Dunkin' Awesome

March 10, 2009, approximately 7:10pm:

Dunkin Donuts, Laurel, MD:

I think that Dunkin' Donuts has the best iced coffee of all the chains that offer it. Though I'm pretty sure that they just had the radio playing tonight, I did hear a gem. "You Only Get What You Give" by New Radicals could be recognized in between really loud cleaning sessions that my local chain was performing. Always a great song.

Fast "Mexican" Food

March 10, 2009, Approximately 6:40pm:

Chipotle, Laurel, MD:

Chipotle, a "mexican" eatery that specializes in creating tasty burritos in seconds flat usually plays quasi-ethnic music. Chants and hums are common. The papers that line the plastic often talk about plenty of important musicians, but I was surprised when I heard "Rudie Can't Fail" by the Clash while I was in there tonight. The guacamole is good, as is the music choice apparently.

More Fountain Soda Fixes

March 16, 2008, approximately 6:50pm:

Expressmart, Syracuse, NY:

"Around the Clock Convenience" is about right. The Expressmart gas station/conveniece store on Erie Blvd. is one of my favorite places in Syracuse to get a fountain soda. I wasn't really sure why until today, when I heard "She Moves In Her Own Way" by The Kooks playing in it. The Coke was all foam, but the cherry coke was pretty good.

Acceptable in the 90's

March 15, 2008, approximately 10:12pm:

Exxon, Laurel, MD:

I was in Exxon on All Saints Road in Laurel, because I'm home for spring break and was jonsing for some fountain soda refreshment. I was watching my enormous cup fill with Coke when I noticed the amazing song over the loudspeaker- "Good" by Better Then Ezra. Lately me and a few pals have been on a serious 90's kick with music. Anything made at the very end of the 20th century for us, please. This isn't a new phenomenon, I realize, because this isn't exactly old music, as it just happened- but wow I was pleased to hear that song.

[There are so many other points that I would love to discuss as a result of this gas station visit- like how fountain soda is not always tasty, and why. Also I think it's so strange that they sell DVDs at Exxon, like for $9.99. That's such a low price, I was really considering looking through the inventory. Anyway I was wondering what this means for stores like Best Buy and F.Y.E., who have somehow got away with charging ridiculous prices for their stock. Granted, the $9.99 bin at the Exxon will not have all the latest movies- (think "Music and Lyrics, that [recent] Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore collaboration), but this still probably has some effect on the way movies are sold? Maybe?]

more more more Food.com

February 20, 2008, approximately 4:07p.m.:

Food.com, Syracuse, NY:

I am constantly in Food.com because my professor is required to give us a break during my class, and it's also damn convenient. This time I heard "You Only Get What You Give" by New Radicals blaring on the tiny boombox. I also think that I overheard a worker say something about how the song was a part of a CD that her daughter had made? Probably. I hope so.

Good Music All Around

February 19, 2008, approximately 1:30-1:45pm:

CVS, Syracuse, NY:

CVS is known for disgruntled employees and a reasonable selection of post-Valentine's Day sale candy, but today it was known to me and some pals for playing the best radio station known to the human race- Movin'. I don't know for sure if that's even what was on, but I do know that I heard "Too Close" by Blue for the first time in years while shopping in there. You know the song. "Baby when we're grindin', I get so excited..." So, so good.

Chuck's Alley, Syracuse, NY:

Chuck's Alley had music piping from literally thousands of speakers at the top of its stores today. Walking along the walkway where cars often randomly (illegally?) drive, endangering plenty of lives, one could hear Meatloaf. But that's not the reason for this post. After I got enough cash out to pay for some records from the nice vendor who sells inside Funk n Waffles, I heard "Waterfalls" by TLC. Really takes me back.

I Love You, Food.com

February 13, 2008, approximately 2:15p.m.:

Food.com, Syracuse, NY

I have such a love/hate relationship with Food.com. The lines are long enough to block the fountain sodas, people forget that they are at work when I'm dashing in between classes, just wanting a smoothie. But the only thing that's keeping me from hating it is the music. I'm sure it's just some generic radio station (possibly Movin'?) but I can't help but hope that there is some mastermind behind all of the music they play. Today while waiting in line for some snacks for class, I heard "Faith" by George Michael. I started laughing when I recognized it, and the girl in front of me thought I was laughing about something else- she was very, very wrong.