Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand
(May 18, 2013 - 04:58) | Rockin. Nothing like most of their stuff. Innovative for its time. Many bands that came after this wrote music like this. Sounds a lot like Heart's Barracuda.
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Regina Spektor - Genius Next Door
(Apr 05, 2013 - 08:27) | I have to be very picky about what I choose to upload to Radio Paradise... And still only about one in five of mine is chosen. That's okay. I like that Rebecca and Bill are choosy. I first heard this song on (rhymes with fedora) and LOVED it... very haunting lyrics and unique, eclectic music. To me, that's what RP is all about... eclectic but accessible music. I am glad this seems to be generally accepted by the listeners. It may be MONTHS before I find another song worthy of uploading.
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James McMurtry - Choctaw Bingo
(Sep 29, 2012 - 23:27) | glowworm wrote:Anyone else feel this is missing a hooky chorus? Great lyrics and good use of a typical 'good old boys' riff to drive the point home.
I am reading that many don't like this and it is too long. I tell you, if something is good, it's good and you should keep going. I love the lyrics and, even though it's repetitive, it's a good riff to repeat. Gave it an 8. Love it.
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The Beatles - We Can Work It Out
(Sep 16, 2012 - 04:42) | GuiltyFeat wrote: "Life is very short..."
Greatest middle eight in pop history? I challenge you to find a better one.
In all of my best songs, the crux of the matter should wait for the middle eight.
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Adele - Make You Feel My Love
(Sep 16, 2012 - 04:28) | jchrise wrote:
What do ALL talentless, non-song writing, overproduced vocalists do? Cover songs of course.
Shame on you Bill...you get it right 99.98% of the time (the other .1% is reserved for The Decemberists airtime)
Adele....please take your Grammy's, Brit's and undeserved trillions and go AWAY!!!!
I have been writing and performing for years... and it is my opinion that such an immense talent as Adele is quite rare. And she has on-stage charisma too. Really, I would say maybe once in a generation you run across somebody like her. Whitney Houston was the same way. Most performers are more like fashion trends; they come and go so quickly. God willing, Adele's style will last... she seems timeless to me.
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Peter Malick Group - Strange Transmissions (w/ Norah Jones)
(Sep 16, 2012 - 04:12) | Cynaera wrote:This one caught my attention right away (not an easy thing when I'm in the middle of something very complicated on the computer.) I like it a lot - found myself wishing I could hear the song again as soon as it ended. 
Yes, I do some pretty absorbing computer work myself, and I thought this stood out... The composition was excellent and her voice worked with it... made it better and more complete as a work. Upgraded it from 7 to 8 .
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Barra and Govinda - Through The Veil
(Sep 09, 2012 - 08:59) | Nerubo wrote: This song what I like to call internally eclectic. The mix of didgeridoo and the Indian instruments (sitar?) works brilliantly.
Agreed. 8.
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Metric - Speed the Collapse
(Sep 09, 2012 - 08:39) | Ooh. I do NOT like this one. Too mechanical 4 me. Nice try but no thanks to this one.
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The Beatles - You Never Give Me/The End
(Jul 22, 2012 - 04:20) | This is like a mashup of original songs. Sheer genius to do this. And all the little mini-songs are good/great. About 4 years earlier, John complained that the Beatles didn't have enough time to write songs with their busy schedules. But this proves they caught up on writing new material. And once they knew the band would soon be finished, they put this together.
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Pink Floyd - See Emily Play
(Jul 21, 2012 - 00:28) | (former member) wrote: You know, this is good. But maybe if they had a better guitarist they could go someplace.
Yeah, somebody who plays the blues maybe.
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Younger Brother - Spinning into Place
(May 03, 2012 - 14:52) | jhorton wrote: Every song I've heard from this album just ROCKS!
A lot of Pink Floyd & Porcupine Tree influence here....
This song is really affecting me. It is more PF than anything else. I need to study the lyrics.
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Sinead Lohan - No Mermaid
(Apr 21, 2012 - 09:58) | spigolli wrote:
One of the great mysteries of music is how we can hear things so differently - while this is a pretty song I find it totally devoid of "soul".
Agreed. I find her singing voice without personality, intonation or charisma. 6
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Andrew Bird - Desperation Breeds
(Mar 18, 2012 - 16:23) | I would say this musician is a genius. Reminds me of the experimentation of Radiohead, but more organic & beautiful... melodic. Will give it a 7 for now, but may upgrade to a 9 or 10 depending on how i grows on me.
Andrew is playing at the Pageant Theater in St. Louis sometime this spring. It's on a week night & I live more than an hour from the venue (so I will miss it). Nevertheless,
http://www.thepageant.com/shows/event/216/#.T2ZuNcXe2OM
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Tracy Chapman - Smoke And Ashes
(Mar 17, 2012 - 02:47) | Sasha2001 wrote: I love this song. It has such a wonderful rhythm and vibe to it. It always draws me in real close, then it hits me with that heartbreaking bridge. Then, inexplicably, the bridge returns for a double dose of of sweet, sweet loss. Jazz baby...
Agreed. I thought Tracy Chapman was a one hit wonder with her Fast Car. This is a great indy song that would never have made the charts. But it is great.
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Death Cab for Cutie - Doors Unlocked and Open
(Mar 16, 2012 - 20:28) | richlister wrote: Surely, if the doors are open, they're unlocked? Am I missing something?
Open means ajar, here. So it's like somebody just left the door completely open. It is a state of mind and quite a vulnerable position to be in.
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Turin Brakes - Other Side
(Mar 08, 2012 - 18:05) | terrapin52 wrote: The lyrics could use some more thought and revision to make them a little less stupid.
I write music and lyrics for musicals, and this is accurate. Pretty dumb. But the music is pure gold. 8
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Band Of Horses - The Funeral
(Mar 08, 2012 - 17:48) | Incoherent lyrics. Droning guitars. It doesn't suck, but it's only a 6. Maybe a 7 if I glean some meaning from it. Doubtful.
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Dishwalla - Opaline
(Mar 08, 2012 - 17:29) | thekid wrote: I don't like much (if any other) Dishwalla but this one song is a pure 10 for me. I can't substantiate this opinion more than saying that it has something to do with beautiful women. While I'm at it, what the hell is up with 'Counting Blue Cars"!!?? God! That annoys me to no end!
This song is really hitting me. 10.
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Abigail Washburn - Bring Me My Queen
(Feb 23, 2012 - 21:17) | wrangler wrote:bring me my weed? 
No thanks. I outgrew doing substances awhile ago. But this music is delicious. Mmmmm! 8
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Suzanne Vega - Angel's Doorway
(Feb 23, 2012 - 20:47) | sqqqrly wrote:
I cannot resist. Even though I believe in global warming, I have studied enough statistics to know that it cannot be proven thru graphs like this. Statistically, this could be sheer random chance. Even worse, the cause of the warming trend could be caused by something else. There are too many variables in the weather equation to know for certain. In general, it is best to assume regression to the average. Our worst fears will not be realized, but the effect of all this emitted carbon will have some effect. But I do love Suzy! :)
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PJ Harvey - On Battleship Hill
(Feb 23, 2012 - 20:30) | romeotuma wrote:
This song is soooo good for the ears...
Yes. At some point I previewed most of this album on Grooveshark or something. It's awesome. Upgraded from 7 -> 8.
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The Flaming Lips - Vein of Stars
(Feb 12, 2012 - 09:06) | mmoyer wrote: I don't know what y'all are talking about. This is a great song.
Damn I love this song! Saw these guys live a couple of New Year's ago in their hometown of Oklahoma City. Unforgettable.
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Peter Tosh - Mystery Babylon
(Feb 12, 2012 - 08:27) | Oscar_the_Grouch wrote: I had tickets to see Peter for the 15th(?) of September 1987 at the Hollywood Bowl.
Being a poor college student at the time I needed my 40 bucks back. Stupid me...
Peter was an inspiration the likes of which that few others can come close to.
Tosh died on Sept. 11th, 1987 after returning to the country from a tour. It seem unlikely that you had tickets for a concert happening 4 days later, but I can't prove it.
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Shearwater - Whipping Boy
(Feb 12, 2012 - 08:01) | oldviolin wrote: uh oh, a banjo...what is the world coming to? Stay tuned...
Banjo can be okay. But this is very repetitive. Did I mention it seems to repeat itself? OMG. Downgrade to a 6.
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Sivert Høyem - Blown Away
(Feb 11, 2012 - 01:54) | carlos65 wrote:tedious, keep waiting for it to start. sounds more like a link between songs or a cast-off. 
I'm forced to agree. Come on, people. Slow does not mean good. In many cases, it just means tedious.
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Todd Hannigan - Thicker Than Water
(Jan 22, 2012 - 07:24) | saidtaybi wrote:
This is clearly at least a 7. I gave it an 8. Will consider giving it a 9 maybe if it hits me harder next time. It looks like the movie that this soundtrack is based on is sort of gangsta w/profane language. So the music is probly the best thing about it. *shrug* BTW: The movie was released in 1999, not 1997.
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Syntax - Pride
(Jan 21, 2012 - 03:22) | planet3one9 wrote:Whose song is this a cover OF ? I'm FOR SURE getting this CD - Fluke was one of those bands I loved too - bill's always got the goods.
I can find no evidence that this is a cover. The lyrics reference just this song and no other. Wikipedia likewise.
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Amanda Jenssen - Happyland (Desert Mix)
(Dec 31, 2011 - 05:32) | Jesus. Please make it stop. I can't believe this song is averaging above 7. Sucko-Barfo. Had to turn RP off to save my ears & mind from destruction.
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Pearl Jam - Black
(Dec 31, 2011 - 03:00) | One of the few rock songs that nearly attains perfection. Enter Sandman is the only one that is probably better.
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The Walkabouts - They Are Not Like Us
(Dec 31, 2011 - 02:57) | As a songwriter, I know that most emotionally-laden music sounds better if you play it slow. This is a beautiful song made more beautiful by the slow pace. But I can see how people think it is a little boring.
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Bruce Cockburn - Closer to the Light
(Dec 29, 2011 - 20:35) | Cynaera wrote:I really love this song. It always make me (and others, I've noticed from the comments) remember lost loved ones. Beautiful, poignant lyrics.
Goodbye Grandpa Sandy. Goodbye Jim Dove. Miss you, Glen. You too, Bruce.
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Sheryl Crow - Strong Enough
(Dec 23, 2011 - 03:57) | scraig wrote: this song is brilliant in its brutal honesty. She may be a pop singer, but this has depth.
The trick with great songwriting is to keep it simple but tell the truth in a beautiful way. This song succeeds. 8.
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Gregory Alan Isakov - The Stable Song
(Dec 23, 2011 - 03:51) | bluematrix wrote: Mmmm, this is tasty. Like someone whispering a story at a campfire on a warm summer night.
We live in the same neck of the woods. This is beautiful & lyrical. I could do with a bit less finger picking, perhaps. But it's good, strong songwriting. 8
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Rachel Podger - Vivaldi - Allegro, Concerto in G Major, Op 4 No 3
(Dec 23, 2011 - 03:49) | This music will be 300 years old in 2014. It translates to "The Extraordinary". I am a professional songwriter that no one will remember ever. This guy, Vivalidi, has written several works that have been remembered for over 300 years. This is a true work of genius.
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The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby
(Dec 23, 2011 - 03:45) | This is a song for the ages. The music is simple and direct. The lyrics tell a story of a compelling tragic character. 10.
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Iron & Wine and Calexico - Burn That Broken Bed
(Dec 23, 2011 - 03:42) | These two band are great and I love certain songs that they have written separately. This particular song, written by both groups, is very quiet, low key & a little boring. What it says is fine but nothing amazing. Zzz. (But I do like the brass.) 6.
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Pink Floyd - Welcome To The Machine
(Dec 23, 2011 - 03:32) | Canlistener wrote: Porcupine Tree have come and have surpassed this. This laid the foundation but is hardly a 10.
I will be the 1st to admit that Porcupine Tree is the best modern progressive rock band in existence. But their work has no subtlety and is not art, per-se. If you listen to most of PF's work, you will find experimentation, beautiful synthesizers, and (best of all) music for smart people. The Floyd was big into concept albums, which are difficult to do & PT simply isn't up to the task. The songs that PT write are rockin, big time (and I love their songs) but they lack substance when compared to great songs like "Welcome to the Machine" and "Us and Them" and "Time". This may be a generational argument, as I was in high school & college when PF was doing their best work. You may be in the same position with PT. They are a great band by modern standards, but Pink Floyd is one of the greatest bands of all time in any category. Think about it for a second? Which band gets the most radio air play? Which band sells more copies of their old albums on iTunes? PT is a niche band in a niche market. Pink Floyd managed to transcend their progressive brand & go commercial without selling out their artistic integrity. It's simply a matter of quality.
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Pink Floyd - Us And Them -> Eclipse (live)
(Dec 19, 2011 - 21:51) | gusthemonkey wrote: That was fantastic.... !!
Live Floyd is a rare treat for me. Was just out of HS when Darkside was released and still have that disc on vinyl (likely 2nd or third replacement! ) and have seen them live only once, which was great. Almost 40 years later now..and I don't much care for alot I listened to back then... but always a joy to hear PF, and especially great to hear something I'd not heard before !!!
If not for RadioParadise I'd never know of some of the rare gems like what you just played. Made my morning !! Thank you (-:
This is pretty much one of the finest bands playing their finest track ever. I have heard it performed live, but I love the fidelity. Awesome. Thanks, RP.
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R.E.M. - ÜBerlin
(Apr 09, 2011 - 07:52) | Sounds like the first album they ever recorded. I love this kind of sound from REM. Welcome to the '10s! This one gets an 8 from me.
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Pink Floyd - High Hopes
(Apr 02, 2011 - 19:25) | calypsus_1 wrote:
The song seems very nostalgic, but the solo starting at 7:30 on the video is wonderful and beautiful.
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Silversun Pickups - The Royal We
(Apr 02, 2011 - 19:14) | The use of a symphonic sounding bass line and the breathy singing gives this band a really original sound. I agree with other comments that most of the songs by the Silversun Pickups sound the same. But it's a good sound, and it beats sounding like somebody else. I don't see any Lindsay Buckingham resemblance. I give this one a solid 8.
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Patty Griffin - Goodbye (live)
(Feb 01, 2011 - 19:23) | MinMan wrote: ...Jeff Buckley glances down from the heavens and nods his head in understanding...
I went into Wikipedia and gave credit to Patty Griffin for this song as a "tribute" to Jeff. It might not be true, but an awful lot of people on RP seem to think so, and I suspect people who've seen Patty live heard what she said about what she was thinking when she wrote this song.
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Split Enz - Six Months in a Leaky Boat
(Jan 03, 2011 - 06:52) | I'm not sure why there's no album or year for this song. It's on Wikipedia:
"The band's next release Time & Tide (1982) maintained their newfound commercial strength. However, the single "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" ..."
BTW: upgrade from 7 to 8.
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Supergrass - Road To Rouen
(Oct 31, 2010 - 11:11) | I've read these lyrics twice thru and they are not political. My wife's an English professor and she says the lyrics are using lots of generic nouns like "stuff" that are meaningless. I think the comments here ARE political...but the lyrics sound more like something safe about subjective emotions to sing while the (good) music is playing. The lyrics are pretty generic so they can mean lots of different things to lots of different people.
As for obama being a socialist, that's just right-wing propaganda. He was a liberal senator but has (according to most of the pols) become a centrist president in order to get consensus. Sensible. Leans to the left. Politics has nothing to do with these lyrics. And "supergrass" probly does refer to marijuana, but who cares? It's a rock band. ! :-) Relax, sit back, and tap your fingers and toes to the beat.
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Peter Gabriel & Friends - Whole Thing
(Oct 31, 2010 - 10:12) | tompoll wrote: One of those few voices (along with David Gilmour, Vienna Teng) that guarantees goosebumps.
Of all the comments about this song, this is the one that really resonates. Gabriel's voice is always heavily processed, but the result gives me goosebumps too. The song itself, as others have said, is a big generic compared to his other work. But Gabriel's work is always above average (even for RP). 7.
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Judie Tzuke - Break Your Skin
(Oct 16, 2010 - 05:56) | The lyrics seems to be implying that she said something so bad that it would "break your skin". I guess that means she hurt the other person. But breaking skin usually connotes physical violence or (metaphorically) perhaps sex. The lyrics seem inappropriate and rather disturbing in my view. But the music is fairly good & her voice is nice, so I give it a 6. Better luck next time.
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Spoon - The Book I Write
(Oct 08, 2010 - 16:01) | LaurieinTucson wrote: Loved this movie
The movie gets a 10. This song gets an 8. I watched this movie 3 times in-a-row for sheer enjoyment.
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Amadou & Mariam - Compagnon De La Vie
(Oct 05, 2010 - 21:40) | Saw these guys open for Coldplay in St. Louis. Just like this song...all their stuff is repetitive. all their stuff is repetitive. . all their stuff is repetitive. 5=ok.
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The Verve Pipe - Underneath
(Sep 13, 2010 - 12:29) | Cynaera wrote:HERE IT IS!!! I'm all giggly now - my first "accepted" song!  
Glad you got it added. This is a lovely song.
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Kaki King - Gay Sons of Lesbian Mothers
(Jun 25, 2010 - 13:01) | davidm wrote: reminds me of some of the Robert Fripp/Brian Eno collaborations, must pick up the album.
Yes, that's exactly right. Fripp, especially. I give this one an 8 (up from a 7 months ago).
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Conjure One - Tears From The Moon (w/ Sinead O'Connor)
(Jun 12, 2010 - 07:23) | Photo-John wrote: I agree this is a little cheesy and a weak attempt at deep. However, put Sinead's voice in something and I'll buy it. I'm a total sucker for her. And even if this isn't a monster work of art, it is catchy and pleasant. I enjoy it. Guilty pleasure, anyone?
Agreed. Sinead raises the level of work around her b/c her voice is fabulous. 8.
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Kathleen Edwards - In State
(Jun 12, 2010 - 05:54) | Dancing_banana wrote:asking for flowers is a great album. I wish Bill would play it!
mfassett wrote:Yea, well don't blame me. I uploaded a few songs from her latest CD, "Asking For Flowers," which is a GREAT CD, her best yet in my humble opinion... but all but one were "sorried" by Rebecca. The one that is still in rotation in the Listener Review Channel has been there for many many months and will be "sorried" I'm sure. It's too bad, because her latest is really really great! Did I mention how good it was?  Don't take it personally. I've had the same experience. Notice that most of us LOVE radioparadise. I think Rebecca is picky because she & Bill insist on a very high standard of quality. If the song doesn't fit with the sets they are building, then so be it.
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U2 - Please (Live From Rotterdam)
(May 18, 2010 - 06:13) | From Wikipedia regarding U2s Formation and Early Years (1975-1979): "Most of the group's material initially consisted of cover versions, which the band said was not their forté." The Beatles had a nice mix of covers and originals at first, although John Lennon has admitted that all their touring caused a creative problem: "Material's becoming a hell of a problem."
The biggest overall difference between the Beatles and other supergroups that came after was degree of impact. There are few musician in the western world unaffected by the Beatles. Groups like U2 from Europe are indebted to them. I think maybe Elvis Presley had, perhaps, a similar impact on popular music. Other lesser names are would haves and should haves and sort of's.
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The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
(May 18, 2010 - 05:48) | sirdroseph wrote:I really do not like the Cult, but strangely, I love this song! I think it is just that bitchin' guitar riff all throughout it, if they had more songs that sounded like this maybe they could've been much more popular.
I don't know how the Cult could have been more popular. Every teen-aged US girl in the late 80s early 90s had a poster of this group in her bedroom. I agree that this is really an excellent song in their catalog.
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Broken Bells - The High Road
(May 18, 2010 - 05:25) | JavaJones wrote:Heard this several times on terrestrial radio on my daily commute and kept wondering why it sounded so familiar. "Broken Bells" they said, and I thought "well that's interesting", but couldn't figure out what it reminded me of or quite why I liked it. It grew on me each listen, and then yesterday on the radio they finally said "...a project of Danger Mouse and James Mercer from The Shins" and suddenly it all made sense. Great stuff, now time to buy the album. Thanks RP for the reminder! 
I uploaded "The Ghost Inside" by Broken Bells and they rejected it. It's even better than this song. (Shakes head). Sometimes I don't get the upload logic at RP.
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James McMurtry - We Can't Make It Here
(May 10, 2010 - 08:15) | Marley wrote: The words to this song totally ring true. I've come to the realization that this country is fucked and that I can't make it here at all, so I made the decision to move to England. I can make more money, a better quality of life and health insurance over there. It's just not worth trying to have a good life over here anymore. Unless you're already a member of the rich and elite, you can't get ahead. I'm sick of struggling to barley live above the poverty line.
I've considered doing what you did. My sister and her husband moved to Australia in the 90s and never came back. They are happy there. America is way behind the curve on this. I think the recent health care legislation has helped a bit, and they may pass further legislation regarding banking regulations. But America's interest has been corporate in nature especially since after WWII.
BTW: The song isn't bad...the lyrics are powerful but it's repetitive. It's just so repetitive. It keeps going round and round. I wish it wouldn't repeat itself so much. It keeps saying the same musical thing over and over and over. 6.
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Josh Rouse - Lemon Tree
(May 08, 2010 - 13:33) | nalle wrote: The whole album is a must, it´s more than great!
I respectfully disagree. I've heard the entire album and disliked everything except "Cotten Eye Joe", which is a 9 or 10 in my book. I submitted that song and it's stuck in infinite "reviewing" limbo land in the LRC/Upload area. This "Lemon Tree" song just totally sucks. To me, it just sounds like easy listening crap. Reminds me of elevator music. Sucko barfo=1.
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Doves - Winter Hill
(May 08, 2010 - 13:24) | fredriley wrote: Ten songs, 50 minutes, not a rating over 3 in the lot. Looks like another fallow period on RP for the Nottingham jury... :(
Still, we have faith that the Dear Leaders will provide in the fullness of time :)
I respectfully disagree...this song is a solid 7. (In fact, this entire album is songs from 7 to 10 in quality.) But I saw your favorites and least favorites list and we have vastly different taste in music. You rated Townshend's "My Love Opens the Door" a 1... it's one of my favorite songs of all time. Similarly for several other of your least favorite songs. You're right though, that RP sometimes puts together some terrible sets with nothing better than a 3. Usually in the middle of the night or early Sunday morning.
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Beta Band - Dry The Rain
(May 08, 2010 - 07:28) | Jelani wrote: Beta Band Beck?
I thought it was Beck too. It gets a solid 6 from me. I woulda given it a 7 if it had been Beck. Heh heh heh. Life just ain't fair.
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The Charlatans - Here Comes A Soul Saver
(May 08, 2010 - 06:53) | Yeah, I recognize the Floyd riff, but the song is good. So who cares? I have no idea why such a good song gets such low ratings. I give it a 7.
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The Avett Brothers - Kick Drum Heart
(Apr 04, 2010 - 02:52) | marko86 wrote: Mediocre song from mediocre album. Emotianalism, however was brilliant.
Yes, almost every song on Emotionalism was incredible.
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The Flaming Lips - The Gash
(Jan 10, 2010 - 10:16) | I agree. The Lips are best live. And their most likable music is on Yoshimi.
I have uploaded a couple of songs from their Dark Side of the Moon effort. Hopefully, they will get added to the Radioparadise catalog. The Lip's interpretations are original and bring new life to the material. I heard the whole thing done live in the New Year Freakout down in Oklahoma City 12/31/2009. It was one of the very best shows I have ever seen (or ever expect to see).
Tim_in_N_FL wrote:Best enjoyed LIVE, if you have a chance. Also, I'd strongly recommend their Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots which is imminently more digestible than Soft Bulletin as a place to start with their catalog, IMO. 
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Peter Gabriel - Growing Up
(Nov 20, 2009 - 14:33) | Any song getting 6.8 or above is generally a winner here at RP. The people (below) who don't like it are in the minority. This song actually sounds like some of his older stuff from Security from 1982 (that's a good thing). The lyrics are telling a story of birth and growing up. His words are modern poetry. I give it an 8.
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Matthew Ryan - Dulce Et Decorum Est
(Nov 20, 2009 - 06:25) | casey1024 wrote:
Lyric is Latin - meaning "how sweet & fitting it is"
This is related to the most famous poem from World War I. (source: link). The translation could also be "It is sweet and right." The song sounds derivative but the lyrics are advanced. We have a similar saying in English: How sweet it is. I gave the song an 8 because it got my attention. The full saying ends the poem: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - it is sweet and right to die for your country. In other words, it is a wonderful and great honour to fight and die for your country
DULCE ET DECORUM EST1Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares2 we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest3 began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots4
Of tired, outstripped5 Five-Nines6 that dropped behind. Gas!7 Gas! Quick, boys! - An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets8 just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime9 . . .
Dim, through the misty panes10 and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering,11 choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud12
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest13
To children ardent14 for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.15 1 DULCE ET DECORUM EST - the first words of a Latin saying (taken from an ode by Horace). The words were widely understood and often quoted at the start of the First World War. They mean "It is sweet and right." The full saying ends the poem: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - it is sweet and right to die for your country. In other words, it is a wonderful and great honour to fight and die for your country
2 rockets which were sent up to burn with a brilliant glare to light up men and other targets in the area between the front lines (See illustration, page 118 of Out in the Dark.)
3 a camp away from the front line where exhausted soldiers might rest for a few days, or longer
4 the noise made by the shells rushing through the air
5 outpaced, the soldiers have struggled beyond the reach of these shells which are now falling behind them as they struggle away from the scene of battle
6 Five-Nines - 5.9 calibre explosive shells
7 poison gas. From the symptoms it would appear to be chlorine or phosgene gas. The filling of the lungs with fluid had the same effects as when a person drowned
8 the early name for gas masks
9 a white chalky substance which can burn live tissue
10 the glass in the eyepieces of the gas masks
11 Owen probably meant flickering out like a candle or gurgling like water draining down a gutter, referring to the sounds in the throat of the choking man, or it might be a sound partly like stuttering and partly like gurgling
12 normally the regurgitated grass that cows chew; here a similar looking material was issuing from the soldier's mouth
13 high zest - idealistic enthusiasm, keenly believing in the rightness of the idea
14 keen
15 see note 1
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Owl City - Fireflies
(Nov 07, 2009 - 03:12) | Regardless of all the negative comments, this is my latest favoritest songs. The video makes it better, but it's good on it's own. Several people who know me say the guy who wrote this reminds them of me. Hmm. I suppose the people who hate this don't care much for pop. This is definitely pop.
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Coldplay - Lost?
(Nov 07, 2009 - 03:04) | hunthunthunt wrote: Is it just me, or is this track played at least once an hour?
It's you.
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Manu Chao - Me Gustas Tu
(Mar 03, 2009 - 23:53) | Laptopdog wrote:
No me gusta
Si. No me gusta.
Yuck. Hate all the childish sound effects.
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Chris Whitley - To Joy (Revolution of the Innocents)
(Mar 03, 2009 - 23:43) | out_to_lunch wrote: wow, RP is really sucking it up today. can we get past this phase now?
I don't get this music: Indecipherable lyrics, loose and sloppy playing, and unexplainable background noise. An original, perhaps, and RIP, Chris Whitley. Perhaps someday I will understand you better. 3 = Ho Hum.
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Keren Ann - In Your Back
(Mar 01, 2009 - 19:58) | vit wrote: Jeez lady thanks for sharing but I've had enough now.
Agreed. I don't like what the lyrics are saying. 1=sucko barfo.
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Jesse Colin Young - Before You Came
(Mar 01, 2009 - 19:03) | KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:Good story there Bill about the first time you heard this. I find it amazing how I can remember songs the first time I heard them. And how they relate to the surroundings where I was. How did DJ know how to play that tune at the right place and the right time? I have a rotten memory. But when I can remember the song that was playing at that particular time, I can remember everything.  Bizarre. I'm thankful for the music.
I think it was just the right time and place for Bill to hear the song. I like the song well enough to give it a 7. We all have songs like that. I think several Pink Floyd songs have hit me that way, but never when I imbibed, strangely enough. Something magical about music, I guess.
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Delays - Wonderlust
(Mar 01, 2009 - 10:18) | The average rating for this set is a 9. One of the best sets for me personally here at RP.
Now Playing:
Delays - Wonderlust
Venus Hum - Hummingbirds
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pipeline
Art Of Noise - Peter Gunn
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The Beatles - A Day In The Life
(Mar 01, 2009 - 04:24) | jakewhite77 wrote: Who the &$%@ gave this song a 1?!??!
Trolls are everywhere. Most gave it a 10. It's so different. even by today's standards.
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KT Tunstall - White Bird
(Mar 01, 2009 - 04:21) | highwindows wrote: NOT muzak.
Just shoot whoever designed that hideous album cover!!
Was thinking the same thing, but it works for everyone, doesn't it? I mean, if you fall for glam, you'll buy it. And if you see thru the glam there's actual substance in this album. Excellent marketing.
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Olivia Ruiz - J'traîne Des Pieds
(Feb 23, 2009 - 23:11) | I've been to Paris but can barely discern the meaning of French phrases. I believe the title of the album translates to Chocolate Woman. It is a precious musical idea that lies therein.
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Waterboys - Sweet Thing
(Feb 23, 2009 - 00:58) | This is total krap. Sucko barfo. Ruined a perfectly great beatles song. Thanks for nothing, waterboys. Hate those fracking squeaking fiddles. Ugh.
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Snow Patrol - Take Back The City
(Nov 12, 2008 - 02:49) | roseap wrote: Well... I'm not getting tired of this like I expected to. solid 7.
(1) This doesn't sound like the Snow Patrol I'm familiar with
(2) I like it quite a bit.
(3) Give it an 8 cause it rocks (restrainedly) & I like how well the cool lyrics syncopate w/the rhythm.
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Elliott Smith - Say Yes
(Nov 01, 2008 - 01:34) | dburges wrote: This would be so awesome if I were 13. Somehow reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel, F-bomb notwithstanding.
Yeah, the F-bomb put me off. Giving it a 6 with no possibility of parole.
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Radiohead - All I Need
(Oct 08, 2008 - 21:28) | Radiohead is one of the few bands where I don't like the song at first & then they grow on me. I initially rated this one a 3 and now it's a 9. Not a happy song, but excellent use of dissonance & unusual chord progressions. Me likey.
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Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye
(Oct 07, 2008 - 11:40) | The following entry regards Patty Griffin's song entitled "Goodbye". It was written about Jeff Buckley's death. I can't verify the accuracy of this statement but it seems plausible.
From SongMeanings: by jrw1980 on 09-16-2008 @ 12:03:07 PM
This song is about Jeff Buckley. Not many people know that but it's true. Jeff has inspired many artists and many songs. PJ Harvey's Memphis is about Jeff. Also Chris Cornell's Wave Goodbye, The Cocteau Twins' Rilkean Heart... Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead had Jeff in mind too.
From Wikipedia regarding Buckley:
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Patty Griffin - Goodbye
(Oct 07, 2008 - 11:23) | From SongMeanings:
by jrw1980 on 09-16-2008 @ 12:03:07 PM
This song is about Jeff Buckley. Not many people know that but it's true. Jeff has inspired many artists and many songs. PJ Harvey's Memphis is about Jeff. Also Chris Cornell's Wave Goodbye, The Cocteau Twins' Rilkean Heart... Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead had Jeff in mind too.
I can't verify the accuracy of this interpretation. However, Griffin's "Goodbye" is one of my all-time favorite songs by any artist in any style. Does the dial have an "11"?
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Flaming Lips - In The Morning Of The Magician
(Oct 06, 2008 - 12:30) | Excelsior wrote: Would have been pretty good as an instrumental, but the whining, strained voice of the vocalist completely destroys it.
This is a completely legitimate argument against the band. I hate Bob Dillon for the exact same reason. Can't get past his damn voice. I think you can safely ignore that guy who trashed you earlier.
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Portishead - The Rip
(Oct 06, 2008 - 12:03) | I was insulted by the cheap-ass production of this song. I could have done better with a Wal-mart Casio keyboard. Sucks=1.
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Snow Patrol - Shut Your Eyes
(Sep 06, 2008 - 18:56) | I am going to make sure RadioParadise shuts your account off. I actually agree with your politics, but this is not the place to post such info, westslope.
westslope wrote:Koan and Horstman: Bush II is not a 'country boy'. He is about as rich and spoiled as they get, witness some of the expensive, bad self-medication habits he developed prior to being 're-born'. Bush II has the Messiah Complex and is willing to cater to just about every wealth-destroying special interest group that comes knocking in order to achieve his goals. There is an interesting comparison to be made with Canada's former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. One of Canada's most successful prime ministers in recent memory, he came from modest beginnings, a large Roman Catholic family in a small, forest industry town called Shawinigan Falls. Chrétien had a reputation as a street brawler. He once severly choked a demonstrator that got too close. He served for years under the charismatic and very public intellectual former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Chrétien was viewed as a highly effective cabinet minister. Chrétien spoke lousy English and even worse French. He was the little guy from Shawinigan Falls. The image was 100% home-spun populist. He was charming and self-deprecating. He may not have been as imaginative as other quebecois intellectuals of his era but anybody who knew him understood that his mind was one the sharpest knives in the drawer. Chrétien believed in talking to people and co-opting them into win-win arrangements. The discourse for quebecois nationalists was sometimes tough and uncompromising but outside of the limelight he was willing to make significant concessions. Trudeau, Chrétien and company were all Canadian federalists but proud to be québécois and in the tradition of a once colonized people, anti-militarist, suspicious of all imperial powers, and fiercely multi-lateralist (e.g., pro-NATO, pro-UN). Chrétien tamed Canada's galloping deficit/debt situation in the mid-1990s by slashing defence expenditures following the collapse of the Soviet Union and a number of high profile scandals (as well as less publicized high-level corruption). Chrétien kept Canada forrmally out of Iraq, and suffered much wrath at the time for this decision. In this respect, he was a much better friend and ally to the USA than others who should have known better (Great Britain, Israel) but kept silent or encouraged the folly. Canada has been running solid fiscal surpluses continuously since the mid-1990s. Funny how the styles of the two leaders, Pres. Bush, Jr., and former Prime Minister Chrétien, are in some respects so similar but the policy outcomes are so different. The current prime minister Stephen Harper taps into a different constituency that is much more comfortable with the aerial bombing of ordinary civilians and the use of military might to take resources in the Middle East.
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Pink Floyd - Echoes
(Aug 25, 2008 - 02:11) | Pink Floyd is my favorite band of all time. Echoes is by far the best piece of music they ever recorded. I wish there was an 11 to distinguish it from my other very favorite cuts. The atmospherics & intangible or unconcious elements of this song are part of a mental journey that the listener takes with the composers. This is a tour de force of songwriting genius.
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Son Volt - Windfall
(Aug 24, 2008 - 04:37) | I simply hate country music with twangy guitars and fiddles.
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Sigur Rós - Við spilum endalaust
(Aug 22, 2008 - 00:50) | I disagree with your assessment that Bjork is less original than this (or any) band. I'm not saying I love her music, but she's one of the innovators of "found" music. (Reference her movie & sound track from Dancer in the Dark.) Having said that, I can tell Sigur ros is an interesting and somewhat unique pop band from their native Iceland.
Dior wrote:
Although I'm the foremost coffee expert (they come in work, home and restaurant varieties with car, porch and hangover sub-classes) I think you are missing out on something. I just bought the album. It's the third I own from them and I was surprised how much of a folky feel it has (at times) and how accessible it is compared to previous efforts. Listening to it gave me goosebumps, there is so much in it it's like a crossbreed between Arvo Pärt and Belle And Sebastian while being something completely different, like from a foreign musical culture. Björk is at the forefront of the Icelandic music scene, but this band is the most original (well, in a way) and consistent. One of the good records of 2008, nothing less whatever comes up in the next months.
Time for a refill?
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Charlotte Martin - Stromata
(Aug 13, 2008 - 11:58) | Yeah, that works for me. I love the Tori sound.
davin wrote:
Give me a budget and I'll give you another song that sounds just like Tori Amos, no problem. Does that cut it for you?
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Heather Nova - Island
(Jul 19, 2008 - 04:55) | starfishNcoffee wrote: Isn't this song about a woman whose man is beating her?
I would say yes.
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Neko Case - Hold On, Hold On
(Jul 19, 2008 - 04:39) | What a great set of three! :
Neko Case - Hold On, Hold On
The Shins - Sleeping Lessons
Bruce Cockburn - Creation Dream
They all get 8s. Excellent.
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Radiohead - House Of Cards
(Jul 14, 2008 - 06:20) | cathenley wrote: Radiohead is so ahead of the game, you have no idea...
I've upgraded this song from a 4 to a 6. But I can honestly say that I don't understand the extremely high ratings for this song. As a songwriter, I find the singing weak, the music monotonous. And I can't really understand what he's saying b/c he mumbles. Can someone please explain the attraction that people have to this particular song? I feel like I'm missing something but I have no idea what it is.
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Faithless - Evergreen
(Jun 23, 2008 - 08:03) | EniwaMan wrote:
While I share your appreciation for the physical skill in crafting music, and generally prefer that bands not resort to programmed, fake instruments, I guess I'm not as absolute about it. If you browse through my iTunes library, you'll find, even amongst my favorite tracks, a number of songs that have fake drums, fake orchestral backing, sampled vocal or instrumental riffs and whatnot. I'm not saying my opinion is any better, but I just think in most cases a great song shouldn't be reduced to, and is not limited by a single element. A song can be a complex creation, as with other art forms, as with life, as with a philosophy or a world-view. I don't write off friends because of a single flaw, and thank God they seem to give me the same slack! I know songs are not people, but just as with a person I love, when a song has so much going for it, sometimes the quibbles become non-issues.
This song is a good example. Would I like it better with real drums? Yes, but it has such rich vocals, warm and inviting background textures (many of which are probably sampled or programmed), great melody, and tasteful production that the lack of real drumming just doesn't matter to me.
And, by the way, not all fake instruments are of equal quality. Sometimes they sound horrible, but the drumming in this one sounds good to me, real or fake. Even when using machines, musicians make thousands of choices which, taken together, shape the way a song sounds and feels. Perhaps there is credit to be awarded for musicianship even when it's not an instrument, but rather an electronic device that is being used to good effect. Not always, certainly, but in many cases. My two cents.
Music is in the ear of the beholder. To criticize any music for poor choice of instruments is valid only if the sound doesn't work for the song. I write almost entirely for piano & it's a pure sound, but some songs require more or would sound better if arranged with more instruments.
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Catherine Wheel - Fripp
(Jun 23, 2008 - 07:47) | robco1 wrote: Great segue from King Crimson. Now has anyone recorded a song named "Belew?"
Or Levin. This is marvelous music.
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Doves - The Cedar Room
(May 03, 2008 - 12:04) | I think I've found a new favorite band on RP. My last one was Beck.
The swirling psychedelic power of this particular Doves song really hit me. I will go with a 9 on this.
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White Stripes - Seven Nation Army
(Apr 25, 2008 - 12:32) | bronorb wrote:
Sounds like a beginner to me. I think my daughter figure this out on the guitar in about 5 minutes and she doesn't even play guitar.
Not impressed. This band is a little too sparse sounding to me. I know, I know, that's the point I guess, but I think they are marginal musicians at best.
Very perceptive. The drummer, in particular, really is not a professional drummer. But the type of music is considered "garage band" and they deliberately keep it basic. The guy who plays the other instruments (including vocals) is a pro.
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Sophie Solomon - Holy Devil
(Apr 19, 2008 - 15:08) | This is cliche' Russian folk dance music...not my kind of thing. It's better than most, though, so I give it a 6.
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Jon Redfern - I Love The Sun
(Apr 14, 2008 - 21:02) | BikeCoachDave wrote: my wife and I own a small bike shop in Kentucky. Its our slow season and the shop is just deserted. When this song came on I walked over and she gave me a hug. Turned into a slow dance through the vocals.
What a treat.
Thanks Bill.
This is a beautiful story, and the song is likewise lovely. Thanks. 8.
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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - 666 Conducer
(Apr 14, 2008 - 20:58) | EssexTex wrote: Good band, but I'm getting bored with this song
I can't believe I'm saying this but this BRMC song is only a 6. I read the lyrics and they are banal. BOOOOOORRRRRRIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG!!!!!
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Dishwalla - Give
(Apr 10, 2008 - 17:36) | This is getting a 5.7? I gave it a solid 8 with possibilities of an upgrade to 9. I'm not sure what people are thinking. This is excellent stuff.
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The Features - Blow It Out
(Apr 10, 2008 - 16:57) | Once again I am ignoring the negative comments and just rating what I heard. It was pretty good, probably a 7. Not sure why people don't like this song, but it's pretty good 'sfar as I'm concerned.
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Carole King - Jazzman
(Mar 30, 2008 - 20:05) | One of two songs I uploaded that was immediately accepted. (the other one was by George Thorogood). Hopefully this one will get played soon. If so, I hope everyone enjoys it.
Peace out.
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King Crimson - One Time
(Mar 26, 2008 - 01:11) | On_The_Beach wrote: King Crimson can do no wrong in my opinion, although I prefer their pre-Yellow-Red-Blue albums. Lark's Tongue in Aspic and Starless & Bible Black were great heavy prog albums way ahead of their time.
While the true blue KC fan will love LTIA and S&BB, these albums are not for the faint of heart. That stuff is VERY experimental and qualifies as "difficult listening hour" to coin a Laurie Anderson phrase. I would stay away from the older KC stuff until you've gotten used to their more accessible later work. Rare are the KC fans that enjoy the old stuff (like Bible Black and Lark's Tongue) and also like the new yellow-red-blue albums. They are like two different groups that happen to share one common member. To me, they are two different bands and two different sounds.
Thrack, BTW, is kind of a throwback to the old days. It reminds me of a metallic (and more creative) Porcupine Tree. It may be hard to believe that there are better progrock bands than PT, but King Crimson is superior IMO.
(sorry for making 2 posts in a row. I'm a KC fan thru and thru...I love it all.)
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King Crimson - One Time
(Mar 26, 2008 - 01:04) | andrewimft wrote:
I'd start with Discipline, because I think it's the most accessible introduction. An excellent CD, and much of it is more easy to listen to and enjoy as a starter. There's sweet ballads like the lovely ballad "Matte Kudasai" which anyone is likely to like, similar to "One Time" but much prettier in my opinion.
There's a few rockers like Elephant Talk and Discipline which feature the unique KC twist on rock, all in all a likeable CD most non KC fans would probably like. This CD features the great Adrian Belew on lead vocals and guitar, former Yes drummer Bill Bruford, and bass stick genius Tony Levin-- an incredible supergroup lineup.
The other suggestions people have made are all excellent, but I think this CD is the best to start with if you're not yet a full familiar fan of the band.
Discipline represents one of the best "reprise" albums by an old rock group that recreated itself. In the 80s, Belew & Levin added a new dimension that continues to be creative to this day.
Thrack is a more difficult album that (nonetheless) pleases and satisfies the KC fan. But you're right. Discipline is an excellent start for new fans. Some of my favorite KC tracks of all time are on that disc.
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Snow Patrol - Run
(Mar 22, 2008 - 16:16) | Mari wrote: when something, anything, moves ya, there's little else to be done or said but be moved, that is, allow yourself to be moved, it's ok, it's good medicine, i run to be moved, i crave movement, i love this song, i really love it, it so moves me, after all this time, it still has power to move me
He is singing about an angel that is gone from his life. I gave this song an 8, but I might consider upgrading it later.
MARI: You have said something profound and right. Thanks for the insight.
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The Frames - Falling Slowly
(Mar 15, 2008 - 05:48) | I'm listening to "Falling Slowly" on the Listener Review area. The song is by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová. Excellent version of the song. Dunno if this is the same song or not.
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Neko Case - Hold On, Hold On
(Mar 15, 2008 - 05:38) | fredriley wrote: "I leave the party at 3am, alone thank god" - reminds me of so many parties in my youth, particularly as a student, when I was just happy to get away from those who were still hanging on, drinking the dregs of the undrinkable beer and wine left in the kitchen, or smoking yet another spliff when they were already more wrecked than the Titanic. It's so nice at that time of the morning, just before dawn when the streets are empty, the air is clean, and the only people out are early-rising dogwalkers. Such bliss to be alone after all the pissed-up forced jollity and increasingly desperate fumblings of yet another failed party...
Good writing, fredriley. I like this song too. Gave it an 8.
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10,000 Maniacs - Hey Jack Kerouac
(Mar 15, 2008 - 02:17) | I seriously don't think this song belongs on RP. It was overplayed on the radio and Natalie M. is not terribly talented as a singer. She makes everything she sings sound generic somehow. This song is pop which is insulting to Jack Kerouac.
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Patty Griffin - Goodbye
(Mar 14, 2008 - 09:07) | I never got to say goodbye to my grandpa Sandy. This song helps me deal with that. With a tear in my eye, this one gets a 10.
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Feist - My Moon My Man
(Mar 02, 2008 - 03:01) | I have read these lyrics twice thru and this song is clearly about having sex of some kind, anal or otherwise. Her reference to the calendar and the moon indicates that it's anal sex, because that's an ancient method of a) not getting pregnant and b) having sex during menses. Since there are other ways (such as the pill and a condom) of avoiding pregnancy, I think her boyfriend wants sex during her period, so she chose door #2. Yick.
I'm still giving this song an 8. Amazing music and interesting lyrics. BTW: "Shed some light on me" is a reference to the place where the sun don't shine. Now let me think...where would that be? 
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Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
(Mar 01, 2008 - 13:48) | DoctorHooey wrote: That funky disco beat totally eclipses the treacly sincerity of this song. Makes it kinda funny, like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is funking.
You're very clever with your words but the idea that this is disco is not what most people think. Treacle is a false or sentimental emotion but I doubt they thought it was that way when they recorded and released it. Perhaps you just don't like it. It's a 7. No problem, nothing great, but better than many. The gold standard here on RP is to get a 7 or above as an average score.
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Tears For Fears - Sketches Of Pain
(Feb 29, 2008 - 01:16) | Wadro13 wrote:We need more from this album. I used to drive my old Honda Prelude around with the moon roof open blasting the cassette of Big Chair. I would repeat over & over the songs Head over Heels, & the one preceeding it.
I had Elemental through high school. It's a great first solo effort by Roland Orzabal.
Okay so Raoul & the Kings of Spain I bought when it came out and was too immature for it I guess. It was tossed into the trunk and forgotten. Finally when I got to college I picked up The Seeds of Love and fell in love again. So I dug out Raoul and discovered the best work released as TFF. It is so solemn, yet hopeful. This track is one of the best. I often play it for people who only know TFF for Shout or Everybody wants to rule the world. I highly recommend that you all go buy this album and share it with your friends!
Then, if you have the patience check out Tomcats Screaming Outside by Roland Orzabal (released as him instead of TFF) It took a while to grow on me. I think I just relate well to Rolands frustrations with a Idealism getting juiced down to realism and cynicism. (He says "bulletts for the brains of the athiests" a far cry from "anything is possible when you're sewing the seeds of love")
Hope you enjoyed my novellette!
I really loved what you had to say. This was by far the finest of the TFF songs I have ever heard, and I've loved most of it, especially their later stuff with Seeds Of Love. This is a 9, and I reserve the right to upgrade this to classic 10 status.
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Neko Case - Hold On, Hold On
(Feb 23, 2008 - 05:43) | fishy1 wrote: Umm, after listening to the Joseph Arthur's voice earlier in the set, my ears are sighing with relief. Anyone else?
Yeah. I usually like JA, but In The Sun sucked. This Neko song is excellent, though. 8.
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Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
(Feb 18, 2008 - 22:46) | secretsauce wrote: Can't ... get ... my ... head ... phones ... loud ... enough!!!!
(One of my few 10's.)
this is my favorite zep song. High score=10.
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Indigo Girls - Galileo
(Feb 05, 2008 - 23:15) | out_to_lunch wrote: oh dear, look - Guys, that is so mean. Who colored in the lesbian's face? Come on, just because their music is terrible doesn't mean its cool to make fun of the ladies.
That is the original cover art for this album. Image Google Indigo Girls rites of passage.
This is a good song...it gets an 8. I am ignoring the rationalists who insist that the lyrics need to make perfect sense in order to be good. think of all the songs you love where the lyrics are just total nonsense.
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Massive Attack - Teardrop
(Feb 02, 2008 - 02:10) | alisams wrote: Very cool tune... did I hear it also in the background for a video game ad?
I believe this is the theme song to television's House series. It's a show about a talented medical diagnostition.
(click here)
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Led Zeppelin - Bron-y-aur Stomp
(Feb 02, 2008 - 01:50) | OCDHG wrote:Now why didn't I associate this before? Jack White (the White Stripes) sounds like this... 
Yeah, similar. The drummer's better though.
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Sting - Mad About You
(Jan 29, 2008 - 21:25) | MonkeyPod wrote:
I believe "soul cages" refers to the human body, which houses the soul. This is an excellent piece of work. Sting got more sophisticated and better with age, unlike most musicians.
I read somewhere that Sting's father died while he was writing the music for this album. No wonder he got a little metaphysical.
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Talking Heads - Listening Wind
(Nov 18, 2007 - 06:57) | wally42 wrote: I hear so much Brian Eno, Adrian Belew too. They were both involved on this right?
Yes. Eno and Belew were involved in this album. I believe Remain in Light is considered one of the top 100 rock albums ever made. While the music is great, the lyrics are some of the very best existential stuff ever written for popular music.
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Pete Yorn - For Us
(Oct 15, 2007 - 23:31) | electronicshaman wrote: the beginning of this song always reminds me of "Lithium Flower" from the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex soundtrack.
she's so number nine
she's incredible math
just incredible math
...whatever that means...
This is a very good song (8). The number 9 is often preceeded by the number 6. Do you get it now?
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Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
(Oct 15, 2007 - 22:46) | heyjoe3577 wrote: I'm going to have to re-rate all of my music now. some of my 10's aren't 10's if this is a 10. And this is the definition of a 10. Wish You Were Here, too.
10!
This is one of PFs best songs ever, and two of the best guitar solos in all of rock, although Gilmour is really a blues specialist if you think about it. Yes, this is the definition of a 10. Other songs in my list need to be downgraded b/c they are (mostly) not as good. This is one of the best songs ever recorded.
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Radiohead - Nude
(Oct 13, 2007 - 03:42) | slartibart_O wrote: Totally unremarkable on 1st listen. Absolutley do not like Thom's vocals without which the music is just so much background - so is there more? The title Nude implies a minimalist approach; I'll let it simmer.
'fraid I must agree. Not a compelling album. This song is 3 or 4.
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Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place
(Oct 13, 2007 - 03:31) | Just downloaded this from their website. Jigsaw builds up very satisfyingly & seems to be saying something. I think a few songs on this album were inspired by a school shooting.
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The Shins - Spilt Needles
(Sep 30, 2007 - 05:00) | Shesdifferent wrote: I've heard better from them.
Yeah...me too. This was a 3 or a 4. Uneven and warbly and out of tune sounding. Eek.
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Aromabar - Velvet Nights
(Sep 30, 2007 - 04:53) | jgeyer wrote: Aromabar eh? This song gives off an aroma that leads me to believe this Aromabar can only be brown.
Gotta agree. This is the first 2 I have given to an RP song in a long time.
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Pink Floyd - A Pillow of Winds
(Sep 29, 2007 - 13:30) | tony99 wrote:
'Wish' was their last decent album, IMHO.
Decent? I think ALL of PFs albums rate at least decent, even the stuff in the 90s. Wish was their last GREAT album. Come on...get some perspective. Most bands would be proud to put out The Final Cut or any of that later crap...it was only bad by the standards of their previous work. A LOT of people dis the wall because there was a commercial hit on it, but it was a stellar and accessible concept album that created one of the most amazing concert venues of all time (where they played behind the wall and knocked it down at the end).
PF is a great band and people who don't like their recent work are being too persnickity.
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Björk - Jóga
(Sep 25, 2007 - 23:49) | Wizzuvv_oz wrote: I've been a fan since the beginning, but I sure am glad she went easy on "the growly thing" in this song. That has grown tedious for me. That "Dancer in the Dark" movie was pretty cool/trippy. Especially when they went into that first song. My wife and aI couldn't agree about the end though. She thought it was beautiful. I thought it was manipulative.
It was manipulative by American standards, and somewhat anti-punishment, which we don't like generally. But it was a message movie and i definitely got the message. That's one of the few movies that made me cry because I was so invested in the beauty of the soul that the actress (bjork) had created with her character.
the 'found' musical sounds idea is something that Bjork has pioneered, I suppose, at least in popular music. It is beautiful & mechanistic at once. 8
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Laurie Anderson - Let X=X
(Sep 22, 2007 - 03:47) | Laurie Anderson was my favorite artist from the 80s. I saw her in 2005 after she had been Artist in Residence at NASA (no kidding) and it was still really off-kilter, but not quite so entertaining 25 years later. Her art is observant, self-aware, and incredibly intellectual-yet-intuitive. It is beyond description...perhaps it is gestalt art in-the-here-and-now. It is transcendent. Even if you don't like this particular cut, all her other stuff is unexpected and fantastic. You will learn something about yourself listening to it and reacting. Great artist!
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Kruder & Dorfmeister - East West
(Sep 22, 2007 - 03:42) | jbjnr wrote: I like the way RP combines all sort of stuff I've never heard before, - but I really don't want to be tortured with rubbish like this. It's so mediocre I can't even give it a particularly low rating. Could you please stop playing this.
LOL! Music is so subjective. This is repetitive and hypnotic. I'm not sure it's worthy of being played anywhere, but it's different and I appreciate Bill's willingness to experiment.
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Medeski, Martin & Wood - New Planet
(Sep 22, 2007 - 03:12) | Serious downgrade from 8 to 4. The chirping sound cheapens the music...it's just a bunch of special effects splattered together on a canvas like an abstract painting. What a mess. Maybe I need to hear it a third time to find a happy medium (6?)
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Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
(Sep 15, 2007 - 01:29) | birdland wrote:
Empathy is impossible, in the deepest sense of the word, that's true. So you can't be in someone else's head. As well, I'm pretty sure suicide is a personal thing and if tormented to the end of your rope you decide not to exist, that's a decision that's hard for anyone else to understand.
All that having been said, I, personally, wonder how you can accuse any suicide of not liking music?
Just me. Just wondering.
We analyzed his suicide in my psych class and decided he had almost every "risk factor" that made him likely to do it. Bad self image, self hatred, previous attempts, depressive symptoms, etc. The guy was gonna kill himself and he LOVED to play with guns. Not too surprised he did it, but I was haunted for weeks after he killed himself.
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Anna Ternheim - Girl Laying Down
(Sep 15, 2007 - 00:45) | ty wrote: There's something about the music of the verse that makes me feel uneasy and anxious right from the first few notes; that feeling is eclipsed by relief and resolution at the chorus, and I don't think it's just the strings coming in. Is there something about the key or tempo that might have that effect? Is there some minor to major transition (thinking Mahler #2 here)?
Would any of you music theory folks give me some feedback?
I've written a lot of music and have found that using a minor key is most effective in setting a mood. This song also uses an Eastern vibe with the drums, seems to change speed, and has somewhat haunting and sexually suggestive lyrics. Overall, this is a well written song even though it is essentially done in 4/4 time (although I have only heard it this once).
I thought the ending was unexpected, but I can't decide if Bill just blended it into the next song or what. This one gets an 8 from me.
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Ben Folds - Not The Same
(Sep 02, 2007 - 02:35) | I knew a guy from high school who went to San Diego state in CA and took so much acid he fried his Mensa brain...was reduced to diving for seafood on the Mendocino coast. This song really hits home for me. I think we all know friends who have done some serious damage to themselves and become someone else that we don't recognize anymore. I haven't changed much, myself. This song gets a 9 from me.
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Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)
(Aug 10, 2007 - 14:42) | azdcryan wrote: Like them or not, Radiohead has put out an amazingly diverse and compelling catalogue...
...The Bends has to be one of the finest albums, start to finish, ever made...
...up there with Pet Sounds, Revolver, Dark Side, etc.
Just my opinion.
Thank you for your opinion. All the albums you mention are among my favorites of all time. I will put The Bends on my Amazon wish list for Christmas. Sounds to me like this is something I overlooked (as usual) but eventually discovered.
I think this particular song reminds me of a Bach composition. Very reserved...mostly relies on the quality of the music without any studio tricks. GREAT music.
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Kaki King - Second Brain
(Jul 28, 2007 - 08:54) | Nuvola_Rossa wrote: First part of the song remember me "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." by Sufjan Stevens
Very observant and exactly right. The overall song, however, is maybe a 6 or a 7.
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The Cure - In-Between Days
(Jul 13, 2007 - 21:08) | slowhand wrote: Such a low rating for a priceless song.
Huh? Anything above a 7 is an excellent average. I gave it an 8.
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The Smiths - How Soon Is Now
(Jul 13, 2007 - 20:37) | Kristi wrote:
At least for my memory, most people in the '80s were listening to Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, Duran Duran, Devo, U2, Bruce Springsteen. My friends and I thought we were much cooler than the main stream, regular radio listeners because "our stuff" was underground music.
It was the mid-'80s that I discovered there was music outside of Top 40 - in other words, I "got cultured."
Frankly, I have been surprised in recent years to find so many people even knew about, much less LIKED The Cure, DM, and The Smiths!  
To call yourself cultured for liking the smiths and the cure is a bit precious as it's merely a matter of taste...I noticed that the goths really like the Cure (not to mention depression). I remember when I was young hating stuff because it was popular. But then I realized that I was jealous of popular people so that explains everything. All the bands mentioned herein (both popular and less so) are quite good. As time passes we forget who was popular then and concentrate on whether it's still good now. U2 holds up pretty well, as does this song. 8
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Tears For Fears - Sowing The Seeds Of Love
(Jul 07, 2007 - 13:07) | Blackjack wrote: Here's an 80s piece that's really held up well. The layering of sound in the second half of the song might be criticised as being overproduced, but I don't hear it that way -- it just sounds rich to me.
And I love that horn! It's like a clarion call for love! C'mere, gimme a kiss ...
Teerz4Feerz got psychadelic. Vcool. 9
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Radio Citizen (feat. Bajka) - The Hop
(Jun 28, 2007 - 17:41) | I have never heard anything like this before, not even from Bjork. Amazing. Music. Hope RP survives the stupid RIAA thing and gets a chance to introduce me to more incredible music that I will ultimately buy. 10
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David Hopkins - Suzanne Is Perfect
(Jun 16, 2007 - 04:27) | Okay...this was a little gem by somebody I'd never heard of. I lived in the SF bay area too long ago. Here's the lyrics. I gave this one an 8:
Suzanne is perfect except for the band where she cut her own hand with a razor blade. New York and cocaine have got to her now she took her last bow in the powder
room. All that she wanted and all that she had are the same thing. Even in sin she still had the face of a queen.
Suzanne is broken down by the sea she was trying to be now she can never be. Alone in a madness out of control she lived in a hole with her radiohead. All that she wanted and all that she had are the same thing. Even in sin she still had the face of a queen.
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Stanley Jordan - Eleanor Rigby
(May 26, 2007 - 18:52) | hunthunthunt wrote: This is possibly one of the most lame, irritating and self indulgent pieces of music I ever have had the displeasure of hearing.
He misses a lot of notes and hits the notes too hard. Interpretive? Yes. Interesting. No. Very self-indulgent and not very good. 4.
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Adrian Belew - Big Electric Cat
(May 25, 2007 - 13:47) | The is one of the great guitar songs ever written...on a level with Hendrix. Belew is the best living guitarist in the ProgRock tradition. He even outshines Fripp. 10
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Leonard Cohen - By The Rivers Dark
(Apr 14, 2007 - 12:52) | physicsgenius wrote:
Your point seems to be that since Mozart died penniless but is immortal, Cohen shouldn't feel too bad that he's broke. But Mozart didn't die either penniless or in a mass grave, so Cohen can't take comfort in that "fact".
You can still try to make the point that an artist can be financially un(der)appreciated in their own time, but you'll have to find someone else besides Mozart to back it up. Of course, if you were at all concerned about making a rational, rather than a cliche, argument, you'd also have to connect Cohen to the relevant features of the artist you choose (and by the way, I can't find a defining one between Cohen and Mozart, so that choice of artist is looking worse and worse).
Everything that PG said above is logical, accurate (I checked), and difficult to refute. Leonard Cohen is clearly a very talented composer, but there are fewer than a dozen composers who have ever lived that compare to Mozart. Here's a short list, regardless of musical type or time-frame (get the full list from (click here):
1. Bach
2. Beethoven
3. Mozart
4. Chopin
5. Nobuo Uematsu
6. Tchaikovsky
7. Claude Debussy
8. Wagner
9. Brahms
10. Yoko Kanno
This list is just some random people's opinions, but it's a list I can agree with, generally. I have never heard of 5 & 10. I would probably add Lennon & McCartney and perhaps Aaron Copland.
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Coldplay - White Shadows
(Apr 14, 2007 - 12:27) | Gish05 wrote: I loved Coldplay's first album. Their second is acceptable. Their live show is pretty good, as I went to go see them back in 2003.
Everything seems to be going downhill now, and it's starting with this album. Boo.
I neither love nor hate Coldplay. But comments like this are puzzling. I enjoy just about everything that this band releases. The old stuff is great, and so is the new stuff. If anything, the songs all sound kinda the same, but it's a good sound. If you read the critics, all three of their albums are great and they are considered the biggest rock band in the world right now. I suppose that's true. How many recent bands are 3-0? And sell LOTS of albums? Not many.
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RJD2 - Laws of the Gods
(Apr 01, 2007 - 08:22) | The lyrics are good. The music is staccato, very drum oriented. I like the melody a little, but (like many others have said) I don't really get it.
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Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower
(Apr 01, 2007 - 05:42) | An arrangement of this song (originally written by Bob Dylan) was featured on the finale of this season's Battlestar Galactica. One of the best sci-fi adventure series ever on TV. It's too bad they didn't use Jimi's version, but it was excellent nonetheless. I have never heard JH's version on RP, but someday maybe the cosmic forces of the universe will converge and the magic will happen again.
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Tori Amos - Taxi Ride
(Mar 15, 2007 - 02:55) | beelzebubba wrote: I have yet to hear a Tori Amos song that does anything for me.
I like most of Tori's music, but this song is overrated, IMO. Also, I have seen recent interviews with Tori and her new age consciousness-raising mantra. She's a crazy-weird person...not someone I would want to know personally. Given her history, I guess that's understandable. She will spend the rest of her life (as a very sensitive artist) trying to compensate for what an older man did to her before she was 18.
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Kasabian - Ovary Stripe
(Mar 11, 2007 - 06:45) | Smoove_D wrote:
There was a big sticker on the outside of the album that said it won't allow you to copy it. I tried it anyway and was able to copy it without a problem.
Is that because I have a Mac?
Yes. That would be the reason why. anti-Microsoft bias strikes again. this song is pretty good. 7
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Beck - Qué Onda Guero
(Mar 03, 2007 - 09:09) | masterhead wrote:
I think what Beck is refering is that somehow we are a minority in many ways. While living in Mexico people would call me Guero (because I got white skin, I am not even blonde), and it was not really in a derogatory way, unless they say "pinche guero", now that is different. When I call someone Guero is in a good way, and when you call a Blonde Girl "Guera", that is a very cool thing to say..  now if you say "guerita" it is even better
We were in Mexico awhile back and this translation is correct. Essentially, a mexican says que onda guero to another mexican if he or she is a little whiter than normal, such as having white or spanish blood instead of native ancestry. It's not considered insulting towards fully white people either, but is not a phrase that is generally used for touristas, etc.
I love beck and this is one of his best songs. I give it a 9.
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Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
(Feb 26, 2007 - 12:32) | kazuma wrote:
Good point. I don't know the answer. I think they did some great stuff, but nothing revolutionary and certainly nothing I hadn't heard before over the years. Right place, right time, I guess.
Couldn't disagree more. Most influential bands got their original ideas from somewhere, but remember the key word here: influence. Just like the Beatles, Zeppelin, and Hendrix, this band caused an upheaval in the music being played by others AFTER their seminal album was released.
If you found it uninteresting at the time of release, perhaps you just didn't like it. Nor does retrospective boredom (if that's what this is) give accurate credit for what this band's music accomplished in the music industry.
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Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
(Feb 24, 2007 - 13:50) | huebdoo wrote: Long ago when I was a young man I fell madly in love with a girl that this song reminds me of completely. She was a beauty that I had never known before; she made me feel safe and strong all at the same time. Her ways brought me from a dark place to somewhere where I had never been before
Her Red flowing Hair and smile and her bubbly way of speaking and living was something so attractive - so seductive.
She will be in my head forever... tucked away in a little place where I keep special memories, special moments that nobody can take away from me.
Thank you for playing this tune... it gave me another reminder of how lucky I was to know her - to be with her.
That's a great story. I had previously given this song an 8, and I stand by that. Excellent song and story.
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Ben Harper - Gather 'Round The Stone
(Feb 24, 2007 - 13:10) | This is the first time I have ever said this about an RP song that I like: This one's getting too much play and I'm downgrading it.
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Bruce Springsteen - Trapped (Live)
(Feb 24, 2007 - 04:41) | Sunman wrote: Never could get on board with this guy...maybe it's an East Coast thing...don't know of anybody who likes him. I'm Not knocking him or his abilities, he just don't float my boat.
My wife and I are very cool towards most of springsteen's songs. She thinks he can't sing (often true). As a songwriter, myself, I think his songs are emotionally one-dimensional. Rarely does he switch gears, get quiet, or do anything else to make an emotional transformation other than your standard build up or down. Many of his most famous songs are waving the flag too much for my taste. This particular song, while good, just gets slightly more intense, and it doesn't say anything interesting lyrically. An 8 because it sounds nice, I guess.
Here's a link to explain why Springsteen is probably the most consistently overrated musician in America, if not the world:
(click here)
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RJD2 - Reality
(Feb 23, 2007 - 23:21) | Boosiewolf wrote:Wow...great groove, nice harmonies...almost remimiscent of old King Crimson stuff. 
I'm a big Prog Rock fan, but this is overcooked and self-conscious. Terrible stuff trying way too hard and failing miserably. 2
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Imogen Heap - Glittering Cloud
(Feb 23, 2007 - 23:07) | brander wrote: It's from a compilation album ("Plague Songs") on which 10 ten differerent artists have been selected to each write a song about one of the ten biblical plagues from the book of Exodus.
I like her voice...it's an 8 for me. As for the locusts, yes. that's the only logical explanation. but if you read the lyrics, it's a stretch. she could be writing about virtually anything.
(click here)
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Charlotte Martin - Stromata
(Feb 21, 2007 - 23:13) | people seem to hate this because it sounds like somebody else who is really good. derivative or not, good is still good. a solid 7.
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Lush - Undertow
(Feb 10, 2007 - 14:08) | Best song i've heard on rp in quite awhile. 10
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Neko Case - At Last
(Feb 09, 2007 - 01:27) | komainu wrote: "I own every bell that tolls me."
Dunno what it means, but I like it.
To me, this refers to knowledge of the self.
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Talking Heads - Sax And Violins
(Feb 09, 2007 - 01:10) | mattt wrote: Looking at the album cover, it seems Bill would be safe to just pop the CD in and hit play. That looks like a great mix of artists to me. Anyone else heard the rest of the album? Worth picking up?
-mt-
Yeah...this is a set of artists that RP likes to play. I would recommend this album based simply upon the list of artists. Having said that, I am WAY to cheap to pony up and pay. This song is a 8. Good overall but not the best of the Heads.
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William Shatner - Common People
(Feb 09, 2007 - 00:38) | physicsgenius wrote:
Go back and watch his two Twilight Zone episodes. The guy is a decent (at the very least) actor. I think the Kirk cheesiness is more a problem of direction than acting.
Once again, I find myself in agreement with physicsgenius. I've studied Shatner for years. He has more Tonys, Emmys, etc. than most of his peers of any age. He was told to 'camp it up' and play Kirk as a Space Opera. My wife hates his older work and thinks he sucks, and she has a right to her opinion. I think he is brilliant among us. His recent work on Boston Legal is strange and wonderful.
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Vienna Teng - Between
(Feb 06, 2007 - 02:14) | StuBotNYC wrote: gosh, I feel my ovaries hum on this song- and I'm a 36 yo male!
 Hilarious!
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Supergrass - Sad Girl
(Feb 06, 2007 - 02:02) | UnKl_Brooklynn wrote:
A huevo, se me parece que sí... pero esta canción suena bién en mi opinión.
Babel fish translates this as: "Like egg, it looks to me that yes... but this song sounds good in my opinion."
(The reference to egg is from The Walrus.)
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King Crimson - Walking On Air
(Jan 28, 2007 - 10:38) | dmax wrote:Crimson has so many incarnations that it's easy to pick up a mediocre record unless you're careful.
The places to start:
In The Court of the Crimson King - old school mystic prog that set a standard
Red - Fripp, Bruford, Wetton in a formation that could "shred wallpaper at a hundred paces" according to Fripp
Discipline - Fripp, Belew, Bruford, Levin, with a renewed vision and concentrated, unadulterated musicianship
THRAK - Fripp, Belew, Bruford, Levin, Mastolletto, and Gunn in the "double trio" formation. A complex, formidable, and confrontational album that rewards thoughtful listening
and, if you want a real honest-to-goodness treat:
The Great Deceiver - complete, unedited performances of the band at their mid-70s prog rock best. A self indulgent purchase, but MAN.
The cheapskate version of that would be
The Night Watch - still a bang-up live set
I am particularly fond of Lark's Tongue in Aspic for it's artistry. Crimson is a stepping off point for enjoying the fine (and in many ways superior) eclectic work of Adrian Belew. This KC song here is one of their best. Give it an 8.
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TV On the Radio - A Method
(Jan 28, 2007 - 10:01) | "What IS this?" My wife asked me when first it came on. "I dunno," I replied. Still don't.
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Jean-Luc Ponty - In the Kingdom of Peace
(Dec 30, 2006 - 01:30) | rah wrote: is this an electric violin, a synthesizer, or is the sound just tweaked?
When I first heard this 20-odd years ago, I was under the impression that it was an electric violin.
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Roxy Music - More Than This
(Dec 30, 2006 - 01:24) | johkir wrote:This is a great tune, but even greater for me, as I have a bit of a soft spot for it. 20 years ago, I had never heard this album until one day, a girl named Jodi invited me over one afternoon. Turns out she had a little crush on me, which she acted on shortly after putting this album on. To this day, when I hear this song, I am instantly back on her couch, hands on our backs and necks, lips locked, discovering each others taste, feel, scent. 
Yeah, it was one of my favorite make-out sessions, ever. You out there Jodi?
Good story. Cool song.
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Cracker - Better Times Are Coming Our Way
(Dec 29, 2006 - 17:04) | Eul0gy wrote: I've been noticing a scary trend. Radioparadise has been moving farther from everything it was when I started listening and closer to "easy listening" every day. This is one of the few songs left on the playlist that echo of what radioparadise used to be.
Wether I like the song or not doesn't matter, If I wanted to listen to only the songs I liked, I'd not waste someone else's (extremely expensive) bandwidth to listen to a music stream.
This entry screams "reply"! Radio Paradise is pretty much the same as always, although the DJ and his wife (who programs the specific songs) are Boomers from the SF Bay Area, so you have to make allowances.
Easy listening is not the word I would use to describe the programming on Radioparadise.com. It's more like psychedelic and liberal. If that equals easy listening in some listener's ears, so be it.
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Mazzy Star - Into Dust
(Dec 16, 2006 - 09:54) | enidualc wrote: i had to stop getting ready for work, sit on the bed & close my eyes for this one. so beautiful.
I think Mazzy Star could be the Shakespeare of pop lyrics. I love the title of this album: So Tonight That I Might See. Beautifully worded. Song gets an 8. A little too simplistic and not enough strong emotion to manage a higher score.
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David Byrne - Dirty Old Town
(Dec 09, 2006 - 04:46) | renlat wrote:Can anyone explain to me what's the big deal about that guy ??? 
He wrote and sang on one of the best rock albums ever recorded: Remain in Light (click here)
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Beck - Soldier Jane
(Dec 03, 2006 - 06:31) | On_The_Beach wrote: Nice. Love the ending.
Yeah. Nice ending. Not sure what window (below) is talking about.
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Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
(Dec 03, 2006 - 06:14) | arudger wrote: nice tune, but really dont need to hear it here on RP
This is childish, middle school rock. Repetitive. Repetitive. 6
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Bob Dylan - Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
(Nov 26, 2006 - 08:02) | Tamanegi65 wrote:
If someone comes along and shoves a hot poker in your eye and you say you don't like it, and they say - "so, you just want the same old blah stuff that everyone else likes?" - where's the sense in that? Different does not by definition mean good. Yes Dylan's voice is very unique. That doesn't automatically qualify it to be good. Many love his singing, thats great. I don't. I like lots of unique music - just when it comes to Dylan I'd rather take the hot poker.
what dylan has to say is awesome. His songwriting is above average, even by todays standards. His voice is often terrible...like Tom Wiats, it's an acquired taste. I hated dylan for 20 years, but now I get it. and i like it.
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Belle & Sebastian - Sleep the Clock Around
(Nov 04, 2006 - 06:06) | Alphonso wrote:this song is garbage. putrified baby music.  
I gave this song a 1 for the terrible sounds. Are those synth keyboards trying to sound like bagpipes? Doesn't matter. Hated the results.
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The Cure - All Cats Are Grey
(Nov 03, 2006 - 13:17) | daveesh wrote:
Ben Franklin used this line when referring to his affinity for older women:
"And as in the Dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure of Corporal Enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal and frequently superior; every Knack being by Practice capable by improvement.
This is correct. All Cats Are Gray is Ben Franklin's reference to the fact that all women are identical in bed when the lights are out, and (in fact) older women are often better in bed than younger women due to their experience. The word cat is a metaphor for a certain distinctive part of the female anatomy. See here. (click here)
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John Lennon - Imagine
(Nov 03, 2006 - 13:01) | Do I need to mention that this is the best song ever written by John Lennon, and the VERY best lyrics ever written by a pop rock composer? Is there an eleven(11)? My favorite song of all time.
All the crap written below about John Lennon's flaws does not relate to his talent as a music composer. Personal flaws are a given with super-talented people. It's all in the music that matters. The rest is just the supporting bizarre subconscious necessary to support such a genius.
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Radiohead - Black Star
(Sep 19, 2006 - 23:49) | thatch wrote: I just can't get past the annoying vocals. Long drawn out notes, too high and thin voice with that vibrato. Almost drowned out by the guitar. Every song sounds the same.
I am glad I found someone who agrees. this sounds tinny and poorly recorded. Sorry to hear they all sound like this. You just saved me $$ as I won't bother downloading any of this. This is a 5. Not sure why others like this song. It sounds pretentious and when I read the lyrics, they are vague and teen-love-starved-simplistic.
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Vienna Teng - Whatever You Want
(Sep 19, 2006 - 23:41) | This is a total rip-off of Tori Amos, but I like Tori, so this rates an 8. Also, Teng's voice is better.
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Koko Taylor - Wang Dang Doodle
(Sep 19, 2006 - 23:05) | physicsgenius wrote: Koko Taylor appears on an episode of the animated children's show Arthur and she seems pretty cool. She even mentions this song (or maybe it's Brain that does). I've never been sure if the name was made up for the show or what. Now I know. Now I also know it's nothing to write home about, though I'll refrain from rating it (around 2 or 3) because I like that episode so much. RP should have the moose kid (what'shisname)'s song on here instead, the one about his friend with the wooden head.
I saw koko playing w/her band a couple of years ago. Excellent music, but she doesn't sing much anymore...just 20 or 30 minutes in a 90 minute set. This song is not among her best works. Either that, or it doesn't record well in the studio. 5
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Shannon McNally - Down and Dirty
(Sep 19, 2006 - 23:01) | iMacomania wrote: She looks good, but I do not like this song.
tend to agree: too much country; bad metronomic drums, too much like pop krap. sounds too much like everything else terrible out there. Someone down there wrote that it sounded generic; That's exactly right! Can't imagine how this artist got signed. 4 and falling.
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Sarah McLachlan - Building a Mystery
(Sep 15, 2006 - 18:17) | physicsgenius wrote: I like the chorus of this song, even though the goth junk is so 90s. Also, it brings back good memories of pre-Bush America.
I am both a HUGE McLachlan fan and a critic of the Bush war in Iraq. This is my favorite post from the genius.
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Joseph Arthur - Honey and the Moon
(Sep 15, 2006 - 13:38) | dogdokken wrote: I'll go on record to say this is one of this decade's top 50 songs. Hopefully when Rolling Stone magazine puts out Best 100 Songs of the 00's, they include this gem.
I have made a "channel" on Pandora.com for Joseph Arthur and it's fabulous. I have to agree. This song has gotten deeply into my psyche. It's one of the greatest songs I've heard in the last 5 or 10 years. I made some revisions to the Wikipedia entry for Joseph Arthur regarding Without a Trace (see my earlier entry). Sorry...this is probably the only time I have ever made more than one entry on the same song here at RP.
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Bruce Springsteen - Trapped (Live)
(Sep 15, 2006 - 13:31) | cesare wrote: I may be one of few fans of the Boss who first walked out on a show and then grew to like him. It's ironic because the music he was playing when we walked out is the music I like best in his whole catalog now. I was an idiot in 1973 and I still am today, what else can I say.
I'm not crazy about the e-street band's drummer for some reason. He just seems very clinical and metronomic most of the time. I rarely hear any syncopation in his playing and I think that would make the whole sound more interesting for me. Like I said, I am still an idiot, but that's what holds much of his music back from the godlike rating I want to give it. The drummer on the first two albums was not as technically proficient, but I preferred his looser style of playing. I guess Springsteen didn't and that's ok. He is still the Boss.
I have learned to appreciate Springsteen, but I don't like him as a recording artist. His voice is terrible and, like you said, his band is metronomic and uninteresting. As a songwriter, however, he is one of the best still writing music. Right up there with Costello and Dylan.
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R.E.M. - Orange Crush
(Sep 13, 2006 - 04:35) | Mugro wrote: I don't know whether this is just my morbid mind, but it always sounds like he is saying "I got my spine, got my organs crushed" :-k
"I got my orange crush" refers to agent orange, a toxic chemical first used in the Viet Nam war. (click here)
I'm not really sure if this is a protest song, considering it was written a good 15 or 20 years after that war ended. But there was a problem with veterans receiving benefits from the US gov't b/c of neurological problems with being exposed to agent orange. That may have been topical in the news when Stipes et al wrote this song.
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Pearl Jam - Wishlist
(Sep 12, 2006 - 11:51) | penguinja wrote: what's with that scary whooshing noise in the background? I got completely distracted by it. I feel like I'm trying to hitchhike with a bad pair of headphones for company.
If you look at the front cover, there's a road with a Yield sign. I figure that was a car whoosing by.
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Pink Floyd - Learning to Fly
(Sep 05, 2006 - 15:38) | annanyc wrote:
I'm thinking a lot about this comment. I've always been squarely in the Gilmour camp --meaning I just think that HE has made PF special for me, but thats not to say that the Waters part of it isn't valid. It's kind of like how one appreciates night and day mainly because of the existence of the other--lol. I always loved Gilmours voice coming in between Rogers'. I do really really like this song, AND On the Turning Away. I guess I have to give more thought to what Roger might have contributed....
As an old pink floyd fan, I have to say quite plainly that nothing they did after 1980 is considered their best work...but that's the critics talking, not me. I'm a sucker for 1980s The Wall, which was done with Waters. They kicked him out of the band shortly thereafter b/c he had become didactic and difficult to work with. But Gilmour was always more about feel and less about meaning. These lyrics are vague generalities that work in this particular song, but the overall album that contains this cut is weak and indistinct without Water's focus. Of the two, I confess that Gilmour is more influential because Waters by himself has been (almost) a total flop, but Gilmour has managed to keep PF on the map musically and their concerts were still great even into the 1990s. When Waters was part of the band, however, they were considered "great music that smart people can appreciate" due to the incisive lyrics that Waters wrote. Now it's just pleasant old fogey rock.
Don't believe me? Check out wikipedia's review. (click here)
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Flaming Lips - In The Morning Of The Magician
(Sep 01, 2006 - 22:56) | ziggytrix wrote:
i swear one day when i have a little too much free time i'm gonna put "reminds me of pink floyd" as a comment on every single song playing that day.
I checked on the Internet: Over 50 professional music reviewers believe that the Lips are the new Pink Floyd. I consider PF to be the best band of the 70's & 80s...and NOONE can compare to them.
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Cowboy Junkies - Come Calling (his song)
(Aug 19, 2006 - 06:06) | physicsgenius wrote: The monotone is bad enough, but she also sounds like she's got a sore throat. PEP IT UP A LITTLE
My aunt (in her 50s now) loves the Cowboys. But I couldn't agree more, genius. This is emotionally lifeless. At least Beck knows how to USE monotone. This is just krap.
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Love - You Set the Scene
(Aug 05, 2006 - 08:44) | DH wrote:Well, without crappy songs we wouldn't enjoy the good so much. 
'fraid i have to agree with this one. our esteemed dj is a little older than me and i can't get into this stuff.
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Iron & Wine and Calexico - History of Lovers
(Aug 03, 2006 - 18:05) | There are a number of negative comments here, and yet the song has easily met the "threshold" number of 7, indicating an excellent and well-accepted song. I gave it a 9 and have it on my Ipod 4ever. Good stuff. Stop being so negavitely vocal, you minority I&W&Calexico peeps.
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Sufjan Stevens - Pittsfield
(Jul 19, 2006 - 16:38) | My family is from Pittsfield. The Internet is hailing this song as the best from his latest album. I like most of this song, except for the strange guitar towards the end, which does not make sense. The lyrics are haunting and apply to myself in regards to my mother. I give it a 9.
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Echo & the Bunnymen - Bedbugs and Ballyhoo
(Jul 16, 2006 - 08:13) | ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote: King Crimson said "ballyhoo" in Elephant Talk. Do any other rock songs use that word?
RockinBlueVoodoo wrote:
LOL! I always think the same thing about 'Blinded By The Light' has any other song ever used the word 'calliope'? I bet most people don't even know what that is :-)
I know all these songs and NO, I don't think any other song uses ballyhoo or caliope. A caliope is a carnival ride, not unlike a merry-go-round.
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Johnny Cash - The Mercy Seat
(Jul 15, 2006 - 12:09) | rgj13 wrote:
Thanks for the vigilance, but FWIW the post I responded to didn't say JC did any prison time, though perhaps it left the matter vague. And the guy spelled "deep-seated" correctly which almost never happens, so he got bonus points.
 
I saw "Ring of Fire" and he did do prison time. Can't remember what for, but he got busted. I think it was for drugs.
I find it strange that old rough-voiced fellows like Cash (in his late 60s) and Tom Waite after his voice went bad get great ratings here at RP. I gave that a 6 for it's brutal honesty. NOt a great song. okay.
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Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond
(Jul 15, 2006 - 04:30) | Among the many interesting articles I read in remembrance of Syd Barret (founding member of Pink Floyd) were these points:
- He wrote several hits in the UK in the late 60s
- His psychedelic inventions still influence songwriters today
- After Syd went insane and left the band, the surviving members were inspired to write several albums of material that were based on his fall from rock stardom into madess: Wish You Were Here, The Wall, and Dark Side of the Moon.
I will reprint an earlier comment by shari that hits the emotional nail on the head:
shari wrote:Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
Shine on Syd - may you finally find peace
Shari
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Beck - Lost Cause
(Jul 08, 2006 - 05:15) | Radio_Man wrote: The only Beck albums I own are Sea Change (which is great) and Odelay (which sucks). Which if any other Beck albums are similar to Sea Change?
I got Guerro for my birthday in May and just about every track is great. It's my only Beck CD, so I can't tell you if it's like Sea Change or not. He's not doing a lot of sampling and he barely seems to express any emotion in his voice, but somehow you love it more. That CD has "Hell yes" which is one of my favs from B. Que Onda Guero is also excellent.
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Elvis Costello - Everyday I Write the Book
(Jul 08, 2006 - 04:39) | Govi wrote:
I am another. Nothing at all about his performances on RP appeal to me. His voice gets to me the way fingernails scraping on a black board do.
There's no accounting for tastes, I guess, not ours, nor the ones who like him. 
There are maybe three songs by E.C. that I like: Alison, Veronica, and this one. He can sing, but most of his songs suck. What I could never understand was the critics: they loved this guy.
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Kasabian - Ovary Stripe
(Jul 03, 2006 - 18:51) | Luna2 wrote: I was unaware of the fact that ovaries had stripes.
Pregnancy tests have stripes. Duh.
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Tom Waits - Step Right Up
(Jul 02, 2006 - 18:25) | Danny_G wrote:
Right! :puke: :puke: :puke:
I had to turn this off. Sorry, RP. I still don't get Tom W. 2
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Talking Heads - Crosseyed And Painless
(Jul 01, 2006 - 07:20) | Atrail wrote: What is it with Radio Paradise and Talking Heads. I have to disconnect every time this band comes on cause it is just painful to listen t; which is way too often cause you play them way too much. This is my only complaint against the station as a long time listener, but it is a big one!
I have the same problem with Tom Waits, but nobody here at RP agrees with me. U just have to take the great with the not-so-great. I keep coming back for more b/c there's more good than bad here.
As for the Heads, I love 'em and you're in the minority.
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Tom Waits - Jockey Full of Bourbon
(Jul 01, 2006 - 07:12) | I can't believe this song is averaging above 8. It's barely a 3...the guy can't sing and the song seems to be about being drunk. Maybe this is an acquired taste or something. I usually turn off RP when Tom Waits comes on. ugh.
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Elvis Costello - Veronica
(Jun 25, 2006 - 19:45) | This song was co-written by Paul McCartney. I'm not kidding. It gets a 10 from me b/c it is beautifully written in both melody and words.
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New Order - Ceremony
(Jun 25, 2006 - 16:03) | cooshound wrote: My brain says 8; my heart says 10.
Go with your left collar bone (it's half way in between). That would be a 9.
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Michelle Shocked - Secret to a Long Life
(Jun 25, 2006 - 15:38) | Two really terrible songs in a row. This one is repititious. I say, I say, this one is repititious. Previous song by Slainte Mhath was too, and a terrible song it was also. Ugh. Come on, RP. Play better stuff...
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Slainte Mhath - Annie
(Jun 25, 2006 - 15:30) | I am sorry, but this music blows. Lyrics are equally idiotic.
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Lush - Undertow
(Jun 23, 2006 - 01:56) | kgish wrote: I would say in all honesty that this number really rocks.
I am reading a bunch of negative reviviews (below), but the rule-of-thumb here at RP is a 7. Songs below this threshold usually aren't very good and songs at or above 7 are usually very good.
I agree with kgish: This song rocks in so very many different ways!
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Secret Machines - Daddy's In The Doldrums
(May 20, 2006 - 05:27) | physicsgenius wrote: I hope you are sitting down, because I have a mindblowingly awesome idea for a song. It would be about this guy that killed himself. Now right there we already have enough artistic merit to warrant several orgasms among the users on RP, but wait, because it gets better. He kills himself because he's been listening to too much depress-o-rock.
Naturally the song would use only the worst production values for that "gritty reality" sound that only True Artists use.
I have to agree, this was not an uplifting song. The title speaks volumes. Depresso-rock sounds like a trademark for some bands.
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Peter Gabriel - Growing Up
(May 18, 2006 - 18:08) | betsy wrote: Hmmm. Excellent birds.
Oh, I love witty, knowledgable post. U r from NYC, so I bet you know PG did excellent birds with laurie anderson. BTW I saw her in concert here in IL awhile back at the U of I. cool stuff.
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Thea Gilmore - Have you Heard
(May 14, 2006 - 06:30) | whafrog wrote:
I guess you didn't know grandpa Bush was in bed with the Nazis too, right here on this side of the Atlantic.
Besides, if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...
I don't like the bushes or the English royalty. Nor do I like crap logic. No sane politician or British royal would say anything good about Hitler.
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Patti Smith - China Bird
(May 14, 2006 - 05:51) | Enrique wrote: What a horrible, pained voice.
I had to turn this off b/c it sounded awful. Maybe it's too much emotion. Gets a 1.
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Supreme Beings of Leisure - Strangelove Addiction
(May 07, 2006 - 00:27) | aquadonia wrote: I just checked the playlist to see what I missed while I was out and about... Good thing I have this MP3 on my computer or I would have been completely bummed.
 I absolutely love this song!
I just upgraded this to a 10. It sounds so dam good on my speakers! For ppl who don't like this song, I totally disagree. This one rocks!
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Al Stewart - On The Border
(Apr 28, 2006 - 10:53) | bluedot wrote: wrote:
uh-oh. more OLD GUY MUSIC. (see inflammatory post re: "Traffic - Hidden Treasure," which just played).
i actually kinda agree with the poster that this kinda stuff kinda invalidates rp's classification on itunes as "alternative" or whatever.
OTOH, i guess it kinda depends on ones definition of "alternative."
hey, old guys kinda had alternative music too, back in the day.
One wonders if you will be as blatantly pretentious when you've lived more of a life.
Ah, these kids today....
woozurdaddy wrote:
One wonders if you will be as blatantly pretentious when you've lived more of a life.
Ah, these kids today....
Because Stewart still tours and writes music, this is only OLD in the sense that he wrote it a long time ago. There never was anything like the sound of Stewart's music...melodic, ballady, beautiful lyrics, and lots of sexy saxaphone.
For MOST old music, it's best left unplayed. This was an eclectic choice long ago and continues to fit the bill today, so Bill was right to choose this.
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Dana Lyons - Cows With Guns
(Apr 27, 2006 - 17:47) | I can't BELIEVE Rp has heard of this song and is actually playing it. A friend of mine, a great songwriter and one of my favorite songwriters of all time (Jeff Davidsmeyer) of the New Goats Ensemble (click here) thinks this is the funniest songwriter ALIVE. I have to agree!
This one gets a ten.
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Cream - As You Said
(Apr 27, 2006 - 17:35) | crowhog2000 wrote:
 .....yeah.....WTF?
This is a terrible song. Cream is usually a LOT better than this. Can't figure out what Bill was smoking when he put this on the air. ??!!
It gets a 2 from me.
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Gooding - First Lullabye
(Apr 27, 2006 - 17:31) | harpsm wrote: I tried to figure out the time signature of this song, but I left my calculus textbook at home.
tfast wrote:
It's in 7/8.
Right u r! I think sometimes it's in 6.5/8 time, where he breaks half way thru the 6th measure. This is a called a broken time signature and it's not something you see much except in progressive rock and classical European music from the late 19th and early 20th century.
The most popular song in 7/8 time? Probably Peter Gabriel's Salisbury Hill.
I'm giving this song a 9. It's outstanding.
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Thirteen Senses - Do No Wrong
(Apr 25, 2006 - 22:38) | Cruithne3753 wrote: Particularly for the guitar sound, this reminds me of a band called Anathema, who have toured with Porcupine Tree a couple of times. A lot better than Coldplay IMO.
A prog rocker is gonna like a lot of bands better than Coldplay. But, really, Coldplay is one of the greatest bands in the world right now (even if they are on sabbatical). People who hate things for being popular are telling us more about their personality than about their musical taste.
As for this song, it's great. a 9
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Kent - Den Döda Vinkeln
(Apr 25, 2006 - 22:20) | dissolved_girl wrote: I'm learning Swedish so I've had a go at the translation as well. I had no idea what to translate "mareld" as either, since I had no idea what it meant, so I've gone with Fenrisulf's description.
The Dead View
For long I was a lonely, only child
A monster under the bed
And from far away I watched the light fade in the mist
Just as the darkness lights up again
And I saw you running over the snow
In pursuit of your fantastic view
And you taught me to disappear utterly
Into your thoughts, in your head I stand free
Give me a winter drug
Give me all you have
Come now I am chronically low
Only the darkness is heard
In your eyes was a storm, I saw
Like summer snow
In the dead view I see all you do
And there they come, I see them between trees
Please can you help me flee
Their eyes are like water sparkling over the world
I crawl into the ashes, a Phoenix born anew
Give me a winter drug
Give me all you have
Come now I am chronically low
Only the darkness is heard
In your eyes was a storm, I saw
Blow summer snow
In the dead view I see all you do
Give me a winter drug
Give me summer snow
Come now I am chronically low
Only the darkness is heard
In your eyes dances a little storm
But it is for you
In the dead view I see all you do
These great lyrics (albiet translated) plus the great music get an upgrade from 8 to a 9.
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Nirvana - All Apologies
(Apr 24, 2006 - 15:52) | djblitz wrote: How in the hhheeellll is this not rated any higher!?
It captures the true essence of 90's music, whether you were a fan of Nirvana or not. "Mainstream" does not always mean sold out, played out, etc. True classic, 10/10.
This is brilliant. 10
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Supergrass - Tales Of Endurance
(Apr 23, 2006 - 06:09) | underarmor wrote:
Agreed. I keep bumping it up about every other listen. I have it at a 9 now.
One of my favorite new bands on RP. I've got it at a nine. This reminds me of Zeppelin, Floyd, and other great sounds.
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Sufjan Stevens - Jacksonville
(Apr 22, 2006 - 13:22) | This song about Jacksonville is from the Illinoise album--duh! Therefore, it is about Jacksonville, IL, not FL, not TN. Nichols Park and the School for the Blind are in Jacksonville, IL. Ferris wheels are made in Jacksonville, IL.
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Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
(Apr 22, 2006 - 13:03) | isaacsonar wrote: Has anyone seen Sufjan Stevens in concert? He's playing here in May...
I saw Sufjan in champaign, il and it was one of the three best concerts I've ever seen (the other two were Pink Floyd and Yes). His band dressed up like fighting illini cheerleaders and did cheers...real cheers that Sufjan wrote himself. It was funny. His band is great and he's got real stage presence.
This song gets a 10 from both me and my wife.
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Stone Temple Pilots - Sour Girl
(Apr 22, 2006 - 01:15) | Boosiewolf wrote: This is perhaps my favorite STP song. It just was out of the ordinary from them, and the harmonies were cool. Glad it showed up on RP.
This song is about one of the band's girlfriend=turned-wife. She left him, as you can probably tell. He was happy, needless to say, when she left. So was she. I've read that sour girl is also to be taken literally.
(Edited later) "sour" refers to both taste and temperment, so there's both a sexual and a psychological component to what he's saying.
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Porcupine Tree - Stranger By The Minute
(Apr 21, 2006 - 16:56) | Cruithne3753 wrote:
Not just Stateside.  Constantly overlooked by the media here in their home country, too. 
Progressive rock simply is not popular with the U.S. public. I have personal friends in progrock bands who have given up b/c there isn't a market...it doesn't pay to be a prog rock musician. Nevertheless, this is music for composers (such as myself). It is great, great music. The lyrics are above average, too. I put Porcupine Tree on a par with some of the older more successful bands like Yes and Genesis. This is a great band and this song is another fantastic song. If they could stoop to making a hit song such as "Roundabout" by Yes, they would start making money and can endure for decades. This is music for the ages. I give this one in particular a 9.
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Gomez - Woman! Man!
(Apr 21, 2006 - 16:33) | Gomez is consistently good thru all his compositions. That some don't like this song is based on personal taste. I love the lyrics, the creative instrumentation, and the story it tells. 8
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Doves - Caught By The River
(Apr 09, 2006 - 06:18) | kazuma wrote:
I think this song is fantastic, too. So fantastic that I bought the whole CD ( Last Broadcast) hoping for more great stuff. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anything else even remotely as good as this is. Actually, I don't even try to listen to the rest of it now. I listen to this track. That's it. What am I missing?
I'm always baffled when this happens. One amazing track on the whole CD. The rest is totally forgettable. How does that happen? I don't understand.
Thanks for saving people the money. I think this track is monotonous.
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Mark Knopfler - Postcards From Paraguay
(Apr 08, 2006 - 13:16) | keenevision wrote: Y'know.....
Mark Knopfler is like one of your favorite books- never lets you down, always there when you need it....
Saw the Dire Straits back in '84.... and have never been disappointed by ANY direction Mr. Knopfler has taken since....
Incredible when you consider what he has overcome recently.
Yeah? So what has he overcome recently? Does anyone know?...?
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Sarah McLachlan - Possession
(Apr 03, 2006 - 23:36) | wade44 wrote: Listen as the wind blows
From across the great divide
Voices trapped in yearning
Memories trapped in time
The night is my companion
And solitude my guide
Would I spend forever here
And not be satisfied
And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
Ill take your breath away
And after Id wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear
Through this world Ive stumbled
So many times betrayed
Trying to find an honest word
To find the truth enslaved
Oh you speak to me in riddles and
You speak to me in rhymes
My body aches to breathe your breath
You words keep me alive
And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
Ill take your breath away
And after Id wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear
Into this night I wander
Its morning that I dread
Another day of knowing of
The path I fear to tread
Oh into the sea of waking dreams
I follow without pride
Nothing stands between us here
And I wont be denied
And I would be the one
To hold you down
Kiss you so hard
Ill take your breath away
And after Id wipe away the tears
Just close your eyes dear
Thanks for putting these lyrics here. For those of you who don't realize...you can click on "song lyrics" here and get them easily too. It's true that this song was written as a catharsis for Sarah b/c a stalker had written her a letter and threatened physical violence, among other things. This is her way of dealing with it. Across the great divide refers to the United States, where the obsessed fan happened to live.
I find this one of the finest songs ever written, certainly from an emotional and relationship viewpoint. It's so lyrical and possessive (thus the title). People who are madly in love feel this way, and I'm sure the stalker (who eventually killed himself during a lawsuit with Sarah) felt exactly this way. She puts it in better words, of course.
Man...this is just a great great song.
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Sonic Youth - Schizophrenia
(Apr 03, 2006 - 22:13) | Sobient wrote: ah, the youth of sonic. They're a very strange band. They're almost what "A clockwork orange" was to movies.
I smell drugs. 9.
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Coldplay - Warning Sign
(Apr 03, 2006 - 21:58) | mrmojorisin wrote: Great song off a great album.
Agreed. There is a reason they are popular, even on eclectic online radio stations. It's art. It's pop. It's interesting and likeable.
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The Samples - Eatonville
(Apr 03, 2006 - 21:40) | mikedill wrote: one of the best songs from one of the greatest cds in music history. at least in my opinion.
I love this song and your assessment was intriguing. Either you're totally F.O.Sh** or you're onto something. Amazon.com people have rated this album four stars out of five, but I cannot find anything else except one comment by a reviewer who finds their songs boring. I tend to think the samples is probably very good. Hope they play more here on R.P.
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Michael Penn - All That That Implies
(Apr 03, 2006 - 21:29) | gjeeg wrote:It always hurts to hear a favorite artist of mine trashed by others.
What is this trashing / "I piss on what you like" impulse?
Is it the anonymity of the Web?
If you can't say something kind and excited why indulge in bashing?
I've enjoyed countless hours of Penn's work. You enjoy what you enjoy. Let it Be. 
This guy is proof that talent runs in the family. His brother Sean is an excellent actor. I think his lyrics are direct and his music is unique and beautiful.
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Luna - Black Postcards
(Apr 02, 2006 - 18:39) | Somebody recorded this off radio paradise (using something called quintessential). I am just listening to it now and WHAT A GREAT GREAT SONG THIS IS!!!
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Bruce Cockburn - Night Train
(Apr 02, 2006 - 15:11) | Fat_Man_Flo wrote:Interesting cover. I read somewhere (believe it was on juno awards website) that he's won a number of 'album cover art' awards. Pretty pointless post, I know.
Not pointless. I was thinking the same thing. And this song is great upon a second listen. 8
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Sheryl Crow - Redemption Day
(Apr 02, 2006 - 14:34) | alniebel wrote: This song is so outstanding.
*sigh* what has happened to ms. crow these days?
1) she has breast cancer
2) She broke up with that bicycle champion guy.
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Béla Fleck - Big Country
(Apr 02, 2006 - 06:54) | Mooseknuckle wrote:
Then call me an idiot. Does sound like Kenny G snuck in there. Ditto on the alto sax. 2 from me.
This is, no doubt, easy listening. But Kenny G this ain't. I give it an 8. You're right about yourself, BTW.
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Tom Waits - Long Way Home
(Apr 01, 2006 - 14:42) | divinemadness wrote: Goddamn. What a great voice.
goddamn. what strange ears you have, my dear. waits has destroyed his vocal cords. but a good songwriter. 7
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Matisyahu - Time Of Your Song
(Apr 01, 2006 - 06:15) | I saw a thing on TV about this guy. Amazing artist. I confess a bias against conservative (ancient) religous believers. Won't shake hand w/a woman? Ugh. Irrational. These kind of people are going to get us all killed in a nuclear blast someday.
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Sufjan Stevens - Jacksonville
(Mar 23, 2006 - 01:18) | SchoepTone wrote:
Funny, my wife likes this music. Hmmmm . . .
My wife went to school in Jacksonville, IL. I know most of the references (Nichols park, for instance). We went to Champaign/Urbana and saw sufjan's band support this album. it was great. they all dressed up as fighting illini cheerleaders and did cheers (seriously). and they are all great musicians. he's a freakin genius.
I love this album...this whole thing. I got lucky and have a copy with superman on the cover before DC comics forced them to pull that image off due to copyright infringements (assholes!).
This particular song is one of the top 5 on the album, out of 23. The entire album is way off the charts. check out metacritic if you don't believe me.
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Belle and Sebastian - The Boy With The Arab Strap
(Mar 23, 2006 - 01:14) | gabeanderson wrote: I really love this song! Such a feel-good tune.
The only thing that drives me nuts here on RP is that people overrate songs. This is a good, serviceable pop song. Nothing outstanding. From just about any perspective, this song is nothing special. but I'm glad to hear you love it. To each his own.
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Cocteau Twins - Alice
(Mar 22, 2006 - 17:41) | bonnieo wrote: I love this song. I can never get tired of hearing her voice. I love CT and there innovation in sound. Please play this song again for the real fans.
This is beautiful.
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Sophie Zelmani - Going Home
(Mar 21, 2006 - 20:22) | RationalB wrote:
Bo-ring. Bore-ing. Boar-ing. aaabbbcccdddeeefffggghhhiiijjjkkklllmmmnnnooopppqqqrrrssstttuuuvvvwwwxxxyyyzzz.
zzzzzzzz...
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The Fixx - Saved By Zero
(Mar 19, 2006 - 18:53) | drife wrote: Pure 80's drivel.
Just to counter-balance your negative comments, I admit this is one of my favorite songs of all time. I always thought this was about being saved by lack of an ego.
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U2 - With or Without You
(Mar 16, 2006 - 20:25) | woozurdaddy wrote:
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
I Get By With a Little Help from my Friends
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
It's impossible to quantify my favorites of all time... this is the list as it stands today in my head:
1. Leonard Cohen's "The Future"
2. Pink Floyd's "Speak to Me"
3. John Lennon's "Imagine"
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Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
(Mar 16, 2006 - 20:19) | Mari wrote:
...Confession, this is the first of many tracks to make me cry openly and uncontrollably and I can recall that very moment when I heard this song for the very first time that my Life was destined to be a Life of Music and it has been, so my Akubra off to you guys wherever you are now, I will remember you for ever with gratitude beyond words!... ... And The Crowd Called Out For More! ...
This is overwrought, perhaps, but I understand the emotion. This is a classic.
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Liz Phair - Perfect World
(Mar 16, 2006 - 19:49) | I must be a fan. Everything she does is great to me. It's mostly about sex, but she has issues. Always looking to more from sexy lizzie! 
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2raumwohnung - Da Sind Wir
(Mar 11, 2006 - 07:33) | Since I can't speak or read German, I clicked on song lyrics and clicked on Translate This Page. The translation is not perfect, of course, but this seems to be a love song:
Remain nich where you are
How it is no matter there
It is ever more beautifully here
With me
Stop you there not firmly
All the same no matter, which does not leave you
Love passes
Mach the sky free
There are we
I and my longing after you
We are already so much closer with you
Come ago return
Come ago return
Feel you mean view
give me each small piece
Each atom of you
Give it to me
Soon you become awake
All the same no matter which I then Mach
Between you and me
Is only a offne door
There are we
I and my longing after you
We are already so much closer with you
Come ago return
Come ago return
There are we
I and my longing after you
We are already much closer with you
Hear times
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Massive Attack - Protection
(Mar 11, 2006 - 02:37) | jdorn1 wrote: I went from an 8 to a 9 on this one...too good!
I did exactly the same thing. 8 -> 9. I had to re-evaluate what "Massive Attack" means after realizing what a great song this is: They assualt our emotions with beautiful, meaningful music and lyrics. "You're a boy and I'm a girl"...that's what it's all about, isn't it?
This song is about how being in a relationship involves protecting each other from the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune". This is excellent work.
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Ween - Transdermal Celebration
(Mar 10, 2006 - 11:05) | LLMikeJ wrote: Go check out the video:
OK - I can't get the URL tag to work on this one (maybe it's too long? or maybe because it has a space?) so you'll have to cut & paste.
www.chocodog.com/chocodog/ween/transdermal animated.wmv
This is it: (click here)
To get those links working, just make sure they start with "http://".
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Brandi Carlile - Throw It All Away
(Mar 10, 2006 - 10:56) | nick_valensi wrote: come on, this is good but not godlike!!!
I quite agreed. It's a servicable love song and she has a good voice. Nice guitar. Pretty good=6
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The Replacements - Attitude
(Mar 05, 2006 - 08:27) | stratrjb wrote: OMG...I had to look! RP keeps surprising me. To go through the hassle of contacting my old friends and relatives just to find out what I used to listen to , then playing em'. Happens so often, I'm sure thats how it's done!...Exclellent Album & Song...
couldn't agree more. RP plays my favs all the time. and i learn about new artists that have become new favs.
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Remy Zero - Hermes Bird
(Mar 05, 2006 - 06:18) | oscar_driver wrote: I totally thought that this was U2 .. bad U2 ...
Oscar
The lyrics are terrible, and the music is derivative. = 4
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Kate Bush - Nocturn
(Mar 04, 2006 - 06:09) | MNJosh wrote: Before I read these comments, I had a hunch what they were going to say.
In the mid 90s, I started hearing how "great" Kate was. I figured there must be something to it if she had been around for so long at that point, so I gave her a listen.
I didn't get it. I mean, how could anyone listen to that voice for more than 30 seconds without wanting to run away screaming?
But then I heard "Waking the Witch" on Hounds of Love. It all changed. For some reason, once I started listening to the accompaniment and the lyrics, her voice settled into place and it all clicked.
So for folks out there who are quick to jump to the melodramatic comments on her voice, consider a second attempt with a little more attention to content.
You might just be surprised.
I have always thought that Kate's voice is alive and conscious where most other vocals sound dead. This is such a strange song, but I love it.
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Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)
(Mar 04, 2006 - 05:55) | thatch wrote:
I'm in the same boat, except this tune doesn't do much for me.
Can someone explain to me what they like about this song?
The lyrics (if you bother to read them) are about fate, fear, death, and the power of love to overcome them all. I'm not sure it's a 10, but I upgraded this from an 8 to a 9 with room to go up. I need to process this one a few more times to grok it fully.
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Bob Dylan - Things Have Changed
(Mar 03, 2006 - 23:49) | JesseJ wrote:excellet track... after all these years bob continues to pull it off 
I was never a big fan, but this is Dylan at his best. The lyrics are mature, insightful, and the music is catchy. Love that shaker. = 9
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Beck - Broken Drum
(Mar 01, 2006 - 04:28) | Daveinbawlmer wrote:
I find I like this. Languid and ethereal. Guero is a great record.
See? I hear the languid. But I also hear depression and slow sadness. To me, this is a barren song. 3.
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Pink Floyd - Us & Them -> Eclipse
(Feb 26, 2006 - 17:31) | Bizzarefall wrote: I was just at a funeral and this is the song that was played as you came in.
I think he would have loved it...
Songs that are played at funerals are classics because they mean so much to people whether they are mourners or the mourned. A beautiful song that talks a lot about how life really works. The Wikipedia reference below is a good read for P.F. fans.
(click here)
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Gary Jules - Mad World
(Feb 26, 2006 - 17:27) | A rare gem and, rarer still, a modern song that I consider a classic = 10
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Anne Wylie Band - Nóra
(Feb 26, 2006 - 10:58) | The beginning of this song reminds me of a song by Laurie Anderson called Mr. Heartbreak. It's done backwards, I think.
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Sufjan Stevens - Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland, Illinois
(Feb 26, 2006 - 10:41) | Sufjan Stevens is my favorite new artist of the last couple of years...this stuff is art. You either love it or hate it. This is the first song on the album...it's about a confirmed UFO sighting in Illinois. That state is the topic of his entire concept album. Can you imagine the kind of TALENT it takes to write something this complex, sensitive, and sublime? I am in awe.
Saw him in Champaign-Urbana doing a show. He and his band were dressed up as fighting Illini cheerleaders (sans the chief logo). It was beyond amazing.
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Tori Amos - Parasol
(Feb 23, 2006 - 04:24) | I have no idea why this song is hovering around 6.0. What a marvelous song! The lyrics are poetry, the melody is pleasing and her voice is lilting and mysterious. This one gets a 9.
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Wilco - Muzzle of Bees
(Feb 21, 2006 - 18:13) | This thing builds to a crescendo...the idea of bees is right on the money. Surprisingly excellent
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Cream - I Feel Free
(Feb 18, 2006 - 12:42) | algrif wrote:dango wrote: There were dozens of better artists while Cream was together.
Name one !!! In fact name any three piece rock group that sounded anything like this in the 60's
This is very good, and it's not their best. My problem with Cream is that it sounds dated nowadays, whereas other old bands wear better with age (The Who and Pink Floyd, for instance).
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Rolling Stones - She's A Rainbow
(Feb 18, 2006 - 08:30) | dmax wrote: It's the middle of the country, the stars are out and it's a cool winter night. The window is open and I've got the radio on somewhat low. And then this piano comes on...
It will always be a wonderful memory, even with those awkward atonal Ooooh-la-la-las.
That's a wonderful association with this song. = 8
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XTC - Grass
(Feb 18, 2006 - 07:32) | Pipes wrote: Only if you're smoking it!
Funnily enough, the reference is probably more about sex than drugs, but it's a great double-meaning. And this is a wonderful song. Rundgren is a genius, and XTC is/was great. = 8
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Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
(Feb 18, 2006 - 06:57) | This is a slow, ponderous song with little emotional content (except sadness) and some conflict-inspired lyrics. I normally love D.S., but even the guitar sounds depressed. I understand how a good concept with excellent lyrics makes a good song great. But this music is emotionally flat and the lyrics are too generic...good art requires specificity. = 3
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Kate Bush - King Of The Mountain
(Feb 18, 2006 - 06:37) | I rated this a 9 some time ago and continue to think her singing is beautiful, emotional, and the music is hypnotic. I'm not sure why others here don't like it. What's not to like? In fact, it's sounding better every time.
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Talking Heads - (Nothing But) Flowers
(Feb 18, 2006 - 05:57) | jakeinprogress wrote:
True enough, but you don't do something this unique and groundbreaking without the ego in the first place. Art is impossible without the ego, however sublimated it may be. After all, what is art other than the channeling in a productive, if often socially misunderstood, way impulses that otherwise would simply be destructive. Art feeds off of such impulses, it doesn't remove them. Enjoy TH for what they did manage to accomplish. It wasn't a bad run at all.
This is a 9. Very excellent, toe-tapping good music!
As to your ideas on ego: It works everywhichway...some of the great ones have big egos, others don't. it helps to believe you're great, if for no other reason than the confidence it brings to your work. You are probably overthinking this, as others have said. everybody is different. you probably have a fair-sized ego and so assume that everyone else does too. Not so.
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AfroCelts - Cyberia
(Feb 18, 2006 - 05:27) | plutodazed wrote: Good background/elevator music. It reminds me of the instrumentals on Pink Floyd's first non-Roger Waters LP "A Momentary Lapse of Reason"---good but not great.
I was thinking the floyd too, when I heard this. Excellent tune. = 8
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Toad The Wet Sprocket - Windmills
(Feb 17, 2006 - 02:28) | fenway wrote: Does anyone know if there happens to be a personal story behind the lyrics of this song?
No, but it sounds personal. The reference is probably Don Quixote...tilting at windmills. That is, fighting personal demons.
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Sarah McLachlan - Elsewhere
(Feb 17, 2006 - 02:20) | meghan89 wrote: someone needs to give her a balloon and take her to the park or something. Is she ever happy?
As an artist, I can definitely attest that melancholy is a good medium for getting people to think deeply about worthy subjects. Her "sound" is wistful and sad, but the lyrics in this case aren't particularly sad...just longing. Kind've like a k.d. lang song. Isn't Sarah gay? (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)
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The American Analog Set - Hard to Find
(Feb 17, 2006 - 02:13) | redeyespy wrote: Sounds quite a bit like Grand National. Really nice.
Citing a song as "too repetitive" has always struck me as a really stupid criticism, btw. Repetitiveness, when employed in a well written and performed track, adds to a hypnotic quality. That is the case here.
I believe this style of music is known as Hypnotica. Beautiful if done right, as in this case.
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Johnny Cash - Rusty Cage
(Feb 17, 2006 - 02:12) | punkbot wrote: Quite possibly the best cover song I've ever heard.
Done right. It's an homage done in a completely different style making it worthwhile to even be redone in the first place. The antithesis to suckjob covers like Wallflowers 'Heroes' and no Doubt's 'It's My Life' which do nothing new artistically but feed off the teet of an already popular song so that they may stretch their 15 minutes of fame and limited talent as far as it goes.
OK. I'm done. A perfect 10.
there's no doubt about it. This is a 10, and I don't give those out arbitrarily. This is better than the original, and that's saying something.
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Cry Cry Cry - Cold Missouri Waters
(Feb 17, 2006 - 02:02) | physicsgenius wrote: I was going to excoriate this guy for basically just rhythmically reading a history book to music with little attempt made to make it an actual song, but then I saw the album cover. If this junk gets those babes in the car, more power to him.
It doesn't sound particularly original or interesting to me either. I know there's a tradition in this type of "river" storytelling music, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. As for the girls, many guys (myself included) have used songwriting to get women. I wouldn't be surprised if he has these two under his spell. Musicians are notoriously bad at picking partners.
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Leonard Cohen - The Future
(Feb 15, 2006 - 00:56) | Mari wrote:...Nine tracks of Leonard and Friends on this immensely pleasing album The Future...  ...
I changed my mind. Despite the rather disturbing implications of the lyrics, I like this song a lot. As for my previous opinions about various singers, I can't sing my way out of a paper bag, so my opinion probably doesn't matter.
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Unified Theory - Wither
(Feb 15, 2006 - 00:53) | larz wrote:
Do you have opinions on the music or do you just like saying the name of the song and album with smilies? Or maybe you want to post the lyrics....
My advice to you? Crack a window.
Mari is one of my favorite people here at RP. She seems like a sensitive and generally positive entity. If, sometimes, her posts are not informative, I suggest that you ignore them. Is there any reason to dis her like this? Are you trying to be another physicsgenius? Like the Talking Heads say:
When I have nothing to say
My lips are sealed
Say nothing once
Why say it again?
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Joseph Arthur - A Smile That Explodes
(Feb 12, 2006 - 05:11) | Mari wrote: A Smile That Explodes from your soul, without effort or fear is a smile indeed. such a smile just exploded and i am in a state of mirth, how about you?...
Something inside me smiled when I read your post. I discovered Joseph Arthur when I heard one of his songs playing on my favorite crime drama, Without a Trace. This, however, is the first song I've heard by him in it's entirety. The music is passive, but the lyrics are passionate and beautiful/insightful.
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Noir Désir - Le Vent Nous Portera
(Feb 12, 2006 - 04:10) | MojoJojo wrote:A rating of 7 is supposed to represent, "Quite Likeable". That sums it up nicely for me. 
that's funny...i just gave it a 7 w/exactly the same thought. That's right.
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Joseph Arthur - Honey and the Moon
(Feb 11, 2006 - 13:55) | I just heard (on tape) this song being played on my favorite TV show: Without a Trace. I wrote down what they played just as Jack and his new g/f were walking arm and arm out the door after solving a case:
Right Now
Everything is turning blue
and right now
the sun is tryin to kill the moon
and right now
I wish I could follow you.
It's a beautiful song, from what I could tell. But I've never heard it on R.P. Hopefully some day soon.
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Talking Heads - Heaven
(Feb 11, 2006 - 07:25) | sparrow wrote: I still have my "Stop Making Sense" video with this song in it. I loved Talking Heads, and David Byrne is still doing amazing things, making his statement in so many ways. Last year he had an exhibit at the George Eastman House in Rochester NY with drawings of trees, their branches labeled by degrees of separation of all sorts of phenomena - a sort of maze of influence...and an amazing video, too. To me, he's one of the great minds in the world now.
David Byrne is considered one of the greatest lyricists in late 20th century music. Wikipedia lists him as a leader in postmodernism art, which is a stage of artistic progress due to chaos and continuous (and pointless) change. (click here)
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The Tragically Hip - Scared
(Feb 11, 2006 - 00:51) | bthubbard wrote: This song always reminds me of walking home from a pub on a crisp winter night, the sound of snow compressing beneath my feet, thinking of the night.
The Tragically Hip are the quintessential Canadian band. Their early work takes much form Canadian history (Tom Thompson, Milgaard, race riots in TO) moreso than their later work but a common thread throughout the years has been a very acurate reprsentation of CDN life which can still be appreciated by folks from other places of the world.
If you get the chance, espically at a small venue like they would play in the US, check them out.
What you have written here is a strong sense-memory and is poetically written. Nice.
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Beck - Go It Alone
(Feb 10, 2006 - 15:49) | Oh hell...I changed my mind on this one. It went from a 6 to a 9 upon a second listen. It's awesome. Sorry for the previous negative comments made here. I reserve the right to change my (imaginary) mind.
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Wire - Kidney Bingos
(Feb 10, 2006 - 10:31) | In reading these comments, apparently few of you realizes that Wire has been around since the 70s...they are considered pioneers in modern music. This is one of the most influential bands of the 20th century in rock. Seriously.
Unfortunately, this is not one of their better songs during a period when they were making accessible music. Check out their new album, "Send" or their earlier efforts. These guys seriously rock!
Here are a couple of links: (click here) or (click here)
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Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
(Feb 04, 2006 - 07:36) | MaxEmerika wrote: This song has mystical powers. If you have an obnoxious song stuck in your head, all you have to do is think of "Kashmir". It's like some sort of musical palate cleanser, wiping away the aftertaste of whatever syrupy pop ballad that's being forced down our throats today.
This is (bar none) my very favorite Zeppelin tune. It's cool, evil, enigmatic, and sultry. 10. You gotta check out the song lyrics. Fascinating imagery but I have no idea what it means.
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Beck - Guess I'm Doing Fine
(Feb 04, 2006 - 07:34) | Mari wrote: ... These lyrix make me cry  and Beck says He's doin' Fine! ... That's Guts! ... Beautiful Song! ...
Beck is my favorite songwriter these daze. This is the best thing I've ever heard from him...gets a 9 from me. He wrote this album while breaking up with his girlfriend. I don't think he was doing fine, but I love that sort of Steely Dan lyrical irony.
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Beck - Earthquake Weather
(Jan 29, 2006 - 11:11) | Mari wrote: ...  ...
Hi, Mari! How's Australia these daze? pianocomposer loves beck.
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Tori Amos - Smells Like Teen Spirit
(Jan 29, 2006 - 10:53) | Jesus, Bill. This is another 10, that's three in a row. The Clash, Erik Satie and now Tori doing a wonderful cover of Nirvana. This is why i send money from time to time to RP.
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Erik Satie - Gymnopedie No. 1
(Jan 29, 2006 - 10:49) | A timeless classic. and now 2 10s in a row. London Calling and now Erik Satie. Great programming.
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Blur - Song 2
(Jan 29, 2006 - 10:42) | Best song I've heard on RP in three hours = 9
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Poi Dog Pondering - Bury Me Deep
(Jan 29, 2006 - 09:46) | brokemusician wrote:
I'll help you dig the hole!
They are lucky to be played anywhere. This is not good music or lyrics. The Poi Dog needs to go to the pound.
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The Shins - Those to Come
(Jan 21, 2006 - 05:55) | Mari wrote:..." Dissolve
Magically,
Absurdly,
They'll end,
Leave,
Dissipate,
Coldly
And strangely
Return "... love their lyrics...  ...
poetry in gentle flowin' muse ic...
What a strange set of lyrics and such sad but lovely music. I think it's about the future people of the world.
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The Wailin' Jennys - Arlington
(Jan 21, 2006 - 05:51) | buck-arkansas wrote: i've just found, or rather heard a "10"
please don't talk trash about this one. you'll only break my heart as much as this song does. but for different reasons. bad reasons.
This is a lovely song and your entry here is both sad and wonderful.
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Pink Floyd - Fearless
(Jan 20, 2006 - 02:36) | johnsolo wrote: My first floyd album was meddle. I used to think it was a bad first one to get, but maybe it was the best.
You're right. Meddle is one of their best. (click here)
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Sufjan Stevens - Jacksonville
(Jan 20, 2006 - 02:24) | dolfan wrote:
Until I looked at the playlist, I thought it was Belle and Sebastian, too. And if this is for Jacksonville, FL the song is far, far better than the city. There are good people there, but that city was planned out after careful consideration, a few bottles of Jack, and a bowlful of peyote.
Jacksonville, Illinois is 45 minutes from where I live. It's my favorite city in the state...a school for the deaf, two universities, a major role in the underground railroad, the Amtrack runs to chicago, and a small-town friendly atmosphere.
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Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line
(Jan 17, 2006 - 16:09) | This song has become emblematic of Johnny Cash himself. An artist on the edge, doing things his way. This is classic. What an incredible bass voice he has!
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The Ditty Bops - Ooh La La
(Jan 17, 2006 - 16:05) | Mari wrote:It's 13.20 12th Jan right now and no i don't not whilst RP is Alive and Well..... ......
Ah...Mari. You are one of my RP favs. Take care. 
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Leonard Cohen - The Future
(Jan 16, 2006 - 16:44) | ctdfalconer wrote:
Oh, please...Burt and Leonard sing fine (so I'm not a fan of Kristofferson). They're different and unusal, but I can appreciate that. Much more interesting the than homogeneity of mega-pop.
(Halls! Funny!
None of these people can sing. I would add to that list Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen.
I am uncomfortable with the graphic content of these lyrics.
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The Beatles - Blackbird
(Jan 15, 2006 - 06:37) | This is my favorite Beatles song because it is art and it is pop and it's the emergence of Paul as a songwriter in his own right.
(My favorite song by John was written years later. It is called "Imagine" and has the best lyrics of any pop song in the English language.)
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The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night
(Jan 15, 2006 - 06:30) | DisplacedNorthrnr wrote:
I used to be of the same mindset. Then a friend of mine suggested that I pick up the white album and listen to it from beginning to end. After that I gained a whole new appreciation for the rest of their music. Not sure what flipped the switch.
The "old beatles" pre Rubber soul sound old school to me (I was born about that time, circa 1963). But I LOVE LOVE the stuff that came after, especially Sgt. Peppers, Abbey Road, The White Album and the other grand experiments that created the movement now known as alternative rock. McCartney's newest album is much in the same vein. Introspective, less positive, but soul-searching. It's too bad he and Lennon stopped collaborating, but they had to become themselves without each other.
"You say you want a revolution...?" With the Beatles, you got the real thing!
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Radiohead - Creep
(Jan 08, 2006 - 01:51) | olsaltybastard wrote: I had to give it a 1 simply because I haven't heard such lousy guitar playing since the last Green Day song.
I play piano, not guitar. To my ears, it sounds appropriate for the style of grunge that I'm familiar with. Criticizing it for being poorly played ignores what a well-written song it is. I give it a 9 for a beautiful melody and the honest lyrics.
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Talking Heads - Totally Nude
(Jan 05, 2006 - 17:52) | One of my very favorite songs of all time! This Head's song about freedom gets a 10 from me.
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Elvis Costello - Beyond Belief
(Jan 05, 2006 - 17:44) | physicsgenius wrote: I looked at the ratings on this one fully expecting to see EC getting hammered--there's no melody, no harmony and you can't make out a word he's saying because of the mumbling and terrible production. Then I see he got an 8 and there's all these "best song EVAR!!!1" comments. You people are clinically insane.
I have never been a big E.C. fan. I think it's more like pop jazz or fusion pop or something. I agree that he mumbles and his melodies are blurred.
I seldom agree with you, physicsgenius. Nor do I like replying when I disagree with something that is patently insane...many of your reviews show me that you and I have very different taste. I also suspect that you write these posts to get a rise out of people. That's fine. If you make us think, that is an accomplishment. I suspect, however, that you make most people think that they hate you.
A genius of physics, perhaps, but not of social skills. Alas...you are playing the role of an Internet predator instead. No problemo. It keeps things lively around RP.
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Kan'Nal - Gypsy
(Jan 05, 2006 - 03:37) | This song's rhythmic lyrics ("tear down the borders...") really got my attention. I can't understand anyone who says this is nothing special. This is compelling music. I also read people who said it was derivative...but ALL music is derivative! It's hard for me to imagine why people wouldn't love this.
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Eels - Things the Grandchildren Should Know
(Jan 02, 2006 - 18:00) | Click on Song Info and read the lyrics. This is a song about an aging son thinking about his dead father. It's about how we become our parents, and realize what incredible people they were. But it's always too late. Always.
The music is boring but it fits the melancholy lyrics. 8.
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Miles Davis - One for Daddy-O
(Jan 02, 2006 - 17:08) | daveesh wrote:
i notice you've got quite a few doors songs on your favorites list. pretty highly rated, to boot! its common knowledge that jim morrison used to have a few cocktails and whack his girlfriends around every now and again. you better get to work finding a way to get the doors off your list.
There is a balance to be struck between "single issue advocacy", as when we condemn any institution that 'supports' evil acts (as we define them), versus all the good that institution does otherwise. Should we overthrow the Catholic church and all their good works because they ignored pedophelia in the United States? Many of my friends go to these churches and worship God, do good works, and make the world a better place.
What you have said here, in criticism of domestic violence, is misplaced because this radio station supports musical expression and you are trying to suppress it due to the personal flaws of the artist who wrote it. Your viewpoint is too narrow and your rants sound like a niave and idealistic child. Terrible evil happens in this world, much worse than mere domestic violence (which is legal in most countries, BTW). In poor places, people are killed by the hundreds of thousands due to their evil leaders, who go to war, cut off their food, and destroy their way of life.
Yet here we all sit, listening from afar with our expensive technology, to beautiful music written by flawed artists. We live so well that we cannot imagine the sheer luck of our circumstances. How spoiled we look to the rest of the beleagured world! We were born in one of the richest, most powerful places on Earth. That we should complain and whine that Mr. Davis used to beat his wife is of no consequence whatsoever. The man is dead. Let God be his judge.
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Talking Heads - I Zimbra
(Jan 02, 2006 - 07:36) | This song is dadist nonsense with Robert Fripp on guitar makes this an outstanding piece of art! I can't give it a 10, however, b/c the music just doesn't go that far. 9 will suffice.
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Neil Finn - Turn and Run
(Dec 31, 2005 - 01:28) | I just have to say this is one of the best songs I have heard in days, if not weeks, here on RP. And that's saying something! This is mature songwriting in the vein of Michael Penn, Squeeze, or even the Beatles. I have to get me some more of this Finn stuff.
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Bird York - Lovely Thing
(Dec 27, 2005 - 17:31) | mocowbell wrote: Drop dead looks and the voice of an angel. There outta be a law against this much talent bestowed on one person. I'm not bitter, just envious.
No, you're bitter. But that's okay.
This one gets a 8. Great melody. Awesome groove.
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Pearl Jam - Man Of The Hour
(Dec 27, 2005 - 01:09) | jeremydgreat wrote:So I just map.google'd Paradise CA... hmmm. Right along the 5 in the middle of the state... doesn't that mean desert?
Well anyway, I guess I'll have to wait until it's light to see the webcam shot. All I know is that when you drive the 5 from LA to San Fran... it's anything but paradise. hehe
I got my degree in computer operating systems at CSU Chico just down the hill from Paradise. One of America's first great microbreweries, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, started in Paradise. It's a beautiful place with snowy winters and pine trees in the foothills of the mountain range. Paradise is in Butte county, which makes it a spectacular drive up the mountain with all those flat bluffs. (a butte is a flat-topped mountain).
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Supreme Beings of Leisure - Strangelove Addiction
(Dec 22, 2005 - 19:58) | This song kicks a** and I can't figure out why it gets a 6. ? Maybe some of the RP listeners have a bias against techno dance? This is not your typical. This thing rocks and is smooth-but-powerful and very well written musically. The production is awesome. 9
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The Flaming Lips - Waitin' for a Superman
(Dec 22, 2005 - 19:49) | I was never sure if the lead singer could carry a tune, but this song is SO VERY meaningful! What a great metaphor for caring for (and mourning) a dying loved-one. No matter how tough we think we are, the emotional crush is overwhelming. His singing sounds very sad and distant, like a poor lost soul. Not their best song, but an 8 on a great album.
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Peter Gabriel - Sky Blue
(Dec 22, 2005 - 19:21) | This is only the second 10 I've given to an RP song. What beautiful electronica! And danceable. But introverted. How did I miss this song? I thought I knew the Gabriel cannon by heart.
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Grateful Dead - Althea
(Dec 22, 2005 - 03:42) | I used to live up near Comptche, CA where the Dead had a recording studio. I worked with a guy who was a huge G.D. fan. He told me they were a great live band but their studio tracks were pretty bad (like this one). I asked him if maybe their live albums were better and he said "no". I got a chance to see them live in the late 80s, but their first set was so terrible that we left. They had no presence onstage and the music was sluggish and poorly performed. I can confirm that a BUNCH of fans in the audience were doing illegal pharmaceuticals. There was a family of four, including two children, who had dropped acid and were giggling helplessly and describing to each other the visions they were seeing. Ever since then I have disliked the Grateful Dead.
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Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
(Nov 25, 2005 - 12:30) | WordMariner wrote: I had never heard this before....nor heard Jeff Buckley, for that matter....I had heard OF him but not heard him. Looking at his bio at his website, i am quite amazed that everything that is available is all posthumous! A bit like Nick Drake, eh? Nick was little known by my generation and is now the darling of the next one...despite the fact that he died in the early/mid-70s.
Anyway, thanks, Bill, for playing this and for the person who inout the words below....thanks to you, too. I always like reading Cohen lyrics because he is so "out there" and ethereal.......with us and without us.
I hope Jeff is smiling from above when HALLELUJAH is played....and I am sure Leonard would like the cover........it sounds damn fine to me!
It's a beautiful and (perhaps unintentionally) strongly spiritual and even religious piece of music. I give it a 9 because it moved me but not quite to tears. Excellent RP fare.
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Los Lobos - Wicked Rain
(Nov 12, 2005 - 04:21) | RParadise wrote: Though I like Los Lobos, this song does nothing for me, and upon repeated listenings (too often repeated I might add) it has failed to grow or show me anything. So for those of you who like this song so much, what is it that you would tell me to listen for?
ANSWER: Los Lobos is one of the few popular bands I listen to that has a powerful central american feel...like you have travelled to Belize or Southern Mexico. The work is unusual sounding, with solid musicianship and somehow strangely accessible. As a composer, I listen to LL to absorb the eccentric timing, instrumentation, and the vivid imagery of their dreamlike lyrics.
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John Lee Hooker - Spellbound
(Nov 11, 2005 - 19:14) | Two of my favorite bands are Radiohead and JL Hooker. Music is about the heart, not about hating popular music or so-called classics because nice people like it. If it hits you in the guts, it's great stuff. Period.
Everyone has a right to their opinion. I think this stuff is great and I think you are a music snob who enjoys smacking great music for the sheer joy of pissing off people who like great music.
physicsgenius wrote:
A) Thank you, Voltaire.
B) No, I'm trying to open eyes. The people who complain about the homogeneity of commercial radio seem deaf the near-homogeneity of the supposedly "different' music they themselves listen to. Most of this stuff isn't good, just contrarian wrt Britney Spears (e.g. Radiohead--objectively speaking, that music is crap).
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Beethoven - Symphony No.5 - Allegro Con Brio
(Nov 11, 2005 - 18:42) | I take back what I said. Two 10s in a row. Bjork and Beethoven. Two great 'B's in a row. This music was rock in the 18th century and endures because it transcends the ages.
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Björk - New World
(Nov 11, 2005 - 18:41) | If you have ever seen Dancer in the Dark, you know that this song is a mind blower, in context. If you haven't seen the movie, maybe it's just an 8 or 9. I have never given a 10 to any song on RP, but this is the first and may never happen again.
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Ima Robot - Scream
(Nov 11, 2005 - 17:45) | The lyrics are fantastic and imaginative. The music is powerful and beautiful. This is an underrated song.
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Coldplay - Talk
(Nov 04, 2005 - 23:03) | People need to forget how popular a band is and just rate the song as it sounds. It's an excellent song. Kraftwerk is a fine band too but many bands lift riffs from each other and who cares? Kraftwerk is art and coldplay is pop and guess what? Pop is easier to listen to. I like this song a lot and it isn't fair to hate them just because they are unaccountably popular. It's nobody's fault. A good song is a good song and nevermind who published it.
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Sarah Harmer - Almost
(Nov 04, 2005 - 21:42) | Oh yes. This is poetry. Here is a singer songwriter who can write lyrics. And the music is beautiful and rockin in a feminine and beautiful way. I like this very much.
2/18: Upgraded from an 8 to a 9. Gets better with further listening.
Baby_M wrote: And if I am a sailor,
then you are the warm gulf wind,
and you've blown into this little port
and roused my dreams again.
I love these lyrics.
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Supergrass - Grace
(Nov 04, 2005 - 21:37) | Who the **** are these guys? It's like they are rockin' throwbacks to the 60's or something. Excellent. Give em a 9. Impressive.
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Steely Dan - Jack of Speed
(Oct 29, 2005 - 07:45) | The Dan is just as good as ever...this album won a Grammy so somebody who likes it gave it some props. sorry if some of you are bored by high quality pop jazz.
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Alpinestars - Burning Up
(Oct 29, 2005 - 06:31) | This is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands right now. Godlike is right...give it a ten. I can't get it out of my head !!!!
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Alpinestars - Burning Up
(Jan 14, 2005 - 14:16) | There isn't one song in ten million that sticks in my head for more than a couple of days. Burning Up by Alpinestars has been in my head for over 5 weeks now and I can't get it out !!!! (help.)
This is a great great great song and Alpinestars is fast becoming my favorite band of the 2000s.
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