Alright everyone!! Here's the final installment of my 100 favorite tracks project. Thanks a bunch for checking this out.
Where we've been:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
050. Elephant Gun - Beirut
049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull
048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello
047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines
046. M79 - Vampire Weekend
045. The Wind - Cat Stevens
044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy
042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
040. Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins
039. Here Should Be My Home - No Age
038. Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams
037. So Far Around the Bend - The National
036. Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
035. I Only Want to Be With You - Dusty Springfield
034. July, July! - The Decemberists
033. I Want You - Bob Dylan
032. No Rain - Blind Melon
031. Answering Machine - The Replacements
030. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and Be Loved) - Bright Eyes
029. Throwing It All Away - Genesis
028. Street Fighting Man - Rolling Stones
027. Disney Girls (1957) - Beach Boys
026. Incident On 57th Street - Bruce Springsteen
025. This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies
024. Life on Mars? - David Bowie
023. Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets
022. I'm A Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian
021. Mama's Pearl - Jackson 5
020. 11:59 - Blondie
019. Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations
018. Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads
017. Come On! Feel The Illinoise!: Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition/Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream - Sufjan Stevens
016. Fake Empire - The National
015. Honey In The Sun - Camera Obscura
014. Nightswimming - R.E.M.
013. The Way Young Lovers Do - Van Morrison
012. Train in Vain - The Clash
011. Wait, Wait, Wait - The Format
010. Skyway - The Replacements (http://is.gd/ag3ku)
As a sidenote, Paul Westerberg looks exactly like Thomas Jane in that video. This track is just gorgeous. I love how Westerberg takes such a mundane act of waiting for a ride in downtown Minneapolis and finds this song. Just perfect, tight, and excellent.
009. See You Later - Elliott Smith (http://is.gd/ag58B)
This is kind of an unknown Elliott Smith song. He wrote it when he was with the band Heatmiser, but always played it live solo. It found remastered home on the poorly-named New Moon. This track is, of course, a heartbreaking look at Elliott's addictions and depression. I wish I could say, you know, "I love this song!" but hearing Elliott's pain is devastating to me. But, the fact that he can draw these visceral emotions out of me makes me realize what I love about music. I listen to music to feel something, anything. Just the fact that such beauty can come out of such sadness is the sign of true art.
008. Cemetry Gates - The Smiths (http://is.gd/ag6Lj)
This is the only album, The Queen is Dead, that has two tracks on this list. This song is so clever, and a testament to how great of a songwriter Morrissey is. I love the allusions and the little bits of philosophy he imparts in a catchy pop song. I just realized how pretty evenly divided this top 10 list is among the decades. This track is perfect example of why the 80s produced some of the best pop music of all time; better than the 90s and 00s and debatable to the 70s
007. Rock and Roll - Velvet Underground (http://is.gd/ag7BB)
This track has it all: the great rhythm and guitar, Lou Reed showing that he doesn't have to be completely abrasive and maybe, just maybe, he can write a straight solid rock and roll song, an incredible hook and blistering guitar solos. Looking back on Minutemen's "History Lesson - Part II," ("Punk rock changed our lives") this song, released in 1970, has the exact same mentality. Times and sensibilities change, but the power of music as an outlet for rebellion and escape is constant.
006. Stuck Between Stations - The Hold Steady (http://is.gd/ag9rL)
Just like what I said about The National, The Hold Steady's Craig Finn writes about America. This song, I think, is his masterpiece in that regard; full of literary allusions, colloquial references and common threads that tie us all together as Americans. Finn delivers these intelligent lines with so much vitriol; chocked full of piss, vinegar & Pabst. I don't think I could pick a favorite line if I tried. And on top of everything this track rips and roars, and then hits you with that smooth, almost Bruce Hornsby-esque bridge.
005. Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen (http://is.gd/aga5i)
Springsteen is incredible for a lot of reasons, but what I love him most for is his overabundance of incredible lyrics. This song clocks in at about 5:00, and throughout most of it the Boss is singing (lyrics: http://is.gd/ahDgh). I'm sure you've heard this song, so I don't need to give you a play-by-play. Some of my favorite parts: "Come take my hand/We're riding out tonight to case the promise land," "Your graduation gown lies in rags at their feet," and the hopelessly "triumphant" end.
004. For No One - The Beatles (http://is.gd/agauv)
This is my favorite Beatles song, which is sort of odd, because it was recorded solely by Ringo and Paul, who are not my favorite Beatles. But, this song is emblematic of why the Beatles are incredible: even deeper cuts on their records were perfectly crafted pop music. They couldn't write bad pop songs. It just didn't happen. The French Horn in this song is perfect, too.
003. Holland, 1945 - Neutral Milk Hotel (http://is.gd/aiA)
THE song of the 1990s. Where to begin with this one? I'll start with just general attitude and work backwards: this song is manic. Everything about this song sounds like it belongs in a schizophrenic's head. Musically, to this day I've never heard a guitar song like that fuzzy, raucous acoustic monster Jeff Mangum's playing. The drums and rhythm are powerful and officious. The vocals are just all over the map and furious. The horns just fan the flames that is this song. The lyrics are completely obsurd: basically a historial account/sympathy letter to Anne Frank. I don't think there has been a more powerful song written in the "indie" canon to this day.
002. I Want You Back - Jackson 5 (http://is.gd/agegM)
OK! So this is my favorite pop song ever written. Simply enough. If you've heard this song and not liked it, excuse me, but there is something seriously wrong with you. I could pick out dozens of things I love about this song, but it really boils down to 1 thing: the chord progression. Flawless, unapologetic, up-beat, brilliant pop music.
001. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan (http://is.gd/aggXd)
I don't care if this is cliche. This song is the culmination of everything I love in a song. As I discussed in the intro, I think a good critic has to draw lines between what's good and what they like. But, for me, when I listen to music, the historical significance of the song or album plays into my enjoyment. Like, "Like A Rolling Stone" wasn't created in a vaccuum. It's important to see where/when the song was born to understand its creation. I don't even know where to begin with this one either. It's the ultimate triumph of iconoclastic songwriting, both sonically and lyrically. The words are the voice of the changing guard of every era. And the voice of changing ways. I constantly find myself in a state of transition, and this song screams into that void of uncertainty.
I recently heard this song back-to-back with "The Times They Are A-Changing." "Like A Rolling Stone" is the next step in the percieved peaceful revolution. Like, instead of changing times it's, "Times have changed. Learn to live in the new world or die. And PS. Go fuck yourself." This changing attitude also coincided with Dylan going electric. Listen to this track closely and acoustic instruments (guitar and piano) are isolated to one channel and electric (organ and guitar) are isolated to the other. Dude was battling himself and his changing musical ways in his own song!
I also spoke of the "Knock out" verse earlier. This entire song is a knockout verse. It could end at any time, but just when you think it could end he comes right back, "Awwwwww! Princess on the steeple..." And every verse is perfect.
What else. The chorus. "HOW DOES IT FEEL?!" The way those words are sung just cuts through everything with a hot knife of disdain and anger. Please, I impore you, if you've never seen the video I posted for this song, watch it. He's literally screaming into the mic as these passive folk-fucks stare blankly into this typhoon of protest. When the so-called forces of change aren't forceful enough you have to be bigger than they are. This song is why Bob Dylan is revolutionary. And why this is my favorite song of all time.
Thanks a lot for checking this out.
8tracks: External:
Best,
Erik
Showing posts with label Pop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pop. Show all posts
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (20-11)
Alright. We're down to the last couple entries here. Feel encouraged to let me know if you want .mp3s of any of this.
And we're off... again:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
050. Elephant Gun - Beirut
049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull
048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello
047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines
046. M79 - Vampire Weekend
045. The Wind - Cat Stevens
044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy
042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
040. Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins
039. Here Should Be My Home - No Age
038. Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams
037. So Far Around the Bend - The National
036. Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
035. I Only Want to Be With You - Dusty Springfield
034. July, July! - The Decemberists
033. I Want You - Bob Dylan
032. No Rain - Blind Melon
031. Answering Machine - The Replacements
030. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and Be Loved) - Bright Eyes
029. Throwing It All Away - Genesis
028. Street Fighting Man - Rolling Stones
027. Disney Girls (1957) - Beach Boys
026. Incident On 57th Street - Bruce Springsteen
025. This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies
024. Life on Mars? - David Bowie
023. Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets
022. I'm A Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian
021. Mama's Pearl - Jackson 5
Getting close to home!
020. 11:59 - Blondie (http://is.gd/a9NGn)
And we're back to CBGB! Who would have thought cute little Debbie Harry would have been such a genre-bridging music icon? "11:59" is just a damn fine New Wave track, and (along with #18, as you will see) is just a testament to how diverse the scene at CBGB was in the late 70s. It's a deeper cut off of Parallel Lines, their most well-known album, and it was written by Jimmy Destri, probably their least-known songwriter. I love the transition from the intro to the verse. And the consonace in the opening lines is awesome.
019. Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations (http://is.gd/a9Oap)
Of course this is the culmination of the "Erik is a pussy" theory. But more importantly, David Ruffin just kills it. I love how the drums are like a little warning before that monster, soulful voice comes in. I also have a special relationship with this song on account of The Temptations made-for-TV movie where Leon as Ruffin steals the mic after quitting the group. Just Perfect.
018. Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads (http://is.gd/a9Oy3)
AGAIN with the CBGB! This song is so fantastic! The break beat, that funky bassline, the hook, and David Fucking Byrne being totally batshit brilliant. One thing that separates the Talking Heads from someone like Paul Simon (and concordantly, today, Vampire Weekend from Dirty Projectors) is the difference between using a style (like Graceland and Vampire Weekend S/T being essentially afropop albums) and blending influences to create your own style (like Remain in Light and Bitte Orca using afropop and hip-hop and everything else and melding it together). I personally love all of the aforementioned albums, but I admire the latter style a bit more. This track just does it for me. I love the last verse especially.
017. Come On! Feel The Illinoise!: Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition/Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream - Sufjan Stevens (http://is.gd/a9P3K)
It's odd that this set has 3 of the 5 or so songs on the list in different time signatures (this one being 5/4, #17 being 3/4 and #13 being 3/4, I think?). This song goes along with the same reason I love Beirut so much: cultivating an aesthetic. Just the instruments and everything makes me feel like I'm at the Chicago World's Fair. The lyrics are so the reason why Sufjan is an incredibe songwriter: the ability to squeeze emotional meaning and broader signficance out of history and places and things. Then the turn into part 2 is so beautiful. "Are you writing from the heart?"
016. Fake Empire - The National (http://is.gd/a9Pyj)
Once again we have The National. Everything that's good about them is on display here: the slow unfurling culminating with the brilliant horn cacophony at the end, the drums and bass (my god when the drums synch with the groove of the piano!), and the lyrics. The National, like a lot of my favorite bands, write about America. And this song in particular I think captures the jaded-ness (?) and disaffection a lot of us feel about being in this country.
015. Honey In The Sun - Camera Obscura (http://is.gd/a9PYN)
OK! Going along with what I previously said about Camera Obscura: I don't care if you only do one thing if that one thing is write beautiful, catchy pop songs. Now, I heard criticism of this song being too long, which I will refute with my theory of the "Knock-out Verse." One of my favorite musical devices is when an artist loads a song with words (when the words are good, obviously). A knock-out verse is a verse thrown in at an obvious ending point in a song. My favorite example is in "Born to Run" (at 3:00), but this song uses it effectively and wonderfully. I guess my whole love of Camera Obscure is based on "too much of a good thing."
014. Nightswimming - R.E.M. (http://is.gd/a9Qwz)
This song is just so basic and beautiful. That powerful circular piano riff coupled with those gorgeous, nostalgic lyrics. It always enthralls me.
013. The Way Young Lovers Do - Van Morrison (N/A)
I hate how this song isn't available online (aside from my 8tracks list!). Astral Weeks is maybe my favorite album of all time, and this song is my favorite on it. The bass is incredible (interesting side note, the man, Richard Davis, who played bass on this album, also contributed bass on Born to Run. He's also a professor at the University of Wisconsin, which is cool.) The vocals are Van Morrison, so they're nuts. And throw on top of it those championship horns?! This song is unbelievable. My favorite moment(s) is the transition into the "Then we sat on our own star..." So jazzy and funky.
012. Train in Vain - The Clash (http://is.gd/a9Swv)
The Clash are so versatile. And, it may be a bit of a slight to pick one of their most popular songs as a favorite; but, The Clash were as much a pop group as they were a punk band. Sure, they wrote unbelievable songs about the disenfranchised underclasses, but they also wrote excellent pop songs. And their are fewer better pop songs than "Train in Vain." Joe Strummer just sings this song with such passion. "Stand by me/Or not at all."
011. Wait, Wait, Wait - The Format (http://is.gd/a9STp)
Once again, this song is a prime testament to the "Greatest vs. Favorite" list concept. The Format is/was an (now-defunct) underappreciated indie-pop band from the early/middle part of the decade. I don't understand how these guys didn't catch on; Interventions + Lullabies (the album this song is off of) is full of the same type of well-crafted pop songs as the much-praised Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, just with slightly rougher production. "Wait, Wait, Wait" is full of amazing one-liners, a flawless melody, great harmony and an excellent hook. Do yourself a favor and listen to it if you've never heard it. And read the lyrics: http://is.gd/aaSbu
8tracks: External:
Sliding Home,
Erik
And we're off... again:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
050. Elephant Gun - Beirut
049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull
048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello
047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines
046. M79 - Vampire Weekend
045. The Wind - Cat Stevens
044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy
042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
040. Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins
039. Here Should Be My Home - No Age
038. Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams
037. So Far Around the Bend - The National
036. Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
035. I Only Want to Be With You - Dusty Springfield
034. July, July! - The Decemberists
033. I Want You - Bob Dylan
032. No Rain - Blind Melon
031. Answering Machine - The Replacements
030. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and Be Loved) - Bright Eyes
029. Throwing It All Away - Genesis
028. Street Fighting Man - Rolling Stones
027. Disney Girls (1957) - Beach Boys
026. Incident On 57th Street - Bruce Springsteen
025. This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies
024. Life on Mars? - David Bowie
023. Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets
022. I'm A Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian
021. Mama's Pearl - Jackson 5
Getting close to home!
020. 11:59 - Blondie (http://is.gd/a9NGn)
And we're back to CBGB! Who would have thought cute little Debbie Harry would have been such a genre-bridging music icon? "11:59" is just a damn fine New Wave track, and (along with #18, as you will see) is just a testament to how diverse the scene at CBGB was in the late 70s. It's a deeper cut off of Parallel Lines, their most well-known album, and it was written by Jimmy Destri, probably their least-known songwriter. I love the transition from the intro to the verse. And the consonace in the opening lines is awesome.
019. Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations (http://is.gd/a9Oap)
Of course this is the culmination of the "Erik is a pussy" theory. But more importantly, David Ruffin just kills it. I love how the drums are like a little warning before that monster, soulful voice comes in. I also have a special relationship with this song on account of The Temptations made-for-TV movie where Leon as Ruffin steals the mic after quitting the group. Just Perfect.
018. Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads (http://is.gd/a9Oy3)
AGAIN with the CBGB! This song is so fantastic! The break beat, that funky bassline, the hook, and David Fucking Byrne being totally batshit brilliant. One thing that separates the Talking Heads from someone like Paul Simon (and concordantly, today, Vampire Weekend from Dirty Projectors) is the difference between using a style (like Graceland and Vampire Weekend S/T being essentially afropop albums) and blending influences to create your own style (like Remain in Light and Bitte Orca using afropop and hip-hop and everything else and melding it together). I personally love all of the aforementioned albums, but I admire the latter style a bit more. This track just does it for me. I love the last verse especially.
017. Come On! Feel The Illinoise!: Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition/Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream - Sufjan Stevens (http://is.gd/a9P3K)
It's odd that this set has 3 of the 5 or so songs on the list in different time signatures (this one being 5/4, #17 being 3/4 and #13 being 3/4, I think?). This song goes along with the same reason I love Beirut so much: cultivating an aesthetic. Just the instruments and everything makes me feel like I'm at the Chicago World's Fair. The lyrics are so the reason why Sufjan is an incredibe songwriter: the ability to squeeze emotional meaning and broader signficance out of history and places and things. Then the turn into part 2 is so beautiful. "Are you writing from the heart?"
016. Fake Empire - The National (http://is.gd/a9Pyj)
Once again we have The National. Everything that's good about them is on display here: the slow unfurling culminating with the brilliant horn cacophony at the end, the drums and bass (my god when the drums synch with the groove of the piano!), and the lyrics. The National, like a lot of my favorite bands, write about America. And this song in particular I think captures the jaded-ness (?) and disaffection a lot of us feel about being in this country.
015. Honey In The Sun - Camera Obscura (http://is.gd/a9PYN)
OK! Going along with what I previously said about Camera Obscura: I don't care if you only do one thing if that one thing is write beautiful, catchy pop songs. Now, I heard criticism of this song being too long, which I will refute with my theory of the "Knock-out Verse." One of my favorite musical devices is when an artist loads a song with words (when the words are good, obviously). A knock-out verse is a verse thrown in at an obvious ending point in a song. My favorite example is in "Born to Run" (at 3:00), but this song uses it effectively and wonderfully. I guess my whole love of Camera Obscure is based on "too much of a good thing."
014. Nightswimming - R.E.M. (http://is.gd/a9Qwz)
This song is just so basic and beautiful. That powerful circular piano riff coupled with those gorgeous, nostalgic lyrics. It always enthralls me.
013. The Way Young Lovers Do - Van Morrison (N/A)
I hate how this song isn't available online (aside from my 8tracks list!). Astral Weeks is maybe my favorite album of all time, and this song is my favorite on it. The bass is incredible (interesting side note, the man, Richard Davis, who played bass on this album, also contributed bass on Born to Run. He's also a professor at the University of Wisconsin, which is cool.) The vocals are Van Morrison, so they're nuts. And throw on top of it those championship horns?! This song is unbelievable. My favorite moment(s) is the transition into the "Then we sat on our own star..." So jazzy and funky.
012. Train in Vain - The Clash (http://is.gd/a9Swv)
The Clash are so versatile. And, it may be a bit of a slight to pick one of their most popular songs as a favorite; but, The Clash were as much a pop group as they were a punk band. Sure, they wrote unbelievable songs about the disenfranchised underclasses, but they also wrote excellent pop songs. And their are fewer better pop songs than "Train in Vain." Joe Strummer just sings this song with such passion. "Stand by me/Or not at all."
011. Wait, Wait, Wait - The Format (http://is.gd/a9STp)
Once again, this song is a prime testament to the "Greatest vs. Favorite" list concept. The Format is/was an (now-defunct) underappreciated indie-pop band from the early/middle part of the decade. I don't understand how these guys didn't catch on; Interventions + Lullabies (the album this song is off of) is full of the same type of well-crafted pop songs as the much-praised Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, just with slightly rougher production. "Wait, Wait, Wait" is full of amazing one-liners, a flawless melody, great harmony and an excellent hook. Do yourself a favor and listen to it if you've never heard it. And read the lyrics: http://is.gd/aaSbu
8tracks: External:
Sliding Home,
Erik
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (30-21)
Once again, no pithy snark for you.
Recapitulation:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
050. Elephant Gun - Beirut
049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull
048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello
047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines
046. M79 - Vampire Weekend
045. The Wind - Cat Stevens
044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy
042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
040. Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins
039. Here Should Be My Home - No Age
038. Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams
037. So Far Around the Bend - The National
036. Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
035. I Only Want to Be With You - Dusty Springfield
034. July, July! - The Decemberists
033. I Want You - Bob Dylan
032. No Rain - Blind Melon
031. Answering Machine - The Replacements
030. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and Be Loved) - Bright Eyes (http://is.gd/a5Gee)
This song is Bright Eyes in 9:00. The crash course. It breaks up pretty much all of his themes and distills them verse by verse: human commentary, political ire, personal tragedy and tied all together with love. The scene of him and his father in the hospital is some of the most moving words put to music. This is also probably as close to a Bob Dylan song that's ever been produced. Musically, just a solid rebel country song. But the centerpiece here are the lyrics. The fact that they can take a riff, run with it for 9 minutes and keep me completely enthralled is a testament to how great the words are.
029. Throwing It All Away - Genesis (http://is.gd/a5LJK)
Phil Collins: the fucking melody man. There's a definite schism in the history of Genesis, from prog to pop. And for me, I favor the latter incarnation, mostly because of Phil Collins. The melody on this song is remarkable; and it never gets old for me.
028. Street Fighting Man - Rolling Stones (http://is.gd/a5M6v)
This song is just pure rock and roll. Whenever I hear the guitar riff I get wild-eyed like Zack Attack. I can't really say much more. Rock and roll, man.
027. Disney Girls (1957) - Beach Boys (http://is.gd/a5Mzr)
"All my life I've spent the night with dreams of you." This is just a gorgeous love song with a fantastic melody. This is the kind of love I think everyone aspires to find one day. Even if you don't realize it now, growing old with someone is something to revere and covet.
026. Incident On 57th Street - Bruce Springsteen (http://is.gd/a5MUG)
This is the first cut on my favorite record side of all time (Side 2 of The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle). This song is everything I love about the Boss: great lyrics, tight and deceptively complex instrumentation, and a great narrative. Bruce just captures the sights, sounds and mood of his place and time so well.
025. This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies (http://is.gd/a5N84)
Oddessey and Oracle is a brilliant album on par with Sgt. Pepper's and Pet Sounds, and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. This is pretty much a flawless pop song, and one of the best love songs ever written. This block of tracks has been pretty stacked with awesome melodies, and this song is no different.
024. Life on Mars? - David Bowie (http://is.gd/a5Nks)
Looking back, I think "Queen Bitch" would have been on this list. My bad. But "Life On Mars?" is my favorite Bowie song. If you've ever partied in Madison you can relate to the lyrics, and the chorus is just a monster. I love this song.
023. Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets (http://is.gd/a5NAS)
What up Mike Skinner?! The Streets is one of, if not the, most original thing to come out in hip-hop in the 2000s. This song is the only straight-up funny track on this list, and it doesn't disppoint. Probably my favorite song to throw on at a party. "Oi oi oi oi!"
022. I'm A Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian (http://is.gd/a5O9k)
Just like "July, July!" and The Decemberists, there are a dozen Belle & Sebastian songs that could be on this list. But I always come back to "I'm A Cuckoo." How can you hear this song and not fall in love with it? I'm finding my descriptions getting less and less expository as we get closer to #1, but it makes sense; it's hard to explain why we specifically love something that we feel strong connection to.
021. Mama's Pearl - Jackson 5 (http://is.gd/a5OuT)
If you haven't noticed, I'm a sucker for great pop songs. And, really, there was no better time and place than 60s/70s Motown for pop music. I look at this song and "I Want You Back" as long-lost twins born two years apart. Once again, no great explanation for this track: I just always love to hear it. Funny story, the demo version of this song was hilariously called "Guess Who's Making Whoopie (With Your Girlfriend)" but was changed to keep with Michael's child-like image. OK, now I know Michael had a lot in his life to screw him up; but has anyone thought he had messed up sexual issues because he was singing about nailing girls since he was born, basically? Think about it.
8tracks: External:
Woah we're close!
Erik
Recapitulation:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks
052. All I Need - The Temptations
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
050. Elephant Gun - Beirut
049. Skating Away - Jethro Tull
048. Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello
047. Brother Run Them Down - Constantines
046. M79 - Vampire Weekend
045. The Wind - Cat Stevens
044. Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
043. Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over - Fall Out Boy
042. I'll Be Your Man - The Black Keys
041. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
040. Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins
039. Here Should Be My Home - No Age
038. Metal Firecracker - Lucinda Williams
037. So Far Around the Bend - The National
036. Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
035. I Only Want to Be With You - Dusty Springfield
034. July, July! - The Decemberists
033. I Want You - Bob Dylan
032. No Rain - Blind Melon
031. Answering Machine - The Replacements
030. Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and Be Loved) - Bright Eyes (http://is.gd/a5Gee)
This song is Bright Eyes in 9:00. The crash course. It breaks up pretty much all of his themes and distills them verse by verse: human commentary, political ire, personal tragedy and tied all together with love. The scene of him and his father in the hospital is some of the most moving words put to music. This is also probably as close to a Bob Dylan song that's ever been produced. Musically, just a solid rebel country song. But the centerpiece here are the lyrics. The fact that they can take a riff, run with it for 9 minutes and keep me completely enthralled is a testament to how great the words are.
029. Throwing It All Away - Genesis (http://is.gd/a5LJK)
Phil Collins: the fucking melody man. There's a definite schism in the history of Genesis, from prog to pop. And for me, I favor the latter incarnation, mostly because of Phil Collins. The melody on this song is remarkable; and it never gets old for me.
028. Street Fighting Man - Rolling Stones (http://is.gd/a5M6v)
This song is just pure rock and roll. Whenever I hear the guitar riff I get wild-eyed like Zack Attack. I can't really say much more. Rock and roll, man.
027. Disney Girls (1957) - Beach Boys (http://is.gd/a5Mzr)
"All my life I've spent the night with dreams of you." This is just a gorgeous love song with a fantastic melody. This is the kind of love I think everyone aspires to find one day. Even if you don't realize it now, growing old with someone is something to revere and covet.
026. Incident On 57th Street - Bruce Springsteen (http://is.gd/a5MUG)
This is the first cut on my favorite record side of all time (Side 2 of The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle). This song is everything I love about the Boss: great lyrics, tight and deceptively complex instrumentation, and a great narrative. Bruce just captures the sights, sounds and mood of his place and time so well.
025. This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies (http://is.gd/a5N84)
Oddessey and Oracle is a brilliant album on par with Sgt. Pepper's and Pet Sounds, and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. This is pretty much a flawless pop song, and one of the best love songs ever written. This block of tracks has been pretty stacked with awesome melodies, and this song is no different.
024. Life on Mars? - David Bowie (http://is.gd/a5Nks)
Looking back, I think "Queen Bitch" would have been on this list. My bad. But "Life On Mars?" is my favorite Bowie song. If you've ever partied in Madison you can relate to the lyrics, and the chorus is just a monster. I love this song.
023. Don't Mug Yourself - The Streets (http://is.gd/a5NAS)
What up Mike Skinner?! The Streets is one of, if not the, most original thing to come out in hip-hop in the 2000s. This song is the only straight-up funny track on this list, and it doesn't disppoint. Probably my favorite song to throw on at a party. "Oi oi oi oi!"
022. I'm A Cuckoo - Belle & Sebastian (http://is.gd/a5O9k)
Just like "July, July!" and The Decemberists, there are a dozen Belle & Sebastian songs that could be on this list. But I always come back to "I'm A Cuckoo." How can you hear this song and not fall in love with it? I'm finding my descriptions getting less and less expository as we get closer to #1, but it makes sense; it's hard to explain why we specifically love something that we feel strong connection to.
021. Mama's Pearl - Jackson 5 (http://is.gd/a5OuT)
If you haven't noticed, I'm a sucker for great pop songs. And, really, there was no better time and place than 60s/70s Motown for pop music. I look at this song and "I Want You Back" as long-lost twins born two years apart. Once again, no great explanation for this track: I just always love to hear it. Funny story, the demo version of this song was hilariously called "Guess Who's Making Whoopie (With Your Girlfriend)" but was changed to keep with Michael's child-like image. OK, now I know Michael had a lot in his life to screw him up; but has anyone thought he had messed up sexual issues because he was singing about nailing girls since he was born, basically? Think about it.
8tracks: External:
Woah we're close!
Erik
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (60-51)
This list concludes the first half of the top 100 favorite tracks project. I hope you're enjoying!
So far we've seen:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill (http://is.gd/9DW3z)
Thank goodness for that strange Austrian family who clearly can't understand the lyrics to this song for posting the video. So Windmill is essentially Matthew Thomas Dillon. Now yes, I realize he sounds like a muppet. But, man, what a heartbreaking song. I am a huge fan of divorce music (Blood on the Tracks is a Top 5 album for me), and this song just captures everything I imagine divorce to be. Just these heartbreaking little phrases ("Forgot to cut the grass by the baby's things." "Your dad called 'round confirmed the train is running from the tracks.")
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith (http://is.gd/9E2IG)
I could probably make a list of my 100 favorite Elliott Smith songs. It was tough limiting my picks to 2 because all of his stuff is so stellar. And he was consistently amazing on every album he made (my favorite is XO). This song is especially great because, while is of course a little depressing, it's not just a blatant suicide note like a lot of his music was (which makes his later work really tough to listen to, I think). Instead it's just his observations, which are simultaneously disarming and funny and sad. This is how I like to remember him.
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison (N/A, covers only)
This is probably my favorite love song of all time. The lyrics, that groove, those horns. Everything just makes me amorous. Plus, when I was in England I was pretty much listening to Van Morrison nonstop, so I have this personal connection with that specific place and time, which makes me simultaneously nostalgic and happy.
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon (http://is.gd/9E5vc)
I get into arguments all the time about what was the worsst decade for music. Everyone always says the 1980s. Well, I disagree. I think you show me almost any great act from the 1990s, I'll show you their analogue from the 1980s that was better (with the exception of hip-hop, which I think peaked in the 90s). I think the main this that separated the decades, however, was pop music. In the 80s it was beginning to wane in quality, but in the 90s and 00s it just became wretched. But I look back on these simple pop songs like "You Can Call Me Al" that are so upbeat and catchy, yet manage to smash in some of the most incredible lyrics every to receive mass radio play. Listen to the last verse of this song and not be impressed and moved.
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks (http://is.gd/9E8zM)
This song is just plain beautiful. I don't have much to say about it that you wouldn't know by hearing it. The concept of a love song from the perspective of a lonely outsider looking in is so imaginative; and the execution on "Waterloo Sunset" is devastating and lovely.
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9") (http://is.gd/9EcZ1)
Haha. Detroit stand UP! This is the only way Allen Parson's Project is ever going to make it onto anyone's 100 greatest songs list. Man, the drums on this song just BANG. How can you listen to this and not just slam your head up and down? It also helps that the verses, while not completely game changing, are just solid and enjoyable. Front to back this is just an amazing track.
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths (http://is.gd/9EA30)
Oh man do I love The Queen is Dead. These songs are just so witty and lovely and the melodies are incredible. I take this song as an attack on anyone who has doubted me and been proven wrong. "And if they don't believe us now, will they ever believe us?"
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks (http://is.gd/9EArN)
I think Singles Going Steady is one of the best punk albums ever. Just awesome, frustrated songs about love. This song also falls into the "Erik is a pussy" category. Because, of course, the answer is Yes to the question posed in the title. But then again, who hasn't?
052. All I Need - The Temptations (http://is.gd/9EAIe)
What up David Ruffin?! I love The Temptations so much, and this track is definitely one of my favorites of theirs. I don't know if there's a name for the type of rhythm the bassist is playing (the same as "You Can't Hurry Love" by the Supremes and a million other songs) but I love it. Just an awesome, soulful song.
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys (http://is.gd/9EAYO)
This song has been written about ad nauseum so I'll spare you. I'll just take this opportunity to justify why it isn't higher on the list. And it's because of the "Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bap-ba" halfway through. It just sounds kind of corny, and it frustrates me everytime I hear it. But I love everything else about the song so much I can excuse it.
8tracks: External:
Peace and Love,
Erik
So far we've seen:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon
060. Newsflash - Windmill (http://is.gd/9DW3z)
Thank goodness for that strange Austrian family who clearly can't understand the lyrics to this song for posting the video. So Windmill is essentially Matthew Thomas Dillon. Now yes, I realize he sounds like a muppet. But, man, what a heartbreaking song. I am a huge fan of divorce music (Blood on the Tracks is a Top 5 album for me), and this song just captures everything I imagine divorce to be. Just these heartbreaking little phrases ("Forgot to cut the grass by the baby's things." "Your dad called 'round confirmed the train is running from the tracks.")
059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith (http://is.gd/9E2IG)
I could probably make a list of my 100 favorite Elliott Smith songs. It was tough limiting my picks to 2 because all of his stuff is so stellar. And he was consistently amazing on every album he made (my favorite is XO). This song is especially great because, while is of course a little depressing, it's not just a blatant suicide note like a lot of his music was (which makes his later work really tough to listen to, I think). Instead it's just his observations, which are simultaneously disarming and funny and sad. This is how I like to remember him.
058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison (N/A, covers only)
This is probably my favorite love song of all time. The lyrics, that groove, those horns. Everything just makes me amorous. Plus, when I was in England I was pretty much listening to Van Morrison nonstop, so I have this personal connection with that specific place and time, which makes me simultaneously nostalgic and happy.
057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon (http://is.gd/9E5vc)
I get into arguments all the time about what was the worsst decade for music. Everyone always says the 1980s. Well, I disagree. I think you show me almost any great act from the 1990s, I'll show you their analogue from the 1980s that was better (with the exception of hip-hop, which I think peaked in the 90s). I think the main this that separated the decades, however, was pop music. In the 80s it was beginning to wane in quality, but in the 90s and 00s it just became wretched. But I look back on these simple pop songs like "You Can Call Me Al" that are so upbeat and catchy, yet manage to smash in some of the most incredible lyrics every to receive mass radio play. Listen to the last verse of this song and not be impressed and moved.
056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks (http://is.gd/9E8zM)
This song is just plain beautiful. I don't have much to say about it that you wouldn't know by hearing it. The concept of a love song from the perspective of a lonely outsider looking in is so imaginative; and the execution on "Waterloo Sunset" is devastating and lovely.
055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9") (http://is.gd/9EcZ1)
Haha. Detroit stand UP! This is the only way Allen Parson's Project is ever going to make it onto anyone's 100 greatest songs list. Man, the drums on this song just BANG. How can you listen to this and not just slam your head up and down? It also helps that the verses, while not completely game changing, are just solid and enjoyable. Front to back this is just an amazing track.
054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths (http://is.gd/9EA30)
Oh man do I love The Queen is Dead. These songs are just so witty and lovely and the melodies are incredible. I take this song as an attack on anyone who has doubted me and been proven wrong. "And if they don't believe us now, will they ever believe us?"
053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks (http://is.gd/9EArN)
I think Singles Going Steady is one of the best punk albums ever. Just awesome, frustrated songs about love. This song also falls into the "Erik is a pussy" category. Because, of course, the answer is Yes to the question posed in the title. But then again, who hasn't?
052. All I Need - The Temptations (http://is.gd/9EAIe)
What up David Ruffin?! I love The Temptations so much, and this track is definitely one of my favorites of theirs. I don't know if there's a name for the type of rhythm the bassist is playing (the same as "You Can't Hurry Love" by the Supremes and a million other songs) but I love it. Just an awesome, soulful song.
051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys (http://is.gd/9EAYO)
This song has been written about ad nauseum so I'll spare you. I'll just take this opportunity to justify why it isn't higher on the list. And it's because of the "Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bap-ba" halfway through. It just sounds kind of corny, and it frustrates me everytime I hear it. But I love everything else about the song so much I can excuse it.
8tracks: External:
Peace and Love,
Erik
Monday, March 1, 2010
My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (80-71)
I really should restrict myself to a more consistent regiment of when I post these. I have no firm schedule. But my goal is to have it all available by the end of next week.
Alright. Part three!! Definitely out of the 70s and 80s punk realm for a while, I believe. I think the list will bring a little bit more variety from here on on (though, for the record, it has been pretty eclectic thus far, in my opinion). Note: I encourage all of you who check this out to make a similar list! It's a fun exercise if you're serious about the music you love. I also encourage you to discuss/judge this list.
A recap of parts ONE and TWO:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power (http://is.gd/9uaOC)
Chan Marshall turns me to putty. Ugh. It's not fair to have a voice so velvety and sultry (and to also look like she looks!? So mean.). This song just puts me outside on a warm summer night drinking with friends underneath stars and moons and tiki torches. And then that turn at 2:30 just seals the deal. Check your pulse if your toe isn't tapping.
079. Venus - Television (http://is.gd/9ucOO)
And we're back to CBGB in the 70s (you were warned!). For those of you who have listened to Marquee Moon in it's entirety you know it is just unbelievable. For those of you who haven't; please get with the program. There are a lot of songs on this list that offer little snapshots of a given time or place; I like to think of this song as a little picture of New York in '76-'77, complete with references to Richard Hell. But the highlight of this track are the guitars. The technique and interplay is fantastic. I prefer this track to the more notable title track just for length. I get tired in most 10-minute songs. But the whole album is sellar.
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits (http://is.gd/9ugaH)
"With Swordfishtrombones, The Black Rider was thrown out of the nightclub into the alley and, finding himself in his true element, he made its trashcan residents and urine stink the genetic code of the rest of his career." -Rob Mitchum, Pitchfork. "In the Neighborhood" is like a cartoon sketch of any inner city. It's simultaneously playful and depressing, sugar and spice, and, of course, it's Tom Wait's as the ringmaster, drunkenly spewing concrete on a piano somewhere dirty. And oh how I love it so.
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem (http://is.gd/9ukZA)
What is the point in doing anything if you take yourself so seriously? I love the music video, because I feel with every reference he throws out that I understand I'm catching a slap in the face. And it's totally fine. I can relate to a lot of the sentiment in this track ("the kids are coming up from behind.") And you can dance to it too, which is always nice. And because I'm the master of meta (ugh I feel like an asshole right now):
076. Vitamin C - Can (http://is.gd/9uqpz)
Krautrock was a bizarre, bizarre movement in Germany in the late 60s and 70s. I think what made it so fascinating, to me, was how disjointed everything was. From early electronic experiments to crazy jam rock, it encompassed nearly everything. But my personal favorite of the entire "genre" is, and always will be, Can. Those drums! Do you breakdance? Well you do now! I love this track so much because it doesn't sound like it belongs anywhere. It just mysteriously came from this crazy nebula of jazz, funk, rock and punk and burrowed into our ears.
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast) (http://is.gd/9urYY)
Andre 3000's verse.
074. Someday - The Strokes (http://is.gd/9utTp)
There are some songs on this list that I can't even fully explain. They just hit me. "Someday" is one of those songs. Maybe it's Julian Casablancas' voice, or the simple yet perfect guitar riff, or the lovely nostalgic lyrics, or the consistent and effortlessly excellent rhythm section, or the, shit, it's obviously all of the above and more.
073. These Days - Nico (http://is.gd/9uvLD)
I think in order to really appreciate the Nico version you have to know the original Jackson Browne version. Her version is completely turned on its ear. Instead of being one of the millions of songs about regret after a relationship, little twists in the words made her version about regret at the end of life. This song just levels me. Especially Nico's haunting voice and the orchestration. Just beautiful.
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West (http://is.gd/9uwYt)
This track comes from notorious doucher Kanye West. I want to hate him so much (and in many ways I do), but then I go back and listen to his old albums when he had shreds of sincerity and get completely blown away. The beat is so soulful and the lyrics are such a refreshing change of pace from the kind of rap that populated manstream hip-hop for the majority of the decade. I guess this song is also bittersweet to me, because I see what happened to Kanye, who I sort of regarded as a bastion of honesty in the world of rap, and see what's become of him. "When it falls down, who you gonna call now," indeed.
071. Debaser - Pixies (http://is.gd/9uAcD)
This song is a sort of late edition. Originally I had "Here Comes Your Man," but then I went back and listened to the Pixies a bit more. And I realized "Here Comes Your Man" doesn't really capture what I really love about the Pixies, or what they do best: and that is rock. "Debaser" fuckin' rocks, man. And as a film student, I was forcefed "Un Chien Andalou" like a billion times.
8Tracks: External:
OK! You know where we're headed from here.
-Erik
Alright. Part three!! Definitely out of the 70s and 80s punk realm for a while, I believe. I think the list will bring a little bit more variety from here on on (though, for the record, it has been pretty eclectic thus far, in my opinion). Note: I encourage all of you who check this out to make a similar list! It's a fun exercise if you're serious about the music you love. I also encourage you to discuss/judge this list.
A recap of parts ONE and TWO:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power (http://is.gd/9uaOC)
Chan Marshall turns me to putty. Ugh. It's not fair to have a voice so velvety and sultry (and to also look like she looks!? So mean.). This song just puts me outside on a warm summer night drinking with friends underneath stars and moons and tiki torches. And then that turn at 2:30 just seals the deal. Check your pulse if your toe isn't tapping.
079. Venus - Television (http://is.gd/9ucOO)
And we're back to CBGB in the 70s (you were warned!). For those of you who have listened to Marquee Moon in it's entirety you know it is just unbelievable. For those of you who haven't; please get with the program. There are a lot of songs on this list that offer little snapshots of a given time or place; I like to think of this song as a little picture of New York in '76-'77, complete with references to Richard Hell. But the highlight of this track are the guitars. The technique and interplay is fantastic. I prefer this track to the more notable title track just for length. I get tired in most 10-minute songs. But the whole album is sellar.
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits (http://is.gd/9ugaH)
"With Swordfishtrombones, The Black Rider was thrown out of the nightclub into the alley and, finding himself in his true element, he made its trashcan residents and urine stink the genetic code of the rest of his career." -Rob Mitchum, Pitchfork. "In the Neighborhood" is like a cartoon sketch of any inner city. It's simultaneously playful and depressing, sugar and spice, and, of course, it's Tom Wait's as the ringmaster, drunkenly spewing concrete on a piano somewhere dirty. And oh how I love it so.
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem (http://is.gd/9ukZA)
What is the point in doing anything if you take yourself so seriously? I love the music video, because I feel with every reference he throws out that I understand I'm catching a slap in the face. And it's totally fine. I can relate to a lot of the sentiment in this track ("the kids are coming up from behind.") And you can dance to it too, which is always nice. And because I'm the master of meta (ugh I feel like an asshole right now):
076. Vitamin C - Can (http://is.gd/9uqpz)
Krautrock was a bizarre, bizarre movement in Germany in the late 60s and 70s. I think what made it so fascinating, to me, was how disjointed everything was. From early electronic experiments to crazy jam rock, it encompassed nearly everything. But my personal favorite of the entire "genre" is, and always will be, Can. Those drums! Do you breakdance? Well you do now! I love this track so much because it doesn't sound like it belongs anywhere. It just mysteriously came from this crazy nebula of jazz, funk, rock and punk and burrowed into our ears.
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast) (http://is.gd/9urYY)
Andre 3000's verse.
074. Someday - The Strokes (http://is.gd/9utTp)
There are some songs on this list that I can't even fully explain. They just hit me. "Someday" is one of those songs. Maybe it's Julian Casablancas' voice, or the simple yet perfect guitar riff, or the lovely nostalgic lyrics, or the consistent and effortlessly excellent rhythm section, or the, shit, it's obviously all of the above and more.
073. These Days - Nico (http://is.gd/9uvLD)
I think in order to really appreciate the Nico version you have to know the original Jackson Browne version. Her version is completely turned on its ear. Instead of being one of the millions of songs about regret after a relationship, little twists in the words made her version about regret at the end of life. This song just levels me. Especially Nico's haunting voice and the orchestration. Just beautiful.
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West (http://is.gd/9uwYt)
This track comes from notorious doucher Kanye West. I want to hate him so much (and in many ways I do), but then I go back and listen to his old albums when he had shreds of sincerity and get completely blown away. The beat is so soulful and the lyrics are such a refreshing change of pace from the kind of rap that populated manstream hip-hop for the majority of the decade. I guess this song is also bittersweet to me, because I see what happened to Kanye, who I sort of regarded as a bastion of honesty in the world of rap, and see what's become of him. "When it falls down, who you gonna call now," indeed.
071. Debaser - Pixies (http://is.gd/9uAcD)
This song is a sort of late edition. Originally I had "Here Comes Your Man," but then I went back and listened to the Pixies a bit more. And I realized "Here Comes Your Man" doesn't really capture what I really love about the Pixies, or what they do best: and that is rock. "Debaser" fuckin' rocks, man. And as a film student, I was forcefed "Un Chien Andalou" like a billion times.
8Tracks: External:
OK! You know where we're headed from here.
-Erik
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (100-91) [and intro]
Alright. This was a massive undertaking. Putting together a list of 100 favorite tracks? No time/genre boundaries? Ugh. I also kicked myself more in the ass by ranking everything. So the #1 on here is my #1.
A note/intro: I've been thinking a lot recently about the nature of criticism and what makes a good critic. Is it purely having good taste? What defines good taste? My personal belief is that a good critic can remove himself from what he likes and look at the subject in the context of the music and artist's history. Does it progress the art form? Does it say something new or significant? Or, if not, does it say something old in a significant way? There are so many considerations. And, of course, it's a bit pompous to think one's beliefs are any more relevant than anyone else's; but there's a certain level of commitment involved in order to define oneself as a critic. You have to sort of have a little pretention to think that your opinion matters. And it's not a pretention I take lightly. I do my best to not blindly like or dislike anything, and I encourage anyone who takes criticism sincerely to do the same.
Having said that, this list is MY FAVORITE 100 SONGS OF ALL TIME. This list is not the "100 Greatest Songs of All-Time." Not to say that some of the greatest songs ever written aren't on here; but this list is my personal 100. These are songs that have touched me in a significant way, and stuck with me over the years. My friend Tim (whose musical opinions I regard) undertook a similar list, and one of his main criteria was that the song could be listened to at any time and he wouldn't want to skip it. That's a great way to approach the list, but unfortunately, for me, sometimes different moods (angry, lovesick, confused) influence my desire to hear a song/artist. I tried to adhere to the "No Skip" rule, but it just couldn't be done for me.
So here it is. The beginning. Tracks 100-91.
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult (http://is.gd/97H8T)
THIS track. Is underrated. THIS album. Is one of the best commentaries on suburban life put out in the 2000s. Just great pop punk songs about really dark subjects (violence, drug abuse, et al)
99. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen (http://is.gd/97IqZ)
Haha. This song is so great. I love D. Boon's delivery of one of the most iconic lines of the punk movement ("Our band could be your life.") The whole song is just so casual about somethings that people turn into lifestyles: "Punk rock changed our lives."
98. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods (http://is.gd/97JH7)
Nice. I am so happy that the video is the actual video of this recording! This song came out in 2009 and was listened to constantly. I am really big into the lo-fi aesthetic, but a lot of times it feels like the band uses rough production to cover up lack of talent. This song is just so beautiful. Great lyrics, smooth riffs and that voice. Damn.
97. Furr - Blitzen Trapper (http://is.gd/97KRN)
The title track off of their 2008 album. I love this song. Great melody and such imagination in the lyrics. It also brings me back to a great night I had with my good friend Matty at Palomino in Milwaukee's Bay View. This track came on and soundtracked a really nice chat.
96. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake (http://is.gd/97LBY)
Nick Drake is just so heartbreaking. His voice is like a vice on my heart. The ochestration on this song is beautiful, especially the haunting saxophone that duets with Nick a couple minutes in. This song is essential for me in wintertime.
95. Search & Destroy - The Stooges (http://is.gd/97MaU)
Raw Power, baby. God. If this song isn't just the powderkeg of frustration over everything ('Nam in particular) that it took to ignite punk, I don't know what is. And that riff! Ah!
94. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake (http://is.gd/97N5H)
I, like many others my age, went through a ska phase in high school. I don't regret it. But I did outgrow it in a lot of ways. But Less Than Jake has been a constant. I've said this before and I'll say it again, Vinny Fiorello is as close to Bruce Springsteen lyrically that's come along. These universal themes of discontent and wanting more out of life pop up all the time. "When I think of how I'm feeling right now, I still remember how I felt 4 years ago." The more things seem to change, the more human emotions remain a constant.
93. Ruby Soho - Rancid (http://is.gd/97OBZ)
I just realized how pop-punk/punk heavy these first 10 tracks are. Not really reflective of the rest of the list. ...And Out Come The Wolves is one of the greatest punk albums ever made. And this song is a great reflection. Just throw it on, have a drink with your friends as Tim Armstrong slurs through your speakers.
92. B.O.B. - OutKast (http://is.gd/97Pwq)
Woah. Just a shot of adrenaline directly to your heart. Andre 3000 is my #3 all-time rapper (behind Ghostface Killah and Black Thought of the Roots). But he's so much more than that. Man, has there been anything like this song since? Was there anything like it before it? The rhythm! The flow! The content! There is just so much to digest, and yet it's a pop song. A great, great pop song.
91. Monk Time - The Monks (http://is.gd/97QPO)
1966. This album came out the same year as Pet Sounds. How nuts is that? If you haven't seen this documentary I highly recommend it. Just the raw intensity of the lyrics and vocals. And the simplicity of the music. This was the foundation of punk, slammed into under 3 minutes. Simply brilliant.
8tracks: External:
More to come! Thanks for listening to my babel.
-Erik
A note/intro: I've been thinking a lot recently about the nature of criticism and what makes a good critic. Is it purely having good taste? What defines good taste? My personal belief is that a good critic can remove himself from what he likes and look at the subject in the context of the music and artist's history. Does it progress the art form? Does it say something new or significant? Or, if not, does it say something old in a significant way? There are so many considerations. And, of course, it's a bit pompous to think one's beliefs are any more relevant than anyone else's; but there's a certain level of commitment involved in order to define oneself as a critic. You have to sort of have a little pretention to think that your opinion matters. And it's not a pretention I take lightly. I do my best to not blindly like or dislike anything, and I encourage anyone who takes criticism sincerely to do the same.
Having said that, this list is MY FAVORITE 100 SONGS OF ALL TIME. This list is not the "100 Greatest Songs of All-Time." Not to say that some of the greatest songs ever written aren't on here; but this list is my personal 100. These are songs that have touched me in a significant way, and stuck with me over the years. My friend Tim (whose musical opinions I regard) undertook a similar list, and one of his main criteria was that the song could be listened to at any time and he wouldn't want to skip it. That's a great way to approach the list, but unfortunately, for me, sometimes different moods (angry, lovesick, confused) influence my desire to hear a song/artist. I tried to adhere to the "No Skip" rule, but it just couldn't be done for me.
So here it is. The beginning. Tracks 100-91.
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult (http://is.gd/97H8T)
THIS track. Is underrated. THIS album. Is one of the best commentaries on suburban life put out in the 2000s. Just great pop punk songs about really dark subjects (violence, drug abuse, et al)
99. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen (http://is.gd/97IqZ)
Haha. This song is so great. I love D. Boon's delivery of one of the most iconic lines of the punk movement ("Our band could be your life.") The whole song is just so casual about somethings that people turn into lifestyles: "Punk rock changed our lives."
98. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods (http://is.gd/97JH7)
Nice. I am so happy that the video is the actual video of this recording! This song came out in 2009 and was listened to constantly. I am really big into the lo-fi aesthetic, but a lot of times it feels like the band uses rough production to cover up lack of talent. This song is just so beautiful. Great lyrics, smooth riffs and that voice. Damn.
97. Furr - Blitzen Trapper (http://is.gd/97KRN)
The title track off of their 2008 album. I love this song. Great melody and such imagination in the lyrics. It also brings me back to a great night I had with my good friend Matty at Palomino in Milwaukee's Bay View. This track came on and soundtracked a really nice chat.
96. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake (http://is.gd/97LBY)
Nick Drake is just so heartbreaking. His voice is like a vice on my heart. The ochestration on this song is beautiful, especially the haunting saxophone that duets with Nick a couple minutes in. This song is essential for me in wintertime.
95. Search & Destroy - The Stooges (http://is.gd/97MaU)
Raw Power, baby. God. If this song isn't just the powderkeg of frustration over everything ('Nam in particular) that it took to ignite punk, I don't know what is. And that riff! Ah!
94. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake (http://is.gd/97N5H)
I, like many others my age, went through a ska phase in high school. I don't regret it. But I did outgrow it in a lot of ways. But Less Than Jake has been a constant. I've said this before and I'll say it again, Vinny Fiorello is as close to Bruce Springsteen lyrically that's come along. These universal themes of discontent and wanting more out of life pop up all the time. "When I think of how I'm feeling right now, I still remember how I felt 4 years ago." The more things seem to change, the more human emotions remain a constant.
93. Ruby Soho - Rancid (http://is.gd/97OBZ)
I just realized how pop-punk/punk heavy these first 10 tracks are. Not really reflective of the rest of the list. ...And Out Come The Wolves is one of the greatest punk albums ever made. And this song is a great reflection. Just throw it on, have a drink with your friends as Tim Armstrong slurs through your speakers.
92. B.O.B. - OutKast (http://is.gd/97Pwq)
Woah. Just a shot of adrenaline directly to your heart. Andre 3000 is my #3 all-time rapper (behind Ghostface Killah and Black Thought of the Roots). But he's so much more than that. Man, has there been anything like this song since? Was there anything like it before it? The rhythm! The flow! The content! There is just so much to digest, and yet it's a pop song. A great, great pop song.
91. Monk Time - The Monks (http://is.gd/97QPO)
1966. This album came out the same year as Pet Sounds. How nuts is that? If you haven't seen this documentary I highly recommend it. Just the raw intensity of the lyrics and vocals. And the simplicity of the music. This was the foundation of punk, slammed into under 3 minutes. Simply brilliant.
8tracks: External:
More to come! Thanks for listening to my babel.
-Erik
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
2009 Discs 1 and 2: The Singles and The Calm
As noted, this (last) year's end of year mix came in 3 parts. The first was the cassette (2009 in Lo-Fi), the second was Disc 1: The Singles and the last was Disc 2: The Calm.
Disc 1: The Singles is meant to play at random. None of the songs are meant to flow into each other. It was designed to be listened to on an iPod, in a playlist on shuffle. The first and last tracks are designed as opener/closer, respectively to bookend the list, but they still function anywhere else in playing order. The track list is as follows:
01. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Optimist vs. The Silent Alarm (When the Saints Go Marching In)
02. Girls - Lust for Life
03. Camera Obscura - Honey in the Sun
04. Passion Pit - Moth's Wings
05. Delorean - Seasun
06. Sleigh Bells - Crown on the Ground
07. Raekwon - Kiss the Ring (feat. Inspectah Deck & Masta Killa)
08. The Very Best - Chalo
09. Foreign Born - Early Warnings
10. Double Dagger - The Lie/The Truth
11. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Some Trees (Merritt Moon)
12. The Shaky Hands - Allison and the Ancient Eyes
13. Dirty Projectors & David Byrne - Knotty Pine
14. Animal Collective - My Girls
15. The Mountain Goats - Deuteronomy 2:10
Disc 2: The Calm is meant to play like a standard album, front-to-back. It's much more folky/acoustic. Generally speaking, throw on some headphones, lay back and relax and listen. Track list:
01. Mazes - Laid in the Darkness
02. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You
03. White Antelope - Silver Dagger
04. Mumford & Sons - Sister
05. Bowerbirds - Northern Lights
06. The Tallest Man on Earth - Pistol Dreams
07. Telekinesis - I Saw Lightning
08. Beirut - Mimizan
09. Dirty Projectors - Two Doves
10. Woods - To Clean (Acoustic)
11. The Clientele - Bonfires on the Heath
12. Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others
13. Pink Mountaintops - Vampire
14. Antony and the Johnsons - Dust and Water
That's all!
Erik
Next lists will be my 100 favorite tracks of all time. Stay tuned!
(Special thanks to Matty [SS# 386-05-1812] for album art!)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Valentine's 2010
Woah. OK. SO I should have posted this on Valentine's Day. But I put together a pretty great list of love/loveish songs from 1959-2009. I'm pretty proud of the project because it's so all over the map (punk/r&b/rap/indie/etc.). It's divided into 2 lists, so yeah. Enjoy!
The List:
01. Jackie Wilson - I'll Be Satisfied (1959)
02. Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs - Stay (1960)
03. Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby (1964)
04. The Beatles - I've Just Seen A Face (1965)
05. Bob Dylan - I Want You (1966)
06. Wilson Pickett - I'm In Love (1967)
07. Zombies - This Will Be Our Year (1968)
08. Van Morrison - Into The Mystic (1970)
09. Al Green - I'm Still In Love With You (1972)
10. Ramones - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (1976)
11. Buzzcocks - Love You More (1979)
12. Michael Jackson - The Girl is Mine w/ Paul McCartney (1982)
13. Prince - I Would Die 4 You (1984)
14. Paul Simon - Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (1986)
15. Pixies - Here Comes Your Man (1989)
16. R.E.M. - Nightswimming (1992)
17. Weezer - Falling For Your (1996)
18. Elliott Smith - Say Yes (1997)
19. Wilco - I'm the Man Who Loves You (2002)
20. OutKast - Hey Ya! (2003)
21. The Perceptionists - Love Letters (2005)
22. The Hold Steady - Citrus (2006)
23. Jens Lekman - Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig (Maybe I Am In Love With You) (2007)
24. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You (2009)
Heart 1:
Melissa Joan Hart 2:
Love,
Erik
The List:
01. Jackie Wilson - I'll Be Satisfied (1959)
02. Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs - Stay (1960)
03. Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby (1964)
04. The Beatles - I've Just Seen A Face (1965)
05. Bob Dylan - I Want You (1966)
06. Wilson Pickett - I'm In Love (1967)
07. Zombies - This Will Be Our Year (1968)
08. Van Morrison - Into The Mystic (1970)
09. Al Green - I'm Still In Love With You (1972)
10. Ramones - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (1976)
11. Buzzcocks - Love You More (1979)
12. Michael Jackson - The Girl is Mine w/ Paul McCartney (1982)
13. Prince - I Would Die 4 You (1984)
14. Paul Simon - Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (1986)
15. Pixies - Here Comes Your Man (1989)
16. R.E.M. - Nightswimming (1992)
17. Weezer - Falling For Your (1996)
18. Elliott Smith - Say Yes (1997)
19. Wilco - I'm the Man Who Loves You (2002)
20. OutKast - Hey Ya! (2003)
21. The Perceptionists - Love Letters (2005)
22. The Hold Steady - Citrus (2006)
23. Jens Lekman - Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig (Maybe I Am In Love With You) (2007)
24. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You (2009)
Heart 1:
Melissa Joan Hart 2:
Love,
Erik
Monday, October 5, 2009
Day 101: Fall Mix
This is my mix for Fall. Enjoy!
01. The Byrds - Turn, Turn, Turn
02. ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Festival Thyme (N/A)
03. Tarkio - Caroline Ave. (N/A on imeem)
04. The White Stripes - Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
05. Woods - Rain On
06. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
07. Donovan - Season of the Witch
08. Rolling Stones - Wild Horses
09. Simon & Garfunkel - America
10. The Clientele - Bonfires on the Heath (N/A) (.mp3/stream)
11. Velvet Underground - Stephanie Says
12. The Beatles - Ticket to Ride (N/A on imeem)
13. The National - Fake Empire
14. Neil Young - Harvest Moon
15. Nico - Somewhere There's A Feather
16. Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
17. The Kinks - Nothin' In This World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout That Girl (Feist cover? I'll take it.)
18. White Antelope - Silver Dagger (Baez/Dylan version is available here, but I don't like it on this list.)
19. Smashing Pumpkins - Landslide
20. Norah Jones - Shoot the Moon
21. Zombies - This Will Be Our Year
imeem: external:
Day 101: Fall Mix
Fall!
-Erik
(Image by Adam Barlett, Licensed Under Creative Commons)
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Day 99: The Factory
Today, August 6th saw the birth of artist and icon Andy Warhol. I'm sure you all know as much about him as anyone else.
In honor of his birth-date, I put together a shortish-list of artists known to have hung out in The Factory, Warhol's infamous studio, which really flourished during the mid-1960s. Now The Factory was rumored to have seen the likes of dozens upon dozen of some prolific musicians of the era. But, I'm just going to to go with ones that were infamous for their association with the studio.
YouTube:
01. Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side
02. John Cale - Paris 1919
03. Nico - The Fairest of the Seasons (Cover Only)
04. Velvet Undergound - White Light/White Heat
05. Rolling Stones - Sister Morphine
06. David Bowie - Space Oddity
07. Bob Dylan - One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)
08. The Doors - Break on Through (To the Other Side)
09. Jackson Browne - Song For Adam
10. Blondie - X Offender
imeem: External:
Day 99: The Factory
Yeah,
Erik
Video!
(Image By Sonia Fantoli, Licensed Under Creative Commons)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Day 98: Wildcard (22)
New Week, New Wildcard.
YouTube:
01. The Hold Steady - Stevie Nix (30 sec. on imeem, "40 Bucks" instead)
02. Weezer - My Name is Jonas
03. Delorean - Seasun
04. 10cc - Dreadlock Holiday
05. Sublime - Badfish
06. Joshua James - You're the Cocaine (N/A)
07. She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
08. The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star
09. Ben Folds Five - Brick
10. Rosa Passos - Doce Presenca (N/A) (30 secs. on imeem, "Wave" instead)
11. Simon & Garfunkel - Keep the Customer Satisfied
12. Hall & Oates - You Make My Dreams Come True
13. Pet Benatar - Hit Me with Your Best Shot
14. Black Eyed Peas - Weekends
15. Neon Indian - Terminally Chill
16. Chuck Berry - You Never Can Tell
17. Suicide Machines - I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
18. Velvet Underground - Stephanie Says
19. Climax Blues Band - Couldn't Get It Right (30 secs. on imeem)
20. Osker - Patience
imeem: External:
Day 98: Wildcard (22)
(Image by James Emery, Licensed Under Creative Commons)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Day 96: Wildcard (21)
This week's Wildcard is a compilation of the past 20 weeks of Wildcards. I chose 1 song from each list. And one bonus video. Enjoy! (Note: I'm not assembling anything else this week [vacation]) Take it easy!
YouTube:
01. Andrew Gold - Lonely Boy
02. MF Doom - Rhymes Like Dimes
03. Bedouin Soundclash - St. Andrews
04. Can - Vitamin C
05. Lucinda Williams - Right in Time
06. Television - Venus
07. Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9") - Losing Out
08. Butthole Surfers - Pepper
09. Blondie - 11:59
10. Bobby Womack - Across 110th Street
11. The Streets - Don't Mug Yourself
12. EPMD - Richter Scale
13. Phil Collins - Take Me Home
14. The Ronettes - Be My Baby
15. Warren Zevon - Acidentally Like A Martyr
16. Pharrell - Angel
17. LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge
18. The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year
19. Belle & Sebastian - I'm A Cuckoo
20. Hüsker Dü - Celebrated Summer
imeem: External:
Day 96: Wildcard (21)
-Erik
(Image by Art G., Licensed Under Creative Commons)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Day 94: Wildcard (20)
Wildcard time!!!YouTube:
01. Iron Maiden - Invaders
02. Death From Above, 1979 - Romantic Rights
03. Naked City - Bonehead
04. Bobby Darin - Beyond the Sea
05. Gary Wright - Dreamweaver
06. Stealers Wheel - Stuck in the Middle With You
07. Eddie Cochoran - Summertime Blues
08. Cherry Poppin' Daddies - Zoot Suit Riot
09. Westbound Train - I'm No Different
10. The Doors - Light My Fire
11. The Jam - That's Entertainment
12. Bill Callahan - Jim Cain
13. Cold War Kids - We Used to Vacation
14. The Flaming Lips - The W.A.N.D.
15. Ice T - Colors
16. Parliament - Flashlight
17. Fiona Apple - Criminal
18. Hüsker Dü - Celebrated Summer
19. Everly Brothers - All I Have to Do is Dream
20. Andrea Bocelli - Con te Partiro
imeem: External:
Day 94: Wildcard (20)
Mix It Up,
Erik
(Image by John Goodridge, Licensed Under Creative Commons)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Day 93: Yeah It's Me, Neil
Today, in honor of Neil Armstrong and his famous lunar trek, I've put together a little potpourri of Neil. There aren't a lot of famous Neil's, says Nic Cage.So basically this is going to be a compilation of Neil Young, Neil Sedaka, Neil Finn, Neil Zaza, Neil Halstead, Neil Diamond and Neil Peart. Enjoy all this Neil.
YouTube:
01. Rush - Closer to the Heart
02. Neil Zaza - I'm Alright
03. Slowdive - Alison
04. Split Enz - Another Great Divide
05. Neil Diamond - Heartlight
06. Neil Sedaka - Breaking Up is Hard to Do
07. Neil Young - Thrasher
imeem: External:
Day 93: Year of the Neil
Neil,
Erik
Bonus Videos!!!
and
(Image by Anton Gurevich, Licensed Under Creative Commons)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Beauty in the Breakdown, Case #1: “God Only Knows”
One new thing I have been looking to incorporate into this blog for a while has been an increase in writing. Because, well, I just like writing about music. One of the outlets of which I am calling “Beauty in the Breakdown,” wherein I look in depth at some of the long-considered classics in the Western music cannon then offer some commentary on their significance.
For the first installment I will be looking at The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” long-touted as one of, if not the, quintessential American pop song.
A Little Background
Recorded in March of 1966 for the album Pet Sounds, “God Only Knows” is the opus of Brian Wilson, who handled all of the orchestration and melodic mastery, and Tony Asher, a lyricist who helmed much of the lyrical content on the album.
The song is sung by Brian’s brother, Carl, though originally intended for Brian. Carl was later chosen because both Brian and Asher felt he could express the depth of the song more emphatically. And, in my opinion, they were right.
Although only reaching #39 on the American pop charts, the song has been widely regarded as a masterpiece by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork Media, and as evidenced by the dozens upon dozens upon dozens upon dozens of cover versions.
Typical of numerous Beach Boys songs (and Pet Sounds songs in particular), “God Only Knows” features unusual instruments in pop music, most notably French Horn, which opens the song and forms the melody.
Fun fact: The song was the first in popular music to use the word “God” in its title, a fact that a) may have contributed to its lackluster chart performance and b) caused much debate among its creators.
The Breakdown
(Note: I am not the most knowledgeable musician. So if I mess up a music term or 2 please don’t hold it against me.)
0:00-0:17: The melody and heartbreak
The song opens up with a French Horn (Alan Robinson) fluttering over a banging harpsichord (Larry Knechtel, of Bread), the melody of which has been traced to the French Horns in Wagner’s “Hagen” motive (most notably movements 1 and 13), though I am a firm believer that it just spawned organically in the left side of Brian Wilson’s brain. The French Horn’s melody is both uplifting and optimistic, as only love can be. Then, at 0:08, the upright bass (Lyle Ritz) comes in with a choppy and descending riff, which qualifies the horn’s optimism with bittersweet sincerity – which is essentially what the song is about.
0:18-0:41: Verse I
I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I’ll make you so sure about it
God only knows what I’d be without you
Of course, one of the most memorable parts about this song is the seemingly contradictory opening line, with comes off like a rather callous way to open arguably the greatest love songs of all time. Is it, though?
This may shoot down my romantic credentials a little, but to me the greatest part about love is that it is a feeling. It churns your heart into a bloody mass and it clouds your judgment; but it is the greatest sensation in the world. And, like all feelings, love can be temporary. “I may not always love you,” but in this moment, I can’t imagine myself not loving you. That is the kind of love I would want.
The line is just so honest. And isn’t honesty one of the cornerstones of love in the first place? If Wilson/Asher came out and made absurd accusations this song would never be where it is. For example:
I think unrealistic love isn’t endearing, which makes “God Only Knows” such a great love song. And I think Larry David would agree with me.
0:42-1:03 Verse II
If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me
God only knows what I’d be without you
This verse, of course, continues with the theme of honest love. But, judging by the first verse, one has to question the sincerity of the second. Essentially, what the verse is saying is that, “Yeah, if you leave it’s going to suck, but I’ll live, though it’ll be a meaningless life.” From the first verse we get the impression that this figure is head over heels in love, but knows that sometimes love ends and we move on; sure it hurts for a while, but eventually life still goes on, believe me. The second verse feels more lovesick and less pragmatic. But then again, is that really a bad thing?
And once again, the verse is closed with the non-chorus refrain, “God only knows what I’d be without you.” Which is, in my opinion, the most beautiful line a love song has produced. And, makes any doubts in our figure’s head sort of null, because in this moment his heart completely belongs to this love.
1:04-1:27 Brian Wilson Arranging
From 1:04 to 1:28 is Brian Wilson flexing his competency as a composer. This section is filled with stunning harmonies (obviously Wilson’s strong suit) and interesting percussion (which was more prevalent on SMiLE). Also, in this section at 1:18, a line in the sand is drawn. To me, and to a lot of people, I believe, the flow and aesthetics of the song is tarnished a little bit with the backup vocals’ “bum-pa-bum-pa-bah-bah…” which, though fits in the song, comes across as a little hacky, and emblematic of the Beach Boys’ more surf-influenced earlier ten albums. But, not everything is perfect, as this song can surely vouch.
1:28-1:59 Verse II Redux
Once again we are hit with the second verse. And, given light of my earlier analysis, because this verse is repeated and not the first, perhaps our figure is more lovesick than he lets on. Maybe he is in a state of realistic co-dependence, where, though the love might not always last forever, he can’t bear the thought of its end. One of the great aspects of this verse and pseudo-chorus is that, at 1:54, we get the triumphant return of the French Horn, which will inevitably carry us through to the end.
2:00-2:52 God only knows what I’d be without you
The last 52 seconds of the song are perhaps the most beautiful. They combine Wilson’s amazing harmony and melody with the repetition of “God only knows what I’d be without you.” If these words don’t make you appreciate or evaluate the love you have, or long the love you don’t, then maybe you aren’t cut out for love in the first place.
And we fade out.
The Analysis
Now, I always appreciate Pitchfork’s constant striving to put their songs in a sociopolitical context; which is why it is impressive that they chose “God Only Knows” as their #1 song of the ‘60s over something more politically charged or socially significant.
But the fact of the matter is that a song’s/band’s/album’s relevance doesn’t need to be linked to a movement. Rather, it can be tied to the human experience and reflected in the melody and lyrics. Brian Wilson and Tony Asher combined to produce the most primal interpretation of the most valued human emotion: love. And, even if they didn’t succeed entirely, their bittersweet honesty evokes nothing less than that guttural longing, or that warm appreciation of a love so great it is hard to imagine.
Bonus Videos:
Here are just a couple great uses of "God Only Knows" in pop culture:
and
Finally; this song is said to have been directly influenced by "God Only Knows," one of Paul McCartney's favorite songs of all time. And it's pretty obvious.
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