Sending out an SOS

Tonight, a special message from Cranky Uncle Greg:

Based on the number of abstentions lately, I'm done adding the Allmusic links for band overviews and song reviews. I'm going to stick with the YouTube links and other snippets because they're really fun to dig through. But all these links are designed to help you not cop out. A fuzzily-formed vote is better than no vote.

#14 Cowboy Junkies, Sweet Jane –8 votes
defeats
#19 Postal Service, Such Great Heights – 8 votes
(1 abstention)

Analysis:
First tie of the tournament! I can block out Woody Harrelson most of the time. CJs move on.
“My theory as to why only 500 people bought an Velvet Underground album but every one of them went out and started on the band depends on the fact that every VU cover I've heard is better than the original. Each of those 500 people said, ‘These are great songs but I can make them sound a lot better.’” – Canadian Dave

#11 Billy Bragg, A New England – 11 votes
defeats
#22 Red Hot Chili Peppers, True Men Don't Kill Coyotes – 2 votes
(3 abstentions)

Analysis:
“Billy Bragg. I pushed for early, good, non-singing RHCP to make the cut, but didn't expect them to meet Mr. Bragg (and his covering sidekicks, Kirsty MacColl and To Much Joy) in the first round.” – Cranky Uncle Greg

#10 Replacements, Left of the Dial – 10 votes
defeats
#23 Sebadoh, Rebound – 5 votes
(1 abstention)

Analysis:
“So the Mats get a home game, and they cruise. When you have a song about indie rock radio in a tournament about indie rock, I think you could go far.” – CDB

#15 Wilco, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart – 9 votes
defeats
#18 Morrissey, Every Day Is Like Sunday – 7 votes

Analysis:
“I Am Trying To Break Your Heart is one of the greatest album openers ever, the constant, subtle changes, the way the instruments drop out for that one a capella part. I still wish Bennett was around, because the band could use one more fat dude with dreads and one less European on a keyboard.” –Rud (they could always hire Phillip Seymour Hoffman to stand in, y’know)

#16 Gil Scott-Heron, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – 9 votes
defeats
#17 Elvis Costello, Oliver's Army – 7 votes

Analysis:
“Elvis Costello? Even though the other day there was something that caused me to say "the revolution will not be televised, but it will be on arxiv.org!" in an attempt to mock some physicist. Oh wow, am I a dork.” – Cokehead Matt

#9 Pixies, Debaser – 12 votes
defeats
#24 The Plimsouls, A Million Miles Away – 4 votes
(1 abstention)

Analysis:
“The Pixies; smart money's on an all-Pixies Final Four.” - Rud

#12 Velvet Underground, Rock 'n' Roll – 9 votes
defeats
#21 Psychedelic Furs, Pretty In Pink – 7 votes

Analysis:
“P-Furs. Now, if you had put the original "Sweet Jane" in here, there might be more of a contest.” - Mike

#13 Tori Amos, Silent All These Years – 8 votes
defeats
#20 The Beta Band, Dry the Rain – 6 votes
(2 abstentions)

Analysis:
“Beta Band, schmeta band.” - AH

And now, the final matchups of the first round. Voting for this round will end at 9:00pm CST Sunday. Comment or email me. We'll post and tally the results then.

From the Far West Regional, from the 100 Club, London, U.K.

#14 Blondie, Rip Her to Shreds (iTunes)
vs.
#19 The (English) Beat, Tears of a Clown ( right-click or opt-click to download)
Combined, a harrowing account of how Debbie Harry beat a circus performer until she wept.

#11 New Pornographers, Letter from an Occupant (iTunes)
vs.
#22 Yo La Tengo, Sugarcube (video)
Two labelmates face off. The Mr. Show folks helped YLT make one of the funniest videos ever. Then David Cross and Carl Newman drunkenly dissed Neko in a Magnet interview.

#10 New Order, Bizarre Love Triangle(video)
vs.
#23 Laurie Anderson, O Superman(video)
Either of these songs could be about Laurie's husband, Lou Reed.

#15 The Police, Message in a Bottle (streaming audio via Youtube)
vs.
#18 Belle and Sebastian, Lazy Line Painter Jane (video)
I could pretend that I can stand this (or really any other) Police song, and I could hide the fact that this B&S song is one of my favorites of all time, but why? You'll have to listen to both songs and make your own decision. I'm going to play with my Sting voodoo doll now.

Today's matchups from the Northeast Regional, at CBGB & OMFUG, New York City, NY

#14 Hole, Doll Parts (video)
vs.
#19, Pulp, Common People (video)
Two classic public meltdowns: 2005 Friar's Club Roast meets 1996 Brit Awards. God help us if Jarvis Cocker and Ms. Love ever get together.

#11 Oasis, Supersonic(video)
vs.
#22, The Cult, She Sells Sanctuary(video)
One eyebrow or two?

#10 Beck, Where It's At(video)
vs.
#23 The Residents, Hello Skinny(iTunes)
Weirdness for its own sake meets...weirdness for its own sake. Do we really know Beck any better than we know the guys(?) behind the eyeball masks? Winner faces Björk, herself no stranger to calculated kookiness.

#15 Dead Milkmen, Bitchin' Camaro(video)
vs.
#18 Black Flag, TV Party (video)
Very different songs musically, but they're birds of a feather thematically.