song feedback and post thread

[jrmugz]

Poi Dog Pondering - "Living With The Dreaming Body"

4.1 out of 5 stars

The pennywhistle and fiddles are definitely great assets to this upbeat song. As far as melody and lyrics, not too much original, but it's still a pretty good song.
John Mellencamp meets The Beach Boys, as in "All Summer Long" meets "Paper in Fire". It is catchy and does stay going through your mind long after you hear it, for sure. Seems like one of those bands would be cool to hear some of their other stuff, if any albums to recommend, just let us know.

Speaking of JCM, for my song, here is the first song that kicks off his self-titled album. To me, this song, is one of the few worthwhile songs on it, where the lyrics and arrangements actually aren't that sloppy.

"A Little Night Dancin'" - John Cougar



Jim

[Platypus]

"A Little Night Dancin'" - John Cougar

3.8 out of 5

Known of John Cougar but not followed any of his music. This one has a nice energy, and I think musically manages to convey having some fun music and kicking up your heels at what by description appears to be a pretty seedy establishment! Needs a reappearance somewhere of the sweet mandolin from the beginning IMO, bridge is an interesting variation, maybe managed a little swaying, romantic dancing as the night progressed... This one I do keep popping back to have another listen to.

Next up for review:

Giant - "Now Until Forever"

[Helmut83]

Pretty good stuff, sounds very '80s. The verse reminds me of "Hotel California", the verse has a similar kind of vibe and some chords sequences sound similar. As the song progresses it gains a lot of strength. If anything, it lacks a more effective chorus, but the one it has isn't bad either. All in all I'd give it a 3.7/5.


To go on with something of the same kind, I'll post Whitesnake's "Here I go again":

[88keys]

Here I Go Again by Whitesnake

*** out of *****

The ultimate 80's power ballad. The opening keyboard is legendary. Awesome chorus and really well written verses. It's as dated as the hairstyles in the video, but it's a terrific song nonetheless. 

Here's my song. Drunken Lullabies by Flogging Molly! 

[jrmugz]

"Drunken Lullabies" by Flogging Molly

4.3 out of 5

I found myself at first saying "ah I'll give it a 3, since just some Irish punk formula", but as it progressed, I found it to be strong persistent lyrics, passionately performed, and I can certainly relate figuratively to finding myself "in the same old mess singing drunken lullabies", so by the time the song finished it felt like an old friend to me. Thanks for posting it 88, I really dug it. Do all of their songs have a similar feel of Irish punk?

In the meantime, I guess my song will be

"Lost and Found" by The Kinks, from their 1986 album "Think Visual"



Jim

[Platypus]

"Lost and Found" by The Kinks

4/5 for me

Initially, I knew I didn't know any of The Kinks' later material, and assumed I'd only know them through Lola, but then I found out other early phase songs had formed part of the background sound without me being aware - Waterloo Sunset, Sunday Afternoon, You Really Got Me...

I quite like this one, shows the long lived band could sound appealing and there was still the ability to make a decent song from something everyday. I hope people can hear why I feel I must make this my next suggestion:

Marshall & Hain - "Dancing In The City"

[jrmugz]

Marshall and Hain "Dancing in the City"

4.6 out of 5

It seems like Ray Davies of The Kinks ripped off the chords and feel for "Lost and Found" above, from this song!

I do like the chords. I also like the restraint on the vocals, it makes it unique, and a good one-two punch with the very effective chorus, especially when the male harmony comes in.

It could have been lame if they went overboard on the vocals and sax, but they treated it just right instead, and it is very effective, and I like it a lot.

So for my song, I'll put "The Private Life of Bill and Sue", from The Beach Boys' comeback CD a few years back. Only appropriate with summer still in full swing.



Jim

[Chippa]

"Private Life of Bill and Sue"

3/5

The melody is great, especially on the chorus. The lyrics kind of show Brian Wilson to be a bit behind the times, especially by choosing the names Bill and Sue. I mean, he could have at least called the song "The Private Life of Kanye and Kim".    But overall, it's a good song about our tabloid TMZ society and how we all need to know everything about everybody. 

Here's mine..."The 59 Sound" by Gaslight Anthem..

[jrmugz]

"The 59 Sound" by Gaslight Anthem

4.3 out of 5.

Lots of great spirit, passionately performed. Like the lyrics a lot, seem to reflect a yearning to be freed from our chains once we die, and grieving the loss of somone who went too soon. Seems like a tight and solid band. Kind of like U2 in giving a little more than just a standard lyric, and having some spiritual references, etc.

Here's one, just in the name of obnoxious fun, Alice Cooper "Lost in America".



Jim

[88keys]

Alice Cooper Lost In America

**1/2 out of *****

Dumb lyrics. Typical butt rock. But you know what? It's kind of fun. Alice Cooper is still going, which is admirable. 

My song is John Lennon's Watching The Wheels. My favorite John Lennon song, really.

[Platypus]

John Lennon - Watching the Wheels

4/5

I can recognize his genius, but overall I'm not greatly drawn to his songs. This would possibly be the one I also find best, musical things in it that are just right, like the hammered dulcimer behind the piano. Makes you wonder just who was warning him about settling in and devoting himself to his family, if that's what the song is about?


How about While My Guitar Gently Weeps?

[88keys]

While My Guitar Gently Weeps by Regina Spektor

***1/2 out of *****

It's a great song, that's for sure, and Regina has an amazing voice. I'm just not sure about the musical arrangement. It's interesting, but could use more "oomph". I guess I appreciate the unique nature of it though. 


Enjoy this one. Alexander Hamilton from the massive hit Broadway show Hamilton, by Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

[jrmugz]

"Alexander Hamilton" by Lin-Manuel Miranda

4.7 out of 5

Really love it! Great history, inspiring lyric. I want to see the play!

Burr shot him? I thought it was a sword dual they had where he got killed. Either way, unreal that such an event took place. Wow.

Very cool tune that is thoroughly engaging.

P.s. You're up for cd of the week right now, 88, get to it!!!

===========

For my pick

Foreigner "Luanne"


Jim

[Chippa]

For me, Foreigner are one of those bands whose hits I've liked, but never heard many of their album tracks. 

Luanne is a catchy song, for sure. Almost reminds me of one of Rick Springfield's early 80's hit singles("Jessie's Girl"...I've Done Everything For You"..etc). Lou Gramm had a great rock voice, with just enough soul to keep it from sounding generic. 

3/5

My pick is Del Shannon's "Lost In A Memory", from his posthumous 1991 album "Rock On!"(produced in part, by Jeff Lynne)

[Helmut83]

From the very opening, those guitars sound so late '80s / early '90s Jeff Lynne. Those counterpoint backing vocals too. In fact, everything does, maybe a bit too much (why produce Del Shannon in the same way you produce ELO, Traveling Wilburys, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty?... you'd expect him to use different resources for his different clients). As for the song itself, I think it's a decent one, but I don't find it that special. Del Shannon sings it with that passionate voice of his, that lifts it a couple of points. I'd rate it 3/5.

Now I'm going to complicate the next listener's life with a Guns n' Roses song that might not come up immediately when listing their greatest hits but is regarded by their fans as one their best works: