Challenge Accepted 2.0

The Challenge: Graceland by Paul Simon

The Challenger: Todd

Rating: Weak

Response: Dashboard by Modest Mouse

Before I go into Dashboard, I feel compelled to tell my side of the Graceland story...since Todd likes to exaggerate it a little more every time he tells it.

What really happened is that like ten years ago, a bunch of us went down to El Paso for the weekend, though I don't remember why. (Seriously, WTF is in El Paso?) Nevertheless, I ended up riding back in the front seat with Todd, while Bobby and Amanda rode in the back (they luckily had portable CD players). Todd did something to annoy me and to get back at him, I put Paul Simon's Graceland on the Repeat 1 on the car stereo. I seem to remember that I was joking when I laid down and used his hand a pillow. Somehow I feel asleep and being good friend and diligent driver that Todd was, he never moved his hand and ended up listening to Graceland for about 90 minutes straight. (Not three hours or whatever other bullshit Todd would have you believe.) Pretty lame story huh? Well...I still hear about every time I go home and at least once a month via text, email, or blog. I don't mind though...Todd was been a great friend for many years and telling this story is a way to prove it. Oh well...moving on.

Dashboard by Modest Mouse seemed all too easy for this one, but it really is a perfect answer so I had to go with it instead of picking something with less of a connection. (Not bragging...just right.) It is a new song, having come out this year. It is an awesome song. I heard it once on one of the rare occasions that I was in a car listening to the radio and downloaded it as soon as I got home. It is an addictive song, even if you can't understand the lyrics. For those of you who can't...here is the official Millie review.

The Opening Line: "Well it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know, the dashboard melted but we still have the radio." Nothing exceptional about this line musically. But let's face it...as long as you've got tunes, you're alright.

As the song progresses, the car deteriorates. It moves onto..."Well the windshield was broken but I love the fresh air." Then we progress to "Well the car was on blocks but I was already where I want". In between each line is the standard "Well it would've been, could've been worse than you ever know, the dashboard melted but we still have the radio".

It Ends: "Every dawn you're surprising and the evening was consoling saying "See it wasn't quite as bad."

So there it is. It is actually a pretty positive song when you think about it. After all...everythign usually ends with "See it wasn't that bad..." It has a great beat and it is possible to sing along to. (I use the word possible because it isn't easy to sing it but it isn't that hard either.) Overall...it is worth downloading.

So Todd...once again I laugh at your challenge. Step it up my dear friend...you can do better.

I apologize for the lazy blog...I had fully intended to break down the latest soundtrack that I downloaded but I just don't have the energy that it would take to do it justice...since I am competing with Andrew's blog on the subject. I blame my slacking on too much sushi and laughing with good friends. (The perfect way to spend an evening I must say.) Tomorrow is another day.