By Aaron Levy (CIVL Station Manager / Jenga Master) – Email
Print Edition: June 17, 2015
So many themes to jump on this week! CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy wonders what the best choice is! It kind of makes him …
Black Sabbath — “Paranoid”
Who doesn’t love the opening riff of this song? If it’s not one of the most recognizable guitar licks of all time, right up there with “Purple Haze,” “Smoke on the Water,” “The Weight,” and “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” to name a few. Pre-post Ozzie-era Sabbath.
Clipse — “Nightmares”
This is one of the best hip-hop albums you won’t hear anyone talk about too often in too many circles, kind of like EPMD or the original DOOM stuff before Danger with the Mouse … “I got nightmares, ooh, ooh ooh … they say I’m p-noid. Say I’m just p-noid.”
Nirvana — “Territorial Pissings”
“Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try and love one another right now. Just because you’re paranoid don’t mean they’re not after you, gotta find a way, a better way.” Song seven on Nevermind, I think? Let’s see, Spirit, Bloom, Come, Breed, Lithium, Polly, yup.
Katie Moore — “Rush Enough”
Worse than being paranoid is when, as Kurt says above, it’s not paranoia, just legitimate stress and fear, that drives you to frustration and psychological handcuffing. This song was the first track on the Pop Montreal 2005 sampler. Great harmonies, harrowing tales of love and loss and laudably lascivious liaisons.
Radiohead — “Paranoid Android”
I’ve definitely shuffled this before, and likely made reference to the fact that many see it as our generation’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” with its ever-changing dynamic, quick shifting momentum, and magnificent vocal breakdown for the “Rain down on me” section at the very least. And who can forget the Douglas Adams reference?!
