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

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)

Day 78: Wildcard (16)

It's beat time! It's hop time! It's Wildcard time!!

YouTube:
01. The Monks - Monk Time
02. Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin'
03. Kenny Loggins - Mr. Night
04. Black Crowes - Kickin' My Heart Around
05. Five Iron Frenzy - Pre Ex-Girlfriend
06. Public Image Ltd. - Swan Lake
07. Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move
08. Junior Senior - Move Your Feet
09. M.I.A. - Galang
10. Pharrell - Angel
11. Aceyalone - I Think I Know Too Much
12. Blondie - Rapture
13. The Tubes - She's A Beauty
14. Interpol - NYC
15. Beach House - Apple Orchard
16. Coldplay - Don't Panic (I can't seem to escape this song; so I figured I'd just throw it on a list.)
17. The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby
18. Willie Nelson - Whiskey River
19. Tommy James & The Shondells - Crimson & Clover
20. Roy Orbison - In Dreams

imeem: External:

Day 78: Wildcard (16)

A Candy-Colored Clown,
Erik

Bonus!


(Image by Josh Harper, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 69: May Day

Solidarity! Tomorrow's May Day, or Labour Day, or International Worker's Day; basically a day to celebrate the working man/woman. I've put together a 10-track list of workin' songs. (Note: I know I'm a day early, but April 30 isn't a very eventful day.)

Now, there are two camps of working songs. There are songs about working, and songs about workers (and their rights). And, there's a lot of cheese on both sides of the spectrum. Songs about workers tend to come across as overly bitchy and preachy (no matter how justifiably bitchy they are); and songs about working tend to just be just downright stupid and pedestrian. For this list I've tried to strike a decent balance between the two.

Enjoy. And take a few minutes tomorrow and just relax. Don't work so hard, it'll kill you.

YouTube:
01. The Clash - Career Opportunities
02. Billy Bragg - Between the Wars
03. Bob Dylan - Maggie's Farm
04. Big D & the Kids Table - Souped-Up Vinyl
05. Dropkick Murpheys - Worker's Song
06. Rolling Stones - Salt of the Earth
07. Bruce Springsteen - Factory
08. Aesop Rock - 9-5ers Anthem
09. John Lennon - Working Class Hero
10. Rush - Working Man

imeem: External:

Day 69: May Day

Solidarity!
Erik

Videos!


And of Course


(Image by Saad Akhtar, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 43: Wildcard (9)

Yay! A new Wildcard! If you're new to this blog. I encourage you to go back and Check out the last 8 Wildcards. I don't think you'll be 100% disappointed. Now for this week's: a lot of newer (last 1-2 years) music. I hope you enjoy.

YouTube:
01. Jackson 5 - (Stop!) The Love You Save
02. People Under the Stairs - Swan Fever
03. Streetlight Manifesto - 9mm and a 3-Piece Suit
04. Fall Out Boy - 20 Dollar Nose Bleed
05. Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
06. Noah and the Whale - 2 Atoms in a Molecule
07. Dave Clark Five - Till The Right One Comes Along
08. Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why (This Video is Perfect)
09. Calexico - Sonic Wind
10. Wilco - Far, Far Away
11. Collective Soul - Shine
12. The Uglysuit - Chicago
13. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Think I Wanna Die
14. Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
15. Bishop Allen - Rain
16. Blondie - 11:59
17. Elton John - Someone Saved My Life Tonight
18. Joni Mitchell - California (Cool Performance! And I think everyone has an aunt that looks like Joni Mitchell.)
19. Ludacris (feat. Common & Spike Lee) - Do The Right Thang
20. Dan Deacon - Snookered

imeem: External:

Day 43: Wildcard (9)

That Felt Good,
Erik

Bonus Vid! This Had Been Stuck In My Head So Bad!!

Rob Roy "Fur In My Cap" Directed By Ethan Lader

(Image by Phil Hilfiker, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 37: Drinkin' Songs

It's St. Patrick's Day! It's a time for all of us to cut loose and join the ranks of the Irish, a people who couldn't escape the stigma of alcoholism if they drunkenly killed everyone else in the world with broken bottles, enabling them to be the only people left who could possibly remember that such a stigma ever existed, despite the fact that most of their brain cells have been killed in a similar microscopic bar fight within their brains by tiny alcohol cells holding proportionately small broken bottles; even with such limited brain capacity and the rest of the world dead, these ginger-haired, freckled bastards would carry the mark of generation upon generation of inescapable dependence on alcohol.

Which brings me to today's list. Drinking songs. Enjoy! (Note: This drinking song list does not include rap. That's sort of a different ballgame. Rappers don't write songs about drinking, they write songs about partying, for the most part.)

YouTube:
01. Flogging Molly - Drunken Lullabies
02. Old 97's - Melt Show
03. Big D & the Kids Table - Little Bitch
04. AC/DC - Thunderstruck
05. Guns N' Roses - Mr. Brownstone
06. Dropkick Murphys - The Dirty Glass
07. The Pogues - Sally MacLennane
08. Sublime - 40oz. to Freedom
09. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - You and Me and the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)
10. Billy Joel - Piano Man
11. The Hold Steady - Massive Nights
12. Poison - Nothin' But A Good Time
13. Reel Big Fish - Beer
14. Gogol Bordello - Alcohol
15. Andrew W.K. - Party Hard
16. Catch 22 - Chasing the Moon
17. Garth Brooks - Friends in Low Places
18. George Thorogood - One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
19. Metallica - Whiskey in the Jar
20. Johnny Cash - Sunday Morning Coming Down

imeem: External:

Day 37: Drinkin Songs

Stay Drunk,
Erik

Video!


(Image by discopalace, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 30: Less Than Jake

Usually for these artist spotlights I just go through my favorite artists (artists with whom I have a committed relationship) and put together my favorite songs. It's the same case this time around, but I'm starting to run that well a little dry. There aren't a whole lot of artists where I can just say, OK, and rattle off 20 of my favorite songs. The coming weeks will just mean a little more research through the catalogs of some of my favorite artists, who I love and probably should know better regardless.

That said, this week's artist spotlight is Less Than Jake. Not everyone is into ska-punk or pop punk, but I am. I've been a really big fan of LTJ for a long time. It's cool that Bruce Springsteen was last week, because there is a definite through line between his lyrics and Vinnie's (the drummer/lyricist). A lot their lyrics deal with getting out of your current situation looking for something better. And can't most of us relate to that?

YouTube:
All Songs by Less Than Jake
01. Portrait of a Cigarette Smoker at 19
02. Never Going Back to New Jersey
03. The State of Florida
04. Faction
05. We, The Uninspired (N/A)
06. This is Going Nowhere (N/A)
07. Anchor
08. I Think I Love You
09. Nervous in the Alley
10. The Science of Selling Yourself Short
11. 24 Hours in Paramus
12. Big
13. Automatic
14. Five State Drive
15. Short on Ideas/One Last Cigarette
16. The Space They Can't Touch
17. Lockdown
18. Scott Farcas Takes it on the Chin
19. Mostly Memories (N/A)
20. National Anthem (maybe the worst video ever made)
21. Last Hour of the Last Day of Work

imeem: External:

Day 30: Less Than Jake

No White Flags,
Erik

Bonus Vid (song):


and (lol)


(Image by Laura, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 21: Ska/Ska-Punk

'ear me now Rude Boys! Originally this week was going to be part 2 of the Classic Rock radio genre tour. But I thought a break from the action would be nice. In its place is my quintessential list of third wave ska and ska-punk. What we have is a great collection of bands that fuse multiple genres of music with fun, catchy, and occasionally complex arrangements. I hope this list puts some pep in your step and gets you through the day!

YouTube:
01. Suicide Machines - Hey!
02. The Aquabats - Dear Spike
03. NOFX - Bob
04. Adam's Not Funny - Apocalypse (N/A)
05. Mustard Plug - Go
06. Spring-Heeled Jack - We've Been Gone For So Long (N/A)
07. Mu330 - Got Caught
08. Westbound Train - For The First Time
09. Sunshine Policy - San Diego
10. Suburban Legends - Bright Spring Morning
11. Reel Big Fish - The Fire
12. Berlin Project - Carry Me Away (N/A)
13. The Hippos - Far Behind
14. Mad Caddies - Leavin'
15. Slapstick - There's a Metalhead in the Parking Lot
16. Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Everybody's Better
17. The Forces of Evil - Worst Day
18. Catch 22 - Bloomfield Avenue
19. High School Football Heroes - The Voices in Your Head
20. Goldfinger - Pictures
21. Jeffries Fan Club - Rosarito (N/A)
22. Less Than Jake - Last Train
23. Kemuri - Ohichyo (N/A, but this will give you a taste)
24. Streetlight Manifesto - Failing, Flailing
25. Big D & The Kids Table - Chicago

imeem: External:

Day 21: Ska/Ska-Punk

Irie,
Erik

Video:


(Image by net_efekt, Licensed Under Creative Commons)