July 29th, 2009 by IamDraven
I have eclectic music choices. I proudly have Captain and Tennille and the German techno from Super Troopers sharing space in my iTunes.
I think the highest form of affection for a person is a custom made mixtape, so I thought I’d share my favorites with you. It will most often be just a single song I want to share, but special events call for special circumstances. My favorite band released a new CD for the first time in 5 years last week. And this Friday night I am seeing them in concert, fulfilling a dream of mine I’ve had since I was 16.
The reason Sugar Ray is my favorite band is because of the mood boost they give me. Don’t get my wrong, I’ve said for years that I would sell my soul to spend a night having sex with Mark McGrath, but honestly, no matter how bad of a day I’m having, I will go dig out a Sugar Ray CD and a few songs in I’m smiling against my foul mood.
“Girls Were Made to Love” (Featuring Collie Buddz) – Favorite line: “You’re not the only one I see, well you’re not the only one, but you’re the one for me.” This is sundress and sandals, late night at a summer party dancing with your crush knowing that it’s about to be more than a crush. A breezy summer beat that you’ll catch yourself humming later in the day.
“Boardwalk” – This is the first single they released. I wasn’t wild about the ‘Boardwalk” chant and echo but it grew on me and reminded me of being drunk with my friends doing the same thing. An ode to summer flings it’s a classic Sugar Ray groove. It makes me nostalgic for summer vacation boyfriends. I can picture myself on the Ocean City boardwalk with my friends from high school when our parents let us wander off for the afternoon and we did nothing but look at boys. Summer/Vacation boyfriends were always hot, intense, and short lived. And still give me a crooked smile when I think back.
“She’s Got The (Woo-Hoo)” – Hands down, my favorite song on the album. It sounds like Timbaland yelling the intro. It’s got a good club friendly beat. There is no doubt in my mind this song was made to get the girls up and dancing. The verse’s have a nice funky groove for a slinky bump and grind and it winds up into a more frenzied driving chorus that makes me want to get up on a bar, or into a cage and shake my ass. Maybe even flash the girls, lol.
“Love Is the Answer” (Featuring Rivers Cuomo – Cover of an unreleased Weezer song)– When I heard the guitar riff I immediately thought of Weezer. Later checking out the liner notes I found out this was a Weezer song that was never released and the guys pulled Rivers Cuomo to do back up vocals and the spoken bridge. Sugar Ray put a nice bubble-gummy spin on this song and it’s nice ear candy.
“Rainbow” – I thought this song was a load of bullshit at first. But by the time the second verse hit I was crying. With every thing that I’m going through with trying to find my biological mother and my Gram fading I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn’t breaking over and over every day. It’s everything I can do to hold myself together some days, and it may sound stupid, but this song is a little boost of ‘you can make it through this’ right when I need it the most. If you listen closely, and you happen to be hurting you hear the background darkness in this song.
“Closer” – The guys did a nice rewrite of Katy Perry’s Hot N Cold chorus for this song. A good song about trying to make a relationship work. A good song to sing along to with the windows down.
“When We Were Young” – This song really comes into it’s own when the chorus hits. Another good pop song with a catchy chorus and good lyrics.
“Going Nowhere” – Depressive lyrics to a good, driving beat with nice guitar riffs. Only Mark can make lyrics like ” king of the loneliest ghost town” into an upbeat lament. A well written song on every front.
“Love 101″ –My least favorite song on the CD. It’s not bad, but I don’t normally like ‘gushy” love songs. It has a good 50’s beach blanket bingo vibe to it thought. It’s written like advice to another male about how to treat a woman you love. Maybe if somebody loved me, I’d like it more, lol. Best lyric: “Close your eyes so you can remember someone you can never forget.”
“Last Days” – Nice 80’s synth beat. This makes me think high school Prom, but in a very nice way. The guys pull out a nice harmony on the bridge.
“Morning Sun” –Another song with a retro feel. Beach party with acoustics, watching the sun rise curled up under a blanket with your summer fling. Ahhhhh…. summer love. I feel like I should be swaying with a lighter while this plays.
“Dance Like No One’s Watchin” (Featuring Donavon Frankenreiter) – Classic Sugar Ray. This makes me feel like I should be barefoot on the beach with a beer in my hand, swaying to the music of a bunch of guys playing acoustic in front of a bonfire.
I bought my copy at f.y.e. but I found out that Amazon.com had limited edition acoustic remakes of Fly, Someday, Every Morning and Boardwalk, so I purchased them each and am downloading them as I type.
Unfortunately, my favorite song, ‘Falls Apart’ was not remade but I have my fingers crossed they play it at the show. I hope you’ll at least listen to one of the songs I’ve given my input on. Who knows, you might like it!
