After a lengthy hiatus, Grab Bag returns to Dozens Of Donuts. Here, we'll find and react to completely random songs from the depths of music's annals. There's no prerequisites, no regulations self-imposed. Anything can make this list if the site I'm using to discover these songs, RateYourMusic's random release generator, spits them out. This is a great way to discover new music with no attachment to something in your catalogue. Or, a dark reminder that truly horrid music exists in droves.
The positioning is based on the order in which I discovered them. The rating system similar to what DoD already enforces, in that 5 / 10 is average, not bad.
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Hi-Teknology | Boom Bap | 2001
This reeks of early 2000's street Rap huh? Right before Kanye West would arrive to spice up a genre losing steam through reductive Boom Bap sonically and taxing, conscious poetics lyrically. And who else, when thinking of those descriptions, would one expect to join Hi-Tek than Common? 'The Sun God' really doesn't stand out from the lot, with predictable flows and tight-knit loops based on one dusted Soul sample. Some light scratching, a tired flute, and barebones singing signals the "chorus," if it can even be called that. At the end of the day though, this is conventional Hip-Hop during a proud movement, and that holds some weight.
4 / 10
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Single | British Dance Band | 1933
Likely the oldest entry in Grab Bag's history, 'Love Is The Sweetest Thing' dates back to 1933. Right on the cusp of recovery for The Great Depression, something you can faintly hear in the forced romanticism of Ray Noble's voice. The wobbly recording techniques - something The Caretaker owes his entire career to - can be found wavering in the lurch under the strings, piano, and Brass Band swing. Music such as 'Love Is The Sweetest Thing' feels most familiar to me due to Bioshock and Fallout; my two favorite game series of all-time. And boy, would this song accentuate Rapture's dilapidated Art Deco aesthetic immaculately. Two thumbs up for that alone.
7.5 / 10
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Waterloo To Anywhere | Garage Rock | 2006
Despite forcing Garage Rock energy down our throats, Dirty Pretty Things' 'Wondering' can't help but be prosaic. One of those "in one ear out the other" songs. Totally unoriginal, unimaginative, and derelict. A wasteland of long-outdated sounds. Though it predates it by a decade, I'm reminded of the Pixies' racked return on Indie Cindy. Abiding by radio formulas with pedantic structuring. Messy instrumentation, unmemorable hook, handclaps?? The one saving grace is Carl Barât's vocals, which are admittedly quite apropos to the janky commotion.
2.5 / 10
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Lean Into It | Acoustic Rock | 1991
So, this sounds familiar. And honestly, despite the overly sappy, acoustic-based melodrama, it's quite enjoyable. The first few moments are rough, like most of the interceding verses, Hard Rock artists attempting a stripped-down sound rarely succeed. 'To Be With You' turns things around through the chorus, which is simple and effective. Sentimental harmonizing, can't go wrong there. Though the lyrics (namely introducing the female character as "little girl" before then begging for her love) are derivative of every cliche love song known to man.
5 / 10
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Tubular Bells | New Age | 1973
This is a refurbished single, cut from the cloth of a 25-minute New Age piece. Curiosity might land me on the complete work, as Mike Oldfield's bridge between pastoral serenity and organic Progressive Rock works quite well. Especially for the early 70's. I don't know where I'd pinpoint this song, this style, but 'Tubular Bells' predates it. Pacing is exquisite, the quaint choir cooing in the background helps form a melody, and the general medieval fanfare enriches any landscape you're currently dwelling in. I feel as though I'm playing The Witcher, with rich arrangements of fancy masquerading horrid peasant life.
6.5 / 10
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Cartão Postal | MPB | 1971
Ah man, this is way too short. A disappointing fade right as it was gaining steam. Sure, MPB works in short bursts, and Evinha does a swell job at getting straight to the point on 'Esperar Prá Ver,' but still. This could've been so much more. A bridge, coda, extended instrumental outro. Anything! As it stands, 'Esperar Prá Ver' fits the mold of MPB with efficiency, as inspirited horns contend with a dainty vocalist perfecting the art of delicacy. Interestingly enough, I'm actually reminded of some of RJD2's sample work in the production. The uptempo vibe of early 2000's Instrumental Hip-Hop, along with the post-hook drop, find direct comparisons.
7 / 10
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Appetite | Lo-Fi Indie | 2012
Talk about unaccounted for supergroup! They probably didn't think so, with their subdued Slacker Rock fascination, but Walter TV holds a serious place in the early 2010's Lo-Fi scene. I mean, how could you not when you, at one point, boasted Mac DeMarco, HOMESHAKE, and even my beloved Tonstartssbandht as fledgling members? That's serious manpower hidden behind the wall of static. Which is exactly what 'Puka Shell Necklace' sounds like, with purposely-muddy qualities covering small, lovable melodies. The verses go nowhere, indecipherable behind a jaunty tropic air, but the hook latches with adolescent playfulness. Here, the Tonstartssbandht partnership is distinctly felt. In fact, one of both of the White brothers may be lead vocals there. Hard to tell.
6 / 10
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Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! | Pop Punk | 2006
Well, what do you know? Another band featuring an artist before their fame. No, not vocalist Kody Nielson, but his brother Ruban. Better known now as the lead of Unknown Mortal Orchestra. And aren't we glad for that tonal shift into Psychedelic Pop, because this barrage of straightforward Pop Punk doesn't land. Ironically enough, because of Ruban's overbearing guitar work. I mean, it's expected for a toned down Post-Hardcore outfit, but it fails to open avenues of excitement. There could've been melody on 'Funeral Day' - Kody even tries in the hook - but it's just hammered away by this reckless presence. And don't even get me started on how flat the drums sound.
4 / 10
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Rise Up Like The Sun | British Folk Rock | 1978
Hmm. This might be a grower, which is not something I typically say about Folk music. But let's be honest; this is barely Folk. The vocals, sure, and the campfire acoustics, but the dynamic aura and constant thrust forward really amplifies what's normally a subdued, dramatic genre. The lyrics play out like an old Bob Dylan ballad, political and clairvoyant, but their verbiage is quite sloppy and their charisma is too peppy. Still, the repeated chorus and hoopla affair lends 'Time To Ring Some Changes' its buoyancy, with enough oomph to distract from some confusing genre labels.
5.5 / 10
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