music week (the second) at mcpolish: friday flashback

 

A few weeks ago Swede and I were at a local watering hole and it was like our high school days of the 90s were singing to us all night long. Well, it wasn’t LIKE they were, they REALLY were, as the bartender had queued up the 90s station on the satellite radio. Among others, we were treated to Soundgarden, the Breeders, and, Swede’s favorite, Sonic Youth.

Later, I went home and put on my flannel shirt and overalls and pined for a pair of Doc Martens.

music week (the second) at mcpolish: let’s talk about something

 

Happy Thursday! I can’t help but bounce around when I hear this zippy Icelandic group. Though the video kind of freaks me out.

music week (the second) at mcpolish: who knows?

The other day I realized that it’s been more than 10 years since my jerk of a friend* X introduced me to UNKLE and the Psyence Fiction album. And more than 10 years later, this album still rocks my socks off. A bunch of artists are featured throughout, and this jam in particular highlights Richard Ashcroft of The Verve. (Also, X introduced me to The Verve’s Urban Hymns album which is So. Much. More. than just Bittersweet Symphony. Check it out sometime.)

Dreamy. The song, that is, not Richard Ashcroft. Though I’m sure some people find him dreamy. Unfortunately for him I’m not one of those people.

 

*He’s not s jerk, I swear. I only say that because I realized that every other time I reference a friend I’m always saying, “my sweet friend,” or “my dear friend,” or whatever, like all my friends are saints and angels. And you know what? They’re not. Some of my friends are assholes. And you know what else? Sometimes I’M an asshole. But in this case, X really is a good dude. I promise I’m not making that up.

music week (the second) at mcpolish: i shall answer your bell

 

Is it just me or do banjos seem to be big lately? Like, learning to play the banjo is a “thing” these days.  Either way is cool with me, I was just wondering.

music week (the second) at mcpolish: when there’s something inside that you want to say

Inspired by last year’s Music Week, and because I’ve been spending a lot of time listening to my iPod lately (in an effort to drown out the voices in my head, of course), I felt that this here blog was long overdue for some new tunes. E voila! Music Week The Second at Mcpolish.

Happy listening! And also: You’re welcome.

If I remember correctly, I first heard this song off the High Fidelity soundtrack. I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel kind of hip and groovy, which are two things I am most certainly not. I hear this song and I want to dance by moving only my shoulders and nodding my head.

photo friday: bird of paradise

 

Her name is Rio and she dances on the saaaaaannnd! Just like that river twisting through the dusty land! 

Despite my beautiful singing voice, sometimes I’m really lucky The Swede doesn’t throw me overboard. Whatever. My sister thought it was funny.

half marathon: the playlist

A couple of you asked if I’d share my playlist from the half marathon, and I’m happy to oblige. Below is approximately 3+ hours worth of music, and when after listening to a podcast of Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me for the first 45 minutes of the run, I switched to this, hit shuffle, and ran on.

And to answer some questions I know you’ll have:

–Yes, I know this list is sorely lacking in Michael Jackson songs. I find it tragical as well.

–No Air, by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, is perhaps not the best song to have on a play list when you’re running. Just a thought.

–Neither is Clumsy.

–Yes, I realize, things I should have thought about before throwing them on the list.

–No, it’s not easy to run and make dramatic arm motions when “Defying Gravity” comes on as if you are Elphaba herself on Broadway.

–WHAT?

–And yes, I really did bring the Sexy Back in this race. For real, people. Have you met me? Running + McPolish  = THE HOTNESS.

–Or maybe just The Sweaty.

–Whatever.

The McPolish Half Marathon Playlist 

All For Swinging You Around           3:42    New Pornographers

Around the World (La La La)          3:36    ATC

Blow    3:40    Ke$ha

Bouncing Around the Room (Live Version – Clifford Ball, 1994) 4:08    Phish

Canned Heat  5:34    Jamiroquai

Cannonball    3:34    The Breeders

Chelsea Dagger         3:35    The Fratellis

Clumsy           4:00    Fergie

Defying Gravity         5:57                Wicked

Don’t Stop Believin’  4:12    Journey

F**kin’ Perfect           3:34    P!nk

Faded 3:32    Soul Decision

Final Countdown       5:12    Europe

Firework         3:48    Katy Perry

Fishnet Woman (The Wisconsin Song)      3:19    Ted Wulfers

Forget You     3:44    Cee Lo Green

Get Ur Freak On        3:57    Missy Elliott

Gold Digger    3:28    Kanye West

Holla Back Young’n   3:29    Fabolous

Home  5:06    Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Homecoming  3:23    Kanye West Feat. Chris Martin

I Gotcha          3:59    Lupe Fiasco

I Want to Take You Higher  5:24    Sly & The Family Stone

If I Could Turn Back Time    4:14    Cher

In Da Club      4:06    50 Cent

It’s Gonna Be Me       3:12    ‘N Sync

Just Fine         4:02    Mary J. Blige

Last Resort     3:20    Papa Roach

Little Bird       4:39    Annie Lennox            Diva

Little Lion Man          4:05    Mumford & Sons

The Middle    2:46    Jimmy Eat World

The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get 3:43    Morrissey

Mr. November           3:59    The National

No Air 4:24    Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown

No Man’s Woman      3:02    Sinéad O’Connor

O Fortuna       4:55    Apotheosis

Over You        3:25    Daughtry

Pocketful of Sunshine           3:23    Natasha Bedingfield

Poker Face     3:57    Lady GaGa

Raise Your Glass        3:23    P!nk

Rock Star Poser         4:32    N.E.R.D.

Rolling in the Deep   3:48    ADELE            21

Root Down     3:32    The Beastie Boys

Roses  6:10    OutKast

Rush   4:19    Big Audio Dynamite II

Seven Nation Army   3:52    The White Stripes

SexyBack        4:03    Justin Timberlake

Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)      3:13    Beyoncé

So What          3:35    P!nk

Stronger         5:12    Kanye West

Superman      2:53    R.E.M.

Sure Shot       3:18    The Beastie Boys

Take On Me   3:52    Ah-Ha

These Boots Are Made for Walkin’  2:46    Nancy Sinatra

Track 02         3:38    Mumford & Sons

What’s My Name?     4:16    Snoop Doggy Dog

Whole Lotta Love      5:34    Led Zeppelin  Led Zeppelin II

Womanizer    3:44    Britney Spears

You Can Do It            4:21    Ice Cube

Zombie Nation           6:10    Kern Kraft 4000

misinterpreted lyrics, pt. II

For years I thought they were saying, “Never mind the splinters ‘cuz I’ll always be your friend….”

Which made perfect sense (to me) because you know what? Sometimes I can get cranky. And…and…splinter-y. But I still like you. So you shouldn’t mind me when I’m in a bad mood, and I won’t mind you when you’re in a bad mood. I will pay no mind to the splinters, my friends, I will pay no mind.

See? Total, perfect sense.

5 things i’ve missed about chicago

It’s just short of a month that I’ve been back in Sweet Home, and it’s been, well…it’s been.

Moving home to a city I love, but where I haven’t lived in six years is nothing short of: wonderful, confusing, intimidating, challenging, comfortable, uncomfortable, and exciting. All rolled up and mashed together, like a complex and strange—yet very tasty—burrito.

And who doesn’t love a burrito?

Yeah, that’s right. I just compared the city of Chicago to a burrito.

Though I’ve only been here a short time, and though I do miss DC quite a lot (except when I don’t), I’ve quickly realized that there are things that I’ve missed so much it makes my head spin in glory that I don’t have to miss them any longer.

In no particular order:

WXRT: Putting aside the fact that I interned for this station the summer between my junior and senior years of college, I can honestly say that this is the best radio station I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. The DJs seem to actually like the music they play, and if you’re a musicphile XRT is one of the best sources for new and interesting bands and songs that span the gamut of genres.

When I smile at people they actually smile back and sometimes even say hello and in general do not act like my smiling at them is a precursor to me shanking them or stealing their wallet: Take note, East Coasters.

Restaurants: Sometime in the last five years Chicago’s restaurant scene simply exploded. Well, then again, I think this actually happened in a lot of cities. Or maybe I just started paying attention. Either way, what I love about Chicago’s restaurant scene is that it—much like my beloved Baltimore—doesn’t give a flying fuck what LA or New York seem to be doing. Chicago’s restaurants are doing their own thing, taking chances and creating a gastronomic wonderland in the city jungle. It’s scintillating and enticing and I want to go everywhere at once.

Lower Wacker Drive: I will master this Bat Cave-like thru-way during my living here this time. I will. I will be that knowledgeable citizen who can maneuver through the underbelly of the city with ease. Because I’m all about avoiding the absurd traffic.

Gary Glitter*, The Fratellis, and Journey: If you are from Chicago, you understand completely the swell of pride I feel when I hear these songs. Last week when I was driving up Lake Shore Drive after work, the city skyline stretched in front of me when Gary Glitter came on the radio. And if you think I didn’t start clapping my hands over my head in time to the music and almost drive my car off the road in the process, then clearly you don’t know me at all.

*Though some may find this one to be more appropriate than Gary. But to me, Gary Glitter is Michael, Scottie, et al., through and through.

you rock so hard

Whenever I hear Tom Petty come over the speakers, I always stop and wonder aloud, “Tom Petty, why do you rock so hard?” in a tone of wonder and amazement that so much awesomeness can be contained in one musician.

Also: I challenge you to get through an entire listening of this song without belting out, “Now I’m FREEEE! FREE! BALLIN’!” just because you are 12 at heart.

No?

Just me?

Oh.

Well carry on then, rockers.