The Random 20: May 20th edition

So maybe I'll turn this "Random 20" thing into a weekly segment? I don't know. I can say that now, but between work, my most recent purchase (a X-Box), and the stack of books that are calling my name that I can now read because 1.) I'm out of school for three months and 2.) My lovely depression state seems to be somewhat far behind me, allowing me to focus on such things as reading, I'll probably neglect my blog for weeks. But for now, let's run with it.

Also, before we start I'd like to thank Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis and the rest of the Orlando Magic for  absolutely rolling over for two games AT HOME against the Boston Celtics, and more than likely subjecting me to yet another Celtics/Lakers series I have no vesting interest in, and can't figure out which team I'd rather root for. Thank you so very much. Dwight Howard, you will NEVER make the leap. Rashard Lewis, you're a $100 million waste of space. Vince Carter, you disappear faster then Clark Kent in pressure situations, only this time "Superman" ain't there to bail you out (that's another shot at Howard, whose nickname is "Superman," in case you didn't know that), and Stan Van Gundy. You fat, excuse for a coach. Ron Jeremey called, he want's his apperance back.

The Random 20: May 20th edition.

1. Tegan and Sara - "Don't Rush" (off of "Sainthood") In my "Best of 2009" blog (on my essentially defunct previous blog), I put "Sainthood" under the "honorable mention" category, and not in my Top 10. If I were re-doing this list today, "Sainthood" would fall in between Big D and the Kids Table and Chris Wollard and the Ship Thieves in the cleanup spot. It's that good. I was a fan of "So Jealous," and really liked "The Con," but "Sainthood" is the best Tegan and Sara album yet. "Don't Rush" has a cool electronica vibe, but isn't over-indulgant and doesn't forget it's a punk-tinged indie track. I love how upbeat the song is. Tegan and Sara is playing with Paramore this Summer/Fall. I'm seriously contemplating on going to The Honda Center to see that concert. Paramore, although I didn't really like "Brand New Eyes" puts on a great show, and I've never seen Tegan and Sara. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.

2. Bedouin Soundclash - "Hearts in the Night" (off of "Street Gospels") "Street Gospels" is another great album. "Hearts in the Night" is a simple song. Just a couple guitars, for the most part. I love the "that's the sound of the heart in the night" part. Bedouin should be so much bigger. I don't know why they're not.

3. The Raconteurs - "Old Enough" (off of "Consolers of the Lonely") While I'm not a huge fan of The White Stripes, I do really like The Raconteurs. In a previous Random 20 I gushed about Jack White and his guitar playing, so I'll spare you guys another love fest. What I will say is that over the weekend my Mom and I watched "It Might Get Loud" a documentary on the electric guitar as told by Jimmy Page of Led Zepplin fame, The Edge from U2, and White. My Mom is a huge Led Zepplin nut, and she was stoked to watch the documentary. I enjoyed it a lot. You guys should check it out.

4. The Clash -" Hitsville U.K." (off of "Sandinista") Ahhhh "Sandinista." Such a crazy, diverse, amazing album. "Hitsville U.K. has a total 80's pop vibe to it. Like, it would have fit perfectly in a John Hughes film. Apparently the chick who sings with Mick Jones on the song is named Ellen Foley and at the time was dating Jones. Both Jones and Joe Strummer appeared on and co-wrote songs on one of her albums. Some weirder notes on Ellen Foley:

• Foley is best known in music for her collaborations with singer Meat Loaf. She's even featured on his smash hit "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," which includes a line borrowed by the Gaslight Anthem,"glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife"which was used in the song "The Senor and the Queen." Also, if someone could teach me to make that ~ thing over the "n" it would be much appreciated.
• Foley was also an actress, best known for her role on "Night Court." She also appeared in "Fatal Attraction," and "Cocktail."
• The song "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash was written about Jones relationship with Foley.

I feel you guys needed to know all this. Anyways, the bottom line is "Hitsville U.K." is a legit song, and "Sandinista" is amazing. And if you're a punk rocker, the say the hell away from women that worked with Meat Loaf.

5. Mott The Hoople - "All The Young Dudes" (off of "All The Young Dudes") A song written by David Bowie for Mott The Hoople. Weird. And yes, this is the song that Ellen Page and Jason Bateman dance to in that creepy scene in "Juno." No, it has nothing to do with babies, creepy older men that dig pregnant high schoolers, or hamburger telephones. And yes, I would totally dance with Ellen Page, even if her eggo was preggo. And finally, yes, I am done making Juno references for the rest of the year.

6. The Bouncing Souls - "Like the Sun" (off of "Ghosts On The Boardwalk") To be honest, "Like the Sun" is one of the weaker tracks in the Souls catalog. The middle of the song is pretty cool though. It's just boring, overall. I did like "Ghosts On The Boardwalk," despite it being a more tame Bouncing Souls, but I just can't get into this song. Check out "Big Eyes" or "Gasoline." Both are better tracks.

7. The Ataris - "Fast Times at Dropout High" (off of "End is Forever") My all-time favorite Ataris song, only for that awesome piano part at the end and the "Good Will Hunting" quote. When I was fifteen, The Ataris were my favorite band. I remember I started growing out my hair because Ataris frontman Kris Roe (along with Tom Delonge, but we don't talk about that) grew out his. He was left-handed like I was, and wrote songs that I related to in high school. I recently saw them (well, kind of recent. Last year's Warped Tour) and they were amazing. I still bust out this song every now and then.

8. Dillinger Four - "D4 = Putting the 'F' back in 'Art'" (off of "Situationist Comedy" ) I'll be honest. I never really got into D4. I only have this album because Chris gave it to me. It's not bad. I'm just not into it. Lets move on.

9. The Alkaline Trio - "My Friend Peter" (off of "Alkaline Trio") Quite possibly my favorite Trio track, along with "Radio," and "Warbrain." "I need a beer to wash it all away without a trace, and then I'll drink 23 more to wipe this stupid smile off my fucking face." Kills me every time.

10. The Hold Steady - "Hot Soft Light" (off of "Boys And Girls in America") If you're not familiar with The Hold Steady, do yourself a favor. Head down to your local record store (please try and avoid Best Buy and Wal-Mart) and pick up "Boys And Girls in America." I promise you that you won't be disappointed. "Hot Soft Life" is self-deprecation at it's finest.

11. A.F.I - "Triple Zero" (off of "Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes") Oh my god, I forgot how good A.F.I used to be. "Triple Zero" just came on and I got that "knocked on your ass" feeling. I miss the days when A.F.I was a hardcore punk band trying to blend Minor Threat and the Misfits. Then Davey Havok turned into a women, Jade joined the band with his stupid hair cut and started sodomizing both the band and Havok and A.F.I turned into a glam rock band. At least Hunter Burdgen is still a bad ass.

12. Fake Problems - "There Are Times" (off of "It's Great To Be Alive") I didn't jump head over heels for Fake Problems like the rest of the .orgcore did, but I do really like "There Are Times." It's actually my favorite track off of "It's Great To Be Alive." The horns are pretty interesting, to say the least.

13. Saves The Day - "Deciding" (off of "Can't Slow Down") The good ole' days, when Saves The Day was just another Lifetime ripoff band. The entire "Can't Slow Down" album is really good, even it is a complete and total attempt at copying "Jersey's Best Dancers." I think I'd be happier if more bands tried to emulate that album instead of some lame Fall Out Boy album.

14. Joe Strummer and the Mescalros - "Johnny Appleseed" (off of "Global Agogo" ) Hey, it's that song from "John From Cincinnati." In order for you to get that joke, you'd have to realize that "John From Cincinnati" was a show on Showtime that used "Johnny Appleseed" as it's theme song. Didn't know that? It's okay, you're not alone. Nobody watched that show. But anyways, "Johnny Appleseed" is one of Strummer's finest songs, Clash included. Sometimes I cringe that we live in a world where Brett Michaels is spared, yet Strummer was not. I'm also going to hell.

15. The Get Up Kids - "My Apology" (off of "Something To Write Home About" ) When I was sixteen, this was my favorite track off of my favorite album. Now, I'm more partial to "Valentine." In a semi-related story, I was vinyl shopping a couple weeks ago and came across "Something To Write Home About" and had every intention of purchasing the album, but left my ATM card at home. Bummer. I found "Simple Science" today, but they wanted $20 for it. $20 for a four song album? Getthafuckouttaere. It's only mediocre at best anyways.

16. Atmosphere - "Your Glass House" (off of "If Life Give You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold") Pssst... Matthew. Your hip-hop is showing. Nah, Atmosphere is ridiculously talented. If you're a fan of hip-hop, check him out.

17. Jay-Z - "Change Clothes" (off of "The Black Album") Psst...Matthew. Your hip-hop is STILL showing. "The Black Album" is incredible. Jay is one of the few modern rappers I enjoy. "Change Clothes" has a pretty sexy beat to it. Not gonna lie. But that might be because Pharell from The Neptunes is behind the beat. Everything that dude does sounds so good.

18. Senses Fail - "Dreaming A Reality" (off of "From The Depths of Dreams" ) This song and this album remind me of that amazing summer break between junior and senior year of high school, and of this girl Deni, who turned me onto Senses Fail. Let me reminisce in nostalgic bliss for just a bit. (Reminiscing)....(Still Reminiscing)...(Done). Okay. And you're also kidding yourselves if you think "From The Depths of Dreams" didn't bring it. It totally did.

19. The Weakerthans - "Plea From a Cat Named Virtute" (off of "Reconstruction Site" ) I bought The Weakerthans' live album on vinyl today. It's on 2 LP's (four sides) and comes with a DVD of the show. This track is on that album. They sound just like they do on album. That's pretty rad. I love The Weakerthans.

20. MGMT - "Boogie Down" (off of "Time To Pretend EP") I have worse on my iTunes then MGMT, like Katy Perry. Yeah. Let's try and move past Katy Perry. Can I defend myself by saying she's hot. She totally is! That Russell Brand is one lucky cat. Wait... I don't have to defend myself. Sometimes I like crappy pop music. MGMT, while not crappy, can fall into that category. They're better than Katy Perry, leagues better. But Katy Perry is hot. I don't know what the MGMT boys look like. I'm gonna guess not as hot as Katy Perry. Most people aren't.

That's all for now. Peace.