First Playlist of the New Year

January, 2006




That's right--there's a new graphic on this page because I finally got the video iPod I've been whining about since they were released last summer. Although I haven't downloaded any TV shows yet (plan to try that tonight), it's pretty bitchin. The difference in size between this one and my first generation iPod--both physically and between what it can hold--is amazing.

There's no particular significance to this playlist. It's a lot of songs I've downloaded recently--most notably "Better Off This Way" by We Are The Fury; "Dilaudid" by the Mountain Goats; "Modern Text on Love" by the Weather Machines; and "Ultraviolet" by McFly.

And to round that out there are older songs: Blondie's "One Way or Another," PJ Proby's original "Hold Me," Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Guess Who I Saw in Paris" (Shut up), and the always excellent 1910 Fruitgum company with "May I Take a Giant Step." Which I seem to remember may have been the first stereo 45, but I'm not sure. Maybe it was just the first one I owned.

  • Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin

    If I had to pick only one Led Zeppelin song that was my fave, I think this'd have to be it.

  • I Just Wanna Be Loved - A.M. Radio

    I know nothing about this band, except that I like this song a lot.

  • Better Off This Way - We Are The Fury

    Ditto the above, but I really like the cover of the single. Glam may finally be making a comeback afterall.

  • Love Song - Shiela Nicholls

    This is the only cover I've ever heard of Elton John's "Love Song," and it's pretty good. Thank you "Smallville."

  • One Way or Another - Blondie

  • Push the Button -- The Sugababes

    I don't know why these girls aren't more popular in the U.S.

  • Burn the Witch (UNKLE Remix) -- Queens of the Stone Age

    Kind of amazing how a remix can totally change what you think of a particular song.

  • Cash Machine - Hard Fi

    My favorite line is the one about how his girlfriend is pregnant so he's about to go on the run. Nice.

  • I Am the DJ -- David Bowie

  • Modern Text on Love - The Weather Machines

    See note in #3 about Glam not being dead.

  • Dilaudid - The Mountain Goats

  • It's Good to Be in Love -- Frou Frou

  • Guess Who I Saw in Paris? - Buffy Sainte-Marie

    There are only a few Buffy Sainte-Marie songs I've ever been able to tolerate, and two of them are from her "Illuminations" album. This is one of those.

  • Is That All There Is? - PJ Harvey

    How do you make a song that's basically deranged totally over the top? Have PJ Harvey cover it.

  • You Don't Love Me - The Kooks

    More Brit pop.

  • Lottery Winners on Acid - Crimea

    The best song title I've seen in a LONG time.

  • Here's the Good News - Paul Weller

    Who knew he was still doing music and hadn't started an accounting firm?

  • Ultraviolet - McFly

    Yes, they're a British boy band, but this is a really good song.
  • Muscle Car - Mylo

  • Look on the Floor (Angel City Remix) - Bananarama

    Only two of them came back, from what I've heard they're just as good now as they ever were.

  • Last Train to a Love Machine - The Monkees vs. Girls Aloud

    Possibly my favorite mashup ever.

  • Call My Name - Charlotte Church

  • Perfection - Dannii Minogue ft. Soul Seekers

    After hearing a lot of her stuff, I really don't know why they referred to her as "poor little Dannii Minogue" on Ab Fab. She puts out great dance songs.

  • I Said Never Again - Rachel Stevens

    If I didn't know better, I'd swear this song had been produced by Chinn & Chapman and recorded in 1972.

  • May I Take a Giant Step - 1910 Fruitgum Company

  • Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson

  • Nth Degree -- Morningwood

    Very catchy self promotion.

  • Rip Her to Shreds - Boomkat

    I'm not crazy about the Boomkat girl since I think she's kind of skanky, but their version of this song kicks ass.

  • Because I Want You - Placebo

  • Hold Me - PJ Proby

    The rhythm guitar totally makes this song.

  • No Goodbyes -- The Subways

  • Everybody's Tryin to Be My Baby - The Beatles

    Yeah, I wish.

  • Stop Crying Your Heart Out - Oasis

  • Damaged People - Depeche Mode

    My favorite song from the new Depeche Mode CD.

  • Diamonds Are Forever - Kanye West ft. Jay-Z

    Who knew "rap" had any kind of a conscience, social or otherwise?

  • Kiss My Love Goodbye - Betty LaVette

  • Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall

    Like the Sugababes, I have no idea why KT Tunstall isn't more popular here in America.

  • I Like Girls - Hound Dog

    Yeah, it's a novelty but it's fun.

  • Sunshine in a Bag - Gorillaz

  • Let's Dance - Chris Montez

    This in "Animal House" is one of the best uses of a song in a movie ever.