Poor Richard's Scorecard

The Moldy Cheese Report

So where, you demand, has the Daily Cheese Report gone? Am I so ashamed at the state of music coming from my favorite iTunes playlist that I've abandoned posting notes about it here?

Nah.

We got a new PC a few weeks back, and I've yet to figure out how to get all of my music files from the old machine to the new one. While that task should be low on the to-do list, given the lengths of my work to-do and honey-do lists, I can imagine somehow carving out some time to get 'er done sooner rather than later. I mean, I'd hate to disappoint all of you wondering why I'm not writing about Roxette or Yvonne Elliman or Hoku. | PRS

The Daily Cheese Report: How Like You to Make the Whole World Disappear

"DND," Semisonic | Dan Wilson's criminally underappreciated band was so much more than just "Closing Time," its justifiably well-known single. This gem, for instance, a strings-soaked ode to quiet time with the one you love, is, like so much of Semisonic's work, purely perfect pop. | PRS

"The Daily Cheese Report," thoughts on the first song to be played randomly from my iTunes playlist "Of the Level," appears in Poor Richard's Scorecard every day.

The Daily Cheese Report: Show Me, Show Me, Show Me How You Do That Trick

"Just Like Heaven," The Cure | During my brief and not especially noble tenure as a clubber, this was maybe the one song absolutely guaranteed to get me to leave my Miller Lite at the bar and sprint to the dance floor to engage in an activity that more closely resembled an epileptic seizure. | PRS

"The Daily Cheese Report," thoughts on the first song to be played randomly from my iTunes playlist "Of the Level," appears in Poor Richard's Scorecard every day.

The Daily Cheese Report: Don't Get Up, Gentlemen; I'm Only Passing Through

"Things Have Changed," Bob Dylan | Dylan delivered world-weary lyrics and matter-of-fact vocals to the soundtrack of Wonder Boys, Curtis Hanson's excellent adaptation of Michael Chabon's equally excellent novel. The match between Dylan's performance and the film's tone is superb. | PRS 

"The Daily Cheese Report," thoughts on the first song to be played randomly from my iTunes playlist "Of the Level," appears in Poor Richard's Scorecard every day.

Daily Cheese: Wonder How You Manage to Make Ends Meet?

"Lady Madonna," the Beatles | Paul McCartney's bluesy, piano-driven tune, from late in the Beatles' career, was inspired by Fats Domino, who would go on to cover it. | PRS

"Daily Cheese," thoughts on the first song to be played randomly from my iTunes playlist "Of the Level," appears in Poor Richard's Scorecard every day but Friday.

Daily Cheese: I Used to Have You in a Photograph, But Now I've Got You and It's Gonna Last

"Do You Believe in Love," Huey Lewis and the News | Early-'80s rock with a '50s doo-wop sound, and somehow it works. Lest you think Huey and the boys were too square to be hip, recall that this tune popped up in the seminal imprimatur of coolness, Miami Vice. | PRS

 

"Daily Cheese," thoughts on the first song to be played randomly from my iTunes playlist "Of the Level," appears in Poor Richard's Scorecard every day but Friday.

Daily Cheese: A Signal Sails Across the Water, a Broadcast from Louisiana

"Helen Reddy," Trembling Blue Stars | Anyone who has spent evening hours fiddling with the radio dial to pick up snippets of songs from faraway places will recognize the longing in Beth Arzy's achingly beautiful vocals. Wonderfully jangly guitars only add to the tune's appeal. | PRS

"Daily Cheese," thoughts on the first song to be played randomly from my iTunes playlist "Of the Level," appears in Poor Richard's Scorecard every day but Friday.

Daily Cheese: You Never Messed Around With Dangerous Drugs, You Were All Getting Sick on Beer

"All You Wanna Do Is Dance," Billy Joel | On the heels of his recent appearance in the Cheese, the Piano Man returns with this likable, Latin-flavored number from his 1976 (!) release Turnstiles.

"Daily Cheese," thoughts on the first song to be played randomly from my iTunes playlist "Of the Level," appears in Poor Richard's Scorecard every day but Friday.

Daily Cheese: I Can't See Further Than My Own Nose at the Moment

"Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken," Camera Obscura | The indie popsters from Scotland answer Lloyd Cole's seminal question with a jaunty, witty, and thoroughly winning reply. | PRS

"Daily Cheese," thoughts on the first song to be played randomly from my iTunes playlist "Of the Level," appears in Poor Richard's Scorecard every day but Friday.

Daily Cheese: You Could Be Into You, But You Don't Know What You're Like

"Downtown Venus," PM Dawn | There's a bit much of the prepackaged '90s sound to it, but the funky, rocking single from the Jersey City duo still holds up. | PRS

"Daily Cheese," thoughts on the first song to be played randomly from my iTunes playlist "Of the Level," appears in Poor Richard's Scorecard every day but Friday.