Promises, Promises by Incubus

This is my favorite song from the If Not Now, When? album. I've been listening to this song for the past weeks and haven't gotten over how good it is. It's one of the subtle Incubus songs in my opinion. Subtle is good in this case. 

I'm only twenty-three for
Another hour, give or take,
I'm a fan of yours
And I need a good mistake

I'm not a sinner, a preacher
All I have is slight of hand
I do magic tricks for
All the boys in the band

Baby could I be
The rabbit in your hat?
I'd swing if you'd hand me..
Hand me the bat

I'm on the road of least resistance
I'd rather give up than give into this
So promise me only one thing, would you?
Just don't ever make me promises..
No promises, no promises

I've never done this before
Promises, promises,
I'm enjoying the illusion
And the things my body says

Now you see me, now you don't
Oh, how well you disappear
What are you running from
And may I interfere?

Baby could I be
The rabbit in your hat?
I'd swing if you'd hand me..
Hand me the bat

I'm on the road of least resistance
I'd rather give up than give into this
So promise me only one thing, would you?
Just don't ever make me promises..
No promises, no promises

Pump it Up by Elvis Costello

I just realized that this blog needs an Elvis Costello post. I would be the first person to say that I'm not really a big Costello fan. I came to appreciate him by catching a cover version of one of his songs, "(What's So Funny) Peace, Love and Understanding".

If my memory serves me right, I discovered Pump it Up via a bass player magazine that discussed the basslines on some Elvis Costello songs.

I've been on tenterhooks
ending in dirty looks,
list'ning to the Muzak,
thinking 'bout this 'n' that.
She said that's that.
I don't wanna chitter-chat.
Turn it down a little bit
or turn it down flat.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.
Pump it up until you can feel it.
Down in the pleasure centre,
hell bent or heaven sent,
listen to the propaganda,
listen to the latest slander.
There's nothing underhand
that she wouldn't understand.
Pump it up until you can feel it.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.
She's been a bad girl.
She's like a chemical.
Though you try to stop it,
she's like a narcotic.
You wanna torture her.
You wanna talk to her.
All the things you bought for her,
putting up your temp'rature.
Pump it up until you can feel it.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.
Out in the fashion show,
down in the bargain bin,
you put your passion out
under the pressure pin.
Fall into submission,
hit-and-run transmission.
No use wishing now for any other sin.
Pump it up until you can feel it.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.

Bring It Back / Gold Cobra by Limp Bizkit

During college and after heavily enjoying Limp Bizkit's Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water, I declared in one of my classes that it was the best album I've owned so far. A lot of things have happened after that expanded my musical horizons. Fred Durst and Co. were overthrown by Incubus and other bands since, but I've enjoyed their music every chance I get to.

I recently listened to at least 1st half of this album when I walked from Ayala Avenue towards the office. The walk gives me time to do some exercise, think and listen to music. Music that I might have missed with the busy schedule. I like how these 2 songs come after the other. 

Bring It Back has great riffage and timing. I like the club-music like cadence and the way how they switch between the verse and chorus.

Gold Cobra is a classic Bizkit track. I really like the guitar harmonic's on this record.

I'm not and would never be embarrassed about liking and appreciating these songs at this day and age. As Fred Durst says "I don't give a fuck what none of y'all people think".

Bring It Back

Oh, let me hit that, let me get that party song.
Let me turn this place into another motherfuckin' danger zone.
Oh, where the good ones? Where the good ones at right now yo?
We gonna talk this shit till we got this bitch rockin' on the rockship, no shit.
No hell, no way, I'm gonna chop this rock like blocks of clay.
I'm gonna sink your ship so fast, one blast, don't ask, your ass is grass.
No red no green, Imma paint this black and crack your spleen.
Commin' stright from the dark Imma shark, Imma rip your shit like a slasher scene.

Gimmie the racket for the brain.
Gimmie the funky (fuckin' maybe?) shit to make the people go insane.
Gimmie the fuckin' drug we call the music on this track.
Gimmie the fuckin' riff we gonna use to break your back.
BRING IT BACK!

Gimmie the racket for the brain.
Gimmie the funky shit to make the people go insane.
Gimmie the fuckin' drug we call the music on this track.
Gimmie the fuckin' riff we gonna use to break your back.
BRING IT BACK!

Remember all them 90's things, them 90's hits we laced like this.
Commin' to you live 2012 and hell there's still not shit like this.
We still rain the blood in the club like slayer flip it up like Limp Bizkit.
Tie you up to electric chairs and roast yours guts like nuts on Christmas.
Never worry if anybody gonna like me.
Don't give a damn if anybody give a fuck.
I'm gonna say what I want you can look it up.
Wikipedia probley gonna fuck it up.
I don't give a damn, cuz its on.
Most people never last this long.
Most people never find a way but we gonna rock this motherfucker all night long.

Gimmie the racket for the brain.
Gimmie the funky shit to make the people go insane.
Gimmie the fuckin' drug we call the music on this track.
Gimmie the fuckin' riff we gonna use to break your back.
BRING IT BACK!
 

Gold Cobra

Yeah, Who's the champ? Yeah.
C'mon, check this:
Wakin up aggravated, stupid Shit, man I hate it
Bitches lyin, bitches cryin,suicidal, get in line
Gettin mine, bouncin freaks, losin sleep, countin sheep
Absolute, cash and loot, men in black packin heat
Born and blazin rotten raisin fingers up time ta wave'm
Show these playas playin that they better get their ass to prayin
There will be nothin but dice after the cuttin' I'm guttin em
Like a fish they're gonna wish they never pushed my button
The door's shuttin and a knock will do you no good
You're gettin nothin while I rock here in Hollywood
I'll tell ya somethin else you can take it to the bank
I don't give a fuck what none of y'all people think
Holdin the gold it's so gold it's so golden y'all
Golden Cobra
Oh, Uh, That's right, yeah (shut the fuck up!) that's right
Feelin Korn, goin blind, free as hell, doin time
I'm insane, can't complain, flush you turds down the drain
Down the hatch, throwin craps, throwin matches on the gas
Check the math check the wheels check the ride pay the bills
Burnin miles, harder smile if you're feelin versatile
Verses wild, flippin bitches, grindin trucks, skatin ditches
Hatin hard but hardly hatin, knife and slice your shit like bacon
Sick and tired, you is fired, I'm the truth and yous the liar
The door's shuttin and a knock will do you no good
You're gettin nothin while I rock here in Hollywood
I'll tell ya somethin else you can take it to the bank
I don't give a fuck what none of y'all people think
Holdin the gold it's so gold it's so golden y'all
Golden Cobra
Oh yeah listen what I'm tellin you (I'm tellin you)
There's only one king on this hill It sure as hell ain't you
Holdin the gold it's so gold it's so golden y'all
Golden Cobra

Just Like I Pictured It by Medeski, Martin & Wood

This is one of my recent favorites and it happens to be an instrumental song. I was introduced to this band when I read an article about Chris Wood's work on an issue of Bass Player mag. I happen to come across this album on one of my CD hunting exploits and bought it. 

I just like how the bass line grooves throughout the song. It seems simple enough, and maybe I'll try to learn it. 

Beetlebum by Blur

Yesterday, I suddenly pined for hearing this song by Blur. The intro guitar lines suddenly invaded my head, along with correct and misheard lyrics. I kept hearing the outro lines of "He's on, He's on, He's on it" as "She's all, she's all, she's alright", 

For some reason, I remember my friend Roman when I hear this song. Maybe it was because this song was released when we were in highschool. That and the Robbie William's song Strong reminds me of him.

Nowadays, I notice how good the bass and guitar work is. 

Beetlebum

What you've done
She's a gun
Now what you've done
Beetlebum

Get nothing done
You beetlebum
Just get numb
Now what you've done
Beetlebum

And when she lets me slip away
She turns me on
And all my violence is gone
Nothing is wrong
I just slip away and I am gone

Nothing is wrong
She turns me on
I just slip away and now I am gone

Beetlebum
Because you're young
She's a gun
Now what you've done
Beetlebum

She'll suck your thumb
She'll make you come
Coz, she's your gun
Now what you've done
Beetlebum

And when she lets me slip away
She turns me on
All my violence is gone
Nothing is wrong
I just slip away and I am gone
Nothing is wrong
She turns me on
I just slip away and now I am gone

He's on, he's on, he's on it.