The Shuffle

Aside from iTunes and the iPod, I think one of Apple’s best inventions is the shuffle feature. It’s so simple yet for a music nerd, it’s an amazing tool. The shuffle allows you to rediscover old favorites, take a closer look at an artist you may have spent little time with or see your favorite album from a completely different view. I love throwing the shuffle on and seeing what gems, weird stuff and guilty pleasures my record collection has. In that spirit, I thought it’d be fun to share a quick, random spin through my music. This is what the shuffle played with no omissions.

“Angel” – Massive Attack

If you’re on this mixtape group, you better have some Massive Attack in your collection!

“To Ohio” – the Low Anthem

Remember the scene in the film High Fidelity when Barry (Jack Black) puts on the Monday morning mixtape but his co-workers quickly shoot it down? He then mumbles about putting back on some ‘sad bastard music.’ While that moniker is meant to be derisive, I think it applies well to the Low Anthem. Very haunting and sorrowful at times, the Rhode Island group’s music is utterly gripping. Although “To Ohio” is from their debut, I’m excited for their 2011 follow-up.

“Waltz (Better Than Fine)” – Fiona Apple

I have no problem saying Apple makes amazing music. Her talent, angst and piano prowess make her infinitely more interesting than a majority of female singer-songwriter out there (as well as being attractive!). Just wish she didn’t take her sweet time making albums - 6 years between When The Pawn… and Extraordinary Machine, going on 6 years since that one.

Pretty much all the versions of this song on YouTube are Fiona performing with Nickel Creek, so here ya go -

“Back To The Middle” – the New Deal

And now for something completely different… Describing the New Deal is a tricky endeavor. No matter how you try, it’s going to sound awful on paper. Check out their live vids on YouTube, or better yet, catch their live show. The Canadian trio creates improvised electronic dance music (livetronica, if you will) that meld drum ‘n’ bass, house and other genres together. The cool part is that all the drumbeats are done by an actual drummer, so seeing them live is a sight to behold. Yes, the New Deal are in the jamband world, but I urge you to give them a chance, as they offer something different from most DJ’s/electronic acts out there. Note too that Feist did vocals on a track from their last studio album.

“Willin’” – Little Feat

One of the great ‘shoulda-been’ bands of all time. Little Feat was formed by Lowell George after he left Frank Zappa’s Mothers. The Feat dabbles in folk, blues, country and rock, having carved out a rabid fanbase that still exists today. The band carried on after George’s death with dimished results. Listen to Feat’s albums with George, though, and you’ll understand why this band should’ve been much bigger than they were. It’s mind blowing you don’t hear their music on classic rock radio. “Willin’” is one of the group’s signature tunes.

“Off-White Guilt” – Les Claypool

I seriously considered about doing a mixtape dedicated to Claypool and his 3 million side projects, but thought better of it. No question, Claypool is ensconced as one of rock’s strangest personalities. His quirky lyrics, maniacal bass playing (he’s one of the best all time, hands down) and penchant for the bizarre make him stand out. While his solo efforts are usually hit or miss, Of Whales and Woe (from where this track his culled) is a strong outing.

I couldn’t the track on YouTube, so instead, enjoy this insane (albeit short) Primus cover of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”-

“New Underneath” – Dead Confederate

It’s well known that Athens, Georgia, is a hotbed of musical talent. Groups like REM, Widespread Panic, the Whigs and all acts associated with the Elephant 6 collective call this Southern town home. Add Dead Confederate to the list. DC’s mix of Nirvana grunge with My Morning Jacket’s theatrics results in a beautifully dirty listen. As you can imagine, their live shows are a sight to behold. While their most recent album eschewed a lot of the rawness on their debut album Wrecking Ball (where “New Underneath” is from), the band still packs a musical wallop.

Yet another instance of no live footage of a song. Instead, I’ve posted an EPK of their new album Sugar, which gives a great insight in the music and minds of Dead Confederate. I ran the audio for the band interview footage, too –

“Don’t You Evah” – Spoon

Another band I shouldn’t have to dwell too much on. Killer band, great album, wonderful song, despite the misspelling.

“Tribal Connection” – Gogol Bordello

By now, you should be quite familiar with Gogol Bordello or more likely, their lead singer Eugene Hutz (owner of the one of the best mustaches in rock). Dressing like a bohemian pirate, Hutz stomps around stage barking in foreign languages, dancing about, whacking a bucket as percussion and crowdsurfing on a drumhead. It would be a huge gimmick if it weren’t for the group’s multicultural milieu. Drawing from numerous genres across the planet, Gogol makes you dance to their music. While their albums are great starting points, you’ll be won over seeing them live.

“God Only Knows” – Beach Boys

A pop masterpiece from Brian Wilson.

“El Azteca” – Man Man

I think Man Man’s songs can best be summed up as musical ADD. Often, the music can switch tempo, time signatures and genres, all in several seconds’ time. Throwing in elements of pop, indie rock, avant garde and anything they damn well please, these Philly nutjobs always make for a fascinating listen. Check out Rabbit Habits (from where “El Azteca” is from) or better yet, see them don warpaint and dance around onstage.

Couldn’t find “El Azteca” so here’s another song from the album, “Top Drawers” –

“Iron Road (live)” – the Old 97’s

At this point, the Texas crew could be considered the grandfathers of the ‘alt-country movement.’ While other groups like Whiskeytown and Son Volt fizzled, Rhett Miller and co. are still chugging right along, mixing country, rock and pop. Alive & Wired shows the ‘97’s at their best – on stage. The album culls together their best known songs and fan favorites for a gratifying double-disc listen.

Still another instance of no video for the song. Check out the equally great “Barrier Reef” –