I set up iTunes to give me 64 random songs off of my main playlist (albeit with more access to outsider music than usual - I wanted the contest to be interesting). These will be divided into 32 musical face offs. Losers go away and the winners advance until "there can only be one." For added suspense, I will post the results every Friday between now and March 28th, at which time one song will reign supreme.
Who will triumph? XTC goes into the contest with the deck stacked - four songs in the running. But there are solid songs from other favorites and a couple of dark horses that are the only songs in my collection from particular artists. Got an inside track on the workings of my mind? Call your bookie now!
One odd thing with this first tournament: no Joe Jackson! I've got virtually everything he's done - so much that he always pops up, even randomly outstripping Stan Ridgway, my favorite artist (the difference is made up during non-random listening). But JJ didn't make the random drawing this time. Must be because he's busy on tour right now.
Round One:
Who Is It? (Live) - Talking Heads
vs,
Electric Blue - IcehouseWinner: Icehouse
Comments: Spirited effort by the Heads, but no match for electropowerpop.
In the Rapids - Genesisvs,
Jump Town -Harry James & His Orchestra
Winner: Harry James
Comments: A transitional storytelling piece out of context is no match for swing.
I Think I Started A Trend - Brad Sucksvs,
Love Is a Rodeo - Golden Earring
Winner: Golden Earring
Comments: Believe it or not, the Earring was a sentimental favorite. Sort of.
Hidden Track - Fay Lovsky
vs,
You Had to Be There - Stillwater
Winner: Fay
Comments: The Dutch songstress over the neo-Frampton in a surprise upset.
14 Hour Technicolor Dream - The Synvs,
Moods for Moderns - Elvis Costello & The AttractionsWinner: Costello
Comments: 2nd String Brit Psychedelia v. vintage Costello = no contest.
Put a Lid on It -Squirrel Nut Zippersvs,
Moonwatch - Mike Oldfield
Winner: The Zippers
Comments: Another no contest: a hot novelty band trounces MO from his wanking period.
Millionaire Blues - Dire Straits
vs,
Rael 2 - The WhoWinner: The Who
Comments: The battle of the throwaway tracks. Don't expect The Who to advance after this.
King of Bohemia -Richard Thompsonvs,
Earn Enough for Us - XTCWinner: XTC
Comments: This one broke my heart, especially after seeing RT - but I've spent too much time living this XTC track.
Robin Loves Me - Queen Anne's Lace
vs,
Didn't Matter Anyway - Hatfield and the NorthWinner: Hatfield
Comments: Richard Sinclair carries the day.
One More Dub - The Clashvs,
This Is Always - Harry James & His Orchestra
Winner: Harry James
Comments: Still Harry after all these years.
Thieves in the Temple - Princevs,
One of the Millions - XTCWinner: Prince
Comments: A hard choice because this was a battle of two 2nd tier songs for each artist - Prince for the win because I got tired of Colin's whining.
Your Love Is King - Sadevs,
Cornflake Girl - Tori AmosWinner: Y Kant Tori Lose
Comments: I only have this one Tori track, and it trounces a mid-level Sade track.
I Can't Reach You - Petra Haden
vs,
Crystal Palace - Stan RidgwayWinner: Petra
Comments: Acappella Pete Townshend wins over one of Ridgway's weaker songs.
These Are Days - 10,000 Maniacs
vs,
Button Up Your Overcoat - Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah BandWinner: Merchant's band
Comments: The wrong Bonzo track ran against the Maniacs.
Feel Like - Al Stewartvs,
Call Me (Theme from American Gigolo) - Blondie
Winner: Debbie and Friends
Comments: My favorite Blondie track mops up with Stewart's second string cut.
Centro - Blood Rubyvs,
Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) - SpearheadWinner: The dream poppers top the rappers
Comments: Probably the oddest matchup on today's board.
Greenman - XTC
vs,
Did You Make a Song With Otis - The Dandy WarholsWinner: XTC
Comments: The Dandies' throwaway is no match for one of XTC's best tracks.
Pink Orange Red - Cocteau Twins
vs,
Let It Slide - Alabama 3
Winner: Woke up this morning to a win
Comments: Will there be a dream pop matchup in a later round? No.
Midnight Rambler - The Rolling Stonesvs,
Hush - Deep PurpleWinner: The Purps
Comments: My favorite DP wins handily over a hot Stones track.
I'll Do Anything But Break Dance For Ya, Darling - Daniel Johnstonvs,
Susie Before Sunrise - Stan RidgwayWinner: Stan the Man
Comments: One of Ridgway's better tracks crushes an outsider's novelty track.
Rhayader Goes to Town - Camelvs,
Kanonen-Song (Cannon Song) - Kurt Weill
Winner: Camel
Comments: Might seem like blasphemy, but that was the mood I was in.
Boom, Like That -Mark Knopflervs,
Blood of Eden - Peter GabrielWinner: Knopfler
Comments: Sarcasm over introspection. Could've gone the other way easily.
Lose Your Heart - Bob Welchvs,
Cry, Cry, Cry - Roxy MusicWinner: Roxy
Comments: Another one of those sad mismatches.
Arms Aloft - Joe Strummer and The Mescalerosvs,
Tangerine - Herb Alpert and The Tijuana BrassWinner: TJB
Comments: It's February - maybe I'm citrus starved.
The Opening Curtain - Spoons
vs,
Sell Sell Sell - David Gray
Winner: Run away with the Spoons
Comments: A strong Spoons song takes down the midlist offering from Gray.
That Lady (Part 1 & 2) - The Isley Brothersvs,
Cool Water - Joy Askew
Winner: The Isleys
Comments: Soul vs. soulful. Don't make me make this choice again.
Love for Sale - Elvis Costello & The Attractionsvs,
Typical Situation - Dave Matthews BandWinner: Elvis
Comments: Hot EC trounces a so-so DMB track.
Crawdaddy Simone - The Syndicats
vs,
Jaws Of Murmur - Jandek
Winner: Janky
Comments: The other outsider advances! And he might do well with this fairly civil track...
Opening Medley - The Chieftainsvs,
All You Pretty Girls - XTCWinner: XTC
Comments: Please tell me this won't turn into an XTC vs. XTC contest.
Cold - Annie Lennoxvs,
Young Offender - New Order
Winner: Lennox
Comments: Annie's words were better.
Memories - including: Kennebec Chatter, The Fair, Dancehall Days and Others - The People's Victory Orchestra and Chorus
vs,
How Does It Feel to Feel - The Creation
Winner: Creationism
Comments: Alas, the long-awaited matchup between TPVO&C and Jandek is not to be...
Parallels - Yes
vs,
Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear - Randy Newman
Winner: Yes
Comments: The novelty song had a tough time against the prog band's peak.
Next Friday: The first round of survivors face off for a slot in the Sweet Sixteen!
Next Round: Round Two
