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

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

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.

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OK! You know where we're headed from here.
-Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (90-81)

So continues my 100 favorite tracks list. One thing I forgot to note in the intro, is, just to make things a bit more interesting and diverse, I limited myself to 2 tracks per artist. I know that sort of contradicts what I'm going for with a 100 greatest tracks list. But, then again, where's the fun in listening to 10 Springsteen tracks or the entire first side of Blonde on Blonde. I personally think this is a more challenging and rewarding way to look at the list.

Recap of part 1:
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

90. Waiting Room - Fugazi (http://is.gd/9cbdu)
I got into a discussion recently about what "punk" is. And when I define it, sure I look at classic examples of when punk was first becoming a movement (Sex Pistols, Ramones, etc.). But when I think of punk I think of Fugazi and Minor Threat. These were bands that didn't need buttons on their shirts (or shirts in general) to express themselves. They looked at punk as a lifestyle, not a fashion choice. And for them, punk was not being destructive or counter-productive, but actually meant going out and creating positive change that may or may not be anti-establishment. "Waiting Room" is a perfect example of what it means to want change, which so many punks claim, but don't do anything about except shave a mohawk and pin their jeans. "And I won't make the same mistakes/Because I know how much time that wastes." And did you hear that bass riff? Forget about it!

89. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye (http://is.gd/9cdeu)
By the end of the list you'll know this, so I may as well tell you now: I am a pussy. And I don't know what it is, but man, Marvin, I can relate: "Every chance you get you seem to hurt me more and more/But each hurt makes my love stronger than before." What is it about the opposite sex that makes us so stupid? This song was (of course) written by Smokey Robinson, who Bob Dylan once called "America's greatest living poet." I love this song so much, because Marvin's in the moment. He knows exactly what's happening and how ridiculous it is, and yet can't pull himself out of it because of love. And, you know, the melody is great, the tune rules, and Marvin's voice is always fantastic.

88. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat (http://is.gd/9cgRx)
This song was originally by Paul Revere and the Raiders, and then made famous by the Monkees. But, come on, this was always a punk song. The best incarnation was by Minor Threat, a predecessor to Fugazi (see #90 for ramblings on that whole thing). I am a huge fan of the production on this song. It starts out like you're hearing this band practice through the phone. And then you're magically sucked through the phone into this sweaty club where these punks are thrashing to a song made famous by the fucking Monkees. How great is that?!

87. Daylight - Aesop Rock (http://is.gd/9cihY)
"I'll hang my boots to rest when I'm impressed/So I triple-knot 'em and forgot 'em." Cerebral hip-hop has a rightful bad reputation. Most of the time it's just some wannabe intellectual jerking off to a thesaurus and thinking that passes for impressive lyrics or wordplay. "Daylight" is a poetic marvel. The syntax and meter and delivery of these insanely complex lines are something that can only be digested after multiple listens. It also doesn't hurt that Blockhead's beat is beautiful and soulful, and everything that underground hip-hop should be but isn't, because it's usually too busy telling you about how underground it is.

86. In the New Year - The Walkmen (http://is.gd/9ckDo)
I first heard this song on Mr. Tim Kringle's year in review 2008, and man, I was hooked. I can't hear the chorus without just nodding my head like a moron. I love this song because the verses are so subdued, yet filled with this tension, which erupts into this absolute monster of a chorus.

85. Judy is a Punk - Ramones (http://is.gd/9cmfb)
"Second verse, same as the first." This song is everything I love about the Ramones. Raw energy and attitude packed into 1:30. Is there anything else you really need to hear to justify this track? You are going to get a taste of almost everything that was happening in CBGB in the 70s during the course of these 100 tracks, and the Ramones were just a small sliver. But my God was that sliver significant and awesome.

84. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco (http://is.gd/9cnpH)
This track comes from Wilco's brilliant 2002 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. There is only so much one can say in a letter or a song. Sometimes all it takes is a hug or a kiss or a glance to know how someone truly feels. Jeff Tweedy just perfectly captures how frustrating it can be staring down at a page and wishing those words could just bring the person to you so you can say everything you can't articulate in words. And the melody/harmony is beautiful. I also love how the intro completely leads you with a totally different impression of what the song is going to be.

83. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones (http://is.gd/9cp6W)
The Ramones were not a political band. But they were also not completely apolitical. This song has a fascinating backstory behind it. Long story short: Ronald Reagan is a dickhead. The hook on this song is so amazing. I just can't get enough of Joey's delivery on it: "My brain is hanging UP!side-down." It's also awesome to see how the Ramones evolved as a serious rock and roll band. Not just 3-chord punk.

82. White Riot - The Clash (http://is.gd/9cq5G)
Oh Joe Strummer. This song is essentially, "Hey whitey, stop being a pussy and get mad!" It just shows how The Clash were always champions of the disenfranchised, pretty much regardless of race or creed or anything else. And it's just a great, iconic, loud and angry punk song.

81. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff (http://is.gd/9crgQ)
Above my bed I have a series of posters taken from the Robert Frost poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" that say "I have promises to keep/And miles to go/Before I sleep." This song is essentially that sentiment in brilliant song form. Jimmy Cliff's voice just soars. Life is such a hard, lonely journey, but you have to endure: what a powerful message sung even more powerfully. This song is on The Harder They Come, which is probaby the greatest reggae album ever made. It really inspires me to push even when everything seems hopeless.

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Next up 80-71!

-Erik

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 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)

Day 87: Wildcard (18)

Yay! A new Wildcard! Just so you know, I'm probably going to take next week off. I'm moving, and keeping this baby up might be a bit hard with the commotion and lack of Internet. Enjoy!

YouTube:
01. Monkees - Daydream Believer
02. Mary Wells - My Guy
03. The Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Loving Feeling
04. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Where Have All The Rudeboys Gone?
05. The Walkmen - In The New Year
06. The Avalanches - Since I Left You
07. Coolio - I'll C U When U Get There
08. Dr. Dre - Bad Intentions
09. Phoenix - Countdown (Sick For The Big Sun) (N/A on imeem, "Lisztomania" instead)
10. Black Sabbath - Die Young
11. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - Love Comes In Spurts
12. Don McLean - American Pie (Our national anthem)
13. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Carny
14. Eminem - Like Toy Soldiers
15. Nina Simone - To Love Somebody
16. Q-Tip - Vivrant Thing
17. The Human League - Open Your Heart
18. Tim Buckley - Song to the Siren
19. The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year (Great song/video!)
20. Ducktails - Beach Point Pleasant (N/A on imeem, "No Hope Kids" by Wavves instead)

imeem: External:

Day 87: Wildcard (18)

$$$$$$,
Erik

Videos!!!
Milwaukee, represent!


and


(Image by Kevin Law, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 82: Wildcard (17)

It's Wednesday, babay. You know the drill. And, as always, old Wildcards can be found here.

YouTube:
01. Public Enemy - Welcome to the Terrordome
02. Aerosmith - Love In An Elevator
03. Cream - Strange Brew
04. The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You So
05. The Creation - Making Time
06. Boards of Canada - Roygbiv
07. Cocteau Twins - Lorelei
08. School of Seven Bells - Half Asleep
09. The Pop Group - We Are Time
10. Berlin - Take My Breath Away
11. Jefferson Starship - Jane
12. Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood
13. DangerDoom - Sofa King
14. All-4-One - I Can Love You Like That
15. The Charade - Keeping Up Appearances (N/A)
16. Rilo Kiley - Execution of All Things
17. Madness - One Step Beyond
18. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You (N/A on imeem, "Middle Cyclone" instead)
19. Times New Viking - The Early '80s (N/A)
20. LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge (Burn!)

imeem: External:

Day 82: Wildcard (17)

5-Laced,
Erik

(Image by Art G., 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 74: The Seven Deadly Sins

There are plenty of days like this, May 7, where there isn't a whole lot going on; no notable deaths or birthdays, no holidays, no nothing. But, today is the 7th, which has prompted today's list: the Seven Deadly Sins. I've put together seven tracks that, in my opinion, best represent each of the Cardinal Sins. Enjoy, and let me know you think.

Lust (There are a lot of songs about lust, but this song really embodies the concept for me. The Deadly Sins aren't about moderation. Any of these things taken in small doses probably won't kill you. But, wanting it too much and in excess, that's the killer.)
01. Barry White - Can't Get Enough of Your Love
Gluttony (I realize this song is really obvious as far as lyrics are concerned; but I felt it appropriate. And, I didn't wanna settle on "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Fat" or "Eat It.")
02. Dave Matthews Band - Too Much
Greed (This song pretty much exemplifies modern rap's greed.)
03. 50 Cent - I Get Money
Sloth (This song came by good suggestion. It embodies apathy and detrimental laziness about as fully as anything else out there.)
04. Green Day - Longview
Wrath (Both musically and lyrically wrathful.)
05. Metallica - Seek & Destroy
Envy (I love this pick. There are a lot of songs about envy, but this one really goes to the extreme. This person is so envious of someone else's love that he can barely distinguish reality from imagination.)
06. The Temptations - Just My Imagination
Pride (The pride they refer to with the sins isn't being proud of something else; it's hubris. It's a love of self more than a love of anything else. Now, rap is probably the most self-obsessed genre, and Kanye West is probably the most self-obsessed person within that genre. The chorus asks, "Did you realize, that you were a champion in their eyes?" But it asks it in the third person, to which Kanye responds to his own question: "Yes I did." Gotta love it.)
07. Kanye West - Champion

imeem: External:

Day 74: The Seven Deadly Sins

Let Us Pray,
Erik

And...



(Image by Bill Rogers, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 72: Cinco De Mayo

Hola! Today is Cinco de Mayo!!! Time to grab a Corona (or any other random Mexican beer you need to drown out with lime to stomach) and a shot of tequila (see previous note, add salt) and kick back. This list is sort of incohesive. I put together a short list of songs I would like to hear on Cinco de Mayo. They aren't the best Mexican party songs or songs by American artists in Spanish or anything like that. Nope, just a few jams in honor of this holiday.

YouTube:
01. Miami Sound Machine - Conga
02. Santana - Oye Como Va
03. Ritchie Valens - La Bamba (Cover from the made-for-TV movie)
04. Gipsy Kings - Hotel California
05. WAR - Cinco de Mayo (cover only)
06. Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
07. Wyclef Jean - Guantanamera
08. Calexico - El Picador
09. Pixies - Vamos
10. Rage Against the Machine - People of the Sun

imeem: External:

Day 72: Cinco De Mayo

Viva la Raza,
Erik

Duh...


(Image by Derek Baird, 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 68: Wildcard (14)

Alright! Wildcard time! I never know what to do with these things. There are just so many possibilities, and I don't want to get too obscure, but I also don't want to get overly mainstream. I guess my rationale behind my Wildcard selections is that it would be what I would play if I had a radio show. So if you could imagine... Well, enjoy! And, of course, old Wildcards can be found here.

YouTube:
01. Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
02. The Strokes - Someday
03. Los Campesinos! - We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
04. Ghostface Killah - Shakey Dog
05. KRS-One - Step Into A World (Rapture's Delight)
06. Shugo Tokumaru - Parachute
07. Pop Levi - Never Never Love (N/A on imeem, "Skip Ghetto" instead)
08. Tiffany - I Think We're Alone Now
09. Cut Copy - So Haunted
10. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
11. Modest Mouse - Lounge (Closing Time)
12. The Ronettes - Be My Baby
13. The Impressions - Keep On Pushing
14. T.I. - What You Know
15. Trick Daddy - I'm A Thug
16. Murs - H.U.S.T.L.E.
17. 38 Special - Hold On Loosely
18. Sea Wolf - I Made A Resolution
19. Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
20. Ted Nugent - Fred Bear

imeem: External:

Day 68: Wildcard (14)

Bonus Video!


(Image by RebelBlueAngel, Licensed Under Creative Commons)