Tag / Boiler Up!

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 15

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. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 15 takes us into through the summer of 1994 and into the fall and my junior year of college. The song selection is, again, mostly alternative with some west coast gangsta rap.

Side A

Frente! – Labour Of Love

The hit from Marvin! The Album picked up an impressive 6 additional listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 4/29/2015

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

The mesmerizing tune from Hope Sandoval and company nearly tripled its total for an amazing 16 play increase.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 6/23/2015

Nirvana – Verse Chorus Verse

A modest 2 listen increase for this posthumous B-side from the trio from Seattle.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 3/14/2013

Warren G – This D.J.

An infinite increase for the lesser-received follow up to Regulate.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 7/3/2015

Cracker – Eurotrash Girl

The hidden track picked up 3 additional listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 2/10/2015

Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song

The latest hit from STP added 4 new listens over the past 3 years, despite not being heard in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play, on 10/3/2010

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 7/1/2014

Gin Blossoms – Allison Road

The Gin Blossoms latest nearly doubled its total over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/8/2015

Weezer – Undone (The Sweater Song)

The debut hit from Weezer added 4 new listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 4/14/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 14

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. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 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 a paltry 2 additional listens and hasn’t been heard in well over 2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/23/2013

Aerosmith – Crazy

A healthy 7 play increase for the final installment of the Alicia Silverstone video trilogy, now with extra Liv Tyler.

2012 iTunes stats: 11 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 12/18/2014

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

The big hit for Soundgarden more than doubled its number of plays over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/29/2014

Green Day – Longview

The “debut” that pushed Green Day into the mainstream more than doubled its number of listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 6/4/2015

Hole – Miss World

The introduction of Courtney Love to a mainstream audience picked up 5 additional listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 12/15/2014

Pearl Jam – Dissident

The latest from Pearl Jam has not been heard once in over 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 3/19/2012

Sarah McLachlan – Possession

The first hit for Sarah McLachlan quadrupled its paltry total over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 11/20/2014

Side B

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Fitbit Week 20

Week20_FBAnother decent week, with 6 of the 7 days above the 5500 step mark and the 7th falling just short.  Sunday just barely crossed the 5500 step mark, thanks to a trip to the grocery store.  The work week was its recent standard stuff, thanks to afternoon trips to North Plaza for coffee.  Saturday fell short of 5500 steps, despite a trip to US Cellular Field to see the White Sox snap their 8 game losing streak followed by a dinner party with college friends.

Total steps: 46,798

Daily average: 6685.4

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited– Volume 13

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. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 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

A doubling of plays for the Alice in Chains hit which was originally acquired via 93.5 KHY, Lafayette’s rock station.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 1/15/2015

Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm

The follow up to Today, the smash hit that put them on the map, garnered a scant 2 additional listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 3/24/2015

Counting Crows – Mr. Jones

I have no real explanation for why I hardly ever listen to the debut smash from the Counting Crows, picking up 3 listens, but none in well over 1 1/2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 10/14/2013

The Cranberries – Dreams

A slight 2 listen increase for The Cranberries big hit.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 6/26/2014

Jodeci – Cry For You

The minor Jodeci hit picked up 2 listens over the past 3 years, including one just a month ago.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/26/2015

Julianna Hatfield Three – Spin The Bottle

A 3 listen increase for the hit from the Reality Bites soundtrack.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/29/2015

Aerosmith – Dueces Are Wild

Aerosmith’s contribution to the Beavis and Butthead album picked up only 2 additional listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 11/20/2014

Gin Blossoms – Mrs. Rita

The minor Gin Blossoms hit picked up 4 new listens, despite not being heard in nearly 2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/20/2013

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited– Volume 12

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.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 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, more than doubled its total over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 1/16/2015

Cracker – Low

Somehow, I’ve only listend to the first hit from Cracker’s sophomore effort once in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 7/16/2012

Def Leppard – Miss You In A Heartbeat

The minor hit for the boys from Sheffield garnished only 1 additional listen, nearly 2 years ago now.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 8/11/2013

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 increase over the past 3 years.

2014 iTunes stats: 17 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 22 plays, most recently on 5/16/2015

Guns N’ Roses – Estranged

The GnR opus doubled its listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 6/21/2014

Lemonheads – Into Your Arms

More than a tripling of listens for the big hit from Evan Dando and the boys.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 6/5/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited– Volume 11

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.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 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

A modest 2-play increase for the last time anybody ever heard from Shai.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 11/7/2013

Tears For Fears – Break It Down Again

The comeback hit for the 80s sensation managed a small increase over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 12/29/2014

Bell Biv Devoe – Something In Your Eyes

I came to the conclusion that this is not a very good song when I last heard it in January.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 1/9/2015

4 Non Blondes – Spaceman

A doubling of the number of listens for the minor follow up hit to What’s Up.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 9/17/2014

Pearl Jam – Go

The first hit from Pearl Jam’s second album more than tripled its number of listens, thanks mostly to being used as Paul Konerko’s walkup music during his final season.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 5/12/2015

Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box

Nirvana’s first release from their final studio album more than doubled its number of plays over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 10/24/2014

Radiohead – Stop Whispering

A small increase for the lesser known follow up to the smash Creep.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 11/7/2013

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited– 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.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 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

The first song from Pear Jam’s post-video phase, falling victim to my Pearl Jam burnout, was only listened to once in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/3/2014

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 only 2 additional listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 1/10/2015

UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love

Somehow, the big hit from the Sliver soundtrack completely escaped my notice over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/1/2012

Aerosmith – Cryin’

Only 2 additional listens for the first installment of Alicia Silverstone’s video trilogy.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 4/24/2014

TLC – Get It Up

I did acquire the “hit” from the Poetic Justice soundtrack at some point over the past 3 years, but still have not listened to it.

2015 iTunes stats: Never played

4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?

A large increase of 7 listens for the ubiquitous debut from 4 Non Blondes.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 5/1/2015

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, added 5 new listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 2/27/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 9

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.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 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 ever got radio play in the state of Illinois, I’ve somehow more than quadrupled its listens over the past 3 years..

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 3/9/2015

Ugly Kid Joe – Cats In The Cradle

Only 2 additional listens for this cover of the Harry Chapin hit.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/21/2013

Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal

The story of a wise homeless man managed to more than double its number of plays over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 10/14/2014

Naughty By Nature – Hip Hop Hooray

A slight increase for the hip hop anthem.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 4/15/2015

Positive K – I Got A Man

The one hit for Positive K garnered a slight increase in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 8/14/2014

REM – Man On The Moon

A slight increase for this tribute to Andy Kaufman.

2012iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 4/1/2015

Aerosmith – Livin’ On The Edge

The first hit from the first CD I bought at a midnight release, at the Musicland that would eventually become Kazoo’s, managed a slight increase over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/4/2014

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday – Volume 8 Revisited

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. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 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 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 pop, as always.

Side A

Bell Biv Devoe – Gangsta

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

Pearl Jam – Jeremy

The first appearance on these tapes by Pearl Jam, the song had a modest increase over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 8/29/2014

Wreckx-N-Effect – Rump Shaker

The biggest song for butts since Sir Mix-A-Lot had a healthy 5 play increase.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 3/11/2015

Boyz II Men – In The Still Of The Night

The cover of the old doo-wop classic more than doubled its plays in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 4/10/2015

Arrested Development – People Everyday

The second hit for Speech and company had a healthy doubling of its plays.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 2/14/2015

Nirvana – In Bloom

The first appearance of Nirvana on these tapes, the song more than doubled its plays in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 4/1/2015

TLC – What About Your Friends

The final hit from TLC’s debut album doubled its lowly total over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/16/2014

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday – Volume 7 Revisited

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. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 7 covers the fall of 1992 and the end of the first semester of my freshman year of college.  Once again, we are treated to a dose 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

Only 2 new plays in the last 3 years for the nearly 9 minute opus.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 9/25/2014

Def Leppard – Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad

Another big ballad from an 80s rock staple also gains only 2 listens since 2012.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 1/30/2015

Toad The Wet Sprocket – All I Want

A healthy increase of 7 for the first hit from Toad the Wet Sprocket.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 7/23/2013

Tesla – Signs

Only 1 additional listen in the past 3 years, and it took place just over 2 weeks ago.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 4/15/2015

Soup Dragons – Divine Thing

5 additional listens from the first hit from the Soup Dragons, although it has been nearly a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 6/16/2014

Ugly Kid Joe – Neighbor

Ugly Kid Joe, who debuted much too late for their 80s hairband style, doubled the small amount of plays they had for this first single from their first full length album.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 6/21/2014

The Heights – How Do You Talk To An Angel

The theme song from the short-lived FOX show, which came up recently on an episode of the Adam Carolla Show, doubled its number of plays.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 4/23/2015

Side B

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