Tag / MTV Unplugged

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Top 200 Albums – #84 – 91

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 3 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 200 albums whose songs I’ve listened to as of September 2014, according to iTunes. Today, we get closer to the top of the list and crack the 80s by looking at the 3 albums tied for 84th with 40 listens and the 5 albums tied for 87th with 39 listens.

#84: Rolling Stones – Forty Licks
iTunes stats: 40 plays
This all-encompassing, double CD hits package has 13 different tracks to make up its total.

#84: Tegan and Sara – If It Was You
iTunes stats: 40 plays
8 tracks from Tegan and Sara’s second album, and the one that introduced them to me, makes up its total.

#84: Purdue University Marching Band – Back Home In Indiana
iTunes stats: 40 plays
A version of the fight song for my alma mater makes up this entire total all by its lonesome.

#87: Nirvana – MTV Unplugged in New York
iTunes stats: 39 plays
7 songs from Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance, the first Nirvana album released following the death of Kurt Cobain, put it on this list.

#87: Def Leppard – Hysteria
iTunes stats: 39 plays
The first album that I fell in love with back in junior high makes this list on the back of 7 different tracks.

#87: Dr. Dre – 2001
iTunes stats: 39 plays
3 tracks from Dr. Dre’s second, and, to date, last, solo album make up this total.

#87: Gin Blossoms – New Miserable Experience
iTunes stats: 39 plays
The debut album for the alt rock band lands on this chart thanks to 4 different tunes.

#87: Various Artists – Austin Powers
iTunes stats: 39 plays
The soundtrack to the original Austin Powers film, featuring the work of artists like Strawberry Alarm Clock and Divinyls, makes this list thanks to 4 songs.

by admin

Top 200 Albums – #92 – 99

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 3 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 200 albums whose songs I’ve listened to as of September 2014, according to iTunes. Today we crack the top 90 and look at the 8 albums tied for 92nd with 38 listens.

#92: Pearl Jam – Contra (Live – Bootleg)
iTunes stats: 38 plays
This bootleg album, which contains live performances from the band’s MTV Unplugged appearance and other live performances, makes the list thanks to 8 different tracks.

#92: Cheap Trick – The Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 38 plays
5 songs from the long career of Cheap Trick put their greatest hits compilation on the list.

#92: Various Artists – Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion
iTunes stats: 38 plays
The first soundtrack to the Lisa Kudrow/Mira Sorvino comedy uses 8 different 80s tracks to make up this total.

#92: The Beatles – Let It Be… Naked
iTunes stats: 38 plays
5 songs from this remastered and remixed version of the Beatles final album, minus Phil Spectre’s patented “Wall of Sound”, makes the list with 5 different tracks.

#92: Bell Biv Devoe – Poison
iTunes stats: 38 plays
The debut album from the former members of New Edition needed only 2 songs to make up this total.

#92: Toad the Wet Sprocket – Fear
iTunes stats: 38 plays
The band’s third studio album, and first to hit big, makes the list thanks to 2 songs.

#92: Various Artists – Forrest Gump
iTunes stats: 38 plays
9 different tracks, from artists like The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and CCR, make up the total for this double album soundtrack.

#92: No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom
iTunes stats: 38 plays
6 songs from the band’s breakthrough effort make up its total.

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Good Friday Playlist

To celebrate Good Friday and the whole Easter season, I put together a special playlist for the non-podcast part of my commute home Friday night.  Can you find the theme?

 

One of Us Joan Osborne Relish 4/18/2014 3:37 PM
God Tori Amos Under the Pink 4/18/2014 3:41 PM
Connecticut’s For F*cking Jesus H Christ and The Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse Jesus H Christ and The Four Hornsmen Of The Apocalypse 4/18/2014 3:45 PM
You’re a God Vertical Horizon Everything You Want 4/18/2014 3:49 PM
Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand Primitive Radio Gods Rocket 4/18/2014 3:55 PM
Personal Jesus Depeche Mode Violator 4/18/2014 3:59 PM
Right Here, Right Now Jesus Jones Living In The 90’s (Disc 1) 4/18/2014 4:02 PM
Personal Jesus Johnny Cash American IV – The Man Comes Around 4/18/2014 4:05 PM
Just Like Heaven The Cure Greatest Hits 4/18/2014 4:09 PM
Heaven Warrant Monster Ballads (Disc 1) 4/18/2014 4:13 PM
Tears in Heaven Eric Clapton Unplugged 4/18/2014 4:18 PM
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It’s Off To Work I Go

Monday had me chained to a chair doing mindless, repetitive work all day, so I pulled out my phone and listened to some tunes.  This list is the music that got me through the drudgery of that day.

You Shook Me All Night Long AC/DC Back In Black 2/10/2014 10:53 AM
Baby One More Time Travis 2/10/2014 10:57 AM
Hand In My Pocket Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill 2/10/2014 11:00 AM
Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon Urge Overkill Pulp Fiction OST 2/10/2014 11:04 AM
In Your Eyes Peter Gabriel So 2/10/2014 11:16 AM
All Apologies Nirvana MTV Unplugged in New York Rock 2/10/2014 11:20 AM
Our Party Mexican Cheerleader Mexican Cheerleader 2/10/2014 11:22 AM
If You Dont Know Me by Now Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes The 70s Love Collection 2/10/2014 11:26 AM
Girls & Boys Blur The Best Of (Disc 1) 2/10/2014 11:30 AM
Crazy Seal Crazy 2/10/2014 11:36 AM
You Suck The Murmurs The Murmurs 2/10/2014 11:39 AM
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by admin

iTunes Top 100: #76 – 95

itunes_image

My latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, it is now time to look at digital music with the Top 100 songs that I’ve listened to as of 6/2/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the 20 songs tied for #76 with 16 overall plays.

#76: The Beatles – Eight Days A Week

Although it was a huge American hit, the group did not think highly of the song and they never performed it live.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 8/14/2012

#76: The Beatles – Paperback Writer

The single went to the number one spot in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, West Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Norway.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 5/20/2013

#76: Bell Biv Devoe – Poison

This 1990 hit from New Edition spin-off also appeared on Volume 2 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to three times since then.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 5/16/2013

#76: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – Overture/Going Through The Motions

Performed by series star Sarah Michelle Gellar at the beginning of the musical episode in season 6.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 4/28/2013

#76: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – Under Your Spell

Amber Benson performs the song which writer Joss Whedon called “pornography” and “probably the dirtiest lyric I’ve ever written, but also very, very beautiful”.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 4/28/2013

#76: The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer – Standing

Performed by Anthony Stewart Head as a ballad to Buffy that she does not hear, unlike the songs revealing truths elsewhere in the episode.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 5/15/2013

#76: Cracker – Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now)

Charted at number 1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks, arguably breaking Cracker into the mainstream.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 11/9/2012

#76: Darling Violetta – Angel Main Theme

The band performed 2 songs in a third season episode of Buffy before being tasked to perform the theme to the spin-off.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 5/16/2013

#76: Dr. Dre Feat RBX And Snoop Dogg – Let Me Ride

This 1994 Grammy Award winner for Best Rap Solo Performance also appeared on Volume 11 of my mix tapes, and has been listened to twice since then.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 2/5/2013

#76: Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench

The first single from the band’s second album, the song chronicled the disintegration of singer/song writer Dave Grohl’s four-year marriage to Jennifer Youngblood.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 4/24/2012

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Live Tracks 2

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the second disc covering the world of live music.  If one were to judge my enjoyment of these discs based on how often I listen to the same songs today, this would likely go down as my least favorite disc.  That probably says more about the audio quality of some of these bootlegs than the musical quality. So, without further ado, I bring you Live Music, volume 2.

Garbage – Vow

I have 6 different live versions of this song on MP3, so I’m not exactly sure which version this is.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/1/2011

Van Halen – You Really Got Me

I am led to believe that this version was from the early days of the band, before they had become the huge superstars they were destined to be.

iTunes stats: Never played

Aerosmith – Dream On

Performed live with an orchestra for MTV’s 10th anniversary special.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/31/2011

No Doubt – Don’t Speak

In 1997, the song was ranked at number 495 on Blender magazine’s “The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born”.

iTunes stats: Never played

Veruca Salt – Volcano Girls

The last hit featuring Nina Gordon as a member of the band.

iTunes stats: Never played

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

Pitchfork Media placed the song at number 19 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.

iTunes stats: Never played

The Beatles – I Saw Her Standing There

In 2004, it was ranked #139 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

iTunes stats: Never played

Liz Phair – Polyester Bride

Recorded live at the Vic.

iTunes stats: Never played

Alanis Morissette – Uninvited

I have 2 live versions of this, one from MTV Unplugged and one from VH1 Storytellers.

iTunes stats: 1 play,  on 10/2/2008

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by admin

Mix Tape Mon…er, Tuesday – Female Alt Rock

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the first disc covering the world of alternative music created by females, or at least female fronted bands.  The 1990s were a great time for alternative music on the radio, especially that created by women.  As the decade came to an end, so did the welcoming arms of radio, as the trends moved towards nu-metal and its ilk.  So, without further ado, I bring you Female Alt Rock, volume 1.

Belly – Feed The Tree

The song ranked #24 on VH1’s 40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 90s, much to the chagrin of their follow-up single Gepetto.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 9/7/2011

Republica – Ready To Go

4 different versions of this song were released and charted in the UK from 1996 to 2010.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 4/1/2013

Garbage – #1 Crush

Originally the B-side to the Vow single, the song was re-mixed for the William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet soundtrack and spent 4 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 8/15/2011

Goops – Build Me Up Buttercup

After being featured on the soundtrack to Mallrats, the video features Jay and Silent Bob.

iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 7/30/2012

Frente! – Labour Of Love

The Australian alt-folk group peaked at #9 on the Modern Rock charts with their second, and final, US hit.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 4/20/2012

10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night

This cover of the Patti Smith hit from the groups MTV Unplugged appearance gave them their first Top 40 hit, reaching #11.

iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 3/26/2013

K’s Choice – Not An Addict

The third single from the Belgian band’s second album.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 3/31/2012

Garbage – Alien Sex Fiend

This song was the B-side to Stupid Girl.

iTunes stats: Never played

Veruca Salt – My Sharona

This cover of The Knacks greatest hit was the B-side to the Victrola single.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 9/23/2012

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Live Tracks

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the first disc covering the world of live music.  One of the best things about the confluence of music and the internet in the early 21st century was the availability of bootleg live performances that, at one time, would have been available only to serious collectors or the lucky few to attend the concerts.  In fact, there was so much of it that this was the only collection to go beyond 2 discs.  So, without further ado,  I bring you Live Music, volume 1.

Tesla – Signs

Tesla’s biggest hit was this acoustic cover of the Five Man Electrical Band hit from 1971.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/4/2011

Juliana Hatfield – Say It Ain’t So

This bootleg track has the indie darling covering the hit from Weezer’s debut album.

iTunes stats: Never played

Pearl Jam – My Way

This quirky cover of the Frank Sinatra standard came from a concert in (where else) Las Vegas.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 9/6/2011

Veruca Salt – Seether

A live version of Veruca Salt’s biggest hit.

iTunes stats: Never played

Travis – Baby One More Time

The Scottish band, who I likely would have never heard from otherwise, covered the Britney Spears hit during a concert at The Bay Tavern in Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire, England.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 11/27/2012

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind

From a foreign version of their greatest hits package, recorded live in Sheffield on June 6, 1993.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/1/2011

K’s Choice – Not An Addict

Recorded live at the 2001 Rock am Ring festival at the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany.

iTunes stats: Never played

Garbage – When I Grow Up

I’m assuming the live version on this disc is from the 2005 show at Metro that I attended.  The only reason I’m not sure is that I have so many Garbage bootlegs, it’s hard to be sure.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 1/6/2011

Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days

An acoustic version of their Led Zepplin cover, which I think may be from the Howard Stern show.

iTunes stats: Never played

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by jim

Mix Tape Monday – Undated

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

From what I can tell, this undated CD was from the lost year of 2004.  In addition to songs that were released in 2004, we also have an ode to former White Sox infielder Willie Harris, which I believe was popular at the ballpark back in 04.

The Muffs – Everywhere I Go

You may recognize this song from a popular Fruitopia commercial.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/11/2012

J. J. Abrams – Alias theme

This is currently my ring tone for people I work with.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 8/21/2012

Avril Lavigne – Don’t Tell Me

The first single from Lavigne’s second album.

iTunes stats: 1 plays, on 8/8/2008

Green Day – American Idiot

Nominated for 4 Grammys, this was Green Day’s first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 1/11/2013

Avril Lavigne – My Happy Ending

The second single from Lavigne’s second album.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/27/2009

Ashlee Simpson – Pieces Of Me

The debut single from Jessica’s little sister.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/16/2012

Sweet – Little Willy

The 1972 hit was reintroduced to White Sox fans whenever Willie Harris would do something worthwhile/

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 11/9/2012

K’s Choice – Something’s Wrong

An album track from K’s Choice’s second album.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 1/2/2013

Nitty – Nasty Girl

Features a sample from the Archie’s hit Sugar, Sugar.

iTunes stats: Never played

Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name

The first single from Snoop’s solo debut.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 10/8/2012

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by jim

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 10

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together 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. I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listen to today.

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

The first song from Pear Jam’s post-video phase was taped from the CD.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/11/2012

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind

The big hit from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bomb Last Action Hero was taped off the radio from 103.5 The Blaze during a nightly song battle where listeners would call up and vote as two songs “battled” against each other.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/24/2011

UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love

The big hit from the Sliver soundtrack was taped off the radio from Lafayette’s hit music station, 96.5 WAZY.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/1/2012

Aerosmith – Cryin’

The first installment of Alicia Silverstone’s video trilogy was taped from the CD.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 6/7/2011

TLC – Get It Up

The “hit” from the Poetic Justice soundtrack was taped from the cassingle.

4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?

The ubiquitous hit was taped off the radio from Q101.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 10/2/2011

Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)

The unofficial theme to the Bulls third straight NBA championship was taped off the radio from what appears to be B96, as number 5 in the nightly countdown of most requested songs.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 3/30/2012

Side B

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