The pitfalls of shuffle mode V

It was warped of iTunes to pair Take 6's "Gold Mine" with "Rotten World Blues" by Eels this morning.  It's jarring to hear a powerfully sung, uplifting tune about finding spiritual fulfillment followed by a tune about unfair life sometimes is.

However, in an odd way, that segue makes lyrical sense.  "Gold Mine" is about how valuable it is to have faith in a higher power, and "Rotten World Blues" posits that the world gives you what you need when you recognize how unjust it is.  Perhaps that's a blunt way for Eels to say, "Have faith," when you need it most.

I doubt any radio station would play those songs back to back, but there's a bizarre call and response between them.

Persistent earworm alert CCCXVI

In a lot of songs, just singing, "La, la, la, la, la," would be seen as a cop-out for not writing actual lyrics or as a guide vocal to suggest where lyrics should go in the finished product.

That's not the case, however, in Chicago's "Happy 'Cause I'm Going Home."  Decades after first hearing it, it still enters my mind frequently.  The tune's rhythm and instrumentation are compelling enough to sustain periodic "La, la, la, la, la" intervals--and the "La, la, la, la, la"s are catchy, no matter how often how you hear them.

This is an underrated example of Chicago's strength as a band.  Even if the song isn't to your taste, I don't see how a listener couldn't respect the musicianship of every player on this track.

The pitfalls of shuffle mode IV

Last night, iTunes took Alice Merton's "Lash Out," a cathartic tune about venting one's fury, and segued it with...

..."Catch A Falling Star" by Perry Como.

Yes, I purchased both of those songs and like them both for different reasons.  I turned on shuffle mode, so both songs were fair game for a segue.

Although that isn't a pairing I would have made, perhaps it was for the best.  Too many rage-filled songs in a row aren't good for one's mindset.  A positive frame of mind is usually more advisable, so what's wrong with pairing a dark tune with an idealistic one now and then?

The allure of shuffle mode XLV

Tonight, during an iTunes shuffle mode segue, I thought, "These two songs wouldn't be out of place on KFUO AM.  I could imagine the station playing The Free Design's 'Ivy On A Windy Day' followed by Lisa Addeo's version of 'Here We Come A-Wassailing' to fill time until the top of the hour after a Sunday service."

Those songs dovetail well, I think, because they're lightly spiritual without hitting the listener over the head about it.  As such, they both have a pleasant, welcoming sheen.

Context? CCXCVI

Tonight, a radio talk show host and guest reminded listeners that they don't discuss politics on the air.  One of them predicted that this will likely be "a tumultuous year" on that front.

Unfortunately, I suspect that tumultuous might be an understatement.  It's no wonder the host pivoted quickly and started discussing the Cardinal bullpen.

FM dial scan highlights CCXXXI

Monday and Tuesday highlights:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Frankenstein-Aimee Mann (Lyrically, "Frankenstein" reminds me somewhat of Atlanta Rhythm Section's "Alien."  Doesn't everyone feel out of place at least occasionally?)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Ain't Gon' Change A Thang-The Crusaders (I was pleasantly surprised to hear this overlooked track from the album, "The Second Crusade."  The sax and trombone carry this appealing melody against the backdrop of this group's always solid rhythm section.  Also recommended: "Don't Let It Get You Down" and "A Search For Soul.")
• Nostalgia In Times Square-Eliane Elias (Elias and company pulled off a strong cover of this Charles Mingus tune with excellent synergy between the piano and bass.)
  

KCLC 89.1 FM 

• Over The Hills And Far Away-Led Zeppelin (This sports one of the band's best hooks when the guitar comes crashing in.  "Fool In The Rain" is my favorite Zeppelin tune, but this is a close second favorite.  It was refreshing to hear KCLC, which mostly plays more recent tunes, reach back to the '70s for this...)
• It's My Life-Talk Talk (...and to the '80s for this.  I can't imagine vocal angst being expressed this way in any other era.)

Unexpected synchronicity

This morning, I watched a video I'd filmed of my previous cat, Sylvia, drinking water from the kitchen faucet.  By chance, I was listening to K297BI 107.3 FM at the time.  I marveled at how well Sylvia's rhythm while lapping water matched the pace of a movement from Schubert's Trout Quintet.

It's heartwarming to discover a talent you didn't realize your cat possessed.