Sunday, May 6, 2012

The A to Z Playlists: Ce-Cl

Although not every song gets its own commentary today, it's a step above the previous two days, where there was only a playlist posted.  It's progress.  Anywho, enjoy!

Ce-Cl by Chris Mueller on Grooveshark

"Celestial Dub", Sub Oslo
It seemed at one time that our city embraced reggae. Embrace might be too strong of a word, but at the minimum it acknowledge that a reggae scene existed. One of the more prominent reggae acts to emerge from that scene was Sub Oslo. The band still appears to be active and performing, though the level it attention it receives has waned, much as the reggae scene has.
"Cemetery Gates", Pantera
One of the most popular songs by easily the biggest metal band to ever emerge from this city. Heck, they are one of the biggest metal bands ever. Period.
"Certainly", Erykah Badu
It's easy to forget that Dallas has had some true success stories on the national level, but here's a double dose of artists who have made their marks on the national scene.
"Champaign, IL", Old 97's
Much to my regret, Old 97's have not shared the same level of success as the previous acts. Still, there's no need to cry for the 97's. The band has still managed a substantially successful career. The band performed this song on The Jay Leno Show in 2010. Word is that the band was originally going to perform their single, "Every Night Is Friday Night (Without You)", but at the request of Mr. Leno performed this song instead. Apparently, Jay knows his Old 97's songs. Very impressive, Jay.
"Change It", Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

"Change of Mind", Tripping Daisy
Admittedly, this is one of the tracks off of Bill I listen to least. Still, the album is strong enough that even the weaker tracks are still quite good.
"Charmed", The Bright
This band is definitely a favorite with WFAA, becoming a regular at the New Year's Eve live celebrations for the past few years.
"Chasing Corporate", Air Review
While Air Review sang "This may be our only chance", as if the song was a final desperate plea for commercial success, the band seems to be a well oiled machine, regularly producing pop music nuggets. I still maintain that it's a matter of time until the masses catch on.
"Cheerleader", St. Vincent

"Chef", Billy Goat
I always thought that this Denton band's name was one word, not two. According to Wikipedia, however, it's two separate words for their name. This song was all over the airwaves on 94.5 back in 1992.
"Chelsea", Darlington
Interestingly enough, I could not find a website for this band. That seems surprising to me, since in its heyday, the band was one of the most popular pop-punk local bands. And when I say pop-punk, think less Good Charlotte and more Ramones.
"Chief of Police in Chicago", Doug Burr

"Chinese Feet", Sorta

"Chloroform the One You Love", artist
Who said Flickerstick doesn't know how to write a love song?
"Choreographer of Fate", Shaolin Death Squad
It's hard to take a metal band too seriously when the verses of this song sound like they could have been lifted from a Kate Bush song. Of course, that's kind of the point of SDS. The band is as much a comedy act as a metal band, coming on stage dressed like monks with silver face paint, pretending to stab themselves with the microphone. Their live show is bound to entertain even the biggest metal haters.
"Chupa Cabra", Spoonfed Tribe

"Church Curtains", New Science Projects

"Cigarette Psalm", THe BAcksliders
From the opening line, "I quit all my cryin' when I hit rock bottom", you know you're in for a real heartbreaker of a song. And while Kim Bonner gets most of the vocal credit in the band, it's worth noting that Chris manages to give a very powerful performance with minimal backing vocals from Kim.
"Cinco de Mayo", Reverend Horton Heat
It seems a shame that this song doesn't get to be played until the day after the holiday. Oh well.
"Circle", Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
Countless songs have been written about the end of a relationship, but rarely is the dissolution of a friendship ever discussed in song. It seems a shame, because I can say that it can be almost as painful, and in certain cases even more so. This song does a wonderful job of capturing the feeling of sadness and loss over a friend who is clearly no longer a friend.
"Citizen", El Cento
Dear Google: When I do a search on El Cento, I do not mean the community college El Centro. I mean the band fronted by Don Cento (Chomsky, Shibboleth, etc.). Please learn the difference. Sincerely, "The Ghost"
"City Bus", The Boom Boom Box

"City Lights", Hendrick
This song shows a very different side of the band, lacking much of the melancholy found in the other tracks. Even the melody and much sharper and less depressing than the rest of their material.
"City of Hate", Toadies
I remember debating on whether or not to include this song in my top 40 of 2010 countdown. My concern was not over the quality of the song, but rather if it truly should be considered of that year. The song's history dates back to the late 1990's, when the band was supposed to release its follow up to Rubberneck. That album, Feeler, was never released by Interscope. Unfortunately, the label also owned the rights to the album, and refused to release. The solution? The band rerecorded many of the songs for the Kirtland Records version of Feeler. Since it was recorded more recently, I allowed the song in the countdown, where it charted at #23.
"City of Wet Streets", Funland

"The City Sleeps", MC 900 Ft Jesus
When I think of MC 900 Foot Jesus, I first think of his sense of humor, displayed in such songs as "Truth Is Out of Style" and "If I Only Had a Brain". Yet it's this darker tale of pyromania that has become his best known song.
"Clara", Paul Slavens
Best known nowadays for his show Sunday evenings on KXT, Mr. Slavens has been a fixture in the local music scene for decades, going back to his work with Ten Hands. More recently, he released Alphabet Girls Volume I, where each song is named after a woman. I'm still waiting for Volume II. Paul, you still have O-Z to go.
"Clementine", Sarah Jaffe
True story: I heard this song playing at a CVS store a few weeks ago. I would expect to hear far more mainstream fare on their in store station, not Ms. Jaffe. I must say, it was a pleasant surprise.
"Clever Found a Name", The Deathray Davies
"Clock in Now", The Deathray Davies
Next to the Old 97's, no other band has done more to turn me into a local music fan than The Deathray Davies. Back in 2000, the band played so frequently that I was going to a show of theirs almost every weekend. Through that, I discovered a multitude of other great local acts. It only seems appropriate then to have a double serving of DRD songs here.
"Close Your Good Eye", Gaston Light
Be on the lookout for a show announcement regarding this band soon. Very soon...


That's it for today. Tune in tomorrow as we wrap up the C's.

No comments: