Zeppelin's chosen battleground for the last stand
Votes due by Friday, 4/27 at 5:00 PM: Alright kids- we are now entering Games 5 and 6, which means coaches are turning to their sure things and we get some pretty rocking playlists out of it. But before we get into that, the most recent results.
Staring at the brink, Coach Adrock played the Immigrant Song card and it worked out. Led Zeppelin staves off elimination for one more round with a 98.2-85.4 win over “As.” Jacob says enough is enough, and releases the champion of the first Hands On Gulf Coast Music Tournament.
Unfortunately for Coach Peter, Velvet Underground could not catch a break. “Back In Black” makes a statement by squashing “Femme Fatale,” 76.1-46 and sweeping the series. Coach Joe has a few days to wait and strategize before a winner of Zeppelin-Wonder emerges.
Soundgarden grunged its way back into relevance as “Rusty Cage” defeated U2’s “Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me,” 81.3-63. Strange nomination from Coach Dan, but he goes back to basics for Game 5. This one is knotted up at 2 a piece.
The Beach Boys grab a second win and knot their series as well, as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” defeats “Ophelia” 91.5-81.25. This series is wearing down both of these artists, and it’s very easy to imagine this going to 7 games. Next up is another big battle.
Also all tied up are Tom Petty and The Allman Brothers Band. “Ain’t Wasting Time No More” defeats “The Waiting,” 72.7-62. This great match continues to look down to the wire as well.
Last but not least, Atmosphere’s “Millie Fell Down The Fire Escape” defeats Rush’s “Nobody’s Hero,” 64.2-49.4. Salem pulls the emergency lever here, but from my conversation downstairs with Greg it sounds like he’s making a push to fight back with his nomination.
In this next round, Led Zeppelin (2-3) and Rush (1-3) face elimination. Best of luck to all- only 10 songs this time now that the AC/DC-Velvet Underground series is over. One last thing about big gaps in scoring. We have to repeat this every few months, but reminder that it is bad form to trump 5 or 6 other score differentials without reason. If you really feel like something is a 1 and something else is an 8, that’s fine but make an attempt to convince the voters and the coaches why that is the case.
Champion vs. Challenger
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) vs. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)
Last Fleet- Game 5
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) vs. With Or Without You (U2)
Tom Sawyer (Rush) vs. The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere)
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) vs. Melissa (Allman Brothers Band)
It Makes No Difference (The Band) vs. God Only Knows (The Beach Boys)
Living the Dream 
Me and C
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) vs. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)
9 / 8.4 : 8 / 7.3
I feel bad for Adrock, but once he went down 3-1, it was a matter of time before Press went to Superstition to close things out.
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) vs. With Or Without You (U2)
6.5 / 5 : 8.2 / 9.7
Tom Sawyer (Rush) vs. The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere)
9 / 9 : 5 / 4
C and I both love Tom Sawyer, and this was my least favorite Atmosphere song so far…I’m assuming Greg B was just ducking and saving his ammo for Game 6.
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) vs. Melissa (Allman Brothers Band)
6 / 5 : 7 / 5.5
It Makes No Difference (The Band) vs. God Only Knows (The Beach Boys)
NA / 8 : NA/ 8.2
Two greatballads. Rick Danko and Carl Wilson are probably the finalists for Best Third-String Vocalist in a Rock Band.
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) vs. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) 5
vs. With Or Without You (U2) 6
Tom Sawyer (Rush) 5
vs. The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere) 5
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) 5
vs. Melissa (Allman Brothers Band) 6
It Makes No Difference (The Band) 7 vs. God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) 9
Another tough choice. It Makes No Difference is a great song, but God Only Knows is timeless.
Just about every match up was killer. So every coach gets my thanks for posting great songs, and every coach also gets my everlasting ire, for making me score songs I love against one another.
Superstitious (Stevie Wonder) 8.5
Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) 9.2
I love both of these songs. This is the song that made Zeppelin different. It wasn’t blues rock, or heavy rock, it was different for its time, and for them. Superstitious is just awesome. Great guitar, drums, organ, horns, lyrics, and a killer scream, it can’t beat Kashmir.
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) 7
With or Without You (U2) 8.5
A better than average Soundgarden song, vs a classic U2 song.
Tom Sawyer (Rush) 8.5
The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmoshphere) 8
Tom Sawyer is an amazing song.
This Atmosphere song has a killer beat, and piano riff, and I agree with the song a woman with good ink is a beautiful thing.
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) 8
Melissa (The Allman Brothers) 8.5
Melissa holds a strong place in my heart. Sorry Team Petty, “Even the Losers” is a killer killer song, but The Allman’s win this round.
It Makes No Difference (The Band) 8.9
God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) 8.5
There’s something so special about Rick Danko’s voice here, maybe it’s how his voice is on the edge of cracking. It works so well in this song. “God Only Knows” is a beautiful, fragile song as well. Sorry Team Beach Boys.
Superstition (Stevie Wonder): 7
Kashmir (Led Zeppelin): 9
It’s Kashmir, come on. I love Superstition, the funky ass guitar riffs and horns get me every time and Stevie’s ability to compose knows no bounds. That said, Kashmir has this intense driving force behind it thanks to Page and Jones. The orchestral backing is really what puts me over the edge in this song, the strings and brass sections take this song from being a melodic plodder to rock epic.
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden): 6
With Or Without You (U2): 8
I gave up on Soundgarden after Badmotorfinger, but this song definitely has the sound of their earlier grunge roots. The lyrics on the other hand leave something to be desired. Very few can compete with the song writing of Bono, granted he is a bit full of himself most of the time. With or Without You is a touching song, I hate admitting to myself that I actually enjoy U2’s music. My 17 year old self would definitely be kicking my present selves ass.
Tom Sawyer (Rush): X
The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere): X
Even The Losers (Tom Petty): 5
Melissa (Allman Brothers Band): 5.1
I feel rather ‘meh’ about both songs here, neither really stands out for me. The edge goes to the Allman Brothers solely for the slide guitar of Duane.
It Makes No Difference (The Band): 9.5
God Only Knows (The Beach Boys): 10
This is a great match-up, both my favorite songs from both groups. I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest fan of The Band, but It Makes No Difference is a beautiful ode to lost love. The slow tempo really forces you to feel the of the loss in Rick Denko’s lyrics. God Only Knows is by far my favorite Beach Boys song. Excellent counter Janos, by the way. God Only Knows is another well crafted song, the composition, the eerily whining harmonies, the lyrics by Brian Wilson sung by his brother Carl, it just comes together perfectly.
Superstition: 8.4
Kashmir: 8.5
I am stunned that I’m voting this way. But when you listen to Kashmir straight through you’re kinda like, huh. This is an opus. Superstition also in a different way. This is getting interesting.
Pretty Noose: 6
With Or Without You: 8.6
Tom Sawyer: 8.2
The Woman With The Tattooed Hands: 4
Am I the only one that can’t help but think of Futurama when I hear Tom Sawyer? It’s ok if I am. Wasn’t into this Atmosphere choice.
Even The Losers: 6.5
Melissa: 7
It Makes No Difference: 7.5
God Only Knows: 9
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) vs. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) = 6.5 to 9
That scene in Fast Times and Ridgemont High rules
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) vs. With Or Without You (U2) = 9 to 7
Down on the Upside is such a good record – but I didn’t discover until a few years ago. It boggles the mind that they started using telecasters and toned everything down. This record, and song for example, would be unbelievable if they had kept the heaviness of badmotorfinger, or more logically, got heavier. Never understood the effort to soften things up, but I blame Chris Cornell. They should’ve put Kim Thayil in charge.
Tom Sawyer (Rush) vs. The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere) = 8.5 to 3
Anyone remember this?
Also wish Soundgarden would cover Tom Sawyer
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) vs. Melissa (Allman Brothers Band) = 6 to 4
It Makes No Difference (The Band) vs. God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) = 6 to 10
Superstition (7.3) vs. Kashmir (6) I’m surprised that I keep voting for Stevie Wonder over Zeppelin, but the Stevie Wonder songs are just so good.
Pretty Noose (5) vs. With or Without You (8) OH OH OH OH …I would give myself away to a tortured Bono after listening to this classic!
Tom Sawyer (4)( Did I mention that I hate Rush )vs. The Woman with the Tattooed Hands (5) Interesting song…better than annoying Rush
Even the Losers (6) vs. Melissa (7.5) There are so many better Tom Petty songs…, however Melissa is beautiful and classic and the vocals are so much better than the grating Florida twang of Tom Petty.
This match up was the toughest for me. It Makes No Difference (8) just straight up heartbreak about lost love…Beautiful! God Only Knows (8.5) Such Irony …sweetly dark…
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) 8.5 vs. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) 8.4
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) 5 vs. With Or Without You (U2) 7.5
Tom Sawyer (Rush) 7 vs. The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere) 5
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) 6 vs. Melissa (Allman Brothers Band) 8
It Makes No Difference (The Band). n/a God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) n/a
.
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) vs. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) 7.0 to 7.8
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) vs. With Or Without You (U2) 6.0 to 8.2
Tom Sawyer (Rush) vs. The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere) 4.0 to 4.5
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) vs. Melissa (Allman Brothers Band) 7.0 to 8.0
It Makes No Difference (The Band) vs. God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) 6.0 to 8.5
Does anyone remember this:
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) vs. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) 6.0 to 9.0 Never a big Stevie fan and the usual material is overplayed. Kashmir, however, was totally new to me and a very pleasant surprise and totally unexpected. The Rock will be happy as I have even downloaded this item, though it will probably get lost in my iPod.
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) vs. With Or Without You (U2) 4.5 to 8.0 Unpleasant vs very pleasant.
Tom Sawyer (Rush) vs. The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere) 5.0 to 3.5
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) vs. Melissa (Allman Brothers Band) 6.0 to 8.5
It Makes No Difference (The Band) vs. God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) 7.5 to 6.5
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) 7
Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) 8.5
I do usually hate long songs but Kashmir is an exception.
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) 6
With Or Without You (U2) 8.5
Tom Sawyer (Rush) 6.5
The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere) 6
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) 5.5
Melissa (Allman Brothers Band) 7
It Makes No Difference (The Band) 6
God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) 7.5
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) vs. Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) 9 – 10
Amazing showdown. Stevie at his funky best. Zeppelin at their best. How they put Page in the backseat and still delivered a song like this is incredible, to me. I think it’s really hard to make a full orchestra work in a heavy rock song, but this time it really, really did. Few songs beat Kashmir for me.
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) vs. With Or Without You (U2) 6 – 4.5
I’ll give the nod to Soundgarden. I think I’m just generally partial to Cornell’s snarl/wailing than Bono’s voice. With or Without you is a bit boring for me.
Tom Sawyer (Rush) vs. The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere) 9.2 – 4
I actually kinda liked the Atmosphere song, even though I know it was a throw away. That being said, his 30+ piece Tama is the pulpit from which Neil Peart preaches the gospel of Tom Sawyer.
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) vs. Melissa (Allman Brothers Band) N/A
It Makes No Difference (The Band) vs. God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) 4 – 4.5
I find both of these songs kind of boring. Both groups just aren’t really my thing. You can always count on the Beach Boys for solid harmonizing, though.
Superstition: 6
Kashmir: 10
Pretty Noose: 7
With Or Without You: 8
Tom Sawyer: 3
The Woman With The Tattooed Hands: 3
Even The Losers: 7
Melissa: 5
It Makes No Difference: 7
God Only Knows: 9
Superstition (Stevie Wonder) 5
vs.
Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) 7
Pretty Noose (Soundgarden) 8
vs.
With Or Without You (U2) 5
Tom Sawyer (Rush) 7
vs.
The Woman With The Tattooed Hands (Atmosphere) 3
Even The Losers (Tom Petty) 6
vs.
Melissa (Allman Brothers Band) 9
It Makes No Difference (The Band) 6
vs.
God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) 7
Superstition: 9
Kashmir: 8.8
Some really tough choices this week, especially this Stevie/Zepp match-up. But all that funk just gave Superstition the slight edge in the end.
Pretty Noose: 6.5
With Or Without You: 10
Pretty Noose is a fav for sure. There was a point in my life where I’d listen to that song on repeat during my seemingly endless commutes on the Beltway. But With or Without You is a perfect song off a perfect album. It starts so quiet and peaceful and then slowly builds into a rock ballad of epic proportions. A lot of people think this song has religious undertones, but Bono actually meant it to be a song about the heartache and sacrifice a couple experiences in true romance. Well, he captured it, if only for the line “She got me with nothing to win and nothing left to lose.”
Tom Sawyer: 4
The Woman With The Tattooed Hands: 4.5
Not a big fan of either, but I enjoyed the beat more on the Atmosphere tune.
Even The Losers: N/A
Melissa: N/A
It Makes No Difference: 5
God Only Knows: 6
I thought this was going to be higher scoring than it was. I think I may have built these songs up to be more impressive in my head. Even so, the harmonizing the God Only Knows is killer.