Alright Big Guy in the Sky, another month, another round. Let's do this.
Votes due by Wednesday, July 20th at 8 PM EST: Division I has it all: modern, folk, disco, hip hop, soul, and a number of major musical pioneers of last century. Listen to the songs here, vote by commenting on this post, and get a friend to vote with you! Best of luck to all songs!
Ray LaMontagne’s Trouble was released in 2004 but took some time to catch on with the public…same story with 2006’s definitively darker Til The Sun Turns Black. Not the case with 2008’s Gossip In The Grain, which hit #1 in iTunes album purchases the day of its release. Track One of that album kicks things off for Division I. He’s up against Randy Travis, who ain’t afraid of representing country in our competition.
Are you sure I can't help? I'm very cute and smart.
Last round Neko Case squeaked by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg by the slimmest of margins in a high scoring affair (doesn’t that seem like it happened years ago at this point?) This time she draws a more contemporary competitor- we’ll see how well OK Go stands on its own two feet without the help of its trick dogs, treadmills, and Goldberg machines.
Some ado was made of Brian May’s vocal in the recently eliminated ’39. With Ooh La La, another song whose vocalist is likely mistakenly identified by many listeners- not Rod Stewart, but Ronnie Wood. We’ll see if the Brits can get by orchestral hip hop group Ozomatli.
To close things up, Frankie Valli vs. Aretha Franklin. ‘Nuff said.
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis)
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go)
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli)
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin)
Living the Dream 
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) 9.5
# 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 2.5
When I thought this tournament could use some country music, this crappy Randy Travis song was not what I had in mind. My apologies to the nominator — but REALLY? I like Randy Travis well enough, and grew up listening to some of his stuff, but this song is one of the worst of the genre. Ray, on the other hand, is my main man. I can’t say enough about him and the depth of my love for him — to steal from a GOOD Randy Travis song, my love for Ray LaMontagne is “deeper than the holler.”
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) 5.5
# 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) 9
I like Neko’s voice. But this OK Go song has been my go-to song when I’m having a bad day since last fall. It doesn’t get old. And when I’m having a REALLY bad day, I watch the video a couple of times. Love it, love it.
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) 8
# 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 4
I don’t know where I was when these 2 tunes were up in the last round. Probably living the Cherokee version of Groundhog Day. I really like The Faces. Not so much on the other one.
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) 1.5
# 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 9.5
I hate Oh What a Night. I love Aretha.
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 3/4.5
That picture of that attractive bearded dude is Ray LaMontagne, right? Goddamn he looks like he would make great music. He looks like he belongs in the Avett Brothers, or in some fantastic Northwest band with unbelievable acoustic guitar work. Alas, what a disappointment. Not to get too Holden Caulfield on you, but this just sounds so phony to me. All apologies to Lindsay, but I truly do not understand the love for him. At least Randy Travis sounds sincere, more or less. Unaffected. Ish. It’s okay.
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) 9/6.3
Hold On, Hold On started and it made me hold my breath… haunting. There have been two live shows where I’ve had this sort of out-of-body experience because of the unearthly vocal quality of the singer, and Neko Case is one of them. I know OK Go is not critically a good band… but I find their stuff catchy and pleasing enough.
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 5.5/5.8
I really love the start of Ooh La La. It’s so simple and charming and a great riff that almost doesn’t sound like a riff, if that makes sense. But it doesn’t really go anywhere. Ozomatli is SO VERY FUN live. But recorded… eh. It sure doesn’t get me dancing in the aisles.
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 6/3.2
I think we’re destined to be musical frenemies. 🙂
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne): 9
# 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis): 3
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case): 6.5
# 5 White Knuckles (OK Go): 5
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces): 6.5
# 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli): 8.5
Chalie 2na is smooth and I like the bass with the horn.
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons): 8
# 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin): 6
This isn’t the booming voice I’ve come to expect from Aretha
Maureen went to Uganda for a few weeks to help people or something (HELP OTHERS LIVE THE DREAM!!!) but did some divisions in advance. I told her to find our African voters and scold them for not following up on their songs.
Division I
You are the best thing (ray) – 10
look heart no hands (randy travis) – 6.5
I like country a lot actually, but Randy can’t beat Ray. YATBT is just so romantic and great.
Hold on Hold on (neko case) – 9
white knuckles (okgo) – 5.5
I love love love neko case. love. ok go is fun, but not too much more than fun.
ooh la la (the faces) – 8
cut chemist suite (ozomatli) – 6.5
Would I really want to know then what I know now? Maybe not. But I like this song. CCS is a good song, but you just have to be in the right mood for it.
oh what a night (frankie etc) – 4.5
until you come back to me (aretha) – 8
I was surprised that oh what a night won the last round. I kind of find this song annoying…so my score is probably even lower than it was last round. If it beats Aretha, I will be super sad.
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) 5 vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 6 You’ve got to hand it to country singers: they know a thing or two about clever, catchy titles. Still, I can’t help but think this song would be even better if it was called Look Heart, No Handjobs.
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) 7 vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) 8 OK Go gets two points because my friend from college is the guitarist. It’s not bad for what it is. It’s eerie though how much it sounds like a Prince song.
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) 9 vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 5
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) 6 vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 7
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis): 10/3
There is no stopping Ray LaMontagne. He is the best thing.
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go): 4/9
White Knuckles is great. Very funky.
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli):1/3.5
No comment.
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin): 6.5/4
Meh.
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) [6.75]
# 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) [5]
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) [5]
# 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) [4]
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) [7.25]
# 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) [5]
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) [7]
# 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) [5.5]
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 7:4
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) 5.5:5
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 8:7
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 7.5:6
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis)
1.1 / 1
I don’t get the Ray LaMontagne appeal, yet he gets the win here by default being matched up against a country song.
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go)
6.99 / 7
Both good songs, I don’t want to be the reason someone wins or loses on this one.
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli)
4 / 5
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin)
8 / 2
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) – 8
# 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) – 5
That brass sound was just I needed to start listening to this playlist. I don’t understand all the hate for this Randy Travis song. I thought it was a perfectly average country song, hence the 5. Why the hate?
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) – 8.5
# 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) – 7.9
I have Neko days and non-Neko days (when her voice just doesn’t resonate with me). Today is a Neko day. Loved the song. Really like White Knuckles too, but today was a Neko Day.
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) – 7
# 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) – 5
I was tapping my feet while listening to the Faces. To the Ozomatli? Not so much. Happy feet wins.
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) – 7
# 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) – 6
Aretha is amazing, I just don’t find this song up to the high standards I hold Aretha to. Usually I’m not this high on “Oh What A Night”, in fact I find it a very mediocre song. But I guess having already warmed up to the brass sound and feet tapping, today OWAN just worked for me.
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis)
7.4 : 5
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go)
6: 8.1
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli)
8: 8.2 Am I crazy, or could Rod Stewart have been really awesome if only he had bandmates like the Faces to keep it real for him for his whole career. And Ozomatli kicks ass. Good match.
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin)
7.4: 7.2
Aretha just had a pre-death funeral, which I think more people should do. What’s the good in being missed when you’re already gone?
You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) ~ 6.9
Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) ~ 2
Ray was decent. I wobbled on him a bit, parts of the song were great and part didn’t come together for me.
I’m not a huge country fan, but there are definitely some solid songs out there. LHNH is not one of them.
Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) ~ 4
White Knuckles (OK Go) ~ 7.1
OK Go make awesome videos. Their music is ok.
Ooh La La (The Faces) ~ 7
Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) ~ 10
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Cut Chemist Suite is one of my favorite songs of all time and its what got me into hip hop. Ooh La La is a good song, I’ve always enjoyed it, wish I could give it a lower score but I just can’t.
Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) ~ 8.2
Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) ~ 5
This Aretha track always disappoints me. Oh What a Night is solid gold!
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) 8
# 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 6
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) 5
# 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) 7
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) 7
# 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 5
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) 7
# 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 5
Also, happy bday Janos!!
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 10.0 to 5.0
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) – 6.0 to 4.0
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) – 6.5 to 4.0
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 8.5 to 10.0
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) – 10.0 to 5.0 Randy has too much twang but this was no contest before he opened his mouth.
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) – 4.5 to 4.0 Liked Neko better on the first pass. This time was just boring. OK Go was just…………………………..just.
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) – 6.5 to 3.5
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 9.1 to 7.5 Never really liked Frankie that much when it was fresh to my ears but since the B-way show – love this one. Besides Frankie is not singing lead on this one and that helps.
due to across-the-board agreement, i am hijacking lindsay’s post. is this yet another bface violation of tourney rules? TIME WILL TELL. robblerobble.
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) 9.5
# 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 2.5
When I thought this tournament could use some country music, this crappy Randy Travis song was not what I had in mind. My apologies to the nominator — but REALLY? I like Randy Travis well enough, and grew up listening to some of his stuff, but this song is one of the worst of the genre. Ray, on the other hand, is my main man. I can’t say enough about him and the depth of my love for him — to steal from a GOOD Randy Travis song, my love for Ray LaMontagne is “deeper than the holler.”
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) 5.5
# 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) 9
I like Neko’s voice. But this OK Go song has been my go-to song when I’m having a bad day since last fall. It doesn’t get old. And when I’m having a REALLY bad day, I watch the video a couple of times. Love it, love it.
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) 8
# 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 4
I don’t know where I was when these 2 tunes were up in the last round. Probably living the Cherokee version of Groundhog Day. I really like The Faces. Not so much on the other one.
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) 1.5
# 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 9.5
I hate Oh What a Night. I love Aretha.
this made me laugh. please feel free to hijack alllll of my posts! maybe my songs will stop tanking if everyone does this.
This is what Time told me to tell you:
“So while I appreciate your creativity, Bessaface, I’m not counting this until you listen to the songs and score them yourselves. Copying Lindsay’s scores and comments is not in the spirit of music tournaments. I hope you listen to the songs and submit real scores because I really appreciate your opinions and I know everybody else does too!”
I, on the other hand, am just telling you to stop causing trouble
I think Time was serious, Bessaface, I checked. You should do a real vote, since you obviously have superior musical tastes (at least in this Division).
You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) 7.5
Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 5
Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) 6.5
White Knuckles (OK Go) 5
Ooh La La (The Faces) 8
Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 5.5
Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) 9
Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 7
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) 6.7
# 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 5
Not my favorite Ray song by a long shot, does sound a bit phony compared to more visceral less poppy tracks from the LaMontagne canon. Randy’s nominator and I and some other friends once took a 35 minute trip to the only line dancing bar in Connecticut, a lovely little place in Southington that could only be called Cadillac Ranch. http://caddyranch.com/ That’s all I got on this, Ray goes on to a more competitive R64 match.
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) 8
# 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) 6
Neko case is growing on me, sorta mystic coolness.
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) 7
# 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 7.2
Ozomatli by a few inches.
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) 5
# 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 6.6
You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) 10
Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 4
Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) 4
White Knuckles (OK Go) 9
Ooh La La (The Faces) 5
Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 6
Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) 5
Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 7
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) 7
# 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 5
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) 10
# 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) 3.5
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) 6
# 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 6
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) 9
# 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 7.4
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) 8
# 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) 5.5
Still dunno where the old man found Ray amongst his classical wanderings, but glad he did and put it in here. I want to hate Randy Travis, and usually do, but I didn’t this time.
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) 7.1
# 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) 5.3
Liked Hold On at an 8+ (and well better) for the first 2 minutes or so, then it tailed off a bit. Not sure how to explain it. OK Go had the opposite problem – angry for 90 seconds, cool musical interlude, and solid ending. Just not long enough for the bounce back to work..
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) 6
# 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) 6.5
Little bit of Dylan feel out of the Faces for whatever reason. Nice. Ozomatli started hot, just dragged on too long.
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) 7
# 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) 6
Neither was blowing my skirt up. Both are pleasant, neither overwhelming.
# 1 You Are The Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne) – 8
vs. # 8 Look Heart No Hands (Randy Travis) – 3
# 4 Hold On, Hold On (Neko Case) – 5
vs. # 5 White Knuckles (OK Go) – 9
# 2 Ooh La La (The Faces) – 7.5
vs. # 7 Cut Chemist Suite (Ozomatli) – 4.8
# 3 Oh What A Night (December 1963) (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) – 6
vs. # 6 Until You Come Back To Me (Aretha Franklin) – 7