Votes due by Wednesday, June 29th at 8 pm EST: Voters- apologies for the recount from Saturday’s results- I missed some votes or didn’t line up the numbers right or something like that, and so additional apologies to any Cali Swag District fans who are disappointed by the new results. Anyways, moving on to the right side of Division K we have a great slew of female singer songwriters, a few oldie-but-goodies, and a little bit of the in-between. Grooveshark link is here, except for “Someone Like You.” Let’s do this.
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) vs. #15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker)
Butch Walker I don’t know a lot about- Avril Lavigne’s producer? Well, he does have his own iPhone app. Maybe the nominator can provide some background. The Band is, of course, The Band- next to LTDMT Elite 8 Qualifier “The Weight,” “Chest Fever” is the track that appears on the second most compilation albums.
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) vs. #10 Jessica (Allman Brothers)
Of the stories in Dubliners I prefer “The Dead,” but gotta love the Joyce-ian lit nod from the San Francisco folk duo. These two go up against “Jessica,” which was David Axelrod’s ringtone during the 2008 presidential campaign.
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) vs. #14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele)
Feist rocks pretty hard. Adele is the new hot topic. This should be good.
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) vs. #11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The)
With Patty Griffin, another singer-songwriter with Maine roots- will she realize the same success as fellow Vacationlander LaMontagne? This match-up is going to really test our objectivity.
Living the Dream 
I just finished voting on the last one and wondered what to do … and then bam, a new post. Perfect timing.
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) – 6
vs. #15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) – 7 *This reminds me of something… what?
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) – 6.5
vs. #10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) – 2.5 *Sigh. Sorry. I know this is classic but I just couldn’t.
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) – 9.5
vs. #14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) – 9.5
So so so unfair. Although initially I wouldn’t have thought this was my favorite Feist song… listening to it now, hmm, maybe it is. There are about 27 zillion versions and they are all good. True story. Check them out. Meanwhile this is the one Adele song I recently discovered I love (a little late to the Adele party, I know). I don’t know what to do, so I am going big on both and making it a tie. Someone else can decide.
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) – 7.5 *Someone Like You gets me on so many levels it was a tough act to follow.
vs. #11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) – 8
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) 6
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) 7.5
Really digging Butch Walker. I like Chest Fever, but not one of my top 5 Band songs.
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 3.5
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) 7
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) 5
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) 6.8
Liked Adele more than I thought I would. She loses 3/4 of a point because there were a couple notes early that made me think someone was standing on her nuts… if she had nuts. Very weird feeling.
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 5
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 7.3
Like the Pixies call – it’s been a while. Thanks to whoever posted this one!
Chest Fever (The Band) 6.5 [goddamn I love the band, but this particular song is too jammy for me. It would be a 5 by any other group.]
Pretty Melody (Butch Walker)
Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 10 [well, this worked out nicely. Just got back from their show on their first tour in 4 years and they closed with this song after playing every other great song of their career, so yeah, if I had a 20 I would hand it out now..]
Jessica (Allman Brothers) 1 [song’s really about a 4.5. I will probably amend this sometime tomorrow and give it a 4.5, but right now, as I’m listening to it, it’s at least 10 point spread…. ok fine. 4.5] 4.5
Mushaboom (Feist) 4 [this Fest song would have gotten a 10]
Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) 5
Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 6.5
Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 8
We could have a Sesame Street covers tournament by the time things are said and done. Can you throw me a Butch Walker score, G?
Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) [3.5] [listened twice- first time I couldn’t decide if I liked it or not, but on second pass I sorted it out.]
I’m encouraged by the scores for Motorway to Roswell so far. This is one of my favorite Pixies songs: it’s upbeat, surreal, and also a little sad. Who can’t commiserate with an intergalactic traveler who discovers a new, exciting planet, only to find himself captured and locked in a crate on an army base with photographs and files? I also really like the chorus, “Last night he could not make it,” which I sang repeatedly the morning after the 2004 presidential election. John Kerry, this one’s for you.
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) 7 I love Band songs with Richard Manuel on lead, something relatively rare despite his gifted vocal talents (his voice is smokey and kind of reminds of Ray Charles sometimes)
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) 6
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 5
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) 7
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) 7
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) 6
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 5
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 10
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) 6
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) 6.2
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 6
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) 5
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) 4
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) 8.2
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 7.5
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 6
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) vs. #15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker):5 /7
My, what a pretty melody that was…
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) vs. #10 Jessica (Allman Brothers): 3/9.667
Something funky is going on with the vocals by Two Gallants…like maybe we only need 1 Gallant? Jessica, how you remind me of my first car, and going too fast on a windy state road somewhere in the woods or along the river, top off the car, wind in my hair, sun on my head…Or the kid who lived next door to me freshman year of college. Nothing wrong with that, but not quite a ten. Congratulations on being my first fractional vote ever.
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) vs. #14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele): 5/7
Feist should stick to Sesame Street; her voice is the perfect pitch. Adele, I hope your voice is the same now that you quit smoking…no, seriously. Great life move, but I’m not sure if it is a great career move.
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) vs. #11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The):4/7
Patty: Nice message, but eh…Pixies: Bring me home with the drums and guitar. Thank you.
Chest Fever- 5
Pretty Melody- 3
Um.
Two Gallants- 6.8
Jessica- 7.4
That was the most pleasant background music to reading about Duane Allman’s death I could have possibly imagined.
Mushaboom 7
Someone Like You 6
Let it go, Adele- I don’t know if I can do this song more than one round.
Up To The Mountain 9.75
Motorway To Roswell 6
When Solomon Burke humbly requests to cover the song you wrote about his old friend Martin, you know you’re doing something right. Roswell is OK, I just sort of love Patty Griffin in a “Living With Ghosts” was stuck in my CD player for 400 miles once and it wasn’t a big deal sort of way.
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) = 5
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) = 7
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) = 8, i liked this song more every second it went on.
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) = 8, a bit soft… but perhaps only because it was in the background randomly a LOT in my memories pre-age10… but come on with the piano biznass. we get it, you can play, save the showboating for the concerts. (i had it as a 9, but dropped it down around 3:41)
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) = 4. Proving that even girls with bangs can create terrible things. I loved the Sesame St. joint, tho. Penguins… at the beach? Oh, Feist!
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) = 2. God. Help. Me. Dayruiner, right there.
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) = 0. To make a point. Fuck you, song.
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) = 6.5
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) – 3
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) – 7
The wails on Chest Fever go right through me. Did not like. First time I’ve heard Pretty Melody and I really liked, although it somehow reminded me of a cross between Buddy Holly and something from the Grease soundtrack. My score suggests that this might be a good thing? I surprise myself sometimes.
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) – 9
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) – 4
Who nominated Seems like Home? Thanks! I LOVED everything about it. I like the snippet of Jessica that’s the Top Gear theme tune (on Top Gear…) but I can live without the rest of it.
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) – 6
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) – 9.5
This was the first Adele song that made me take notice. Now I get her: genius. So glad the US has warmed up to her too. Yes, it’s a bit of a downer but, well, life slaps you in the face sometimes. This song sums up unrequited love like no other (apart from Bonnie Raitt, perhaps) and I think it’s brilliant. Sorry Feist – I like you but not nearly as much.
PS: she really does speak like this – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDwg1C8nOEM – as do a majority of non-Royal Brits. Proof here: http://www.mtvhive.com/artist/adele/videos/400003/5_questions_adele
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) – 6
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) – 7
Crikey – a lot of heartwrenchers this round. Motorway hit the spot though.
oops…I just listened to this version of Someone Like You…actually think it’s not nearly as good as the recorded version or other live versions she’s done. If it’s specifically this version we’re rating then I’ll give it an 8.75 instead
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) – 6
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) – 6.5
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) – 6.5
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) – 6.8
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) – 7.8
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) – 9
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) – 9.5 (when she performs this live, it’s a near perfect song….only giving it a 9 because I prefer her song “heavenly day,” which would get a 10 in my book!)
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) – 8 (I love the Pixies, but it’s hard to beat Patty Griffin!)
Chest Fever (The Band) = 6.5
Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) = 6
Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) = 7
Jessica (Allman Brothers) = 7
Mushaboom (Feist) = 5.5
Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) = 8.5
Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) = 9
Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) = 6
My sister is visiting and being forced to listen…and therefore voting as well. (Me, then her)
#2 Chest Fever (The Band): 4, 7
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker): 3, 6
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 5, 4
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) 4, 4
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) 5.5, 5
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) 9, 8
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 6, 8
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 8.5, 5
Chest Fever – 4.5 vs Pretty Melody – 6.0
Seems Like Home to Me – 2.0 vs Jessica – 6.5
Mushaboom – 6.5 vs Someone Like You – 7.5
Up to the Mountain – 5.0 vs Motorway to Roswell – 3.0
Chest Fever – 4.5 vs Pretty Melody – 5.5 I am also a fan of The Band but this one should be left out of the repertoire. Pretty Melody started out just that and then Butch opened his mouth; saved his butt with the chorus and pulled this one out.
Seems Like Home to Me – 2.5 vs Jessica – 7.5 Two Gallants were unbearable. Sounded like two feral cats in a back alley. Allman Brothers didn’t need to sing on this one with such a strong sound and great playing.
Mushaboom – 6.5 vs Someone Like You 6.5 – Feist had some good and some bad; Voice was frequently good when played straight but occasionally annoying like some of the background sounds. First exposure to Adele; very good voice but this track came across as overly produced and overly slick.
Up to the Mountain – 6.0 vs Motorway to Roswell – 3.5 Patti Griffin had good material but her singing came across like the equivalent of overacting. Were the Pixies meeting up with the denizens of Area 51 or are they escapees?
Chest Fever (The Band) 4
Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) 5
Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 3.5
Jessica (Allman Brothers) 6
Mushaboom (Feist) 6
Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) 7
Really like Adele but hadn’t heard this song before. I think I prefer some of her other songs more but I liked this one and will listen to it again.
Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 7.5
Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 5
Chest Fever > Pretty Melody
Two Gallants > Jessica (close call but the Two Gallants song kept getting better whereas I wondered when the Allman Brothers would stop playing)
Mushaboom > Adele (Dig Adele but why so sad?)
Switching computers. will vote on other songs soon.
Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) > Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) (def. not my favorite Pixies song but they still defeat Ms. Griffin)
So these are all 5-7 splits?
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) [5]
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) [6.5]
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) [6]
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) [7.75]
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) [6.5]
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) [7.5]
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) [6]
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) [4]
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) 5.5
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) 7
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 7
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) 8.5
I saw 35 minute version of this song performed live at Bonnaroo in 2005 with special guest appearances by Warren Haynes, Bob Weir, Robert Randolph, Clapton, Lennon, Johnny Cash, and Scott Joplin tickling the ivory. Warren Haynes had burned through three guitars and one mandolin when someone’s face finally melted towards the front of the crowd and they stopped the show. Good call, because Bob Weir was actually having a heart attack from minute three of the song but he refused to stop playing.
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) 8
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) 6
Sun is shinin’, feelin’ happy, Mushaboom puts me in good spirits. It’s also my pick. So long Feist and your Canadian-ness. Adele, cheer up, you made a lot of money recently.
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 5.5
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 5
chest fever – 8.5
pretty melody – 7
enjoyed both of these quite a bit. i have more confidence in chest fever growing on me in subsuquent listens.
seems like home to me – 8
jessica – 7.5
i seem to be in a very musically receptive mood today. i’m liking everything i hear. two gallants get the edge here for the vocals. not that i have anything against instrumentals, and jessica is a fantastic song, just not the winner for me today.
mushaboom – 7
someone like you – 5
up to the mountain – 8
motorway to roswell – 7
wow, didn’t expect to like patty griffin very much, but that was beautiful. the pixies were fun but lacked that emotion.
really solid set of tunes today! loved listening to them all… twice!
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) 4.1
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) 5.1
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 7.1
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) 2.2
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) 7.3
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) 9.7
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 8.4
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 3.7
These votes coming at you literally from on the road… I listened to these driving on highway 2 between West and East Glacier (the second most beautiful highway I’ve been on so far this trip), jotted down my scores as I drove, and am typing parts of this at a construction stop.
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) 4
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) 7.5
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 10
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) 5.5
Could there be a more perfect song to listen to as you’re driving through some of the most beautiful country in the US? No, there could not. It didn’t hurt that I saw two Gallants perform a few nights ago and the intensity of the performance is still with me.
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) 9
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) 7
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 4
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 5.5
I like the pixies a lot but this song doesn’t really represent them that well I feel.
Chest Fever (The Band): 5
Pretty Melody (Butch Walker): 7.5
Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants): 7
Jessica (Allman Brothers): 5.5 feeling the concept…
Mushaboom (Feist): 7
Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele): 7.5
I don’t like these melodic females going up against one another. Adele felt a little long by the end, so she may not do as well in future rounds….
Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin): 6
Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The): 7
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) – 5
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) – 4
Meh.
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) – 6
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) – 7
Jessica would have been a higher score, but I am impatient today.
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) – 8
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) – 9
The first time I heard Mushaboom was on a cd that an ex-boyfriend made for me… this song makes me remember the good parts of that relationship. But Adele. well. That girl is owning my soul. But I think I prefer the album version.
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) – 9
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) – 5
Patty Griffin, will you be my best friend?
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) – 6
great sound, ok song
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) – 8
dunno – but the people I’m with REALLy like it….ok growing like fungus…
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) – 6
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) – 8
doodoodoo-doodoooo-doodoo-doodooooo-doodoodoo-doooodoodoooo=Jessica.
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) vs. #14 – 7
such a sucker for rhythmic clapping
Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) – 6
Damaged, but beautiful (or maybe damaged, thus beautiful?)…just…too…long.
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) – 6.25
see above + she’s Patty Griffin
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies) – 9
#2 Chest Fever (The Band) 4.3
#15 Pretty Melody (Butch Walker) 9.9
#7 Seems Like Home To Me (Two Gallants) 8.7
#10 Jessica (Allman Brothers) 4.4
#3 Mushaboom (Feist) 6
#14 Someone Like You (Acoustic Live) (Adele) 9
#6 Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) (Patty Griffin) 3
#11 Motorway To Roswell (Pixies, The) 7