“Something’s Always Wrong” by Toad the Wet Sprocket
“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” by Sly and the Family Stone
15 thoughts on “Volume 0.4”
Toad the Wet Sprocket – Something’s Always Wrong
I remember seeing Toad the Wet Sprocket open for someone at the Chestnut Cabaret and being impressed by the bass player who also played clarinet during their set. (Someone else plays both, but the “licorice stick” has yet to appear at a Get-Up performance, at least not openly). It could have been this 1990 show with Michael Penn, http://www.setlist.fm/toad-the-wet-sprocket/1990/chestnut-cabaret-philadelphia-pa, but I only remember seeing him at The Mann Music Center. (Did he open for Elvis on the Spike tour Bill?) But I digress.
I have their 1st record, Bread & Circus, on vinyl and it is a good one. I think I inherited their Pale CD from Al, but it is one I have not spun in quite a while. Some of their hits went into the “nice” area for me, but perhaps a little bland?
Pandora plays this particular track in my mix a fair amount, but this is a good chance for me to focus on it and see if it can move out of fine/good/okay for me. The production is great with the prominent, ringing guitar sounding quite lush. I can feel the melancholy here. While everything is in place, I get tired of it (almost 5 minutes). I would file it with Gin Blossoms (especially Jealousy) and Del Amitri, but not standing with the catchiest tracks of either.
Sly and the Family Stone – Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin
A song that makes me want to hear it on the best sound system I can.
Mostly to appreciate the “popping”/plucking of the bass (although I’m not sure if there are two bass tracks or if the “regular” electric is doing the popping), but also the richness of the brass. I think it would be a good test for any set-up.
My first listen, for this particular exercise was on an okay soundbar and it may as well have been on a transistor radio, but it still made me wanna get up and dance.
Wonderful layers, perfectly punctuated with a quick, chattering guitar and also some spacier wah-wah (not sure that wah-wah is the effect used).
I also like that other songs from their catalog are referenced in the lyrics (“Dance to the Music”, “Everyday People”).
I need to continue my journey into their catalogue (hmmm, maybe a “deep cut” to be found). The only record I have of theirs is their debut album, A Whole New Thing – it’s pretty great.
Put this track next to “Funk” in the dictionary. Thank you Sly.
Side note: When I think of Sly & the Family Stone, “Dance to the Music” is the song that pops into my head. I think it’s from using it with great results in my wedding DJ days (much better than “ Breaking Us In Two” – right Al?)
Not to pile on Toad, but I spun Fear (that’s the one I have, not Pale) and there are moments of energy and distinctiveness, but, on the whole, it just didn’t grab me. Has two hits “Walk On the Ocean” & “All I Want.” Meh. Next I’ll revisit Bread & Circus. I know this is cause for general, excited anticipation.
Toad: Refreshing, have not listened to them in a long time.
Sly: I really don’t like this song, again because it was severely overplayed. On a plus side, every time I hear it, I think of Pee-Wee Herman and his first original comedy show. They did a song and threw some of this into play
Never been a fan of Toad. Right or wrong i throw them in a bucket with other 90’s stuff like REM. You play well, you sing well, but just not doing it for me. Sorry, first song of this bunch that I wasn’t feeling it for.
Sly: Must say, Thank You(ferfunking up Mice Aftanoon)
Great song. I’ve always been a big fan of funk. Is this recording always this flat or or this a result of the youtube?
I think you need to explore REM’s catalog a bit more. It is a good deal more diverse than the TtWS stuff.
I agree that this particular clip of the Sly track is lacking depth. I’m thinking it’s the compression, but I need to find a quality version with which to compare.
Something’s Always Wrong: Reflective, great mix, strong harmonies, and nice little sweetener acoustic and electric fills in all the right places. A shade “vanilla” but song’s overall strengths out-way and “color in” the vanilla nicely. Thumbs up.
Sly and the Family Stone: Great Song. Funky/catchy groove that grabs hold like a bull dog and won’t let go. In fact, The song probably needs something to break that rhythm up a bit more in the middle or , alternatively, end a tadpole earlier. Now..let me get back to “air-guitaring” I mean “air-bassing” that funky goodness.
Toad the Wet Sprocket, “Something’s …”: a very 90s band in my mind. pleasant and agreeable tune, but kinda generic. reminds me of Gin Blossoms in that way, and the contemporaneous forays of Soul Asylum (which were among that band’s most popular stuff, but much less compelling for me than its earlier material).
Sly et al, “Thank You …”: I believe I was turned onto this song via Greil Marcus’ great book “Mystery Train.” i remember him emphasizing the weird ambivalent hesitancy built into the lyrics (“I begin to stop”), which creates a powerful tension with the booty-shaking groove. also at odds with the band’s often sunny flower power people. in this way the group’s call out of its own hits takes on a dark, wary cast. and the title speaks of some kind of trauma outlived for which the singer expresses a gratitude that one can suspect is somewhat sardonic, punctuated by that curtly popping bass. Great track.
also should not neglect to note re: the shadowy subject matter of “thank you” that the singer begins the song WRESTLING THE DEVIL, if that gives you any idea
Toad the Wet Sprocket – Something’s Always Wrong
I remember seeing Toad the Wet Sprocket open for someone at the Chestnut Cabaret and being impressed by the bass player who also played clarinet during their set. (Someone else plays both, but the “licorice stick” has yet to appear at a Get-Up performance, at least not openly). It could have been this 1990 show with Michael Penn, http://www.setlist.fm/toad-the-wet-sprocket/1990/chestnut-cabaret-philadelphia-pa, but I only remember seeing him at The Mann Music Center. (Did he open for Elvis on the Spike tour Bill?) But I digress.
I have their 1st record, Bread & Circus, on vinyl and it is a good one. I think I inherited their Pale CD from Al, but it is one I have not spun in quite a while. Some of their hits went into the “nice” area for me, but perhaps a little bland?
Pandora plays this particular track in my mix a fair amount, but this is a good chance for me to focus on it and see if it can move out of fine/good/okay for me. The production is great with the prominent, ringing guitar sounding quite lush. I can feel the melancholy here. While everything is in place, I get tired of it (almost 5 minutes). I would file it with Gin Blossoms (especially Jealousy) and Del Amitri, but not standing with the catchiest tracks of either.
Sly and the Family Stone – Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin
A song that makes me want to hear it on the best sound system I can.
Mostly to appreciate the “popping”/plucking of the bass (although I’m not sure if there are two bass tracks or if the “regular” electric is doing the popping), but also the richness of the brass. I think it would be a good test for any set-up.
My first listen, for this particular exercise was on an okay soundbar and it may as well have been on a transistor radio, but it still made me wanna get up and dance.
Wonderful layers, perfectly punctuated with a quick, chattering guitar and also some spacier wah-wah (not sure that wah-wah is the effect used).
I also like that other songs from their catalog are referenced in the lyrics (“Dance to the Music”, “Everyday People”).
I need to continue my journey into their catalogue (hmmm, maybe a “deep cut” to be found). The only record I have of theirs is their debut album, A Whole New Thing – it’s pretty great.
Put this track next to “Funk” in the dictionary. Thank you Sly.
Side note: When I think of Sly & the Family Stone, “Dance to the Music” is the song that pops into my head. I think it’s from using it with great results in my wedding DJ days (much better than “ Breaking Us In Two” – right Al?)
On headphones, with the better clip, I think it is two bass parts.
Not to pile on Toad, but I spun Fear (that’s the one I have, not Pale) and there are moments of energy and distinctiveness, but, on the whole, it just didn’t grab me. Has two hits “Walk On the Ocean” & “All I Want.” Meh. Next I’ll revisit Bread & Circus. I know this is cause for general, excited anticipation.
Toad: Refreshing, have not listened to them in a long time.
Sly: I really don’t like this song, again because it was severely overplayed. On a plus side, every time I hear it, I think of Pee-Wee Herman and his first original comedy show. They did a song and threw some of this into play
Toad the West Sprocket:
Never really listened to Toad the Wet Spocket. This track is solid, not spectacular. NPR Rock. Harmless.
Sly: If the original doesn’t do it for you, there’s always the cover by Magazine.
Love Magazine – Dig the cover. Forgot about it. Thanks!
Never been a fan of Toad. Right or wrong i throw them in a bucket with other 90’s stuff like REM. You play well, you sing well, but just not doing it for me. Sorry, first song of this bunch that I wasn’t feeling it for.
Sly: Must say, Thank You(ferfunking up Mice Aftanoon)
Great song. I’ve always been a big fan of funk. Is this recording always this flat or or this a result of the youtube?
I think you need to explore REM’s catalog a bit more. It is a good deal more diverse than the TtWS stuff.
I agree that this particular clip of the Sly track is lacking depth. I’m thinking it’s the compression, but I need to find a quality version with which to compare.
Sly clip updated for sound quality on 3/27/18. The cymbals are still not “sharp,” but I think it’s better.
Immensely better! It’s got pop to it now
Something’s Always Wrong: Reflective, great mix, strong harmonies, and nice little sweetener acoustic and electric fills in all the right places. A shade “vanilla” but song’s overall strengths out-way and “color in” the vanilla nicely. Thumbs up.
Sly and the Family Stone: Great Song. Funky/catchy groove that grabs hold like a bull dog and won’t let go. In fact, The song probably needs something to break that rhythm up a bit more in the middle or , alternatively, end a tadpole earlier. Now..let me get back to “air-guitaring” I mean “air-bassing” that funky goodness.
Toad the Wet Sprocket, “Something’s …”: a very 90s band in my mind. pleasant and agreeable tune, but kinda generic. reminds me of Gin Blossoms in that way, and the contemporaneous forays of Soul Asylum (which were among that band’s most popular stuff, but much less compelling for me than its earlier material).
Sly et al, “Thank You …”: I believe I was turned onto this song via Greil Marcus’ great book “Mystery Train.” i remember him emphasizing the weird ambivalent hesitancy built into the lyrics (“I begin to stop”), which creates a powerful tension with the booty-shaking groove. also at odds with the band’s often sunny flower power people. in this way the group’s call out of its own hits takes on a dark, wary cast. and the title speaks of some kind of trauma outlived for which the singer expresses a gratitude that one can suspect is somewhat sardonic, punctuated by that curtly popping bass. Great track.
also should not neglect to note re: the shadowy subject matter of “thank you” that the singer begins the song WRESTLING THE DEVIL, if that gives you any idea
“I’ll cut the head off the devil and I’ll throw it at you”
Man, I gotta listen again and concentrate on the lyrics now. Much appreciated Sir William.