For Led Zeppelin I think I might pick "Over the Hills and Far Away," for containing elements of their acoustic/folky side and elements of their more conventional hard rock side in somewhat equal measure. These are probably LZ's two main modes and I can't think of another song besides "Stairway" (which I am passing over based on the "most famous song" guideline) that are equally representative of both -- is there one? "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You?" "Ramble On?"
For Sonic Youth I'd say "The Diamond Sea" -- for something truly representative of the band I think you'd need a track that represents their concise songwriting capacity and their longform instrumental proclivities. Despite its length I think "Diamond Sea" is one of SY's catchiest and most palatable songs during the "song" portion, but it goes on to do an equally great job representing the feedback, texture, etc. experiments that they go into in greater depth on their side releases.
Jorge wrote:A few months ago I had to edit a video that was soundtrack by "Everything is Awful" from their latest album and there were a lot of precisely timed cuts and animation keyframes
Man, as if this year hasn't been bad enough.
I could never pretend that the Decemberists don't have a lot of music that is special to me, but they also have written some of the absolute most irritating songs in the history of humankind, and within this category, this song reigns supreme. You have my sympathies.
For their song I might pick "The Mariner's Revenge Song." No song feels more "Decemberisty" to me than that.
Bammer wrote:I wouls actually love to get durden’s rec on where to start with St. Vincent. I am being serious.
Last summer I grabbed a CD of hers from like 10 years ago (Marry Me?) and I had to grow into it. I like it. Never got into her because I honestly had never heard of her and then I see durden gushing over her but I didn’t know where to start.
So, durden, where do I start?
For such a big Alice in Chains fan, you as shit can't spell would.
Anyway, Strange Mercy is her best record and probably the one that has the most songs on it that you'll like (based on what I think I know about your taste). It's more obviously guitar focused and rock first. Her other stuff is super angular or else more chamber pop.
But in truth I can't imagine that you'll like her work overall. She's an artist I can see you loving ten songs from a lot and not needing them rest.
Listen to Cruel (the song) and see what that does for you. That one seems pretty universal.
tragabigzanda wrote:Top 10 maybe?
Hello Morning
Close Captioned
The Kill
Place/Position
Do You Like Me?
Latest Disgrace
Recap Modotti
Nightshop
Break
Life & Limb
I'd maybe bump Life & Limb for Epic Problem
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Mon January 12, 2026 9:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bammer wrote:I wouls actually love to get durden’s rec on where to start with St. Vincent. I am being serious.
Last summer I grabbed a CD of hers from like 10 years ago (Marry Me?) and I had to grow into it. I like it. Never got into her because I honestly had never heard of her and then I see durden gushing over her but I didn’t know where to start.
So, durden, where do I start?
For such a big Alice in Chains fan, you as shit can't spell would.
Anyway, Strange Mercy is her best record and probably the one that has the most songs on it that you'll like (based on what I think I know about your taste). It's more obviously guitar focused and rock first. Her other stuff is super angular or else more chamber pop.
But in truth I can't imagine that you'll like her work overall. She's an artist I can see you loving ten songs from a lot and not needing them rest.
Listen to Cruel (the song) and see what that does for you. That one seems pretty universal.
