BSE? Round 1 Part 1

And here are the first 21 Matches of my little tournament. This is about 9 Word .doc pages of stuff but it was a ton of fun to write about all my favorite songs. I really hope you guys enjoy and I want to hear about why I'm wrong about song X. You can expect more in a few days as long as I can make some time.

Match 1

Victor: Peacebone – Animal Collective

Defeated: 96 – And The Mysterians

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s a very simple song but it’s a classic. According to wiki, it coined the term “punk music.” Interesting, I never would have called this punk myself. A pulsing organ riff provides a certain catchiness to the song and vocal melody definitely helps drive this home. I’d have to say its true appeal lies in the lyrics. It’s a familiar message of a broken heart with a little bit of spite thrown in. He plans on dragging himself out of the hole then breaking her heart like she broke his. Of course it’s all an empty threat.

Why did it lose?

Well, Peacebone is just a bit more interesting. Perhaps I’m spoiled in this modern day of music and I’m sure it was rather groundbreaking in 1962 but today it doesn’t hold musically quite as well.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeolH-kzx4c

Match 2:

Victor: Wake Up – Arcade Fire

Defeated: Two – The Antlers

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics! I love good lyrics and good meaning to back it up. This song is about a hospice worker who is in love with one of the patients there. In fact the whole album is about that and is aptly titled “Hospice.” This is a relatively new album as a 2009 release and I wish I could have listened to it more but it’s still fairly unfamiliar in my mind. I love a good story and this one happens to have a catchy guitar riff playing behind it. The parts are simple, the guitar doesn’t really change besides getting louder and softer, but it really feels like that’s all it needs

Why did it lose?

Wake-up feels like a full package, with both lyrics and better instrumentation. It also has some powerful lines which really push it over the edge whereas Two feels a little too homogeneous. Also, the line “I guess we’ll just have to adjust!” gets me every time.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsXKa97J6pM

Match 3:

Victor: Roam – B52’s

Defeated: Silent Sigh – Badly Drawn Boy

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This is the representative of the “About a Boy” OST done entirely by Badly Drawn Boy. It’s a terribly good album and really outshines everything else BDB has every done except for parts of “Hour of the Bewilderbeast.” The piano sets the mood well for the song and for the scene it was used in.

Why did it lose?

Well, the lyrics aren’t great, though they are still pretty good. Particular lines don’t seem to fit quite well. Roam has a simple message and is catchier.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY-oQEy1KFU

Match 4:

Victor: The Weight – The Band

Defeated: Brian Wilson – Barenaked Ladies

Why did this song deserve to be here?:

It’s so catchy. I don’t think BNL ever topped this one. For them, the obvious choice is One Week but this song is just leaps and bounds ahead of that. There’s lots of musical variety in this one and it really glues it all together. The verse about floating makes the whole thing.

Why did it lose?

However, this song suffers in the same way that many BNL songs do. The lyrics don’t necessarily mean anything. The floating verse is great for the song but what on earth is he he trying to tell me. The Weight just has a lot more depth to it.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch84fmOa414

Match 5:

Victor: God Only Knows

Defeated: Intergalactic

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Ok I don’t even really like the Beastie Boys. I don’t understand why many people consider Paul’s Boutique to be that great. But something about this song hits the nail on the head. The robot voice that provides the background is catchy and quotable. The flow is good on this song and has a lot of variety.

Why did it lose?

Eh, the Beastie Boys. A lot of their songs sound very similar to me and this one still just sounds like the Beastie Boys.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qORYO0atB6g

Match 6:

Victor: A Day in the Life

Defeated: I’m a Cuckoo

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s another catchy one, but with a bit of a sadder message this time. “Breaking off is misery” great line! He’s so down in the dumps but the songs still so upbeat with trumpets and catchy little riffs. It’s hard not to sing along to this one. I have many memories of playing this one in the car on my way to guitar lessons.

Why did it lose?

Well… look at the competition here. Can the Beatles really lose in the first round? Nah, A Day in the Life is too damn good.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuKuw71YBbI

Match 6:

Victor: Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Defeated: Dry the Rain

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Here’s another one that played in the car before git-box lessons. It kinda chills you out at the start, they get a real good mellow going. The lyrics are pretty cool too, though it is often hard to hear what the hell he’s saying. I’d have to say I didn’t know most of these before I looked it up just know. The song starts to ramp up a bit, but not a lot. It just gets a bit more insistent. At the end Beta Band assures us over and over again that it’s going to be ok and you really start to believe him.

Why did it lose?

Though the slow ramp in the song is pretty cool and the use of different instruments really brings it together it is worth noting that the song does stay sort of the same throughout. Stand By Me has a better message too.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uMIbp9tRKo

Match 7:

Victor: Just a Friend – Biz Markie

Defeated: In a Big Country – Big Country

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s somehow both a very good song in general but also can be the drunken end of the party sing along. There’s really just a lot of charm here. The lyrics aren’t bad either, it’s kind of a snap-out-of-it anthem. The last verse introduces some good musical tension too. The passion in his voice really glues the song together.

Why did it lose?

Well if it’s a charm contest I have to give it to the Biz. In a Big Country is a better song but Just a Friend is a better experience.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vhebiuuLqU

Match 8:

Victor: I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas

Defeated: No Rain – Blind Melon

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s really such a nice little ditty. The video for this song is also one of the most remembered videos ever. I always thought it was funny that Blind Melon doesn’t really like this song. I guess they like to be thought of as a “Jam Band” and this song doesn’t really fit the bill. Oh well, you can’t always be what you want I guess.

Why did it lose?

I can’t believe there’s a BEP song in the second round of my contest. To be fair No Rain was kind of a softball. Oh well, I’ll go into more detail on it when it loses next round.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL6tB_0ZJtw

Match 9:

Victor: Like a Rolling Stone

Defeated: End of a Century

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This match is why I say BEP is losing for sure. Picking End of the Century for Blur’s song was a really tough choice. About half of the songs on Parklife would have made a fine choice. Then I can think of about 2 dozen others that I also like nearly as much. The central theme to this song is “End of a century... oh, it's nothing special” It’s the year 2000 but who cares? Life goes on. We live in our dirty little apartments watch, TV and approach middle age. “Good morning TV, You're looking so healthy” Wake up and turn the TV on and greet like an old friend. We follow trends, we all act the same. Even when we get close to someone the TV’s still playing in the background.

“He gives her a cuddle
They're glowing in a huddle
Good night TV
You're all made up”

Holy smokes this is a great song.

Why did it lose?

This was a hard pick, especially since Blur remains one of my favorite bands of all time. But really there’s no single Blur song that could beat Like a Rolling Stone. Not only is it simply amazing, but it’s one of the first songs I ever paid attention to.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thuSTF8-dyI

Match 10:

Victor: No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley

Defeated: Toxic – Britney Spears

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Britney came along one day and became an overnight pop music sensation. She was our generations Madonna and this generation’s Miley Cyrus. Toxic brought her somewhere different then Oops!...I did it Again or …Baby One More Time ( what’s with Britney writers and ellipses?) The sex wasn’t just implied anymore, it was flaunted. Have you seen the music video for this song? I think Tex Avery describes it best here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXCn1ovFZOc

Why did it lose?

Ok, well it’s a whole new level of Britney… but I’d rather listen to No Woman No Cry for the rest of my life then the whole Britney catalogue.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOZuxwVk7TU

Match 11:

Victor: The Way it Is – Bruce Hornsby

Defeated: Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Brother Iz

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This song was released and it seemed like the whole world stopped and stared. This is a stunning rendition of an old classic. The decision to mix Somewhere Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World was breathtaking and transitions are seemless. Israel Kamakawiwoʻole died 4 years after the release of this song at the age of 38. Whenever I hear this song I think about that. But I always get the feeling he’s saying back to me “Don’t worry about that, it’s a wonderful world.”

Why did it lose?

You know, sometimes I feel bad spending a paragraph saying why I like a song then in a couple sentences say why another song is better.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I

Match 12:

Victor: For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield

Defeated: My City of Ruins – Bruce Springsteen

Why did this song deserve to be here?

When 9/11 happened a whole cropping songs appeared. Some were genuine emotion and other felt like cheap cash-ins, some were genuine but still fairly awful (“This ain’t no rag…”) My City of Ruins was written before 9/11 happened and was actually written about New Jersey. The boss was invited to perform on the America: A Tribute to Heroes national telethon and this was the song he played. The difference in the emotion is stunning. The song took on a whole new meaning. The studio version of this song is drek compared to the live one. I’m happy to say I found the live version for the link below. Picking this song over Thunder Road for Bruce Springsteen was a tough choice and definitely not the obvious one. I think the raw emotion here is too much to ignore though.

Why did it lose?

Really tough, these are similar and great songs. Buffalo barely edges Bruce out.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zld2cSIVUO4

Match 13:

Victor: Father and Son- Cat Stevens

Defeated: Carry the Zero- Built to Spill

Why did this song deserve to be here?

It’s all in the swell baby. The middle verse is soooooo good, this is one of my favorite songs to play and sing along to. The lyrics are very hard to interpret here. Built to Spill has maintained that there first priority with words is making sure they sound good with the music and they definitely succeed there. It still hits the spot quite well in some part though.

“They're waiting for your guard to fall
So they can see it all
And you're so occupied with what other persons are occupied with
And vice versa”

Why did it lose?

Father and Son is too good lyrical and musically. It’s got some swells of its own and I’d say they even trump Carry the Zero’s

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owNtZIn7L4A

Match 14:

Victor: Lost in the Supermarket – The Clash

Defeated: The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth- Clap your Hands Say Yeah!

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I’m not even completely sure what I like about this song. It’s not the lyrics, because I can’t understand what the hell he’s saying for the life of me. There’s definitely a lot going on in this song musically. I figured how to play this once and though everything is just simple riffs it was still very fun to strum along to. It’s incredibly catchy too, which is impressive for how he mumbles out each line.

Why did it lose?

Lost in the Supermarket is one of my favorite lyrical songs, I’ll get more into that later but it’d be hard to beat.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKdspWe-KdQ

Match 15:

Victor: Brimful of Asha - Cornershop

Defeated: Overkill – Colin Hay

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Who knew that at the core of the band that brought us Down Under there was a legitimate song writer. Of course I’d say this song way outshines the rest of his work, though fans of Beautiful World may disagree. I heard this first on Scrubs, it’s featured in the last episode of season 1. The lyrics are fairly simple, it’s about worrying too much. There could be more elaboration here I think. What is he so worried about?

Why did it lose?

Brimful of Asha is simply a fantastic pop song and Overkill just isn’t quite deep enough to beat it.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ45xrtNnzk

Match 16:

Victor: Just Like Heaven- The Cure

Defeated: Lights and Music- Cut Copy

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Dance music takes a certain special something to be great. It’s incredibly hard to pinpoint, and I can barely come up with a technical reason to why I like this song. Maybe it’s because I tap my foot every time I hear it.

Why did it lose?

Just Like Heaven does have certain depth to it that Cut Copy doesn’t match. Though I would say Lights and Music is better if we don’t take words into consideration.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R1X2TxW5Rk

Match 17:

Victor: Time after Time – Cyndi Lauper

Defeated: One More Time- Daft Punk

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Didn’t I just talk about dance music? I think every dance song ever wishes it was this song. There’s a big long slowdown in the middle of this song too but it doesn’t take anything away from the beat or dancability and just adds to the message that even though the nights over, we’re going to do it just one more time.

Why did it lose?

Ok, I really like Time after Time but this was still a really hard choice. I think it came down to the gut feeling on this one.

Match 18:

Victor: The Crystal Cat- Dan Deacon

Defeated: I Believe In a Thing Called Love- The Darkness

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I believe I already wrote a blog on The Darkness but I’ll recap the main points. We’re living in a world where I believe what we knew to be rock and roll is dead. Then how was it that The Darkness came out with a pure rock album like they did? I really don’t know how they did it. It’s definitely rock, but it still seems fresh. I think the falsetto helps but it’s also the catchy licks and 100% rock and roll attitude.

Why did it lose?

We’ve got two fun songs battling out in this one. Crystal Cat is just a bit more fun and definitely very different from most things you hear.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRYNYb30nxU

Match 19:

Victor: Heroes- David Bowie

Defeated: Babylon- David Gray

Why did this song deserve to be here?

This song really epitomizes the feeling of being lonely in crowds and of course it’s lonely for someone in particular. The guitar licks that repeat through the song pretty much tell you every thing you need to know about what David is trying to tell us here. I’d say as is with many David Gray songs that his voice really steals the show. I saw him live in Chicago with my parents and my brother and I must say he can really put on a show. He could sing for crowds like it never even occurred to him that it might be harder than alone in a studio.

Why did it lose?

Another case of the other song is too good I’m afraid. Well, that’s bound to happen in these early rounds. I suppose It’s better than knocking than knocking out a top tier player every match. I’m still mourning the early loss of The Boss.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmK-YWSJ8Eg

Match 20:

Victor: Loser- Beck

Defeated: Soul Meets Body- Death Cab for Cutie, Layla- Derek and the Dominoes

Why did this song deserve to be here?

Well I guess they didn’t. Looking at these songs I felt that they were really a couple of meatballs. Soul meets Body is probably the best DCFC song and Layla is sort of a rock classic but I like the acoustic Eric Clapton version so much better, but I already have an Eric Clapton song and it way outshines Layla. So somewhere in the shuffle Loser got cut and I feel it outshines both these songs. Sorry Menomena fans, maybe next time.

Why did it lose?

See above

Link: Acoustic Layla ( though not the version I know) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj8xjLQ9ofI

Match 21:

Victor: Come on Eileen- Dexy’s Midnight Runners

Defeated: Gyroscope – Dismemberment Plan

Why did this song deserve to be here?

I think picking Gyroscope over You Are Invited is probably not the choice most people would have made and for me it was still very close. You Are Invited has so much build and tension, whereas Gyroscope is very heart on the sleeve. But the lyrics in the chorus always get it for me.

“If she spins fast enough than maybe the broken pieces of her heart will stay together
But any gyroscope can't spin forever”

I don’t know how they thought that line up but it’s one of the best lyrics I know. Let’s not forget that the last verse with altered lyrics is simply astounding.

The music kicks ass too, what the hell is that time signature???

Why did it lose?

I wanted to end on a close one and I did. Most I can look at the songs and tell what I like better. Here, I think Eileen was the slight favorite from the start but I still had to listen both the whole way through. Did you know Come on Eileen is my most played song of all time? Not necessarily because it’s the best song, but it probably is the song I want to hear in the most situations.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo5iPll7TII