In the previous installment of this series, I'd mentioned spontaneously visiting my friends Greg and Katie on the way back from Europe when I managed to avoid spending a night in the Newark airport by getting an agent to send me to Cincinnati via DC. Just two weeks later, I drove back across the Appalachians to Greenbelt, MD to see them again, a long weekend trip that had been planned well before I'd gone overseas. I'm sure Greg and I went CD shopping multiple times, but the main attraction of the visit was Harbourfest, an outdoor concert in Georgetown Waterfront Park. I think the headline act (and the reason I would have been hyped to go) was Sam Phillips, out promoting her excellent Martinis & Bikinis album. Other acts included the band at #19 below, and (apparently, as memories do dim over time) Candy Machine and Lotion.
28. MC 900 Ft. Jesus, "If I Only Had a Brain"
Even though the whole 900-foot Jesus thing happened to Oral Roberts back in the 70s, I seem to recall it cropping up with my officemates in grad school (scammy televangelists like Jimmy Swaggert and Jim Bakker were a more-than-occasional topic of conversation and source of bemusement for some reason). My hat is off to Mark Griffin for using the incident as inspiration for his stage name.
This is yet another song that brings back memories of watching too much Beavis and Butt-head back then.
27. Cause & Effect, "It's Over Now"
This trio from Sacramento scored a minor Top 40 hit in 1992 with "You Think You Know Her," one I don't recall at all. Tragedy struck on the supporting tour later that year when keyboardist Sean Rowley passed away during a sound check. The others ultimately elected to continue on with a new keyboard player, and the Depeche Mode-ish "It's Over Now" reached #12 here in MRT land.
25. Jah Wobble, "The Sun Does Rise"
Former member of Public Image Ltd brings on Dolores O'Riordan from the Cranberries for vocals; somehow this joyful piece escaped my attention at the time.
24. Beastie Boys, "Sabotage"
I'm a pretty big fan of this one, but maybe half of that comes from the video. The Boys are all around my age, which might explain how the idea of riffing on a 70s cop show intro arose.
19. The Dambuilders, "Shrine"
Hearing that ferocious guitar/violin riff again after 30 years does take me back to Harbourfest. This was the Dambuilders' peak moment, though its members have gone on to various other musical pursuits. Violinist Joan Wasser came across my path again earlier this year when a friend recommended I listen to a song by Wasser under her nom de musique (?) Joan As Police Woman (continuing a theme today, apparently--we'll see if I can work in a Cannon or Barnaby Jones reference later). She seems very interesting.
17. Love Spit Love, "Am I Wrong"
Psych Furs vocalist Richard Butler's mid-90s gig. In the running for best song on the chart this go-round; "You let life get in your way" is such a devastating line.
15. Weezer, "Undone-The Sweater Song"
I'm 98% certain I first heard "Undone" on that trip to Maryland. The Blue Album remains one of my favorites from this period.
Like "Sabotage" above, this clip was directed by Spike Jonze.
14. Sheryl Crow, "All I Wanna Do"
The big breakthrough for Crow, reaching #2 on the Hot 100. I called it loopy at the time, and I'll stand by that assessment (it was a compliment). No, I don't go by Bill or Billy or Mac or Buddy, and I do think I've had at least one day of fun across my whole life.
8. Green Day, "Basket Case"
"Basket Case" would soon spend five weeks on top of this chart, and understandably so--it's got hooks and energy galore.
7. Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories, "Stay (I Missed You)"
Yes, reality can bite. On the other hand, it can take your career to unexpected heights if you happen to have the right neighbor, such as an actor who helps getting you on his latest film's soundtrack.
6. Soundgarden, "Black Hole Sun"
Not my thing exactly, but I cannot deny the greatness of Chris Cornell's voice or the trippiness of the song's video.
4. Toad the Wet Sprocket, "Fall Down"
While I never bought one of their albums, I bet I'd enjoy them given how much I liked the singles. "Fall Down" rocks harder than "All I Want" but is just as solid a tune.
3. Seal, "Prayer for the Dying"
Much more touching piece than I considered back in the day; gonna be giving it additional spins going forward. Life does indeed carry on.
1. The Offspring, "Come Out and Play"
Ah, a reference to The Warriors...
The trend in alternative toward a heavier sound as the years passed was not a welcome development as far as I was concerned. But as long as a song had a strong chorus and/or melody, as in this case... Also: was this when "disrespect" became part of my vocabulary?
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