The Friday Five: October 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:

“Keep Me” by Brendan Benson (from What Kind of World, 2012)

As much as I dug The Raconteurs’ debut (TITLE) I assumed I’d dig Mr. Benson. Despite my general ambivalence towards Jack White I’m starting to think that perhaps he’s the reason I dug the band. To that end, “Keep Me” sounds a bit like a watered down “Steady As She Goes.”

“#27” by Dave Matthews Band (from Little Red Bird, 2009)

“And if I’m old ’til this oldness has me dying / I hope you’ll be by me then”

Little Red Bird was packaged with the deluxe edition of DMB’s Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King and featured a few “quiet” tunes that didn’t seem to exactly fit the bombast and brass of the main event. “#27” enjoyed a long incubation period on the road during the 2007 tour. Like most of Matthews’ tunes it deals with one of three central themes (God, death, and sex); specifically death, though there’s a strong tinge of regret in this one.

“III. Life: The Biggest Troll (Andrew Auernheimer)” by Childish Gambino (from Because the Internet, 2013)

Easily my top Hip-Hop record of 2014 (I’m well aware it came out in December of 2013) and definitely in my Top 10 overall. Gambino is on a whole other level and is (along with Kendrick Lamar) the only hope hip-hop has at growing and remaining the force it once was. Because the Internet—if you are paying attention—is social commentary on the highest level.

“Every night I text her “I wanna solve the world, I think I need your help.” She text me “How you gon’ trust somebody when you don’t trust yourself?””

Seriously, if you haven’t listened to this record, do so. Pull up the lyrics, read the screenplay, watch the videos. Gambino has some serious shit to say if you listen past the hook.

“Won’t Trade” by Q-Tip (from The Renaissance, 2008)

Damn, it’s been six years since Tip’s last record?

“Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi (from Slippery When Wet, 2010 Remastered Edition)

Don’t judge me.

What’s on your shuffle today?