9-28-11 - "O.C. Supertones" ~ The O.C. Supertones

Some days, no matter how important your project is at work, no matter how "disrespectful" it may be considered to those around you, you just gotta crank some ska.  Today was one of those days.  


Ska's prime was a while ago, to be sure; can't say I listen to the genre frequently these days, but if you're in the right mood it's still great.  And yes, when I said "crank", I meant "go one click higher than normal on the computer volume button", so I wasn't really sticking it to the man.  But man, hearing this album (and especially this song) just made me happy.


Give it a try and just try to stay angry or depressed or whatever unpleasant mood you may be in right now.  And if you're already feeling good, this will only expound upon your good feelings.  I promise.


"O.C. Supertones" ~ The Orange County Supertones (grooveshark link)


"Orange County, huh?"

7-5-11 - "Giants" ~ Five Iron Frenzy

I have a love/hate relationship with the big corporations that dominate the landscape of America (and the world) these days.  On one hand, it's incredibly convenient to be able to pick up yard tools, car parts, a PlayStation, scented candles, LEGOs, milk, eggs, toothpaste and saline all in one trip to Wal-Mart.  On the other hand, where is my money going if I shop there, and what happens to the local hardware store, craftsmen/artists, grocer, farmers, etc. if I spend my money buying stuff from God knows where?  Not to mention the environmental cost of trucking in these products from across the country (or further)...


Here's a song dealing with these sorts of questions and moral dilemmas.  It might even hint at the potentially unsavory relationships between big businesses and politicians (hmm, where does that campaign funding come from, Mr. Senator?  And why, I wonder, did Company X want to contribute to your campaign?  Something in it for them?)


Five Iron Frenzy managed to blend a plethora of musical styles with some pretty deep stuff (when they weren't being totally off the wall).  This one kind of defies description musically, but I love it anyway:

Who's behind the curtain anyway,
Who pulls the levers and tells the lies?


Want to get some education while you listen?  Read up on Adam Smith, who is mentioned in the bridge, and his book The Wealth of Nations, which set forth some fundamental theories of modern economics.

6-7-11 - "Spiderwebs" ~ No Doubt

Going with a fun one from the days of our youth.  Well, my youth... I don't presume to know the age of the reader.  Anyway, it's just a fun ska-ish tune about getting over a dude who keeps calling, or maybe it's about the way technology has permeated our society to the point where "helpful" and "useful" things become a nuisance or even a curse...

"Communication, a telephonic invasion..."

3-15-11 - "Santeria" ~ Sublime

So last night two of my housemates and I had a little jam session.  I walked in on them playing some Pearl Jam on guitar and drums, and hopped on the piano to hit up some Weezer and this bad boy. 


It's a fun surf/ska number from the 90s, you've probably heard it.... but what is it about?  Santeria... hmm... wikipedia to the rescue!  A Caribbean religion, apparently... and Sancho better watch his back!  Fun little Western shootout theme to the vid (not altogether dissimilar to another surf/ska band I posted last month...):

"Tell Sanchito that if he knows what is good for him,
he best go run and hide;
daddy's got a new .45..." 

2-20-11 - "Juggernaut" ~ Five Iron Frenzy

These guys aren't around any more, but they were a lot of fun back when I was in high school and college, and well worth an occasional spin in amongst the newer music I listen to these days.  FIF blended upbeat tunes with humor, and threw in some deep thoughts as well.  This one's about finding a way to overcome the crushing weight of doubt.

"Beneath machinery
specter of treachery,
and I've lost everything;
and I am getting out,
the shadow of my doubt
is suffocating;
my own worst enemy,
this Juggernaut is killing me"

2-7-11 - "Chase The Sun" ~ The O.C. Supertones

Ska is a funny genre.  Some of it is quite good and catchy, and some of it... isn't very good at all.  Can't say I listen to a ton of it lately, but back in high school and college, The Orange County Supertones were one of my favorite bands.  They called it quits several years ago, which was probably for the best, but before that they put out several albums full of horn-infused fun like this one, with a few mellow, introspective ones mixed in for good measure (I'll  feature one or two of those eventually...)


This one's a scorcher, dropping the bass and kick to get it started, and bringing the horns in for the big finish. It brings back lots of memories, from warm up mixes to counseling at a youth camp.  I had a cabin full of 9-year olds yelling the chorus as we traipsed around the camp one summer - loads of fun.  The video is quite amusing as well - don't take it too seriously, the Supertones certainly didn't when they filmed it.  Just a good old-fashioned Western standoff:

"We lived inside the fault lines
beneath the earth's surface,
spendin' all our time
readin' books and writin verses;
the earth started shakin'
from the noise we were makin';
we emerged from the rubble,
OC was taken."