The Random 20: May 5th edition

Here's a new segment brought to the blog. Every couple weeks or so I'll turn on the iTunes, set it to random and post the first 20 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing or lame the songs may be. It should be interesting, considering that I have more than 5,300 songs on my iTunes. So yeah, got it? Okay. So, without further ado...

The Random 20, May 5th edition:

1. Lifetime - "Knives, Bats, New Tats" (from "Hello Bastards"): Is there a better 90's punk band then Lifetime? Maybe Jawbreaker, but I'd still maybe put my money on the boys from New Brunswick. Without Lifetime, there would be no scene I grew up in, or no music I listen to. I don't listen to much punk from that era anymore, but I still listen to Lifetime.

2. The Clash - "Guns on the Roof" (from "Give 'Em Enough Rope"): "Give 'Em Enough Rope" is one of the most underrated albums of all-time. "Guns on the Roof" has a "Clash City Rockers" sound to it. I love this album so much. One of my favorites to put on the record player and rock out to.

3. The White Stripes - "I Can Learn" (from "White Blood Cells"): Jack Black is pretty amazing. There aren't very many "guitar heroes" anymore, but White certainly is one.

4. Seabar - "Leafmask" (from "We Built a Fire") My buddy Andy turned me on to these guys. They're so relaxing. Kind of like American Football, but more diverse. If you like indie rock, check them out.

5. Paramore - "For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic" (from "Riot!") For a cheesy "pop-punk/emo/whatever" band, Paramore's pretty good. I really liked "Riot!" This track is a standout. Hayley is really talented. Anything else? Nah, basically covered it.

6. The Gaslight Anthem - "Ida Called You Woody, Joe" (from: "Sink or Swim") A song about Joe Strummer from my favorite band not named The Clash? I'll take it!

7. The Briggs - "Molly" (from "Come All You Madmen") The slowest, calmest song that The Briggs have ever recorded, but it's a great song never the less. "Come All You Madmen" is a solid album.

8. The Early November - "Is it My Fault?" (from "The Mother, The Mechanic, The Path") Once upon a time I loved The Early November. The triple disc album was weak, to be honest. I interviewed the singer from this band a couple weeks ago. He was kind of a douche. Disappointing.

9. The Smiths - "How Soon is Now" (from "Meat is Murder") Ahhhh Morrissey. His voice is just so dreamy. He speaks the truth too. "I am human and I need to be loved just like everyone else does."

10. Vampire Weekend - "Horchata" (from "Contra") "Contra" is one of my favorite albums of 2010. They played this song when I saw them last month. It sounded incredible. Vampire Weekend is a good band. But you already knew that, right?

11. Jawbreaker - "Fireman" (from "Dear You") "Dear You" is probably the worst Jawbreaker album. But "Fireman" is a good song. One of the few on the album I really liked.

12: Propagandhi - "Gifts" (from "Less Talk, More Rock") My favorite Propagandhi track, and one of the few sung by John K. Samson who went on to form The Weakerthans. When I'm feeling down, I listen to this song. It's a song I say "tells the story of my life."

13. The All-American Rejects - "Time Stands Still" (from "The All-American Rejects") Before they gave you hell (or whatever), the All-American Rejects were a two piece band with a drum machine. They were pretty good then too. Now they suck. But hey, ain't that the way it goes.

14. The (International) Noise Conspiracy - "The First Conspiracy" (from "The First Conspiracy") Refused go garage/surf rock. Sigh. I miss Refused. The (International) Noise Conspiracy was good, but not quite Refused good. Very little is Refused good.

15. Against Me! - "Tonight We're Gonna Give it 35 Percent" (from: "The Disco Before the Breakdown EP") "It's got me on my knees in a bathroom praying to a God I don't even believe in. 'Well dear Jesus, are you even listening?' If this is the one chance that really matters, well don't let me fuck this up." Best. Line. Ever.

16. Hot Water Music - "All Heads Down" (from "The New What's Next") One of the few songs I liked from "The New What's Next." I love Hot Water Music, but I just can't get into this album.

17. NOFX - "Best God in Show" (from "Coaster") I get that Fat Mike hates Christian's, but this song is pretty overboard. It sounds pretty cool, and has a chill regaee beat, but the lyrics are terrible.

18. Ted Leo + The Pharmacists - "Little Dawn" (from "Shake the Sheets") Ted Leo is the man. That's all you can really say.

19. Bouncing Souls - "Manthem" (from "How I Spent My Summer Vacation") I really love this song, but I can't help but think that this is a bro-anthem of sorts. Popped collars for everyone!

20. Cobra Skulls - "Muniphobia" (from "American Rubicon") "American Rubicon" has really grown on me, as have Cobra Skulls. They're one of the few decent punk bands around today.

So that's it. My iTunes was really feelin punk rock on this edition of The Random 20, but The Smiths and The White Stripes found their way into the mix. Until next time...