The amount of music I have by Ryan Adams is ridiculous.  In fact, I could probably write an mp3 blog dedicated solely to his music and have enough material for at least a year or so.  (I won’t be doing that, in case you were wondering.)  In fact, because space on my computer is limited, I have literally 18-20 CDs of music by him that’s not immediately accessible to me on my computer.

But last night, after I turned off the Mets game out of frustration, I was scrolling through my iPod, listening for something to write about, and I came across all of my songs by Mr. Adams.  And here are two of my favorites of his extensive list of b-sides and alternates.  One you’ve heard in a different form, the other you may not have heard at all.  Who knows?  Maybe he won’t record anymore, and we’ll never hear a new song from him.  We’ll all just have to live off of compilations released by his former labels.  Let’s hope not.

Ryan Adams – La Cienega Just Smiled (The Suicide Handbook Version) (mp3)

This is a simpler, prettier version of a song I liked in its released version.  It seems a lot more sad, too.

Ryan Adams – Hypnotixed (mp3) from the UK/Japan release of Rock N Roll

Fans of Ryan Adams are divided on how good Rock N Roll actually is.  (Great album?  Or greatest album?)  I personally like the album a lot.  “So Alive” is an incredible song, and it’s worth the album’s price in and of itself.  (There are other good songs on there too, however.)  This track is one I’m surprised wasn’t on Rock N Roll, because I would put it in the Top 3 of Ryan’s from that era.  (And, yes, it’s spelled with an “x,” not “z.”)

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Today’s installment of my 1000 Minutes Project has me looking back over what I’ve already posted, and feeling a little bit surprised that I’ve not even knocked out a tenth of my allotted time.  In addition to my surprise, I’m proud we’ve made it to ten weeks of doing this.  The project has spawned at least one fan that we know of, and maybe it’s made you think a bit about the importance of the music in your life.  Or maybe not.

I’m feeling sentimental today. Let’s get after the tunes.

19. Modest Mouse – Missed the Boat (4:26) from We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (mp3) [Time Remaining: 926:52]

Modest Mouse purists will probably berate me for this choice.  There are certainly songs that are more representative of the band’s quirky style, these purists I have invented would argue – something off of The Moon and Antarctica perhaps? And while they are undoubtedly correct, the sentiment expressed in this particular song reminds me to be appreciative of the time/family/friends with which/whom I have been blessed.  Not that I need a Modest Mouse song to do so, but it’s just so crushingly perfect when Isaac sings: “I know this of myself/we’ve listened to more of life’s end gong than the sound of life’s sweet bells.”

20. Alex Lloyd – Bus Ride (mp3) from Watching Angels Mend (4:31) [Time Remaining: 922:21]

“Bus Ride” is a mixtape staple of mine.  I mean, really – what woman wouldn’t love a guy who meant it when he said, let alone sang:

“If you want to take the world on now I will be right there beside you. And if you wanna sleep the whole day through I will be right there beside you?”

I was listening to the song recently when my girlfriend called me out on that last part because I hate sleeping in.  (Gasp!)  Doesn’t matter.  I’d do it if she really wanted, but I wouldn’t be happy about it.

Listen.  The song builds and builds until just after the three minute mark, when it finally becomes overwhelming.  And you can feel it right in your chest.

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