SamRobertsND

• Joseph Harvey +2 — Chilling, surreal, whimsical. Something I could picture playing in an abandoned mall in a quirky dystopian sci fi movie I would love
• ared56 +1
• Peter Seeley +1 — Very strange and original
• Claire +1 — Feels wrong to vote for this but it’s a bop
• Edward James 0 — Heck yeah
• fionmul -1 — not for me at all
• Regina Scime -1 — I can’t think about North Korea without getting weirded out

• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Wow that’s an annoying chorus
• Sam Ary +1
• Claire +1 — Upvote for vegetarian slander
• Regina Scime +1
• judd.baker +1 — If this artist was already mentioned in a previous round then I confess I’ve forgotten, but I’m confident Joseph would hate this and I think it gets a lot of the particulars of anti-Josephcore right
• Edward James 0 — I can see why you would pick this, but I don’t actually think it has the elements that make this type of music annoying to Joseph. I think he will be ambivalent to this, and will think the vocal talent is impressive.
• fionmul 0 — This made me laugh. I would force him to bop to this if I played it in the car. But yeah it’s anti joseph fs. In the end got beat out by asscheek or whatever that band with the goats was.

• Peter Seeley +1 — I strongly dislike Irish nationalism, but this is a baller song.
• fionmul +1 — Chieftains and sinead is the only licit version of this for me but I appreciate an Irish song being here
• Sam Ary +1
• Edward James 0 — Didn't really strike me tbh. I think the style just doesn't really stand out to me.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Trying to do too much, no emotional punch. The delivery doesn’t help
• Claire -1 — I guess this technically tells a story in the sense that it talks about an event that happened but it just doesn’t feel like a *story.* idk quite how to articulate it. Not really a unified narrative with beginning, middle, end

• ared56 +1 — Crazy how much better this is in studio than live. I saw them open for the Black Keys.
• judd.baker +1 — This one, Cage the Elephant and Florence + The Machine all playing in the same space of indie millennialcore (and all certified bangers, let the record state) but I’m picking this one because it’s my favorite
• Claire +1 — I particularly like this as a pull for this round bc it encapsulates a slightly earlier era of millennial music than most of the other submissions
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Throwback to my Hillsdale sophomore year housemate Montie Montgomery choosing this song for the setlist of our band “gulf.” (Period included)
• Edward James 0 — This is a great pick because it really is the bridge into the millennial sound from more of a Gen X perspective. I think this just misses out on beating Florence and the machine, because they are more of an actual millennial band.
• Peter Seeley -1 — Something had to get the down vote
• Regina Scime -1

• ared56 +1
• Claire +1 — So at first I wasn’t sure about this one bc I think of this as more of a romantic yearning song, but I do think lyrically and musically it takes that romantic longing into more of an existential register. Also this album is just generational
• judd.baker +1 — I am just a sucker for this particular ELO sound, and I think it fits the round nicely. Good play from Dr. Roberts
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This song doesn’t sound like it’s from the depths. Gotta be more than lyrics in this round
• fionmul -1 — Nehh
• Regina Scime -1

• fionmul +2
• Peter Seeley +2 — A masterpiece
• Claire +1 — This is a really neat pull. So eerie
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Wow. Haunting
• shea nowicki +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Regina Scime +1 — yeah ok I see why it was named “Song of the Century”
• judd.baker +1
• Edward James 0 — I really liked this one, but I have to be pedantic and note that it was not about killing someone but about a killing

• Edward James +3 — Perfection. Best submission by far imo. I haven't come up for the word for it yet, but this is another entry in my very narrow category "Songs that sound exactly like the thing they are trying to describe". Not only do the lyrics perfectly capture falling in love, but the song sounds exactly like it feels.
• Regina Scime +2 — I love this song so much
• fionmul +1 — Ugh I’ve been waiting to do this since last time we did this round… well played obviously
• Sam Ary +1
• Claire +1 — Absolutely perfect pick. Was my second choice for this round
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I feel like everyone will vote for this so I won’t

• Peter Seeley +2 — I hate voting for this
• Claire +1 — Maybe my inner theatre kid is just unable to resist but I like this take. Even if the lyrics aren’t explicitly Jesus esque, this really is how Jesus looks at you
• Regina Scime +1
• ared56 -1

• Peter Seeley +4 — yes
• ared56 +1
• judd.baker +1 — Best shout on the list.
• Regina Scime +1
• Claire 0 — If I’d seen the movie this might work better for me. I know it’s about an 18 wheeler but I feel like this would only make me speed if I were driving a buggy
• Edward James 0 — Great choice and good song but doesn't win out for me
• fionmul 0 — Makes me wanna go a bit too fast on a dirt road ig but got beat out

• Joseph Harvey +1 — Not a song I would seek out on my own, but I can 100% picture this playing from a Bluetooth speaker on the Hangar porch
• Claire +1 — Maybe this wouldn’t have affected me as much a year ago but the wistfulness and melancholy in this one really worked. I miss being on the porch with you guys
• Sam Ary +1
• shea nowicki +1
• fionmul 0 — This is more of a driving song to me

• Claire +1 — I think there are better picks from this subgenre (ie folk choir esque attempts at African music) but the choice of this subgenre is inspired. Kicking myself that I didn’t think of it.
• Peter Seeley +1
• judd.baker +1 — Hahahahahahaha. I wonder how many black people are in fact in this choir
• shea nowicki +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Excellent take on the category.
• fionmul 0 — 🫠 I mean yeah
• Edward James 0 — I will leave as my comment one of the comments from the YouTube version I watched: "i love the song but why is their only white people. Like a damn bowl of UNFLAVORED rice! Bland. Lol they tried though."
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Clever read

• ared56 +2
• Claire +1 — Particularly fitting bc it’s also about being at the end of life
• Edward James 0 — I just don’t think a cover captures the full essence of what the category is about (x3)
• fionmul -1 — My voting this round was heavy on the “is this a “banger”?” (Since I didn’t feel like researching the career of each artist so I mainly trusted) And I liked this song but it’s not giving “banger” and there are just so many possibilities out there so I think you could have picked better.

• Joseph Harvey +2 — Brilliant, perfect submission. Bach definitely didn’t intend the spooky, villainous vibes this piece has come to be associated with. No notes
• ared56 +2
• Claire +1 — This is a perfect submission for this round
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Definitely wasn't intended to sound evil. Clever.
• shea nowicki +1
• judd.baker +1 — As Joseph once said, instrumental tracks have to work harder to get a vote and this one does. Very clever
• fionmul 0 — Bach knew what he was doin lbr

• Peter Seeley +3 — A true classic. Stan Rogers has a beautiful voice and his lyrics are unique. Who else could make such a bittersweet song about economic decline (which does benefit the whales)? For that matter who else sings about economic decline and whales in the same song?
• fionmul +2 — Stan is my one that got away 🫰 Flukes mentioned!!?
• ared56 +1
• judd.baker +1 — Beautiful. Tremendous pull
• Edward James +1 — No notes. It's just too perfect.
• Claire +1 — This is sweet and he has a lovely voice
• shea nowicki +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Gorgeous. Even though this has been submitted before (by yours truly), cannot resist
• Sam Ary +1
• Regina Scime +1 — Ok there’s something about Stan Rogers that just soothes my soul
• Brad Stalcup +1

• Regina Scime +1 — Gotta upvote for the interesting choice
• judd.baker +1 — Clever
• Edward James 0 — Can’t say I get it
• fionmul 0 — I like this read. I have never read these lyrics before; wow. Well done, Sammy. I'm p sure I have never not voted for an LotR submission; it is just such an all-time soundtrack. However, it was displaced from my podium by a couple of songs that matched the aesthetic better which I suppose I decided was a priority for me, clever as this may have been.
• Peter Seeley 0 — Anything sung in persona Gollum must be sung by a whiny teenage boy. Having it sung by a skilled woman just doesn't work.
• Claire 0 — Maybe this is a heretical take but I don’t actually like this song very much. And it’s almost too genuinely despairing to fit the theme imo
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Ha. Amusing read but not quite
• Brad Stalcup 0 — 2q2www
• shea nowicki -1

• Brad Stalcup +1 — Melancholy girl pop is a sure way in, and the lyrics really fit Therese. I'd bet my life savings that whoever submitted this is female. Claire?
• fionmul 0 — I know you probably have some deep reason for submitting this and it’s hard when you put a lot of thought into your submission and people listen a time or 2 and judge it. This was better than some but still not particular enough imo. Also during listening to this I realized finding a French song would have been cute. I might try to find some for fun. This has the soft feminine sound but just not quite it to me Judd.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I fail to see the connection
• Claire 0 — I feel like the connection is sorta tenuous here
• judd.baker 0 — As Joseph correctly clocked, I am contractually forbidden from downvoting Natalie. But personally I would have gone with Hearts Aglow.
• shea nowicki -1

• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — The other tearjerker on here. No idea if Shea likes country, but this works for me
• Claire +1 — I liked this, and more importantly I’d imagine Shea would, musically and lyrically (and I’m not just saying that bc I also submitted a song about a family member dying)
• shea nowicki +1 — The only song I'd heard before and I think the one that mastered my sound best. This song gets me dancing no matter what and would honestly probably be the soundtrack for the montage of my junior year at Benedictine 🥹 very good mems!
• Regina Scime +1
• Edward James +1 — Every time I hear Zach Bryan, I realize more that he’s actually a real artist. I feel like Shea would love this, can’t confirm, but I feel it.
• fionmul 0 — I think she probably already knows this but I do think this is a good ZB pick for Shea. I don't think it's her submission though. I think ZB is adjacent of "Shea would love" territory.
• judd.baker 0 — My favorite of this list by far, and I think Shea would probably dig
• Spicey Riche -1

• shea nowicki +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — I feel like ih ave to upvote every ELO song I hear in this one.
• Regina Scime +1
• Spicey Riche +1
• fionmul 0 — It sounded like he was saying sacred heart haha if only
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I love this song (possibly my favorite ELO), but I think there are better ELO choices for this round here. Not hype enough
• Claire 0 — Thought about submitting this one. The most obviously space-y lyrically, but musically it also has a space vibe. Then again I guess this round has shown that ELO’s musical style just is the quintessential space vibe. Narrowly beat out

• ared56 +1
• Regina Scime +1
• Peter Seeley 0 — If I had five votes, this would get one.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I’d fall asleep before dying listening to this
• judd.baker 0 — I found this very boring
• Edward James 0 — Dead Man's Gun from RDR1 would be my choice in this genre. A great pick, but for my read of theme I am primarily rewarding songs I would want playing.

• Edward James +1 — Wonderful to not have any idea what sort of nonsense REM was whinging on about in this song. Maybe my fave REM song because I on had to hear it and not understand it.
• shea nowicki +1
• judd.baker +1 — I am so delighted to see R.E.M. here. In addition to being a great song, this one and almost everything on their first EP and full record could work for this category. Michael Stipe had a magic skill for murky songwriting. I’ve known this song for probably 20 years and I still, to this day, do not know all the words. Never looked them up. Maybe never will. It’s like a beautiful piece of just-barely-discernible nonsense that I can happily mumble along to.
• fionmul 0 — The words are too quiet but not thatttt unclear
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I feel like a big part of the reason you can't hear this one is b/c of bad mixing, not because of mumbly singer.
• Claire 0 — Moderately unintelligible but not the worst offender. You can definitely make out the title of the song
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This has a cool 70s prog vibe!
• Sam Ary 0 — Decipherable.

• Peter Seeley +2
• fionmul +1 — This is so good too! And I love Bruce
• Edward James +1 — Also wanted this to work so badly, but it just doesn’t totally fit beyond the “hungry heart” concept. The rest of it…. Wait never mind. I’m reasoning my way into it. The part about him leaving his wife and child made me think of Augustine, leaving his partner and child to devote his life to God. So then the rest of the song didn’t fit. But if you read it as just recognizing the Hunger of the heart Eavan, amen the brokenness, then it really does fit.
• judd.baker +1 — flawless. Great pick
• Sam Ary +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Yes, this is a core Augustine theme. But there’s really just one line in this that connects.
• Claire 0 — This is accurate for sure. Less about Augustine himself and more about a universal phenomenon that he articulated. Perfectly valid read but didn’t quite make podium for me

• Joseph Harvey +2 — Before I even realized what this was, the first second had already locked in my vote
• Edward James +1 — I am mad that I have to vote for this. Seems too obvious among this group. But it's viral for a reason.
• Regina Scime +1 — For the memory…
• fionmul +1 — i mean... yeah ofc but the original by Baker Judd is better
• Sam Ary +1
• Peter Seeley 0 — Like it.
• Claire 0 — This is pleasant
• judd.baker 0 — Too easy

• Edward James +1 — Perfect submission, stolen from me. Congrats Sammy. Truly one of the best songs of the 2010s. I used to listen to this on repeat in my dorm senior year. To me, this song is like Jimmy Johns. Sometimes you think you don't want it, but then as soon as you take the first bite, you realize you were wrong. I have never listened to this without enjoying it.
• Claire +1 — Feels like an Eddie pick? This was perhaps the one this round I was most surprised by—that is, I really hadn’t ever listened to the lyrics carefully so I had no idea how sad it was
• Spicey Riche +1
• Peter Seeley 0 — Fits category. Good beat
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Lyrics are not sad enough
• judd.baker 0 — Does not sound distinctly happy. However Eddie you never fail to remind me of totally forgotten songs I used to hear on Atlanta’s mid-2010s alternative rock radio station, and for that I thank you
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Didn't much care for the song, but definitely fits the bill. Just ran out of votes.

• Peter Seeley +2 — This guy nails the category.
• fionmul +1 — Woah
• Edward James +1 — Of the country ones, this was my fave. Seems the least self-aware
• ared56 +1
• judd.baker +1 — I think any other black artist doing country music would get passed over at best because of the undeniable black roots of country music, but Charley Pride and Nashville sound is certainly a (perhaps the) textbook example of black people doing white people music.
• Claire +1 — Game recognizes game
• Peter Staffelbach +1 — Would have bet my whole family against this dude not being white
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Black people playing country? Lil Nas X was not the first to do it, folks.

• fionmul +1
• Edward James +1 — Richard will disagree, but the millennial contingent would have rocked with this
• Sam Ary +1
• shea nowicki +1
• ared56 +1
• Spicey Riche 0 — Crank that?! This song sucked in middle school and it sucks now.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Fond memories of 9th grade homecoming on this one.
• Claire 0 — I love this song but this just doesn’t strike me as a particularly Richard core dance (like eg the Wobble does). I’d love to be proven wrong though
• Joseph Harvey -1 — Would Richard get down to this? Perhaps. But I just cannot
• Peter Seeley -1

• judd.baker +1 — Initially I was gonna pass this one over because it takes too long for the hook to arrive, I think an essential feature of the end credits track is that the hook drops in exactly with the fade to black; too much build up ruins it. However I realized many other submissions did something similar, as though the final scene plays through the first 30 seconds or so and the fade to black drops in at like 0:39. Graded on that curve, this becomes one of the standouts I think
• Regina Scime +1 — I don’t think I’ve ever listened to an entire song of The Who… I really enjoyed this!
• fionmul 0 — I lowkey hear this more as the beginning of a movie
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I can’t picture when it would cut to black in this song. Intro is way too long
• ared56 -1
• Edward James -1 — I think this would be a better movie opener. Playing as the narrator voice lays out the context and the characters move about their average day. I downvote ONLY because of all the songs it's the only one where I thought "I don't see it".

• fionmul +1 — Friendship goals frfr ☺️😊🥹
• Peter Seeley +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — *Katie from halfway across the house* IS THAT ROBIN HOOD?
• Edward James -1 — I'm not gonna lie this just vaguely annoyed me. I have no explanation for myself.

• Spicey Riche +3 — 💰
• fionmul +1 — Nice strings I do love sappy country Poetry This is the type of thing that would make my mom cry and I understand every year even more
• ared56 +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Beautiful. Tales of enduring love always get me.
• Claire +1 — I suspected Sammy might submit this. I really do like the read where the tears are poignant but not sad
• Edward James 0 — Good Sammy pick. Didn’t get the tears, but I enjoyed it.

• Joseph Harvey +1 — This is absolutely stellar. I’m sure Regina will recognize that there is far more musical substance to this than any of the other jazz-pop tracks on here. I upvote in that hope
• Claire +1 — I like this read: a song that’s not squarely in the typical Regina genre but that I feel like she would probably enjoy. And the fact that it’s steely dan just sweetens the deal
• Spicey Riche +1 — Eddie
• Edward James 0 — This is such an incredible song that I can’t imagine Regina won’t like it. But I also don’t know if I think it will make her top three. Let’s all just sit back and enjoy the fact that a jazz fusion song about prehistoric cave paintings exists.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Man, I love this one. Horn lines are just tasty.
• Regina Scime 0 — first of all, the cover art would give me sleep paralysis nightmares lol. ok horn line! Harmonic intrigue!! It’s giving Chicago, which I love. love the saxophone! If I had another upvote, it would have gone to you:)

• Edward James +1 — To me, this is the song that best encapsulates the feel of actually being at a diner at the perfect moment for all the possible emotions it can create. A calm early morning, late night, feeling all the humanity of the people around you radiating out in all their goodness and brokenness. Long live the diner.
• Regina Scime +1
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul 0 — Fits enough
• Peter Seeley 0 — Good.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Pretty interesting in the moment but also forgettable
• Claire 0 — A close runner up for me but ultimately lost out bc it was the most normie of my top 4 contenders
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I can definitely imagine myself sipping coffee while this plays through the grainy speaker barely audible over local news.
• ared56 -1 —

• Joseph Harvey +3 — 🏆 The only submission (besides my own) that rises to the level of travesty. Degenerate, repetitive, utterly boring, and yet catchy enough to stay stuck in your head. I hate this kind of vapid major key rock and roll and this is an especially egregious example.
• ared56 +1 — If he knows/knew what this was about? Certainly.
• Claire +1 — NB: I (Claire) considered submitting this and now I’m kicking myself that I didn’t go with it “I think my knowledge of Joseph’s musical dislikes is incomplete because it doesn’t seem that bad to me” -Fiona
• judd.baker +1 — either this is Alex or Alex appeared to OP in a dream and told him/her to post this
• fionmul 0 — “This riff is so good” *dances* - Claire
• Edward James 0 — I think this is the best content choice, but don’t think Joseph would actually hate it
• Spicey Riche -1

• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Sure, based on vibes alone
• fionmul +1 — Homeschooled edgy
• Claire +1 — Hard to evaluate without reading the content of the movie into it, but I do think this song sufficiently captures the right vibe on its own. So good
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Wasn't going to give this one a vote except I was working out while listening and felt a new surge of being-back halfway through a set while this was playing.
• Peter Seeley 0 — No.
• judd.baker -1

• fionmul +1 — I mean, maybe the definitive answer. ❄️🤘🏼🥶😥🤧😰 Funny how I’m back in Indiana as I listen. But I prefer the acoustic and I just wish this artist would release it on Spotify. Maybe I’ll slide into his dms 🤔.
• Corey +1 — Anthem for impending departure.
• Regina Scime +1
• Claire +1 — Incredible pull for this category
• shea nowicki +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Amateurish. This guy needs to learn how to sing. And stop whining
• Peter Seeley 0 — Listening to this as I drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. It's 70 degrees and sunny. I grin. A single word escapes my lips: 'schadenfreude'.
• Edward James 0 — Incredible pull for this round. In an ironic twist, I think the song Joseph actually submitted is going to get a vote over this one.
• Brad Stalcup 0 — Good pocket pick. But I actually enjoyed this song quite a bit. This is some of Joseph Harvey's more broad-appeal stuff. I prefer the 7 minute Jordan Peterson inspired tracks.

• Joseph Harvey +1 — This actually made me laugh. Well done
• Edward James +1 — I really liked this, it was super clever.
• ared56 +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — This song appeals to the frugal part of me. You know the one that made a vow of poverty at one point. But not the part of me that made a vow of chastity.
• Claire +1 — This is not the lil dicky song I thought of submitting for this round. I do, however, enjoy it
• fionmul 0 — This made me dance. We need a “try not to dance” round
• SamRobertsND 0 — I really should've done "Short People" by Randy Newman
• Regina Scime -1
• Corey -1

• Regina Scime +1 — Normally, I don’t like breakup songs (or breakup-adjacent songs). I can’t really relate to them, and I just don’t quite understand why people like listening to them. BUT THIS SONG CHANGED MY ******* BRAIN CHEMISTRY I will never be the same
• Claire +1 — Great song, and the sax really enhances the poignant angsty vibes
• SamRobertsND 0 — December 27, 2013, for instance. Driving home at night in Louisville, KY. Delilah on the radio. This song is playing. Such good memories.
• fionmul 0 — Ehhh
• Peter Seeley 0 — Good.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This was a lovely song. I wish the saxophone were more prominent, but that part at the end is lovely
• ared56 -1
• Edward James -1 — This song is a banger, and I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. But I don’t think the saxophone is a major component of it . Probably the song where the saxophone does the least for the overall vibe. Hence my downvote.
• Brad Stalcup -1 — I could barely hear the sax and I don't really
• Spicey Riche -1 — This isn’t even a saxophone
• judd.baker -1 — Sax part is decent but making me sit through 4+ minutes of this song to get to it is criminal

• ared56 +3
• Spicey Riche +2 — This gave me goosebumps, goosebumps of yearning.
• Claire +1 — Okay this is kinda corny but I like it. I’ve only seen a couple episodes of community so I have zero idea what the context is. Tbh I’m also just really pleased to see Donald Glover on a ML playlist
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Man, what a pick. Saw this on the list and couldn't wait to get to it. Knowing someone's out there loving you and the eagerness to meet them definitely constitutes longing.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Truly awful on every level
• SamRobertsND 0 — This song is about a rat.
• Peter Seeley 0 — I don't yearn for this.
• Edward James 0 — Sorry Richard or Alex, not gonna work
• judd.baker 0 — wait this is perfect actually
• Regina Scime -1 — phenomenal song, but deeply disappointed that you didn’t choose the Linda Ronstadt/James Ingram version…
• Corey -1 — I don't necessarily have a point against this song, but it had to go somewhere. Forgive me.

• Corey +2 — At the bottom of this league lies a big, big song.
• Spicey Riche +1 — Never heard this before, but it was excellent.
• Sam Ary +1
• judd.baker +1 — When I was a kid, my family used to listen to Old Time Radio, and they would play the original CBS radio commercials from the 1950s. Half of them were commercials for cigarettes, pills, or Pepsi, and the other half were charming public service ads. In the latter category was this series of ads that were literally just retellings of old American tall tales like Paul Bunyan. This song captures that vibe exactly. Wonderful stuff
• Edward James 0 — This was so good, classic Americana mythos. 5th place for me, just misses a vote.
• fionmul 0 — Sorry this just isn’t a song it’s a guy talking
• Joseph Harvey 0 — The plaque just says “he was a really big guy”??? He saved your ungrateful lives! Come on this is stupid
• Brad Stalcup -1 — A cool story of heroism and sacrifice. But not really a song.

• Spicey Riche +2 — If there is a lobby between purgatory and heaven, this is the best approximation of the music there. And if there is a man who may be tempted to forego the beatific vision for a Nintendo themed auricular delight, well I hope that man is Corey.
• Edward James +1 — Not only knowing this exists, but then finding it on Spotify, elevates this to near perfection.
• Peter Seeley +1 — He literally listens to this stuff all the time, it just has funny names like "Samurai Chicken Genshen" or "Honkey Tonk Sushimi Crusaders"
• fionmul 0 — Should have saved for the sax round!
• Corey 0 — A potent rendition of a very nostalgic song. Nevermind, forget what I said, this saxophone is amazing. It has baritone? I feel seen. That genre shift is bonkers in Yonkers.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I’m torn on this. This feels almost a little obvious in a lazy way - just “video games plus jazz”. If you wanted to go the video games route, there are far more Corey-coded ways to go. Good idea, B- execution. Still, this song is a total banger
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I don't know if I can vote for this one. But I definitely want to hear Corey's sultry voice talking about something over these smooth bars.
• judd.baker 0 — Listening to this whole track made me appreciate anew how excellent the Mii Channel theme is from a video game music engineering perspective
• Regina Scime 0 — I’d like to think Corey vibes with this…

• judd.baker +1 — Yup. Definitive for a reason. No remarks. 10/10
• Edward James 0 — I love this song, and it's a cruising song for sure, but would not be my kickoff song.
• Peter Seeley 0 — I'd say this is great for the second day of the road trip, but not as a starter.

• judd.baker +2 — A psalm of 2pac
• ared56 +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Claire +1 — Enjoyed this pull. This is also how I learned that Spotify censors the n word in its lyrics (assuming this is Alex but perhaps Sam??)
• Regina Scime +1
• Edward James 0 — Amazing song, and a great idea going with some 90s rap, but I didn’t see this as much of a Memento Mori
• Brad Stalcup 0 — A song about death, but memento mori?
• fionmul -1 — Just dont vibe with this although it’s on theme. I think I wanted something a bit more serious and deep and the genre is hard to take that way for me

• Regina Scime +1 — I vibe with this!
• Claire +1 — Twilight soundtrack = automatic upvote. It doesn’t get much more millenialcore than that. Also just genuinely incredible soundtracks
• judd.baker +1 — I had never heard this before, I really liked it
• fionmul 0 — Nostalgia factor is nonexistent for me here
• Brad Stalcup 0 — I think only Joseph would believe that Muse was "millennialcore" edit: Apparently there was another Muse song submitted... so I stand corrected.
• Joseph Harvey -1 — Glorious. What a wonderful musical journey. I love how the French part feels like a totally different world to the rest of the song and then they bring it back into main song, it’s very effective and unique. I sang along to this in the car like a total goofball. This was legit one of my favorite songs in college, when I was obsessed with Muse. Unfortunately, this is not millennialcore in any sense except being by a band active during peak millennial years

• Joseph Harvey +2 — This is absolutely sick and atrocious. My stomach was turned, I cringed and offered a prayer. Well done
• Edward James +1 — The ultimate anthem of gaslit, gatekept, girlbossed. Don't think like me? Guess you're not feminine, guess you're not a woman. Love the meta conception of the theme as women gaslighting, gatekeeping, and girlbossing the very concept of womanhood away from other women. Inspired read, and wins a vote despite the song actually sucking so bad.
• Regina Scime +1
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Great song (I hated it)
• Claire 0 — Idk this doesn’t land for me bc it feels like it’s just trying way too hard
• fionmul -1 — I just think the title was looking for more than angry nasty promiscuous liberal woman.

SamRobertsND: Mostly cloudy. You'd think there'd be more stars at the end of the earth. Finding the Ulaanbaatar Young Adult Scene to be "somewhat less active than I had anticipated," Joseph wanders the byways of the ancient capital on another wasted Friday night. First South Bend, then DC, now Ulanbator, what next? When will it end? The Miata rumbles over the cobble, and Joseph returns to the apartment bloc, opening another can of cabbage and another can of worms. Mostly cloudy. And yet. The window is quite nice. The city sprawls forth, illuminated by streetlights, televisions through windows, light lamps in nurseries and yak dairies. Joseph gazes out with glistening eye and smiles. Another cloudy bright Ulaanbaatar night.

• Joseph Harvey +1 — Incredible bit and the song is the cherry on top
• Brad Stalcup +1 — Folk-sounding Mongolian acoustic music? Definitely hearing you out here. Sammy. Caption is a dead giveaway.
• Corey +1 — Hanggai is a band I continually forget until I hear them, and remember what's there to like.
• fionmul 0 — This story was lowkey beautiful. Joseph, ever our muse and protagonist lol. But this song didn’t make an impression. I think this is Brad but idk. Could be Sammy but he seemed to suggest he submitted pop so I think he’s cascada ? Or maybe that’s Eddie
• SamRobertsND 0 — The accordion reminds me of a Studio Ghibli film, like Kiki's Delivery Service or Something
• Edward James 0 — THIS IS JUST A NORMAL SONG IN MONGOLIAN

SamRobertsND: German Romantic opera set after the Thirty Years War and centered around an enchanted marksman

• Corey +2 — I didn't know I needed this in my life. Although the question is, does Alex? We may never know, but as the self appointed steward, I'm casting my vote.
• Edward James +1 — YES
• Claire +1 — I feel like thematically he’d be super down. Musically I could see it going either way. We’re gonna hope he digs it
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Doesn’t get any more Alex. Perfect submission
• fionmul 0 — Ugh why am I vibing so hard with all of these songs 😭 I loved this and the description sounds alex vibes but I just don’t see him listening to this stuff Regeen?
• Regina Scime 0 — Iconic
• ared56 0 — Sami, I’m sorry. Not a big opera guy. 9
• Brad Stalcup -1
• shea nowicki -1 — I love this!!! But it didn't make me think of Alex! I want to be wrong tho!
• judd.baker -1 — I don’t think I get it. Maybe I don’t understand Alex (or opera) enough.

• judd.baker +2
• Sam Ary +1
• Claire +1 — This is surely Sammy. And yet I’m voting for it anyway—why, you ask? Because it’s sassy, and in that sense, it captures the spirit of the 💅
• Corey +1
• Edward James 0 — I don’t actually think this is a good pull for the category, but it’s a great song
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I’m assuming this was Sammy. Very fun song
• shea nowicki -1

• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Sorry, folks, the park is closed. The moose out front shoulda told ya.
• fionmul 0 — Ok so you submitted the 2024 remaster? SMH. Jk but would love to hear all these on cassette 😔🤌🏽
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Unmemorable
• Edward James 0 — This is a banger, especially for being barely 2 min long. But not the vibe for me.

SamRobertsND: I’m not crying there’s something my eye

• fionmul +1 — 😭🥹🥰🙏🏼
• ared56 +1
• Regina Scime +1 — I have to, he’s the best
• shea nowicki +1
• Edward James 0 — Fun choice and fun to hear (I’m realizing I don’t think I’ve ever heard JPII speak until now).
• judd.baker 0 — Creative read of the category and honestly I love JPII’s voice. I had heard this exact Pater Noster before, something about his sweet, grandfatherly, Polish-accented Latin feels like a definitive version of this chant in my imagination. (Not enough upvotes tho)
• Claire 0 — Papa 🥲🥲

SamRobertsND: Outer space horizons, symphony of synth, West German Woman cries into the long dark night.

• fionmul +1 — Would you believe me if I said I thought about submitting a Nena song?
• ared56 +1
• judd.baker +1 — Incredible work. I have heard zero other Nena songs besides 99 Luftballons, but this song (like The Redeemers track) suggests a career that was just filled with her doing other great things in her genre.
• Joseph Harvey -1 — Torment. That was 7 minutes I will never get back
• Claire -1 — I love Nena’s voice but song itself is forgettable imo. The long intro really detracts from the song too. Hard to pick a downvote bc there’s a reason none of these songs are popular…but I had to downvote one. Sorry Sammy

• judd.baker 0 — I liked this much less than the other Japanese track personally. But far be it for me to say Sammy wouldn’t like it
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Too modern. Vintage-flavored J pop was the move as mentioned elsewhere
• Claire 0 — Good shout to whoever else also went with Japanese music. A cool song but I am out of votes alas
• SamRobertsND 0 — I discovered this band via a collaboration w/ CHVRCHES, and they've become one of my favorites (they're not really known outside Japan). I thought of doing a Yellow Magic Orchestra song, as the electronica that they pioneered in late 70s Japan is and begat some of the best music ever made. This is the granddaughter of that sound, layering more recent JPop on a techno foundation. As much as I agree with Eddie about production/sound not being everything, sometimes production/sound is the whole point, as it is here (song is about a hardware store & its Aladdin-themed cleaning products lol). Claire got the Japan factor, but Nippon EDM is really my favorite in that musicscape. I used to listen to this type of stuff more in high school and college, and in digging into the depths of my interests for this round, I remembered how much I love this genre and am excited to return to it. If you liked this, I recommend their songs Onyankopon, Melos, and Zeami (most of you probably hate it tho lol).
• Edward James -1 — Sadly, I think this one misses the mark. Not sure if this is Japanese or Korean, but the thought was right in including something like it. However, the specific type of international fusion Sammy likes is not the kind of dance influenced type that this represents.
• fionmul -1 — Sounds like a song that plays in the club abroad as you realize you've been roofied. On the real tho it bored me but then got cooler. I think in the end it came as a jarring finish to the playlist and I had to downvote something sry.
• ared56 -1

• Joseph Harvey +1 — Great choice Sammy. This is beautiful and poetic
• Claire +1 — Just devastating. This song breaks my heart every time I listen to it. Assuming this is a Sammy pick. Well played
• judd.baker +1 — Lyrically this is perfect, I think this is a bullseye for the theme. It’s not just sad, it’s devastated
• fionmul 0 — Almost there for me, maybe a 5th or 4th vote. I listened and heard mainly a story but wanted to hear him cry out more explicitly.
• Edward James 0 — Fantastic song, but I agree with Fiona again here that this is more a story and not a cry from the depths, which is what I was looking for
• SamRobertsND 0 — My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
• Regina Scime -1

• Joseph Harvey +1 — I have a feeling Claire would like Chance. There’s some cool delivery in the verses, but I’m not sold on the coughing samples in the chorus. Still a cool pick
• judd.baker +1 — I think this is an enlightened read of the category
• Claire +1 — This was the submission that impressed me the most. You had no way of knowing that I listened to this song every night of my freshman year of college while playing pool. But this is exactly the sort of hip hop/rap music that I really really dig, and gets at a side of my music taste that isn’t always as obvious. I hope, as Eddie suggested in the chat, that Chance makes his comeback soon.
• Edward James 0 — Sadly I think this is a case of “amazing taste, poor execution”. Going with a Chance song is a good move, but I don’t think this is the right song for the theme.
• SamRobertsND 0 — Claire was adopted by Chicago
• fionmul -1 — If Claire loves this I must just really not know her
• Regina Scime -1

SamRobertsND: Anonymous inmate recorded in 1947-48.

• judd.baker +1 — Moving. Excellent
• Regina Scime +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Peter: "Very haunting and raw, unpolished. I like it." I love that it's an anonymous inmate. Wrongfully imprisoned man? Petty criminal? Hardened murderer? We'll never know. The reverberation of the jail and the background noises of inmates adds a lot.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Haunting
• fionmul 0 — i thought this was a great song, just not enough votes!
• Edward James 0 — I’ve heard a lot of versions of this song, and this is one of the best for sure. If you don’t know, Alan Lomax traveled the country for years finding folk and blues artists and recording them. Probably one of the greatest contributions to popularizing American music, as it led directly to the folk/blues revival in the 60s which influence mainstream music till today. It nearly misses my vote only because I’m well familiar with it, and I feel like others deserve more recognition for an interesting read of the theme.
• Claire 0 — Really cool. If I had another vote to give to it I could.

SamRobertsND: Original by King Harvest

• fionmul 0 — Ok this is cool! Unsure if I quite like it better though, than its original or than some other of these songs.
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Where’s the bass?? Doesn’t add anything to the original for me
• Claire 0 — This one felt like it went on about a minute too long. But I appreciate the way it figures out which sounds and techniques work to rework this song in a completely different genre
• Edward James 0 — The only parts of this song that really got me grooving were the parts where they use the backup vocals from the OG. It’s a fun interpretation but can’t hold a candle to the original imo.
• judd.baker -1 — This is simply not better than the original. The chorus sounds mostly the same and the verses are mildly worse
• Sam Ary -1 — Not for me sorry the OG is better imo
• Regina Scime -1 — How dare you posit this as better than King Harvest. Who raised you?

• Claire +1 — I like this one a lot because rather than picking something random just bc Fiona would like it, Sammy has correctly (imo) identified a point where Sammycore and Fionacore intersect. Lovely song too
• Edward James 0 — Reeks of Sammy submission
• fionmul 0 — Fi the country girl/resignedly unrequited lover: The album cover reminds me of the prodigal son hitting rock bottom. BUT THE LYRICS idk who put this but it’s a personal attack. Someone who knows something mayhaps. But in sum I liked the words a lot and it overall grew on me and grew onto the podium like a stubborn viney plant.🥉bronze

• fionmul +1 — yep yep yep
• ared56 +1
• Edward James +1 — The year: 2003. Your cousin is returning from his second deployment to Afghanistan and your aunt is holding a barbecue to welcome him home. His 18 year old girlfriend Kathy is pregnant but neither of them knows it yet. As you put down your carton of Bug Juice™(the fluorescent blue one), you see your aunt’s third husband, Daryl, smoking a cigarette as he places a few more dogs on the grill, silhouetted by a gentle sunset. All is right in the world.
• Sam Ary +1
• judd.baker 0 — If I had a nickel for every song on this playlist about getting someone to cheat on their spouse, I would have two nickels
• Claire 0 — Narrowly missed my top 3. Uncle Kracker is unquestionably grillcore but I felt like lyrically other songs of his would have been a better fit. Respect the submission though
• [DELETED] -1

• [DELETED] +3
• shea nowicki +1
• Edward James +1 — Bullseye
• fionmul +1 — I wanted to submit this hell yeah
• Regina Scime +1 — Hmmm
• judd.baker +1 — Absolutely inspired choice
• Claire +1 — the good doctor cooked with this one (and unfortunately scooped another member of this league who will remain anonymous)
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Boo hoo, I am gainfully employed

• judd.baker +1 — Can’t resist. It’s so great
• Claire +1 — No notes. Lyrically spot on, absolute banger. Well played by the good doctor
• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Banger. Great angle on falling in love with the denial and whatnot
• fionmul 0 — Being in denial about being in love isn't the same as falling to me but perhaps it's part of it for some? idk. Narrowly escaped the downvote since I think the song is overrated but it isn't from Shrek lmao
• Edward James 0 — I loved both Disney songs this round, but have to vote for the other because it surprised me while this is a tried and true classic

• Claire +1 — I don’t think I realized until this listen just how much the lyrics could be about Jesus. And musically it has just the right blend of melancholy and consolation
• Joseph Harvey +1 — I’m not excited about the song but the thematic connection is there
• ared56 +1
• Sam Ary +1
• [DELETED] +1
• judd.baker 0 — I’ve never thought of this song as Christological before but now every time I hear it I will think of St. Faustina. Thank you for this
• Edward James 0 — Also a great submission and idea, but one that just didn’t hit home fully for me. I do thing the line “after my picture fades” gets to the constancy of Christ’s love
• fionmul 0 — I do NOT have enough votes. This gets my imaginary 4th

• [DELETED] +3
• ared56 +1
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul 0 — Lonesome fella and sad boy are different to me
• judd.baker 0 — I like the interpretation of the theme but it’s a stacked round, I’m sorry
• Edward James 0 — Correct, and an all time great song. But you have to properly interpret the zeitgeist, and this does not reflect such study
• Claire -1 — The cowboy has chosen a lonesome life. If he’s sad it’s his own damn fault

• fionmul +1 — no oxford comma is disappointing but this was a really good submission.
• Claire 0 — Enjoyed this one a lot musically but title wasn’t wild enough to secure a top spot for me
• judd.baker 0 — This song gave me a heart they can’t medicate
• Joseph Harvey 0 — I can see what they’re going for
• Edward James -1 — Not a hard enough title for what I then had to listen to.
• Sam Ary -1

• Claire +1 — The harmonies in this are so good and we know Joseph loves a good harmony
• judd.baker +1 — Good song and I think Joseph would like but it’s just not as memorable. Still upvoting for diversity in interpreting the theme tho
• [DELETED] +1
• Sam Ary +1
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Good song, but kind of an unsatisfying arrangement. The king may need to look into getting better singers
• Edward James 0 — Joseph’s English blood will only allow him the appropriate amount of enjoyment here. Impossible for it to ascend to the necessary heights to unseat other options.
• fionmul 0 — the lack of effort in this selection is relatable but yeah… lacking

SamRobertsND: "Alright, big fella! Let's crash this party!"

• Sam Ary +1 — Nice.
• fionmul +1 — "ferrari, definitely ferrari " "somebody having a really good day like Gru having a good day"
• Edward James +1 — Hell yeah (3)
• judd.baker +1 — Strong contender
• ared56 +1
• Claire +1 — Sammy Roberts: known Shrek 2 enjoyer. Unfortunately for my competitive chances, this song is a generational banger (not to mention the fact that I sang it in footloose the musical in 2019). I have no choice but to upvote
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Almost, but the length of the song drags
• Regina Scime 0 — Not enough upvotes:(

• ared56 +2
• Joseph Harvey +2 — YES! Someone understood the assignment as they say
• Sam Ary +1
• fionmul +1 — see, this is it
• Edward James +1 — Perfection. Bravo. A testament to the genre
• Regina Scime +1

SamRobertsND: Anxiety. Fear. Dread. Hope. Courage. Peace. An incredibly cathartic song that spans the whole emotional spectrum and can always be returned to.

• fionmul +1 — I would draw strength to somehow make my way home with this sort of soundtrack
• ared56 +1
• Regina Scime +1
• Edward James 0 — Too melancholic for endless desert Island listening

SamRobertsND: The climax of any great bar karaoke night. In Miller Lite fueled joy, the whole place is belting out the last refrain together. No other song comes close for me in fun and finality.

• Joseph Harvey +2 — I can see George singing this. Also the prechorus is Sting-y
• ared56 +2
• Edward James +2 — As Helen demonstrated, aligning song choice with the vibe can propel a great performance to an electric one. This would have me weeping (as it typically does). Debated giving but 3 votes until I learned I can’t
• Regina Scime +1
• judd.baker +1
• fionmul 0 — I know what you mean! I just think there is a huge difference between bar karaoke and south bend idol

• [DELETED] +2
• fionmul 0 — I am a words girl but it was vibey fs

• ared56 +2
• Regina Scime +2
• fionmul +1 — “she still laughs with me but she waits just a second too long” this won my last vote
• judd.baker +1 — “A question ain’t really a question if you know the answer too”
• Edward James +1 — Love the focus on the brutality of knowing it’s ending but it hasn’t yet
• shea nowicki +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Nice enough

• Edward James +2 — I feel like I’ve heard this before….but in the initial verse I wanted to hate it…..and then it got me good. I have been had, and for that, 2 votes. It do be like that.
• judd.baker +2 — Existential banger
• shea nowicki +2
• [DELETED] +1
• ared56 +1
• fionmul 0 — samuel l roberts SJPhD? I like the Lizzy one better though
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Chicken wing as a lyric is an instant turn off

• ared56 +2
• [DELETED] +2
• Edward James +1 — Sadly….this is the perfect song for this theme
• judd.baker +1 — Awake at 3am in 2001
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Why does he have to sing like that though
• fionmul 0 — I fw this song but not for this round sry

SamRobertsND: You have to understand how rebellious singing “bikinis on top” made a sheltered teenager feel

• ared56 +2
• Edward James +2 — My millennial bias is showing, but this is THE hot girl summer song
• Regina Scime +1
• fionmul 0 — LMAO
• Joseph Harvey 0 — This song causes me pain

SamRobertsND: “ And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.”

• [DELETED] +2
• Joseph Harvey +2 — Banger
• ared56 +1
• Edward James +1

• Regina Scime +2
• fionmul +1 — Always fire
• Edward James +1
• ared56 +1
• shea nowicki +1 — under pressure with 99.9% of my decisions, tbh
• judd.baker +1