Random Stuff in My iTunes Library

In a sentence that sounds remarkably like an Apple sales campaign, 'iTunes has changed the way I listen to music'. It's true, though. Now that I own an MP3 player (well, two MP3 players) and a large collection of music, I have also started to collect one off tracks. Where possible I obtain these legally. These songs are replacing the collection of tapes I used to have. Whenever I heard a song I liked on the radio, I'd try to tape it and write down its name in a little notebook on top of my stereo. When the tape was full I'd make a printed label for it and add it to the growing pile of other tapes. These days it's easier to download the song. You get a 'clean' copy (no traces of back announce, radio static or other such problems) and you can play it over and over again with the convenience of digital music players. I thought today I would select a few songs from my iTunes library as a point of discussion.

1. Baby Doll, Party of One
This song was huge on Triple J in about 2002, I think. It features rap and I don't usually like rap, but I do like the lyrics of this song, as well as the backing music which contains a recorder, of all things. It's a great song- I don't know why the group disappeared so mysteriously.

2. Greg! The Stop Sign! TISM
I don't like much of TISM's other stuff. They tend to be quite cynical in relation to almost every single other artist and take no shame from criticising everyone else publicly. But I do find this song quite funny and rather infectious.

3. Left Behind, Aqualung
I can't admit to having heard any of Aqualung's other stuff and if I did it must not have been especially memorable. This is an addictive and beautiful track which is one I can't hear too many times. One day I will track down and purchase this album, but until then I'll keep listening to this song obsessively on repeat.

4. Comfort Eagle, Cake
I've listened to a few Cake albums and found that too much Cake can be an overindulgence (ha) and repetitive. But the odd song grabs me and this is one that is definitely addictive. It doesn't seem to make much sense: 'we are building a religion, a limited edition, we are widening the corridors and adding more lanes', but it's funny and has a good beat behind it.