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AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

The time has come for the AM World Cup to begin. We start with the pool round. In this round, every team will face the other three teams in their pool. The top two teams from each pool will then advance to the single-elimination round. Please remember when voting to vote for the song, not the artist. And DO NOT VOTE STRATEGICALLY!!!!! You should vote for the song you like more, not the song by the artist that isn’t going to be a threat to your team. Now that I got that out of the way, let me go ahead and show you this week’s competitors:

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) vs. Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel)
Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) vs. Vampire Weekend (Boston)
R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why)
LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) vs. Wilco (The Late Greats)
Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) vs. The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) vs. Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) vs. Talking Heads (The Big Country)
Elvis Presley (Suspicion) vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me)
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) vs. The Doors (Spanish Caravan)
Radiohead (Karma Police) vs. Van Morrison (Beside You)
Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) vs. Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)
Blur (The Universal) vs. Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole)
Black Sabbath (War Pigs) vs. Jay-Z (Renegade)
Michael Jackson (Human Nature) vs. Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)

The songs that are competing this week are in parenthesis. If you have any trouble finding a song here, ask, and someone will be able to help you out. I found all of the studio versions on youtube.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Note to team owners: If I made a mistake with you song, please let me know and I will correct it. Voting will close in one week.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Van Morrison's song should be "Into the Mystic"

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Elvis Presley = Suspicious Minds?

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Henrik
Elvis Presley = Suspicious Minds?


Nope, it is in fact the fabulous Suspicion

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) vs. Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel)
Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) vs. Vampire Weekend (Boston)
R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why)
LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) vs. Wilco (The Late Greats)
Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) vs. The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) vs. Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) vs. Talking Heads (The Big Country) (Bruce is coming out with the big guns)
Elvis Presley (Suspicion) vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio) Elvis wins!
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me) (Hardest song to vote against this week)
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) vs. The Doors (Spanish Caravan)
Radiohead (Karma Police) vs. Van Morrison (Into The Mystic)
Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) vs. Queen (Another One Bites the Dust) (very close)
Blur (The Universal) vs. Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole)
Black Sabbath (War Pigs) vs. Jay-Z (Renegade)
Michael Jackson (Human Nature) vs. Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy) (I was afraid I'd have to vote against my own pick, but there's no such worry with Human Nature)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat)-- I love Johnny's version of this song!!!
Vampire Weekend (Boston)-- Has to relisten to both.
R.E.M. (Drive)-- I've been listening to this song alot lately...
PASS
The Byrds (Eight Miles High)-- Probably one of the few song matchups that would cause me to vote for The Byrds over Zeppelin!!!
Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star)-- Hate to vote against Eurythmics tune...
Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)-- VU can not hang here
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)--
Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)--
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) -- This is tough!!!
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue)
Radiohead (Karma Police)-- I would have taken Into The Mystic in most matchups, Van's best song gets a tough break!!!
Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)
Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole)-- Hardest call of the day, I love The Universal, but Head Like A Hole still goes down as my all-time fav!!!
Black Sabbath (War Pigs)
Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)-- Not a huge fan of this song, but I really dislike Human Nature, I wish You Really Got Me, The Universal, The Big Country, Into The Mystic or any of the other great songs I did not get to vote for were in this matchup!!!

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) vs. Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel)
Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) vs. Vampire Weekend (Boston)
R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why)
LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) vs. Wilco (The Late Greats)
Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) vs. The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) vs. Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) vs. Talking Heads (The Big Country)
Elvis Presley (Suspicion) vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me)
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) vs. The Doors (Spanish Caravan)
Radiohead (Karma Police) vs. Van Morrison (Into the Mystic)
Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) vs. Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)
Blur (The Universal) vs. Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole)
Black Sabbath (War Pigs) vs. Jay-Z (Renegade)
Michael Jackson (Human Nature) vs. Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Greg
Van Morrison's song should be "Into the Mystic"
Sorry, I was almost certain I changed it. Van Morrison's song this week should be "Into the Mystic", not "Beside You".

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

I'm going to vote in stages as I get a chance to listen. I hope that's ok!

Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel): 10
Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat): 5

One of the most original songs of the 80s in the form of a mutant goth disco funk Christmas song against... a cover. No contest. I don't like country, but I recognize that Johnny Cash is about as good as it gets. That said, he's way in over his head against a band with such staggering, multi-faceted talent as the Banshees.

Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day): 8
Vampire Weekend (Boston): 6

I really enjoyed the Beasties track. Having not heard Paul's Boutique, it is a bit of a revelation. Something about Vampire Weekend just doesn't work for me. I can see why people like them - I just don't.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

These I know right away


R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why)

One of the strongest tracks on Neil's best album eclipses a merely above-average R.E.M. single.

Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) vs. The Byrds (Eight Miles High)

Eight Miles High is a psychedelic whirlwind, but the dirty swagger of Black Dog is more appealing to me.

The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)

Higher Ground is a monster funk track that would destroy most of the songs here.

The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me)

You can listen to "You Really Got Me" about ten times before you realize it relies on one central gimmick, but you can listen to "Sympathy" about a hundred imes and still not fully grasp all of its depth.

Black Sabbath (War Pigs) vs. Jay-Z (Renegade)

It's really an Eminem song, not a Hova tune, but it has enough to take on a strong-but-overlong Sabbath track.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat)
Vampire Weekend (Boston)
R.E.M. (Drive)
Wilco (The Late Greats)
The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)
Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil)
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue)
Radiohead (Karma Police)
Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)
Blur (The Universal)
Jay-Z (Renegade)
Michael Jackson (Human Nature)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Moonbeam

One of the most original songs of the 80s in the form of a mutant goth disco funk Christmas song against... a cover.


Hey, what's wrong with a cover ? Covers are very frequent in country/folk music, especially when they depart from the original

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Winner : Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) : JOhnny sings this song just as if it were his song
loser : Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel) 3.5 : not , not , not my cup of tea but I have to admt that there's so quality in the wrapping


winner : Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) : at least there is some fun oozing from every one of their songs
loser : Vampire Weekend (Boston) 3 : don't feel anything. Too complicated, Too... bookish


W: Neil Young (Tell Me Why) : perfect. One of my favorite album first tracks ever
L : REM (Drive) Excellent but doesn't compete

W : Wilco (The Late Greats) : good song from a good album
L : LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) : I loved Sound of Silver but since then everything else I've heard from them (except 1 or 2 singles) has disappointed me.

W :Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) : a great rnr classic against a psychedelic gem. But I prefer Led Zep's song.
L : The Byrds (Eight Miles High)

W : Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) : very good song I didn't know
L : Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again) : I like this song too

W : Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground) : Which politician wouldn't vote for himself ? But the VU song is absolutely brilliant
L : VU : rnr


W : Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) No comment.
L : Talking Heads (The Big Country)


Elvis Presley (Suspicion) vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio) : PASS. It's a draw for me. I don't like both songs in an equal way.


W :The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) : 2 absolute masterpieces of the 60's 2 5-star songs IMO, but the Stones pass
L : The Kinks (You Really Got Me)

W :Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue)
L : The Doors (Spanish Caravan)

W : Van Morrison (Beside You) : the intro is so magnificent that the songs beat "Karma police". Very short win though
L : Radiohead (Karma Police)

W : Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) both songs are nfar from being my favorite of each artist, so I'll go for Chuck because he's Chuck B
L : Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)

W : Blur (The Universal) : A good song from an album that is cool to hate in the AM forum but that I liked very much when it came out (and that I didn't hear since)
L : Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole)

W : Black Sabbath (War Pigs)
L : Jay-Z (Renegade)

W : Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy) : Fela just made one long song, and a great great one
L : Michael Jackson (Human Nature)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

I'm basing these contests on my "enjoyment ratings" where 1 is best and greater than 11 indicates some annoyance or disinterest in the song. This first set of votes is for those songs for which I am more familiar.

R.E.M. (Drive)= 10 vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why) =7, Neil wins

Led Zeppelin (Black Dog)=5 vs. The Byrds (Eight Miles High)=8, Zeppelin wins

Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star)=11 vs. Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)=10, Eurythmics wins

The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll)=11 vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)=7, Stevie wins

Elvis Presley (Suspicious Minds)=7 vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)=9, Presley wins

The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil)=3 vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me)=6, Stones win

Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue)=7 vs. The Doors (Spanish Caravan)=10, Dylan wins

Radiohead (Karma Police)=11 vs. Van Morrison (Beside You)=11, tie

Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.)=10 vs. Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)=8, surprisingly Queen wins

Black Sabbath (War Pigs)=11.1 vs. Jay-Z (Renegade)=11.4, Sabbath wins

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Henry

Elvis Presley (Suspicious Minds)=7 vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)=9, Presley wins


Suspicion,not Suspicious Minds...

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

nicolas

W : Van Morrison (Beside You) : the intro is so magnificent that the songs beat "Karma police". Very short win though
L : Radiohead (Karma Police)


nicolas, this week Van Morrison is not competing with "Beside You", but with "Into the Mystic".

Edit: Same goes for Henry and maybe others (just saw Stephan's post )

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

The Mercy Seat
Boston
Tell Me Why
The Late Greats
Black Dog
Here Comes The Rain Again
Higher Ground
Born to Run
Radio Radio
Sympathy for the Devil
Tangled Up in Blue
Karma Police
Another One Bites the Dust
The Universal
War Pigs
Water No Get Enemy

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat)
Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day)
Neil Young (Tell Me Why)
Wilco (The Late Greats)
The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star)
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)
Elvis Presley (Suspicion)
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil)
The Doors (Spanish Caravan)
Van Morrison (Into the Mystic)
Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.)
Blur (The Universal)
Black Sabbath (War Pigs)
Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Same goes for Henry, and maybe others. I'd hate to see Van Morrison lose because Listy listed the wrong song.

Van Morrison's song for this week is "Into The Mystic"

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Stephan
Same goes for Henry, and maybe others. I'd hate to see Van Morrison lose because Listy listed the wrong song.

Van Morrison's song for this week is "Into The Mystic"

Here's my new vote:

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat)
Vampire Weekend (Boston)
R.E.M. (Drive)
Wilco (The Late Greats)
The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)
Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil)
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue)
Van Morrison (Into The Mystic)
Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)
Blur (The Universal)
Jay-Z (Renegade)
Michael Jackson (Human Nature)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

So change my vote for Into teh Mystic then

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Radiohead (Karma Police)=11 vs. Van Morrison (Into the Mystic)=10, Van wins

I'll correct my vote on the Presley - Costello match up later.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Radiohead (Karma Police)=11 vs. Van Morrison (Into the Mystic)=10, Van wins

I'll correct my vote on the Presley - Costello match up later.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat
Vampire Weekend (Boston)
R.E.M. (Drive)
Wilco (The Late Greats)
The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star)
Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)
Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil)
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue)
Van Morrison (Into The Mystic)
Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.)
Blur (The Universal)
Jay-Z (Renegade)
Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

sorry about Van, I noticed it and then I forgot

so my vote will go to

Karma Police by a very short margin though

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel)
Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day)
Neil Young (Tell Me Why)
Wilco (The Late Greats)
The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)
Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)
Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil)
The Doors (Spanish Caravan) [very close call, but I prefer this song over Tangled Up In Blue]
Radiohead (Karma Police) [another close call, but I prefer this song over Into The Mystic]
Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.)
Blur (The Universal)
Black Sabbath (War Pigs)
Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)

My favorite 3 songs of week 1: Eight Miles High, The Late Greats, Tell Me Why

And 3 songs I could live without: Renegade, Human Nature, Boston

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Vote for first half of songs. I'll get to the second half later.

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) I had to pick one
Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) Close matchup
R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why) Another close one of great opening tracks, but I'm more of a R.E.M. guy.
Wilco (The Late Greats) This was also close, but in this case I'm not a huge fan of either.
Led Zeppelin (Black Dog)
Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again) This might be the only Eurythmics song that would have won this matchup.
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) Strong matchup.
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) vs. Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel) - Close!
Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) vs. Vampire Weekend (Boston) - Boston was a great new discovery, while Year and a Day is great as part of Paul's Boutique but not so strong on its own.
R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why)
LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) vs. Wilco (The Late Greats) - I'm not the biggest "LCD" fan, so Big Ideas was new to me as well. But I pumped up the volume.
Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) vs. The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) vs. Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again) - I would not have considered Everybody Is a Star if I managed Sly.
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) vs. Talking Heads (The Big Country) - I've listened a lot to Talking Heads lately, but The Big Country is no favorite. Not that it matters against Born to Run though.
Elvis Presley (Suspicion) vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio) - Since Radio Radio is not on any original LP, I was actually not very familiar with any of these songs. It was really close, but I decided to continue the strike for the totally unheard ones.
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me) - A battle between two slightly overrated giants.
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) vs. The Doors (Spanish Caravan)
Radiohead (Karma Police) vs. Van Morrison (Into the Mystic)
Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) vs. Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)
Blur (The Universal) vs. Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole) - Pretty Hate Machine beats The Great Escape though.
Black Sabbath (War Pigs) vs. Jay-Z (Renegade)
Michael Jackson (Human Nature) vs. Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy) - Fela deserves a nod, but this year I love the Thriller album more than ever before.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Each minus or plus indicates one standard deviation over the mean.

Israel ++ beats The Mercy Seat ++
A Year And A Day + beats Boston -
Tell Me Why + beats Drive +
Big Ideas ++ beats The Late Greats =
Black Dog ++ beats Eight Miles High +
Everybody Is A Star ++ beats Here Comes The Rain Again +
Higher Ground ++++ beats Rock And Roll ++
Born To Run ++++ beats The Big Country +
Radio Radio +++ beats Suspicion +
Sympathy For The Devil +++++ beats You Really Got Me +


Comments:
I'm surprised Springsteen brought out Born To Run immediately. That's the one song of his I would rank among my favorites of all time, and the only one that's damn near a free win. Then again the same could be said about Sympathy For The Devil.

Are we allowed to vote in our own matches? Are people planning to vote against their own pick if they honestly think it's a better song? (I would have, for instance, voted against my picks if they were against any of the ones I rated ++++.)

The rest later.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

BillAdama
Then again the same could be said about Sympathy For The Devil.
You Really Got Me is the biggest threat in the first round I reckon.
BillAdama
Are we allowed to vote in our own matches? Are people planning to vote against their own pick if they honestly think it's a better song? (I would have, for instance, voted against my picks if they were against any of the ones I rated ++++.)
I will; those are the rules of the game after all.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

You can vote in matchups with your teams, but try to vote for the song you like more.
When I saw that "Sympathy" was up against "You Really Got Me" this week, I was surprised and excited to see those two go at it in week 1. I may be the best matchup of the pool round.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash-The Mercy Seat
Beastie Boys-A Year And A Day
R.E.M.-Drive
Wilco-The Late Greats
Byrds-Eight Miles High
Eurythmics-Here Comes The Rain Again
Stevie Wonder-Higher Ground
Bruce Springsteen-Born To Run
Elvis Costello-Radio Radio
Rolling Stones-Sympathy For The Devil
Doors-Spanish Caravan
Radiohead-Karma Police
Queen-Another One Bites The Dust
Nine Inch Nails-Head Like A Hole
Black Sabbath-War pigs
Fela Kuti-Water No Get Enemy

Maybe it's an idea to insert the you tube links in the voting thread? There are plenty of unfamiliar songs, and I have the feeling that participants are more willing to listen to them if those songs are just one click away, instead that folks have to go to you tube searching for them.
(Hope I'm not causing you too much work, Listyguy :).

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

nicolas
Moonbeam

One of the most original songs of the 80s in the form of a mutant goth disco funk Christmas song against... a cover.


Hey, what's wrong with a cover ? Covers are very frequent in country/folk music, especially when they depart from the original


Nothing in principle, but it just augments the differences for this particular matchup.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Mindrocker
Maybe it's an idea to insert the you tube links in the voting thread? There are plenty of unfamiliar songs, and I have the feeling that participants are more willing to listen to them if those songs are just one click away, instead that folks have to go to you tube searching for them.
(Hope I'm not causing you too much work, Listyguy :).

No, it's not too much trouble, as long as I'm not searching for songs like "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic". I'll include links for next week.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

I had comments, but my ballot was deleted.
Mercy Seat
Boston
Drive
Late Greats
Black Dog
Everybody is a Star
Higher Ground
Born to Run
Radio Radio
You Really Got Me
Tangled Up in Blue
Into the Mystic
Another One Bites the Dust (Is it just me or does "Back in the USA sound somewhat like Johnny B Goode and Roll over Beethoven?)
The Universal
War Pigs
Human Nature

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

More votes!

R.E.M. (Drive): 5
Neil Young (Tell Me Why): 3

I'm not really a fan of either artist here. "Drive" is one of my more favored R.E.M. tracks, and I find "Tell Me Why" to be pretty irritating, particularly vocally.

LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas): 9
Wilco (The Late Greats): 5

"Big Ideas" was a great tide-me-over between Sound of Silver and This Is Happening. The massive buildup is totally worth the payoff that is the chorus and the ensuing guitar solo. Meanwhile, the magic of Wilco still eludes me.

The Byrds (Eight Miles High): 6
Led Zeppelin (Black Dog): 4

Two groups with mega-acclaim that leave me rather cold. That said, I prefer the guitar solo in "Eight Miles High" to the hamfisted cocksureness of "Black Dog" and, well, Led Zeppelin in general.

Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again): 10
Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star): 6

"Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" would have narrowed the gap, but "Everybody Is a Star" is still pretty good. That said, "Here Comes the Rain Again" is a majestic synth symphony and right up my own little Moonbeam alley.

Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground): 10
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll): 6

Loaded is by far my least favorite of the classic VU albums, probably because it strays far too close to The Beatles for comfort. "Rock & Roll" is definitely one of its better cuts, but it still pales in comparison with their first 2 albums, and juxtaposed with nostril-flaring, inspiring, fist-pumping raucous funk like "Higher Ground", it stands absolutely no chance.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Moonbeam


Nothing in principle, but it just augments the differences for this particular matchup.


... which means that in your opinion, a cover is less valuable than an original. I don't agree at all with this copyright-oriented view on music. I believe in the old folk tradition that songs can fly from one to another and reinvent themselves in the process. Real good songs are more important than their creators.
And I also think that if a song is good, then what's the difference if it's a cover ? Does it make it less deserving ? Would the enjoyment of its listening become spoiled with guilt ? But it's another debate.
The whole American Recordings concept relies on that. There's hardly an original in the 6 albums. To be honest I first wanted to include "One", which I think is one of the best songs of the series, but I knew it would get those kinds of comments so I decided to replace it with "Mercy Seat", a less sensible cover.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Listyguy
Mindrocker
Maybe it's an idea to insert the you tube links in the voting thread? There are plenty of unfamiliar songs, and I have the feeling that participants are more willing to listen to them if those songs are just one click away, instead that folks have to go to you tube searching for them.
(Hope I'm not causing you too much work, Listyguy :).

No, it's not too much trouble, as long as I'm not searching for songs like "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic". I'll include links for next week.

Thanks Listy.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

nicolas
Moonbeam


Nothing in principle, but it just augments the differences for this particular matchup.


... which means that in your opinion, a cover is less valuable than an original. I don't agree at all with this copyright-oriented view on music. I believe in the old folk tradition that songs can fly from one to another and reinvent themselves in the process. Real good songs are more important than their creators.
And I also think that if a song is good, then what's the difference if it's a cover ? Does it make it less deserving ? Would the enjoyment of its listening become spoiled with guilt ? But it's another debate.
The whole American Recordings concept relies on that. There's hardly an original in the 6 albums. To be honest I first wanted to include "One", which I think is one of the best songs of the series, but I knew it would get those kinds of comments so I decided to replace it with "Mercy Seat", a less sensible cover.


I don't mean to begrudge covers. It would be rather hypocritical of me to try to find some moral high ground for original songs when some of my favorite artists don't write their songs in the first place!

Perhaps I am a bit of a hypocrite, though, as I can't think of many covers that are absolute favorites of mine. To put it in words, I feel that "Israel" blazes a path that is so unique and interesting that I'm not sure that any cover could compete in that way. Maybe that's flawed thinking, but I can't really come up with a counterexample.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

I just added up all the votes I've recieved so far, and there is currently one sweep going, as well as 5 matchups separted by goals or less.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

On the issue of covers, for me the key is making it your own. When Johnny Cash covers someone else's song, it sounds like a Johnny Cash song. He puts something of himself into it that makes it a different song. Not all artists are capable of doing that. If you're just photocopying an existing hit, it does not have nearly as much value as the original.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Midaso
Henry

Elvis Presley (Suspicious Minds)=7 vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)=9, Presley wins


Suspicion,not Suspicious Minds...

Elvis Presley (Suspicion)=9 vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)=9, Costello wins by the narrowest of margins

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Moonbeam

Perhaps I am a bit of a hypocrite, though, as I can't think of many covers that are absolute favorites of mine. To put it in words, I feel that "Israel" blazes a path that is so unique and interesting that I'm not sure that any cover could compete in that way. Maybe that's flawed thinking, but I can't really come up with a counterexample.


Whether it was competing a cover or not, was totally irrelevant for me: Israel is just a very good Banshees song, no mercy (seat) here for Cave or Cash!

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

The all-NY Beastie Boys / Vampire WE matchup is very tight; bad Brooklyn boys vs. nice Manhattan ivy League students

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

(W) LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas)
(L) Wilco (The Late Greats)

Not an easy call for me. Both songs merit additional listens.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

L: Blur (The Universal) vs.
W: Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole)

Both songs are new to me and I enjoyed both of them. Great selections so far

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

L: Michael Jackson (Human Nature) vs.
W: Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)

Fela Kuti was a complete surprise to me.

Great selection!!

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat)
Vampire Weekend (Boston)
R.E.M. (Drive)
LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas)
Led Zeppelin (Black Dog)
Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)
Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)
The Kinks (You Really Got Me)
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue)
Van Morrison (Into the Mystic)
Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)
Blur (The Universal)
Jay-Z (Renegade)
Michael Jackson (Human Nature)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

This game is really going to be fun. Great job with it so far Listyguy.

I'm also gonna vote in stages.

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) beats Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel) - The Cash cover of a song I really like a lot started slow, but got deeply affecting at the end. Siouxsie's sound is unique, but there was no song there, and I prefer Cash's sound anyhow.

Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) beats Vampire Weekend (Boston) - Boston is an interesting track from a band I like, it's stronger than some of the weakest tracks on their debut, but not nearly as good as the best on there. But the Beastie Boys win by a length with some stong sampling and freaky vocals.

Neil Young (Tell Me Why) beats R.E.M. (Drive) - A fair song from one of the more overrated albums on these boards loses hard to the beautiful opener to my #2 album of all time.

LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) beats Wilco (The Late Greats) - I continue to want to come around on Wilco, but despite having some appreciation for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, everything else I have heard from them feels bland. Mildly well crafted songs, but nothing that I haven't heard from lots of other bands with more interesting singers and musicians. This song didn't change my mind on that. A below par song from LCD Soundsystem still beats it.

The Byrds (Eight Miles High) beats Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) - Black Dog starts as almost a novelty song, but shows some complexity as it goes on. I think it is a good song, but "Eight Miles High" is a truly landmark song. Putting aside its import, its impact is incredible. That mixture of the very trippy guitars and beautiful harmonies simply never grows stale.

Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) beats Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again) - To my utter shock, upon listening to these two songs, one of which is from one of my absolutely favorite artists, I was torn. That Eurythmics track is really great. I do need to listen to more of them, because Lennox's voice sounds great paired with state of the 80's art instrumentation, and her layered harmonies work really well. I've of course heard the song often, and remember liking it back in my youth, but it hit me really strongly today. I really did consider "Here Comes the Rain..." for a bit. But it lacks something that makes Sly and the Family Stone such an essential artist for me... sheer and utter joy. The traded vocals are such a delight, I simply can't not vote for it.

More to come...

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) vs.
Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel)

Neither of these songs won me over. So, regretfully I will pass on this contest so the votes of those who truly enjoyed either song will be the ones that count.

L - Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) vs.
W - Vampire Weekend (Boston)

Boston is a decent song and A Year and a Day wasn't too bad. But, most of the other songs in this week impressed me much more.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) beats Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground) - Wow. How do you choose. I guess Reed wins this one because, "Higher Ground," which is a centerpiece of one of my top-5 all time albums, starts at an incredible high... and then stays there, without going anywhere new. Now... it's silly to fault Wonder for creating a world-class groove and sticking with it, but he's up against Reed iat his best. An origin story for many a musician, or wanna-be musician, "Rock and Roll" actually outstrips all of those songs that Jennie heard at just about five years old.

Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) beats Talking Heads (The Big Country) - "The Big Country," unlike many Talking heads songs, never gets off the ground for me. Suffice it to say the same is not true of "Born to Run."

Elvis Costello (Radio Radio) beats Elvis Presley (Suspicion) - No contest. My favorite Costello song wipes up against a merely fair Presley track.

The Kinks (You Really Got Me) beats The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) - Well, maybe I was wrong to set up one of my stronger Kinks songs against the juggernaut that is "Sympathy for the Devil." I thought that maybe there were more people who might have had some slight reservations about that Stones' song, but I seem to be wrong. I always fully expected to be below the Stones after the group was finished, and hoped that I'd pip 2d place for a nightmare matchup. I just hope I don't have to pull out my really big gun before the group stages end. Oh yeah, I do think "You Really Got Me" is the tighter song, delivering the goods. Listen again, you might miss how slick it is, and how fine the transitions are, especially for an early British Invasion single.

Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) beats The Doors (Spanish Caravan) - Closer than an avowed Doors disliker like myself might care to admit. "Spanish Caravan" still feels too much like noodling with bloviated Morrison on top, but certain excesses are shorn. "Tangled Up in Blue" I always felt was an overrated song of Dylan's. But the story is compelling, even if the musical arrangement feels more than a little like "been there, done that."

Radiohead (Karma Police) beats Van Morrison (Into the Mystic) - Not a big fan of Morrison, but I do have some lingering affection for Moondance. "Into the Mystic" is a fairly sweet, if static, song. "Karma Police" has more depth, and I find Yorke's voice far less annoying.

Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) beats Queen (Another One Bites the Dust) - A typically shining single from Berry. An atypically wrong-footed single from Queen. "Another One..." isn't so bad, but the only true thrills come from May's strummed disco guitar, and Mercury's octave jump on the second verse. The rest of May's and Mercury's work on the song get to be kind of annoying.

Blur (The Universal) beats Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole) - Blur's orchestrated build is right in my wheelhouse, and easily eclipses the impressive but cold industrial might of Reznor.

Final two matchups to come...

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Loving all the votes! Keep them coming. We currently have one tied match and one team working on a sweep.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star)
The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll)
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)
Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil)
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue)
Radiohead (Karma Police)
Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.)
Blur (The Universal)
Black Sabbath (War Pigs)
Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy

Thanks!

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

More votes.

Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run): 6
Talking Heads (The Big Country): 5

I'd imagine about 98% of possible Bruce/Heads matchups would end up with me giving the nod to Talking Heads, but this is among the other 2%. "Born to Run" is Bruce at his best, even if it is not my favorite Springsteen song. Meanwhile, "The Big Country" is probably my least favorite Talking Heads song among the 4 albums of theirs I own.

Elvis Costello (Radio Radio): 7
Elvis Presley (Suspicion): 6

I'd like to congratulate whoever is managing Presley, as you just revealed to me my favorite song of his. This matchup is a lot closer than most battles of the Elvises would be. "Suspicion" is pretty and lacks the Presleyisms that I find annoying, but it still falls just a bit short of the nervy new wave of "Radio Radio".

The Kinks (You Really Got Me): 9
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil): 6

These are two monster tracks from the 60s, for sure. The thing is, I'm not a big 60s guy. But "You Really Got Me" gets me going, whereas "Sympathy for the Devil" is merely slightly above average for me.

The Doors (Spanish Caravan): 7
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue): 3

I think I've grown past my Doors phase. I still admire them and love a lot of their stuff, but I don't hold them in as high esteem as before. That said, I still like them a lot more than Dylan. "Spanish Caravan" is an interesting venture among the psychedelic kaleidoscope of Waiting for the Sun - not my favorite but certainly still a winner in my book. Meanwhile, I've only found a couple Dylan songs that I like, and "Tangled Up in Blue" isn't one of them.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Spanish Caravan +++ beats Tangled Up In Blue +++
Karma Police ++ beats Into The Mystic ++
Back In The USA + beats Another One Bites The Dust -
Head Like A Hole ++ beats The Universal =
Renegade ++ beats War Pigs -
Water No Get Enemy + beats Human Nature +

The fact that I have never heard Spanish Caravan before proves I badly need more Doors albums.

I don't know if there are cheesier lyricists out there than Queen. One gimmick or another with them.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Jay-Z (Renegade) beats Black Sabbath (War Pigs) - I became a little obsessed with Renegade when I got the Blueprint. And, yeah, it's Eminem's song more than Jay's (like.. it actually started as a mixtape collab between Eminem and Royce da 5'9"), but it's a great song and it wins on its own merits, and not just because it's against the plodding Black Sabbath. Every once in a while in War Pigs I think there might be something interesting to Sabbath, but that passes quickly.

Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy) beats Michael Jackson (Human Nature) - Fela Kuti's track starts a little slow, but is a roaring joy by mid-way through. Jackson's ballad doesn't provide much, to my ears, to lift it above the other radio ballad's of the early 80s.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

BillAdama

I don't know if there are cheesier lyricists out there than Queen. One gimmick or another with them.

Modern pop - Hearing Bruno Mars' cheesy radio love songs on a daily basis makes my ears bleed...

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Mindrocker and Brad, you were both aware that Van Morrison's song this week was "Into the Mystic" and not "Beside You", correct?

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

I was. I hold Morrison in a slightly higher esteem than Radiohead, but here the better song is Karma Police.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Yes thanks no change

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Second half

Elvis Costello (Radio Radio) - Costello wins the battle of the Elvises thanks to this kick-ass song.
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) - Although I like "You Really Got Me," I'm a little baffled by its high acclaim.
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) - The Doors are blown away by one of Dylan's heavy hitters.
Radiohead (Karma Police) - Yes, I know it's "Into the Mystic." A very close matchup.
Queen (Another One Bites the Dust) - Tough to vote against Chuck, but it's not one of my favorites of his.
Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole) - It's catchier.
Black Sabbath (War Pigs) - Because I like the Faith No More version.
Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy) - This was the toughest decision for me. Even though long, mostly-instrumental songs aren't usually my thing, I went with the less wimpy song.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Thank you to those voting for "Karma Police" for concurring they were aware of the opponent. I just don't want "Into the Mystic" to get screwed over becuase of my screw up. And of course, my Jimi Hendrix team is in the same pool...

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Rocky Raccoon

Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) - The Doors are blown away by one of Dylan's heavy hitters.


That Dylan would win, was clear to me up front. That's why I picked a Doors song that I like personally, but is not everyone's cup of tea.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

The few I can do without listening:


R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why)
Winner: R.E.M. - When I first listened to Automatic For The People, this one one of the few songs that hooked me in. Tell Me Why is great, but I love that bit where Stipe says "tick...tock" and the instruments swell up around him.


The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)
Winner: VU - Always thought that Higher Ground was surrounded by big hitters, but not one itself. Rock And Roll on the other hand is a huge song for me.

Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) vs. Talking Heads (The Big Country)
Winner: Bruce - Despite The Big Country being my own pick, I can't bring myself to vote for it. While I'm a bit saddened this matchup seems to be a shutout, Born To Run is understandably just too high a hurdle for it.

The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me)
Winner: The Stones - I adore Beggars Banquet so much, and this song is wonderful.

Radiohead (Karma Police) vs. Van Morrison (Into The Mystic)
Winner: Radiohead. It's a great segue from the wonderful Let Down to the piano at the beginning of Karma Police and the song really does shine. It's a shame it has Fitter Happier on the other side though...Van stands no chance.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

More votes!

Radiohead (Karma Police): 9
Van Morrison (Into the Mystic): 6

"Karma Police" is a definite favorite from OK Computer. That said, whoever is managing Van Morrison did well to choose "Into the Mystic", as it is my favorite Van Morrison song I've heard so far.

Queen (Another One Bites the Dust): 7
Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.): 5

Most pairings of these two artists would be favorable to Chuck Berry. I generally despise Queen, but I like the funk aping of "Another One Bites the Dust" in spite of myself. Damn it! As for Chuck Berry, "Back in the U.S.A." just didn't do it for me as other singles of his do.

Blur (The Universal): 8
Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole): 8

Touch matchup! I hadn't heard the Blur track, and it was a real surprise. I had kind of given up home on them after their 1997 album left me a bit cold, but "The Universal" struck me as really beautiful. "Head Like a Hole" is a great slice of late-80s industrial. It's a shame it landed here.

Black Sabbath (War Pigs): 6
Jay-Z (Renegade): 5

I liked the Black Sabbath track a lot more than I thought I would. The guitars are memorable and pretty in places, and the bass is pretty hefty. It's not going to make me rush out and buy Paranoid, but I enjoyed it. It's easy to get lost in the caricature of Ozzy Osbourne and forget why he became a hero to so many, I suppose. The Jay-Z track features very good instrumentation, but the lyrics left me cold.

Michael Jackson (Human Nature): 10
Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy): 7

"Human Nature" is an incandescent single - easily one of Michael's very best. "Water Get No Enemy" serves as my introduction to Fela, and I really did enjoy it. That said, it's up against an established titan for me.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Some votes:

Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) vs. Vampire Weekend (Boston)
W: Boston - It is no difficulty for me to vote here on my own pick. A Year and a Day has for long been one of my least favorite tracks on Paul's Boutique. I've always considered Boston to be the overlooked song on VW's debut. A tight and interesting rocker, with a nice Byrne-esque refrain, makes for one of my favorite tracks from them.

R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why)
W: Drive - An incredible song. It always gets me, with that circular and haunting feeling. Diferent from everything R.E.M has ever created.

LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) vs. Wilco (The Late Greats)
W: Wilco - A battle between a band that's climbing to my top 10 and another that's going for the top 20. And, not surprisingly, Wilco does better. Each day I like this band more.

Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) vs. The Byrds (Eight Miles High)
W: Byrds - Zeppelin is not my cup of tea. But even if it was another band here, it would be a bit difficult to fight against those psychedelic guitars.

Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) vs. Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)
W: Sly - No track was that good. But at least here the melody is nice and, mainly, those multiple vocals made for a entertaining listen. Actually, I recognize the quality of the Eurythmics song, but there was something annoying all over it, don't know exactly what. Maybe the way she sings the final of the verses...

The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)
W: VU - Stevie is a top 10 artist for me, while I'm not very fond of the VU. But here one of their best tracks (maybe the best?) faces one of my least faves out of his best album. Interesting how Reed can sound melodic with such a dylanesque spoken vocal.

Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) vs. Talking Heads (The Big Country):
W: Bruce - Not much to say other than what has already been said. Born to Run is objectively one of the most perfect songs I've ever heard, even if I personally prefer other tracks. I think it's even underrated in the AM official rank.

Elvis Presley (Suspicion) vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio):
W: Elvis. haha, Costello, of course! - I have to look up for more Presley songs, but this has not caught me the way half a dozen other of his pieces have. Radio Radio is good, but he's done many other better songs. Still wins, though.

The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me)
W: The Kinks - Great rocker. I love the progression of the verses until getting to the apex at the chorus.

Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) vs. The Doors (Spanish Caravan)
W: Dylan - I don't like the Doors at all. And while this song looked it would be a nice surprise, at the end I was already finding it not that good, as already expected. The Dylan song is good, but still overrated.

Radiohead (Karma Police) vs. Van Morrison (Into the Mystic)
W: Radiohead - One of their best. I still don't know which of both parts is the better. I didn't know Into the Mystic, and it's surprised me much, since I hated Madame George when I heard it, and since then I've had a huge prejudice against Van Morison. It's almost a tie, but since Karma Police has already stood well the test of time, it wins by a narrow margin.

Blur (The Universal) vs. Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole)
W: Blur - The best artist of all time wins against a good track, but that doesn't compete to the emotional and unique appeal of The Universal, which is far from my favorite song of theirs but still great.

More votes to come...

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) vs. Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel)
Johnny Cash cover of one of the few Nick Cave songs I like is very deceptive, not adding anything to the original, so I'd rather vote for Israel, not more or less enjoyable but at least original.

Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) vs. Vampire Weekend (Boston)
Boston might be my 2nd favorite VW song, but against any of my top 10 B-Boys songs it does not stand a chance

R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why)


LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) vs. Wilco (The Late Greats)
Big Ideas might the weakest link in my LCD list but it really is a personal favorite, some Wilco songs might have won against it but clearly I don't see anything special in the Late Greats.

Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) vs. The Byrds (Eight Miles High)

Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) vs. Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)
2 votes in favor of Moonbeam in the same week were he posted a top 5 of 2005 with 3 albums in mine


The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)
I have tried to enjoy Loaded several times, mostly always for various AM polls, and I don't like much in it, Rock and Roll being no exception. Against a easily enjoyable Stevie Wonder classic, the choice is easy.

Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)
vs. Talking Heads (The Big Country)


Elvis Presley (Suspicion) vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)
Costello's song list is one of those were I'm disappointed not to see the only I really like by the concerned artist. Still, Radio Radio is fun enough to beat Suspicion, especially [a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tondtut3dOc"]with a little help from my favourite new-yorkers[/a]

The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me)
Sympathy for the Devil, if not overlong, might have won.

Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) vs. The Doors (Spanish Caravan)
It would take a pretty bad song (let's say, Whiskey Bar level) to make me vote for Tangled Up in Blue, I did not enjoy Spanish Caravan much but that's still enough

Radiohead (Karma Police) vs. Van Morrison (Into the Mystic)
Into the Mystic is very pleasant, no chance it faces Karma Police

Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) vs. Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)
All Chuck Berry songs sound the same to me, while Queen, for better and for worse, have covered a very large palet. Here they might not be at their very best, but that's style better than some Roll Over Beethoven copy-paste.

Blur (The Universal) vs. Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole)
Blur is one of the few bands I enjoy more in best-ofs than in any of their albums, and in a shitload of great singles, The Universal sounds like the weak one (though it's the favorite of one of my best friends who is a big fan of them)

Black Sabbath (War Pigs) vs. Jay-Z (Renegade)
Renegade is a very good hip-hop song, but War Pigs is one of the best hard-rock songs ever. I might like hip-hop more than hard-rock, but War Pigs is in a much higher league in my book.

Michael Jackson (Human Nature) vs. Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)
"It ain't hard to tell" that Human Nature is a brilliant song in a great album, but Water No Get Enemy is from outer-space. I'm not a huge connoisseur of afrobeat, but this seems like its best ambassador.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Nassim

2 votes in favor of Moonbeam in the same week were he posted a top 5 of 2005 with 3 albums in mine


Power to the people!

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

WARNING!!
Voting expires in less than 12 hours. (11 hours, 15 minutes, to be exact.) There is currently one tie, one matchup seperated by a vote, and a shutout.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

My last votes:

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) vs. Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel)
W: Cash - I hated the Nick Cave version when I heard it, but this one is deeply emotional song. Not the kind of thing I like to frequently listen to, but I have to give it the merit it deserves.

Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) vs. Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)
W: Chuck Berry - Nice song, nothing diferent or great, but still better than the Queen song.

Black Sabbath (War Pigs) vs. Jay-Z (Renegade)
W: Jay-Z - Don't really like any of both, but the last is a bit better.

Michael Jackson (Human Nature) vs. Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)
W: Maybe Fela's track will be a grower, but after 2 listen I still continue with Human Nature. That synth...

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Bruce over Heads
Dylan over Doors
NIN over Blur
MJ over Fela Kuti (though I hadn't anticipated the Fela track to be so strong)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Some Votes:

Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) vs. Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel)

Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) vs. Vampire Weekend (Boston)

R.E.M. (Drive) vs. Neil Young (Tell Me Why)

LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) vs. Wilco (The Late Greats)

Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) vs. The Byrds (Eight Miles High)

Radiohead (Karma Police) vs. Van Morrison (Beside You)

Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) vs. Queen (Another One Bites the Dust)

Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) vs. Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again)

The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) vs. The Kinks (You Really Got Me)

Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) vs. The Doors (Spanish Caravan)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

More Votes:

The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) vs. Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground)

Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) vs. Talking Heads (The Big Country)

Elvis Presley (Suspicion) vs. Elvis Costello (Radio Radio)

Blur (The Universal) vs. Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole)

Black Sabbath (War Pigs) vs. Jay-Z (Renegade)

Michael Jackson (Human Nature) vs. Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy)

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Voting is over for the week. I will post the results later tonight or tomorrow.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Here are the results for the week:
Johnny Cash (The Mercy Seat) def Siouxsie and the Banshees (Israel) 15-5
Despite what Moonbeam believes, the cover beats out “one of the most original songs from the 80’s.” JC’s next matchup will be Week 3, against Jay-Z. Siouxsie will next face Black Sabbath during Week 4.
Beastie Boys (A Year and A Day) def Vampire Weekend (Boston) 11-10
This was a thriller. It came down to a last-day vote by Edderramirez to give the Beasties Boys the opening win. They were tied or separated by one vote for almost the whole week. The Beasties will have a rap-off with Kanye West in Week 3, and Vampire Weekend go to face Brian Eno Week 4.
R.E.M. (Drive) def Neil Young (Tell Me Why) 15-8
R.E.M. took the early lead here and never looked back. Neil Young had a few comebacks, but he never was really close. R.E.M. go on to face the Kinks in Week 3, whereas Neil Young will go up to face the Rolling Stones Week 4.
Wilco (The Late Greats) def LCD Soundsystem (Big Ideas) 13-7
Like R.E.M., Wilco took an early lead and held it all week. However, Murphy’s band received some late votes to prevent it from turning into a complete blowout. Wilco will face Michael Jackson next (Week 4), and LCD Soundsystem will go onto Fela Kuti week 3.
The Byrds (Eight Miles High) def Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) 13-10
Led Zeppelin’s song about sex couldn’t compete with the Byrd’s song about drugs.It was pretty close for most of the week, but the Byrds were ahead be a few most of the time. Zep will next face off with fellow rock radio staples Pink Floyd (Week 3). The Byrds will faces their California companions the Beach Boys (Week 4)
Eurythmics (Here Comes The Rain Again) def Sly and the Family Stone (Everybody is a Star) 11-10
This matchup was painfully close all week. Well played Moonbeam, well played. Tough loss for my team Sly. The Eurythmics will next face off with The Cure Week 4, in a machtup that may cause Moonbeam to commit suicide. My Sly team will get their next shot at a win against Arcade Fire (yeah!) Week 3.
Stevie Wonder (Higher Ground) def The Velvet Underground (Rock and Roll) 15-9
Stevie led the whole time, and had a much larger lead at one point (probably about 8 goals). Nethertheless, Stevie wins the matchup. He will face David Bowie Week 3. That same week, we will se the VU face Public Enemy, in a matchup that may cause Jackson to commit suicide.
Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run) def Talking Heads (The Big Country) 23-0
Yes, it happened. The Boss shuts down the Talking Heads, not letting them score a single goal. Not only was this the largest blowout of the Week, it was the only shutout. I would be surprised if we see this happen again. This matchup will serve as a benchmark for the rest of this tournament and probably beyond. The Boss will try to repeat his performance against The Smiths Week 3. Week 3 will also be the week Team Talking Heads tries to score their first goal of the tournament against The Who.
Elvis Costello (Radio Radio) def Elvis Presley (Suspicion) 18-3
In a battle of Elvises (or is it Elvi?), Costello bests Presley. This one wasn’t close ever. As least we knew Elvis would win. Anyway, Presley will try for his first win against Aretha Franklin Week 3. Week 4, Costello will have a showdown with Prince.
The Rolling Stones (Sympathy for the Devil) def The Kinks (You Really Got Me) 17-6
In another blowout, the Kinks classic comes up way short against the Stones classic. I am disappointed with the one sided turnout of this match. I expected it to be a thriller. Oh well. The Kinks will face R.E.M. Week 3, and The Stones try to take down Neil Young Week 4.
Bob Dylan (Tangled Up in Blue) def The Doors (Spanish Caravan) 16-6
Yet another destruction. In this one, Dylan takes out Jim Morrison (and right after his anniversary! How could you, Robert?!) Anyway, the Doors are up against Marvin Gaye Week 4, and Mr. Zimmerman will face Nirvana Week 3.
Radiohead (Karma Police) def Van Morrison (Into the Mystic) 13-9
Despite my screw up, the vote is genuine. Van came up 4 goals short, but he could be a contender. Unfortunately, he faces my impeccable Jimi Hendrix team Week 4. Radiohead will go up against Bob Marley Week 4 as well.
Queen (Another One Bites the Dust) def Chuck Berry (Back in the U.S.A.) 13-9
I was sweating near the end of the matchup, because Chuck Berry was getting too close to Queen for my comfort. Nonetheless, my Queen team, lead by Freddy Mercury and Brian May, held in there to win it by 4 goals. Queen will next have a match Week 3, against Otis Redding. Chuck Berry will face the Arctic Monkeys, Week 4.
Blur (The Universal) def Nine Inch Nails (Head Like a Hole) 16-7
Like a few other matches this week, the losing team had a late week comeback. But, once again, the comeback wasn’t great enough for victory. Blur will face Tom Waits Week 3, NIN face the Replacements Week 4.
Black Sabbath (War Pigs) def Jay-Z (Renegade) 14-9
Jay-Z had the lead for a while, but lost it about halfway through the week, when Sabbath’s anti-war epic took control. Jay-Z will face the red-hot Johnny Cash Week 3, and Sabbath will face Moonbeam’s Siouxsie and the Banshees Week 4.
Fela Kuti (Water No Get Enemy) def Michael Jackson (Human Nature) 15-8
In the week’s second most memorable victory (after the boss), Michael Jackson (AM rank 34) is defeated by Fela Kuti (AM rank 528). That’s what you get for changing your skin color! Fela will face LCD Soundsystem Week 3, and MJ will face Wilco Week 4.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Quick question: Did edderamirez's and Alex D's votes count?

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Listyguy
That’s what you get for changing your skin color!


yeah, especially against a Pan-African singer !!

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Moonbeam
Quick question: Did edderamirez's and Alex D's votes count?
Yes, except for edderamitez's vote for Radiohead, because he thought that Van Morrison's song was "Beside You".

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Forgot to vote...

Talking Heads and Springsteen were really close for me and I would have voted for Talking Heads, because they were the underdog.

Most match-ups ended up quite fine anyway.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Listyguy
Moonbeam
Quick question: Did edderamirez's and Alex D's votes count?
Yes, except for edderamitez's vote for Radiohead, because he thought that Van Morrison's song was "Beside You".


In that case, I count 12 votes for "Here Comes the Rain Again". I don't mean to be nitpicky, but I know that goal difference and goals scored matters in the event of a tiebreaker.

Here are the votes I count for "Here Comes the Rain Again":

Dan M
Midaso
Henry
Honorio
Andre
Rocky Raccoon
Henrik
Mindrocker
Moonbeam
drewcannon3
Nassim
edderramirez

It might be a good idea to have the people managing each song to check the results themselves, too. It can't be easy to keep track of all of these votes, particularly when people are voting in multiple posts!

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Moonbeam, you're correct. It turns out I forgot to add in Edderamirez's vote to that match. I'm not sure if that was a fluke (or me wishing) or if I forgot his vote all together. I will check out my spreadsheet tomorrow to see if that was my only screw up with the scores.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Listyguy
Moonbeam, you're correct. It turns out I forgot to add in Edderamirez's vote to that match. I'm not sure if that was a fluke (or me wishing) or if I forgot his vote all together. I will check out my spreadsheet tomorrow to see if that was my only screw up with the scores.

I think you forgot to add him to my "You Really Got Me blowout. The Kinks should have had 7 votes: you, me, drewcannon3, Moonbeam, Toni, Nassim, and eddieramirez.

It is very important that my team lost by ten goals, rather than 11.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

I can't believe my song Boston was winning and then lost in the very last vote! Although I wasn't counting the votes myself, I had exactly the impression that VW was winning by a difference of 1 song, so after Nassim's and Edderramirez's votes I already was imagining that I would lose for a 1 goal diference. Boy, I feel like the Argentinians in an epic 2004 America Cup final, when they were winning against us, and at the last minute of extra time Adriano scored a goal, taking the match to a draw, which ended with Brazil winning in the penalties.

Well, at least my R.E.M team won against AM beloved Neil Young! I wasn't very faith in winning this match.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Toni, I feel your pain. My Sly team came back from a few goals to tie it at the end, and then two last minute goals....
Anyway, I was out all day today, so I didn't have a chance to retally the scores. I will do that tomorrow.

Re: AM World Cup: Week 1 of the Pool Round

Here are the recounted scores:
Johnny Cash def Souixsie 15-5
Beasties Boys def Vampire Weekend 11-10
REM def Neil Young 15-8
Wilco def LCD Soundsystem 13-7
The Byrds def Led Zeppelin 13-10
Eurythmics def Sly and the Family Stone 12-10
Stevie Wonder def Velvet Underground 15-9
Bruce Springsteen def Talking Heads 23-0
Costello def Presley 18-3
Rolling Stones def The Kinks 17-7
Bob Dylan def The Doors 17-6
Radiohead def Van Morrison 13-9
Queen def Chuck Berry 13-9
Blur def Nine Inch Nails 16-7
Black Sabbath def Jay-Z 14-9
Fela Kuti def Michael Jackson 15-8