Tag Archives: alternative

Cover Friday: “War Pigs”

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The Real Thing
The Real Thing

“War Pigs”
by Faith No More (originally by Black Sabbath)
from the album The Real Thing
1989
Buy the album on Amazon

Let’s get things straight.  “War Pigs” is a bad-ass song all on its own.  Even if you’re not an Ozzy-worshiping Sabbath fan, you can most definitely appreciate the bad-assedness of “War Pigs”  I mean the lyrics alone are the fucking jam, but you layer in some sludgy bass and rusty chainsaw guitar licks over the top and that’s a recipe for successful head-banging.  But what happens if you add about 25% more funk?

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Karaoke Tuesday: “Under The Bridge”

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Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Blood Sugar Sex Magik

“Under The Bridge”
by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik
1991
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This song was an early addition to my karaoke playlist and stayed there for two or three solid seasons.  It’s great track to force the night to catch its breath, and slow down the pace a bit.

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Cover Friday: “Forever Young”

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Casino Twilight Dogs
Casino Twilight Dogs

“Forever Young”
by Youth Group (originally by Alphaville)
from the album Casino Twilight Dogs
2006
Buy the album on Amazon

I’m going to keep this one short. It’s 1 in the morning, and I’m exhausted, but I’m not going to get a chance to post during the day and I can’t very well give Lance a hard time about Karaoke Thursday if I don’t post for #CoverFriday.

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Karaoke Thursday: “Burn After Writing”

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On the Impossible Past
On the Impossible Past

“Burn After Writing”
by the Menzingers
from the album On The Impossible Past
2012
Buy the album on Amazon

A couple of thoughts before I really dig in.  First, it’s kind of fucking amazing that neither one of us has talked in-depth about how fantastic this album is.  And it’s not like the band puts out constantly stellar material, but this particular album I’ll put up there against most of my favorite albums from my favorite groups.  Second, it’s totally Thursday and I never did a Karaoke Tuesday post, but two days late is hard to fake, so I’m coming clean.  The shame of this Karaoke Thursday post title will haunt me at least until I finish writing this post.

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Cover Friday: “Money”

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Backbeat
Backbeat

“Money”
by the Backbeat Band (originally by Barret Strong)
from the soundtrack to Backbeat
1994
Buy the album on Amazon

Oh man, I had two songs in mind for my cover selection today, both covers of Motown classics, but this one gets the nod today because I’ve been listening to a lot of Afghan Whigs lately.  I’ll file that other one away for later.  This is actually an all-star 90s alternative cover of a Beatles cover of a Barrett Strong track.  It features members of REM, Gumball, Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Soul Asylum and Afghan Whigs.

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Karaoke Tuesday: “All I Want Is You”

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Rattle & Hum
Rattle & Hum

“All I Want Is You”
by U2
from the album Rattle & Hum
1988
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Although I’m not much of a U2 fan these days, there’s no denying that they have some amazing songs and albums in their catalog (if you don’t think Joshua Tree is a perfect album, please leave the planet now).  Rattle & Hum is a mixed bag sandwiched between the aforementioned Joshua Tree and the brilliant Achtung Baby (which should have been their final album).  There is a ton of filler and disappointing covers but they also include some downright amazing tracks, notably “God Part II,” “Desire” and my pick for Karaoke Tuesday, “All I Want Is You.”

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July Power Songs: “Fuck You”

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True North
True North

“Fuck You”
by Bad Religion
from the album True North
2013
Buy the album on Amazon

I’m cheating a bit with this month’s theme, but give me a break.  I’ve been Hollywood for a week.  Also, June Power Songs were so much fun, and I still have a massive list of tracks I want to slot in there, so since it’s my turn to pick the theme, I’m extending power songs into July.

This post is gonna be quick, like this amazing song from Bad Religion.  I like Bad Religion a lot, but I’m not a disciple by any means.  Their album Stranger The Fiction is definitely in my top 100 albums of all time, but I realize for most Bad Religion fans that’s like saying Wings was Paul’s McCartney’s best band (I should also come clean and say that I don’t really love the Beatles).  But after The Gray Race I kind of lost track of the band.  Until True North.

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Cover Friday: “Like a Virgin”

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What You Do To Me
What You Do To Me

“Like a Virgin”
by Teenage Fanclub (originally by Madonna)
from the album What You Do to Me
1992
Buy the album on Amazon

I’ll write some other time about how I came by Teenage Fanclub (and some #CoverFriday I’ll post Buffalo Tom covering Teenage Fanclub), but decided to go with this for the week. This cover was first released a year earlier on Teenage Fanclub’s second album The King, but I know it from this EP/”maxi-single”, which I picked up along the way.

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June Power Songs: “Smooth Sailing”

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...Like Clockwork
…Like Clockwork

“Smooth Sailing”
by Queens of the Stone Age
from the album …Like Clockwork
2013
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I once described this song to a friend as a throbbing erection.  It’s all about potential.  Something’s about to explode.

For my final song in QOTSA week and my latest Power Song selection, I’m choosing “Smooth Sailing.”  Really all you need to know about this track you can pull from the lyrics and the video.

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Cover Friday: “Never Say Never”

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Rated R
Rated R

“Never Say Never”
by Queens of the Stone Age (originally by Romeo Void)
from the album Rated R (Deluxe Edition)
2010
Buy the album on Amazon

Yep, it’s a QOTSA week here on MNP, especially if Chris doesn’t get off his ass and post.  That’s right motherfucker.  Called you out.  What are you gonna do?

Sorry, QOTSA does that too me… get’s me in a fighting, fucking or drinking mood.  Sometimes all three.  I didn’t discover this song until a few months ago.  I picked up the reissue of Rated R like any good QOTSA fan would, but I never really gave it a good spin.  Like most of my musical discoveries, this song came into my life via shuffle.  Quickly followed by pounding the back button two times so I could hear it again. Continue reading Cover Friday: “Never Say Never” →