Last.fm said I'd like UFO. I was, like, bitch, you don't know me. And last.fm was like, "but E-nudge! I do! You can't deny my superior ways! You gave me Tool and now I know everything about you!" And then last.fm tried to propose, and I said yeah, whatever and screwed around with Soulseek on the side, then broke it off at the alter. Fucking tell me you know me, who does last.fm think it is?

Anyway, yeah. I've heard the name UFO before, perhaps as recently as in the Swamp. I don't pay much attention to recommendations of bands that were active before I was even born, however. I think I have the basics down well enough from my couple of years of regular classic rock listening and spend most time lately listening to what's been made in the last 5-10 years save for my favorites.

But my recent open recommendations-taking led me in the direction of UFO. I looked at their page, "Doctor Doctor" was the number one played song, so I downloaded the album it came from, Phenomenon. I was expecting nothing of real weight, and I heard:

Oh. Well, okay. You got me there.

Song: "Starlady"
Artist: Pentagram
Album: Human Hurricane (1998)

I didn't realize how "ironic" me listening to this band today was until I started to write about something else in this text box "for" you guys. I suppose nearly every band I like would be ironic, but yeah. Pentagram.

....

I should do a show where the main character wants to change the name of Christmas to "circle jerks" and describes giving presents to ungrateful six year olds equivalent to "accidentally" coming on someone's face. This character will be a 54 year old alcoholic who was a minister until "that incident in front of 7-11". "I bet those Indians don't celebrate bullshit holidays like Circle Jerks," they say in a huff, pointing at some invisible person in the corner. Halfway through the rest of the rant, punctuated by a sudden "HEY!", the connection drops. I make a statement or two about the importance of mental health care and not being too proud for a weekly sit-down with a shrink. Two calls later, a nice-sounding lady finds the show and apologizes for her dad. They don't normally let him near a phone, but you know... you should be nice to everyone on Circle Jerks. The punch line is the obvious one about his daughter needing to go wash her son's face now. k thx bye!

Heartwarming family Christmas stories make me feel more whole inside.

I'm glad we could have this momentary time of psychological bonding, internet. Til next time I have something irrelevant to say about a song I like... love to hate you!! <3

Song: "Children of the Grave"
Artist: Black Sabbath
Album: Master of Reality (1971)

I have a habit of turning on certain bands and, if distracted, forgetting I'm listening to music at all. It's 'just there'. Of course, this song doesn't just end... It ends with a long pause and suddenly repeating its title. I can't count the number of times I've been sitting here working away on something, forgetting about the music, and suddenly having "children of the grave" whispered at me at ridiculous volume... causing me to jump. Jerks.

Also, I just want to let everyone in the movies know that when you do scenes involving the late 60s/early 70s or Vietnam, it's okay to skip out on the cliche "loud" druggie music to enhance the scene. You don't do it to the 80s or 90s or 2004, so feel free to stop doing it to Vietnam. We here on Planet 2009 understand that there was semi-significant music around that time without your further aid.

Also, I'd like to note that glamourizing the 70s is proof that god loves fags. We're almost on the second decade of the millennium, here. People who lived through the decade turn into the 70s at ages where music was relevant to them are old enough to be in nursing homes, now. Get with the program.

Note to self: Pretend to get with the program without appearing hypocritical having just posted "Children of the Grave" to the ol' bloggy blog. Also consider finding out which program I'm suppose to adhere to, perhaps while I also consider my open homophobia and why I can't use everyday language to describe things as opposed to non-PC language. When finished considering, flush.

Song: "Kashmir"
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Album: Physical Graffiti (1975)

This is a lazy song post because I've been out of sorts with the blog for the last few days. I cleaned and rearranged and cleaned some more, and now I'm left with a dead brain. But here's a memory.

I recorded myself making fun of this song when I was 14, in 1996. I would love, love, love to re-record it digitally for you guys but it's a long piece, there's a few blank spots and unfunny things that pad the whole thing that make the jokes "make sense", and plus I say some names. It's my psychology but they don't really need to be used in such a manner. I suppose I could use a program and blank out the names... Effort.

In any case, at that time, I probably had no real idea who Led Zeppelin were, and it's weird hearing my reaction to the song the first time I'd ever heard it. Yet, beautiful... So beautiful that I hear this song now and almost cringe every time. All I see turns to "brown"...

Anyhow, I can't really put any proper thought into talking about this song because it's associated with that one thing so much. So I will close with a joke.

Sounds like Danava.

Song: "Postcard"
Artist: The Who
Album: Odds & Sods (1974)

Irony.

Song: "Baby Please Don't Go"
Artist: Budgie
Album: Never Turn Your Back On A Friend (1973)

Budgie. A type of bird. Also a band. Even if we don't know the name or the band, we all know "Breadfan". It has all of that energy and then an interlude followed by a repeated series of energetic sounds, common in popular songs. People like tension. People also remember the song itself better because it's an opportunity to repeat the original message and repetition is key in making stupid people stupider...

Shut up, you liked it.

This song is more relaxed and doesn't hook you the same way. For those that don't know: sounds like Led Zeppelin minus the dick in the vocalist's hand. And this is a cover.

I wonder if Budgie ever had groupies. As in, consistently and female. According to my generation's logic they're not an attractive bunch. I find myself drawn to the shrill guy in the glasses, though. I'll look up the astrology... heh! Sagittarius Moon. Figures. And Mars opposite Mars by about six degrees. And His Venus square my Sun. Well, there you go.

Anyway, shit post, good song.

Song: "Hey"
Artist: Shrapnel
Album: Combat Love (1979)

This song sounds like a couple of 14 year old boys wrote it.

Fucking infectious, though. It's going up on the player one of these days. Til then:

isksp.blogspot.com

Song: "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
Artist: Devo
Album: Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)

Fuckin' song's stuck in my head after the other day.

Obviously this is a cover, but it isn't as copy-paste and not really that interesting as covers often are.

Double negatives make a positive.

And since I didn't have a song sample for you back when I posted the song originally...

Shrapnel - "Combat Love":

Song: "Combat Love"
Artist: Shrapnel
Album: Combat Love 7" (1979)

Dave Wyndorf. That, alone, should say enough to you. If not, we have a serious problem and I think you know what to do to correct it.

I have a hard time believing this song is 30 years old. It seems rather fresh.

If any of you have any other Shrapnel, send it my way.

Song: "Black Betty"
Artist: Ram Jam
Album: Ram Jam (1977)

I'm fairly certain I downloaded this song right after seeing a movie, probably Blow (thanks, wikipedia!) but it's one of those songs I'd known forever without knowing its place.

I'm not sure what to say about it... so, you know, if you don't recognize the name - just listen to it.

Song: "Forever My Queen"
Artist: Pentagram
Album: Review Your Choices (1999)

I'm late.

As in, literally. This song made me pregnant.

Obviously I have to abort. All of my hangers are made of plastic, so could someone please send me a care package?

Hm, that's how I got in this mess to begin with. Nevermind.

Song: "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"
Artist: Van Halen
Album: Van Halen (1978)

There are a lot of apostrophes in this song title.

Song: "Supernaut"
Artist: Black Sabbath
Album: Vol 4 (1972)

It's nice that lyrics are often so vague. Today this song is about record labels.

I want to reach out and touch the sky
I want to touch the sun
but I don't need to fly
I'm gonna climb up every mountain of the moon
And find a distant man a-waving his spoon

Got no religion, don't need no friends
Got all I want and I don't need to pretend
Don't try to reach me, 'cause I'd tear up your mind
I've seen the future and I've left it behind

Song: "Lovin' You"
Artist: Minnie Ripperton
Album: Perfect Angel (1974)

I've had this song stuck in my head for several years, particularly the "la la" part. If you don't recognize this song by name and therefore don't know better or aren't already tainted, I would suggest probably skipping it because it just does not go away.

But seriously. Listen to it once and then go slam your head into a cement wall or something, because... LUUUHVIN YOU IS EEASY CUZ YER BEAUTIFUL. LA LA LA LA LA.

Song: "Pink Pussycat"
Artist: Devo
Album: Duty Now For The Future (1979)

When I was 12, this song would have sent me into tears laughing.

These days... well, it's catchy.

Song: "Young Man Blues"
Artist: The Who
Album: Live at Leeds (1970) / Odds & Sods remastered (1998)

Watch the video.

Song: "TV Eye"
Artist: The Stooges
Album: Funhouse (1970)

Watch this. Am I the only one that feels myself having a heart attack for him? The cuts make it seem worse and you could see more energy in older videos, but damn... When I'm 60, I hope I have that much energy.

And, also, this song is infectious.

Song: "I Like It Both Ways"
Artist: Supernaut
Album: Supernaut (1976)

From the name you would expect a little Sabbath worship, and it's there... but this is apparently "glam rock". Very 70s. I heard this band for the first time this week, and they're confused with another band named Supernaut online, so I don't have much information besides that. Still, this song... is awesome.

Song: "Breadfan"
Artist: Budgie
Album: Never Turn Your Back On A Friend (1973)

I was wondering where I'd heard Danava's sound before, and... oh yeah. Nurr.

Or, "nngh", if you're a fan of mice.

Two people on planet Earth got that joke. You're welcome for that image, too.

Sarcasm is for losers.

Song: "Mississippi Queen"
Artist: Mountain
Album: Climbing! (1970)

This has been stuck in my head for a week, not including the day that I couldn't get some Melvins song out of my head, thanks to listening to it randomly apart of some research for the blog.

No thoughts... just, urgh. Go away.

Song: "Jocko Homo"
Artist: Devo
Album: Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)

Weird, yet great. I just described their entire discography, but all the same... If you've missed Devo like I had, this song is the obvious place to change that.

Song: "Master of the Universe"
Artist: Hawkwind
Album: In Search of Space (1971) / Space Ritual (1973)

Really? Me too!

This song is, like, so totally groovy, man...

Song: "When The Levee Breaks"
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Album: Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

Songs that are specific yet vague like this are fun to have around at socially relevant times. Three years have passed and I still smile at this song.

Although the song that really makes me smile on this subject is that one-hit wonder by Katrina And The Waves.

Song: "Hold The Line"
Artist: Toto
Album: Toto (1978)

I saw a video for this song when I was about 21 and it fucking blew my mind. Certainly it's nothing special, but in the same... how often do you get that kind of "heart" out of a singer in a popular video of the band playing these days? Usually they just stand there trying to remember the lyrics or flail about, clearly faking it.

I'm not sure if this is the video I saw anymore because I only saw it once, and I've since changed my mind about this song/artist, but it's still decent enough to post.

Song: "No Quarter"
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Album: Houses of the Holy (1973)

If you're young or you've missed this, listen now.

Song: "Johnny Blade"
Artist: Black Sabbath
Album: Never Say Die (1978)

And if you're here, you've heard of Black Sabbath.

Or you haven't heard anything except what they play 90 times a day on the radio station where you live, and you're just pretending to be cool. You brainwashed jerk.

Song: "New Rose"
Artist: The Damned
Album: Damned Damned Damned (1977)

This is happy music... and also among the songs you need to hear at least once in your life.

Song: "Sheep"
Artist: Pink Floyd
Album: Animals (1977)

Because I apparently lived on an Amish commune in South Dakota, I had not heard this song until I was about 20 years old, due to a friend's recommendation. Regardless of your musical tastes and interests in general or of late, I hope you have not made this same mistake.

Lyrics:
Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away;
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air.
You better watch out!
There may be dogs about!
I've looked over Jordan, and I have seen
Things are not what they seem.

What do you get for pretending the danger's not real.
Meek and obedient you follow the leader
Down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel.
What a surprise!
A look of terminal shock in your eyes.
Now things are really what they seem.
No, this is no bad dream.

The lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
Through pastures green he leadeth me the silent waters by.
With bright knives he releaseth my soul.
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places.
He converteth me to lamb cutlets,
For lo, he hath great power, and great hunger.
When cometh the day we lowly ones,
Through quiet reflection, and great dedication
Master the art of karate,
Lo, we shall rise up,
And then well make the bugger's eyes water.

Bleating and babbling I fell on his neck with a scream.
Wave upon wave of demented avengers
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream.

Have you heard the news?
The dogs are dead!
You better stay home
And do as you're told.
Get out of the road if you want to grow old.

Song: "Orgone Accumulator"
Artist: Hawkwind
Album: Space Ritual (1973)

Like with Space Is Deep, this is a valuable song to your collection.

Song: "Snowblind"
Artist: Black Sabbath
Album: Vol. 4 (1972)

Youtube's sound quality kills this song. If you don't have it and you can, buy the album instead. You can find it for less than $10 pretty much everywhere.

If you're coming from an alt-metal background, you'll be pleased to know that System of a Down has covered this song (assuming you didn't know already). If you're coming from an electronic, pop-rock background, check out Trent Reznor's cover of this album's "Supernaut" with the band 1000 Homo DJs. If you're coming from a stoner rock background, there's sHeavy's "Tomorrow's Dream", which I leave you to go look for because I know you want to. And then there's all of these other covers. In short, this album is highly recommended.