Tag Archives: my ipod

My iPod #470: The Strokes – Gratisfaction

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“Gratisfaction” is an album track from The Strokes’ 2011 album Angles, one immediately seen as their comeback album after a five year hiatus. Some loved it; some weren’t so keen on it. I was (and still am) inclined towards the latter. Didn’t flow with me so well. But it was the first album in which Julian Casablancas allowed the other members in the band to have more freedom when it came to the songwriting. “Gratisfaction” was co-written by him, guitarist Nick Valensi, and drummer Fab Moretti and the result is a swinging three minute head-bopper that has a bit of a Thin Lizzy classic rock vibe to it.

My favourite on the album, to be sure. Julian kind of has a skipping/mumbling vocal delivery going that jumps along to Fab’s beat and Albert and Nick’s signature catchy guitar lines in the verses before breaking into loud chords amongst Julian’s sustained notes to signify a dramatic change in mood for the chorus. It switches back and forth between that dynamic before coming to a close, during which someone can be heard walking out of the studio and closing a door.

Very enjoyable. Think it had the potential to be a single. But what can you do.

My iPod #469: Fall Out Boy – Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy

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I haven’t listened to this song in a long time. Doesn’t feel the same as it did when I was younger. Maybe because I’ve heard it too many times. The bite it used to have isn’t as sharp anymore. I can still write about it though, even if my heart won’t be into it so much.

So “Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy” was Fall Out Boy’s second ever single, released in 2003 on the group’s first album Take This to Your Grave. It may as well just be called “Where Is Your Boy” because that’s the main line of the chorus. Not sure what the “Grand Theft Autumn” part means. Possibly the song was recorded during the season, or it’s inspired by the rapid guitar introduction. Whatever it is….. it just sounds good for some reason, even if it doesn’t relate to anything in the song.

A lot of people will know the track. For those of you who don’t, it’s about wanting to be in a relationship where you feel you would treat the girl better than the guy she’s already with. It is also possibly the poppiest-punk track the band have done to this day. Not that that’s bad. Its relatable subject matter in the lyrics matched with its upbeat tempo and nice melodies make it very accessible. Probably why it’s one of the band’s most popular songs. Just sounds a bit dated to me, I’m just saying.

My iPod #468: Maxïmo Park – Graffiti

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Even though the video for “Going Missing” showed that Paul Smith is quite the passionate lead singer, it wasn’t until I saw the video for “Graffiti” where he truly exhibits his performance behind the microphone. The guy pulls off some impressive leaps into the air, does the splits, and executes some jerky arm movements all whilst looking quite mad and frustrated at the camera as he and the other band members thrown around the room.

From the band’s debut album A Certain Trigger, “Grafitti” gets off to a roaring start courtesy of Duncan Lloyd on the guitar and Tom English on the drums before emphatic keyboards and bass enter the frame. The hectic playing by the group is maintained throughout the three minutes this song lasts for and Paul Smith on the vocals, singing about being fed up of everyday life and wishing to find something that can excite him, makes it all the more thrilling to listen to. Never thought about its meaning that much, I’ve liked it too much to really think about it. Another good Maxïmo Park single, wouldn’t expect anything less.

My iPod #467: Supergrass – Grace

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“Grace” was the second single released from Supergrass’ fourth album “Life on Other Planets”. “Never Done Nothing Like That Before” was the first though was only available on 7″ vinyl, whereas “Grace” was the first to be utilised on all major formats two weeks before the album’s official release.

The track came about due to some drunken playing on a piano by drummer Danny Goffey and the preachy “Save your money for the chiiiiildreeeen” lyric was taken from a message on a small money box that was carried around by kids that would usually visit the studio the band were recording in. Initially thought as nothing more than a B-Side, the four members worked over and over on the song resulting in one of their most playful and enjoyable tunes to date, just missing out in the top ten in the UK charts.

The song itself is about a girl named Grace who seemed like quite a fun person to be around if you listen to the lyrics in the verses. Musically, the positive vibes are reinforced by the light piano, upbeat tempo and swirling synthesizers that appear here and there giving the song a perky and spirited atmosphere. I also believe that the band sampled some vocals from “Caught by the Fuzz” in the instrumental break before the final chorus. That might just be me, but you may be able to understand when you hear it carefully. Just saying.

This song is fun. Liked it ever since I saw the video in 2008 or so. Was the first time that I’d heard a song of those after their prime in the 90s. Wasn’t disappointed. Still feel that way today.

My iPod #466: The Offspring – Gotta Get Away

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Think it’s fair to say that “Gotta Get Away” is one of The Offspring’s most tracks in the band’s discography.* Found on what is considered to be their finest album Smash from 1994, the song was chosen to be released as the third and final single almost a year after Smash had been out. It wasn’t as commercially successful as the two preceding it, but it remains a popular song amongst many an Offspring fan. It’s just got this very intimidating and tough sound that you don’t find very often in other Offspring singles. The music video further emphasises this.

The introduction brings in each member one by one, firstly with Ron Welty’s hard-hitting tom-tom drum pattern followed by Greg K’s cool bassline and finally with Noodle’s high-end scratching guitar phrases. With a strike of the crash cymbals, all three members come together as one to really get things going and eventually lead into Dexter Holland’s trademark double-tracked vocals, singing about wanting to be anyone else but himself due to symptoms of strong paranoia.

Song’s mad. Despite its pessimistic subject matter there is something brutally confident about the music’s delivery…. It’s strange. But it does its job.

*26/08/20 – Clearly there’s an adjective missing from that sentence… I’ll let you fill that in.