Song of the Day: The Dream Syndicate - Tell Me When It's Over

The Dream Syndicate's The Days of Wine and Roses is often talked about as an influential album, and apparently it was even pretty successful, yet I imagine the average person has never heard of it (or the band). Which is a shame, because it is a pretty damn good album - not as good as the obvious touchstone, The Feelies, but still quite good. Both bands existed around the same time, had Velvet Underground comparisons and are now considered cult acts, and both are well worth your time. This is the opening track off of the aforementioned LP. Steve Wynn's voice took some getting used to for me, but the guitar tone in this song instantly connected.

Song of the Day: Lou Reed - Satellite of Love

I've shared a song from the Velvet Underground, and I've featured a song from the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack, but now it's time to feature a Lou Reed (of the Velvet Underground) song (from the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack)*.  This is probably one of the prettiest songs in Reed's catalog, and it has a great backing vocal by David Bowie.  For a guy who wrote a ton of great songs with VU, I'd still have to put this in his top ten.



* I should note I've also shared a song by Velvet Crush, who have nothing to do with anything. Except to show that velvet is a popular rock material, apparently.

Song of the Day: The Velvet Underground - Oh! Sweet Nuthin'

The Velvet Underground's first album, The Velvet Underground & Nico, was my initial exposure to the band, and I was hooked immediately.  Though depending on the day of the week, I have a slight preference for the slick sweetness of Loaded to the earlier, rawer output.

In particular, my favorite Velvets song, "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'," closes out the latter LP.  Everything about this song is perfect, from the guitar line that plays throughout, the ethereal backing vocals during the chorus, the searing guitar solo and ferocious drumming...while this song doesn't epitomize the Velvets (for example, it's not sung by Lou Reed and drummer Mo Tucker doesn't play on it), it still is seven of the greatest minutes I've ever heard.