My walrus submitter rankings have Swanky as the best generalist and pyat as the best specialist, although Yuv may have given him a run for his money after the last grab bag (maybe he’s somewhere in the moddle). In other words Swanky particularly good at finding songs that a lot of people like, which sometimes win, whereas pyat tends to come up with very specific songs that fit a host and category but may not have as broad of appeal.
3 Likes
This seems about right
2 Likes
6 Likes
not to sound ageist, but the fact that Swanky is old enough to have been attending concerts in the 70s and still send new music I’ve never heard of (and thoroughly enjoy when listening to) makes it even more impressive to me.
6 Likes
The thing that’s hit me the hardest through this whole pandemic is not seeing live music. I enjoy nothing more than seeing a new band at a tiny venue in front of a handful of people, and where I live has a load of great spots to do this. This is by far the longest I’ve gone without going to a gig since I was 15.
7 Likes
OK, let’s kick this off. I’ll continue to leave at least two days per round and put two rounds up at once, but might not start them as regularly over the holiday period.
Round 3 Match 1 (of 8)
Run The Jewels - Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1
Vs
Sparks - My Baby’s Taking Me Home
@DodgerIrish pumped up @cassette to dangerous levels with Blockbuster Night, being the best hit the gym / get pumped up song. Lately it beat Anna Meredith.
Killer Mike is a beast. Sick production. Run the Jewels don’t resonate with me most of the time, but this is great and has a nice tempo for a long run. Added to my gym playlist.
@Rivaldo persuaded me that this was the best song to catch people’s ears during a dinner party. It then won Group 16. It Defeated Dream Warriors to make it here.
On the one hand this song just repeats the line “My Baby’s Taking Me Home” over and over (107 times if you believe someone on youtube), on the other there’s so much going on as the song progresses it’s hard to keep track. You can hear pure pop, music hall, krautrock, electronic music, minimalism, all sorts. That’s all without considering the performance here (it’s a live track), which elevates it even further. Really, this blew me away. Can’t wait to get stuck into their back catalogue. Toppest marks.
Round 3 Match 1
- Run The Jewels - Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1
- Sparks - My Baby’s Taking Me Home
0
voters
1 Like
Round 3 Match 2 (of 8)
Ruby Freidman Orchestra - You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive
Vs
Michael Kiwanuka - You Ain’t the Problem
@Pauwl won @mjiggy’s Soundtrack category with You’ll Never Leave… Recently it humbled Mariah Carey.
I guess that leaves Pauwl alone on the podium with the one certified banger that was submitted to this category. Wire to wire winner, I’ll let the song speak for itself because I’m off to go listen to it again myself.
@MimosaDef romped to victory with You Ain’t the Problem in @cassette’s 2019-20 songs round. Lately it triumphed over Vive la Fete.
Wow. This is great. Those last 20 seconds feel odd. Not quite sure why the song ends the way it does, but otherwise a really phenomenal track. Thanks very much for this. I love it.
Round 3 Match 2
- Ruby Freidman Orchestra - You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive
- Michael Kiwanuka - You Ain’t the Problem
0
voters
1 Like
Fuck. The first one is pretty easy for me but that second matchup is legitimately difficult. I really like both songs.
Gonna have to think on it more.
1 Like
Clearly it wasn’t since you selected the wrong entry…
1 Like
Agreed, two of my top 3 or 4 remaining songs.
And agreed. I’m not MBTMH stan and will honestly be annoyed if it wins the whole thing but I found that Run the Jewels song to be pretty mediocre and am even more annoyed by it still being in the running.
Keep this attitude up and your baby will be taking you to sleep with the fishes!
3 Likes
Couple of unacceptable results above currently, I hope that’s remedied. Anyway, on with the contests.
Round 3 Match 3 (of 8)
Seafood - Scorch Comfort
Vs
Jack Rose Sunflower - River Blues
I won @SwankyWilder’s category about debut singles with Scorch Comfort. It somehow beat Meat Loaf last time out.
This couldn’t have been more up my street if it had moved in next door, rang my bell, and left me a cold socially distanced beer on the front step.
I absolutely loved everything about it.
@cassette gave @Pauwl and Sunflower River Blues a victory in, fittingly, the ‘Guitar’ category. It lately was a victor over FKA Twigs.
First impression: Ok, yup. Banger.
Later: Fuck yeah. A beautiful melody, great guitar tone, and an ace performance. Plus it’s a guitar and only a guitar. I’ve been into this bluegrass/country stuff a lot lately and this hit the spot. Good fit, good song. I’ll listen to some more this. Cheers.
Round 3 Match 3
- Seafood - Scorch Comfort
- Jack Rose Sunflower - River Blues
0
voters
1 Like
Round 3 Match 4 (of 8)
Rizzle Kicks - Down with the Trumpets
Vs
Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine
@SwankyWilder and Down With the Trumpets showed @eyebooger why where he lives has the best music. It was recently judged better than Soul Fugue.
Inebriated: Pretty sure I saw Rizzle Kicks on Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Don’t think I know anything else about them. Not normally a hip-hop person, but this is pretty solid. It’s like hip-hop melded with dance friendly pop. This could work. Last song I’m listening to tonight, so that could be the reason I’m bobbing my head. Or maybe the song is legit good. I’ll find out later this weekend.
Ebriated: Loving this. Best use of trumpets in hip-hop since US3’s “Cantaloop”. Catchy chorus, cool beat, fun lyrics. Stiff competition, but this could actually win this thing.
@ChrisV thought that @hokie and Your Hand in Mine had the best personal connection. Last round it beat St Paul and the Broken Bones.
It’s new to me and I was quite taken with it. The band have referred to their compositions as “cathartic mini-symphonies”, which I think is on point. The sort of wistful build-up gives way to the joyful crescendos in a way that remains exciting for me even after a bunch of listens (and I’ve heard this 10+ times at this point). It’s quite pop in its sensibilities, really, but it’s beautiful.
Round 3 Match 4
- Rizzle Kicks - Down with the Trumpets
- Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine
0
voters
2 Likes
Who is Jack Rose Sunflower?
I think this might have confused you. It looks like you voted for “useless indie®” over Jack Rose.
Take the win!
1 Like
Three advance relentlessly:
Run the Jewels
Ruby Freidman Orchestra
Jack Rose Sunflower
Match 4 is in need of a Christmas miracle, see above. I’ll kick off the next lot the other side of turkey.
1 Like
I just untied match 4.
3 Likes
RIP MBTMH
4 Likes
Thank you, I guess, though you just broke my heart for the fourth time this round.
2 Likes
That’s tough going 0-4 in votes with 3 of them being 1 vote margins.
1 Like