Tag Archives: my ipod

My iPod #125: The Who – Boris the Spider

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One time when I was bored on YouTube, I remembered this cartoon from the nineties that would show on the BBC. The cartoon followed the adventures of a clumsy spider, who played around with his human friend. I completely forgot what the animation was called, until I found the other day that it was simply called “Spider”.

During that time, I typed in ‘spider’ which instead resulted in videos involving real spiders and “Boris the Spider” by The Who. The video above was the one that I clicked onto.

This time, it’s not a song by Pete Townshend. No, no. “Boris the Spider” was the second song on the band’s second album “A Quick One” which is known for being the only album by the rock band to involve songs written by all four members. “Boris” was the first song John Entwistle wrote for the band, and took a tolling time of five minutes to write.

Seems about right. It’s a tale of a black, hairy and very small spider, who crawls up a wall then drops to the floor, heads toward the bedroom door, comes out again, crawls into a ball and is then squashed with a book by the person who sees all of this activity. The spider’s name is Boris too. And all of this is sung over a simple bass line and a haunting bridge where John puts on his falsetto.

This song is also known for being the first in music history to incoporate the ‘death growl’. Betcha didn’t know that, huh?

So that’s the song for today. That fake spider in the video is very similar to one that I saw on my living room floor the other day. I was so freaked out wandering what to kill it with that it disappeared under the sofa. That bastard hasn’t come out since. It’s only a matter of time.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.

My iPod #124: Maxïmo Park – Books from Boxes

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“Books from Boxes” was the comedown single from “Our Earthly Pleasures”, the second album by Maxïmo Park after the high that was set up by its predecessor “Our Velocity”.

I never really got into that song as many other people did. “Our Velocity” was the comeback, it was energetic and quick. After two years, the band was back with a bang. For me, it was catchy but there wasa something about it that didn’t capture me as much as songs from “A Certain Trigger”.

“Books from Boxes” had the complete opposite effect on me. You can tell why it wasn’t released as the first single if you listen to it. Out of all their singles, this is the one that really sinks into you. Especially if you listen to the lyrics and understand what it’s about.

Like yesterday, the subject of today’s song is one that details a relationship. Whereas the one in “Bones” by The Killers sees it being taken further, “Books from Boxes” is from the perspective of one in an relationship that is dead, and the couple involved know it. “Two bodies in motion/This is a matter of fact/It wasn’t built to last” says it all really.

All in all, the song is quite the downer. But one of my favourites by the band. If you like it, that’s cool too.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.

My iPod #123: The Killers – Bones

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After “When You Were Young” became the new hot stuff and its chorus were sung from the mouths of many a Killers fanatic, people were wondering what was going to follow from the LA four-piece. The first single from the band’s second album “Sam’s Town” reached number two in the UK, and has risen to become one of the band’s most popular songs.

Could they match the former single’s success? With a music video directed by none other than Tim Burton, I think they really wanted to. It didn’t. It reached number fifteen over here. But don’t get me wrong, the last thing I’m trying to do is deter you from listening to this song.

“COME WITH MEEEEEEEE”

Why is that sung at the beginning? Is it supposed to be a link between the previous song on the album? Is it a tie-in to the album’s concept? Does “Sam’s Town” even have a concept? Why am I asking you all these questions?

After that short but triumphant opening, “Bones” actually begins with a lovely melody played on the keyboard with accompanying guitar, bass and drums before changing into the minor key as the verse begins. The song is about a relationship where the narrator really wants to ‘get to know’ the other person. Originally, “Bones” was called “It’s Only Natural” reinforcing the biological theme. The music video for the song takes it into creepy, yet comical levels.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.

My iPod #122: Alexisonfire – Boiled Frogs

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“Boiled Frogs” was the second single released from Alexisonfire’s third album “Crisis”, which was released in 2006.

I didn’t know who Alexisonfire was until that year. One of their videos played regularly on MTV2, and I really dug the contrast between the screaming vocals by George Pettit, and the melodic vocals of Dallas Green with Wade MacNeil coming somewhere in the middle. It all worked really well. It took me quite a while to find out how to pronounce their name. It is “Alexis-on-fire”, and not “Alex-is-on-fire”. I thought the latter was quite funny. It doesn’t really matter anymore. The band broke up in 2011.

This song didn’t play so much on MTV2. It was like they threw out the first single, and then completely forgot about the band. I never saw another Alexisonfire video on MTV2 UK again. I had to see “Frogs” on YouTube. I didn’t really appreciate as much then though. I just thought the one song that was MTV2 was enough. I didn’t give it a chance.

I repeatedly listened to it later on when I got the album for my fourteenth birthday, and eventually started to like it more. The term “Boiled Frogs” is an analogy, which is to long to explain on here. For more information on it, you can click here to see what relevance it has to the song.

The only part I can really sing along to is the chorus. I actually do really like the song though.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.

My iPod #121: The Dandy Warhols – Bohemian Like You

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WARNING: INCLUDES SCENES OF NUDITY. It’s only a few shots. But still.

I have heard more songs by The Dandy Warhols. Don’t worry. I’m not that kind of person who’s like “Ah, I listen to [insert band here] all the time” and only know the lyrics to their signature song. No, no. That’s not me. I have two more songs ony my iPod by the band, so :p.

I don’t need to prove anything. I don’t listen to The Dandy Warhols anyway. I didn’t know they were still together until I searched it up whilst typing this sentence. They are though, and that’s all right.

I think I’m correct in saying that The Dandy Warhols are much more popular in the US than here in the United Kingdom. I think the only reason people here know of them is due to the Vodafone advert this song was on in the early noughties. I can’t remember it at all, seeing as I was about six at the time. But thanks to that advert, the song reached number five on the charts. That wasn’t really significant to me either.

In general, “Bohemian Like You” is one of those songs that you know you’ve heard before. Somewhere in someplace at sometime. The problem is you can’t remember what the name of the artist was. Well, if you’re in that situation, here you go. Problem solved.

The nude scenes were censored when they played on MTV2, so being the eager beaver I searched up the uncensored version. I was just curious that’s all. Seeing the guy’s private parts wasn’t so great. That was years ago though. I’m much more mature now.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.