The Random 20: May 14th edition.

I know I just did this on the 5th, but I'm bored and need a break from studying for finals and this seems like kind of a fun way to help me relax and get ready for sleep. Just throw me a bone here and run with it, okay! So here we go.

1. The Lawrence Arms - "The Disaster March": (off of "Greatest Story Ever Told") I think in the previous "Random 20" blog that I talked about both The Lawrence Arms and "Greatest Story Ever Told," and how both are one of my favorite (insert "bands" or "albums" depending on which is being mentioned) ever. Well "The Disaster March" is possibly my favorite song off the album (with "The Wishful Puppeteer"). "Ugly is ugly. Transformation is a dream. So love what you are not what you would like to be." So true. And I love how the last line is a callback to a line in "Chapter 13."  There is such an honest quality to The Lawrence Arms that very few bands have. Seriously, check out this tune, or the entire album, actually.

2. Against Me! - "Reinventing Axl Rose" (off of "Reinventing Axl Rose") I wish I could mix the "Reinventing Axl Rose" version of this song with the "Acoustic E.P". version. Actually, all I would do is replace the lame "whoooooooooooooooooooooooooaa" of the "Reinventing Axl Rose" version with the "Whoaaa-oh-ohaaaaas" from the acoustic version. It would be the best song on the album. Also, I swear I listen to more than just The Lawrence Arms and Against Me!

3. Saves The Day - "In My Waking Life" (off of "In Reverie") "In Reverie" was a terribly polarizing album. I commend Saves The Day for trying something different, but it really just fell flat on it's face. It's basically their attempt at making... I don't know...something like "Pet Sounds," or "Rubber Soul." The problem was that it was Saves The Day doing so. And I'm not saying that Saves the Day is terrible, not at all. I loved Saves The Day. I still know every word to every album made before "In Reverie." But they're a pop-punk band. There's a reason for that. Anyways, like I said, the album fell flat on it's face. "In My Waking Life," however, was the only song I really enjoyed on the album. Sure it's Beatles-esque, but it still has a bit of Saves The Day-like quality, which is what "In Reverie" lacked. It did have some pretty badass artwork though.

4. Alkaline Trio - Cooking Wine (off of "Alkaline Trio") I miss the days when Matt Skiba sang and wrote about girls and getting drunk. Sure beats the hell out of vampire bats and death and whatever "Agony and Irony" was about. For the record, I really enjoyed "This Addiction."

5. The Misfits - "Braineaters" (off of "Walk Among Us") It took me a long time to jump on The Misfits bandwagon. Most of the kids who were all about The Misfits annoyed me. Glen Danzig annoyed me. Jerry Only annoyed me. Michael Graves annoyed me. But I credit my buddies Sean and Chris for turning me onto The Misfits. "Static Age" and "Walk Among Us" are two very solid, borderline awesome albums. "Braineaters" is a great short punk rock track.

6. Fugazi - "Provisional" (off of "13 Songs") Ian Mackaye is one of the greatest individuals walking the Earth. And if you kids want to hear what real emo sounds like, and not that Paramore/My Chemical Romance/Fall Out Boy "emo" that MTV feeds down your throat, pick up "13 Songs."

7. NOFX - "Bob" (off of "White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean") If you have never heard "Bob" by NOFX, then 1.) you probably don't listen to NOFX or punk rock in general, and 2.) you probably think I have terrible taste in music. I understand completely. I also love "Bob." One of the first NOFX songs, and punk rock songs I ever heard.

8. The Menzingers - "Come Here Often" (off of "Chamerblain Waits") "Chamberlain Waits" is one of my favorite albums of the year so far. I interviewed Greg from The Menzingers. He's a totally rad dude. I really did The Menzingers. "Come Here Often" is a rocker. It will definately knock you on your ass. Be warned.

9. The Movielife - "I Hope You Die Soon" (off of "This Time Next Year") Ah, The Movielife, a total band from my youth. Fourteen year old Matt absolutely adored The Movielife (and anything off of Drive Thru Records, really). Ignacio called me today and told me Vinnie from The Movielife was playing for free at my school. Part of me wanted to go.

10. Buffalo Springfield - "Go and Say Goodbye" (off of "Buffalo Springfield") One of my favorite bands from the 1960's and the entire protest-era. Everybody should listen to Buffalo Springfield.

11. Sundowner - "Endless Miles" (off of "One Four Five Two") On August 10th, Chris promises a new Sundowner album. I'm giddy. Downright giddy. "Endless Miles" is my favorite Sundowner song. Everybody, do yourself a favor and check out this amazing solo project by Chris from The Lawrence Arms.

12. A Wilhelm Scream - "Retiring" (off of "Mute Print") Strung Out wishes they could mix metal and punk. It's quite incredible that I love A Wilhelm Scream considering the fact that I'm not huge on metal. At all. But I love A Wilhelm Scream. "Retiring" is one of my favorite A Wilhelm Scream songs.

13 Cobra Skulls - "There's a Skeleton in my Military Industrial Closet" (off of "American Rubicon") Chris calls Cobra Skulls a "broke-ass Misfits." He's kind of right. But in terms of punk bands today, they're one of the better acts going. "There's a Skeleton..." is an interesting tune. It doesn't really rock, but it's catchy and fast. Think "Kerplunk"-era Green Day, but more political.

14. Midtown - "Until it Kills" (off of "Forget What You Know") It saddens me to listen to Midtown now and realize that the assclown from Cobra Starship used to be in Midtown. And for the record, I actually like "Forget What You Know." I know it got a bad wrap, and I understand why. It's much more radio-friendly and much less pop-punky. I dunno. I dig it. Until it Kills" is actually a lovely track. Check it out sometime. It might make you as sad to realize the Cobra Starship loon used to actually used to care about making decent music.

15. Frank Turner - "Sunshine State" (off of "The First Three Years") Yeah, I dig "The First Three Years" but it's safe to say that Turner has gotten better with each and every release. "Sunshine State" is okay. Plenty of better tracks in his library.

16. Rancid - "Disorder and Dissaray" (off of "...And Out Comes The Wolves") Todays shuffle is playing a lot of bands I don't really listen to anymore. Rancid is one of them. They don't suck or anything. Just kind of over them. I do like "...And Out Come the Wolves," though.

17. Mike Ness - "Dope Fiend Blues" (off of "Cheating at Solitare") If you're a fan of real country music, check out Mr. Social Distortion's solo work. It's downright depressing...and surprisingly decent.

18. Strung Out - "Satellite" (off of "An American Paradox") Of course, I shit talk Strung Out earlier and they show up on the list. I read somewhere a while back that "Satellite" was written about Greg Graffin of Bad Religion. My friend Kyle, in high school, used to play it for his ladylove Tia. In fact, he had it twice on one mix cd for her. To be fair, I'm pretty sure I put it on a mix cd for my high school girlfriend Stephanie. It's weird to find out this song isn't about a girl. Although it makes complete sense.

19. Cap'n Jazz - "The Sands've Turned People" (off of "Analphabetapolothology") What the hell kind of album title is that. Anyways. So stoked that Cap'n Jazz is playing in LA later on this year. I will totally be there.

20. Belle and Sebastian - "The State I Am In" (off of "Tigermilk") I secretly dig Bellee and Sebastian. So sue me.

That's all for now.