Votes due by Wednesday, April 18th at 5:00 PM EST: After some feeling out the water, it looks like a number of these coaches are pushing it up to 11- which makes for a great set. Enjoy these match-ups…if there were any Monday morning playlist, this is it. Listen to the tunes here, and good luck to all:
Champion vs. Challenger: Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1)
Challenger Championship: Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0)
Last LBS Group:
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) vs. Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0)
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) vs. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1)
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) vs. Freewill (Rush, 0-1)
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0)
Living the Dream 
Really great selections all-round.
Champion vs. Challenger: Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1)
8 : 9
Challenger Championship: Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0)
9.5 : 8.2
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) vs. Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0)
N/A
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) vs. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1)
5.5 : 9
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) vs. Freewill (Rush, 0-1)
7.5 : 7.3
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0)
9.6 : 6.5
Ramblin’ Man is a perfect road trip song and on the Big Fish soundtrack- what more do you need?
Dyermaker vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright) = 9 to 9.5
Challenger Championship: Pale Blue Eyes vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap = 6.5 to 7.5
Nice tune, but AC/DC sounds like they’re offering up taking out on a hit on someone for a discount price. Kinda hard to compete.
Sloop John B vs. Down South In New Orleans = 6 to 5
Spoonman vs. Where The Streets Have No Name = 5.5 to 6.5
Very excited for Soundgarden in the tourney. Though not a Superunknown fan.
You vs. Freewill = 4 to 7
Ramblin’ Man vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance = 5 to 5
Led Zeppelin – 4
Stevie Wonder – 7.5
Generally, Robert Plant’s voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Maybe if I invested in karaoke tapes of the stuff, my opinion would be different cuz the band is full of such gnarly musicians. And I truly love some of their stuff because of that undeniable talent. With that said, D’yer Mak’er isn’t one of those tracks. All I can think of is how as I kid I honestly thought the song was by UB40 cuz it sounded so much like their cover of Neil Diamond’s Red Red Wine. And Uptight is Stevie at his best. Upbeat with a classic sound that is hard to challenge.
Pale Blue Eyes (VU) – 5
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC) – 6.5
Pale Blue Eyes just left something to be desired. And Young had such good solo.
Sloop John B (BB) – 6.5
Down South in New Orleans (Band) – 5
This is a competition of two kinds of chill. But I’m gonna have to go with the Beach Boys this time.
Spoonman (SG) – 5.5
Where the Streets Have No Name (U2) – 8
Can I just say that I love this match up? 90s grunge v. 90s alt. (Yes, I know U2’s career has spanned 4 different decades, but the late 80s and early 90s was the heart and soul of it.) Spoonman’s got a great hook and those driving guitars that hard not to enjoy, but Where the Streets Have No Name is just epic. The Edge’s sound isn’t just catchy, it adds depth. And Joshua Tree is the album where he really masters that skill. This coupled with the desperation in Bono’s voice makes this the winner.
You (A) – 5
Freewill (R) – 4
I’m sorry, but Rush’s music sounds like a bunch of teenagers bought their first distortion pedal and decided to load every song with as many of those neat sounds they as possible. This chronic problem wasn’t as huge on Freewill, but I’m sure I’ll be seeing it in the upcoming rounds. Also, their lyrics border on corny and their songs feel like they go on forever (and some actually do). Finally, Geddy Lee < Robert Plant. Nuff said.
I promised George (the husband), who will probably score this with like a 9, to give them a chance. But they still lose this time.
Ramblin' Man (AB) – XX
Mary Jane’s Last Dance (TP) – XX
Yes, loading songs with as many “neat sounds” as possible is as ubiquitous a problem in the music industry as writing “good lyrics.” That is, musicianship does NOT BELONG in music. Future musicians should aspire to banality. Heresy.
I seriously forgot to say that Neil Peart is a great drummer. (He is also the lyricist.) And there is more to music than just the voice or the just lyrics or just the synthesizer or whatever. I mean, Neil Young can’t carry a tune to save his life (a problem with Neils, I suppose), but he brings other things to the table that make him great in my book. Rush doesn’t produce an overall sound that is going to make me overlook the stuff that, for me, isn’t so great. And by the way, throwing in every noise but the kitchen sink isn’t the way to avoid banality. And simplicity, if done right, isn’t banal either (ie. Do What You Can Do – Constantines).
Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1) 6.5 – 8
Love Uptight. D’yer Mak’r is a good song, especially when it drops out. But the horns in the intro to Uptight alone does it for me with Stevie.
Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0) 6.0 – 8.2
One of my favourite AC/DC songs. I just love the grittiness to it. Combine that with Angus Young’s wicked solo and just the overall drive of the song and I’m happy.
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) vs. Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0) 7.1 – 6.4
I don’t know if you read my other post about the beach boys. But I was close to telling you that this is my favorite Beach Boys song because I used to play it on family vacations and turn up the volume during the “Why don’t you let me go home,” etc. parts. Very nostalgic for me.
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) vs. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1) 4.2 – 4
Not a huge fan of either song. However, I do have to give the edge to Kim Thayil on this one. I dig the Edge’s sound. But the chords get a bit monotonous after a bit to me. Thayil at least slays it a decent bit in Spoonman.
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) vs. Freewill (Rush, 0-1) 6.5 – 6.9
I honestly have not heard much Atmosphere coming into this competition and I didn’t think this match up would be much. But I’m digging the Atmosphere I’ve heard. That being said, it’s difficult to overcome the musicianship of Rush.
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0) N/A
Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) 7.5
Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1) 8.2
Wow, I was sure I’d be going Dyermaker here.
Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) 7.5
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0) 7.4
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) 8.4
Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0) 7.0
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) 5
Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1) 9
One of my favorite U2 songs- Spoonman never had a chance.
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) 6.8
Freewill (Rush, 0-1) 6.5
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) 9.2
Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0) 6.8
Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0)
## vs. ##
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) vs. Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0)
7.3 vs. 6.9
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) vs. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1)
5.8 vs. 6.2
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) vs. Freewill (Rush, 0-1)
7 vs. 3.5
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0)
6.6 vs. 5
Woops– missed the top one
Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1)
7 vs. 7.5
Same rxn as Guillermo.
Champion vs. Challenger: Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) I loved this song in eighth grade when a friend gave me the 45″ single on vinyl, and even though it’s way overplayed on the radio, I still love the loping drum beat and the silly lyrics. Nice pick.
vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1)
Challenger Championship: Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) 7
vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0) 6
Last LBS Group:
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) 8 An example where having lots of cool sounds really works.
vs. Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0) 6
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) 3
vs. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1) 5
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) 6
vs. Freewill (Rush, 0-1) 5 The first minute sounds like the soundtrack to Sonic the Hedgehog. Makes me want to jump and grab some rings.
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) 7
vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0) 7
Dyermaker (4) vs. Uptight (7) – Bad Led Zeppelin vs. Good Stevie Wonder
Pale Blue Eyes (3) vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (6) Boring vs. Fun
Sloop John B (7) vs. Down South in New Orleans (5) Love the Band, but not this song. Pet Sounds – enough said
Spoonman (2) vs. Where the Streets Have No Name (9) Not a fan of Spoonman – Huge fan of The Joshua Tree – classic U2
You (6) vs, Freewill (1) Hate, Hate, Hate…did I mention I hate Rush. Was not familiar with Atmosphere, but I really liked You
Ramblin Man( 7 )vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (5) Ramblin Man is like a fine wine…it gets better with age. In other words I wasn’t a fan back in the day, but now when I hear it I can’t help, but sing along at the top of my lungs. Love Tom Petty, but not this is not one.
Champion vs. Challenger: Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1). 8 – 6.5
Challenger Championship: Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0) 2 – 6.5
Last LBS Group:
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) vs. Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0) 5.5 – 6
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) vs. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1) 7 – 5.5
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) vs. Freewill (Rush, 0-1) N/A
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0) 7.5 – 8
Champion vs. Challenger: Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1)
9: 7.3
Challenger Championship: Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0)
7.1 : 8
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) vs. Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0)
6 : 5
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) vs. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1)
XX:XX
Ya, I can’t vote it in this one, but the glove are definitely off!
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) vs. Freewill (Rush, 0-1)
6.2 : 6.9
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0)
7.2 : 7.8
Ramblin’ Man is solid, but flashbacks to the video of dancing with the dead body carried the day. (plus I really like that song)
Championship
D’yer Maker (Led Zeppelin) 8
Uptight (Everything’s Alright) Stevie Wonder 6.5
Pale Blue Eyes (The Velvet Underground) 4
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC) 7
Sloop John B (The Beach Boys) 7
Down South in New Orleans (The Band) 6
Spoonman (Soundgarden) 6
Where the Streets Have No Name (U2) 8
You (Atmosphere) 7
Free Will (Rush) 6
Ramblin Man (The Allman Brothers) 6.5
Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty) 7
Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1) 8.0 to 7.5
Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0) 5.0 to 4.5
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) vs. Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0) 8.5 to 6.0
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) vs. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1) 6.0 to 7.5
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) vs. Freewill (Rush, 0-1) 5.5 to 6.5
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0) 8.0 to 8.5
Dyermaker (Led Zeppelin, 1-1) vs. Uptight (Everything’s Alright)(Stevie Wonder, 1-1) 8.0 to 6.75
Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 0-1) vs. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC, 1-0) 5.0 to 4.5
Sloop John B (Beach Boys, 0-1) vs. Down South In New Orleans (The Band, 1-0) 8.0 to 6.5
Spoonman (Soundgarden, 1-0) vs. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2, 0-1) 5.0 to 6.5
You (Atmosphere, 1-0) vs. Freewill (Rush, 0-1) 4.0 to 5.0
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers, 0-1) vs. Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty, 1-0) 9.0 to 6.0
D’yer Mak’er 8
Uptight (Everything’s Alright) 7
The rhythm in this Zeppelin song is awesome. The guitar playing is awesome. I love how the band can so easily switch from rock to reggae-ish.
I dig this Stevie song, but a good horn section and a driving beat isn’t winning in my book.
Pale Blue Eyes xx
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap xx
Sloop John B 8
Down South in New Orleans 7
Great Beach Boys song goes against a cut from the quintessential concert. I love the Band but I can’t deny that this is an awesome song from the Beach Boys.
Spoonman 5
Where the Streets Have No Name 8
This is one of my least favorite Soundgarden songs. I always felt that they “mailed this one in” on this album, which is odd because it was such a huge hit. So either a huge hit requires little thought, or I don’t know crap about music. I’ll run with the latter.
This U2 song is one of their epics. It may be played out but it still endures. The Edge, and Peter Buck (REM) are two great guitar juxtapositions from the 80’s. Neither were ‘blazing shredders”, or technically advanced, but in an era where virtuoso guitarists reigned, these two thrived, and in the Edge’s case found a really unique and distinct voice.
You 7.5
Free Will 8
This was tough… I mean tough. I love Alex Lifeson’s guitar playing on this song. That man has taste, touch, and tone. The rhythm section is just ridiculous. It has a kick ass bass solo. How fun is that?!I love any song that talks about something as esoteric as free will (even if it’s pretty cheesy). DAMN this Atmosphere song has groove, a killer beat, sample, and awesome flow, I absolutely dig the lyrics, and well any song that can get a woman to dance gets a point. I have to go with Rush for the win on this round this time.
Team Rush, Atmosphere is breathing down my neck man, and I’m digging what they’re saying.
Ramblin Man 8
Mary Jane’s Last Dance 7
I love Ramblin Man, it has such great guitar work. How oddly fitting that their biggest hit came after the death of Duane Allman. (Sorry I referenced Gregg Allman as their guitarist in the last post, I don’t know how that slipped).
I love so much about MJLD, I love the guitar tone, the guitar playing. I love how Tom Petty is a believe in three- four chord songs with simple melodies. But it’s going against a classic here, so the Allman’s get the nod.
Sorry. I didn’t log out Moira here. This was my vote.
I was gonna say….it sounded like Moira was channeling her inner Joe.
D’yer Mak’er (Led Zeppelin): 9
Uptight (Everything’s Alright) (Stevie Wonder): 8.5
This is definitely a match-up I’m enjoying so far. The absurdity of comparing Stevie Wonder to Led Zeppelin is hilarious. Each one, at one time or another, was the ruler of their own genre. Both with massive draw and creativity. And now to put them head-to-head and to judge them solely on the fact of pure enjoyment of a song is so very appealing. D’yer Mak’er is a money on the spot song. A fun playful rhythm with some solid lyrics, it hurts that I’m staring out the window into such a gloomy day, when I really need to be outside on a sunny day sipping a margarita. And Stevie falling in love in Uptight, those horns just make me want to get down and shake a tail feather. Another great hit by the Wonder. But, in the end I have to go with LZ for stretching out and bending those rules of what a rock band could be with an aptly named ode to love and Jamaica dub, it’s a shame the group hates the song.
Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground): 7.5
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC): 8
One of the first few Velvet Underground songs I’ve truly enjoyed. Great lyrics, good mellow tone, it’s a shame it has to be up against one of AC/DC’s greats. If there is one thing I can say of Bon Scott it’s that he knew how to write a great misogynistic song. Creep in that back door.
Sloop John B (Beach Boys): 9
Down South In New Orleans (The Band): 7
Sloop John B is damn near my all-time favorite Beach Boys song. Pet Sounds is absolutely the Boys magnum opus, there is not a single bad song off that album. It was the perfect reply to The Beatles Rubber Soul, Brian Wilson is a mad genius. Though, I must give credit where credit is due and Down South In New Orleans is a great response to Sloop John B, a solid live version where you can really here The Bands enthusiasm. This might be my new jam for a while, great pick.
Spoonman (Soundgarden): 6
Where The Streets Have No Name (U2): 8
Pop-rock has never been my cup of tea, but this is one of U2’s better songs in my opinion. Bono is just singing his soul out here and the Edge just carries him the entire way with a catchy ass simple guitar riff. I will say I enjoyed this Soundgarden tune a bit more than Fell On Black Days, I definitely prefer their more grunge roots.
You (Atmosphere): X
Freewill (Rush): X
Ramblin’ Man (Allman Brothers): 7
Mary Jane’s Last Dance (Tom Petty): 6.5
I’m never opposed to a song about the sweet escape of smoking a joint to get away from the small town pressures and non-sense. I do enjoy this song quite a bit, but the Allman Brothers have just have got that groovy southern-rock goin’ on for them. There is a reason this is one their most famous songs. Ramblin’ Man all the way.
I really enjoyed the music this round, kudos to everyone for some solid picks.