Shufflin' the Pod III

1. "When Will We Leave (Robert Hood remix) by Turner

Turner's a German electronica artist whose "My Aeroplane Mania" is up there on my list of favorite songs. This particular remix is pretty generic trance It may be good when you've had some ecstasy at a club or something, but it's not so hot sober.

2. "Stars and the Moon" by Jessica Molaskey

This is a song by Jason Robert Brown from the off-Broadway revue Songs for a New World. It's a sweet and droll little number, and it's popular in cabaret acts these days. Molaskey's version is utterly charming. I linked to the MP3, which is available on Brown's site.

3. "(Hey You) What's That Sound?" by Les Rythmes Digitales

This tune got Jacques Lu Cont the job as Madonna's keyboard for her 2001 tour. There's a heavy 80s synth-pop feel that is reinforced in the video, which you can see at Astralwerks' website. It's a little bit too long, but it has a great hook. The title is a reference to "I Wish" by Skee Low.

4. "Who Knows" by The Shinin'

I found this track at Epitonic, and you can download it without registering for the site. It's an awesome dis of bad rap. The first MC has better flow than the second one, but there are some fantastic lyrics in this: "Your beats still annoy me/Like razor bumps." "As for your MC, I had to heckle him." "If that's the king, get a replacement/You sounded like you burglarized Pete Rock's basement."

5. "Trading Jewels" by Downy Mildew

Jen saw Downy Mildew open for someone back in the day. We bought a used copy of their album An Oncoming Train, which this song is from, at Dr. Wax in Chicago, which was a weird place to find it. This isn't my favorite track, but it has a certain earthy, jangly mid-90s alt-rock feel to it that's appealing.

6. "Long Trip Alone" by Dierks Bentley

A goodly number of Dierks' songs are about being on the road. Considering how much he tours, it's obvious he's just writing about what he knows. In his concert, he said this was his favorite of the songs he's written. I can see that. I've seen him do this song on TV twice, and both times he was a bit flat. When we saw him, he was dead on, which made me happy.

7. "Hole Hearted" by Extreme

I like this song. Shut up.

8. "How Can I Sing Like a Girl" by They Might Be Giants

Factory Showroom is my favorite TMBG album. I get the impression that this is not a universally held opinion, although I'm not about to hang out with hardcore TMBG fans to find out for certain. This is not a great song, but it's cute and accessible and contains the phrase "freak flag."

9. "Tell Me What You Dream" by Gabrielle

A co-worker of mine in Chicago got a CD from a W Hotel full of 70s soul and 90s electronica. She didn't like it, so she gave it to me. This is a generic electronic soul number. It's not particularly memorable, but it's pleasant enough to listen to.

10. "Your Mother's Got a Penis" by Goldie Lookin' Chain

The greatest rap act from Wales ever. There is more than just the one, by the way. They're a complete joke, but it's a really funny joke. "I thought I had to tell you/I could put it in a letter/but I thought, fuck that/I'll write a song, it's much better." This is completely vulgar, but in a charmingly Welsh way.