LeVar's Stocking Fillers - Quickfire Walrus: The Un-Wrappening

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Zaph wrote: »

Not last, I'll take it

I've said it in the commentary, but meant to say it at the top of the round, that there were no bad songs in this round (or the other two), and there wasn't a whole lot separating most of the songs.

It came down to a mix preference and gut instinct most of the time.

ShaneU

Coldplay and Taylor Swift was not what I was expecting to score well in this round

Necro

ShaneU wrote: »

Coldplay and Taylor Swift was not what I was expecting to score well in this round

Electric Nitwit

ShaneU wrote: »

Coldplay and Taylor Swift was not what I was expecting to score well in this round

I think the judge needs a random drugs test

Tauriel

ShaneU wrote: »

Coldplay and Taylor Swift was not what I was expecting to score well in this round

I know right! I figured metal would be scoring big here.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Sorry got distracted by something shiny there for a minute... back to it...

In 20th place with 3 points is

Electric Nitwit

Black Country, New Road - Science Fair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXay__MuoGw

This was really interesting, great buildup, switches gear quite a lot, and constantly found myself nodding along to it. Fits the category really well, its dark and angsty, just what I asked for, bish bash bosh, can't really fault it, just got overshadowed by songs I personally preferred a bit more.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

ShaneU wrote: »

Coldplay and Taylor Swift was not what I was expecting to score well in this round

Electric Nitwit wrote: »

I think the judge needs a random drugs test

mustang shelly wrote: »

I know right! I figured metal would be scoring big here.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times...

I'M UNPREDICTABLE, MOTHAF**KAS!!!!

:pac::pac::pac:

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 3rd place with 20 points is

JohnGreenFan

Taylor Swift feat. Bon Iver - Exile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osdoLjUNFnA

Mentioned in the previous Taylor write up that the Folklore album is her at her best and this song is absolutely superb. Throw Bon Iver into the mix and its just a magical combination - the contrast of their two voices really works for me. Was pretty close between this and the song that ranked above it, it just came down to personal preference, but really love this one too, so excellent choice.

Electric Nitwit

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

In 3rd place with 20 points is

JohnGreenFan

Taylor Swift feat. Bon Iver - Exile

I mean, she's literally walking through Christmas trees in the snow...!

Electric Nitwit

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Sorry got distracted by something shiny there for a minute... back to it...

In 20th place with 3 points is

Electric Nitwit

Black Country, New Road - Science Fair

This was really interesting, great buildup, switches gear quite a lot, and constantly found myself nodding along to it. Fits the category really well, its dark and angsty, just what I asked for, bish bash bosh, can't really fault it, just got overshadowed by songs I personally preferred a bit more.

It'll get under your skin, you'll see. It's taken control of me somehow, it's weird

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 21st place with 2 points is

ShaneU

Julia Jacklin - baby jesus is nobody's baby now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byB2r0g014E

It's nice and melancholy, still a Christmas song, but I don't mind because I like her voice, I like the simplicity of it, and this is something I actually would enjoy listening to on Christmas Day, because its not cheesy or festive. It definitely grew on me with each listen. Stacked category though and some others just stood out a bit more, so it ended up falling toward the back of the pack unfortunately.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Electric Nitwit wrote: »

I mean, she's literally walking through Christmas trees in the snow...!

I'm listening to the songs not watching the videos... :rolleyes:

"Exile" is a great song. Wouldn't have considered myself a fan of Taylor Swift before this year (and was never too keen on Bon Iver either, for that matter) but their voices work together really well on this. Folklore is a good record, I listened to Evermore too the other night and there's some good stuff there too, but I need another listen or two to digest it properly. If you took the best bits from both albums and put them together on one record, you'd have a serious Album of the Year contender.

Tauriel

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

In 3rd place with 20 points is

JohnGreenFan

Taylor Swift feat. Bon Iver - Exile.

OK so I (shamefully admits) really like this song. Her newer stripped back sound is so good.

fixXxer

Lovely to see Baby Metal popping up

ShaneU

Asks for darkness, depression and angst. Puts two Taylor Swift ballads in the top five

Necro

Deleted User wrote: »

"Exile" is a great song. Wouldn't have considered myself a fan of Taylor Swift before this year (and was never too keen on Bon Iver either, for that matter) but their voices work together really well on this. Folklore is a good record, I listened to Evermore too the other night and there's some good stuff there too, but I need another listen or two to digest it properly. If you took the best bits from both albums and put them together on one record, you'd have a serious Album of the Year contender.

Actually only realised she had two new albums out because of the thread in the music forum - which is... entertaining, to say the least

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 2nd place with 21 points is

Irish Aris

The Sisters of Mercy - This Corrosion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-RVJyNpfDk

The name didn't ring any bells when I saw it, but I knew it straight away once I hit play… so did a little digging and see that it was used for the closing credits of The World's End. I worked in a cinema back in 2013 when The World's End was out and always enjoyed going in to tidy up after films that had class soundtracks on their closing credits ; it was like a little treat while you were working to schedule it so that you'd always land in to clear up as the credits were running to listen to a couple of tunes. A lot of the time I never bothered checking who sung the songs and when the film left the cinema I'd often forget about a lot of the good ones, so great to finally put a name to this one. It was a nice little blast from the past, because I bloody well loved that job, and listening to this reminds me of the time, brings back good memories, and there isn't even a whiff of Christmas about it.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

ShaneU wrote: »

Asks for darkness, depression and angst. Puts two Taylor Swift ballads in the top five

Also asked for absolutely no Christmas Songs, and yet... yours was literally all about xmas...

Didn't hold that against it, but people in glass houses and all that...

Also, Walrus are open to interpretation...

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Bringing up the rear and getting only 1 point for their effort is

the purple tin

Desire Marea feat. Gyre - Studies In Black Trauma

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fz00dMyZdU

This was an interesting one in the sense that I enjoyed it every time I was listening to it, but I would then almost instantly forget about it. Then it'd come on again, I'd think "oh yeah this one, this is pretty cool" and yet I'd forget about it straight away. Most of the songs in the category I was looking forward to hearing them again when they rolled around on the playlist, but I never had that same anticipation for this one, which dragged it down the ranks unfortunately, but as I've said this category is very strong and it is a very good piece of music. One of those cases where something has to be last, despite me still liking it.

ShaneU

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Also asked for absolutely no Christmas Songs, and yet... yours was literally all about xmas...

Didn't hold that against it, but people in glass houses and all that...

Also, Walrus are open to interpretation...

It's hardly a traditional Christmas song now is it. You also asked for depressing songs and put Everybody wants to Rule the World in 8th? One of the most uplifting songs there is! :rolleyes:

Electric Nitwit

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

In 2nd place with 21 points is

Irish Aris

The Sisters of Mercy - This Corrosion

Watching the video now - ah, the 80s!

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Which means in 1st place and getting the maximum 22 points is

phatkev

Wintersleep - Orca

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e2e3QU4ft0

I'm almost at a loss for words on this one. No thoughts I put down will do it justice, not only was it the cherry on top for an incredibly strong category, but even only after a handful of listens this is automatically up there alongside some of my all-time favourite songs. It’s a stunning piece of music that even managed to warm my cold dead heart. I won't go as far to say as it moved me to tears, because that would just be waxing lyrical, but definitely in that ballpark when it comes to the effect the song had on me. Bah Humbug indeed, who'd wanna listen to xmas songs when masterpieces such as this exist. Stand out song of the entire Walrus, thanks for submitting this one, best xmas present ever.

khalessi

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

In 2nd place with 21 points is

Irish Aris

The Sisters of Mercy - This Corrosion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-RVJyNpfDk

The name didn't ring any bells when I saw it, but I knew it straight away once I hit play… so did a little digging and see that it was used for the closing credits of The World's End. I worked in a cinema back in 2013 when The World's End was out and always enjoyed going in to tidy up after films that had class soundtracks on their closing credits ; it was like a little treat while you were working to schedule it so that you'd always land in to clear up as the credits were running to listen to a couple of tunes. A lot of the time I never bothered checking who sung the songs and when the film left the cinema I'd often forget about a lot of the good ones, so great to finally put a name to this one. It was a nice little blast from the past, because I bloody well loved that job, and listening to this reminds me of the time, brings back good memories, and there isn't even a whiff of Christmas about it.

Love Sisters Of Mercy

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

In 2nd place with 21 points is

Irish Aris

The Sisters of Mercy - This Corrosion

Don't know this song, but on first listen it feels like it'd be more at home in Category 3 - I get "oomph" from that moreso than depressing/angsty!

Interesting story behind it though, seems like it was an early example of a diss track:

https://genius.com/The-sisters-of-mercy-this-corrosion-lyrics

In 1985, The Sister of Mercy split, with bass player Craig Adams and guitarist Wayne Hussey going on to form The Mission. This song attacks The Mission as Eldritch considered The Mission’s sound to be a copy – or corrosive version – of The Sisters Of Mercy. The lyrics are a parody of the clichéd meaningless rock lyrics that Eldritch viewed Hussey’s writing as.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

ShaneU wrote: »

It's hardly a traditional Christmas song now is it. You also asked for depressing songs and put Everybody wants to Rule the World in 8th? One of the most uplifting songs there is! :rolleyes:

Keep bitching, and I'll quickly go move you into last place in the remaining two round...

ShaneU

Go ahead, don't care. Stick to the categories you asked for or they're completely pointless.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

'Tis the usual suspects giving out anyway. Luckily, I don't give a damn what you lot think, because I've got a letter...

Also Starring LeVar Burton

ShaneU wrote: »

Go ahead, don't care. Stick to the categories you asked for or they're completely pointless.

You're being a bit of an ass about it now.

I swear I'll turn this car around.

Electric Nitwit

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Bringing up the rear and getting only 1 point for their effort is

the purple tin

Desire Marea feat. Gyre - Studies In Black Trauma

Holy hell! You think this was forgettable?! It's horrific and terrifying, and I think I mean that as a good thing. No idea if I like it but it's sure as hell powerful and unchristmassy. I think you've got your table upside down

No, as it plays on as I type I really like this, it's incredible

Edit - the second half gets a bit more "standard", shame

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Leaderboard after Round 1...

username Bah Humbug The Selection Box CHOONS Total
phatkev 22 22
Irish Aris 21 21
JohnGreenFan 20 20
Green&Red 19 19
Necro 18 18
Reberetta 17 17
Sawduck 16 16
Kolido 15 15
Trigger 14 14
osh 13 13
Homer J. Fong 12 12
Annalise Happy Jet 11 11
Rikand 10 10
khalessi 9 9
Arghus 8 8
JP Liz V1 7 7
Zaph 6 6
Sephiroth_dude 5 5
mustang shelly 4 4
Electric Nitwit 3 3
ShaneU 2 2
the purple tin 1 1


Will kick off the next category in a few minutes, just gotta go give Shane a kick up the arse...

phatkev

Kolido

ShaneU wrote: »

It's hardly a traditional Christmas song now is it. You also asked for depressing songs and put Everybody wants to Rule the World in 8th? One of the most uplifting songs there is! :rolleyes:

In my defense, the melody might be uplifting but the theme and lyrics are kinda dark, one of the key words for the category which is why I picked it.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

On to Round 2, The Selection Box

In 11th place with 11 points is

Green&Red

Jon Pardi - Love You From Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mej-hqpu4yY

This song was up and down the table so much, that it wouldn't surprise me if Jon Pardi had whiplash. I went from enjoying it, to really liking it, to thinking actually maybe it was a bit too basic, back to really liking it again, then not so much, then absolutely loving it again. It went on quite the journey before finally settling here… Really liked it, the fiddles are great, just up against some very heavy hitters.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 12th place with 10 points is

JP Liz V1

Thomas Rhett - Die A Happy Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2CELiObPeQ

Classic country ballad, really like it, had heard a couple of Thomas Rhett songs before and really like his voice. It’s the type of song I'd throw on at the end of a long day when I just want to switch my brain off without having to concentrate on a TV Show or get stuck into a book, and could just listen to this while sitting down with a Jack Daniels and Coke and just getting lost in my thoughts. Great pick.

Electric Nitwit

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

There were 21 songs (one song got submitted by 2 people) in the Selection Box.

-1 song was an Aussie/Comedy hybrid
-1 song was a Choccie/Comedy hybrid
-1 other song was just pure Chocolate
-3 other songs were also Comedy based
-5 songs were 21st Century Country
-7 more Aussie acts joined in the fun
-2 Kiwi acts entered the fray
-and 1 South Korean Girl Group for good measure

Bonus points for the hybrids, obviously?

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 10th place with 13 points each are

Electric Nitwit & Rikand

Chef (Isaac Hayes) - Chocolate Salty Balls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjrdanK4LSY

Two people had the same idea of hitting two of the five sub-categories with one glaringly obvious songs. 12 year-old me would have this in the top spot for sure, some of the shine has worn off as I have gotten older, but still a great song, great choice, lots of fun to sing along to, once again just another really high quality round.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Electric Nitwit wrote: »

Bonus points for the hybrids, obviously?

Eh... no...

Electric Nitwit

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

Eh... no...

Boooooo!!

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 13th place with 9 points is

Reberetta

The Lancashire Hotpots - He's Turned Emo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xilOgjeEwPg

I enjoyed this a hell of a lot more than I thought I would, on the first listen I was a bit unsure about it, but it's a bit of craic, humorous enough, and the North of England accents and twangy instruments really won me over. Comedy songs can be very hit or miss, but this one worked for me, might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it'll do for me.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 9th place with 14 points is

Irish Aris

The Presets - This Boy's In Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTSYQkyknK0

Really like The Presets, remember listening to them a lot towards the end of the 2000s and thinking they were gonna really blow up, but they never got anywhere near the recognition I figured they would. This Boy's In Love is good, hadn't listened to it in years, but really like it, although Talk Like That might have been a contender to win the category had you gone for that instead.

Electric Nitwit

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

In 10th place with 13 points each are Electric Nitwit & Rikand

Chef (Isaac Hayes) - Chocolate Salty Balls

Rikand, you're a genius

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 14th place with 8 points is

Kolido

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b_YVrex0yI

Never really fully understood the appeal this song had for people back when it first came out. Used to always think it was overplayed and overrated and generally would avoid it. However, it grew on me quite a bit when I listened to it again there recently and I do genuinely enjoy it these days, like it even more about a few extra listens for this and it crept up a few more spots.

Green&Red

ShaneU wrote: »

Coldplay and Taylor Swift was not what I was expecting to score well in this round

Irish Aris

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

In 9th place with 14 points is

Irish Aris

The Presets - This Boy's In Love


Really like The Presets, remember listening to them a lot towards the end of the 2000s and thinking they were gonna really blow up, but they never got anywhere near the recognition I figured they would. This Boy's In Love is good, hadn't listened to it in years, but really like it, although Talk Like That might have been a contender to win the category had you gone for that instead.

Ah, shoot, I was between This Boy's In Love, Talk Like That and My People. Still though, I'm glad that you know and like The Presets.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 8th place with 15 points is

Necro

Bebe Rexha feat. Florida Georgia Line - Meant To Be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDo0H8Fm7d0

Familiar with some of Florida Georgia Line's stuff, I think they're fine in general, but have never really had too much of an appeal for me. I felt a bit of that same indifference at the beginning of this song, but then Bebe Rexha gets involved in the mix and it won me over. Great mix of Country and Pop, really love this sort of hybrid, definitely the sort of song I was hoping for by restricting it to the past 10 years of Country. Good pick.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 15th place with 7 points is

Sephiroth_dude

Karnivool - Roquefort

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYhjhvcy7xo

Really liked this one, never heard of them before. Great energy to it and I like that you went for a live version. Reminded me of going to gigs, which I have hugely missed this year and will never take for granted again. Will be spending a lot more time in Whelans and The Academy when they're back up and running, don't even care whether I know the bands or not, in fairness some of the best gigs end up being bands you never heard of before.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 7th place with 16 points is

mustang shelly

Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjV-fYqo1E

Was a big Neighbours fan back in the day, so was very familiar with Delta Goodrem's music, since they even wrote it into the show that her character was a musician. Innocent Eyes is my favourite song of hers too, so you were right on the money with this one. Great vocals, great piano, great song, could just close me eyes and be transported back to a simpler time listening to this one.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

In 16th place with 6 points is

Zaph

Liz Phair - White Chocolate Space Egg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKw3ApD8mBE

Funnily enough, when I posted the categories, I predicted that if Zaph entered he'd go for this song. Wasn't too familiar with it, but had heard it once or twice before, and I'm familiar with another couple of Liz Phair songs (again because she's a recurring artist for Zaph around these here parts). Great song, nothing bad to say about it, was a good choice, just a really stacked category once again.

Green&Red

Also Starring LeVar Burton wrote: »

In 3rd place with 20 points is

JohnGreenFan

Taylor Swift feat. Bon Iver - Exile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osdoLjUNFnA

Mentioned in the previous Taylor write up that the Folklore album is her at her best and this song is absolutely superb. Throw Bon Iver into the mix and its just a magical combination - the contrast of their two voices really works for me. Was pretty close between this and the song that ranked above it, it just came down to personal preference, but really love this one too, so excellent choice.

This would win for me, great song