Okay, I lied. Yesterday was not it. Here is a little summary I felt compelled to type up.
Repeat Performers (3 or more battles)
Ryan Adams
Record: 5-1
Fiona Apple
Record: 2-1
The Beatles
Record: 4-3
Good god, that’s weird.
Blur
Record: 1-3
Blur did, in fact, win one. That’s so weird, because I love Blur. I used to have such a crush on Damon Albarn.
Melanie C.
Record: 0-4
Ouch. But that’s as it should be. I love her, but she’s totally not better than anyone else in my collection.
Brandi Carlile
Record: 7-2
Bet you thought she’d be undefeated. I’m not that crazy. I am almost that crazy, though.
Kelly Clarkson
Record: 2-3
A losing record! Aw, that kind of makes me sad. Unlike Melanie C., Kelly Clarkson is super talented, and I, like, am in love with her still. Oh well. She’s still not Brandi Carlile.
Guster
Record: 2-3
Oh no! A losing record for Guster, too? Stiff competition up in here.
Jewel
Record: 1-2
That’s not surprising really. I like Jewel, but I can kind of take her or leave her at this point.
Ben Kweller
Record: 3-3
Um, I guess I don’t love Ben as much as I thought I did. But, to be fair, he did get beaten by the Indigo Girls, Ben Folds, and Brandi, so… I do.
Lisa Loeb
Record: 1-3
Well, at least you won one, Lisa.
Dave Matthews
Record: 1-1-6
He had almost as many songs on this thing as Brandi. And he did not do nearly as well. I think it really is time for a Dave Matthews cleanse.
Alanis Morissete
Record: 3-0
Aha! Someone did go undefeated. Alanis did take three songs from her very greatest album into battle, but still. She deserves to be the champeen. Although, Brandi did take 3 times as many songs as she did into battle… Oh whatever. Alanis is awesome.
Phish
Record: 2-3
Aw, tough break there, fellas. I do still love you, though.
Rilo Kiley
Record: 2-1
Bested only by Guster—and they went up against Kelly Clarkson. Good work.
Semisonic
Record: 1-3
They just got smashed—by The Beatles, Brandi, and Joni Mitchell. There was no hope for them.
Rufus Wainwright
Record: 3-2
I love Rufus better than that. But he did lose to Joni and—strangely—to Dave Matthews.
Pete Yorn
Record: 3-0
Another undefeated! Where even did Pete Yorn come from? Well, if he had to go up against Alanis, he would lose.
So Alanis wins, y’all! And…Brandi comes in third. I guess. I don’t know. I think I win, because that was fun, and it kept me occupied while it was slow at work.
Okay, now it's over.
Showing posts with label botb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label botb. Show all posts
December 18, 2007
December 17, 2007
Battle of the Bands IX
So I actually finished this on Wednesday, but I haven't gotten around to posting it. I know you were all eagerly awaiting the conclusion. Whatever. I need things to be finished, dammit.
T
“Thirteen”: Ben Kweller vs. Big Star
The Decision: This Big Star song is another Gilmore Girls track, and by now I’m sure you know how I feel about Ben.
Winner: Ben Kweller
“Too Much”: Dave Matthews Band vs. Spice Girls
The Decision: This was my least favorite Dave Matthews song back when I liked them a lot more than I do now. And this is my second favorite Spice Girls song. (Bet you can’t guess my first favorite!)
Winner: Spice Girls
“Trouble”: Shawn Colvin vs. Dave Matthews
The Decision: I love Shawn Colvin. I bought this album, A Few Small Repairs, when “Sunny Came Home” was all over the radio (a song about arson! awesome!), and I fairly wore it out. Ten years later, it’s still awesome. Um, sorry, Dave.
Winner: Shawn Colvin
“Turn It Up”: Blur vs. Save Ferris
The Decision: Has Blur even won one of these? Well, the sympathy vote will not fly here. Especially since I love geeking out to this Save Ferris song.
Winner: Save Ferris
“29”: Ryan Adams vs. Gin Blossoms
The Decision: I don’t know if I’m having a brain stroke or something, but this Ryan Adams sounds like “Truckin’.” To me. So it wins! (Bet you didn’t know I was an amateur Dead Head—why would you, what with all the Spice Girls strewn about here?)
Winner: Ryan Adams
U
“Until I Die”: Brandi Carlile vs. Ben Kweller
The Decision: You know by now that both Ben and Brandi almost always get free passes from me, because I love them so, but I love Brandi the best. And I definitely love this song better, because of this: “Run, run, run/catch me if you can, can, can/come and hold my hand/and I’ll be your biggest fan.” Ben can’t top that.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
W
“Wait”: The Beatles vs. Sarah McLachlan vs. Get Set Go
The Decision: Rubber Soul might be my favorite Beatles album, so they’re the heavy favorites in this match-up, but this Get Set Go song (from the Grey’s soundtrack) is getting to me. Oh, come on. They’re The Beatles.
Winner: The Beatles
“Wake Up”: The Ditty Bops vs. Alanis Morisette
The Decision: I said it would take a really good song to best any of the offerings on Jagged Little Pill (except “Ironic”—I hate that song), and The Ditty Bops probably came the closest out of everyone, but…
Winner: Alanis Morissette
“What You Are”: Dave Matthews Band vs. Drill
The Decision: More and more, I’m wondering why I still have all these Dave Matthews albums. There are still songs I like, but I don’t need to have everything anymore. That obsession is so over. And this Drill song is from Empire Records. Come on. How can you beat that? (If you don’t like Empire Records, you’re not my friend.)
Winner: Drill
“Why”: Melanie C. vs. Annie Lennox
The Decision: Okay, I have no shame in saying I love Sporty Spice, but this song is just bad. Baaaad.
Winner: Annie Lennox
“Window”: Guster vs. Fiona Apple
The Decision: Hot damn, I listened to this Guster song without even hearing it. And I do adore Fiona’s latest album. Sorry, boys.
Winner: Fiona Apple
“Wishful Thinking”: The Ditty Bops vs. Wilco
The Decision: Well, just this once, Wilco, I don’t like this song so much. And The Ditty Bops need to redeem themselves after getting slammed by Alanis.
Winner: The Ditty Bops
“Wonderland”: Collapsis vs. Dexter Freebish
The Decision: I only ever listened to this Dexter Freebish album, because Mike said they were his favorite band in high school. And I only bought this Collapsis album because they had a song on the first season of Roswell, but the Collapsis album turned out to be pretty good. Who knew.
Winner: Collapsis
Well, that's it. As Jess (or her brother?) might say, thanks for playin'!
T
“Thirteen”: Ben Kweller vs. Big Star
The Decision: This Big Star song is another Gilmore Girls track, and by now I’m sure you know how I feel about Ben.
Winner: Ben Kweller
“Too Much”: Dave Matthews Band vs. Spice Girls
The Decision: This was my least favorite Dave Matthews song back when I liked them a lot more than I do now. And this is my second favorite Spice Girls song. (Bet you can’t guess my first favorite!)
Winner: Spice Girls
“Trouble”: Shawn Colvin vs. Dave Matthews
The Decision: I love Shawn Colvin. I bought this album, A Few Small Repairs, when “Sunny Came Home” was all over the radio (a song about arson! awesome!), and I fairly wore it out. Ten years later, it’s still awesome. Um, sorry, Dave.
Winner: Shawn Colvin
“Turn It Up”: Blur vs. Save Ferris
The Decision: Has Blur even won one of these? Well, the sympathy vote will not fly here. Especially since I love geeking out to this Save Ferris song.
Winner: Save Ferris
“29”: Ryan Adams vs. Gin Blossoms
The Decision: I don’t know if I’m having a brain stroke or something, but this Ryan Adams sounds like “Truckin’.” To me. So it wins! (Bet you didn’t know I was an amateur Dead Head—why would you, what with all the Spice Girls strewn about here?)
Winner: Ryan Adams
U
“Until I Die”: Brandi Carlile vs. Ben Kweller
The Decision: You know by now that both Ben and Brandi almost always get free passes from me, because I love them so, but I love Brandi the best. And I definitely love this song better, because of this: “Run, run, run/catch me if you can, can, can/come and hold my hand/and I’ll be your biggest fan.” Ben can’t top that.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
W
“Wait”: The Beatles vs. Sarah McLachlan vs. Get Set Go
The Decision: Rubber Soul might be my favorite Beatles album, so they’re the heavy favorites in this match-up, but this Get Set Go song (from the Grey’s soundtrack) is getting to me. Oh, come on. They’re The Beatles.
Winner: The Beatles
“Wake Up”: The Ditty Bops vs. Alanis Morisette
The Decision: I said it would take a really good song to best any of the offerings on Jagged Little Pill (except “Ironic”—I hate that song), and The Ditty Bops probably came the closest out of everyone, but…
Winner: Alanis Morissette
“What You Are”: Dave Matthews Band vs. Drill
The Decision: More and more, I’m wondering why I still have all these Dave Matthews albums. There are still songs I like, but I don’t need to have everything anymore. That obsession is so over. And this Drill song is from Empire Records. Come on. How can you beat that? (If you don’t like Empire Records, you’re not my friend.)
Winner: Drill
“Why”: Melanie C. vs. Annie Lennox
The Decision: Okay, I have no shame in saying I love Sporty Spice, but this song is just bad. Baaaad.
Winner: Annie Lennox
“Window”: Guster vs. Fiona Apple
The Decision: Hot damn, I listened to this Guster song without even hearing it. And I do adore Fiona’s latest album. Sorry, boys.
Winner: Fiona Apple
“Wishful Thinking”: The Ditty Bops vs. Wilco
The Decision: Well, just this once, Wilco, I don’t like this song so much. And The Ditty Bops need to redeem themselves after getting slammed by Alanis.
Winner: The Ditty Bops
“Wonderland”: Collapsis vs. Dexter Freebish
The Decision: I only ever listened to this Dexter Freebish album, because Mike said they were his favorite band in high school. And I only bought this Collapsis album because they had a song on the first season of Roswell, but the Collapsis album turned out to be pretty good. Who knew.
Winner: Collapsis
Well, that's it. As Jess (or her brother?) might say, thanks for playin'!
December 10, 2007
Battle of the Bands VIII
Letter S today, folks.
S
“Santa Fe”: Newsies vs. Rent
The Decision: Aw, battle of the musicals! I have to give this one, though, to the song I had stuck in my head the entire time I was actually in Santa Fe.
Winner: Rent
“Satellite”: Guster vs. Dave Matthews Band vs. Anna Nalick
The Decision: Even when I was kind of obsessed with the Dave Matthews Band, I never liked this song, really. And I do adore Guster. And Anna Nalick is basically a non-entity to me.
Winner: Guster
“Saturday Night”: Kaiser Chiefs vs. Ta-Gana
The Decision: Well, obviously. This Ta-Gana monstrosity is for some reason included on the 10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack, and I would rather not discuss the reasons I own that right now. Let’s just keep this short.
Winner: Kaiser Chiefs
“Shine”: Trey Anastasio vs. Carbon Leaf vs. Imogen Heap vs. Joni Mitchell
The Decision: Trey is instantly disqualified for being the lead singer of Phish and yet somehow letting this song be on a Bath & Body Works store CD (and thus ruining any chance for me to even like it a little bit). Next bitch! I do not like this Carbon Leaf song, I’ve decided. I do like this Imogen Heap song, and this Joni Mitchell song is so brand spanking new I haven’t decided what I think about it yet. I might have to listen to both of them again. Well, it was tough, but one girl had to win, eh?
Winner: Joni Mitchell
“Silver Lining”: David Gray vs. Rilo Kiley
The Decision: This song is the reason I kept this David Gray album in the iTunes library, but I can’t get enough of this Rilo Kiley song. When this album came out, it was the only song that managed to break through the “all Brandi Carlile, all the time” thing I had going. If you don’t realize what a big deal that is, you clearly haven’t been reading this blog. At all.
Winner: Rilo Kiley
“Sleep”: Imogen Heap vs. Phish
The Decision: I like this Imogen Heap song more than I realized. Sorry, Phish. I feel like you’re taking kind of a beating in this.
Winner: Imogen Heap
“Smile”: Grant-Lee Phillips vs. Weezer
The Decision: Oh, Weezer. I haven’t been listening to them lately, and I miss them. This is what happens when you get obsessed with some girl from Washington. You start neglecting the other bands you love. This other song is from Gilmore Girls, so it’s good, but I have no emotional attachment to it.
Winner: Weezer
“So Long”: Guster vs. Rilo Kiley
The Decision: Well, as much as I love Rilo Kiley, this is my very favorite Guster song.
Winner: Guster
“Someone Else’s Song”: Lifehouse vs. Wilco
The Decision: Well, I really liked this Lifehouse song in high school, and I really liked this Wilco song in college. Hmm.
Winner: Wilco
“Something”: The Beatles vs. Shakira
The Decision: Oh, how ridiculed would I be if I said Shakira was better than the Beatles? I’m not an idiot, you know.
Winner: The Beatles
“Stay”: Jorane vs. Lisa Loeb
The Decision: Battle of the Girly Sounds radio show staples! This has never been my fave Lisa song because it’s the only one they played on the radio. And they played it all the time. That really does ruin music for me. And this Jorane bitch plays the cello.
Winner: Jorane
“Stay Away”: Nirvana vs. Rooney
The Decision: I think it’s a rule in this thing that if you’re a band from Seattle, it’s going to be nigh impossible to beat you, and Rooney, you are no Jenny Lewis or Ben Folds.
Winner: Nirvana
“Sunday Morning”: Ani DiFranco vs. No Doubt
The Decision: Well, this is the best No Doubt song of all time. Sorry, Ani.
Winner: No Doubt
S
“Santa Fe”: Newsies vs. Rent
The Decision: Aw, battle of the musicals! I have to give this one, though, to the song I had stuck in my head the entire time I was actually in Santa Fe.
Winner: Rent
“Satellite”: Guster vs. Dave Matthews Band vs. Anna Nalick
The Decision: Even when I was kind of obsessed with the Dave Matthews Band, I never liked this song, really. And I do adore Guster. And Anna Nalick is basically a non-entity to me.
Winner: Guster
“Saturday Night”: Kaiser Chiefs vs. Ta-Gana
The Decision: Well, obviously. This Ta-Gana monstrosity is for some reason included on the 10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack, and I would rather not discuss the reasons I own that right now. Let’s just keep this short.
Winner: Kaiser Chiefs
“Shine”: Trey Anastasio vs. Carbon Leaf vs. Imogen Heap vs. Joni Mitchell
The Decision: Trey is instantly disqualified for being the lead singer of Phish and yet somehow letting this song be on a Bath & Body Works store CD (and thus ruining any chance for me to even like it a little bit). Next bitch! I do not like this Carbon Leaf song, I’ve decided. I do like this Imogen Heap song, and this Joni Mitchell song is so brand spanking new I haven’t decided what I think about it yet. I might have to listen to both of them again. Well, it was tough, but one girl had to win, eh?
Winner: Joni Mitchell
“Silver Lining”: David Gray vs. Rilo Kiley
The Decision: This song is the reason I kept this David Gray album in the iTunes library, but I can’t get enough of this Rilo Kiley song. When this album came out, it was the only song that managed to break through the “all Brandi Carlile, all the time” thing I had going. If you don’t realize what a big deal that is, you clearly haven’t been reading this blog. At all.
Winner: Rilo Kiley
“Sleep”: Imogen Heap vs. Phish
The Decision: I like this Imogen Heap song more than I realized. Sorry, Phish. I feel like you’re taking kind of a beating in this.
Winner: Imogen Heap
“Smile”: Grant-Lee Phillips vs. Weezer
The Decision: Oh, Weezer. I haven’t been listening to them lately, and I miss them. This is what happens when you get obsessed with some girl from Washington. You start neglecting the other bands you love. This other song is from Gilmore Girls, so it’s good, but I have no emotional attachment to it.
Winner: Weezer
“So Long”: Guster vs. Rilo Kiley
The Decision: Well, as much as I love Rilo Kiley, this is my very favorite Guster song.
Winner: Guster
“Someone Else’s Song”: Lifehouse vs. Wilco
The Decision: Well, I really liked this Lifehouse song in high school, and I really liked this Wilco song in college. Hmm.
Winner: Wilco
“Something”: The Beatles vs. Shakira
The Decision: Oh, how ridiculed would I be if I said Shakira was better than the Beatles? I’m not an idiot, you know.
Winner: The Beatles
“Stay”: Jorane vs. Lisa Loeb
The Decision: Battle of the Girly Sounds radio show staples! This has never been my fave Lisa song because it’s the only one they played on the radio. And they played it all the time. That really does ruin music for me. And this Jorane bitch plays the cello.
Winner: Jorane
“Stay Away”: Nirvana vs. Rooney
The Decision: I think it’s a rule in this thing that if you’re a band from Seattle, it’s going to be nigh impossible to beat you, and Rooney, you are no Jenny Lewis or Ben Folds.
Winner: Nirvana
“Sunday Morning”: Ani DiFranco vs. No Doubt
The Decision: Well, this is the best No Doubt song of all time. Sorry, Ani.
Winner: No Doubt
December 7, 2007
Battle of the Bands VII
Here are letters N-R.
N
“Northern Star”: Melanie C. vs. Hole
The Decision: Okay, so maybe I was a little bit in love with Sporty Spice when I was fifteen. Tell me you didn’t have an embarrassing teenybopper obsession. I know; I know. I’m not fifteen now, but it’s hard to get rid of music, okay? That’s why I still have all these Dave Matthews albums. Also, say “hole.” Heh, “hole.” It’s fun!
Winner: Hole
“Not Today”: Kelly Clarkson vs. Jump, Little Children
The Decision: I just started listening to the rest of this Jump, Little Children album, Magazine somewhat recently--I had previously only been interested in “Cathedrals.” This song is good, but Kelly Clarkson has to win something. I also totally love this song of hers.
Winner: Kelly Clarkson
P
“Paper Bag”: Fiona Apple vs. Anna Nalick
The Decision: Oh, jeez. This is one of my favorite Fiona Apple songs—or maybe my favorite Fiona Apple song; I haven’t decided yet—and Anna Nalick is just… Not as good. You remember that song “Breathe” that died a horrible death in my collection from too much radio airplay (and from totally ruining that montage at the end of the bomb scare episode of Grey’s)—none of her songs are really better than that. Even though she does use a line from “No Rain” in this song. Okay, so I think this song may be better than “Breathe”—but not better enough.
Winner: Fiona Apple
“Perfect”: Guster vs. Alanis Morissette
The Decision: I said earlier that it would take a really good song to beat something from Jagged Little Pill, and I love Guster, but this is not that song.
Winner: Alanis Morissette
R
“Recently”: Dave Matthews Band vs. Polaris
The Decision: Well, I’ve said before I’m growing disenchanted with a lot of DMB’s stuff, and this Polaris song is from The Adventures of Pete & Pete. That says it all, I think.
Winner: Polaris
“Run”: Indigo Girls vs. Ben Kweller
The Decision: Oh, god this is hard. I, like, am in love with the Indigo Girls’ latest album, and I’ve never met a Ben Kweller song I didn’t love. However, Emily Saliers does not have any grammatical errors in her song. “I have ran”? Come on, Ben.
Winner: Indigo Girls
N
“Northern Star”: Melanie C. vs. Hole
The Decision: Okay, so maybe I was a little bit in love with Sporty Spice when I was fifteen. Tell me you didn’t have an embarrassing teenybopper obsession. I know; I know. I’m not fifteen now, but it’s hard to get rid of music, okay? That’s why I still have all these Dave Matthews albums. Also, say “hole.” Heh, “hole.” It’s fun!
Winner: Hole
“Not Today”: Kelly Clarkson vs. Jump, Little Children
The Decision: I just started listening to the rest of this Jump, Little Children album, Magazine somewhat recently--I had previously only been interested in “Cathedrals.” This song is good, but Kelly Clarkson has to win something. I also totally love this song of hers.
Winner: Kelly Clarkson
P
“Paper Bag”: Fiona Apple vs. Anna Nalick
The Decision: Oh, jeez. This is one of my favorite Fiona Apple songs—or maybe my favorite Fiona Apple song; I haven’t decided yet—and Anna Nalick is just… Not as good. You remember that song “Breathe” that died a horrible death in my collection from too much radio airplay (and from totally ruining that montage at the end of the bomb scare episode of Grey’s)—none of her songs are really better than that. Even though she does use a line from “No Rain” in this song. Okay, so I think this song may be better than “Breathe”—but not better enough.
Winner: Fiona Apple
“Perfect”: Guster vs. Alanis Morissette
The Decision: I said earlier that it would take a really good song to beat something from Jagged Little Pill, and I love Guster, but this is not that song.
Winner: Alanis Morissette
R
“Recently”: Dave Matthews Band vs. Polaris
The Decision: Well, I’ve said before I’m growing disenchanted with a lot of DMB’s stuff, and this Polaris song is from The Adventures of Pete & Pete. That says it all, I think.
Winner: Polaris
“Run”: Indigo Girls vs. Ben Kweller
The Decision: Oh, god this is hard. I, like, am in love with the Indigo Girls’ latest album, and I’ve never met a Ben Kweller song I didn’t love. However, Emily Saliers does not have any grammatical errors in her song. “I have ran”? Come on, Ben.
Winner: Indigo Girls
December 4, 2007
Battle of the Bands VI
L
“Let Me In”: R.E.M. vs. Save Ferris
The Decision: Okay, so this Save Ferris song is quite possibly the reason I started to love Roswell (and Katherine Heigl, the girl who made me gay), because it is playing when Isabel dreamwalks Alex for the first time and sees that he is butt-crazy in love with her—Save Ferris even actually makes an appearance in his dream! Oh, this song takes me back to the summer I turned sixteen. Love it.
Winner: Save Ferris
“Little Room”: Norah Jones vs. The White Stripes
The Decision: I don’t know; I was not enamored of Norah Jones’s new album. And this White Stripes song isn’t even a minute long. Still, it’s weird enough for me to pick it, I think.
Winner: The White Stripes
“Little Sister”: Jewel vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: This is not Jewel’s best song, yo, and I love this Rufus song, especially these lyrics: “and remember that your brother is a boy.”
Winner: Rufus Wainwright
“Long Way Down”: Guster vs. Pete Yorn
The Decision: “I don’t love you, so why should I compete with other guys?” How can you top that?
Winner: Pete Yorn
M
“Magic”: Ben Folds Five vs. Ben Kweller
The Decision: Battle of the Bens! This is tough, because I love them both to pieces, but…
Winner: Ben Folds Five
“Mary Jane”: Alanis Morisette vs. The Vines
The Decision: I’m not sure why I still have this Vines CD, since I never listen to it—I do like one of the songs on there, but…it’s just so hard for me to get rid of music. Anyway, all this means it’d take a much better song to beat out something from Jagged Little Pill. Also, as a piece of trivia about me, Alanis was my very favorite singer/songwriter until I fell in love with Brandi Carlile. As a piece of trivia not about me, Brandi and Alanis have the same birthday (June 1).
Winner: Alanis Morissette
“Maybe”: Kelly Clarkson vs. Dana Glover
The Decision: This song is one of the reasons My December is my favorite album of Kelly’s—and one of the reasons I retardedly declared it the best album of 2007. And I really only bought this Dana Glover album for one song, and “Maybe” ain’t it.
Winner: Kelly Clarkson
“Milk”: Garbage vs. Kings of Leon
The Decision: Well, this is an old Garbage song, which are the best Garbage songs…but it’s not really about milk, which is a strike against it. Of course, neither is this Kings of Leon song, which means I must find a song actually about milk, dammit. Anyway, I get the chorus of this one stuck in my head all the time, and I can’t decide if that’s a point for it or against it. Oh hell. I also just found out Kings of Leon put out an album this year that I didn’t buy. I am so out of touch!
Winner: Kings of Leon
“Let Me In”: R.E.M. vs. Save Ferris
The Decision: Okay, so this Save Ferris song is quite possibly the reason I started to love Roswell (and Katherine Heigl, the girl who made me gay), because it is playing when Isabel dreamwalks Alex for the first time and sees that he is butt-crazy in love with her—Save Ferris even actually makes an appearance in his dream! Oh, this song takes me back to the summer I turned sixteen. Love it.
Winner: Save Ferris
“Little Room”: Norah Jones vs. The White Stripes
The Decision: I don’t know; I was not enamored of Norah Jones’s new album. And this White Stripes song isn’t even a minute long. Still, it’s weird enough for me to pick it, I think.
Winner: The White Stripes
“Little Sister”: Jewel vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: This is not Jewel’s best song, yo, and I love this Rufus song, especially these lyrics: “and remember that your brother is a boy.”
Winner: Rufus Wainwright
“Long Way Down”: Guster vs. Pete Yorn
The Decision: “I don’t love you, so why should I compete with other guys?” How can you top that?
Winner: Pete Yorn
M
“Magic”: Ben Folds Five vs. Ben Kweller
The Decision: Battle of the Bens! This is tough, because I love them both to pieces, but…
Winner: Ben Folds Five
“Mary Jane”: Alanis Morisette vs. The Vines
The Decision: I’m not sure why I still have this Vines CD, since I never listen to it—I do like one of the songs on there, but…it’s just so hard for me to get rid of music. Anyway, all this means it’d take a much better song to beat out something from Jagged Little Pill. Also, as a piece of trivia about me, Alanis was my very favorite singer/songwriter until I fell in love with Brandi Carlile. As a piece of trivia not about me, Brandi and Alanis have the same birthday (June 1).
Winner: Alanis Morissette
“Maybe”: Kelly Clarkson vs. Dana Glover
The Decision: This song is one of the reasons My December is my favorite album of Kelly’s—and one of the reasons I retardedly declared it the best album of 2007. And I really only bought this Dana Glover album for one song, and “Maybe” ain’t it.
Winner: Kelly Clarkson
“Milk”: Garbage vs. Kings of Leon
The Decision: Well, this is an old Garbage song, which are the best Garbage songs…but it’s not really about milk, which is a strike against it. Of course, neither is this Kings of Leon song, which means I must find a song actually about milk, dammit. Anyway, I get the chorus of this one stuck in my head all the time, and I can’t decide if that’s a point for it or against it. Oh hell. I also just found out Kings of Leon put out an album this year that I didn’t buy. I am so out of touch!
Winner: Kings of Leon
December 3, 2007
Battle of the Bands V
Special snow day edition! Featuring some of the more embarrassing songs in my vast collection, plus five Brandi Carlile songs! Letters F-J!
F
“Firecracker”: Ryan Adams vs. Lisa Loeb
The Decision: Well, this is kind of unfair to Lisa, since this is my very favorite Ryan Adams song. I don’t think this man can be beaten—unless he goes up against that girl who also forces me to admit I like country music.
Winner: Ryan Adams
“Follow”: Brandi Carlile vs. Semisonic
The Decision: Oh please. This one isn’t even close—Semisonic isn’t even in the same hemisphere as this Brandi Carlile song.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
“Fool”: Blur vs. Shakira
The Decision: This is one of Shakira’s only English songs that I like. Poor Blur—they keep getting blown away. (Also, don’t judge me for the Shakira albums. I wouldn’t judge your love for Blink 182—even if I would mock it. In my head.)
Winner: Shakira
“Free”: G. Love vs. Phish vs. The Martinis
The Decision: Man, that G. Love song didn’t even rate when I listened to it. And the Martinis song is from Empire Records. But once again, I’ve been loving this Phish song since elementary school.
Winner: Phish
G
“Genius”: Kings of Leon vs. The Murmurs
The Decision: This one really isn’t tough. I think I need to get rid of these songs I ganked because they were on The L-Word.
Winner: Kings of Leon
“Ghost”: Indigo Girls vs. Phish
The Decision: Oh my god, Emily Saliers’s lyrics kill me. I’d never heard this song until I went Indigo Girls crazy in preparation for their concert in August, and thank god I did go Indigo Girls crazy, because…Christ. Not only is the emotion starkly evident in these lyrics, but she deftly uses some awesome metaphors—and even alludes to the Trojan War—and I am just in awe of her as I listen to this. Um, sorry, Trey.
Winner: Indigo Girls
“Girl”: The Beatles vs. Piney Gir
The Decision: This is another Beatles song that does nothing for me. Weird.
Winner: Piney Gir
“Glory”: Brandi Carlile vs. Liz Phair
The Decision: Phew. A rematch, much more evenly matched this time. I only recently started loving this Brandi Carlile song, but man do I love it. Oh, Liz, this song is much better than your “Closer to You,” but it’s not enough.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
“Gone”: Brandi Carlile vs. Kelly Clarkson vs. Ben Folds
The Decision: This is the one I’ve been waiting for: Brandi vs. Kelly. I’m only sorry that Ben had to participate in this—I even love his song, but not enough to put him head to head with Brandi or Kelly. So with the boy out of the way, who’s going to take this one? This is one of the only songs Brandi wrote with both of the twins, and it’s so good. Better than “Losing Heart,” which is the only other one I can think of. But I don’t know. This Kelly song gets me—it’s really good to holler along with in the car. Shit! It’s a tie, motherfuckers. I can’t pick just one. Help me. Although, from what I know of the readers of this blog, if they were to vote, it’d be Brandi. So maybe I should just give it to her? Nope. Still a tie. Or! Since Brandi and Kelly cancel each other out, it goes to Ben. Eh? What an upset.
Winner: Ben Folds
“Good Enough”: 8Stops7 vs. Lizzy Picciallo vs. Sarah McLachlan
The Decision: Oh, come on now. Only one of these songs is by a crazy lez I actually know in real life. (Or knew. I miss you, Lizzy!)
Winner: Lizzy Picciallo
H
“Hallelujah”: Ryan Adams vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: Okay, so I don’t have the Leonard Cohen version of this song, and I figured I’d put Rufus’s cover into battle, because Brandi’s been seeing so much action. And until I heard Brandi’s, Rufus’s was my fave version of this song. So I think it’s safe to say, no matter who’s singing it, Leonard Cohen’s song beats Ryan Adams’s—even though I do like this one a lot, Ryan.
Winner: Rufus Wainwright
“Happy”: Brandi Carlile vs. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
The Decision: For some reason, I really only like this Brandi Carlile song when she’s singing it in front of me—especially since the bitch she’s singing about is not, in fact, named Emily. What the hell kind of name is Amber Lee? (And for the record, I am not the only person who thought she was saying Emily, okay? Okay.)
Winner: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
“Haunted”: Kelly Clarkson vs. Poe
The Decision: Aw, this is one of the Poe songs Tater used to play frequently on Girly Sounds, but my mp3 has been marred by some bad ripping—I think the CD I stole from Mike has seen better days. However, this is not one of Kelly’s better songs. I won’t hold the bad technology against Poe.
Winner: Poe
“Hear Me Out”: Ben Kweller vs. Frou Frou
The Decision: It’s only recently that I’ve been digging Imogen Heap, and this song is good, but I once spent an entire Easter break driving around New Hampshire, wailing along with this Ben Kweller album, and chain-smoking Camel Lights. This was before I could legally drink, obviously.
Winner: Ben Kweller
“Hey You”: No Doubt vs. Shakira
The Decision: Oooh, this is my fave English Shakira song. No joke. I love it. Sorry, Gwen.
Winner: Shakira
“Home”: Melanie C. vs. Carbon Leaf vs. Sheryl Crow
The Decision: Okay, you can feel free to judge me for owning Spice Girl solo albums. It’s moderately embarrassing. Anyway, this is really between Carbon Leaf and Sheryl Crow, because it’s embarrassing enough to admit I own this album—I’m not going to subject myself to further humiliation by saying I like this song best of these three. Anyway. None of these are my favorites, but the Carbon Leaf and Sheryl Crow ones are good. Eh.
Winner: Sheryl Crow
“Hurricane”: Bob Dylan vs. Lisa Loeb
The Decision: Oh, Lisa. I am so sorry.
Winner: Bob Dylan
I
“I Know”: Fiona Apple vs. Blur vs. Save Ferris
The Decision: Well, I think this one comes down to Blur and Save Ferris, since this is one of the only Fiona songs that I forget as soon as it’s over. And I kind of overplayed this Save Ferris song a million summers ago.
Winner: Blur
“I Wish”: Semisonic vs. Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams, and Fantasia Barrino
The Decision: The latter song is from the Happy Feet soundtrack (oh, god, it’s getting harder for me to expect people to take my taste in music seriously), so I think Semisonic automatically wins this one. Even though they have better songs—and this one goes on for far too long.
Winner: Semisonic
“Independence Day”: Ani DiFranco vs. Melanie C.
The Decision: Sporty Spice is never going to win one of these, okay? And certainly not against Ani DiFranco.
Winner: Ani DiFranco
J
“Jessica”: The Allman Brothers vs. Adam Green
The Decision: On the one hand, this Allman Brothers song is a classic, but it doesn’t have any words. On the other hand, this Adam Green song has words, but is weirdly about Jessica Simpson.
Winner: The Allman Brothers
“Josephine”: Tori Amos vs. Brandi Carlile
The Decision: Here we go. A battle that restores my faith in my musical taste. Do I even have to explain anything, though? Tori’s awesome, but Brandi and the twins are awesome to the billionth power. Plus, this is one of my favorite songs to hear them do live.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
F
“Firecracker”: Ryan Adams vs. Lisa Loeb
The Decision: Well, this is kind of unfair to Lisa, since this is my very favorite Ryan Adams song. I don’t think this man can be beaten—unless he goes up against that girl who also forces me to admit I like country music.
Winner: Ryan Adams
“Follow”: Brandi Carlile vs. Semisonic
The Decision: Oh please. This one isn’t even close—Semisonic isn’t even in the same hemisphere as this Brandi Carlile song.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
“Fool”: Blur vs. Shakira
The Decision: This is one of Shakira’s only English songs that I like. Poor Blur—they keep getting blown away. (Also, don’t judge me for the Shakira albums. I wouldn’t judge your love for Blink 182—even if I would mock it. In my head.)
Winner: Shakira
“Free”: G. Love vs. Phish vs. The Martinis
The Decision: Man, that G. Love song didn’t even rate when I listened to it. And the Martinis song is from Empire Records. But once again, I’ve been loving this Phish song since elementary school.
Winner: Phish
G
“Genius”: Kings of Leon vs. The Murmurs
The Decision: This one really isn’t tough. I think I need to get rid of these songs I ganked because they were on The L-Word.
Winner: Kings of Leon
“Ghost”: Indigo Girls vs. Phish
The Decision: Oh my god, Emily Saliers’s lyrics kill me. I’d never heard this song until I went Indigo Girls crazy in preparation for their concert in August, and thank god I did go Indigo Girls crazy, because…Christ. Not only is the emotion starkly evident in these lyrics, but she deftly uses some awesome metaphors—and even alludes to the Trojan War—and I am just in awe of her as I listen to this. Um, sorry, Trey.
Winner: Indigo Girls
“Girl”: The Beatles vs. Piney Gir
The Decision: This is another Beatles song that does nothing for me. Weird.
Winner: Piney Gir
“Glory”: Brandi Carlile vs. Liz Phair
The Decision: Phew. A rematch, much more evenly matched this time. I only recently started loving this Brandi Carlile song, but man do I love it. Oh, Liz, this song is much better than your “Closer to You,” but it’s not enough.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
“Gone”: Brandi Carlile vs. Kelly Clarkson vs. Ben Folds
The Decision: This is the one I’ve been waiting for: Brandi vs. Kelly. I’m only sorry that Ben had to participate in this—I even love his song, but not enough to put him head to head with Brandi or Kelly. So with the boy out of the way, who’s going to take this one? This is one of the only songs Brandi wrote with both of the twins, and it’s so good. Better than “Losing Heart,” which is the only other one I can think of. But I don’t know. This Kelly song gets me—it’s really good to holler along with in the car. Shit! It’s a tie, motherfuckers. I can’t pick just one. Help me. Although, from what I know of the readers of this blog, if they were to vote, it’d be Brandi. So maybe I should just give it to her? Nope. Still a tie. Or! Since Brandi and Kelly cancel each other out, it goes to Ben. Eh? What an upset.
Winner: Ben Folds
“Good Enough”: 8Stops7 vs. Lizzy Picciallo vs. Sarah McLachlan
The Decision: Oh, come on now. Only one of these songs is by a crazy lez I actually know in real life. (Or knew. I miss you, Lizzy!)
Winner: Lizzy Picciallo
H
“Hallelujah”: Ryan Adams vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: Okay, so I don’t have the Leonard Cohen version of this song, and I figured I’d put Rufus’s cover into battle, because Brandi’s been seeing so much action. And until I heard Brandi’s, Rufus’s was my fave version of this song. So I think it’s safe to say, no matter who’s singing it, Leonard Cohen’s song beats Ryan Adams’s—even though I do like this one a lot, Ryan.
Winner: Rufus Wainwright
“Happy”: Brandi Carlile vs. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
The Decision: For some reason, I really only like this Brandi Carlile song when she’s singing it in front of me—especially since the bitch she’s singing about is not, in fact, named Emily. What the hell kind of name is Amber Lee? (And for the record, I am not the only person who thought she was saying Emily, okay? Okay.)
Winner: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
“Haunted”: Kelly Clarkson vs. Poe
The Decision: Aw, this is one of the Poe songs Tater used to play frequently on Girly Sounds, but my mp3 has been marred by some bad ripping—I think the CD I stole from Mike has seen better days. However, this is not one of Kelly’s better songs. I won’t hold the bad technology against Poe.
Winner: Poe
“Hear Me Out”: Ben Kweller vs. Frou Frou
The Decision: It’s only recently that I’ve been digging Imogen Heap, and this song is good, but I once spent an entire Easter break driving around New Hampshire, wailing along with this Ben Kweller album, and chain-smoking Camel Lights. This was before I could legally drink, obviously.
Winner: Ben Kweller
“Hey You”: No Doubt vs. Shakira
The Decision: Oooh, this is my fave English Shakira song. No joke. I love it. Sorry, Gwen.
Winner: Shakira
“Home”: Melanie C. vs. Carbon Leaf vs. Sheryl Crow
The Decision: Okay, you can feel free to judge me for owning Spice Girl solo albums. It’s moderately embarrassing. Anyway, this is really between Carbon Leaf and Sheryl Crow, because it’s embarrassing enough to admit I own this album—I’m not going to subject myself to further humiliation by saying I like this song best of these three. Anyway. None of these are my favorites, but the Carbon Leaf and Sheryl Crow ones are good. Eh.
Winner: Sheryl Crow
“Hurricane”: Bob Dylan vs. Lisa Loeb
The Decision: Oh, Lisa. I am so sorry.
Winner: Bob Dylan
I
“I Know”: Fiona Apple vs. Blur vs. Save Ferris
The Decision: Well, I think this one comes down to Blur and Save Ferris, since this is one of the only Fiona songs that I forget as soon as it’s over. And I kind of overplayed this Save Ferris song a million summers ago.
Winner: Blur
“I Wish”: Semisonic vs. Patti LaBelle, Yolanda Adams, and Fantasia Barrino
The Decision: The latter song is from the Happy Feet soundtrack (oh, god, it’s getting harder for me to expect people to take my taste in music seriously), so I think Semisonic automatically wins this one. Even though they have better songs—and this one goes on for far too long.
Winner: Semisonic
“Independence Day”: Ani DiFranco vs. Melanie C.
The Decision: Sporty Spice is never going to win one of these, okay? And certainly not against Ani DiFranco.
Winner: Ani DiFranco
J
“Jessica”: The Allman Brothers vs. Adam Green
The Decision: On the one hand, this Allman Brothers song is a classic, but it doesn’t have any words. On the other hand, this Adam Green song has words, but is weirdly about Jessica Simpson.
Winner: The Allman Brothers
“Josephine”: Tori Amos vs. Brandi Carlile
The Decision: Here we go. A battle that restores my faith in my musical taste. Do I even have to explain anything, though? Tori’s awesome, but Brandi and the twins are awesome to the billionth power. Plus, this is one of my favorite songs to hear them do live.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
November 30, 2007
Battle of the Bands IV
Special double edition today, because it's Friday, and there are only three E songs!
D
“Desire”: Ryan Adams vs. Zwan
The Decision: You know, I don’t really have anything to say other than this is not my fave Zwan song.
Winner: Ryan Adams
“Does He Love You?”: Kelly Clarkson & Reba McEntire vs. Rilo Kiley
The Decision: This was an awesome battle, because not only do the songs have the same title, but they’re also about the same thing. But, seriously, Reba’s song is one of the reasons I hate country music, but it’s Kelly Clarkson dueting with her, y’all, instead of Linda Davis, and I saw the music video recently, and it’s kind of awesome, because Reba blows up a yacht, containing her cheating husband and that skank Linda Davis, at the end. That’s a good way to get revenge on your cheatin’ man and his girlfriend if I ever heard one. However. We’re not comparing music videos here. And even Kelly Clarkson singing a terrible country song can’t save it. Plus, this Rilo Kiley song is good even without all my hateration of country music to buoy it up. (Did I just say “hateration”? Yes I did.) Yes, even though it has the exact same theme as Reba’s song. Whatever. Rilo Kiley did it better, making you sympathize with both the wife and the girlfriend. Plus, no country-ness!
Winner: Rilo Kiley
“Dog-Faced Boy”: Eels vs. Phish
The Decision: Well, this is one of the only Eels songs that survived my recent iTunes purge, but I’ve been partial to this Phish song since I was ten. Tough, tough, tough!
Winner: Phish
“Down”: Ben Kweller vs. Stroke 9
The Decision: You know, I’m not quite sure why I still have this Stroke 9 album (I bought it way back in…the last century possibly for that “Little Black Backpack” song, and none of the other ones were as good). And I’ve yet to hear a Ben Kweller song I didn’t like—and I even like this one a lot.
Winner: Ben Kweller
“Drive”: Dispatch vs. R.E.M.
The Decision: Oh, man, I forgot how much I liked this R.E.M. song in high school. Goodbye, Dispatch!
Winner: R.E.M.
“Dumb”: Garbage vs. Nirvana
The Decision: Feh, I think I’m over Garbage. Plus, this Nirvana song is up there for me. Dumb or happy? It’s a fine line.
Winner: Nirvana
E
“The End”: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals vs. The Beatles
The Decision: Here’s a reason I like country music—Ryan Adams and his band doing country-ish rock ‘n roll. I don’t think I’ve ever really listened to this song, but I totally dig it. I don’t know. It might be enough to beat the Beatles. (Hah—oh, that was terrible. I’m sorry.)
Winner: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
“Everyday”: Lisa Loeb vs. Dave Matthews Band
The Decision: Bleh, I don’t like this Dave song. I might purge that whole album. I also don't like how both of them actually mean "every day" but have titled their songs "Everyday"--but I had to pick one.
Winner: Lisa Loeb
“Everything”: Lifehouse vs. Alanis Morisette
The Decision: I’m sorry, as much as I loved this Lifehouse song when I was seventeen (and I loved it), this Alanis Morisette song has lines that purposefully do not end in prepositions: “you dig everything of which I’m ashamed,” for example. No contest.
Winner: Alanis Morisette
D
“Desire”: Ryan Adams vs. Zwan
The Decision: You know, I don’t really have anything to say other than this is not my fave Zwan song.
Winner: Ryan Adams
“Does He Love You?”: Kelly Clarkson & Reba McEntire vs. Rilo Kiley
The Decision: This was an awesome battle, because not only do the songs have the same title, but they’re also about the same thing. But, seriously, Reba’s song is one of the reasons I hate country music, but it’s Kelly Clarkson dueting with her, y’all, instead of Linda Davis, and I saw the music video recently, and it’s kind of awesome, because Reba blows up a yacht, containing her cheating husband and that skank Linda Davis, at the end. That’s a good way to get revenge on your cheatin’ man and his girlfriend if I ever heard one. However. We’re not comparing music videos here. And even Kelly Clarkson singing a terrible country song can’t save it. Plus, this Rilo Kiley song is good even without all my hateration of country music to buoy it up. (Did I just say “hateration”? Yes I did.) Yes, even though it has the exact same theme as Reba’s song. Whatever. Rilo Kiley did it better, making you sympathize with both the wife and the girlfriend. Plus, no country-ness!
Winner: Rilo Kiley
“Dog-Faced Boy”: Eels vs. Phish
The Decision: Well, this is one of the only Eels songs that survived my recent iTunes purge, but I’ve been partial to this Phish song since I was ten. Tough, tough, tough!
Winner: Phish
“Down”: Ben Kweller vs. Stroke 9
The Decision: You know, I’m not quite sure why I still have this Stroke 9 album (I bought it way back in…the last century possibly for that “Little Black Backpack” song, and none of the other ones were as good). And I’ve yet to hear a Ben Kweller song I didn’t like—and I even like this one a lot.
Winner: Ben Kweller
“Drive”: Dispatch vs. R.E.M.
The Decision: Oh, man, I forgot how much I liked this R.E.M. song in high school. Goodbye, Dispatch!
Winner: R.E.M.
“Dumb”: Garbage vs. Nirvana
The Decision: Feh, I think I’m over Garbage. Plus, this Nirvana song is up there for me. Dumb or happy? It’s a fine line.
Winner: Nirvana
E
“The End”: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals vs. The Beatles
The Decision: Here’s a reason I like country music—Ryan Adams and his band doing country-ish rock ‘n roll. I don’t think I’ve ever really listened to this song, but I totally dig it. I don’t know. It might be enough to beat the Beatles. (Hah—oh, that was terrible. I’m sorry.)
Winner: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
“Everyday”: Lisa Loeb vs. Dave Matthews Band
The Decision: Bleh, I don’t like this Dave song. I might purge that whole album. I also don't like how both of them actually mean "every day" but have titled their songs "Everyday"--but I had to pick one.
Winner: Lisa Loeb
“Everything”: Lifehouse vs. Alanis Morisette
The Decision: I’m sorry, as much as I loved this Lifehouse song when I was seventeen (and I loved it), this Alanis Morisette song has lines that purposefully do not end in prepositions: “you dig everything of which I’m ashamed,” for example. No contest.
Winner: Alanis Morisette
November 29, 2007
Battle of the Bands III
I love this game, y'all. I can't believe it took me this long to do it. Today's episode brought to you by the letter C and the number 7.
C
“California”: Joni Mitchell vs. Josh Ritter vs. Semisonic vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: This was actually close, except for Josh Ritter, because, meh, but I love all three of the other songs with a fierceness. Still, someone had to win.
Winner: Joni Mitchell
“Cannonball”: Brandi Carlile vs. Damien Rice
The Decision: Now, this should be a no-brainer, because Brandi Carlile has the help of the Indigo Girls to make her song awesome, but I was totally obsessed with Damien Rice’s song my junior (or sophomore?) year of college. However. His song has been quoted by too many earnest teenage girls in their livejournals or whatever—and it’s not as good as “Blower’s Daughter.” Plus, Brandi Carlile and the Indigo Girls. I guess it was really a no-brainer after all.
Winner: Brandi Carlile (and the Indigo Girls)
“Carbon Monoxide”: Cake vs. Regina Spektor
The Decision: This was tough, because I totally love both of these songs, but “Carbon Monoxide” was one of the first songs of Regina’s I heard, way back in 2004 in the WDOM studio, and so it will always have a special place in my heart. Aw.
Winner: Regina Spektor
“Catapult”: Counting Crows vs. Phish
The Decision: Okay, so this Phish song isn’t so much a song—it’s only 30 seconds long—and I love wailing this Counting Crows song in the car, but Phish almost stole it with the line: “there ain’t gonna be a wedding,” which just set me off for some reason.
Winner: Counting Crows
“Closer to You”: Brandi Carlile vs. Liz Phair
The Decision: I wish this one had been more of a battle, because I love both of these bitches, but this Liz Phair song is from her latest album and it kind of blows. And this Brandi Carlile song is one of my very favorites.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
“Come Together”: The Beatles vs. Blur
The Decision: Oh, please. Poor Blur doesn’t even stand a chance against this song.
Winner: The Beatles
“Crush”: Dave Matthews Band vs. Mandy Moore
The Decision: Don’t laugh at me, but I find this Mandy Moore song charming. And I love the extra verse in the Dave Matthews song that never makes it to the radio. Crap. I can’t pick one.
Winner: Tie! If you have an opinion, feel free to leave it, so I can break this tie.
C
“California”: Joni Mitchell vs. Josh Ritter vs. Semisonic vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: This was actually close, except for Josh Ritter, because, meh, but I love all three of the other songs with a fierceness. Still, someone had to win.
Winner: Joni Mitchell
“Cannonball”: Brandi Carlile vs. Damien Rice
The Decision: Now, this should be a no-brainer, because Brandi Carlile has the help of the Indigo Girls to make her song awesome, but I was totally obsessed with Damien Rice’s song my junior (or sophomore?) year of college. However. His song has been quoted by too many earnest teenage girls in their livejournals or whatever—and it’s not as good as “Blower’s Daughter.” Plus, Brandi Carlile and the Indigo Girls. I guess it was really a no-brainer after all.
Winner: Brandi Carlile (and the Indigo Girls)
“Carbon Monoxide”: Cake vs. Regina Spektor
The Decision: This was tough, because I totally love both of these songs, but “Carbon Monoxide” was one of the first songs of Regina’s I heard, way back in 2004 in the WDOM studio, and so it will always have a special place in my heart. Aw.
Winner: Regina Spektor
“Catapult”: Counting Crows vs. Phish
The Decision: Okay, so this Phish song isn’t so much a song—it’s only 30 seconds long—and I love wailing this Counting Crows song in the car, but Phish almost stole it with the line: “there ain’t gonna be a wedding,” which just set me off for some reason.
Winner: Counting Crows
“Closer to You”: Brandi Carlile vs. Liz Phair
The Decision: I wish this one had been more of a battle, because I love both of these bitches, but this Liz Phair song is from her latest album and it kind of blows. And this Brandi Carlile song is one of my very favorites.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
“Come Together”: The Beatles vs. Blur
The Decision: Oh, please. Poor Blur doesn’t even stand a chance against this song.
Winner: The Beatles
“Crush”: Dave Matthews Band vs. Mandy Moore
The Decision: Don’t laugh at me, but I find this Mandy Moore song charming. And I love the extra verse in the Dave Matthews song that never makes it to the radio. Crap. I can’t pick one.
Winner: Tie! If you have an opinion, feel free to leave it, so I can break this tie.
November 28, 2007
Battle of the Bands II
Here are the Bs. Do with them what you will. I am having so much fun with this.
B
“Baby”: Dave Matthews vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: I can’t remember really listening to Dave’s song before; it’s sweet. And Rufus’s is very Rufus. Hmm.
Winner: Dave Matthews
“Barcelona”: Jewel vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: Can Rufus redeem himself against Jewel? I think he can. I’m not a big fan of this Jewel song, and even though Rufus’s song is long, I like it better. So, there.
Winner: Rufus Wainwright
“Better”: Regina Spektor vs. Toby Lightman
The Decision: Well, I only have this Toby Lightman song because it was on a compilation that also featured…some other girl…but it’s actually a pretty good song. Good enough to best Regina? Not even close.
Winner: Regina Spektor
“Black”: Trey Anastasio vs. Pete Yorn
The Decision: I had to listen to both of these songs twice, because neither one left that much of an impression on me, so… I’m not sure how meaningful this battle is.
Winner: Pete Yorn
“Boston”: Augustana vs. Piney Gir
The Decision: Lord knows I love songs about Boston, and I was crazy about this Augustana one, but it got totally over-exposed. And I love Piney, but her song isn’t actually about Boston, so… Still, over-exposure is almost always the death knell of a song I liked.
Winner: Piney Gir
“Boys”: Ryan Adams vs. The Beatles
The Decision: Well, I mean, you’d think The Beatles would win every time, wouldn’t you? But this is one of their earliest songs and not my fave, and I really dig this Ryan Adams song, so. There.
Winner: Ryan Adams
B
“Baby”: Dave Matthews vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: I can’t remember really listening to Dave’s song before; it’s sweet. And Rufus’s is very Rufus. Hmm.
Winner: Dave Matthews
“Barcelona”: Jewel vs. Rufus Wainwright
The Decision: Can Rufus redeem himself against Jewel? I think he can. I’m not a big fan of this Jewel song, and even though Rufus’s song is long, I like it better. So, there.
Winner: Rufus Wainwright
“Better”: Regina Spektor vs. Toby Lightman
The Decision: Well, I only have this Toby Lightman song because it was on a compilation that also featured…some other girl…but it’s actually a pretty good song. Good enough to best Regina? Not even close.
Winner: Regina Spektor
“Black”: Trey Anastasio vs. Pete Yorn
The Decision: I had to listen to both of these songs twice, because neither one left that much of an impression on me, so… I’m not sure how meaningful this battle is.
Winner: Pete Yorn
“Boston”: Augustana vs. Piney Gir
The Decision: Lord knows I love songs about Boston, and I was crazy about this Augustana one, but it got totally over-exposed. And I love Piney, but her song isn’t actually about Boston, so… Still, over-exposure is almost always the death knell of a song I liked.
Winner: Piney Gir
“Boys”: Ryan Adams vs. The Beatles
The Decision: Well, I mean, you’d think The Beatles would win every time, wouldn’t you? But this is one of their earliest songs and not my fave, and I really dig this Ryan Adams song, so. There.
Winner: Ryan Adams
November 27, 2007
Battle of the Bands I
So I have about a bazillion songs with the same exact title—by different artists, you know? As I was noticing this, I decided to make a list of all of them and have a little showdown to pick which artist has the better song with the same name. So it’s not like a battle of who does the best cover, but who has the best song, because the songs are completely different except for the title.
Um, I hope that entirely convoluted explanation made some sense. Anyway, here are the songs that begin with A.
A
“Act Naturally”: The Beatles vs. Semisonic
The Decision: I don’t think I’m really thrilled about either of these songs, so in that case, The Beatles win. Because they’re The Beatles. And, also, their song is better, because this Semisonic song kind of sucks.
Winner: The Beatles
“All at Once”: The Fray vs. Pete Yorn
The Decision: This is one of the only songs from The Fray that I still like, but I think I’ve gotta give this one to Pete. I really love the chorus to this one.
Winner: Pete Yorn
“Alright”: Brandi Carlile vs. Kinnie Starr vs. Supergrass
The Decision: This one is a no-brainer, because Brandi’s “Alright” is about getting drunk and taking some random girl home, which is really not something I’d expect from her, but it is awesome. “I think that I might stay for a while or just a drink or four and see where this might go.” I do love that Supergrass song, though, as it is featured in Clueless--the scene where Cher’s taking pictures of her rich friends by the fountain, trying to get Tai and Elton closer together.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
“Amen”: Jewel vs. Josh Kelley
The Decision: I know this Jewel song better than Josh Kelley’s, and I still find Jewel’s really raw and beautiful, so…sorry, Josh.
Winner: Jewel
“American Girls”: Counting Crows vs. Homie, with Rivers Cuomo
The Decision: This one is tough, because Dana introduced me to the Homie & Rivers song, and I loved it for pretty much my entire freshman year of college, but I may have overplayed it. And I do love this Counting Crows offering… Tough, tough call.
Winner: Homie with Rivers Cuomo
Um, I hope that entirely convoluted explanation made some sense. Anyway, here are the songs that begin with A.
A
“Act Naturally”: The Beatles vs. Semisonic
The Decision: I don’t think I’m really thrilled about either of these songs, so in that case, The Beatles win. Because they’re The Beatles. And, also, their song is better, because this Semisonic song kind of sucks.
Winner: The Beatles
“All at Once”: The Fray vs. Pete Yorn
The Decision: This is one of the only songs from The Fray that I still like, but I think I’ve gotta give this one to Pete. I really love the chorus to this one.
Winner: Pete Yorn
“Alright”: Brandi Carlile vs. Kinnie Starr vs. Supergrass
The Decision: This one is a no-brainer, because Brandi’s “Alright” is about getting drunk and taking some random girl home, which is really not something I’d expect from her, but it is awesome. “I think that I might stay for a while or just a drink or four and see where this might go.” I do love that Supergrass song, though, as it is featured in Clueless--the scene where Cher’s taking pictures of her rich friends by the fountain, trying to get Tai and Elton closer together.
Winner: Brandi Carlile
“Amen”: Jewel vs. Josh Kelley
The Decision: I know this Jewel song better than Josh Kelley’s, and I still find Jewel’s really raw and beautiful, so…sorry, Josh.
Winner: Jewel
“American Girls”: Counting Crows vs. Homie, with Rivers Cuomo
The Decision: This one is tough, because Dana introduced me to the Homie & Rivers song, and I loved it for pretty much my entire freshman year of college, but I may have overplayed it. And I do love this Counting Crows offering… Tough, tough call.
Winner: Homie with Rivers Cuomo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
