Song of the Day: Tonight I Wanna Cry by Keith Urban

The song today is "Tonight I Wanna Cry" by Keith Urban.  Also, up for considering was "I'll Be Over You" by Toto.

Listening to the song would show my current headspace (thought i do not drink).  Some songs hit harder in certain situations.

Song of the Day - Heaven Help Me by Deon Estus

i've been listening to CDs again.  Sometimes you play a compilation CD (Another Lost Decade: The 80s Hard to Find Hits) and one sticks out.  Yes, this particular song was kind of hard to find.

This song was the 1989 single by Deon Estus (was in the backing band of Wham!) co-written by George Michael (also background vocals).  This song seems to be about some type of breakup.  i sympathize with this "Thought the first time/ Was the last time/ Would be (forever)". 

Things are almost never that easy.  Getting back on the proverbial horse is hard as hell.  i could understand why you could need heaven to help get over someone and find someone new.  i know heaven never helped me.

It is kind of weird to me that "retro radio" misses so many great songs.  Some of the songs they do play ad nauseum i wonder why.

In my earlier years, i used to sing along for hours to my albums (mainly George Michael, Wham!, Chicago 17, Richard Marx and the radio).  Singing along to Wham Rap 86 always felt a little strange.  It's probably why i always opted for a little falsetto (trying to harmonize/match the pitch of the artist).  Though when your voice gets a little deeper...  Don't really know what my voice is since i sort of imitated other singers for so long.

Decent Albums of the 90s: Wish You Were Here by Mark Wills

This is a late addition to the series.  1998's platinum album Wish You Were Here by Mark Wills.

i avoided placing this on the list for reasons.  Yes, a girl was involved.  She was a little bit country and i was a little bit pop.  i asked her to listen to 98° and Rising by 98°.  She was not a fan but kind of liked one of the songs "I Do (Cherish You) and heard it on country radio.  She asked some country DJ based out of Wyoming who the song was by.  After she found out, i bought this on a whim from "world famous" Rodeo Records.  

Even though "Truly Madly Deeply" (Savage Garden) was in the running, i considered "I Do (Cherish You) to be "our" song.  For a long time, it was hard for me to listen to the album.  Though i had to admit that Mark Wills had some vocal talent (the twang and weird "country guitar" thing i could have done without).  Yes, this was the first country album i ever bought.  i got rid of this album after the BU but replaced it years later with a Greatest hits album (and bought MP3s of some of the other songs, i think).

Singles: (Chart position US country / chart position Billboard Hot 100)

80s Compilations: Living In Oblivion Volume 5

i love the 80s, but sometimes all of the songs i remember (and some good ones i don't) are hard to find. Enter the compilation album. Unlike many references i have seen online, i'm one of the few people who actually bought them new for over $9. i think i found these mostly at Camelot Music in the mall (mid 1990s). 

The last release in the Living in Oblivion series from EMI Records. There was a rumored Volume 6 that never was released. This series is a little tilted toward UK groups.

80s Compilations: Living in Oblivion Volume 4

The 80s were a decade of unparalleled awesomeness. i couldn't buy all the songs i listened to on the radio. So, compilations became interesting to me. One of the 80s compilations that i still have the series is Living In Oblivion. Like many compilations it is hit or miss. 

80s Compilations: Living In Oblivion Volume 3

Part three of my mini-series on this overlooked 1980s compilation (probably). i got these in the 1990s when i was shopping at places like Sam Goody or Camelot Music. i was attempting to find some of the 80s songs i liked, but barely remembered. So, i started to get compilations.

After i got these compilations, i would look for some albums from stores or Warehouse (used CDs). 

80s Compilations: Living in Oblivion Volume 2

i miss the 80s. However, i couldn't purchase all of the songs i wanted (some are not easy to find, or only have one/a couple of decent songs. That is where the compilation comes in. For 80s songs, the only compilation series i have all of the volumes is Living In Oblivion (EMI Records). The 80s were hardly an oblivion (especially compared to the cultural wasteland that is today).

80s Compilation: Living in Oblivion Volume 1

 i've been listening to my CD collection over the last couple of months. Sadly, there are some skips (small playback issues) - some of these are over 30 years old. i used to have many more CDs, but sold of a bunch of them over the years.

If you're wondering, i consider the 1980s to be 1981-1990. i love the 80s. The 90s were hit and miss, this millennium sucks.

i consider compilation collections like Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the 80s (have less than half of the 15-release series) as companions to individual artists like George Michael/Wham!, Richard Marx, Michael Jackson, Madonna, etc. Compilations are how i added breadth to my collection. Songs i may remember from artists i did not. i bought a few Greatest Hits due to specific songs in this series. Living in Oblivion may be the only series i have all of (with the exception of the rumored volume 6). 

There are brief liner notes with US and UK peak chart positions.

Homework Assignment: Songs You Likely Never Heard

 Taking a break from politics and all the crap that is modern life.  Here are some songs that i was kind of "feeling" today that most of you probably never heard of (though some were singles).  i could give you hypertext links, but that would be too easy. i think you can find most of these on YouTube.

In the old days, i used to spend hours a day singing along with CDs/records tapes.  Sadly, i cannot do that anymore (and i lost a bunch of range).  There are a lot of worthy songs i can't think of now.

Now for the list of infamy plus one bonus. 

Passable Albums of the 2000s: My Whole List

Well, we've gone from awesome 80s to decent 90s - now its time for passable 2000s.  i will define 2000s as 2001-2010.  Known to me as a terrible decade (and the next one just might be worse).  Well, here are some of the albums in the 2000s that were adequately satisfactory.  It might be easier to just list singles i liked.  i do kind of like sappy love songs - especially those i can sing along to.  As always, suggestions can be made in the comment section (i think it works).   

As for singles, i occasionally like them: i really like stuff like - "If You're Not the One" by Daniel Bedingfield, "Haven't Met You Yet" by Michael Buble, "Fireflies" by Owl City, "Breakeven" by The Script and some of the Lifehouse and Nickelback crossover stuff. 

Ok here is my list of passable CDs:
* Darren Hayes - Spin - not nearly as good as his Savage Garden stuff.
* Gary Barlow - 12 Months 11 Days
* Jason Mraz - Waiting for My Rocket to Come
* John Mayer - Room for Squares,  Heavier Things
* Lifehouse - Who We Are - i don't own the album just 6 songs from it as MP3
* Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane,  Hands All Over
* Nick Lachey - SoulO
* Richard Marx - My Own Best Enemy

* Take That - Beautiful World - their album with Robbie Williams sounds horrible from the clips i've heard (i hate the sound). 

Decent Albums of the 90s: Bonus Post

Here is the last part of my series of 1990s albums that are at least somewhat listenable.  i made my list (through individual posts) of my top albums of the 1991-2000.  Here are some that i left off, for whatever reason - maybe they just weren't decent enough, maybe i've never owned the album, etc.  Maybe some of my post should have been here instead - probably a few.

If you have any suggestions for decent 1990s albums, that is what the comment section is for....

Other Decent-ish 1990s Albums:
* 98° - 98°
* 98° - Revelation
* Backstreet Boys - Millennium
* BB Mak - Into Your Head
* Britney Spears - Oops I Did It Again
* Edwin McCain - Messenger
* Glenn Medeiros - Captured
* Jessica Simpson - Sweet Kisses
* Jon Secada - Heart Soul & A Voice
* LFO - LFO
* Michael Bolton - Soul Provider
* Michael Bolton - Time Love and Tenderness
* NSYNC - NSYNC
* Richard Marx - Paid Vacation
* Right Said Fred - Up
* Savage Garden - Affirmation
* Sky - Piece of Paradise
* soulDecision - Nobody Does It Better
* Vertical Horizon - Everything You Want
* Westlife - Westlife
* 2Ge+Her - Again
* Various - On the Line Soundtrack 

Decent Albums of the 90s: Spice Girls - Spice

So the end of this series of posts on what i consider to be decent 90s albums is coming to a close - what next, passable albums of the 2000s .... maybe.

This post mentions another brief musical sensation.  This one had to be imported from the UK and sell "girl power" - whatever that is.  i am, of course, talking about the Spice Girls.  i guess there is something to be said for assembling a group of females that sells to the younger female demographic and also seem somewhat appealing to the males too.  i found Baby and Ginger to be the most intriguing of the group.  This group was masterminded by Simon Fuller - the creator of the Idol series.  The singles off of this album were decent, however the filler material leaves a lot to be desired.  Oh yeah the album, it was released in 1996 and called Spice.

Notable Singles:
* "Wannabe"
* "Say You'll Be There"
* "2 Become 1"

Other Singles:
* "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama"

The Rest of the Album:
* "Last Time Lover"
* "Love Thing"
* "Something Kinda Funny"
* "Naked"
* "If You Can't Dance"

Decent Albums of the 90s: Britney Spears - Baby One More Time

Welcome to my ___ post on decent albums of the 90s.  We are nearing the end of the tunnel and light is visible - let's just hope it is not just an oncoming locomotive.  On second thought, that might be a bad analogy considering how the new millennium makes me feel like i've been hit by a train, and dragged over broken glass for a time zone or three.

Eventually i had to get around to this album...  Britney Spears was a female phenomenon when she hit the world with this album in 1999.  The album is Baby One More Time (i don't like ellipses in titles, so i'll leave them out here).   i am not exactly sure why she became the pop sensation she did - she really was not the most talented.  i guess it was the mix of decent songs and being jail bait.  She did get some of the better songs out of Sweden.  However, i couldn't listen to anything she has done since her second album.

Notable Singles:
* "Baby One More Time"
* "Sometimes"
* "(You Drive Me) Crazy"
* "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart"

Other Singles:
* "Born To Make You Happy"

The Rest of the Album:
* "Soda Pop"
* "I Will Be There"
* "I Will Still Love You"
* "Thinkin' About You"
* "E-Mail My Heart"
* "The Beat Goes On"

Decent Albums of the 90s: Jon Secada - Jon Secada

Welcome to part ___ of my series on 90s albums that weren't totally awful.

This post might mention a former background singer for The Miami Sound Machine, or maybe it won't.   Before Ricky Martin or Mark Anthony crossed over there was Jon Secada.  The self-titled debut album (at least in English) was released in 1992 and sold a few million copies.  One of the things i could tell was that  Jon Secada had a pretty good voice.  Jon Secada also had a decent follow up to this album.

Notable Singles:
* "Just Another Day"
* "Do You Believe in Us"
* "Angel"
* "I'm Free"

Other Songs i Kind of Like:
* "Dreams That I Carry"
* "One of a Kind"
* "Time Heals"
* "Do You Really Want Me"
* "Misunderstood"
* "Always Something"

The Two Spanish Language Versions:
* "Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte"
* "Angel" (Spanish)

Decent Albums of the 90s: Savage Garden - Savage Garden

Welcome to part ___ of my series on 90s albums that i kind of liked

This post is about another album that sometimes can be a little hard to listen to (especially the song "Truly Madly Deeply).  Why is it hard for me to listen to?  Like many bad things, you can link this one to a girl i was dumb enough to fall for.  Anyway, back to the album.... Savage Garden was an Australian duo that hit the charts with a vengeance in 1996 and 1997.   Their self-titled debut sold ok and was a pretty good album.  They followed this up with a decent 1999 release Affirmation.  

Notable Singles:
* "I Want You"
* "To The Moon and Back"
* "Truly Madly Deeply" - aargh

Other Singles:
* "Break Me Shake Me"
* "Universe"
* "Tears of Pearls"

The Rest of the Album: (decent or better)
* "Carry On Dancing"
* "Violet"
* "A Thousand Words"
* "Promises"
* "Santa Monica"

Decent Albums of the 90s: Ronan Keating - Ronan

Welcome to part ___ in my series of 90s albums that, while not necessarily as good as 80s albums, were still listenable.

This post is for an album that i actually still own.  The CD in question is Ronan Keating's 2000 single debut album (he was part of Boyzone), Ronan.  This may actually be one of my earliest import albums.  Ok, so i heard about Ronan Keating first because he was one of the main vocalists for Boyzone ("No Matter What"), then i heard some of his solo work on soundtracks - "When You Say Nothing at All", which i think was on Notting Hill Soundtrack and "If I Don't Tell You Now" from the Boys and Girls soundtrack (for some reason i like that movie).  After that, i decided to look into this album and eventually bought it at Amazon.

Singles (not in US):
* "When You Say Nothing at All"
* "Life is a Rollercoaster"
* "The Way You Make Me Feel"

* "Lovin' Each Day" - on re-release, not my copy

Other Songs I Kind of Like: (that i have on my computer)
* "If I Don't Tell You Now" - one of my top 2 songs on the album
* "Once Upon a Lifetime"

The Rest of the Album: (which is definitely decent)
* "In This Life"
* "Heal Me"
* "Keep on Walking"
* "Brighter Days"
* "If You Love Me"
* "Only for You"
* "Addicted"
* "When the World Was Mine"
* "Believe"

Decent Albums of the 90s: All 4 One - All 4 One

Welcome to part ____ of my series on albums released in the 90s that i can listen to - well if i still had the album.

This is another post about an album i no longer have.  Some people might call this light R&B.  Much like fictional character Chris Brander (Just Friends), i kind of liked this album, All 4 One's self titled debut.  i guess this was part of my mid 90s fascination with vocal R&B too.  Their second album And The Music Speaks was decent also.

Notable Singles:
* "I Swear"
* "So Much In Love"

Other Singles:
* "Breathless"
* "(She's Got) Skillz"

Other Songs on the Album:
* "Oh Girl"
* "A Better Man"
* "Down to the Last Drop"
* "Without You"
* "Something About You"
* "The Bomb"
* "Here If You're Ready"

Decent Albums of the 90s: Shai - If I Ever Fall In Love

Welcome to part ___ of my series on the defining sounds of the 1990s - that i could tolerate.  Sorry no grunge or rap.

This is another album that i haven't had for a while - the 1992 debut by R&B group Shai, If I Ever Fall In Love.  For some reason, i have always liked vocal harmony - and these guy were good.  i guess this album was part of my early/mid 90s brief fascination with vocal R&B.  i remember going with my alleged father to a Mariners game in the Kingdome and hearing "Baby I'm Yours" blasting on a car stereo.  In order for me to hear a group like Shai, they would have had to had at least a little cross-over success.  i think this was probably the most successful the group ever was - mainstream.  One of the problems i ultimately have with R&B is the lack of subtlety - in pop we know what they want, but they don't come out and say exactly what they want.

Notable Singles:
* "If I Ever Fall In Love"
* "Comforter"
* "Baby I'm Yours"

Other Singles:
* "Together Forever"

Other Songs on the Album i Don't Really Remember:
* "Sexual (Interlude)"
* "If I Ever Fall In Love" (Remix)
* "Sexual"
* "Flava"
* "Waiting for the Day"
* "Changes"
* "Don't Wanna Play"
* "Lord I've Come"

Decent Albums of the 90s: Boyz II Men - II

Welcome to part ___ of my series on decent albums from the 90s.

This post is on the second album (1994) by Boyz II Men - called II.  i guess this is what you would call their mainstream peak.  i have been to three concerts in my life, this was one of them - i saw them at the Tacoma Dome.  That is what i expect a pop concert to be - thousands of screaming girls, and me being able to hear very little.  i guess this was my gateway into a little more R&B (which happened in the mid 90s).  For some reason, i seem to have misplaced my CD and can't find it - so i'll go with what i remember.

Notable Singles:
* "I'll Make Love to You"
* "On Bended Knee"
* "Water Runs Dry"

Other Singles:
* "Vibin'"
* "Thank You"

Other Songs on the CD:
* "All Around the World"
* "U Know"
* "I Sit Away"
* "Jezzebel"
* "Khalil" (Interlude)
* "Trying Times"
* "50 Candles"
* "Yesterday" - decent version
* "Falling"

Decent Albums of the 90s: Richard Marx - Rush Street

Welcome to part ___ of my series on 1990s albums that i still find tolerable today.  This is part of post deluge of April 30, 2011.

This post is all about Richard Marx's 1991 follow-up to Repeat Offender, Rush Street.  Richard Marx has long been a favorite artist of mine, growing up with my older sister playing the album in heavy rotation.  There is something about his songs that i find appealing - maybe because i like love songs and his writing/production style.  He doesn't exactly have the greatest voice.  Richard Marx was the first concert that i ever went to - the Paid Vacation tour (the album after this one).  It was an awesome concert despite him being kind of heavily medicated with cold medicine (at times it really showed) - it was at the Puyallup Fair.   This was one of the first two CDs that i ever purchased (i want to say at a Target or Fred Meyer).

Notable Singles:
* "Keep Coming Back"
* "Hazard"
* "Take This Heart"
* "Chains Around My Heart"

Other Songs On This CD That i Kind of Really Like:
* "Hands In Your Pocket"
* "Big Boy Now" - i listened to this song a lot after my dad died

Other Songs On This CD That i Kind of Like
* "Playing With Fire"
* "Love Unemotional"
* "Calling You"
* "Superstar"
* "Streets of Pain"
* "I Get No Sleep"
* "Your World"