Interactive Poll 3some: 3 Tracks for 3 Decades

Interactive Poll Number 3 Decades and 3 Nominations per Person

In this interactive poll, each person will nominate three tracks, and each track will come from a different decade. The decades need not be sequential. Each song/track should be representative of the decade somehow, but how you interpret that is quite open-ended. You can think about what styles were popular then, what you were hearing then, and what makes you associate the choice stylistically with the decade. I would ask that you avoid Prog choices, but one of three is acceptable.

I've hoped for some considerable variety from each person, like as an example I used in the last poll, for one person's three choices, consider not having the 70s represent Baby Fuzz Metal (aka Proto-Hair Metal), the 80's be full on Hair Metal, and in later decades it be Bald Metal (otherwise know as Post Hair Metal) if they all ultimately sound much the same except some are hairier than others. I say this because aside from having three nominations per individual, which will each have its separate poll option, another big difference with this poll is that people will vote for one track from each person (other than themselves) that participates, and I hope that everyone will find something to be enthusiastic about from each person's selection. That said, they don't have to be really different, and one might want to explore the evolution of hair metal or dance music. That is up to you.

Note: If we go over eight participants, then I will find some additional way to tally the results from the write-ins and adjust the poll. When it comes time to voting, please post your favourite track of each participant, and also write even a very short note about why it appeals (or appeals the most of the three).


So here are the guidelines:

1. Mention, with youtube embeds or bandcamp links etc., three tracks. Each of your tracks should come from a different decade and please post the year of release or recording (no archival releases from later decades). Please add a short note about some things you associate the decade with including something that each track (or artist at the time) represents from the decade to you from a stylistic or thematic perspective. Consider music that sounds of its era or has qualities of the time; not necessarily dated so much as music that you'd still like to take on a date.... I say instead of going for pure retro. And please avoid ones you consider to be Prog, although one of three of you choices as prog is acceptable.

2. You can post as many trios as you like, just plan to have your nominated trio decided on by Monday, September 5th.

3. Each track will get its own entry (how I do this will depend on how many participate).

4. When voting, you will be expected to vote for one track from every participant other than yourself. So every person should get the same number of votes overall, but certain selections by people are expected to get more votes than others.

5. When you vote for one track by each participant (other than yourself) please post what you chose of the three and post even a short note about why you went for that one, what appeals to you about it, or write something about the track instead of just posting the name of the track (do that for each of your votes)...

Have fun.

I decided to go with the 60s, 80s, and 90s.

Here are my selections and what I associate each decade with in terms of fashions, genres...

The 1960s is the age of psychedelia, love-ins, groovy times, some existential dread mixed with the wanton sex, miniskirts, ooh-la-la, baroque pop, and lovely French singers with a certain je ne sais quoi.

Claude Lombard - Les Enfants Perle (1969)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z74LvXUqJ0I

When I think of the 80s, I think of New Wave, Post-Punk, music videos, pastels, Miami Vice, New Age, gothic music, and dreamy pop music.

Cocteau Twins - Ivo (1984)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF8fnsyjCoI

For the 1990s I think of grunge, body piercings, clubs, house music, folktronica, indietronica, neofolk and neo-psychedelia, a retro lounge and retro 60s feel (sort of a revival of styles), groove, laid back and cool music, indie music, and trip-hop.

Portishead - Over (1997)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bADn4V4W2o

Note: I know that there is a poll where various people have not voted yet, so this is overlapping in a way, but I wanted to give people a chance to think about what they want to post and to give people the weekend to get started if they choose.

Here is the youtube playlist for the all of the entries/ mentions (I mentioned more than anyone else):

CLICk for all mentions

Here is the youtube playlist for the nominations:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4Jtdnwn-ZsJgpG_sm9bEzDa



Voting is now open. Thanks for participating.

Edited by Logan - September 06 2022 at 11:58

^ All three of your selections were excellent listening to my ears. (we should have a house emoticon with a bigger thumb) Thanks, Kees.

Or this?

1960s
Mechanical Man - Bent Bolt and the Nuts
1970s
Indian Reservation - The Raiders
1980s
Anxiety - Pat Benatar

^ ^ ^^^

Hey Gary,

Any of those trios would be fine per the basic idea of choosing three tracks from three decades, and the decades need not be sequential. I noticed that for each of your three posts asking whether those trios would be fine, they all cover the same decades. Without listening through the music or getting your write-up on each, I can't say how well each choice represents the decade (objectively or subjectively) or how you associate it beyond that it came out at that time, but I trust people's judgment on that, and if it works for you, then I'm fine with it.

I do ask that people give a little write-up to go with each track to say something about how it relates to the decade, or its significance to the decade to you. For my trio in the first post, I said something about what styles and things each decade represents to me, and part of that anyway fit my musical choices (the last part of each little write-up particularly). Myself, Suitkees and Lewian have all approached the write-up rather differently, and I like that. Mila had suggested (In the last Interactive Poll) when I mentioned my base idea that they should represent the decade somehow beyond just being released than, and I agree, and thought the write-up would be fun to go into that while providing plenty of latitude since it is so up to individual interpretation. I might re-write the OP to make it clearer on the expectations, I put that together hastily.

Also, for youtube, we tend to use embeds (I know that can slow things down, but three per post ain't too bad, I find).

And on another note, while I said that people could present as many trios as they like (or just one trio), I would still discourage presenting several trios in short order (I thought about making rule in the OP on this), although in your case you were asking if each of those worked. While for this round it is not mandatory to listen to and or/comment on any selections until we get to the voting stage, since we commonly do listen to and comment on each other's selections (a reason why this is interactive) and chat about them, then I would suggest spacing your trios. A lot can get overwhelming. I made a playlist and I too like it when we we get three from one person, then three from another (mixes things up).   After the poll is up, then ALL participants are expected to listen to or have listened to all the nominated tracks (three per decade per person) and vote for one track from each participant others than themselves

So that is an overlong long way basically say, I think that each of your trios is probably fine, but the presentation would need some work (though you might well have already realised that but didn't want to put the time in until checking that the basic idea was being met, or were being somewhat rhetorical, in which case I very much apologise for being so verbose). I was a little confused with you three posts to be honest, because it seemed like all three examples that you asked about were presented so similarity, and with the "or" questions I would expect more apparent differences, but I tend to overthink things in a way that they end up being not thought through enough in the intended way too often.

Glad or hope to have you onboard, Gary. I hope you intend to stay through the process until voting time.   By the way, is your first trio your favourite of those you mentioned? For now I just want to add one of your trios to the playlist. Doesn't mean that I won't add all of the trios eventually.

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As a general note: While I don't expect much interest in this, especially from the non Interactive Poll regulars, and they know the deal anyway, I would ask any who mention music and don't intend to participate in the full process to let me know in advance. I might still find away to include those who can't fully participate in the nominating and voting process (and remember, like I ask for notes to go with the selections, I also ask for some notes to go with the votes). It's fun to do things a little differently across polls with different expectations.

^ It's good to be reminded that embeds can be such a problem for people. I don't have problems with using working links commonly, and quite often, but not often enough, use those in topics. I have always had very good internet service (helps with my job) in an area with good services and decent equipment, and lots of embeds have not been an issue for me, but I know it often can be for others. While I would not expect or require embeds here, I think one reason why many prefer and it is so common is a sort of convenience (though we love playlists at the end). I am more likely to want to play a track (and comment on it) if I see it as an embed here than if I click on the link. That said, I just went through all of Scott's youtube "Robot" playlist and I followed a link to youtube for it. Laziness, in part.

Also, although I use adblockers and don't get youtube ads (naughty me) and one can alter the link to avoid ads, playing embeds is one way that people avoid ads. If on a mobile, and one doesn't have Youtube Premium (I pay for that for my eldest child but have never used it myself), if you are listening to music someone linked to on youtube while writing commentary on it on the same mobile device (like an android phone) then one has to know about putting youtube in desktop mode so you can listen while not on the youtube page.

Anyway, I really should consider getting out of the habit of embedding so much and for people like you (many have issues) it would be good to consider avoiding embeds.

By the way, all pages have been very slow and unreliable for me to load at PA this evening. I have been getting many time-outs of late.

Logan wrote: ^ ^ ^^^ Hey Gary, Any of those trios would be fine per the basic idea of choosing three tracks from three decades, and the decades need not be sequential. I noticed that for each of your three posts asking whether those trios would be fine, they all cover the same decades. Without listening through the music or getting your write-up on each, I can't say how well each choice represents the decade (objectively or subjectively) or how you associate it beyond that it came out at that time, but I trust people's judgment on that, and if it works for you, then I'm fine with it. I do ask that people give a little write-up to go with each track to say something about how it relates to the decade, or its significance to the decade to you. For my trio in the first post, I said something about what styles and things each decade represents to me, and part of that anyway fit my musical choices (the last part of each little write-up particularly). Myself, Suitkees and Lewian have all approached the write-up rather differently, and I like that. Mila had suggested (In the last Interactive Poll) when I mentioned my base idea that they should represent the decade somehow beyond just being released than, and I agree, and thought the write-up would be fun to go into that while providing plenty of latitude since it is so up to individual interpretation. I might re-write the OP to make it clearer on the expectations, I put that together hastily. Also, for youtube, we tend to use embeds (I know that can slow things down, but three per post ain't too bad, I find). And on another note, while I said that people could present as many trios as they like (or just one trio), I would still discourage presenting several trios in short order (I thought about making rule in the OP on this), although in your case you were asking if each of those worked. While for this round it is not mandatory to listen to and or/comment on any selections until we get to the voting stage, since we commonly do listen to and comment on each other's selections (a reason why this is interactive) and chat about them, then I would suggest spacing your trios. A lot can get overwhelming. I made a playlist and I too like it when we we get three from one person, then three from another (mixes things up).   After the poll is up, then ALL participants are expected to listen to or have listened to all the nominated tracks (three per decade per person) and vote for one track from each participant others than themselves So that is an overlong long way basically say, I think that each of your trios is probably fine, but the presentation would need some work (though you might well have already realised that but didn't want to put the time in until checking that the basic idea was being met, or were being somewhat rhetorical, in which case I very much apologise for being so verbose). I was a little confused with you three posts to be honest, because it seemed like all three examples that you asked about were presented so similarity, and with the "or" questions I would expect more apparent differences, but I tend to overthink things in a way that they end up being not thought through enough in the intended way too often. Glad or hope to have you onboard, Gary. I hope you intend to stay through the process until voting time.   By the way, is your first trio your favourite of those you mentioned? For now I just want to add one of your trios to the playlist. Doesn't mean that I won't add all of the trios eventually. --------------------------------------------------------- As a general note: While I don't expect much interest in this, especially from the non Interactive Poll regulars, and they know the deal anyway, I would ask any who mention music and don't intend to participate in the full process to let me know in advance. I might still find away to include those who can't fully participate in the nominating and voting process (and remember, like I ask for notes to go with the selections, I also ask for some notes to go with the votes). It's fun to do things a little differently across polls with different expectations.

hi Logan!

Thanks for the clarifications. The problem with the embedding was that I simply couldn't do it. I tried many times and each time I was getting an error message. Maybe it is because I am using a phone.

Perhaps someone could do that for me using the links I provided?

Regarding each song, I am happy to share some information from my churning memories. You are welcome to use any, all, or even none of the sets that have sprung from the depths of my neocortex.

First set

Jan and Dean - Dead Man's Curve: Before I got into Prog (starting with Styx har har ... what good times!), I was heavily into the surf sound - especially The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean. I always thought this song had a haunting aspect, and then I later watched a movie on this duo. Later on, Jan would be involved in a near-fatal collision (though not on Dead Man's Curve - which is an urban legend). Surfer music was actually a major contributor to the Prog sound. This song exudes the sounds of the 50s and early 60s and makes one think of cars with air foils and chrome diners.

Nicolette Larson - Lotta Love: This one exemplifies the 70s. Coming out of the hippy age, there were a number of atmospheric songs (Steely Dan had several, and Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty come to mind). This song, however, is pure heart and sadly, Nicolette Larson would pass away due to cancer at a young age. She has such a lovely voice and there is a nice flute solo in there too. To me, the 1970s atmosphere from the songwriting of this one could never be replicated today.

Trans-X - Living On Video: If any song could exemplify the excesses and go-all-out experimentation of the 80s with electronic music, it is this song. This song begs ... please put me on MTV! It is quirky ... imaginative (thinking of a computer fairy world - that's virtual reality, folks!) ... and it is heavily infused with enough lasers to battle the Empire.
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Second set:

Bent Bolt and the Nuts - Mechanical Man: I have no idea where I heard this song, but I had it in my head from when the time when I was a kid. I eventually searched the internet and rediscovered it. As a child who enjoyed anything even remotely sci-fi, I'm sure I enjoyed the robot sounds, probably some sort of vocoder, that makes one think of Dr. Who Daleks. It also has that 50s/60s vibe.

The Raiders - Indian Reservation: There are a number of socially conscious songs from the 70s. This one exudes an anger and sadness that will make the hairs on your arm stand up. It received quite a bit of radio airplay back in the day.

Anxiety - Pat Benatar: This song gets into my head from time to time when I'm feeling anxious, usually about my job. The video is very 1980s with its wonderful cheesy effects and cookie cutter characters. And, that hair! Like any Top 40 type of song (think Casey Kasem), it probably went as quickly as it came. Nevertheless, it is catchy in all the best 1980s ways.
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Third set

The Who - Magic Bus: Before Jimmy Hendrix sprung onto the British scene, Pete Townshend reigned as guitar hero, with his windmill strumming. This song has an opening that rages 1960s rock, with those crunchy chops. Back in the day, nothing got me moving like the opening to Magic Bus.

Jerry Reed - Eastbound and Down: I had to toss a coin between this song and Convoy, but in the end I had to go with the guitarist who previously worked with Elvis. Just watch the video. That guy is pure Country Rock. If I could play like that, I'd switch genres. This one brings back memories of the urban cowboy scene, with its chase movies (Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood), CB radio and all the trucker jargon (We got a Willy Weaver at our Back Door, 10-4 good buddy), and 70s Farrah Fawcett hairdos.

Anni-Frid Lyngstad - There’s Something Going On: For those who are esoteric, Anni-Frid Lyngstad of Abba fame did a song with Phil Collins of Genesis fame, and the result was one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs of the 1980s. Others include Harden My Heart by Quarterflash, Only the Lonely & Suddenly, Last Summer by the Motels, Voices Carry by 'Til Tuesday, Betty Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes, and Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. But, it is this one that I chose because the vocals are especially poignant. The guitar and percussion are tight (of course - it is Phil Collins - what else can you say?), and the guitar sound is perfect. The guitar solo is nothing like an Yngwie Malmsteen or a Van Halen, but it flawlessly captures the pure angst of the quirky 80s sound. The artistry of that solo fits the song perfectly. When this song comes on, everyone stops, the antenna from your head pops out, and you can't help but say. Oh yeah! I love that song. Of course you do. Anni-Frid Lyngstad only sung on a bazillion of some of the most famous songs ever written. That's why they called one of their albums "The Magic of Abba". So, yes, while one could include just about any Abba song as representative of the 1970s, I chose to go with the pure nostalgia of this 1980s chart crusher.

Logan wrote: ^ Those are excellent write-ups. Thanks! Nick raised a good point about not using embeds, and I didn't mean people should do that, only that it's common practice. My comment on presentation really had to do with adding the write-ups, where you have exceeded any and all expectations. That really connects me more with an experience of listening and makes it all the more exciting and enjoyable to me seeing such perspectives (provokes a strong empathetic response). Beautifully expressed, really warms my heart and piques my interest. ^^ And George, yes, hopefully some of The Kinks will be ironed out in the site. Instead of time-out now, however, I keep getting lacking permission messages to post and quick your session has expired even if it only take me a few minutes to prepare a resposnse and try to post it.

Thank you! I enjoyed doing it. Brings back fond memories of a vanished time.

^ I'm okay with what you choose if you are. And you can choose to nominate something different later on, or change one of you entries if you want. I like quite a bit of techno and would like to hear more hip hop, may be you will get the chance to mention some of those here too. Having briefly checked out both your 2016 and 2020 tracks, I really like both a lot (as one might guess). Glad you got a chance to join in, Mila. Gonna listen to 2020 one now in full just for pure enjoyment.

And Gary, the older I get the more nostalgic (as is common, but I was feeling nostalgic when I was seven). :)

Edited by Logan - August 27 2022 at 21:24

Logan wrote: ^ I'm okay with what you choose if you are. And you can choose to nominate something different later on, or change one of you entries if you want. I like quite a bit of techno and would like to hear more hip hop, may be you will get the chance to mention some of those here too. Having briefly checked out both your 2016 and 2020 tracks, I really like both a lot (as one might guess). Glad you got a chance to join in, Mila. Gonna listen to 2020 one now in full just for pure enjoyment.