The Random 20: 5/28 edition.

I'm gonna take a break from my Top 300 Favorite Songs series, and go back to my "The Random 20" series. Why? Because I have an hour before I go to work, am bored, and don't feel like putting in the effort it takes to make a Top 300 post, that's why. Okay.

1. Propagandhi - "Supporting Caste" (off of the album "Supporting Caste")
I wish I had gotten into Propagandhi way before I did. I really dig their earlier work, especially with Jon K. Samson. "Supporting Caste" is good, but for the most part it's too metal for me. I still love Propagandhi tough.

2. Conor Oberst - "NYC-Gone,Gone" (off of the album "Conor Oberst")
I'm not a huge Bright Eyes fan. In fact, it's safe to say that I'm not a Bright Eyes fan at all. With that said, I really like Conor's solo work. Why his solo work and not Bright Eyes? Well, for one, his voice is less...um... whiney. Also, I like the freedom he has as a solo artist. "NYC-Gone, Gone" is a perfect example of what I'm talking about.

3. Frank Turner - "Heartless Bastard Motherfucker" (off of the album "The First Three Years")
I saw Frank Turner perform for free at The Barn at UCR. He played this song. It was funny to see/hear the entire crowd not know any words to this song save for the "I'm a heartless bastard motherfucker" parts. Turner is amazing.

4. The Who - "Naked Eye" (off of the album "Who's Next")
As far as I'm concerned, "Who's Next" is one of the ten greatest albums ever released.

5. Glenn Miller - "Begin the Beguine" (off of the album "The Greatest Glenn Miller")
Yeah, I like big band music. I like 1920's culture. Glenn Miller was somewhat tame and conservative, but I don't care. I just like listening to a full band, and Miller was talented.

6. None More Black - "With the Transit Coat On" (off of the album "This is Satire")
I'm tired of talking about None More Black. Just pick up "This is Satire." It's worth the ten dollars or whatever it costs. While you're at it, pick up Kid Dynamite, LaGrecia, and anything else Jason is involved in.

7. She & Him - "I Was Made For You" (off of the album "Volume One")
Zooey Deschanel has the most beautiful voice. I feel like I'm beating a dead horse. Lets move on.

8. Social Distortion - "No Pain, No Gain" (live) (off of the album "Live at the Roxy")
For what it's worth, Social Distortion is one of the better rock and roll bands of the last twenty five years. 15 year old Matt loved Social D. 23 year old Matt doesn't listen much to Social Distortion anymore. But I still think Mike Ness is one of the coolest dudes ever. And "Live at the Roxy" is one of the better live albums that I have ever heard.

9. Vampire Weekend  - "I Think Ur a Contra" (off of the album "Contra")
Stupid spelling aside, "Contra" is one of the best albums of 2010. And Vampire Weekend is a great live band. I feel like I could say more, but most people already know all this.

10. Rise Against - "Hero of War" (off of the album "Appeal to Reason")
It's not that I don't like Rise Against, or "Appeal to Reason" because actually I think it has a few decent songs on it. But they're such a formulaic band. "Hero of War" is the typical acoustic song Rise Against has thrown on each album since the success of "Swing Life Away." "Hero of War" is actually a really good song, but it's the formulaic nature of Rise Against that bugs me.

11. The Promise Ring - "Red and Blue Jeans" (off of the album "Nothing Feels Good")
Ah, 18 year old Matt is stoked. If you're a fan of "emo," then do yourself a favor and check out The Promise Ring. "Red and Blue Jeans" is one of my favorite songs and is included on my Top 300 Favorite Songs series. Stay tuned.

12. The Format - "Tie the Rope" (off of the album "Interventions and Lullabies")
For the shitty genre The Format got lumped in, they were actually pretty good at what they did. "Interventions and Lullabies" is a solid album. It's too bad they broke up.

13. Copeland - "She Changes Your Mind" (off of the album "Beneath Medicine Tree")
"Beneath Medicine Tree" probably got more play then 90% of the albums I owned during my senior year of high school. I had a chance to see Copeland on their farewell tour, covering the show for my school paper. They were really good. Unfortunately I was sick and left early.

14. The Briggs - "Oblivion" (off of the album "Come All You Madmen")
The Briggs are great. But they piss me off because their "This is LA" song is the theme song for the Los Angeles Kings. I'm a Ducks fan, baby. No way am I supporting that.

15. The Band - "Don't Do It" (live) (off of the album "The Night They Drove Old Dixie")
How can you go wrong with Bob Dylan's one-time backing band?

16. Against Me! - "You Look Like I Need A Drink" (off of the album "As The Eternal Cowboy")
Remember when Against Me! was amazing. It seems like so long ago now. Sigh. "As The Eternal Cowboy" is one of my favorite albums ever, and the first Against Me! album I ever purchased. It kicked my ass, son. Let me tell you. I fell in love with them instantly.

17. Hot Hot Heat - "Get In or Get Out" (off of the album "Make Up The Breakdown")
Hot Hot Heat is fun in small doses, or when you're drunk. That's all I really have to say.

18. Justin Timberlake - "(Another Song) All Over Again" (off of the album "FutureSex/LoveSounds")
You're kidding yourself if you don't think that 1.) Justin Timberlake is uber talented and charismatic, and 2.) That "FutureSex/LoveSounds" isn't one of the best pop albums of the last decade. Check it out again. Trust me.

19. Midtown - "Become What You Hate" (off of the album "Living Well is the Best Revenge")
Drive-Thru Record bands ruled my life back in high school. "Become What You Hate" was one of my favorite songs back then. Too bad Gabe wanted to turn into a transsexual pop star, or whatever Cobra Starship is.

20. Anti-Flag - "Fuck The Flag" (off of the album "The Terror State")
Ah, another 18 year old Matt favorite. I used to drive around blasting this song just to piss off conservative assholes. I miss those days. Not really, but just moments like that. I would never be able to do that again.

I gotta get to work. Peace.