Downtown Boys, "Wave of History"
It's official Five Songs policy to say that more bands should have horns. Everybody, no exceptions! So, yes, of course we love this stuff. Punk rock, but with a couple saxophones thrown in? Hell yeah! This is how the album opens, which is a great way to get our attention, that's for sure.
They Might Be Giants, "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)"
I sometimes think about what song I've listened to the most in my life. I suspect strongly that it's either a song from Flood or maybe a song from It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back. I don't know for sure, but I suspect strongly that they're the albums I've listened to the most. Given that this song had a single released for it, has showed up on various live albums and things, and that my kids like it, this is as good a bet as any song I can think of off the top of my head.
Plebian Grandstand, "Mass Critique"
Well, that's the Five Songs experience right there. We go from my favorite album of 1990 to my favorite album of 2021. And, uh, there are some differences.
Actually, wait, that's not true about Flood. No Depression came out that year. And Repeater and Goo. Oh, damn, and Fear of a Black Planet.
Fine. ONE of my favorite albums of 1990.
Vince Staples, "Life Me Up"
The first album from Vince Staples (Summertime '06) didn't come out in '06, it's from 2015. What's going on here! I'm old and easily confused! Also, this album rules.
The Pyramids, "Consilience"
Right on, solid one today.