Throwback Tracks -- March 9, 2017
David R. Smith
Happy Thursday to you, friends! Today it seems we're taking a sojourn through the 90s. I'm sure you aren't at all surprised. It is, without question, my favourite era of music. So inevitably we will find ourselves with an all 90s TBT day. Today is one of those particular days! Here are some pretty killer songs from some pretty killer groups. Most of these you've probably heard already but they're good enough that you should listen to them again! So do it. Now. Do it now.
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new (*cough*) and different retro music, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website (if possible...which is totally hit and miss with oldies), so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Shortcut to Moncton - I Mother Earth
One of the lesser known songs on this list, probably. This terrific song got overshadowed by other I Mother Earth singles from this album like One More Astronaut, Another Sunday, and Raspberry. This song is halfway through the album and it's a great halfway point. The simple acoustic sound at the beginning makes for a terrific intro which then flows its way into a fairly long, jam session of a song.
This album is one of the quintessential albums of the 90s. It's also Canadian, which makes it that much better. I can almost guarantee you that while this is the first IME song on our Throwback Tracks, this will not be the last. There are too many great ones from this album not to share more.
Take A Picture - Filter
Truth be told, I don't know a lot of Filter songs. I remember a lot of my friends listened to them when we were growing up, but I don't remember a lot of their stuff. This song came out in 1999, making it just eligible for Throwback Tracks. Which is great because so is this song. I sometimes feel hamstrung by this "2000" rule.
Anyway. I always felt that Filter was a lot heaver than this song indicates. Sure there's a bit of heavier stuff towards the end of the song, but if there was more Filter like this, I probably would have listened to more. The lead singer has a pretty cool voice and I feel like maybe I should investigate more of their stuff anyway!
Speaking of heavy songs featuring lead singers with cool voices...
Sober - Tool
Oh man. Tool has had quite the effect on my life. The first time I heard them was years ago when I was playing hockey. Aenima was played in our dressing room before a hockey game, which made me instantly fall in love with them. It's remarkable what one simple memory can do to make a person love a band.
Anyway, Maynard James Keenan is a musical genius. His songwriting skills and his ability to arrange incredible instrumentation (including heavy bass) has made for some pretty revolutionary music.
I've never had the chance to see Tool live, nor have I had the chance to see Perfect Circle. I have been able to see Maynard live with the band Puscifer. It was a truly theatrical experience. If I ever had the opportunity to see Tool live, I would be there in a heartbeat!
Also, here's a link to a DJ Z-Trip mashup of Sober and Outkast's Bombs Over Baghdad. It's really good.
Island In The Sun - Weezer
Obviously the best way to followup something heavy like Sober is with one of the most lighthearted songs and cutest videos ever, am I right?
I love me some Weezer. Like Tool, I've never had a chance to see this group. They're coming to Calgary soon but I feel as though I won't get a chance to see them this go-round either.
What I love most about Weezer is that they really don't take themselves too seriously. In fact, the band was named because Rivers Cuomo had terrible asthma in High School so he got made fun of by the "cool" kids and they called him "Wheezer." I wonder where those "cool" kids are now...
Head Like A Hole - Nine Inch Nails
And now following up that sweet song with something heavy once again. Let me tell you: this March playlist is going to be off the hook!
I finally got a chance to see NIN a couple summers ago. Because of those two back-to-back shows, I will never miss them again (provided I can get the time off from work, can afford the ticket, etc.)
Like Maynard James Keegan, Trent Reznor is a remarkable talent. I believe he does most of the recording of the albums himself and then gets the band to learn it. At least that's how it first happened. On top of being a terrific lyricist, he's also started getting work composing scores for movies. You'd have heard his work on movies such as The Social Network and Gone Girl.
That's it for this week, kids! Thanks for coming back every week and reading/listening to what it is I'm writing. Maybe I might actually try to get to some real writing in the near future. I've got all kinds of things I'm thinking about writing. I just never think about doing it. At least this way you get to see some of my ramblings. And trust me, I appreciate it that you keep coming back!
I know I said March's playlist is going to be off the hook, but that won't be out for another little while. In the meantime, go on and listen to one of these other fine playlists!
Throwback Playlist for Dec 16/Jan 17
October 2016 Throwback Playlist,
September 2016 Throwback Playlist
-D (@davidronn)