A the risk of revealing that I am both a music snob and an NBA enthusiast, I wanted to congratulate my beloved Boston Celtics, who, last night, earned their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1987. Paul, Ray-Jay, Kaginski — let’s show those Hollywood dilettantes what Boston is made of. Luckily, I don’t think the Lakers have anyone good.
Anyway, in honor of my boys, I’ve posted three tracks that will have you seeing… green? A-hahaha. Feel free to use that one.
“Green Eyes” by Coldplay (from A Rush of Blood to the Head)
This is a great sleeper track off Coldplay’s second album. Not nearly as well-known as “Clocks” or “The Scientist,” but one of my favorites. It and “Amsterdam” are probably why I like Rush of Blood better than Parachutes (although both are outstanding). Despite wanting to gag a little at the fact that it’s called Viva La Vida, I’m very excited about their new album.
“Green Gloves” by the National (from Boxer)
I love the National. For my money, they’re one of the top 5-10 current bands, even though I know I’m somewhat out there on my own (certainly on this blog) on that point. I didn’t love them the first time I heard them, and I find their lyrics to be frequently clumsy, but I think both Alligator and Boxer are great, plodding, sullen indie rock records without any really weak songs. This song isn’t my favorite (the next song on Boxer, “Slow Show,” is awesome), but it’s pretty and it has the word “green” in the title. Deal with it.
“Green Onions” by Booker T & the MGs (from Green Onions)
This is simply a great old R&B instrumental jam. Quintessential cruising-around-and-feeling-bad-ass music. In the immortal words of Biggie Smalls, if you don’t know, now you know.
Maybe one day I’ll get it when it comes to The National. But for now I maintain my opinion that they are the musical equivalent of a bad M. Night Shayamalan movie (I’m thinking about “Unbreakable” in particular here): there’s something I appreciate about the richness and the mood of the production, but at the end I’m left wondering if the original idea justified a movie.
Just doesn’t do it for me for whatever reason.
Go C’s.
Ouch, Gallivan… M. Night Shayamalan? That hurts. Actually, when I first loaded this page and before I fully realized the new rotating contributor format, I saw “The National” and “Top 5″ in the same sentence and I thought it was written by mgdistrict. My next comment was going to be “Finally, Gallivan comes around!” But alas, I see this is not the case. One of these days, Gallivan, one of these days… And for what it’s worth, Sam, I completely agree! I <3 The National. (Is it ok to use <3s when discussing awesome indie rock bands?)
Just listened to that “awesome” song “Slow Show”. Bored stiff.
Hey, it’s not like I haven’t given these cats a fair shake. I just happen to think that they suck.
“Farva!! You’re suspension… continues.”