PIANO MAN vs. ROCKET MAN

I would like to take a moment to shine smAsh's musical spotlight on a certain piano man. I have loved Billy Joel for as long as I can remember. The appreciation for his music pretty much comes with the territory of being from Long Island; it's a birth right of sorts.

Last night was a major event for yours truly. Billy Joel and Elton John. Face to face. Honestly, aside from Tiny Dancer, I'm pretty impartial to the rocket man. I am always one to give credit where credit's due, but I must say that Sir Elton received a royal ass whooping in all areas of performance.

Joel is a story-teller. He engages with the audience in such a way that you feel like he's a friend you've been having drinks at the local bar with for years.
(Ironic statement, I know).

This is my blog so I'll say it: In the musical battle of Billy Joel vs. Elton John, Billy wins hands down. It boils down to one thing: his songs are better.
In addition he's a better singer, live performer and piano player.

I don't care if he hasn't had a hit single in years.
I'll be the first to admit that Movin' Out on Broadway was atrocious.
But for some reason, there is really no other artist that captures the essence of New York like Billy Joel.

Maybe it's just me.
Maybe sometimes I get homesick.
Maybe I get nostalgic about the memories his music initiates.

Is that not what makes a song great in the first place?

I'd rather laugh with the sinners, than cry with the saints.

The sinners are much more fun...

BLOODHOUNDS ON THE TRAIL...

I like a lot of really random stuff. Espcially music. Sure, I go through phases, but I've never been sold on 1 particular genre-I get really bored. Really fast.

An example:

10 years ago I went hiking with my family in NZ. These were the days before the iPod, so the number of CDs I could bring with me was limited to 2 (heartbreaking, I know). After a few days, I couldnt take it any more and was in desperate need of something new. When we arrived in civilization, I made a b-line for the nearest record store and bought the first CD I saw. I'd never heard of the band, but the music nerd behind the counter said the album was pretty good and the lyrics were funny as hell. The PARENTAL ADVISORY and EXCLUSIVE IMPORT stickers were really what sold me. Like most teenagers, I wanted what I wasn't supposed to have, so it was the epitome of judging an album by it's cover.

The album was The Bloodhound Gang's first full length titled Use Your Fingers. WOW. It was the raunchiest, most perverted, offensive, ridiculous shit I had EVER heard. But I couldn't stop listening, because to me, they were absolutley hysterical. They made fun of everything and everyone on that record-no one is safe. Not even Axl.

It is easy to see why this album has been overlooked and easily discarded. It is offensive and it's not for everyone. But if you happen to be a person with a very open-minded sense of humour, you will appreciate the absurdity and dare I say, genius of two scrawny white dudes from the suburbs channeling 2 Live Crew.

Album Favorites

(And Why)

Legend In My Spare Time

(Funniest Lyrics Ever)

Mama Say

(Michael Jackson Sample)

You're Pretty When I'm Drunk

(No intruments. This track is 100% acapella/awesome)

No rest for the wicked...

DISCO INFERNO

I LOVE DISCO.

L-O-V-E.

It's the only genre I can think of that's dedicated to feeling good ALL the time. Actually, funk is too. Unfortunately, some classic tracks have been played out to the max that it's hard to listen to them without cringing-meaning anything that's been butchered by some drunk singing karaoke. If there was a disco club in LA, (and I don't mean a one that has a disco night once a week or anything), but a club that was ALL disco ALL the time, I would be there. I might be the only one, but that's ok. I have no problem dancing alone.

Disco balls and illuminated dancefloors? I'm so in .

I have a few favorites tunes I would like to share...in no particular order of course.

Boogie Shoes-KC and the Sunshine Band

Rock The Boat-Hues Corporation

Funky Town-Lipps Inc.

Disco Inferno-The Trammps
I Love The Nightlife-Alicia Bridges

There you go. Burn Baby Burn.

SAVE THE EMPIRE!

Let's discuss soundtracks for a moment, shall we?

My list of favorites is short. Very short. But Empire tops it.

There was a period when music and film were so perfectly in sync with the teen market. I'm talking about the era when Molly Ringwald was queen of the universe. My generation however, got kinda cheated in the "awesome movies with awesome soundtracks" department. That's not to say that there weren't great movies that featured maybe one or two great songs. (Terminator 2 for example). I'm talking about a soundtrack. A film that had so many killer songs either a.) not all of them made it on the record, which was a major bummer or b.) you lucked out with a 2 disc set.

If you happened to grow up where I did, you would probably agree with me when I say that pop culture was and still is about 5 years behind. In my town, alternative was not a word in anyones vocaulary. If you were luck enough to be "in the know," it was because of someone's infinitely cooler older brother/sister. At least, this was the case with me. I won't go into the details of where, when and how I saw Empire, but when I did, it completely blew my mind. Not only did I long for the day when I too would be that cool (hopefully), but the soundtrack! Holy shit! The Gin Blossoms, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Cranberries, Sponge, The The??? Do you remember the first time you heard these bands or AC/DC and Dire Straits?! Yeah well, I do.

Unfortunately for me, not all of the songs made it on to the soundtrack, so to get the full effect you have to watch the movie. It's in your best interest to do so. Need I remind you of the awesomeness that is Rex Manning?

Say no more, mon amor.

DAMN THE MAN !

Here's a bit of backstory:

The idea for THE VAULT began one morning while I was searching for a ridiculous youtube video that would make Mr. Smaushtin chuckle. Fate directed my youtube search to none other than Huey Lewis videos. "Happy to be Stuck with You" to be specific (que smAsh's uncontrolable laughter). When I could finally breathe, the first words out of my mouth were, "Oh my God, do you remeber when Huey Lewis ruled the world???" The randomness of this question not only made my cubicle partner in crime crack up, but got me thinking about all the songs that have impacted my life in one way or another. For example:

-My personal favorites. Some were hits. Some were not. It's a totally random compilation, but these make up the soundtrack of my life. I think if I were to be anything on this earth other than yours truely, I'd probably be a mix tape.

-The songs of the summer. These are the monsters. Songs that get so huge you eventually end up hating them. When you get older though, that one piece of music can make you remember exactly where you were, who you were with and what you were like when that song was popular.

There is a brief period in the morning while I'm at work when I'm preoccupied with consuming about a gallon of espresso. This is when I choose the "Song of the Day." It's no easy task, let me tell you. Maybe it's just me, but the wrong song can make or break my day in the same way traffic or a gross cup of coffee can. But, I do love a challenge. So, I decided to post the SOD's on a facebook page so I could share stories with my friends and post videos to give them a little blast from the past. I didn't think anyone was reading it really; it was mostly for my own benefit because I just like to talk about music. A lot.

Yesterday facebook broke up with me via not one, but two cease and desist letters and I was told to take down my Songs From The Vault page. Yeah it sucked, but I didn't think anyone would miss it other than me. Apparently some people were really getting a kick out of what I was posting which made me feel pretty good. So I've decided to join the world of blogging.

I can't promise that everything I say will be witty, or interesting, or even 100% accurate and I don't expect anyone to agree with my musings either.However, I do promise to be honest and unmerciful. Especially if we ever get on the topic of Journey. Hope you enjoy.