No time to waste!  Time to get down to another round of…  the iPod Shuffle!  Time to blabber on about the first ten songs on shuffle mode this fine evening.  Read it!  Like you have anything better to do…

“Long Way Down”, Goo Goo Dolls A Boy Named Goo

These days the Goo Goo Dolls are known more for their mellower radio hits and less for the somewhat punkier tunes they trotted out on their earlier albums.  “Long Way Down” is actually my favorite Goo cut due to the take no prisoners punch, compact riffiness, persistent bass, and catchy chorus.  You guys can have the laid back stuff; gimme dat heads down bashin’ stuff any day.

“I Want Some More”, Dan Auerbach Keep It Hid

Black Keys mainman Dan Auerbach released a solo album back in 2009 that’s not that far removed from his day job.  At the time, maybe it was a bit more experimental and out of the box; however, you can argue that it’s the direction that the Keys ended up going anyway.  “I Want Some More” certainly leans old school with a nice fuzzy riff, great bluesy Auerbach vocal, and really cool organ touches tossed into the mix.  You like the Keys?  You’ll like this.

“Room For One More”, Anthrax Sound Of White Noise

So Anthrax fires Joey Belladonna in an attempt to get a touch heavier and brings on primo belter John Bush (late of Armored Saint) and gets less thrashy but a little more chunkier and fatter with the riff.  “Room For One More” is a great banger and Bush lets it rip through the guitar buzz and pounding drumwork courtesy of Charlie Benante.  One of the better Bush era tunes in my book, kinda like a mini-“Indians” for his era (that song an early ‘thrax classic).

“Baby Don’t Move Me”, The Paladins Slippin’ In

The Paladins are a great bluesy band out of the great state of California and “Baby Don’t Move Me” feels a bit like a long lost rockabilly/surf classic.  Think late 50s/early 60s-  dudes in t shirts and jeans and their girlfriends dancing along in their long skirts and bobby socks and you can picture what I’m talking about.  Throw in a few hot rods and jalopies and surfboards and you’re closer.  Like the Stray Cats for the beach!

“Father, Mother, Son”, John Corabi Unplugged

I’ve vouched for Crab’s vocal prowess many times but that was solely on the merits of his heavier cuts with The Scream and Motley Crue.  The man does a good job with the solo acoustic too, this version is unplugged and a take on the original from the former band’s debut album.  Really a sweet song that seems to be a tribute to the parental units with some good harmony vocals a la The Eagles.

“It’s Over Now”, Ace Frehley Loaded Deck

Man…  I’m not one to bag on a tune but I hate to say this really does nothing for me and I likely wouldn’t even have it on my iPod if not for being part of a Space Ace hits collection.  That said, Ace does play a nice solo midway through this Tod Howarth sung and penned cut.  Falls midway between power ballad and lighter prog fare.  Sorry guys…  can we hear “Rocket Ride” instead?

“Tragic Comic”, Extreme III Sides To Every Story

Not really a fave Extreme song of mine (not enough Nuno guitar!) but I gotta respect the ambition of the band come their third album here.  I know Extreme because of the raucous guitar work, you know Extreme due to their classic “More Than Words”, and “Tragic Comic” steps outside the bounds of both.  Definitely acoustic based but more in that midtempo vibe that gives you the bright and cheeries.  As always with these dudes, good vocals between Nuno Bettencourt and Gary Cherone.

“Moribund The Burgermeister”, Peter Gabriel Revisited

Intro cut to Peter’s first solo release after leaving the Genesis machine, “Moribund” isn’t really too far removed in spirit from that band.  Maybe a bit more oddball (if you can believe that) mostly due to the crazy sound effects and the trippy instrumentation, plus you get a sinister “I will find out” vocals midway through and at the end of the song.  Peter has never been shy in stepping outside of the box and if you dig the creepies in your music you’ll like this.

“Workin’ For MCA”, Lynyrd Skynyrd Southern By The Grace Of God

We all know the Skynyrd legend… horrific plane crash kills band members and effectively ends said band for a good ten year period.  However, the band picks up the pieces and recruits some new blood for a well received tribute tour and releasing this live album in the process.  Good version of “MCA” here as the revived band gets their feet wet behind little brother Johnny Van Zant on vocal (RIP Ronnie).  Misses the punch of Allen Collins but good nonetheless.

“Scavenger Of Human Sorrow”, Death The Sound Of Perseverance

It took me a long, loooong, looooooong while to get into “cookie monster” vocals.  This isn’t cookie but it’s certainly far away from the Halfords, Dios, and Dickinsons that I grew up with.  But with the intensity of noodling and extreme talent on display musically, you can ignore that quickly.  Sure, it’s a bit unsettling vocally (Chuck Schuldiner’s spitting menace is not for everyone) but there are so many changes and twists and turns in this song that’s it’s a bit of an aural treat.

Easy choice for top song this week…  “Room For One More” by far, followed by “Long Way Down”.  Studio version of “MCA” woulda snuck in but alas, it wasn’t meant to be…