My first post…well then let’s jump right in!
10. Bobby Valentino- “Anonymous (feat Timbaland)”
I must, must, must start this countdown with my one true musical weakness: a r&b song with a memorable hook and a tight beat. Luckily, Bobby Valentino has pulled off both. I distinctly remember listening to this song on repeat, snapping my fingers and doing a silly little two step, just ’cause “I wanna know, I wanna know your name. Why you gotta be anonymous?”
Note: Bobby Valentino’s album “Special Occasion” is reminiscent of early R. Kelly– way back when you reminded him of something, but he didn’t know what it was. Oh yeah, you remind him of his jeep.
9. T-Pain- “Buy U a Drank”
Only T-Pain, the man of many blonde and black dreadlocks, teeth made of a questionable precious metals and (what I like to think) award winning cameos, could produce something as completely epic as “Buy U a Drank.” Not only has he pulled a “herre” with “drank”, he so very boldly did so in order to rhyme it with “bank.” It’s almost strange how this song urges you to go to the club and buy an overpriced bottle of covoussier, all while snapping your fingers in the process.
8. José González- “Down the Line”
José González is painfully aware of lonely universal experiences, as I believe he does have an Elliott Smith complex sans the drugs. I’m honestly surprised he isn’t confined to a sanitarium somewhere in Sweden. Thankfully he isn’t and he’s allowed to bless us with his beautiful guitar skills and lyrics as stark as a short story by Kafka. I highly recommend seeing José live if you ever have the opportunity. Rarely would I call anything short of a sunset breathtaking, but…wow.
7. The Cool Kids- “Gold and a Pager”
Sampling tracks from Eric B & Rakim, this new hip hop duo (now touring with M.I.A.) is easily bringing gazelle sunglasses, high top fades, rope chains, and fat laced shell top Adidas back. Gold and a Pager is a simple song about being a teenager and just wanting a little bling. Is that too much to ask? I’m happy that they’ve decided to use a DJ as part of the mix and haven’t left it to the ways of Spinderella with Salt N Pepa.
6. Black Kids- “Hurricane Jane”
With their four track EP being given out for free on their Myspace (go! go get it!), there is no excuse not to hop on to this band wagon created by a little synth pop band stemming out of Jacksonville, Florida. This track is a personal favorite of mine as it expresses heartbreak with unspeakable ease: “It’s Friday night and I ain’t got nobody, so what’s the use of making the bed?/ I took something and it feels like karate, it’s kicked me down and left me for dead.”
5. Kanye West- “Champion”
Rocky done right…
4. UGK- “International Players Anthem (I Choose You) (feat Outkast)”
There are few words that can express my deep admiration of this song. The lyricism, the world play, the funky down home beat. Man, it makes me want to take it to church…
3. LCD Soundsystem- “All My Friends”
Puzzlingly complex, rich and beautiful can easily sum up this wonderful creation by LCD Soundsystem. I love that it is growing ever so slowly to a climax that bursts over with such a satisfactory passion. Okay, well you know what I mean. And hell, it’s even about something to which we all can relate. (It also has a wonderful little Pink Floyd reference that will forever keep this song close to my heart. Can you guess what it is?)
2. M.I.A. – “Paper Planes”
There are gun shots and cash registers being looted. If that doesn’t satisfy the Geto Boys “Damn it feels good to be a gangsta” in you, then quite frankly, I don’t know what will…
1. Best Fwends -”Cloud of Hope (feat. The Death Set)”
There is something overwhelmingly intoxicating about this song. Maybe it’s the inability to decipher what they’re saying. Maybe it’s because you know what kind of shit midi player they used to make the beat. Or just maybe it’s that you are completely enraptured by the gentle screaming of “AHHHHH” and perfectly placed hand claps. This song will have you smiling and flailing about instantly. Oh, what a combination for a homemade dance party.
Check out their 36 track album Alphabetically Arranged (out on Moshi Moshi records)
My Shame Award goes to Soulja Boy and his disgrace of a record “Crank Dat Soulja Boy.” I’m not quite sure with whom I’m more upset- on the one hand there is his slow ass, who can’t seem to enunciate anything (I am still confused as to whether he is saying “Youuuuuu!” or “Yuuuuuulllle!”), and on the other hand there are the hundreds upon thousands of people attempting to do his silly little dance. It’s not even that hard. And if you still can’t do it, sit your uncoordinated self down.
A grave injustice has been committed and Fall Out Boy will burn; burn I say! While channel surfing a few moments ago I came across MTV Hits, a ludicrous channel, yes but sometimes they play Craig David (don’t front and act like Craig David isn’t the shit) so I paused only to find Fall Out Boy covering Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” It a fit of reactionary action I mumbled “fuck you” at the TV, at fucking Fall Out Boy for overstepping their horrible pop-rock boundaries, for thinking that just because a few scene kids think they’re awesome they could pull an Alien Ant Farm and cover perhaps ones of the greatest songs of all time. What Alien Ant Farm did was an injustice too but I highly doubt they had the “holier than thou” complex those damn Fall Out Boys have.
