Tag / Boiler Up!

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 14

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 14 takes us into the early summer of 1994, following the end of my sophomore year of college.  The song selection continues to be  mostly alternative, with a little G-funk added for flavor.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Big Empty

This entry from The Crow soundtrack picked up an additional 12 listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 5 plays 17 plays, most recently on 11/30/2018 

Aerosmith – Crazy

A 5 play increase for the final installment of the Alicia Silverstone video trilogy, now with extra Liv Tyler.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
11 plays 18 plays 23 plays, most recently on 11/19/2018 

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

Winner of the Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy and nominated for Best Rock Song, the band’s biggest commercial hit picked up 8 plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 5 plays 13 plays, most recently on 12/11/2018 

Green Day – Longview

The “debut” that pushed Green Day into the mainstream, hitting #1 on the Alternative Songs chart, doubled its number of listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 7 plays 14 plays, most recently on 8/25/2018 

Hole – Miss World

Hitting #13 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the introduction of Courtney Love to a mainstream audience picked up 8 additional listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
9 plays 14 plays 22 plays, most recently on 8/20/2018 

Pearl Jam – Dissident

The song, which peaked at #3 on the Album Rock Tracks chart, more than doubled its listens over the previous 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 8 plays 17 plays, most recently on 7/10/2018 

Sarah McLachlan – Possession

Inspired by letters written to McLachlan by two deranged fans, the 27th biggest hit of 1994 on the Alternative songs chart added a paltry 3 plays to its total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 plays 4 plays 7 plays, most recently on 12/6/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 13

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 13 takes us into late spring of 1994 and my the end of my sophomore year of college. The song selection is now mostly completely alternative, with just one or two hip-hop hits to go along with it., with a little pop and Aerosmith on the side.

Side A

Alice In Chains – No Excuses

The first Alice In Chains song to top the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, originally acquired via 93.5 KHY in Lafayette, added 10 new plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 16 plays, most recently on 12/23/2018 

Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm

The third single from the band’s breakthrough release Siamese Dream, which was banned by the BBC because of its lyrical content, more than doubled its output over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 7 plays 15 plays, most recently on 12/17/2018 

Counting Crows – Mr. Jones

The debut single from Counting Crows, which hit #2 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, added an impressive 14 plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 3 plays 17 plays, most recently on 9/17/2018 

The Cranberries – Dreams

The first single from the band, which became a hit after Linger put them on the map, saw a 13 listen increase.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 9 plays 22 plays, most recently on 7/12/2018 

Jodeci – Cry For You

The 60th biggest hit of 1994 picked up 10 listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 play 2 plays 12 plays, most recently on 11/20/2018 

Julianna Hatfield Three – Spin The Bottle

The track, featured on the Reality Bites soundtrack, added 8 additional plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
10 plays 13 plays 21 plays, most recently on 11/1/2018 

Aerosmith – Deuces Are Wild

Aerosmith’s contribution to The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience compilation album, originally recorded for Pump, more than doubled its listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 6 plays 14 plays, most recently on 5/30/2018 

Gin Blossoms – Mrs. Rita

The minor Gin Blossoms, which peaked at #36 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, picked up a single new listen, 3 1/2 years ago.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 plays 5 plays 6 plays, most recently on 6/25/2015 

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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 12

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 12 covers the summer of 1993 and into the fall and my sophomore year of college.  Alternative has mostly taken over, although there’s still a small smattering of pop and hair metal, or whatever we were calling Def Leppard and Guns ‘N Roses back then.

Side A

10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night

The hit from MTV Unplugged, which was Natalie Merchant’s swan song with the group, picked up 9 plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
9 plays 21 plays 30 plays, most recently on 10/22/2018 

Cracker – Low

The first single from Kerosene Hat, which reached #3 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, picked up 17 listens in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
13 plays 14 plays 31 plays, most recently on 12/15/2018 

Def Leppard – Miss You In A Heartbeat

The final US top 40 hit for the band, which peaked at #39, doubled its listens over the past 3 years, with the most recent occurrence coming more than a year ago.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 3 plays 6 plays, most recently on 1/12/2018 

Cher w/ Beavis & Butthead – I Got You Babe

Cher’s threesome with the animated duo, from the hit film Beavis & Butthead Do America, earned a healthy 12 play increase over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
17 plays 22 plays 34 plays, most recently on 11/26/2018 

Guns N’ Roses – Estranged

The nearly 9 1/2 minute opus, which hit #16 on the Mainstream Rock chart, tripled its listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 4 plays 12 plays, most recently on 10/14/2018 

Lemonheads – Into Your Arms

The only Lemonheads track to appear on the Billboard chart, peaking at #67, the tune added 6 additional plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 13 plays 19 plays, most recently on 7/14/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

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16 Left Standing

We enter the Sweet 16 without the major upsets of last year, but also without the Cinderella team for the nation to rally around.  My Boilermakers are still alive, thanks to their thrashing of defending champion Villanova last weekend, which makes me cautiously optimistic about their chances this weekend.

Things look pretty good in the East, with only one of my Sweet Sixteen picks already out of the running.

Things aren’t looking so hot here, where I only have 2 picks still alive and none of them picked to pass through to the Elite 8.  On the plus side, this may mean an easier road to the Final Four for the old alma mater.

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by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 11

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 11 takes us late into 1993 and my sophomore year of college.  It features mostly alternative and hip-hop hits, with a little pop and Aerosmith on the side.

Side A

Shai – Baby I’m Yours

The second, and final, top 10 hit for the R&B quartet more than doubled its plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 7 plays 15 plays, most recently on 10/12/2018 

Tears For Fears – Break It Down Again

Topping the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the comeback hit for the 80s sensations managed to double its plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 9 plays 18 plays, most recently on 7/28/2018 

Bell Biv Devoe – Something In Your Eyes

The only single from the band’s sophomore effort to chart, peaking at #38, the tune managed to pick up 10 additional listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 2 plays 12 plays, most recently on 10/3/2018 

4 Non Blondes – Spaceman

A mere 2 new listens for the minor follow up hit to What’s Up.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 4 plays 6 plays, most recently on 1/10/2016 

Pearl Jam – Go

Used as Paul Konerko’s walkup music during his final season, the first single from Pearl Jam’s sophomore effort picked up 5 new listens in the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 19 plays 24 plays, most recently on 11/7/2018 

Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box

Nirvana’s first release from their final studio album, ranked as the 10th greatest rock track ever by Kerrang! magazine, added 14 additional plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 9 plays 23 plays, most recently on 12/27/2018 

Radiohead – Stop Whispering

Peaking at #23 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the lesser known follow up to the smash Creep tripled its plays over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 play 2 plays 6 plays, most recently on 11/7/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Time To Go Dancing

It’s that time of year again, as the nation’s attention turns to the college hoops scene for the next few weeks. I’m down to just one pool this year; one at my mom’s work.  Without further ado, let’s take a look at this year’s selections.

I’m not seeing much in the way of upsets here, with overall #1 seed Duke my pick to make it to the Final Four.

Purdue finds themselves the #3 seed, playing the first weekend in Hartford.  Given Virginia’s historic poor showing last year, I don’t see them doing much with the #1 seed, so I expect quite a few upsets in this region.

Continue reading →

by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 10

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 10 covers the spring and summer of 1993, following my freshman year of college, and features the top rap and alternative hits of the summer, along with some pop and the last remnants of hair metal.

Side A

Pearl Jam – Black

Hitting #3 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart despite the band’s refusal to release it as an official single, the song was only listened to 5 times in the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 6 plays 11 plays, most recently on 5/1/2018 

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind

The big hit from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bomb Last Action Hero, originally recorded from The Blaze during a nightly song battle, garnered 10 additional listens over the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 7 plays 17 plays, most recently on 7/13/2018 

UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love

After going unheard for 3 years, the track, featured on the Sliver soundtrack, doubled its plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 8 plays 16 plays, most recently on 10/29/2018 

Aerosmith – Cryin’

The first installment of Alicia Silverstone’s video trilogy, which finished as the 60th biggest single of 1993, picked up 10 new plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 6 plays 16 plays, most recently on 10/3/2018 

TLC – Get It Up

The cover of the The Time hit, created for the Poetic Justice soundtrack, finally picked up some listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
0 plays 0 plays 4 plays, most recently on 7/31/2018 

4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?

The 50th biggest single of 1993 picked up a small increase of 3 listens for the ubiquitous debut from 4 Non Blondes.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
9 plays 16 plays 19 plays, most recently on 11/5/2018 

whoompTag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)

The unofficial theme to the Bulls third straight NBA championship, who showed up for 90s night at the game I attended in February 2015, added 30 new listens over the past 3 years, thanks to its use by the Cubs when someone hits a home run.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 13 plays 43 plays, most recently on 9/1/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 9

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 9 places us squarely in the early months of 1993, overlapping with the second semester of my freshman year of college.  The hip hop and pop are rounded out with some alternative and what passes for hair metal in the post-grunge era.

Side A

Dan Baird – I Love You Period

Despite not knowing if this song, which peaked at #26 on the Billboard charts, ever got radio play in the state of Illinois, I’ve somehow managed to add 5 new listens over the past 3 years..

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 9 plays 14 plays, most recently on 11/1/2018 

Ugly Kid Joe – Cats In The Cradle

The cover of the Harry Chapin hit, which gave the band their highest charting hit of their career, picked up a mere 4 new plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 6 plays 10 plays, most recently on 11/15/2018 

Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal

The story of a wise homeless man, which hit #6 on the Billboard charts, managed to pick up 7 plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
5 plays 12 plays 19 plays, most recently on 11/27/2018 

Naughty By Nature – Hip Hop Hooray

The 45th biggest hit of 1993 nearly doubled its total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
8 plays 12 plays 23 plays, most recently on 12/19/2018 

Positive K – I Got A Man

The rappers only top 40 hit, peaking at #14, garnered a slight 4 play increase in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 10 plays 14 plays, most recently on 11/16/2018 

REM – Man On The Moon

The tribute to comedian Andy Kaufman, which peaked at #2 on the Alternative Songs chart, picked up a mere 4 new listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 5 plays 9 plays, most recently on 11/28/2018 

Aerosmith – Livin’ On The Edge

Spending 9 weeks atop the Album Rock Tracks chart, the first single from the band’s 11th studio album, which I bought at a midnight release at the Musicland that would eventually become Kazoo’s, managed a slight increase over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
2 plays 5 plays 8 plays, most recently on 7/3/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 8

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 8 covers the winter and spring of 1993 and the second semester of my freshman year of college. The alternative influence starts to become more noticable, as both Pearl Jam and Nirvana make their belated first appearances alongside old mainstays like Poison, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard. Besides that, we are treated to a lot of hip-hop and hair metal, with a small sampling of pop, as always.

Side A

Bell Biv Devoe – Gangsta

The intended first single from the second Bell Biv Devoe record, which flopped, it was dropped from the album and now is lost to history.

Pearl Jam – Jeremy

The belated first appearance on these tapes by Pearl Jam, the song, which VH1 ranked as the 11th greatest song of the 90s, saw a modest 3 listen increase over the past 3 years, with nothing for nearly 2 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 9 plays 12 plays, most recently on 4/21/2017 

Wreckx-N-Effect – Rump Shaker

Charting as the 9th biggest hit of 1993, the biggest song for butts since Sir Mix-A-Lot had a healthy 15 play increase.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 8 plays 23 plays, most recently on 8/6/2018 

Boyz II Men – In The Still Of The Night

The cover of the old doo-wop classic, recorded for the miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, added 5 plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 9 plays 14 plays, most recently on 12/4/2018 

Arrested Development – People Everyday

Peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts, the second single for the Atlanta-based group added an additional 7 plays over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
7 plays 14 plays 21 plays, most recently on 10/18/2018 

Nirvana – In Bloom

The belated first appearance of Nirvana on these tapes, the song, winner of the Best Alternative Video VMA in 1993. picked up a mere 5 new plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
6 plays 13 plays 18 plays, most recently on 4/30/2018 

TLC – What About Your Friends

The third straight top 10 hit from TLC’s debut album added 11 new listens to its total over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 6 plays 17 plays, most recently on 11/30/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →

by admin

Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 7

20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.

Volume 7 covers the fall of 1992 and the end of the first semester of my freshman year of college.  We are treated to the last gasps of hair metal and pop, with a little dance, alternative and hip-hop thrown in for good measure.

Side A

Guns N’ Roses – November Rain

The longest song ever to crack to top 10 on the Billboard charts, peaking at #3, the opus, which checks in at 3 seconds shy of 9 minutes, picked up 7 new plays in the last 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
3 plays 5 plays 12 plays, most recently on 11/14/2018 

Def Leppard – Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad

The 86th biggest hit of 1992 picked up a mere 2 listens since 2015 and only 4 since 2012.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 6 plays 8 plays, most recently on 12/5/2018 

Toad The Wet Sprocket – All I Want

Topping out at #15 on the Billboard charts, the first hit from Toad the Wet Sprocket only picked up 4 new listens over the past 3 years.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
10 plays 17 plays 21 plays, most recently on 12/9/2018 

Tesla – Signs

The live track, which I once owned on CD before trading it in for LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out, gained a mere 4 new listens, with the last one coming only 2 weeks after I bought the band’s namesake car.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 5 plays 9 plays, most recently on 7/13/2017 

Soup Dragons – Divine Thing

The alternative dance single that became a moderate hit in the US gained 9 additional listens.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
9 plays 14 plays 20 plays, most recently on 9/23/2018

Ugly Kid Joe – Neighbor

Ugly Kid Joe, who debuted much too late for their 80s hairband style, saw a five-fold increase in the amount of plays this first single from their first full length album.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
1 plays 2 plays 10 plays, most recently on 11/12/2018 

The Heights – How Do You Talk To An Angel

The theme song from the short-lived FOX show The Heights, nominated for the 1993 Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics Emmy, picked up 6 new plays.

iTunes Stats
2012 2015 2019
4 plays 8 plays 14 plays, most recently on 7/14/2018 

Side B

Continue reading →