e.g. mix 2008.07: Home to the Quickening Ground

Rocket's Tail by Kate Bush from the album The Sensual World (1989). Ah, the inimitable kookiness of Kate Bush. Sensual World is the only album of hers I've got, and it's pretty good. It was her biggest album in the U.S. "Rocket's Tail" (named after her cat Rocket) features histrionic backing vocals by Trio Bulgarka, a Bulgarian vocal ensemble. This is a powerful song that speaks to me, although some might easily find it irritating.
The Pusher by Steppenwolf from the album Steppenwolf (1968). Let's see. Repeated use of the phrase "God damn?" Check. Explicit references to drug use? Check. Frank discussion of murder via bible, razor, and gun? Check. I can't imagine why this song doesn't get more airplay. When Uma Thurman is doing coke in the bathroom in Pulp Fiction and says, "God damn," she's referring to this song.
Workin' Them Angels by Rush from the album Snakes & Arrows (2007). With their latest release, Rush has provided conclusive evidence that they are still Rush. So that's a relief. This is my favorite track off the album. I like the imagery, and the concept of behaving in such a way as to stress one's guardian angels.
Rhinosaur by Soundgarden from the album Down on the Upside (1996). It seems to me I went to school with a few of these. This was Soundgarden's last album, and its perceived quality was one of the reasons cited for the breakup. While it lacks the epic qualities of Superunknown and Badmotorfinger, I thought it was a nice nod to the band's earlier work.
Groundhog's Day by Primus from the album Frizzle Fry (1990). Primus's first studio album. Track two. I love the shuffling chord work with the lead guitar lines dipping and soaring over it. Me and my friend Danny used to listen to this a lot in the car, doing the disco pointing-finger dance to the fast part at the end. It was pretty funny.
Nothin' Song by Alice In Chains from the album Alice In Chains (1995). This is a self-referential song about the process of recording a song when there is a lack of inspiration and ideas. Some songs, you listen to them, and at certain points in the song, you think to yourself, "And that's when the pit went crazy." This song does that a lot.
No Sign of Yesterday by Men At Work from the album Cargo (1983). This song is from Men At Work's second album, and is, in my mind, the counterpart to "Down By the Sea" from Business as Usual. I like the leisurely pace of the song and the intensity of the guitar solo.
Personal Holloway by Bush from the album Razorblade Suitcase (1996). I don't really know what this song means, but it gets me fired up. Deaf and dumb with the lights on? Fuck yeah!
Crash and Burn Intro by Darkhorse from the album Confessions of a Burning Man (2005). When you go to download stuff off the internet, you run across some pretty crummy music. Every so often, though, there's a good track to make your time worthwhile. This is a nice techno-ish piece with a perfectly paced buildup and satisfying payoff. So much cheap techno flubs those two key elements, either taking too long to get to the payoff, or not having a payoff at all, and instead meandering into irrelevance. I dig the sonar pings on this track.
Dirt Bike by They Might Be Giants from the album John Henry (1994). This is another song that I don't know what it means. Sentient evil dirt bikes assume control? Whatever you say, guys.
The Working Hour by Tears For Fears from the album Songs from the Big Chair (1985). This is here for the horn connection with the previous track. It's also here because it's a fantastic song, of course. Just another reason that Songs from the Big Chair was dynamite.
Cornflake Girl by Tori Amos from the album Under the Pink (1994). I just love the Morriconian whistling in this song. Also, this continues the tradition of putting songs on the July mix whose meanings I don't know. Hangin' with the raisin girls, that's right.

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