Tag Archives: alternative

Karaoke Tuesday: “Cult of Personality”

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Vivid
Vivid

“Cult of Personality”
by Living Colour
from the album Vivid
1988
Buy the album on Amazon

When I started regularly hitting up karaoke, I was having a hard time figuring out what songs to sing.  As previously mentioned, my tastes tend to run 80s/90s alternative and there just wasn’t much to choose from that seemed karaokey.  So I ended up stuck with 80s ballads or pop songs.

One night after some failed attempts at winging new songs, I was dejectedly flipping through the Karaoke Champ book and I stumbled across the Ls.  And then I saw it, right in the middle of the second page… Continue reading Karaoke Tuesday: “Cult of Personality” →

Cover Friday: “Hungry Like The Wolf”

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The Duran Duran Tribute Album
The Duran Duran Tribute Album

“Hungry Like The Wolf”
by Reel Big Fish (originally by Duran Duran)
from the album The Duran Duran Tribute Album
1997 Koch Records
Buy the album on Amazon.

I’ve had a few drinks and some Mexican queso fries so I’m feeling a bit silly.  This is a totally fun ska cover of a Duran Duran classic (and Lance karaoke staple).  It takes a song that should be fun to begin with and makes it a total riot.

Continue reading Cover Friday: “Hungry Like The Wolf” →

April Duets: “I’ve Seen It All”

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Selmasongs
Selmasongs

“I’ve Seen It All”
by Björk ft. Thom Yorke
from Selmasongs
2000
Buy the album on Amazon.

I keep thinking of more and more choices for the monthly theme – #AprilDuets. And a warning, this may start a string of duet postings featuring Thom Yorke. This one’s got two of my favorite singers, especially around the time that this soundtrack came out.

Continue reading April Duets: “I’ve Seen It All” →

Nirvana Show in Greenpoint

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I don’t usually feel any pangs of regret when I hear of some secret show I missed or whatever. I’ve seen my fair share of shows and don’t feel deprived. But man, I can’t deny wishing I could have been at the show last night watching Krist and Dave and J and Joan and Kim and all the rest.

http://gothamist.com/2014/04/11/videos_nirvana_friends_played_a_sec.php

Big Audio Dynamite II – “The Globe”

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The Globe
The Globe

“Rush”
by Big Audio Dynamite II
from the album The Globe
1991
Buy the album on Amazon.

So very many choices. Where to start? I don’t remember why I first bought this album. I just remember it was in one of the first batches of BMG or Columbia House cds (of which I partook many many times, for better or worse) I received. I remember my high school friend Joel and I were so into this album, and he would have me play it whenever he was over. This song is incredibly catchy, and like many songs, takes on a special rockingness when played as loud as possible, vs. the more mellow feel it communicates on lower volumes.

Continue reading Big Audio Dynamite II – “The Globe” →

Urban Dance Squad -“Alienated”

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Persona Non Grata
Persona Non Grata

“Alienated”
by Urban Dance Squad
from the album Persona Non Grata
1994 Ariola
Buy the album on Amazon.

Sometimes I get in a mood.  It’s like you’re in a funk you’re trying to get out of.  You’re pretty sure you set the light, but it’s a ways off.  This track will get you through.  Listen up.

Continue reading Urban Dance Squad -“Alienated” →

Karaoke Tuesday: “No New Tale to Tell”

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Earth Sun Moon
Earth Sun Moon

“No New Tale to Tell”
by Love And Rockets
from the album Earth Sun Moon
1987 Beggar Banquet Records
Buy the album on Amazon.

The first song I ever sang at karaoke was “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson. My friend Sasha finally dragged me to the stage after a few work outings where I would just stare at my friends performing, but never actually participate.  She said, “We’re doing this now” and we did and it was horrible.

I was totally hooked. Continue reading Karaoke Tuesday: “No New Tale to Tell” →

Cover Friday: “Tainted Love”

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Going in a completely different direction than Lance for our first ever #CoverFriday:

“Tainted Love”
by Coil (originally by Gloria Jones/Soft Cell)
from the single Panic/Tainted Love
1985
Not sure this can be purchased anywhere digitally

Fine, so I never knew that the Soft Cell version was also a cover until just now. Continue reading Cover Friday: “Tainted Love” →

Cover Friday: “Kick Out The Jams”

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Pump Up The Volume
Pump Up The Volume

Chris suggested  that we institute some theme days during the week to get the juices flowing.   I opened the e-mail a bit late in the week so I’m skipping ahead to Friday’s  theme, #CoverFriday.  So consider this, “challenge accepted” old boy… BAM:

“Kick Out The Jams”
by Bad Brains w/Henry Rollins (originally by The MC5)
from the soundtrack Pump Up The Volume
1990 MCA
Buy the album on Amazon.

Continue reading Cover Friday: “Kick Out The Jams” →

Verbena – “Baby Got Shot”

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verbena-into-the-pink “Baby Got Shot”
by Verbena
from the album Into the Pink
1999 Capital Records
Buy the album on Amazon.

I’m going to slide the time scale a little closer to the 21st century with this selection.  “Baby Got Shot” has a lot going for it:

  • A drummer with a heavy foot
  • Smokey-sounding female voice harmonizes on the chorus
  • Female bass player – that’s just hot.

verbena1And it’s just heavy and catchy as fuck.  And it can’t be overemphasized how much the male/female harmonies on the chorus give the song its edge.  Subsequent albums from Verbena were sorely missing this.   But Into The Pink has a surplus of great tracks, highlights include:”Sympathy Was Dead,” “Pretty Please” and , “Monkey, I’m Your Man.”

Continue reading Verbena – “Baby Got Shot” →