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#4…Top 5 Favorite Musicians of All Time May 4, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 12:31 PM
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TNT’s #4 Musician of All Time
4. George Gershwin – George Gershwin drove American music to a new style and this musical genius pretty much did it all – piano rolls, songs, string quartets, piano concertos, orchestrations, Broadway musicals, jazz concerto (“Rhapsody in Blue”), movie scores, the list goes on and on.  I consider Gershwin responsible for introducing a modernized America to musical experimentation with my favorite piece, “Rhapsody in Blue”- the jazz is lifted from the symphonic arrangements while still holding true to a classical form.   I also love “An American in Paris” and “Concerto in F”.

Alex’s #4 Musician of All Time
4. Santana – Anybody that has followed Santana from Moonflower, one of his first releases, knows that this dude can make a PRS sing like an angel.  On top of that, his fusion of Latin and Rock elements were as groundbreaking then as they are now.

Mark’s #4 Musician of All Time
4. Martin Gore – Primarily known as the main songwriter of Depeche Mode, his songwriting features heavy use of minor keys and dark imagery such as religion, sexuality, love, hurt, philosophy to bring to life compositions that are as beautiful as they are haunting.  He is also a criminally underrated guitarist, with his playing style featuring flourishes of blues and folk blended together with rock simplicity.  In no song is this more apparent than in the 1990 hit “Personal Jesus”, where his distinctive riffs create a simple, yet danceable rock groove that wouldn’t have been out-of-place in a Stray Cats song. RECOMMENDED: Violator (“Personal Jesus”), Songs of Faith and Devotion Live (“I Feel You”), Playing the Angel (“Suffer Well” and “A Pain That I’m Used To”)

Angela’s #4 Musician of All Time
4. Silverchair – Now…not a lot of people talk about this band…us fans ARE out there, but they aren’t huge.  Beyond their early 90’s release of Frogstomp most people don’t know a damn thing about them…but I Love this band.  Their music has also been able to evolve and singer/guitarist Daniel Johns musicality and brilliance in recent years has been compared to that of Brian Wilson.  The last two albums, Diorama and Young/Modern have used intricate melodies and dynamics to create truly unique music that can only be defined as the sound of Silverchair.  They’re also wonderful live, keeping their sound full and tight.  Their music has the ability to reach depths musically and emotionally.

Klone’s #4 Musician of All Time
4. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) – Ludwig van Beethoven began his life and career composing in the shadow of Mozart, which in and of itself is an incredible undertaking.  To then attain notoriety and acclaim is a feat worthy of mention, but not so much as his most famous characteristic – that he continued to compose, conduct, and perform his works even after completely losing his hearing.  Think about that the next time a concert you want to see gets canceled because a singer sprained their ankle, or a guitarist sprained their wrist.  Beethoven composed by remembering the sounds of the notes, and was so skilled in this way that his famous “Ode to Joy”, popularized in the 80s as the closing piece to the Bruce Willis film “Die Hard” (1988).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beethoven
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/

 

#5…Top 5 Favorite Musicians of All Time May 3, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 6:02 PM
Tags: , , , ,

TNT’s #5 Musician of All Time
5. Freddie Mercury – Talking about charisma and diversity, Freddie Mercury takes the cake (Just like Marie Antoinette).  I love that every song he ever wrote defied genres.  From the gospel feel of “Killer Queen” to the protest-ish  lyrics in “Bicycle”, Mercury is a rock n’ roll icon.  Every song he’s been involved with is amazing, and judging by my first reaction to his music, I would have killed to see him live. ❤

Alex’s #5 Musician of All Time
5. Mozart – Gotta keep it real with the classics (real classics), and not only did this powdered wig wearing dude write symphonies and epics, he wrote “twinkle, twinkle little star” before his fifth birthday.  Suck on that, Jackson five!

Mark’s #5 Musician of All Time
5. David Bowie – The musical chameleon, and an artist who is a huge influence on my musical life.  What stands out about his music so much isn’t just his genre hopping, but his willingness to try new things while at the same time being able to stick with the times and doing it all on his own terms with a fresh approach to each song.  RECOMMENDED: Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps): title track, “Fashion”, Heathen: “Heathen [the Rays]” and “Cactus”

Angela’s #5 Musician of All Time
5. Maynard James Keenan – Maynard, in all his strange behavior, is a brilliant musician.  From A Perfect Circle to Tool, his vocals are incredibly distinct and his lyrics are even more so.  The live performances are always something you wouldn’t ever expect to see, except at a show with Maynard…always dark and mysterious, Maynard has been able to bring something different to the world of music and make a mark on the industry.

Klone’s #5 Musician of All Time
5. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) – Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilius Mozart could be considered, arguably, to be the world’s first true rock-star.  Dead by age 35, the man had accomplished more than many modern musicians have in their lifetimes, including having composed and performed his first pieces for European royalty by age 5.  For a glimpse of what made him a role-model for the likes of Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix, one would do well to check out the Academy Award winning 1984 musical film “Amadeus”.  Regardless of your stance on classical music, Mozart’s life-work has endured centuries and is still used in popular culture today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amadeus_(film)

Dan’s #5 Musician of All Time
5. The Donnas – There’s just something about these lady rockers that I can’t get enough of.  Do I care that their lyrics are all about getting wasted and partying?  No, not at all.  After all, they’ve got quite a number of albums under their belt.  We heard them turn 21; we watched them get skintight; we spent the night with them.  After parting ways with Atlantic Records, they started their own record label, Purple Feather Records, and released Bitchin’.  The Donnas put out fun music that you can jump around to, and sometimes that’s the best food for the soul.

 

According to the Rolling Stones… April 26, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 9:59 PM

“You can’t always get what you want”.

Sorry folks, but NVMP is postponing our Top 5 and will return next Monday.  No worries, we have lots to post until then and our Top 5 is a count-down edition of a phenomenal topic, so check back soon!

Look at it this way, now you have something to look forward to for the week.  😉

 

Manic Monday Top 5: Top Trippy Songs April 20, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 11:54 AM

I know this post is a little late, but in honor of 4/20, NVMP presents our favorite Trippy Songs to space out to. Everyone has an artist or song or album they like to have as background music when they’re zoning out. We hope you enjoy the ones our editors came up with!

TNT’s Top 5:

5. “Scarlet Begonias” by Sublime – Yes, of course I know this is a cover, but I love the parts they added.  “we sold some mushroom tea we sold some ecstasy, we sold nitrous, opium, acid, heroin, and PCP”
4. “Us and Them” by Pink Floyd – I think it’s the echo of the voices that mess with my head.  Love it.
3. “Estimated Prophet” by The Grateful Dead – Maybe I’m always in an altered state when I’m listening to this song, but it’s sooo chill. Not chill-wave, just chill.
2. “Legalize It” by Peter Tosh – “Legalize it and I will advertise it”
1. “Rainy Day Women #12 & #35” by Bob Dylan – EVERYBODY MUST GET STONED!

Honorable Mentions: “I Am the Walrus” by The Beatles and “Echoes” by Pink Floyd

Klone’s Top 5:

5. “Halcyon + On + On” by Orbital
4. “Mandel Groove” by Blue Man Group
3. “Marijuana In Your Brain” by Lords of Acid
2. “3 Kilos” by Prodigy
1. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vidda” by Iron Butterfly

Dan’s Top 5:

Note: It was hard to select specific songs from some of these artists because my musical choice depends largely upon the mood I’m in when I turn on these trippy tracks. For a few of my selections I’ve listed an entire album because the whole album is great, especially The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. And I have a bunch of Honorable Mentions.

5. “Kelly Watch the Stars (Radio Edit)” by AIR
4. Klaxons’s album Myths of the Near Future
3. Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton’s album Knives Don’t Have Your Back
2. “Good Morning” by The Dandy Warhols
1. The Asteroids Galaxy Tour’s album Fruit

Honorable Mentions: “Bad Romance” by Lady GaGa, “Sunday” and “Blue Light” by Bloc Party, “She’s A Tiger” by Lola Ray, “Don’t Blame Your Daughter [Diamonds] by The Cardigans, “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve

Mark’s Top 5:

5. “I Was a Lover” by TV on the Radio – Sampled horns over a slightly slurred, chest popping, swinging hip-hop beat always help lead me down the rabbit hole just trying to conjure up the images that this song is meant to inspire from it’s bizarre lyrical delivery. The vocal fluctuations between falsetto and mid-toned singing don’t help, they merely warp the beaten path further.
4. “A Forest” by The Cure – Robert Smith always managed to convince me that I was walking through a Tim Burton-esque forest when listening to this tune, and creepy and surreal journey where nothing is truly real, and the only thing to be experienced is a swirl of unanswered questions and pained thoughts, but that’s not to say that it’s all bad. Truly the calling card of The Cure.
3. “Rise” by The Doves – If a relaxing homegrown feel is what you desire for your mind-excursions, then leave it to the Doves to carry you away on the sweet “rising” notes of this gem, as its distorted vocals and acid twangy guitars ride the pulsing organs on a wave of soul spanning sound.
2. “Flaming June” by Bt – I have referenced the “earthly” life form known as Bt for numerous top 5’s, and for good reason. He is the king of the cosmic swirling sounds that can carry you off into another realm of existence, a place where math and science are the languages of the world, and each formula created leads to a perfect harmony of musical notations and sonic sensations. And you will find some of this beauty withing Flaming June, with its piano led dissonance leading the forces of nature and sound in a peaceful voyage of your eardrums. It has to be experienced to be truly understood
1. “Feel High (Humate Mix) by Resistance D – The ULTIMATE trippy song.Thanks to this journey, I have reached the pinnacle of freedom, and allowed myself to become fully absorbed by the ghostly synths that permeate throughout this song. I have also convinced myself that I was flying, or that I was in some sort of a soothing free fall while reaching the crescendo of this tune, which is a conscious state altering leap from the edge of a waveform cliff. And I have reached these results whether I was experiencing assisted euphoria or not.  (You can find this mind trip on the Global Underground release: GU013: Sasha, Ibiza)

 

Top 5 Ringtones April 12, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5,Rants — NVMP @ 9:05 PM

Remember when ringtones were these little polyphonic ditties that sounded like something out of an old Nintendo game?  As phone games evolved beyond snake, ringtones became little snippets of the actual songs you either loved, hated or raised an eyebrow at.  Where as you could only buy whatever your phone company offered a few years ago, web sites now exist where you can make your own ringtones. This week NVMP presents our favorite ringtones that we’ve had heard since we got our first cell phones.

TNT’s Top 5:

5. “All Along the Watch Tower” by Bob Dylan
4. “Rank N’ File” by Anti-Flag
3. “Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan
2. “Sickness” by Disturbed
1. “Party Hard” by Andrew W.K.

Klone’s Top 5:

I’m sitting this Top 5 list out, and I’ll tell you why.  I’ve never been a big cell phone guy.  I’ve openly resisted and somewhat rejected the idea of a cell phone being anything other than a phone.  I have an iPod, I have a PS3, I have an iMac, so my initial logic is if I already have all of these things, why do I need yet another piece of equipment.  Enter iPhones and Smartphones…okay, I get it, but still, do you mean to tell me that listening to a song on a cell phone or watching a movie in HD on a screen 7″ across is going to be anywhere near the experience of watching the movie on a 55″ LED TV or listening to the song on a kick-ass Bose Surround-Sound system?  Some of you will say yes, and will honestly believe in what you are saying, but for me, the answer is a resounding NO!  Excuse me for enjoying quality of experience far more than the convenience of being able to watch/listen anywhere.  AND, if I were so into a song that I needed it to be EVERYWHERE in all aspects of my life, having to choose 20 seconds or so that would indicate to me when my best-friend is calling is doing a major disservice to the work I’m selecting to distinguish my caller.  I feel the most it does is make the selected 20 seconds become an annoyance over time, more so than enhancing your enjoyment of the song.  You know that the first inappropriate moment that the phone rings, when you’re at the movies or in a job interview or the densist’s office, will be traumatic enough that you’ll not only wind up changing the ringtone, you may decide to keep it on silent forever after that, and the song will now be a scar, a reminder of the time that should not have been.  Enjoy those ringtones! 😉

Dan’s Top 5:

5. “Backstabber” by Ke$ha
4. “Earthquakes and Sharks” by Brandtson
3. “The Church of Hot Addiction” by Cobra Starship
2. Theme from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
1. “She’s Got Me Dancing” by Tommy Sparks

Angela’s Top 5:

5.  “Trying to Find A Balance” by Atmosphere
4. “Telephone” by Lady GaGa featuring Beyonce
3. “Bad Romance” by Lady GaGa
2. “I Can Transform Ya” by Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz
1. “Turnin’ Me On” by Keri Hilson



Mark’s Top 5:

5. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics – Remember the days of Monophonic ring tones way back when (1998)? Well this cheesy, blippy muzak version of the popular New Wave hit was one of the first custom tones that I had ever acquired, and the fact that it made me laugh at it’s awfulness gives me fond memories of it.
4. “Dusted” by Leftfield – The first ring tone that I had edited myself, thus proving that earning that college degree had not been in vain.
3. Theme from Indiana Jones by John Williams – Song used in movie about a renowned, womanizing world-traveller, used as a ring tone for a well-known, promiscuous, city scouring bar traveller… coincidence?
2. “Somnambulist” by Bt– In an effort to secure status as Bt Superfan #1, I acquired this tune as my first custom edited Polyphonic ring tone (courtesy of my friend Kantu). It was the beginning of one of my favorite songs from my all time favorite artist Bt.
1. Theme from Star Trek: TNG  by Dennis McCarthy – One of my current main ring tones. If you didn’t know that I was a complete geek before, you certainly do now. Bye bye, women.
Alex’s Top 5:

5. “Get Up Offa That Thing” by James Brown – Yea, that’s right, I’m that funky.
4. “Queen of Pain” by Alkaline Trio
3. “Dancing, I Got The Pills” by Erick Morillo – Best part of the song when the chick says, “Go ahead and keep on dancing, cuz i got the pills.”
2. Jimi Hendrix solo in “All Along the Watchtower”
1. Tyler Durden’s rant from Fight Club – “You are not your bank account, you are not the contents of your wallet, you are not your fuckin khakis”

 

Top 5 Songs That Should Be Taken Off the Radio April 5, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 6:39 PM

We all have songs that we think should be taken off the radio.  Some we just don’t like while others have just been played out.  This week NVMP brings you the songs that we would love to see stricken from the airwaves.

TNT’s Top 5
5. “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon – An insanely catchy song, yes, we got that.  But now it’s time to remove it from the airwaves.  Yes, now.
4. “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum – I just don’t like this song and I’m voting for it to be off the air.  Is it country or just another Taylor Swift wannabe?  Who’s with me?
3. “Lisztomania” by Phoenix – Stop with this song already!!!  What the hell are they even saying??  What’s a lisztomania and why is it for gentlemen only?  I need someone to explain this song to me, what is it about?  Does anyone really care?  Phoenix = good band; “Lisztomania” = bad song.  I’ve tried to figure out the lyrics for weeks now, but I just get so frustrated that I immediately change the station when I hear this song.
2. “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga – I know everyone loves this song, but c’mon, how many months are we going to be subjected to it?  I’m just sick of it.  If you’re such a big fan of this song, then play it on your iPods with earphones, but for the love of God, get it off the airwaves!  Release something new and stop milking this song.  f
1. “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha – Geeze, will you just shut up already Ke$ha!?!  No one cares what you have to say.  They say ‘any press is good press’ but is that really true with Ke$ha.  If there is one person who can give me a valid reason why they like this song or Ke$ha in general, I am willing to back off.  Until that day, I will bash this chick.  Down with Ke$ha, get her off the radio!

Dan’s Top 5
5. “Party In the USA” by Miley Cyrus
4. “3” by Britney Spears
3. “Sexy Bitch” by David Guetta featuring Akon
2. “I Got A Feelin'” by Black Eyed Peas – The song didn’t bother me until I heard it every time I turned the radio on LAST summer, and I still hear it far too much.  It’s long, repetitive and just stupid.  Everyone has a feeling it’s gonna be a good night when they go out to get hammered.
1. “Fifteen” by Taylor Swift – Does pre-pubescent Jewel really need an explanation?

Mark’s Top 5
5. “Whataya Want from Me” by Adam Lambert– Effeminate non-threatening voice?  Check.  Emo-ish pop-rock passed off as Glam rock?  Check.  Standard relationship song with baffling lyrics that have a supposed deep meaning?  Check.  Proclaiming pride in your sexuality, yet still writing obvious “Man loves/chases/respects/is too dangerous for a WOMAN” tunes in an effort to desperately appeal to a wider audience, basically canceling out your supposed dignity and pride?  Check.
4. “Baby” by Justin Beiber– Who’s Justin Beiber?  Aside from this pedophiles dream tune, I don’t really know.  By the way, supposed phenom singers don’t need auto-tune to sing well.  I suggest waiting til your boys drop, and then perhaps trying again by practicing in a shack during tornado season in the mid-west.
3. “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha– 9am- I get in the car, and hear this song just before I turn on my XM.  10:30am I hear this song again on the SAME STATION (92.3NOW).  12pm, Here’s Kesha… YET AGAIN on 92.3.  That’s right, I heard this atrocious piece of party-ho trash three times by 12pm.  It was played again and again at the same hour and at half intervals until work ended at 6pm.  Repetition doesn’t make a song not suck, it actually makes you suck.
2. ALL SONGS by The Black Eyed Peas– It’s a shame, up until Elephunk, this group was kinda fun and tolerable.  And then, starting with his bowing to special interest groups (He changed the title of the song “Let’s Get Retarded” to “Let’s Get It Started”.  Way to stand up for your material.)  Will.I.Am discovered the recipe to having a hit single: appeal to a mass audience by making your music poppy, repetitive and harmless.  Will.$.Fuck It.
1. ALL SONGS by Lady Gaga– We are led to believe that her music is well written and pop dreamy, and that both her image and sound are original and groundbreaking.  When your voice is average at best, with a sound that results from high-end production shock factories, which also happens to sound like every other song played on stations like 92.3NOW and Z100, some flags should go up.  When you rely on idiotic (intentionally weird) fashions and “shock” visuals to really push the envelope (It’s not original if it’s been done before), you are merely a good marketer of your product, and not a great performer.  You are a visual pseudo-artist, not a musician, and your supposed “music” reflects this.

Klone’s Top 5
5. “Panic Switch” by The Silversun Pickups – Yeah, this one gets old quick.
4. “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga – Let’s not give overkill a bad name…seriously…I’m sure she’s got a whole slew of new singles to be overplayed by now.
3. “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters – I don’t know, I like Foo Fighters, but this one gets a little boring to me.
2. “Use Somebody” by The Kings of Leon – Seriously, this song was old and repetitive the second week it was popular.
1. “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum – ENOUGH ALREADY!!!  Congratulations to the sleeper hit of the Grammy’s…can we let it disappear back into obscurity now?

 

Top 5 New Artists/Songs March 30, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 12:43 AM
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

There’s always new music to be talked about here at NVMP and this week a few of us wanted to share some of the new music we can’t get enough of.   Whether it be new bands or new songs from some of the greats, you should listen in.  I’ve provided you with the band links, so click away and listen my friends.  Tell us what your new favorite bands or songs are.  Go ahead, I dare you.      – TNT

Tina’s Top 5
5. Jukebox the Ghost – song suggestion “Schizophrenia” – This is a new one from the D.C. natives, addicting keys with a vocal styling to make you lose your mind.  This whole song is just infectious, love it.
4. Ed Zealous – song suggestion “Talk With Your Hands”
3. April Smith and the Great Picture Show – song suggestion “Movie Loves A Screen” – Such a great beat the lyrics could give you cavities.  This band (and song) makes me get up and dance, perhaps a little jitterbuggin’.
2. Black Taxi – song suggestion – “Head on a Pike” – This song kicks ass.  You NEED to check it out.  NOW!  GO!  CLICK!
1. Local Natives – song suggestion “Airplanes” – Love the crescendos, every element in this song shines through so majestically.  This is the best song I’ve heard in a while; it’s simple, it’s catchy, it’s in my head 24/7.

Dan’s Top 5
5. “Fembot” by Robyn – She’s not a new discovery, but her latest song making its way around the internet is fantastic.  Fans of her last album will love it.
4. The Go Find – song suggestion “City Dreamer” – Heard it over Pandora one afternoon and loved it. Haven’t listened their other music, but I can’t get enough of this song.
3. RJD2 – song suggestion “Games You Can Win (featuring Kenna)” – It’s not surprising Kenna works with RJD2 since they both blend many genres to create something that defies them all.  RJD2’s music is mostly beats and instrumentals, but he does feature some guest vocalists on some tracks of The Colossus.  This is my favorite song off the album.
2. Sam Sparro – song suggestion “Black & Gold” – My boyfriend made this song suggestion to me, and then I needed the entire album.  Sam Sparro has an alternative funk vibe that makes for some easy and enjoyable listening.
1. Alphabeat – song suggestion “Boyfriend” – After I heard “Boyfriend” I was hooked on Alphabeat.  Their sound is an upbeat electronica throwback to early 90s pop and I cannot get enough of it.  The video for “Boyfriend” is adorable.

Klone’s Top 5
5. Bear McCreary – Composer of the music for SyFy shows “Battlestar Galactica” and “Caprica”, his adaptation of “All Along The Watchtower” for the Season 3 BSG
finale was simply amazing.  This is definitely a tv/film score composer to keep an eye on over the next few years.
4. The Temper Trap – song suggestion “Sweet Disposition” – It’s a sweet, pop song with a male vocalist singing the entire thing in falsetto.
3. Alice in Chains – song suggestion “Take Her Out” – Off their latest album Black Gives Way to Blue, the first since the passing of original front man Layne Staley, this track sounds like a classic Alice In Chains tune, and was the first to really get my attention when I bought the CD home and listened to it for the first time.
2. Stone Temple Pilots – song suggestion “Between The Lines” – They’re broken up, they’re together, Weiland’s in Rehab, he’s out, they’re together, they’re broken up…they’re together again.  This song is so good, you’d never know any of that ever happened…and I’m taking that as a good sign.
1. Muse – song suggestion “Undisclosed Desires” – This song is an ultimate and extreme throw-back to the likes of Depeche Mode and Joy Division/New Order…the new wave movement of the 80s, but done in that uniquely modern way that is becoming second nature to Muse.  Epic seems to be built into the group’s song-writing mantra, even when borrowing influences from musical movements of decades past.  This song could help you drink yourself into a deep depression, or get you to disrobe while tearing up the dance floor at a nightclub.  Pick your poison…or pleasure…and Muse will be your perfect soundtrack.

 

Top 5 Workout Songs March 22, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 9:53 PM

I cannot workout without music.  I know almost all gyms have music and TVs blaring their video channel, but there’s something about hearing Taylor Swift throughout a gym filled with housewives and thirtysomething men that makes me want to run into oncoming traffic.  Some of the trainers listen to hardcore rap or heavy metal to get pumped up.  Some of the aforementioned housewives have iPods filled with their kids’ music because they don’t know how to operate iTunes.  This week we tackle our favorite songs to workout to!

Tina’s Top 5:
5. “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand
4. “Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss” by The Bloodhound Gang
3. “Je M’appelle Guillaume” by The Distillers
2. “The Way We Move” by InnerPartySystem
1. “Of Wolf And Man” by Metallica

Honorable Mention: “The Hardest Button To Button” by The White Stripes, no pun intended, haha, just a great bass-line.

Dan’s Top 5:
5. “Like An Animal” by The Donnas
4. “Right Round” by Flo-Rida
3. “She’s Got Me Dancing” by Tommy Sparks
2. “Run the Show” by Kat DeLuna featuring Busta Rhymes
1. “We Run This” by Missy Elliot

Honorable Mention: “Huddle Formation” by The Go! Team

Angela’s Top 5:
5. “‘Til I Collapse” by Eminem
4. “I’m the Shit” by D.J. Class
3. “Move If You Wanna” by MIMS
2. “Transform Ya” by Lil Wayne featuring Chris Brown
1. “Trying To Find A Balance” by Atmosphere

Dave’s Top 5:
5. “The Morning After” by Faith No More
4. “Who The Hell Cares?” by Methods of Mayhem
3. “Divine Object of Hatred” by The Rollins Band
2. “Outshined” by Soundgarden
1. “Five Minutes Alone” by Pantara

Mark’s Top 5:
5. “Flaming June” by BT – Some good old-fashioned pulse pounding beauty for that early morning run, mid-day walk, or that long, tiring journey to help you get over the long tiring journey that the day was.
4. “Remanufactured” by Fear Factory – Aggressive industrial speed-metal converted into a disjointed and slightly awkward remix album, perfect for getting you get into that “zone”.
3. “Get To The Gone” by Static-X – Ear piercing growls and screams, bone crunching guitars and a devil rousing bass-line layered over the evil disco beats that Wayne Static and Co. do so well.  Best for listening to during aggressive workouts, or when you need that extra edge to piss you the fuck off and help give you that extra mile.
2. “War/Fanfare” from Rocky, Vince DiCola – DiCola is king of the work-out tunes, period.  See below for further evidence.a
1. “Training Montage” by Vince DiCola – The most recognizable and all-time GREATEST work out tune to ever grace the audio spectrum.  If you have ever wanted to turn your workouts into a montage, then this is the way to do it.  This song is so AWESOME that Mr. DiCola deserves both top spots for his glorious efforts.

 

Top 5 Drinking Songs March 15, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 9:32 PM
Tags:

This week, NVMP’s Top 5 tackles our favorite drinking songs.  It’s a little ambiguous of a topic, but we like to see where our editors go with them each week.  While some lists are songs about drinking, others lists gravitate more towards songs enjoyed while drinking.  We hope you enjoy what we’ve come up with this week!  And we love hearing your comments and Top 5 lists!

Tina’s Top 5:
5. “One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer” by George Thorogood – The ultimate bar song, there’s something for everyone here!”
4. “Sosey Dosey” by Drink Up Buttercup – If you haven’t heard of Drink Up Buttercup, you better wise up fool!  I think I consider this a drinking song because when I listen to it, I feel drunk; the yelling, the trash cans. It’s so much fun.  They’re even better live, catch a show!
3. “Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)” by The Doors – I always have a tavern tan while listening to this song…then I sing along with the descending scale and dance around.  Good times.
2. “40 oz. to Freedom” by Sublime – “A 40 oz. to freedom is the only chance I have, to feel good even though I feel bad.”  Well said.
1. “Drunken Lullabies” by Flogging Molly – Hands down, my favorite drinking song of all time!  I sang some drunken lullabies with Flogging Molly just a few short weeks ago.  Cheers!

Dan’s Top 5:
5. “Ballroom Blitz” by The Sweet
4. “Hot Mess” by Cobra Starship
3. “TiK ToK” by Ke$ha – This whole song describes one hot mess of a night, making it one of my favorite songs to get my drink on to.
2. “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” by Dropkick Murphy’s
1. “Around the Bend” by Asteroids Galaxy Tour – I spent many drunken afternoons last summer in my friend’s pool with Asteroids Galaxy Tour blasting in the backyard.  Their music is a great throwback to the trippy music of the 60’s and 70’s and perfect background music for a chill evening of drinking.
Honorable Mention: “Kelly Watch The Stars” by AIR, “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga

Dave’s Top 5:
When it comes to spirits, almost any song will do, but to each of us our own drink poured, and different songs ring true…
5. “Bottom of a Bottle” by Smile Empty Soul
4. “Red Red Wine” by UB40
3. “Hey Bartender” by Hed P.E.
2. “Cold Gin” by KISS
1. “Whiskey In The Jar” Performed by Metallica (Cover- originally by Thin Lizzy, but the cover is sooo much better.)

Angela’s Top 5:
5. “One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer” by George Thorogood
4. “40 oz. to Freedom” by Sublime
3. “I Love College” by Asher Roth – It’s just a good time kinda song.
2. “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffet
1. “Barroom Hero” by Dropkick Murphy’s – Boston Irish…need I say more?

Mark’s Top 5:
5. “Small Town Girl” by Journey – Journey is one of the GO-TO bands for bar crawling alcoholics the world over.  When in the company of drunks, take note on how many times that this fucking song is cranked and fist-pumped by near blacked out drunkards.
4. “Message in a Bottle” by The Police – I find myself playing this song again and again on benders, probably because I just love the Police…or because it’s just so AWESOME to slur along with.
3. “Bartender” by Hed PE – Only played because it is titled Bartender…by the way assholes, the song has absolutely NOTHING to do with drinking or having good times, no matter how many times you try and slobber out a lyrical explanation.  The guy in the song orders a drink… that’s it.
2. “Ole Ole Ole” by The Bouncing Souls – It’s a rousing rallying cry, reminding everyone that they haven’t quite drank enough.
1. “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” by George Thorogood – I LOVE playing this song when drinking heavily, because it’s title is exactly what it implies, a man who has fallen on hard times turns to a colossal bender to solve his problems. Just try and not order the exact same thing every time he mentions this gut wrenching order. Makes for a fun drinking game as well…the last one standing gets to enjoy a day of hangover suffering the next day, while all the friends who tapped out early are enjoying the day.

 

Top 5 Artists or Songs That Should Be On Guitar Hero March 8, 2010

Filed under: Manic Monday Top 5 — NVMP @ 10:50 PM
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Tina’s Top 5
Disclaimer:  I love Guitar Hero, but play on a level no higher than medium.  My list, while still possessing some great guitar solos, could probably be mastered on easy/medium on the first try.
5. “Wango Tango” by Ted Nugent – C’mon Guitar Hero, we need more Nuge!
4. “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen – No explanation needed.
3. “Little Toy Gun” by Honey Honey – More people need to hear this song so they can fall in love with it.  It’s kick ass…and was also recently featured in a Showtime commercial
2. “Red Hot Moon” by Rancid – Guitar Hero needs more punk and surf guitar, love this song.
1. “Holiday” by The Get Up Kids – The guitar slide intro is enough to gather a crowd…also made me a fan for life.

Dan’s Top 5
5. “Best of Me” by Morningwood
4. “Animal” by The Donnas – The vocal part would be just as fun as playing the guitar.
3. “Gimme Sympathy” by Metric – A lot of songs off Metric’s Fantasies would be great on Guitar Hero, but “Gimme Sympathy” is at the top of that list.
2. “Earthquakes and Sharks” by Brandtson – I love the bouncy bass line.
1. “The Church of Hot Addiction” by Cobra Starship – It’s one of my favorite songs, and would lend itself nicely to Guitar Hero.

Klone’s Top 5
Disclaimer:  I only became a Guitar Hero fan at “Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock”, so I don’t know what was in versions prior to this one, nor do I know which ones have been possibly added to new editions of the game, so I present my “Wish List” for my Top 5 Songs That Should Be In Guitar Hero, allowing for the possibility that some may already be there without my knowledge.
5. “The Crowing” by Coheed & Cambria – Such a sick guitar song.  So much strumming.
4. “Pisces Iscariot” by Smashing Pumpkins – The pumpkins rock…
3. “Life is a Lemon (and I Want My Money Back)” by Meatloaf – Has the rock world forgotten about Meatloaf?  According to video games they have.
2. “Cut You In” by Jerry Cantrel – Before the death of Layne Staley, Jerry Cantrel released a solo CD, and this song was SICK!
1. “Hysteria” by Muse – This song single-handedly made me a Muse fan.  It’s a perfect collection of sound that melds beautifully into a kick ass song.

Alex’s Top 5
5. Panic! at the Disco – Enough liquor and this band armed with witty lyrics and a burlesque nuance make it fun for anyone, especially if liquor is involved.
4. Lamb of God – We need more brutal bands on the game that is supposed to rock hard.
3. The Misfits – Come on!  More Misfits!  Especially “Dig Up Her Bones”…a little token but catchy as shit!
2. Alkaline Trio – Under-rated band with some catchy ass jams.  Especially their older stuff.
1. Minus The Bear – Funky band that very few people know about.  A jazzy stoner rock that has been lacking from the games.

Mark’s Top 5
5. BT – Believe it or not, a good portion of his songs have some pretty rocking guitar riffs and some nasty lead bass lines.
4. “Rise” by The Doves – A minimally beautiful and deceptively complex song that would be at home in Guitar Hero.
3. The Happy Mondays – A rave rock band by ways of blues, perfect fodder for the game.
2. Gary Numan – I am not sure just how many songs from Numan are on Guitar Hero, but it is certainly not enough.
1. Love and Rockets – It’s time to put ALL of these genre straddling mad men’s songs on GH, the music is certainly tricky enough.