I walk 2 1/2 miles and listen my iPod. This has resulted in a resurgence of my musical obsessions. My tastes have changed since the last era of Ariel Music Obsession, which was during my Lotus days. While I still like a good electronic album, lately I’ve been more interested in pop, soul, r&b, and a genre I call “Really Good Things That Came Out 2 Years Ago.”
Between the mp3s that Jung left on his iPod when he gave it to me, and the mp3s that I swiped off a coworker’s computer, I’ve got a full assortment of A Couple Years Ago’s Greatest Hits. This means I’m only just now tapping into the delightful electro-raunch of Peaches — although that said, her favorite song of mine isn’t from 2000’s “The Teaches of Peaches,” but her new album, “Fatherfucker.” You see, I’m in love with a song called “Operate.” You can get the general concept of the tune in the first verse: “It seems to me so strange / Check wallet for his name / His face is in the muck / I think his zipper’s stuck / He is perfect for me / To practice surgery / When blood coagulates / It’s time to operate!” Nothing better than a song about finding a dude passed out on the street and bringing him home to cut up (and perhaps molest?). And don’t even get me started on “Back It Up, Boys”: “Mine’s fake / Inanimate / But feels great / Against your prostate.” I would piss myself to see Peaches and Eminem battle. He would do his usual tired routine about killing his ex/wife, and Peaches could shoot back something like “Why kill Kim / When cannibalism’s better, alright? / My girlfriend and I brought Kim home / And ate her last night.” Except it would be wittier, and ten times dirtier.
Another old album I’m just discovering is The Strokes’ first album. I’d never bothered listening to the reigning masters of indie rock posturing and bad hair, put off by the attitude and hype (seriously, the critics were ready to credit these guys with single handedly saving the electric guitar), but I’ve found “Is This It?” a perfect walking album. I like it because, as much as this may piss off the boys in their little rumpled suits and frowns, it’s really just buzzy, fuzzy guitar pop. “Indie” my ass. It’s ful of hooks, and I’m like a fish: I know I shouldn’t love the hooks, but I find myself mouth open and bleeding at the surface of the water anyway.
But it hasn’t all been old music! I’ve also been victimized by iTunes and have recently snagged both Erykah Badu’s new album, “Worldwide Underground,” and Me’Shell NdegéOcello’s new one, Comfort Woman. Love me some soulful funk, and both these women do it right. I’m especially fond of Erykah Badu’s duet with Zap Mama, and Me’shell’s track “Come Smoke My Herb.”
Sadly, I’m having some logistical issues: no firewire port on my PC means the tracks I’ve downloaded with iTunes aren’t on my iPod, and that the tracks on my iPod aren’t on my PC. Oh, and the walls of my new apartment are very thin. If I can hear my neighbor’s cat meow in the morning, then I’m pretty sure I’ve got to keep my speakers low.
But never you mind! My new-old music will prevail! Who knows what music from a few years ago I may find next!
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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yara
November 11th, 2003 at 2:45 pm
over christmas break, i intend to recreate some of my cherished high school mixtapes via iTunes. and god love The Strokes, whose new album, they say, is remarkably like their old album because they weren’t done making that kind of music. in the era of “the sophomore outing better be a step up”, i think it’s awesome to do just a little more of the same because you liked doing it.
have you heard the White Stripes “Elephant”? i would think that’d be a good walking cd.
miss ellen
November 12th, 2003 at 8:01 am
ooh, i really like Erykah’s album, although alot of people think it’s a bit unfinished - i’m fine with that, though. just happy she is producing / putting out work.
i just saw me’shell (w/soulive!) & need to go get comfort woman. bitter is still my favorite album, and didn’t quite get into the last one - anthropologicl mixtape - but hear very good things about comfort woman.
thanks for the heads up!
megan
November 12th, 2003 at 10:24 am
yes…i love me’shell’s new album too!
still need to hear erykah’s.
and it’s sad to admit…but i’ve still never heard the strokes or the white stripes albums for that matter. think i’d like them ariel??
more trading??
Ariel
November 12th, 2003 at 10:25 am
I know, Megan. We’re so musically myopic sometimes.
I think you’ll like the strokes. LET’S TRADE!
Levi
November 12th, 2003 at 3:36 pm
Well Ariel if you’re going for things a couple years ago, why not take a taste of Linkin Park? They have a nice blend of influences in their music and the experience of Hybrid Theory is rather intoxicating as you find yourself sitting at a desk tapping your fingers to one of the songs. It’s something different from the usual “we’re here, we’re depressed, and we’re angry at everything” rock.
Philos
November 13th, 2003 at 12:28 am
Well, for two years ago, I can also recommend Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, B.R.M.C.. There’s more I can recommend from the year before (2000) and last year, but I don’t want to fill up your comment box…
Carey
November 17th, 2003 at 9:04 am
Ariel,
If you happen to get a firewire card installed on your PC be sure to have already backed up the music on your iPod. The PC iTunes erases everything from your iPod and only synchs what is on your computer. It’s their way of hindering rampant collection swapping. Just FYI. Glad to see you’re settling into your new home.