Mandatory Music Monday

I decided to post a few cover songs today. I usually have a big hang up when it comes to cover songs. More often than not they suck big time. Well I am happy to announce that these covers are better than the originals.

Neko Case has recently become one of my favorite female singers. She has that alt country twang that I love and her voice is so soothing. I know I just said that these are better than the originals but when it comes to this song it's a toss up between her and Tom Waits. You get the beautiful voice with Neko, or if you want the gritty version I would suggest checking out Mr. Waits. I have to admit I am partial to this one just by a smidgen.

Neko Case - Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis (Tom Waits Cover)(no longer available)

This song has some of the greatest lyrics I have ever heard. Of course it was sung by the Man In Black himself Johnny Cash. The original is pretty tame but with this one you might end up doing a back bend if it got anymore laid back. I love to listen to this while falling asleep or when life gets really hectic.
The Mammals - A Satisfied Mind (Johnny Cash Cover) No Longer Avaliable, But This Is)

For the longest time I thought this was an original song by the Dismemberment Plan. Until one day I was at work and we were listening to the 80's muzack station. I heard this typical lame music you'd expect from the 80's dance music and then I heard this girl sing and it's just a little crush. My jaw dropped to the floor when I went home that night and found out it was a danceable hit. Needless to say this version is not danceable. In fact it has a creepy dark air too it that totally changes the tone from the original. It was a little scary the first time I heard it but I absolutely loved it.
The Dismemberment Plan - Crush (Jennifer Paige Cover)

If I ever decided to be in a gang it would be one that didn't use guns or sell drugs. We wouldn't bang or flash gang signs or tag. We'd always roll at least three deep and be as thick as thieves and have a bond like brothers. The neighborhood would know who we were because we would be the ones to go to if any shit went down. Fear wouldn't be a tactic, but respect would be held high. We would raise our young tough as nails but with a heart of gold. If you cross our path we WILL fuck you up in a split second. Bottles and chains, brass knuckles and short fuses. We would embrace everyone but never tolerate being walked on. On Saturday nights night we would drink whiskey in back alleys and curse at the moon. On Sundays we would drag ourselves to church, have cookouts, drink beer and reminisce about dead friends and glory days. You may recognize this song from The Departed.

Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up To Boston

I first heard this song as a sample in the equally awesome "Brooklyn We Go Hard" with Jay-Z. I remember seeing albums by Santogold all the time at the stores. I remember I picked up the CD in the store and I looked at it for two seconds and then just wrote it off as another "emo" band that is trying to be the next Arcade Fire. I was way off on that one. Santogold is hip hop and she fuses every style into her songs. This little number is full of reggae goodness and hip hop hardness. Further proof that there are talented female rappers other than Lauryn Hill.

Santigold - Shove It

Whateva Wednesdays

I'm feeling very lazy and aggressive today so I decided to pick a few songs to go along with my mood. No stories or intros today. If you don't like it, I don't care. There is a wall over there you called the complaint department, go tell them. Just kidding, you know I love you. But seriously I'm not writing anything for these.
Liam Lynch - United States Of Whatever

Ok so I need to write a little about this song. Don't try to look for this song on the net. It's done by 3 buddies of mine and it's one of the best rap songs I have ever heard.
Exodus - Haters Ball (No Longer Available)

I love Okkervil River!
Okkervil River - A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene

Mandatory Music Monday: Would you rather rock out or chill out with a vegetarian viking?

I dated a vegetarian once. It was weird, because I am not one at all. In fact I'm not a big fan of vegetables to be honest. I always felt guilty eating meat in front of her. I don't want to be misconstrued on this so I will say this right off the bat. I don't hate vegetarians. I get why they make that choice and I fully respect it. There would be times when she would try to talk me into becoming vegetarian, not in a pushy manner, just every now and then she'd drop it in. I tried but it didn't work. If it wasn't for my hatred of vegetables it might have. I think the Blow may have been in a similar situation only their significant other almost lost it when shopping.

The Blow - Parentheses

Sometime I like to put on a viking helmet and ride off into the great mountain mists. I travel on my great white steed, and go to the places where evil and the unknown exist. When I get there I may come across some deformed army of minions sent from the very depths of hell. They will ride chariots made of slick black metal pulled by legless wolves who snort fire. We will battle with a great clatter and roars that will be heard for miles. I and my sword. They and their other worldly weapons. When the blood has been shed and I have risen from the ashes like a great winged eagle, this will be my victory song.

The Sword - Winters Wolves

I love some full out balls to the wall rocking out music. I to rock out in my apartment all the time. throwing myself here and there, shredding some air guitar. Jumping up on couches, chairs, or whatever is available for me to do a rockstar pose on top of and then jump off into a flying dropkick. However most of the time the in air kick fails and I fall and almost get a concussion, or I realize that the shades are open. I think if I saw someone flailing like this in a window I would throw up the metal sign and yell "Rock n Roll!" If you're going to spazz out and go crazy to a song let it be this one.
Dananananaykroyd - Pink Sabbath

Whew! After rocking out so hard you may need to take a break/nurse a wound. So go get your self a glass of water, and this time sit on that chair/couch/countertop and calm the adrenaline/blood rush with this.
Kings of Convenience - Know How(feat. Feist)

Feel Good Fridays

It's a feel good kind of Friday! The sun is back, not totally back, but it's better than the dreariness that has been the past week. The weekend will be here and it's time to kick back have a cold one and enjoy the finer things in life. Or if you have work or chores to do this weekend just remember one thing. Being in a good mood almost always will make it better.
Rock Plaza Central - My Children Be Joyful

My friend got me hooked on this song. It has the music from Paper Planes by M.I.A. I didn't like her the first time I heard that song. My friend brought this song to my attention and now I love both versions. I seriously can not stop listening to it.
"Fuck the bull shit I just want some cheddar, swiss, provolone, monterrey mozzarella, whateva"
Trey Songz - Paper Planes Freestyle(No Longer Available)

I heard this song so many times it ridiculous. I used to work at a place that would play Muzak. If you don't know what that is it's recorded music with no commercials. They use it in stores a lot. The thing is, if you work where they have Muzak you hear the same songs day in and day out. It can sometimes be really annoying or awesome. In this case with this song it was awesome. When you listen to this you gotta walk with a swagger.
Young Hot Unlimited - Soulful Strut

Here is one for all the lushes. Remember be safe and for God's sake, don't drink and drive.
Paranoid Social Club - Wasted

Mice are vindictive and Milli loves Vanilli

Once upon a time in a not to distant wall there was a mouse village. In this mouse village lived a family of mice. There was a Mom, a Dad and three brother mice. Two of the brother mice were strong providers in the village and were upheld as the most daring and brave in the village. The other brother, Buford, was not the brightest, or most graceful, in fact he was kind of seen as a little mentally challenged. The brave brothers would constantly taunt the weaker brother for not being as cunning or daring as them. Mice are a very vindictive sort you see. No matter what Buford did he always seemed to get the raw end of the deal, and believe me he tried as often as he could to prove himself. Tired of being constantly berated he decided to go out and once again make a valiant attempt to redeem himself. He happened to come across an apartment with a delicious scent. Eager and hungry from his journey he decided to investigate. As he scurried around following the scent he came to a great wall. He was sure the source of the scent was coming from atop the wall. He surveyed his surroundings and realized that there was a way to get to the top, how ever it was dangerous and would require a lot of steadiness. "This is it," he thought "my chance is right here in front of me to prove that I am great. He started his ascent up the wall. Inches away from the top he discovered that there was a great hole he had mistaken for another wall. The hole was deep and he knew if he fell into it he would not escape. Instead of turning back, like he should have, he decided "Fuck it, I'm going for it." He took a giant leap for to try and reach to top where the scent was coming from and he lost his balance and fell int the great hole. He was stuck. He tried and tried to get out. He tried so many times he eventually because fatigued and decided his fate was sealed. As he sat there wondering if anyone would care that he was gone or be sad, he said to him self. "This is the worst day since yesterday. In fact it's much worse." He waited all night until the daylight returned. All of the sudden he heard a noise and then saw a giant peering down at him. The giant jumped back startled. Slowly the giant returned and the giant said. "You stupid creepy little fucker, you are so lucky you don't even know it. You will live to see another day." Of course Buford did not understand what the giant was saying, as mice can not understand the giants you see. All of the sudden the hole started moving and shaking and the giant was muttering. Buford was scared for his life. He had already been so scared that he pooped a ton when he initially fell, and it was happening again. Seconds later the hole was turned upside down and Buford hit the soft grass. He was outside, he was free! Scared out of his mind he ran as fast as he could back home to tell of his horrible night. With a few revisions of course. This story is completely true, I can assure you of that.
Note: I found a live mouse in my trash can the other morning. I am pretty sure he fell in there trying to get on my counter. He avoided the trap but not the trash. I had a hard time finding a song for this story. Do I use a song about being trapped or about mice? I decided to go with what the mouse may have been thinking when he was chilling in the trash can.
Flogging Molly - Worst Day Since Yesterday

I noticed that there are a lot of skateboarders around downtown Zeeland. Way more than I have ever seen around before. I watched this 8 year old kid kickflip over a ledge the other day outside of my window. It was pretty cool. Any good successfully landed skate trick needs to have a dope back ground song. This would be my pick if I could pull off sweet tricks.
Living Legends - War Games



I used to work with this girl named Alison who was one of the best co-workers I have ever had. We clicked, we made a great team and it was always fun to work with her. We had a lot of inside jokes between us. One day we started talking about New Kids On The Block and Milli Vanilli and how much they sucked. She said she didn't like them and I told her that probably makes them sad because I heard they liked her. I came across a Milli Vanill CD (one of the perks of working at a thrift store) and I made word balloons for Rob and Fab expressing how they were her number one fans. I put it in the office for her to find and she thought it was pretty funny. I miss Alli-son. Note: This album cover is great! Look at the hand and then read the title. It totally looks like he's holding him sweetly.
Milli Vanilli - Girl I'm Going To Miss You

This song reminds me of every single video game from the made before the 90's. It's really good for driving on busy highways as well. Actually the Crystal Castles make great dance music. I recommend checking the out.
Crystal Castles - Alice Practice

Way back in the day when I was young we had a thing called Roller Rinks. They seem to have become extinct. I remember every Saturday morning my dad would take my sister and I to skate. I also remember skating parties for school and church. Once I was asked to coupleskate with a girl from school. She was sort of the weird unpopular girl in our grade. She asked a friend of mine to skate with her on coupleskate. In my young ignorance I denied her. Flash back to present day. She is now super hot really cool and totally married. I love this song even though it always reminds me of her. It captures the roller rink experience perfectly. If only M.C. Hammer could be heard in the background.
Joe Christmas - Coupleskate(No Longer Available)

Rain Rain Go Away

For the past three days it has been raining here in Michigan. I normally love a rainstorm but three days is a little excessive for my taste. We did get out first thunderstorm of the spring season and it pretty much went on all day and night long.



Tom Waits - Make It Rain(No Longer Available)

Eddie Rabbit - I Love A Rainy Night(No Longer Available)


I used to work at a car wash back in my high school days and when it would rain no one would come by. It was awesome I'd get paid to do homework and listen to music. It always makes me happy when I am at work and it's raining outside for some reason. Maybe it's because I know that I'm stuck there for a long period of time and I'm not outside where it's wet. I noticed that work seems to go buy much faster on rainy days because you don't really know what time it is.
Bishop Allen - Rain

John West - Umbrella (Rihanna Cover)

Super Sweet "Sun Dried" Bonus Song
Basement Jaxx - Raindrops

Mandatory Music Monday

Alright, this is going to be a test. I am going to try my best to keep this blog updated on a regular basis for more than a few reasons. Reason one is you the reader (however many of you are out there). I love getting people turned on to new music, especially good music. I hate it when people are oblivious to all thats out there or only listen to "Clear Channel Hits", as I like to call them. There is more out there than just what is played on the radio. Don't get me wrong sometimes I love the Top Pop songs, but I'd rather support the little guy. The second reason is because I love music! I'm constantly checking out music blogs and podcasts and reviews. I wish I could add going to shows in there but recent events complicate that matter. So I am going to attempt to make a man out of this blog and try to update at least three times a week. There will be Mandatory Music Mondays where I'll post music that I have been listening to non stop. There will be Whatever Wednesdays where I'll post random songs or just songs to get you through the rest of the week. I think Wednesday posts will have more songs. Last but not lest will be Feel Good Fridays! These are the songs that will make you happy cause Fridays are always good days, unless you start work on Friday then...well it sucks to be you. Like I said the Wed. posts will have a few more songs than Mon. and Fri. Then if I feel like posting something else through out the week I will. Also I'm always up for suggestions if anyone has any. Just shoot me an E-mail to ropbopblog@yahoo.com. So that is the plan. Notice I use the word "try". I can't guarantee that I'm going to post every time, but I'll make a decent effort to. With that said here is the first Mandatory Music Monday or Mx3 Post. This one will be long because it's the first one.

I am a white kid who loves rap. I love everything from the gangsta rap to indie rap. I also bump that shit when I am driving in my car loudly and with pride. I know I'm not cool. I'm a geek who loves Star Wars, animated shows, and NPR. I'm no where near being hard, but I like to pretend I am. This is a song for all those haters. Werd up homeslice.
The Cool Kids - A Little Bit Cooler

Recently there was a music festival that happened called South By South West. It's one of the largest music festivals and it's where all the new talent has a chance to shine on stage. It's also a music nerds wet dream. Almost every single blog, podcast or review I read mentioned something about this band. This Boston MA one man band is said to have created a CD for his girlfriend on Valentines Day with songs he made and it ended up getting passed around in his circle of friends and then their friends and so on, and with good reason. The songs were liked so much that some live gigs were played with people filling in to create the band. Eventually they were picked up by record label Frenchkiss and will have a release coming out soon. I have only heard a few tracks by them and they have been stuck in my head for the past 4 days. It's danceable but not dance music, it's emotional but not emo, it's indie but doesn't suck. I'll be picking up this album when it drops for sure.
Passion Pit - Sleepyhead

I am a sucker for folksy acoustic emoish songs. There are probably a million songs that are similar to this that I'll post but every now and then one will come along and grab me by the soul strings and pluck away. This is one of them. It's fast paced, the drums boom like a heartbeat, the bass is subtle but amazing and I think I might hear a banjo. The title is sweet too.
Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man

The First time I heard this song I was left with a feeling of "what the hell did I just hear" The Scandinavian collective Dungen mix psychedelic layered pop straight out of the 60's in a modern style. The time changes are crazy and the vocals, although in a different language, blend perfectly. This song is one of those mix tape powerhouses that will guarantee to blow the listeners mind.
Dungen - Panda

Manic and punky, foreign and cute. Oh my God, you think I'm in control/Oh my God, you think it's all for fun I say Oh my God this song makes me want to spazz out with frantic dancing, and Oh my God this song is lots of fun.
Ida Maria - Oh My God