The Friday Five

Friday Five : |ˈfrÄ«dā – fÄ«v| : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button in iTunes and share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up the media player of your choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.

The Five:

Born in 2012: It has been a long while since I ran a Friday Five with a playlist, and as my thoughts are pretty much consumed with impending birth of my son, I thought I’d let the shuffle take a swing at the records released in 2012. Ready … Set … Shuffle!

This Depression” by Bruce Springsteen (from Wrecking Ball, 2012)

I suppose the good thing is the fact that we can only go up from here, right? I’m not nearly as big of a Springsteen fan as the majority of my Popdose colleagues, so I’m certainly not the one to comment on the quality of the record, but overall it left me underwhelmed. Oh, and while it might not gain me any fans, I’m just going to say it: Tom Morello brings absolutely nothing to this song.

Ash Wednesday Sunrise” by Galactic (from Carnivale Electricos, 2012)

Now, that’s more like it! This track just breathes with the stank of a slow building funk groove. Even when the band dials it back, bringing it down to just the Baritone Sax, you can’t help but be taken up and sway to the groove. You should all listen to this record.

I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz (from Love Is a Four Letter Word, 2012)

Love is a four letter word. Do you know what else is a four letter word? Lazy. The mercurial singer/songwriter, known best for his penchant for twisting up words and metaphors, seems to have finally lost his mojo. Will this record sell by the boat load to the AAC crowd? Certainly, but it is all a bit toothless for this fan.

Talking to Myself” by Chiddy Bang (from Breakfast, 2012)

I’m angry at ya’ll. How come no one told me about Chiddy Bang before this year? Damn.

Sophisticuffs (rehearsal outtake)” by Uncle Skeleton (from Sophisticuffs, 2012)

Bringing back the funk, this is a little bit of groove comes courtesy of Yewknee. Go grab this free EP for the cover and stay for the funky tunes.

What’s on your shuffle today?

About the Author

Michael Parr

Husband, Father, Writer, Musical Voyeur, Pop Culture Glutton, Gourmet in Training. I'm the tall guy behind all these short guys. You can find me on the Twitter.

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