Spit on a Strager

Spit on a Stranger by Pavement

The greatness that is or was Pavement came to me later in life, well later in life for a 26 year old who liked the Beatles at 8, the Who at 14, and the Strokes at 20. I’m not sure exactly how or why Pavement escaped me until I was 24, but they did. I blame my parents who decided to have me first, thus I never had an older brother (or younger brother for that matter). I shall forgive them.

No matter, this song cracks the top 20 of "All Time Greatest Songs That If You Were to Ask Me". The song comes in at just over three minutes, and all three minutes are pure indie perfection. I remember one day, it was during the long spring of 2006 in DC (aka the greatest spring of all time). I think it was April. I was pretty single and going to do something with my life - where I wasn't sure - but I was going to grad school. I was happy. Life felt good.

(To clarify, life feeling good and life is good are very different concepts. When life is/was good is basically saying, ‘I like life at this moment. It’s cool, I am enjoying myself’. Life is good moment often times occur when one is at a bar with friends or in bed with a lover. However, when life feels good, you’re actually at total peace and you randomly smile when you’re doing things like taking public transportation or eating lunch. This occurs when you feel like you have a purpose or if you are fully aware of your freedom. Life feeling good is a much better moment/feeling than life being good).

(ANYWAY) After work, I decided to walk up Connecticut Avenue. I did this from time to time back in the long spring. It was a nice way to take in life. Take in the unreality that is DC. I was going to some record store in DuPont to buy some album that I was hoping that was going to be pretty good. I think it was the Tapes'n'tapes album which Pitchfork said was good (it isn't), but I'm not totally sure. Anyway, I bought a few CDs from the record store and as I was walking to the metro, I decided to stop in DuPont Circle, the actual park which the city had slowly cleaned up over the six or so years I was in DC. I took a seat on the park bench listening to "Spit on a Stranger" and "You are a Light" a few times... probably read the Economist... and eventually left back for Old Town. That felt good.

News Year's Eve

New Year's Eve by The Walkmen

The song just shuffles along, in a melancholy sort of way. The lyrics are mostly forgettable, unless of course you are in that sort of mood. In the sort of mood where things end and you're not sure why. Sure you could press along, another one night stand, but there's a lot to figure out. I think we all know how that feels. I know, I know how that feels. And it sucks.



The music's loud, in your room, turn it down
There's a neighbor who can't take it any more
I'll take your hand, in another one night stand
there's a lot for us to figure out

So if this is how it ends, well lock the door behind you then and let
me down easy

The music's loud in your room turn it down, but the more we talk, the
less we understand

Do You Wanna Dance

Do You Wanna Dance by The Ramones

I want this to be the first song I dance to at my wedding.

I'm probably asking for too much here, but it's the truth. What better way to start things off than asking the Lovely Bride if she wanted to dance. Plus the song doesn't even last two minutes. Everyone wins.

Bodysnatchers

Bodysnatchers by Radiohead

There are a lot of songs that get me pumped. I'm not sure why this is... why would a song get me excited to the point where I literally want to jump up and down and play football/soccer/baseball/run/tennis? It's weird when I think about it... just a few chords and some drums... maybe a bass line and I'm ready to take on the world in some sort of sporting competition. Music is weird.

In This Home On Ice

In This Home On Ice by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

I know nothing about Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. They sound like they would be fun. Their first album was pretty sweet. This song is sweet. It just sounds cool... maybe something like a Friday night where you're sort of drunk, but not really and walking down the street going home, alone, but it's cool 'cus you have someone, somewhere, thinking of you and you thinking of them. Anyway, I don't know where these guys are from or if I'd even want to hang out with them. But they're out there making chill, 11pmish music. Sorry I don't have more, but it's hard to say much about this song other than I like it.

Listen here

Sex and Candy

Sex and Candy by Marcy Playground

I'm not sure where these guys were from, but I'd guess either Austin or Seattle. I loved this song in high school, it was so perfect. I still don't fully understand "I smell sex and candy" but hey I love the "Hey momma this surly is a dream, yeah". I'm not sure if this is a pop song or if it's just an borderline alternative song. Who knows. But it was one of the few songs that was of some quality between 1996 and 2001. So for that Marcy Playground, I thank you.

World Wide Suicide

World Wide Suicide by Pearl Jam

I think it's the drums. Yes the choras guitar work is awesome. The entire chorus is awesome, but the guitar pre-chorus is rockin' awesome. No matter, Eddie is rockin'. Stone and company are rockin' out. I love this song. I love these drums. Just a big 'Fuck You' to Bush.