Most people know the artist behind this week track as the original Captain Kirk, but William Shatner has also released three full length albums. This track, which is the titular track from his second album, is a rebuttal to everyone calling Mr. Shatner a has been. It features a great western theme written by Ben Folds accompanied by fun and interesting spoken lyrics.
Week 28: The White Stripes – My Doorbell
I’m not exactly sure when I heard The White Stripes the first time, but I’d guess it was sometime after their 2003 album Elephant. One thing I know for certain, though, is that when I heard this track I knew without a doubt that I’d keep listening to whatever else they decided to put out. This track is simplistic, smart and they will be missed.
Week 27: Steve Martin – Late For School
Steven Martin is a really good banjo player as it turns out. Of all the tracks on the album The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo this is the only one where Mr. Martin sings, which is why I chose it as the track of the week over the others on it. It’s an excellent bluegrass track with the added value of a fun story, which is told very well.
Week 26: Megadeth – Sweating Bullets
When I heard this track for the first time, I had no idea about Dave Mustaine’s past. I just knew I liked it, and that I liked it a lot. In fact, I still do. This track remains my favorite by Megadeth, and I think it’s a great piece of heavy metal songwriting.
Week 25: Kraftwerk – Pocket Calculator
Before booming bass drums, fast break beast or sick drops there was Kraftwerk. Few groups have had as big influence on a genre of music as they have, and they are still somewhat active. This track, apart from being released in one of the best years ever, has all the components that make Kraftwerk’s music fantastic.
Week 24: Foo Fighters – Let It Die
This is one of those tracks I listen to when I need to get some aggression out of my system. It starts calm with some nice acoustic guitar and ends in total chaos with very heavy electric guitars and screaming vocals. The transition is handled extremely well, and if I’m in a bad mood it usually helps to listen to this track a few times to make me feel better.
Week 23: Dream Theater – Prophets Of War
I suppose it doesn’t come as a shock that I enjoy the occasional bombastic track or two. If you know that about me, I guess it also doesn’t come as a shock that I very much enjoy some progressive metal every now and then. This track is one of my absolute favorites from one of my favorite progressive metal bands. Something to note is that I’m a sucker for both double bass drums as well as big choruses chanting things, and this track clearly checks both those boxes.
Week 22: Barenaked Ladies – If I Had $1000000
There are some groups out there who consistently put out great tracks. Barenaked Ladies is one of those groups, in my opinion. This track is from their very first album which came out 22 years ago. Realizing that makes me feel old. Either way, it’s a nice mellow track with amazing lyrics that makes me smile every time I hear it.
Week 21: Queen – Tie Your Mother Down
I’ve listened to countless hours of Queen, and picking a track to include as the track of the week wasn’t as easy as one might think. When it came down to it, I picked this particular track because I think it’s a great representation of their style and song writing.
I still consider the riff that comes in after the minute long intro to be one of the best ever recorded.
Week 20: The Chemical Brothers – In Dust We Trust
I almost managed to miss posting this week’s track, due to the fact that I thought i had already posted it. Well, crisis averted! The track this week is from a duo that I sometimes catch myself thinking “I wonder what it is I like about these guys” about, and the I put on one of their tracks and it all comes back to me. The track I chose is not one of their bigger hits, but to me it’s one of their better.