Insecurity - A Raving Playlist

Have you been feeling down, depressed, small, insignificant or otherwise insecure - then you should probably not listen to today's Raving Playlist. And if you're bi-polar, not a good idea either but we suggest you try either:

• Harmonic Insanity    or
• Incoherent 

Today's playlist takes the Winter doldrums and amps them up with steroids to generate audio-manic depression from some of the most disturbed musicians in history. The band being highlighted throughout the list is Alice in Chains. These guys are the only band we know of that were able to take a Kafka short story and turn it into a chart-busting rock hit. You'd never guess by listening to their songs that the lead singer would die a pathetic, tragic death at 34 - or maybe you would. Why Alice in Chains was so popular is hard to explain - there is something that speaks to you through the suffering in their songs - it's just not too clear what it's saying. Perhaps we all feel like that a little now and then - but our success is in being able to leave it behind.

Alice in Chains

Man in the box is the most awesome depressing song ever

Life got you down ? - don't listen to this

Insecure

Monty Python – Galaxy Song (Monty Python Sings)
Alice In Chains – Man In The Box
Counting Crows – A Long December
3 Doors Down – Loser
22-20s – Such A Fool
The Police – Message In A Bottle - live
Beck – Corvette Bummer
Pearl Jam – I Got Shit
Alice In Chains – Down In A Hole
Genesis – No Reply At All - 2007 Remastered LP Version
John Mellencamp – No One Cares About Me
The Doors – The End - Live Hollywood Bowl 1968
Bob Seger – Beautiful Loser
The Transgressions – Drunk & Depressed
Alice In Chains – I Stay Away
Genesis – Misunderstanding - 2007 Remastered LP Version
The Police – King Of Pain - 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
Nirvana – Negative Creep
Genesis – Man On The Corner - 2007 Remastered LP Version
The Police – Voices Inside My Head - 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
John Mellencamp – Lonely Ol' Night
Beck – Loser
R.E.M. – Everybody Hurts
Stone Temple Pilots – Creep
Pearl Jam – Nothingman
John Mellencamp – If I Die Sudden - Live
Sheryl Crow – A Change Would Do You Good
Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away
Alice In Chains – We Die Young
New Found Glory – Dumped
Johnny Cash – Man In Black
Counting Crows – Big Yellow Taxi
Alice In Chains – Them Bones
The Killers – All These Things That I've Done
Nine Inch Nails – Head Like a Hole
Genesis – Alone Tonight - 2007 Remastered LP Version
John Mellencamp – Longest Days
Alice In Chains – Shame In You
The Police – Walking In Your Footsteps - 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
John Mellencamp – The End Of The World
Alice In Chains – Would?
Johnny Cash – Ring Of Fire
Counting Crows – Rain King
Genesis – I Can't Dance - 2007 Remastered Album Version
John Mellencamp – Crumblin' Down
Senses Fail – Can't Be Saved
When Saints Go Machine – Fail Forever
Alice In Chains – Sea Of Sorrow
Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
Pearl Jam – Life Wasted
Nirvana – All Apologies
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under The Bridge
R.E.M. – It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
The Police – Spirits In The Material World - 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
The Cars – All Mixed Up
Counting Crows – Mrs. Potters Lullaby
Monty Python – Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life (Monty Python Sings)
The B-52's – Private Idaho
Dave Matthews Band – Ants Marching - From State Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Paramore – Misery Business
The Allman Brothers Band – Whipping Post
Johnny Cash – Hurt
Buddy Holly – Think It Over
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Soundgarden – Fell On Black Days
Nirvana – Lithium
Alice In Chains – Angry Chair
Social Distortion - Ring of Fire

Copyright 2012 - Raving Reviews - All Rights Reserved

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Arizona Skies - A Raving Playlist

This playlist was created one exceptionally clear and striking day three years ago in Southeast Arizona. It's difficult to describe Arizona to those who've never been there, especially the parts of Arizona that many have never visited - like the high Sonoran desert. Despite the decade-long drought there, the high desert with its many mountain ranges is more green than many might imagine - with mesquite trees at lower elevations and pine trees that climb up the peaks. Once you drive out of the high desert headed to towards Tuscon you'll begin to see the massive Saguaro cactus that Arizona is famed for. As you turn North from Tuscon headed towards Phoenix you'll see Joshua Trees - countless of them between those desert cities.

The view from the Huachuca mountains in the Sonoran high desert

Arizona impressed U2 as well back during the early 1980's - so much so that they titled one of their Albums "Under the Joshua Tree" and opened that tour in Phoenix (they then filmed Rattle & Hum in Arizona as well). Anyone who has lived in Arizona will instantly be able to visualize Where the Streets have no Name and Red Hill Mining Town from personal experience. So what is Arizona like? Well, imagine a place where you can see 20, 30 or more miles in the distance. Imagine a place where Earth tones paint the landscape in all directions. Imagine being surrounded by mountains on all sides yet not feeling bounded by them. Imagine a place where Roadrunners are real - and a host of other remarkable desert wildlife is just around the corner.

This is a place that inspires, evokes a mood and we choose the following music in an attempt to capture that feeling. As usual this playlist is available on Spotify as well...

Quite possibly, the best album ever recorded...

Arizona Skies

U2 – Where The Streets Have No Name
Collective Soul – Gel
The B-52's – Roam [Edit]
Genesis – In Too Deep - 2007 Remastered Album Version
U2 – Red Hill Mining Town
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – Yer So Bad
Alan Parsons – Mr Time
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Suzie Q
Stone Temple Pilots – Vasoline
Vangelis – Blade Runner (End Titles)
U2 – Elevation
Kings Of Leon – Arizona
Counting Crows – Hanginaround
Counting Crows – Mrs. Potters Lullaby
Vangelis – The Tao Of Love
Sting – Desert Rose
The Marshall Tucker Band – Can't You See
Joe Walsh – Rocky Mountain Way
Rascal Flatts – Life is a Highway
U2 – City Of Blinding Lights
Counting Crows – Accidentally In Love
10,000 Maniacs – The Painted Desert
Counting Crows – Speedway
Vangelis – Rachel's Song
Sting – If I Ever Lose My Faith In You
U2 – Desire
Kings Of Leon – Cold Desert
Violent Femmes – Blister In The Sun
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – Runnin' Down A Dream
Counting Crows – Mr. Jones
Sting – We'll Be Together - 2011 Remix
U2 – Desert Of Our Love
The Fixx – Red Skies - Original Version
Stone Temple Pilots – Plush
U2 – Window In The Skies
Los Lonely Boys – Whatever Gets You Thru The Night
Barenaked Ladies – It's All Been Done
Cowboy Junkies – Sweet Jane
Joe Cocker – Unchain My Heart
Eric Clapton – It's In The Way That You Use It
ZZ Top – Viva Las Vegas - Remastered LP Version
Chris Cornell – You Know My Name
The Alan Parsons Project – Eye In The Sky
Don Henley – The Heart Of The Matter
Collective Soul – Under Heaven's Skies - Acoustic Version
Kansas – Dust In The Wind
Barenaked Ladies – One Week
The Marshall Tucker Band – Desert Skies
The Jayhawks – Waiting For The Sun
Don Henley – The Last Worthless Evening
Talking Heads – And She Was
Nirvana – Come As You Are
Toad The Wet Sprocket – Something's Always Wrong
U2 – Wild Honey
ZZ Top – Cheap Sunglasses
Vangelis – Love Theme From Bladerunner
Joe Cocker – You Are So Beautiful
Steve Winwood – The Finer Things
Eric Clapton – It's In The Way That You Use It
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
U2 – Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
3 Doors Down – Away From The Sun
U2 – One Tree Hill
Better Than Ezra – At The Stars
Alan Parsons – Dreamscape
Eric Clapton – Forever Man
Chicago – Wishing You Were Here
Joe Walsh – Ordinary Average Guy
Toad The Wet Sprocket – All I Want
U2 – Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Joe Cocker – Shelter Me (Single Edit)
3 Doors Down – Your Arms Feel Like home
Bruce Springsteen – Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Bruce Hornsby – Fields Of Gray - Remastered 2003
The Moody Blues – Your Wildest Dreams
Third Eye Blind – How's It Going To Be
Counting Crows – Four Days
Linkin Park – Burning In The Skies
U2 – Bullet The Blue Sky
George Michael – Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Lit – My Own Worst Enemy
The Beatles Tribute Band – Here Comes The Sun
War – The Cisco Kid
U2 – Beautiful Day

Cover art from U2's Actung Baby

Copyright 2012 - Raving Reviews - All Rights Reserved

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Alternative Reality - The Ultimate Playlist

At least we think it is. We haven't talked much about music on Raving Reviews yet but we'll start today by opening up a dialog about Alternative Music. The first question that pops into our minds is "alternative to what, exactly?" Interesting question - we'll assume it means alternative to whatever the popular music of the day might be but then that could encompass a lot more than what we consider to be Alternative - it could include for example Polka Disco or Electronic Didgeridoos. It seems as though a definition may be in order before we share our most awesome playlist with you.

The B-52's were an early Alt band (before it was called alternative)

Alternative Music - (our own personal definition): A form of rock music that highlights nontraditional harmonies, stylistic approaches or instrumental innovations. It is often place where popular trends are born and later become mainstream. Alternative music often appeals to younger audiences but is not limited to them. Many "Alt" bands have a club band feel to them, others create a persona wholly unique to themselves.

Album art from Muse - Supermassive Black Hole, 2008 - Physics has a beat

One thing we're sure of after scouring many lists of favorite alternative songs or bands is that no two people define it the same way. With that in mind here is our list (you can find it on Spotify if you'd like to listen):

 

Alternative Reality

• Muse – Supermassive Black Hole
• Live – Lightning Crashes
• The B-52's – 52 Girls - Party Mix Version
• Nirvana – All Apologies
• Screaming Trees – Nearly Lost You
• Dinosaur Jr. – Feel The Pain - 2007 Remastered LP Version
• Florence + The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
• 22-20s – Devil In Me
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps
• Alice In Chains – No Excuses
• Soundgarden – My Wave
• Franz Ferdinand – Ulysses
• The Hives – 1000 Answers
• Depeche Mode – Personal Jesus
• The Cult – Fire Woman
• Pearl Jam – Given To Fly
• Jimmy Eat World – My Best Theory
• My Chemical Romance – SING
• Live – Selling The Drama
• Muse – Uprising
• Nirvana – The Man Who Sold The World
• Paramore – Decode - Twilight Soundtrack Version
• R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People
• Shinedown – The Crow & The Butterfly
• The Raveonettes – Recharge & Revolt
• Violent Femmes – Blister In The Sun
• Vampire Weekend – A-Punk
• Lifehouse – Halfway Gone
• The Wallflowers – 6th Avenue Heartache
• Third Eye Blind – Never Let You Go
• The Black Keys – Lonely Boy
• Counting Crows – Untitled (Love Song)
• The English Beat – Mirror In The Bathroom
• The Cult – She Sells Sanctuary
• Death Cab for Cutie – Meet Me On The Equinox - Soundtrack Album Version
• The Psychedelic Furs – Love My Way
• Beck – The New Pollution
• 30 Seconds To Mars – Closer To The Edge
• Toad The Wet Sprocket – Fall Down
• The Fixx – Red Skies - Original Version
• Placebo – For What It's Worth
• Alice In Chains – Nutshell
• The Cult – Love Removal Machine
• Kings Of Leon – Radioactive
• My Chemical Romance – Na Na Na [Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na]
• Elvis Costello – (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, & Understanding
• The Decemberists – Down By The Water
• The Raveonettes – Lust
• Days Of The New – Touch, Peel And Stand
• Counting Crows – Hanginaround
• Weezer – Pork And Beans
• The Cranberries – Animal Instinct
• The B-52's – Junebug
• The Goo Goo Dolls – Broadway
• Pixies – The Holiday Song
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Gold Lion
• Simple Minds – Sanctify Yourself
• New Politics – Yeah Yeah Yeah
• The Cult – Rain
• Lifehouse – Hanging By A Moment
• Depeche Mode – Strangelove
• Pearl Jam – Elderly Woman Behind The Counter in a Small Town
• Radiohead – Let Down
• The Hives – Come On!
• The Fixx – Beautiful Friction
• Beck – Black Tambourine
• Gin Blossoms – Hey Jealousy
• Kings Of Leon – Knocked Up
• The Cranberries – Dreams
• Tonic – If You Could Only See
• The Smashing Pumpkins – Cherub Rock
• Fine Young Cannibals – Good Thing
• Depeche Mode – Policy Of Truth - 2006 Digital Remaster
• The Killers – All These Things That I've Done
• The B-52's – Topaz
• The Cult – Lil’ Devil
• Chevelle – The Red
• The Lonely Island – Attracted To Us
• Echo And The Bunnymen – Lips Like Sugar
• Pixies – Where Is My Mind?
• Toad The Wet Sprocket – All I Want
• The Hives – Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones
• The Killers – Somebody Told Me
• The Smashing Pumpkins – Zero
• The Cranberries – Linger
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Dani California
• Dishwalla – Angels Or Devils
• The Raveonettes – Love In A Trashcan
• The Alan Parsons Project – Breakdown
• Live – All Over You
• Depeche Mode – Enjoy The Silence - Remastered Version Original
• Three Days Grace – The Good Life
• blink-182 – The Rock Show
• The Fixx – Just Before Dawn
• The Smashing Pumpkins – Tonight, Tonight
• The Raconteurs – Steady, As She Goes
• R.E.M. – The One I Love
• The B-52's – Cosmic Thing
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Otherside
• Muse – Unnatural Selection
• Pearl Jam – Black
• Violent Femmes – Gone Daddy Gone
• The Hives – Walk Idiot Walk
• Lifehouse – You And Me
• Pixies – Here Comes Your Man
• Three Days Grace – Animal I Have Become
• Paramore – Misery Business
• Sonic Youth – Incinerate
• Breaking Benjamin – The Diary of Jane
• The Alan Parsons Project – I Robot
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under The Bridge
• Dinosaur Jr. – See It On Your Side
• Arctic Monkeys – Fluorescent Adolescent
• Jane's Addiction – Just Because
• The Fixx – One Thing Leads To Another
• 22-20s – Such A Fool
• Good Charlotte – Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous
• Arctic Monkeys – Teddy Picker
• Anberlin – The Feel Good Drag
• The B-52's – Deadbeat Club
• Depeche Mode – Just Can't Get Enough
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Parallel Universe
• The Cult – Sun King
• Lifehouse – First Time
• The Alan Parsons Project – Games People Play
• Dinosaur Jr. – Don't Pretend You Didn't Know
• Pearl Jam – Alive
• Dinosaur Jr. – Watch the Corners
• Paramore – I Caught Myself - Twilight Soundtrack Version
• Smashing Pumpkins – Hummer
• Muse – Starlight
• Lifehouse – From Where You Are
• The Heavy – How You Like Me Now
• The Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings
• The Killers – Smile Like You Mean It
• Muse – Hysteria
• The Go-Betweens – Love Goes On!
• The Smithereens – Only A Memory
• Pearl Jam – Corduroy - 2011 Remaster
• The Smashing Pumpkins – Tonight, Tonight
• The Killers – When You Were Young
• Beck – Sexx Laws
• The Cranberries – Analyse
• The Hives – Go Right Ahead
• Depeche Mode – Everything Counts
• The Fixx – Stand Or Fall
• Shinedown – Second Chance
• Three Days Grace – Break
• blink-182 – All The Small Things
• Breaking Benjamin – Without You
• Staind – It's Been Awhile
• The Fixx – Saved By Zero
• The Hives – Hate To Say I Told You So
• 3 Doors Down – When You're Young
• R.E.M. – Pop Song 89
• The English Beat – Hands Off... She's Mine
• The Cranberries – Yeats' Grave
• Pixies – Cecilia Ann
• Toadies – I Come From The Water
• 3 Doors Down – Here Without You
• Jane's Addiction – Superhero
• Screaming Trees – Ash Gray Sunday
• Pearl Jam – Jeremy
• Green Day – Oh Love
• Pearl Jam – Once
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Around The World
• Gin Blossoms – Until I Fall Away
• The Cure – Lovesong
• Prodigy – Firestarter
• Jimmy Eat World – If You Don't, Don't
• 3 Doors Down – When I'm Gone
• Jane's Addiction – Had A Dad
• Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees
• The Smashing Pumpkins – Today
• The Hives – Tick, Tick, Boom
• Nirvana – Heart Shaped Box
• Pearl Jam – Just Breathe
• The English Beat – Save It For Later
• My Chemical Romance – Helena - So Long & Goodnight   Album Version
• Evanescence – Made Of Stone
• The B-52's – Private Idaho - Party Mix-Album Version
• Muse – Plug In Baby
• The Offspring – Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)
• Death Cab for Cutie – You Are A Tourist
• Plain White T's – Hey There Delilah
• Breaking Benjamin – Breath
• The Hives – Patrolling Days
• 3 Doors Down – Your Arms Feel Like home
• Muse – Map Of The Problematique
• The Hives – Abra Cadaver
• Staind – So Far Away
• blink-182 – After Midnight
• Radiohead – Paranoid Android
• Live – I Alone
• 3 Doors Down – Away From The Sun
• Pearl Jam – Yellow Ledbetter
• Nirvana – Dumb
• The Offspring – The Future Is Now
• Good Charlotte – I Don't Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem)
• Neon Trees – Teenage Sounds
• PORNO FOR PYROS – Pets
• The English Beat – The Tears Of A Clown
• Green Day – Brain Stew
• Jimmy Eat World – Hear You Me
• 3 Doors Down – Be Like That
• Oasis – Wonderwall
• The Smashing Pumpkins – 1979
• Evanescence – What You Want
• Radiohead – High And Dry
• The Smithereens – Blood And Roses
• blink-182 – Going Away To College
• Muse – Undisclosed Desires
• The Killers – Change Your Mind
• Nirvana – Love Buzz
• Counting Crows – Round Here
• The Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm
• Gin Blossoms – Follow You Down
• 3 Doors Down – Time Of My Life
• Nirvana – Pennyroyal Tea - Single Mix
• Jimmy Eat World – The Authority Song
• Placebo – Ashtray Heart
• Green Day – Jesus Of Suburbia
• Radiohead – Karma Police
• The Black Keys – Howlin' For You
• Jimmy Eat World – Your House
• The Bravery – Believe
• R.E.M. – Man On The Moon
• Kings Of Leon – Pyro
• Oasis – Live Forever
• Fall Out Boy – Dance, Dance
• Staind – Eyes Wide Open
• Sonic Youth – Kool Thing
• Jimmy Eat World – The Middle
• The Smithereens – A Girl Like You
• 3 Doors Down – Citizen/Soldier
• blink-182 – First Date
• The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
• Black Taxi – Tightrope
• The Smiths – This Charming Man
• Green Day – When I Come Around
• R.E.M. – Imitation Of Life
• A Flock Of Seagulls – Telecommunication
• Jimmy Eat World – A Praise Chorus
• The B-52's – Love Shack
• Fireflight – Unbreakable
• A Flock Of Seagulls – Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)
• The Black Keys – Everlasting Light
• Radiohead – Creep
• Evanescence – My Last Breath
• Plain White T's – Rhythm Of Love
• Dinosaur Jr. – I Know It Oh So Well
• Nine Inch Nails – Closer
• Temple Of The Dog – Say Hello 2 Heaven
• Neon Trees – 1983
• Alice In Chains – Check My Brain
• The Go-Betweens – Streets Of Your Town
• Gin Blossoms – Til I Hear It From You
• The Raconteurs – Salute Your Solution
• Nirvana – Aneurysm
• Neon Trees – Everybody Talks
• Sublime – Doin' Time
• The Goo Goo Dolls – Here Is Gone
• Fall Out Boy – Sugar, We're Goin Down
• Black Taxi – Friend
• Counting Crows – Hanginaround
• Fall Out Boy – I Don't Care - Single Version
• Green Day – Good Riddance [Time Of Your Life]
• Neon Trees – Animal
• Anberlin – The Unwinding Cable Car
• Concrete Blonde – Everybody Knows
• Fireflight – For Those Who Wait
• The Bravery – An Honest Mistake - CD Album Version
• Nirvana – About A Girl
• The Blackout – Higher & Higher
• Neon Trees – Your Surrender
• Chris Cornell – Sunshower - Great Expectations Soundtrack
• The B-52's – Bushfire
• Nirvana – Big Cheese
• Gin Blossoms – Found Out About You
• The Psychedelic Furs – Heaven
• Dishwalla – Counting Blue Cars (Tell Me Your Thoughts On God)
• The Posies – The Glitter Prize - Feat. Kay Hanley
• Fiona Apple – Criminal
• The Goo Goo Dolls – Slide
• Kings Of Leon – Closer
• Counting Crows – Accidentally In Love
• Chevelle – I Get It
• Meat Puppets – Backwater
• The Cure – Just Like Heaven
• Elvis Costello – Veronica
• New Politics – Dignity
• Echo And The Bunnymen – The Killing Moon
• The Wallflowers – The Difference
• Vampire Weekend – Oxford Comma
• Oingo Boingo – Dead Man's Party
• The Offspring – The Kids Aren't Alright
• Fastball – The Way
• Weezer – Island In The Sun
• Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out
• Fine Young Cannibals – She Drives Me Crazy
• Morrissey – Suedehead
• Third Eye Blind – How's It Going To Be
• Toadies – Possum Kingdom
• Toad The Wet Sprocket – Something's Always Wrong
• Death Cab for Cutie – Soul Meets Body
• The Decemberists – This Is Why We Fight
• Deftones – Digital Bath
• The Black Keys – Tighten Up
• The Flaming Lips – She Don't Use Jelly
• Prodigy – Breathe
• The Heavy – Big Bad Wolf
• Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name) - Calvin Harris Remix
• 22-20s – Why Don't You Do It For Me?
• Tonic – Open Up Your Eyes
• Shinedown – Sound Of Madness
• Temple Of The Dog – Say Hello 2 Heaven
• Fall Out Boy – Hum Hallelujah
• Hum – Stars
• Dinosaur Jr. – Rude
• Live – The Dolphin's Cry
• Vampire Weekend – A-Punk

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