Welcome to my newest music series, Quick Hits! I once again return to my trusty ol’ iPod (that’s still alive and kicking…for now) for a monthly peek into my musical past. Each new post will cover five shuffled songs. My musings per song may be voluminous or sparse, depending on what memories they spark. So, let’s not waste any more time and get on with the music!
“The Tribute” – Colossus
The version of Colossus’s “The Tribute” is not the remix that appears on Mushroom Jazz 5; it’s the original, and it’s damn awesome still. I don’t know if this California-based collective was ever that prolific, but hey, maybe they said all they needed to say here. Y’know, mic drop and all that? I’m a huge fan of the Mushroom Jazz series and was glad to hear this song in the mix. Farina’s remix brings a lithe, jazzy appeal to the original. It’s good and fits in nicely with the rest of the tracks on the album.
“Duel of the Fates” – from Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace
I want to be like John Williams when I grow up – immensely creative, infinitely talented, and still happily producing well into his twilight years. There’s no denying that he’s blessed the world with some of the most lasting and recognizable themes in entertainment. It’s “Duel of the Fates” from The Phantom Menace one of them? For my money, it is. However. Can you name another track off of any of the Star Wars prequel albums? Okay, maybe you can, but in my mind’s ear, this single song has come to define the prequel movies, much like the original “Star Wars” theme defined the original trilogy.
“Delirium of Disorder” – Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a master of many things musical, not the least of which is the short song that speaks fucking volumes. “Delirium of Disorder” is exactly that. It sums up what it means to exist in this nutty world in mere eight lines (nine if you count the “chorus”). It’s perfection in under a minute-thirty.
“Greatest Hits” – Sublime
Not to be confused with any sort of compilation, Sublime’s “Greatest Hits” might be one of the band’s most deconstructed songs. There’s a structure there, but it’s organic and kind of like a Frank Gehry building, with an ebb and flow that keep things interesting and the listener guessing as to where the song is going to go next. This makes loads of sense context, as this a song about the stressors lead singer Bradley Nowell was facing when trying to write (and maintain) his “greatest hits.” In his case, more stress led to more drug use, which sadly led to tragedy.
“Nobody Does it Better” – Carly Simon
Nobody also does better a James Bond theme! Okay, so that’s completely and rightfully debatable — the franchise has more than its share of incredible theme songs. But this one that Carly Simon did for The Spy Who Loved Me is up there as a personal favorite. I’ve already covered the song in-depth here, so I won’t keep you here. On its own or in the context of a “sexy” James Bond opener, nobody does it better than Carly Simon, always.
Recollections of Play 