"B.O.B" / Outkast / Stankonia

Well, first of all thatnk to Merk for filling in for me. I'm back and well-rested. Hooray for Holiday break!

And what a song to retun with. Setting aside the actual music till later, I will say that this might be the best single of the '00s so far. It's also the single in which we here in Georgia lost Outkast to the whole wide world. Sure, there was "Rosa Parks", and before that "Elevators" and even before that "Player's Ball", and later Dre would conquor the whole damn world with "Hey Ya!", but up until "B.O.B" they had really been a genre based, regional hit.

"B.O.B" changed all that. I remember earing this for the first time and thinking, "Shit! Outkast is for real now". In the same way that you can tell Beatles songs as Paul's or John's, at this point you could start seeing Outkast songs as Dre's or Big Boi's. Of course, they later removed all doubt by releasing a double album that way, but you could see it coming. This was definitely a Dre song and was indicative of his exploration of other musical areas. First of all, that's a fuckin' Drum & Bass beat, which was brillant and unheard of in a rap song. Also, there's a guitar solo. In a rap song. That wasn't RUN DMC. This song got huge precisely because of that diversity - white folks who didn't like rap could dig it too. I think this even got played on 99x once or twice. I even remember it being played at Bumpers, for Chrissakes.

My favorite parts of this song: the countdown at the beginning accompanied by the musicbox chimes, followed by the "Yeah!" and hearing that beat come in. (It still gets me every time!), the chants in the chorus ("Bombs over Baaaghdaaad"), the drum fill at 2:33 that brings on the aforementioned guitar solo, then the second act of the song ("Bob your head - Ragtop") at 3:25, followed shortly by the AWESOME finish at the 5:00 mark, the "Power / Music / Electric Revival" chant that brings it home.

Outkast seems to be laying low right now, but let's hope they can find a way to make it work again. They could end up being one of the most important artists period when thier carrer is finished.

Guest Post from the Merkin Man

Thanks to my buddy for helping out a bit around here!

The Merkin Man thought it would be sweet of him to make a little guest post for his buddy B. Mo. Since the Merkin Man is always hating on his musical choices, he thought it was only fair
to offer something up for the B. Mo. and the other two readers to reciprocate their my playa hatin'. Enjoy, fuckers.

Merkin Man Podcast #6

You can also get past episodes here.

"Hello, yeah, it's been a while. Not much - How 'bout you?"

Sorry for the long delay. I know both of you reading wait for each post with bated breath. Here's a little England Dan and John Ford Coley to tide you over.

"Digging the Grave" / Faith No More / King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime

Now we're talking. Faith No More is probably one of my top five bands / artists and have been for years now. I believe they are one of the most innovative, influential, underrated bands ever. This CD is one of my favorites of thiers, but I recommend everyone pick up "Angel Dust" at some point in thier lives. Utterly brillant. If you only remember these dudes for 1990's rap / rock opus "Epic", you're missing out.

This CD came out in 1995, and 1995 was a helluva memorable year for me. At the time, I was wildly unhappy, but anytime I think back to that year I only remember good times, which I guess is a little ironic. I listened to this CD several times a week, so it's one of those instances in which music can instantly conjure up the mood and mindset you were in as soon as you hear one of the songs.

It helps that Mike Patton is a complete lunatic. If you've ever seen any concert footage of FNM, you know what I'm talking about. One of the best shows I've ever seen was FNM and Helmet at Legion Field in Athens in 1993 (?). He's also the creative force behind side projects like Fantomas, Mr. Bungle, and Tomahawk (a new project). His manic energy and creativity go hand in hand, and he has a pretty cool voice too. Plus, he's dead ringer for Robert Downy Jr.

This song is one of the most straightforward, traditional rock songs they've done (which is probably why it's one of the only songs they released as a single off this album). There's much better stuff on this CD, but this song has its moments too. Like, specifically, my favorite part. At two minutes in, after a few bars of an instrumental break, Patton lets loose with a few patented screams and yelps. It's almost as if he thought this was a little to conventional for him and had to Pattonize it a little bit.

Got a video for ya right here, too.

"Overkill" / Colin Hay

No album for this one. You remember Men at Work? Early 80's Australian pop band? "Who can it be knockin' at my door", vegemite sammiches and whatnot?

Colin Hay was their lead singer and, I'm guessing, their chief songwriter. This is an acoustic version of one of Men at Work's songs, and I think it's pretty cool, myself.

As with any song, when you perform it solo / acoustically, it tends to somehow carry more gravitas, no matter what the song (see Poison's Unplugged version of "I Want Action" if you don't believe me). Same thing here. What was an innocuous little pop tune sounds somber and thoughtful. And I love the part at about 2:15 when he goes back to the opening verse, but sings it in a higher register. Almost gives you a little chill, and that's something I never, ever thought I'd say about anything associated with Men At Work.

It's worth your while to grab this one for your library, if you ax me.
http://www.mediafire.com/?fkx3pytblej

"Dolphin" / Prince / The Gold Experience

This one's funny. I'm a huge Prince fan (actually, this album was in the "Artist Formally Known As.." stage in 1995), but let's be honest in that his best days are behind him (as a writer, not a performer).

This one's unintentionally hilarious. I like The Gold Album, actually, it's got some great songs on it :"Pussy Control", "Endorphinemachine", "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", "Gold", and "Shhh" (which blew me away in concert when he played it - talk about a freakin' deep cut) but this one's pretty bad. It's got the same theme as the classic "If I Was Your Girlfriend", but on crack.

I'm including the lyrics here just for a laugh. God bless Prince with the 2s, Us and whatnot.

How beautiful do the words have 2 be
Before they conquer every heart?
How will U know if I'm even in the right key
If U make me stop before I start?
CHORUS:
If I came back as a dolphin
Would U listen 2 me then?
Would U let me be your friend?
Would U let me in?
U can cut off all my fins
But 2 your ways I will not bend
I'll die before I let U tell me how 2 swim
And I'll come back again as a dolphin

Why does my brother have 2 go hungry
When U told him there was food 4 all?
This is the man that stands next 2 the man
That stands 2 catch U when U fall (Oh!)

If I'm under water, will U find me? (Find me {x4})
Will U shine a light and try 2 guide me?
It's happened before, I've knocked on your door
But U wouldn't let me in

How beautiful do the words have 2 be
Before they conquer every heart? (Oh!)

If I came back as a dolphin
Would U listen 2 me then?
Would U let me be your friend?
Would U let me in?
U can cut off all my fins
But 2 your ways I will not bend
I'll die before I let U tell me how 2 swim
Come back in the end as a dolphin (Oh)
(I'll come back, baby)
(Let me in, let me in) As a dolphin
(Be my friend) Dolphin
(Yeah, yeah)

Dolphin
As a dolphin
As a dolphin
As a dolphin


Seriously, man, that's gold, I tell you. Gold.

It's like the worst 9th grade poetry I see set to music.

And, speaking of music, it's not actually too bad. I like the little break right after the chorus with the neat little bass riff (check 1:03 to 1:15 for the first instance), but I just can't get past the lyrics. Help yoursleves, though:

http://www.mediafire.com/?9sjjorfg2uj

"The Clairvoyant" / Iron Fuckin' Maiden / Best of the Beast

Now that's what I'm talking about. If you don't love Maiden, I don't really know what else to say. Could they be the ultimate metal band? They fulfill every metal cliche to the point that it goes beyond hilarity to utter,sublime greatness.

I do regret not ever getting the chance to see them, though. I was going to go see them (with Anthrax opening!) at some point in high school, but they had to cancel and never returned. All I have to rely on are old videos, which are as good as anything. It was also fun to freak my parents out by putting up a great Maiden poster in my room in 9th grade (I know, "Oooohhhh, dangerous" - gimmie a break; I grew up a typical suburban white boy. That's about as shocking as I got.)

This song comes from "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son", the masterpiece conceptual album about...um...babies, prophicies, wizards...and, er, other random shit. Doesn't matter, it's still great.

I love the beginning with the classic Steve Harris galloping bass, followed by the anthemic guitar riff. Actually, the verse is a little dull, but then they get to the second half of the song. When the band , out of nowhere, churns out the "There's a time to live / and a time to die" chorus at about two minutes in, it's just complete, classic Maiden. I picture thousand of greasy, long haired, denim jacketed burnouts pumping their fists and bobbing their heads in unison. Love it.

Then later at 4:08 or so, that riff from the beginning comes back (and check out the drop in key on the third time though of the chorus at 3:50 . What's up with that?), and Bruce Dickinson finishes off with the "I feel reborn again" lyric, which just brings everything back around very nicely, full circle.

Enjoy...
http://www.mediafire.com/?2nzxdmp4zwu

Here's a great video of a performance of it a Donington - Look for Big! Walking! Eddie