The seven hundred sixty-third song: Cop Killer - Body Count
There's something in the anger of this song that doesn't only transfer to today, but seems more present. Especially in the US, there have been major issues with law enforcement and this is the anger that's been there for some time. The song itself is an interesting metal song, but it's so open and blatant about how it feels that its ban doesn't surprise me - even if not out of nowhere.
The seven hundred sixty-fourth song: Pretend We’re Dead - L7
More innocent, perhaps, Pretend We're Dead is a song about life with a fatalistic, dark bend, with the flat vocals leaning into the boredom and dislike that comes through as the feeling of the song. It's more energetic in its music, but there's still that flat mood that it describes really well.
The seven hundred sixty-fifth song: My Drug Buddy - Lemonheads
The maudlin sound of this track creates a sadder love song, a story about what connects them clear from the title alone, but there's something very tender about it as well. The wistful, slow rock is quite pleasant and it ends up being a really sweet song.
The seven hundred sixty-sixth song: Shake Your Head - Was (Not Was)
We have another house remix of a rock song, as we've been having some before, and here it really feels like a new song - the new vocals help with that, together with with the dominant beat. It's a good dance track to listen to, although I wonder what the point is of referencing the original song at this point. It's a style that feels a bit overdone now, but especially with Ozzy Ozbourne's contrasting vocals, there are places where it really works.
The seven hundred sixty-seventh song: Motorcycle Emptiness - Manic Street Preachers
While there's a hint of anthemic sounds in this track, it feels like it tells a smaller story, sticking to an empty feeling that appears to dominate a bit at this point in music. It's a soft rock, alternative story, but properly sweet to listen to.
The seven hundred sixty-eighth song: Creep - Radiohead
The opening of this song follows its title. The lyrics are obsessive. The vocals are subdued, not whispered, but somehow holding back. The instruments are constrained, keeping things simple for the most part. It bursts out in attacks of aggression from time to time, but, as feels appropriate, a lot of the threat lurks brilliantly. It's genuinely an amazing debut.
The seven hundred sixty-ninth song: Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine
If I look at what music really formed my musical tastes growing up, Rage Against the Machine sits on the side. Emotional and overblown as a teenager, this burst of aggression really works to try to leave your stamp on the world. Even now, the burst works, the messages and feelings connect and there's a metal and rock attitude that still works for me.
The seven hundred seventieth song: Connected - Stereo Mc’s
On the other side, we're getting something relaxed, something more chill to change the mood. This is a simpler song about human connections, setting up a good melody with some nice and welcoming lyrics. It's a nice electric hip hop track.