The Friday Five: January 17, 2014

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:

“On the Chin” by Kings of Leon (from Mechanical Bull, 2013)

Unfortunately, I believe that the law of diminishing returns is starting to kick in where the Followill clan is concerned. Their latest record, Mechanical Bull, treads on the same worn road that their previous record did better, which the one before that … well, you get the point. While I happen to dig their particular brand of 21st-century-Bon-Jovi rock, I worry that they have gotten far too comfortable in their shoes.

“Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) (12″ mix)” by Chic (from Nile Rodgers Presents: The Chic Organization Box Set, Volume 1 / Savoir Faire (disc 1), 2010)

I’m almost certain that this track has shuffled up before (this is where I kick myself for not maintaining a spreadsheet of my Friday Five throughout the years.) The current renaissance that Nile Rodgers is experiencing fills my disco-loving heart with all sorts of glee.

“Lovers’ Eyes” by Mumford & Sons (from Babel, 2012)

Holy shit, speaking of diminishing returns! Mumford & Sons—possibly through no fault of their own—became an absolute parody of themselves within the course of 12 months. I don’t know, Bable just doesn’t hit my ears with the same urgency—nay, hunger—as Sigh No More . I honestly couldn’t wait for this song to be over.

“I Love You” by Mary J. Blige (from My Life, 1994)

This record is nearly 20 years old. Let that sink in for a moment. I know, I know … Purple Rain, Born in the U.S.A., Reckless, High ‘n’ Dry, and The Unforgettable Fire are all turning 30 this year, but some of those records don’t sound quite as dated as this does.

“In My Dreams” by Alan Wilkis (from Babies Dream Big, 2008)

Anyone who has paid attention to the Five over the years knows Mr. Wilkis (who even, at one point, filled in with a “guest” Friday Five.) These days he is part of the duo, Big Data, who released a really cool music video last year, for their tune Dangerous.

What’s on your shuffle today?