Shades of Mediocrity

What's on my new iPod?

Everyone does this, I know, but I like the idea, and I'm enjoying a recently-acquired, spacious new 60 GB iPod -- so I'm going to do it, too: the first 10 random songs provided by my iPod today, with commentary.

1. Couldn't You Keep That to Yourself? by Ute Lemper

A cover of the Elvis Costello tune. Lemper's voice is sort of an acquired taste, but I like it.

2. People on a String by Roberta Flack

A little pure 80s cheese, here, this is a pleasant if overly dramatic ballad from White Nights -- which is, of course, one of the quintessential 80s movies. Flack's vocal is really lovely, and the major-minor contrast is used very effectively in this song.

3. Window by Fiona Apple

Typical Fiona Apple: dark, jazzy, piano pop. I like the bit of bounce in this song, and the gamelan-like percussion.

4. I Can't Be With You by The Cranberries

Another flashback, this time to the mid-90s. This song takes me right back to my last year of college.

5. Everything Right Is Wrong Again by They Might Be Giants

A favorite band of mine since the late 80s, TMBG's stuff still makes me smile, and I still like to listen to it (unlike much of the other music I listened to back then). Some of my friends (you know who you are!) hate TMBG, but I just don't get that. They're fun, silly, often clever -- what's not to like?

6. Rebel Rebel by Seu Jorge

The Life Aquatic is definitely Wes Anderson's weakest film (though I like it anyway), but its soundtrack is definitely up to Anderson's usual standards -- Seu Jorge's covers of David Bowie songs (like this one) are excellent.

7. Mr. Soul by Buffalo Springfield

This is a sentimental favorite. I first encountered this song on a mix tape, but not just any mix tape. It was the very first mix that Dr. Dregs ever made for me, the mix that convinced me to give him a chance. So in a small way, this song played a part in setting the course of my life. It's a pretty good song, too.

8. Birthday by The Beatles

A little White Album action is always welcome in my corner of the world, even if it's not my birthday.

9. Hey Jupiter by Tori Amos

Possibly my favorite song from Boys for Pele. Partly because it's pretty, partly because the lyrics resonate strongly with a particular time in my life, and party because (unlike most of the other songs on the album) the lyrics are mostly comprehensible.

10. Measure by Kristin Hersh

Brief, atmospheric, and understated. A nice follow-up to the Tori Amos track.

Well, that was fun (for me, anyway). Maybe I'll make this a regular thing. Happy weekend, all. Posted by at October 6, 2006 7:33 PM | TrackBack