Stewart set the pace for others to catch.
Week 5 – Vol 0.5 [Release Date: Friday, 3/30/18]
Sting – They Dance Alone (Gueca Solo)
Submitted by Jim
[Ask Jim for reasoning :)]
Jeff Wayne – Horsell Common And The Heat Ray
Submitted by Justin
It’s tough to be obscure in such obscure company. So I’ll go with the number 40 all time album in Britain.
My 9 year old son introduced this to me a few weeks ago. An album that predates my birth.
It’s a symphonic prog rock concept album collaboration with Justin Hayward of the moody blues
I greatly enjoyed the waaaah waaah waaaah fuzzy guitar work, the shredding, the little hints of funk, that plucky mandolin sound. It’s a great use of music as sound effects and story telling
Now that’s what I am talking about