Random Rules

The Onion A.V. Club does a feature (semi)regularly called Random Rules. They basically ask people to put their iPods (or other MP3 player) on shuffle and write down the first 5 songs that come up and about them. I decided to do that with mine, so here it is:

1) Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by mewithoutyou

I actually haven’t listened to this track much, but not that I have, I kind of wish I’d listened to it more. I really didn’t start listening to mewithoutyou until a few months ago, but they have arguably the deepest vocals I’ve ever heard (and a style that I can honestly say is completely original).

2) Blaim It On Cain by Elvis Costello

How can you go wrong with Elvis Costello? And with a masterpiece like My Aim is True, its hard to argue. Not a guilty pleasure… Just a pleasure.

3) Somebody That I Used To Know by Elliott Smith

A beautiful song by a genious taken too soon. His four albums (that I have) are the most heartfelt things I’ve ever listened to. Emo has nothing on him.

4) I Used To Hate Cell Phones, Now I Hate Car Accidents by Norma Jean

File this under music my mother and girlfriend hate, but I love. Sure they scream, sure you can’t understand what they are saying, but does that make it any less musical? I argue that it doesn’t. And a kid with an acoustic guitar has a real hard time packing this much emotion in a song (unless his name is Elliott Smith).

5) Circle V The Wrathful: Kathleen Barbra by Zao

All I have to say is “That guy was so hardcore he probably named his kid Zao.” ‘Nuff said.