Mix # 89

Well this is the first mix to be published in 2012! There are no 2012 songs on the list but that's okay because there are no less than three covers on this one!

Mix # 89 from Solidpants on 8tracks.

1. Immigrant Song by Karen O and trent Reznor
What this song says is that no mortal man can sing like Robert Plant and a woman must be brought in to sing the Led Zeppelin cover, also it was the reason why the trailer for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was so good. This song makes me want to rape and pillage but not really.
2. Who's Gonna' Ride Your Wild Horses by Garbage
This is a great song but I never liked the arrangement U2 used, I preferred some of the stripped down remixes. Garbage takes this song and goes trippy with it. 
3. I Think The World Of You by Two Wounded Birds
This song is a Radiohead rip but it's good and lets me pu the next song on here without guilt.

4. Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead

There was a time when they still made music that normal people liked to listen to, not the crap they do now which is little more than  weird impulse and beats.

5. Morning Glory by Oasis
If you know this album at all, you know that song is a alarming when it hits. Nothing else on the album is like this and that makes it really f'ing cool. I love the helicopter!
6. I Am The Walrus by The Beatles

Without the Beatles there is no Oasis or countless other English, Brit pop bands

7. Nightcall by Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx

This gem is from the, Drive  soundtrack and is a beautiful synth song! It sounds like the dark side of the early 80s.

8. Villains of The Moon by Cold Cave

More 80's synth inspired music, it's cool.

You knew they would look likes this!

9. Your Silent Face by New Order

The real deal.

10.Something To Die For by The Sounds

They're too good to be this unknown but that's life. They also sound influenced by 80s synth bands.

11.Suffragette City by The Horrors

After their last album I thought the Horrors were done and would float away on their stupid soundscapes but this cover of Bowie is awesome! Good job!

12.World Up My Ass by The Circle Jerks
Can an 80s LA hardcore punk band be seminal? Well these guys were. They were a reason that scene was what it was. You can see them in The Decline of Western Civilization being loud and fast if you're curious, probably on YouTube as well.

13.Civliization's Dying by The Hives
They kept it real with a punk cover. Can the Hives really be punk though? Can Sweden be punk? Black Metal, yes but punk?
14.Casino El Camino (parte 1) by Guadeloupe Plata

Fun lovin' Spanish dudes playing roots rock!

15. Ghost Towns by Radical Face

Somber Rock that reminds me of The Shins and The Decemberists

16.So Lonely by The Police

They used to be a tough English band that played Ska but then they matured and got quite different. Before they grew up, before the money, before the world tours.

17.Simmer Down by Bob Marley

Before he got Reggae down perfect he was playing ska and it was cool

18.Our Day Will Come by Amy Winehouse

Unfortunately it did not and it makes this song much more sad than it was ever intended to be. It's a little difficult to ignore her passing when listening.

19.Try a Little Tenderness by Otis Redding
The man! The Soul! The good advise.
20.Grey Cell Green by Ned's Atomic Dustbin
This band was huge in the UK but never caught on too big in the States, maybe you saw them on 120 Minutes one Sunday night. They had a big sound and big hair. They were the next thing after Manchester.

 

Weekly Mix #84

Deal with it it's happening more than it should, indie music is sort of groovy. I know it's just a bullshit music industry thing but good music, rock music is now under the dumb moniker of Indie. Unfortunately it's all sort of still self aware without being  balls out. It's the legacy of Nirvana, how to be a Rock Star without losing street cred. I guess wearing clothes from the thrift shop still works.
Listen and enjoy!

 




1. You got Nothing On Me by Mando Diao
They just deliver and maybe it's in that Tom Jones way but I don't care, they make me want to boogie. 


2. You Gotta Lose by Obits
Proving that Sub Pop is still a label and proving that music still happens there.

3. Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly) by The Icicle Works
This is one of my favorite 80s one hit wonders and apparently Eddy Vedder's as well, just listen to Evenflow.

4. Bridge Burning by Foo Fighters
Another good song off the Wasting Light album 


5. Heatseaker by AC/DC

Fucking ridiculous and fucking awesome and that's why AC/DC is so great. They get away with the dumbest stuff and make it sound do good, especially when you want to rock out like a fifteen year old.

6. The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie by The Red Hot Chili peppers

They've lost it, they've gotten old and they can't hack it anymore. I wonder if they feel embarrassed for recording Punk Rock Classic now?

7. New York Groove by Ace Frehley

I got into this little jam after hearing it as the them song to some tattoo show taking place in NYC. Frehly's solo album was part of those four solo KISS albums that all came out at the same time.

8. Go Outside by The Cults

It took me a little time to warm up to these buys but now I dig their indie sound.

The Cults: They look like Mazzy Star but aren't

9.Pressure and Time by Rival SonsThese guys give it a solid punch as they try to rock out but the sound is too big for the rest of their surroundings


10. Where Have All the Good Times Gone! by Van Halen

Good question Dave. Sometimes an old rock band still sounds more rock than a modern rock band and they're not even rocking their hardest. Also this song will begin our little voyage to Southern California

11.Each and Every Day by Best Coast
 A lot of energy in the beginning of this tune about trying to convince 


12.This Town by The Go-Go's
Maybe they were inspiration to groups like Best Coast, I don't know. The dark side of the Go-Go's, singing about Hollywood shit and how jaded and desperate the place makes people.

 
13.Beverly Hills by The Circle Jerks
L.A. Punk is so aware of Hollywood and glamor it's a little funny


14.Take the World by She Wants Revenge

I would have never guessed I would like a She Wants Revenge album as much as I do Valleyheart their love song to the Los Angeles they grew up in. This song gets them away from their Joy Division roots and graduates them to Wang Chung

15.To Live and Die in L.A. by Wang Chung

Say what you'd like about this group because I have hated them and then liked them. This is my favorite song of their by far. Why would a British band be right for a movie about crime and police in Los Angeles? This concludes out SoCal musical voyage but the glam still continues.

16.Suicide Blonde by INXS
This was the first single off their X album the follow up to the enormously popular, Kick. The Album didn't do very well due to it's  . . . well I have no idea why. The songs were great but the audience had changed I guess. Maybe the harmonica just didn't sit well with people but This is in my top 10 INXS songs.


17.Scheiße by Lady GaGa

What's the German word for Shit? This song will make you want to go all Euro disco if you haven't already. I'm not a fan of GaGa's latest album as most of the songs sound like scheiße but this one is funny enough to transcend the poop.

18.Otis by Jay-Z & Kanye West

This is what the world has been waiting for, this is the greatest hip hop team up ever, right? Maybe, maybe not but this is a great first single off The Throne

19.Is This It by The Strokes

When I saw them live about eight years ago this was the encore and I thought that it was a weird last song as it's so calm.

 20.I Know You Love me by Peter, Bjorn and John

Another of my favorite albums of 2011, The song off of Gimme Some has that great Scandinavian rock music understanding that American's can't quite seem to get a hold of. With that said it would have been the last song on the mix but I had to pay tribute where tribute was due.

21.Love Is A Losing Game (demo) by Amy WinehouseI was putting this mix together the same time as Ms. Winehouse' passing and was compelled to include one of her songs. This demo version of this song is just her and a guitar and it is stark, painful and a hard tune to pay attention to but it is beautiful.

RIP Amy

Weekly Mix #78

Some of these mixes are better than I thought they were. There are even huge world wide hits on this one!

Mix #78 from Solidpants on 8tracks.

1. Welcome to the Boomtown by David & David
One hit wonders, sort of. They were both producers in L.A. who followed their in front of the microphone dreams

2. Red Paint by Matt & Kim

Not as good or catchy as Daylight. Brooklyn hipsters, the dream is over.

3.Girl Panic! by Duran Duran
They are back and better than have been since the Reflex! The All You Need Is Now album was produced by Mark Ronson who basically told them  forget everything they'd done the past 15 years and forget all music done in the past 15 years. Solid Gold man!
4.Lies by Thompson Twins

When's this reunion going to happen?

5.Bang, Bang, Bang by Mark Ronson & The Business Intl.
Let's all dance like it's the 80s that never happened.
6. Sleazy by Ke$ha

Sometimes pop is stupid I can't ignore it and I feel ashamed for it. Case in point, this song.

7. She Bop by Cindy Lauper

If you didn't know this song was about girl's playing five on one, you do now. This might be Ms. Lauper's sleaziest song.

8. Nobody's Fault by Aerosmith

Now we will rock! From the Rocks album that indeed rocks it's so damned good that it is right there Toys In The Attic.

9. Take This Waltz by Leonard Cohen

Back down a notch or two or three. Cohen is a strange artist who I can never really get into but can't quite cast off.

10.Too Hurt To Dance by Duffy

The littlest English pop star mopes for us.

11.(Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon

Our deceased friend gets retro and gives us some good music.

12.Dogs of Lust by The The

Some people love this band/this guy but I just think they're alright. This song from 15 years back is the last song I can recall from The The.

13.I Wanna Be Your Man by The Beatles

Let's all give it up now for Ringo! Singing an drumming Don Henly would never be the same.

14.Move It On Over by Hank Williams

It may sound like a song about dogs but it's not; it's not.

15.Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) by Roy Orbison
Continuing out trip into old time rock n' roll we listen to one of Roy's lovely tunes that shows what a great voice he had.
16.Louder Than Ever by Cold War Kids

Back to the now! The two songs I know by theses Long Beach guys are pretty good but they don't seem to really go for it.

17.Vampire Money by My Chemical Romance

The band that people get on my back for liking. I don't know, at least they play instruments and the singer can sing.

18.Infinity Guitars by Sleigh Bells
A lot of bands sound like this but this song does blow up so I like it. Fuzzy guitars and chick singer.
19.Finding Something to Do by hellogoodbye

So catchy you'll hate your self

20.Just Friends by Amy Winehouse

Amy and her band got a little ska going on this number. It's not the same since her passing but I din't know that at the time.

21.Only Girl (In the World) by Rihanna

I sound horrible for saying this but when she sings this song it puts her scuffle with Chris Brown in a different light. Crazy!

22.Suspicious Minds by Elvis Peresley
This is the light I'm talking about

Dead Stars: Amy Winehouse

We knew it was going to happen, it was clearly the path that she was on. She bared her soul and shared her pain with the world through music and it was obvious she wasn’t just writing songs for entertainment. She walked it like she talked it. Amy Winehouse joined the 27 club (Jim Morrison, Janis, Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix) Saturday July 23rd most likely due to heart failure involving complications with her drug and alcohol addiction.

Her Back to Black Album was one of the last decade best and maybe even the last great album to this point. The Songs Rehab, Back to Black and I’m no Good were the stand outs on an autobiographic masterpiece she recorded in 2006 with much help from producer Mark Ronson. Anybody who’s been through heartbreak and alcohol abuse could connect to the album without difficulty.

I have made light of her life in the past by sting that she should already be (along with Axl Rose and Fiona Apple) but like I said, it was clear this was the path that Winehouse was committed to.
It is a shame her remarkable talent couldn’t be enjoyed longer but as they say the flame that burns twice as bright burns for half as long. Hers was not the voice of a generation but that of a tortured soul. We can only hope that in death she can find peace.

Weekly Mix # 61

The First Mix I made in 2009, very early on. Much of it is a time traveling experience that makes me feel like I'm in the showy, glitzy side of the 1960s. While other parts of it are not anything like that. Enjoy and listen and buy, help stimulate the economy, one song at a time!

1. Touch Me by The Doors
I am setting the mood and kicking things off with possibly the cheesiest song The Doors ever did; it's as if Tom Jones took over. if I was around in the sixties and a fan of the band I'm sure I would have wondered what the hell was up with them and why weren't they on drugs!
2. Valerie by Amy Winehouse

Another Mark Ronson produced gem; this is a cover. Something about this number just gets me feeling all right.

3. She's a Lady by Tom Jones
It's been brewing for a little while but Mr. Jones has finally made his way to the mixes with this late sixties sizzler. In case you're not familiar with Tom, he was the original panty dropper as it is said that women of all ilk would toss their undergarments on stage when he played.
4. If Looks Could Kill by Camera Obscura

A San Francisco band who were from the 00s but lived in the 60s. Continuing the trend this tune could be from girl group with a tyranical producer behind them.

5. Three Decades by The Horrors

The follow up to their intense, creepy, dark rock album the Horrors began getting more sweeping with their keyboards and the vocals are bigger. It's a bit psychedelic.

6. Baby Love by the Supremes

Ms. Ross and the ladies deliver the real Motown deal in this ear candy of a song.

7. I Kissed A Girl by KatyPerry

Bringing us firmly in the present a young, devoutly Christian chick discovers a B side to her sexuality and scores a huge hit. Strangely this tune is kinda' raw compared to her future hits like, California Gurls but it does let us know that she is a bit wacko.

8.Hit The Road Jack by Ray Charles

Taking the hint from Ms. Perry the blind smack fiend gets his ass outta' Georgia and on the road.

9. See What I Wanna See by The Lovemakers

Back to the present day the Lovemaker's sophomore effort produced this funny song about not being a ho . . . I think.

10.Waiting for the Rapture by Oasis

One heavy bass drop deserves another., Oasis was inspired heavily by the sixties, right? The last Liam Gallagher album.

11.One Of a Kind by Placebo

They are about as creepy as The Horrors and just as British.

12.Shadowplay by The Killers

Covering Joy Division Brandon Flowers and the boys do a good job.

13.I Just Wanna Love U (Give it 2 Me) by Jay-Z

Sampling great 70s soul is a good idea for the biggest rap star of the decade.

14.Pretty Tied Up by Guns N' Roses

Autobiographical songs are cool I guess.

15.Zombie Grave yard by Be Your Own Pet

They rocked and now they are gone

16.Juicebox by The Strokes

Borrowing the bass line from the Munster's theme, The Strokes do good in what would be their last album for 6 years.

17.Anyone Else But You by The Moldy Peaches

They got a popular song when it was used in that Juno movie. A movie with a myriad of things that led into and came out of it.

18.Smokin' in The Boys Room by Mötley Crüe

Good time rock for good time folks. I've never smoked in the boys room actually so I don't know if it's all it's cracked up to be.

19.These Boots Are Made for Walkin' by Nancy Sinatra

And we're back to the sixties again! this song gained more popularity in the 90s when it appeared in Austin Powers International man of Mystery as the fembots shot bullets from their . . . err . . . guns.

20.Little Green bag by George Baker Selection

This is another song that got noticed again in a movie, this time it was Reservoir Dogs.

21. Relator by Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson

I'm pretty sure Pete just wanted to get into Scarlett's knickers and so he recorded a whole album with her proving that Winona didn't obliterate his career. Scarlett doesn't sing poorly but she does sound a bit lazy.

22.Love is a Stranger by Martha Wainwright

Yup, this is Rufus' sister and she does a great version of the Eurythmics song that while feels completely different than the original is just as good.

23.Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

If Tom Jones is coming over than I'm getting out my Neil Diamond records too. Without this song, Red Sox fans would have nothing to do during the 7th inning stretch.

24.Distant Dreamer by Duffy
I love this song; it is ethereal and perfectly wistful; I think this has to be Duffy's best song to date. This also completes our sixties pop fetish.

Weekly Mix #60

17 is the magic number? Maybe. There are a lot of top notch selections on this mix that I made a few years back. I hope you enjoy.

1. Imminent Bailout by Buckcherry

From a band without a time. Buckcherry is a sleazy rock band in a world of emo dorks

2. The Age of the Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets
I don't know if it sounds like Tom Jones or Neil Diamond but it definitely sounds like it's from the sixties
3. Mercy by Duffy

One might say she's an Amy Winehouse clone and I won't argue

4. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse

Doing her heartbroken best, Amy knows how to set a voacl mood.

5. Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes

The originals, the best girl group ever

6. The Chills by Peter Bjorn and John

This is a chilling toned tune by the Scandinavians. If I didn't know better about bands like Abba and all that death metal I would guess this is what music from that part of the world should sound like.

7. Are You Experienced? by Jimi Hendrix

Gorgeous psychedelic rock. When this came out, nothing sounded like it; it was the birth of guitar ecstasy. It takes you to another place in the cosmos of the mind.

8. Fields of Joy by Lenny Kravitz

Following suit Lenny gives the old Psychedelia a try as well, he's helped out by Slash. I didn't take to this song for a bout 17 years.

9. Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden
Beautiful psychedelic guitars from the last great grunge album. From Seattle, Soundgarden scored a huge success with this gem; the video had a lot to do with it. Even though this song was enormous and ubiquitous at it's peak it took me 17 years to finally love it.



10.Five On the Five by The Raconteurs

This song will wake you up from the dripping guitar tribute.

11.Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones by The Hives.

More rock from lands of the Vikings, Fagersta Sweden.

12.Horror's Theme by The Horrors

More bands should have theme songs

13.Mr. Richards by R.E.M

The boys from Athens Georgia are still at  it even though they haven't sold any records since the 90s

14.The Rip by Portishead

Portishead is back from the dead and just as moody as always. Their third album is not thier best but it is cool to hear what they bring to the soundscape. Welcome to the world of my mixes!

15.Hold On Tight by ELO

Electric Light Orchestra! Jeff Lynn's band does a little throw back music even in the eighties. This song was used in coffee commercials back then.

16.Heart Throb by Be Your Own Pet
This is what non country or western Tennessee rock sounds like, awesome! Well loud and frantic and a little stupid but still good stuff.
17.True Romance by She Wants Revenge

The follow up to Tear You Apart, not as good but still moody L.A. stuff.

18.Guilt By Association by Louis XIV

A band that should have been in the seventies

19.Shadow Of Your Love by Hollywood Rose

This is the band that was part of Guns n' Roses before Gn'R came to be. I wouold have put an L.A. Guns song next but the sucked so instead we shall dance.

20. Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna

Disco time!

21. D.A.N.C.E. by Justice

Keep moving. I don't know too much about this Dj but people love him.

22. Centerfold by The J. Geils Band
Peter Wolf and the boys biggest hit; it's a good sing along if you like na na's

Weekly Mix # 58

Here's where we get our first glimpse of 2008. Sorry this was late.


1. Runnin' With the Devil by Van Halen
OH YEAH! You know this is really just a blues song that was transformed into awesome!
2. The Kelly Affair by Be Your Own Pet
One album and then they broke up, probably for the best
3. Tom Sawyer by Rush

I don't like Rush and I don't think I ever will. This song however is just barely on the tolerable scale.

4. Time To Pretend by MGMT

I don't get why this band was so loved and haled as brilliant. They must know the critics.

5. You're Gonna' Miss Me by The 13th Floor Elevators

Roky Erickson's band. Like most people I didn't hear this song until I saw High Fidelity.

6. Be My baby by The Ronnettes
Some people love this song because it was in Dirty Dancing; I just like the Phil Spector Wall of Sound production and the big hair.
7. Rehab by Amy Winehouse
Huge song! This won her Grammy's and made her millions of dollars. It is a throw back to do-wop and Motown and The Ronnettes big hair but has Mark Ronson production
8. Talk Dirty To Me by Poison

Oh No! Before Brett Michaels embarrassed himself as a "reality" personality he embarrassed himself in his band Poison by making pop rock under the guise of metal.

9. Into Action by Tim Armstrong

The man from Rancid; he knows how to make a good time summer album. The girl who sings with him on this was thirteen years old.

10.This Is The Day by The The
You may know this song from an M & M's commercial. It's actually a pretty sad song.
11.It's My Fault for being Famous by The White Stripes

B-sides are a lost entity because nobody knows what that means anymore. Now it's just a bonus track. Anyway this is a funny song about being stalked by the press and fans.

12.Eat Yourself by Goldfrapp

She returns to her Felt Mountain after being disco for some years.

13.Sundown by Gorden Lightfoot

Just a groovy 70s singer songwriter. This was on heavy repeat for a while back in 08'

14.Boston by Augustana

Great sweeping pop song that only got my attention because of the city.

15.Well All Right by The Hives

We get hand clapping in this one and that's awesome.

16.The Moneymaker by Rilo Kiley

This song is nowhere near as crazy as, Portions For Foxes but it's still pretty mean.

17.Umbrella by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z

This song made Rihanna huge and there was no going back much to Chris Brown's chagrin.

18.Tennagers by My Chemical Romance
Many people think this is MCR's best song, I don't but I do think it's a good one. The video owes a lot to Smells Like Teen Spirit, I suppose it's an homage
19.1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins

It's a little song and it's cute; it was also a big hit for them. I heard that Billy Corgan had to completely recompose the music right before they recorded it.

20.Lazy Eye by Silversun Pickups

When the Smashing pumpkins couldn't be Smashing Pumpkins, The Silversun Pickups could be.

21.The End Of The Line by The Traveling Wilburys
The late 80s super group containing Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and produced by Jeff Lynn made a lot of money off this project.

Weekly Mix # 56

Am I clever? No. But I did manage to put Me, Mr. & Mrs. Jones all in the same mix; it's trouble especially because "me" in this case is two different people, A skinny junky girl from England and a middle aged black man from Philadelphia. Both got great pipes and got soul but I think that's it. This was good mix for 2007, not the best but good. Several good 00s bands represent for the a multiple time like Interpol, White Stripes and Clinic while Tim Armstrong makes his first appearance as a solo artist.
Enjoy if you can!


1. Me & Mr. Jones by Amy Winehouse
"What kind of fuckery is this?" Only Amy will know

2. She Builds Quick Machines by Velvet Revolver

This is from the sophomore effort of the supergroup of the decade; it wasn't very good but this tune is okay.

3. Sheena Is a Parasite by The Horrors

I heard this song and I was changed! This is one of 2007's best rock songs and somewhat of a reply to the Ramones' Sheena is a Punk Rocker

4.Silent Lucidity by Queensryche

Do you remember this song from 1990? I did too and I listened to this number for about a week straight when I was making this mix.

5. The Heinrich Maneuver by Interpol

They want to know how things are on the west coast and I guess they're pretty good.

6. In The jailhouse Now by The Soggy Bottom Boys

Not a real band but an awesome band from a great movie, O Brother Where art Thou?

7. Conquest by The White Stripes

This is some cover or other

8. The Ghost of You Lingers by Spoon

I'm not a fan of Spoon but this song I like
9. If You Could Read your Mind by Clinic
Sounds like spy rock

10.Crying by Roy Orbison

So sad, so very, very sad. Roy had one of the best voices

11.Your Cheatin' Heart by Hank Williams

Hank was a conflicted man and spawned two generations of music I don't care too much for.

12.Texas Radio & The Big Beat

This poem has nothing to do with dance music

13.This Is How It Feels by Inspiral Carpets

Art School kids loved this band back in the early 90s, You may know their bigger and more danceable hit, Commercial Rain

14.Abra Cadaver by The Hives

Abrasive, loud and weird: The Hives are Rock n' roll!

15.Smile by Lily Allen

She's a mean little Brit chick

16.She's So Cold by The Rolling Stones

Sometimes I just like the Stones and sometimes one relationship shot deserves another

17.Kiss, Kiss by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Dark and Moody!

18.Friends by Led Zeppelin

Off the Led Zeppelin III album which is sort of a mess in it's cohesion

19.God Smack by Alice In Chains

Still crazy sounding after all these years

20.Just by Mark Ronson feat. Phantom Planet

This is a Radiohead cover and I think I might like it better than the original.

21.Take This City by Tim Armstrong

Front man of Rancid, Tim has put out some cool shit since.

22.Really Rich Italian Satanists by Dirty Sanchez

This song blows my mind in ways I'm never going to discuss openly

23.Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul

Somber and sweet but definitely not a healthy relationship song. Bill Cosby loved this song

Weekly Mix #55

New Arrivals! peter Bjorn and John, Amy Winehouse, Cold War Kids, Justin Timberlake, Silversun Pickups and the Horrors! This mix was better than I thought! On this mix I started to put more emphasis on new music rather than a couple new tunes surrounded by oldies, for better or worse I think it works very well here! So go and listen, the Heretix song is hard to find btw.


1. Enter Sandman by Metallica

Before this song Metallica was a speed metal band that terrified all. The black album was released and suddenly they were just a big rock metal band that made more money than ever before.

2. Down by Stone Temple Pilots

This is a good song to have as an alarm in the morning. This may be the last ++ song they did.

3. Young Folks by Peter Bjorn and John

PB&J gave whistlers something hot! There's a sweet melancholy in the romance of this Scandinavian band's biggest hit to date. We can welcome them to the mixes too.

4. You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse

From 2007's best album, Amy Winehouse got very real with us in her do wop, soul way.

5. The Chauffeur by Duran Duran

Off one of the great 80s albums, Rio. In live shows, Simon does poetry to this song and whips about a flute from his trousers . . . AWESOME!

6. Sexyback by Justin Timberlake
This song was so huge it even made me want to dance and up until this song I loathed Justin Timberlake and all his mouse buddies.
7. Big Man With A Gun by Nine Inch Nails

Loud, short and nasty

8.Sick, Sick, Sick by Queens of the Stone Age

This song does in fact sound ill

9. Crazy by Patsy Cline

A classic bar room song and heartbroken song

10.You Only Live Once by The Strokes
The New York Boys seemed to loose steam on their third album; it would be five years until their next release.
11.Awake by Letters To Cleo

This song was supposed to be huge for the Boston band; it was supposed to be their big second hit after their song, Here and Now that was on the Melrose Place soundtrack. Never happened for 'em.

12.Sherriff by Heretix

One good Boston band follows the other.

13.Got Me Wrong by Alice In Chains

Let's set the way back machine to 1992 when Alice and Chains came out with their Sap EP.

14.For the Girl by The Fratellis

This song is pleasant

15.Baby, Please Don't Go by Aerosmith

This is from Aerosmith's old rock rhythm and blues album; it was sort of silly as everything sounds too slick.

16.Walk Away by James Gang

Joe Walsh playing guitar and being the man before he got drafted by the Eagles to make them rock.

17.Icky Thump by The White Stripes

Not their best effort but still so good!

18.Hang Me Up to Dry by Cold War kids

 Good song by a little known band

19.She Is The New Thing by The Horrors
Organ is back in a creepy Adam's Family rock style
20.Identify by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Critics loved them for a while but for me this album was the only one worth it's balls
21.Common Reactor by Silversun Pickups.

I like this song tons! I liked it much more than their single at the time,  Lazy eye. If Billy Corgan wasn't so insane and full of himself this is what the fourth Smashing Pumpkins album would have sounded like and there would have been great rejoicing instead of a collective, "whateveh" I hope you like reverb!

Top 5: You Should Be Dead

I can't help my morbid ways at times so this is a top five of musicians who should have died.

1. Axl Rose
Mr. Rose should have passed at some point in 1989 while Guns n' Roses were at their biggest and most self destructive. While some of the Use You Illusion songs are fine to listen to it's really not the same thing, in fact it's like listening to another band all together at times.



2. Amy Winehouse
I actually think she may in fact be a zombie at this point.



3. Fiona Apple
Makes me sad she has to walk this earth so miserable but then again maybe it's the whole vegan lifestyle



4. Any Member of Fleetwood Mac
It just seems like one of these folks should have kicked the bucket along the way

5. Sean Ryder
Every music movement needs to make at least one sacrifice to the Rock gods, Sean should have been the Manchester

Honorable Mention:

Nikki Sixx you should have stayed dead at least one of those times

Jim Morrison we all know you're still out there you drunk, fat Lizard King you!

00s Countdown: The Top 10!!!

Yours is not mine and that's the important thing here as we get down to the nitty gritty of the countdown, the final 10 songs that seem to me to be the ones that deserve to be. If you read the top 10 albums of the decade this will make more sense.

10. It's a Wonderful Life by Sparklehorse
Dreamy, somber and lyrically a bit off, "It's a Wonderful Life" has nothing to do with the Jimmy Stewart movie you see every December. It was a hit but the song sticks in the mind life the odor of fresh bread in the morning.




9. Young Folks By Peter Bjorn and John
PB & J caught your ear with a whistle and a eerie mix of melancholy and hope. Theygot into your ear with that sweet echoing whistle that eaither hooked you or revolted you or in many a case, both. It's just a simple boy meets girl song that could as well in 70s R&B format as it did in modern rock format.



8. Paper Planes by M.I.A.
Thanks to the Clash, M.I.A. got huge! The "Straight to Hell" sample taken out of context is not so sad but still cold to the spine. So she says this song is about driving a cab but I think this means something different than it does to me.



7. Hash Pipe by Weezer
I could have gone with "Beverly Hills" but this one returned the 90s sweater wearing geeks to the limelight. The song is driving and could be tough if it weren't by Weezer.



6. Lose Yourself by Eminem
Embracing movie magic Mr. Mathers got an Oscar for this song about wanting fame, getting fame and living life unhappy. Why this song over, "The Real Slim Shady" or "Without me"? Eminem keeps his habds to himself rather than taking off color jabs at his peers. I never saw "8 Mile" but I hear he lives in a trailer and dates Brittany Murphy



5. Welcome Home by Coheed & Cambria
Welcome to the world of Rock n' Roll heaven! It is epic and powerful like the hammer of the gods, yes I mean Led Zeppelin. The songs makes you desire a long drive preferably in a van with a wizard painted on the side.




A note about the top four: An argument for each of these songs can be made for any of the top 4 slots including number one; it really depends on what constitutes your ranking system for me it's just arbitrary which may or may not send one into a violent rage over the miscellaneous order they've been presented with. I still don't know if any of these songs will be thought about in a few years or if there will be such a backlash against the worst decade ever that all things 2000s will be snarled at like the 1970s were for nearly 30 years. It's possible this is a reason for the lack of any hip-hop in the final four; the music even to it's biggest fans has always had a disposable tag on it. I've entered discussion with rap fans about older songs and am usually put down by a scoff about the song being old and not worth bring up. One can make the same argument with dance music as well, while the song is hot it is the greatest thing thing ever but once it's been overplayed and something else has come along, the piece is discarded until it comes back around at weddings and retromance TV shows, nostalgia programming if you will. So why does rock get to han around for longer? Are fans of the genre stuck in their youth? Is rock n' roll's lexicon so brilliantly better than others? Are rock fans fetishists? I don't know but it does seem that for past ten to fifteen years that even the most mediocre bands like Quiet Riot, Great White or Ratt can ride the retread music circuit playing small gigs for quite some time; there's always some dude that wants to hear, "Round and Round" just one more time.

4. Last Night by The Strokes
Sing along with the strokes song about being a 20 something year old dude wanting something he can't put his finger on. This is New York rock in the 2000s, love it or hate it it was low-fi and reminiscent of the 1970s.



3. Rehab by Amy Winehouse
She won so many Grammys for singing about loving her vice that the weight snapped her brittle bones. Her 60s flavored R&B tale was catchy and seemed to hit a chord with people who love to drink.

She may never win a beauty contest but at least she's got pipes

2. SexyBack by Justin Timberlake
Even I wanted to dance when I heard this disco! Some songs have a life of their own creating lingo and small economies, this track is one of them. Though the song isn't really about anything other than being cool and it's all good.

Justin showing us how to get your Sexyback

1. Seven Nation Army By The White Stripes
What can I say about this raw, angry, heartbroken song that has a massive thundering bass drum beat carrying you through to end? It has a "bass" line that is hypnotic a guitar solo that feels like the brae of wild stallion struggling for it's life and lyrics that are cryptic yet very understandable like all the best.

Albums? Top 10? 2000s? Really?

A friend posed to me that top ten albums are more important than a top 100 list of songs. I argued that nobody buys albums so what does it really matter. So this will be a retro tribute to the 90s, 80s, 70s and even the 1960s when the Album concept was launched. We have come 360 in our music listening units, granted it’s no longer on a wax 45s but in a digital MP3; there are no more B-Sides, no more hidden gems to find that are too out there for mainstream radio. Nor will there will be pieces like, “Hey Hey, What Can I do” which didn’t make it to Led Zeppelin’s III album because Jimmy Paige was so messed up he ruined the end of the recording leaving the song to be designated as “The Immigrant Song” B-Side. No more Singles like Sam Cooke’s “Shout” which originally was a two sided single where side A ends as he sings, “Now waaaaaaaaaait a minute . . .” and then the DJ would either have to flip the wax over as quickly as he could or buy a second copy for another turn table.
This countdown will be a memorial to vinyl, cassette and even CD’s which introduced the hidden track. Notables include John Mellencamp’s rendition of the Hombres’, “Let it All Hang Out” and Nirvana’s “Endless and Nameless” that appeared on Nevermind, sort of.

I'm also going to compare this to the Rolling Stone List


Anyway here's the top ten albums of the decade!


1. Elephant (2003), The White Stripes
This isn't the cute White Stripes from before, this is the White Stripes post break up. Jack white is disillusioned, and angry. The opening track, "Seven Nation Army" relays this fury with the pounding bass drum that pulls you through the song down to Wichita via wild horse to get as far from the pain as possible. Through the story of the album Mr. White gets lost, gets angry, gets tender, lonely and gets possessive sometimes all in one song. Even though Meg White sings, "In The Cold, Cold NIght"; it's still Jack's story of desperation. "The Hardest Button to Button" we find our man trying to accept all the bull and swallow his pride. By the finally of the album which is a joyful sing along with Holly Golightly, "Well It's True That We Love One Another" you need it. It offers the hope for the new and the short memory of painful break ups.
Rolling Stone Rank #5


2. Back to Black (2007), Amy Winehouse
So much more than a 1960's R & B tribute, Amy Winehouse delivered one of the best albums about dysfunction we've had in a long, long time; it's no mistake this Album took home Grammy's galore. We travel with Amy as she refuses to get clean on the huge "Rehab", as she finds out her man's been cheating her in "Me & Mr. Jones", as she cheats on her man in "I'm No Good" and as she plays the other woman in the title track all in triumphantly wonderful production. When you follow the story on the album you feel unclean for knowing far too much about her troubled romance but you will go back and listen again because the songs are so complete and make you ask, "What kind of Fuckery is this?"
RSR # 20


3. Is This It? (2000), The Strokes
Yes. Yes, this is it. This bands arrival on the scene was statement that garage bands were still out there even if it was a three car garage band. With a sound that can be compared to The Velvet Underground's less edgy stuff, The Stooges less loud stuff and even the Cars early stuff. The strokes wrote catchy tunes with awesomely crappy low-fi sounding guitar about not getting along with girls. The big single, "Last Night" finds our singer Julian Casablancas crooning about his lack of reason behind walking out on his girlfriend in such a way that nobody in the history of the universe will ever understand. The title track, "Is This It?" he argues with his girl about things that are creating a rift in their romance. Every song on the Album is a joy to listen to and has some drive to it, "The Modern Age" is a fine example of the foot tapping, head nodding effect the songs have.
RSR # 2


4. The Black Album (2003), Jay-Z
He hailed it as his final album and it was remixed by DJ Danger Mouse as the Gray Album (which some find to be a better album) The Black Album containing two totally kick ass and iconic tunes "Dirt of Your Shoulder" and the Rick Rubin rocker, "99 Problems". The album in many ways typical of a rap album as the star boasts but also keeps it real by informing us of his tough roots. As his "final" album Jay-Z goes out on top and from the looks of things he's stayed there . . . just not on this list.
RSR # 14 "The Blue Print" ranked higher




5. Marshal Mathers LP (2000), Eminem
Slim Shady grows up . . . sort of. The second album from Eminem shows us that he still has a soft spot and an cutting edge for pop culture in the mega genre crossing, "The Real Slim Shady" where he makes fun of Mtv's party line expecting to be demonized for it but obviously it didn't work out that way. Some peole say the album is shocking, others hilarious and some call it a very personal work; it is in fact all three at various times. On "The Way I Am" Eminem doesn't defend himself in any other way than stating that he is who is his for better or worse as he explains that he should have to defend himself in the first place but the media likes to pick on him; he even gives a shout out to Marilyn Manson. The Album is the rapper at the cross hair of being a f'd up guy who can't choose between getting high or taking care of his daughter and an entertainer obsessed with the entertainment industry. Sure he says he want to kill his wife but he also dresses up like Britney Spears.
RSR # 7


6. Dangerously In Love (2003), Beyoncé
An R&B diva arrives! Beyoncé releases her first solo album after her career with the many faces of Destiny's Child. The vocals are strong, the songs are gold and the sales were enormous. From the very beginning of the first song, "Crazy In Love" you are pumped with energy and primed to shake your ass on the dance floor. Generally the album is ripe with dance numbers like, "Naughty Girl" which the chanteuse does her best Donna Summer and "Baby Boy" which brings in dance hall rap dude, Sean Paul for some heat. She gets intimate on the tune, "Gift From Virgo". There are several songs to give Beyoncé street cred by including the likes of Big Boy and her man Jay-Z. It's a solid pop collection that at it's best is very enjoyable and at it's worst it's harmless.
RSR # Did Not Rank

7. Weezer (green) 2001, Weezer
The nerds make a comeback! When Hashpipe hit the air I was shocked to find out that the band was still around; I had thought that they sank into 90s oblivion but that was not the case. Not only did this album put them back on the map but it let them expand there sound into more fun style rock pop. "Island in the Sun" is a sweet little melody that is fun to chill out to. "Knock-Down Drag-Out" and "Photograph" are the strong power pop tunes as well.
The Green LP relaunched the bands career making them decade long mainstays releasing catchy tune after catchy tune making a greatest hit album totally awesome!
RSR # Did Not Rank


8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (2006), Show your Bones
The sophomore effort from the hipster trio of Williamsburgh and now Silver Lake is a gem. They brought along the acoustic guitar and Karen O got damn catchy in her melodies even venturing into lullaby territory on "Dudly". There is still some anguish in the lyrics but nothing to compare with "Maps" on Fever to tell. The big hit, "Gold Lion" Karen turns into Siouxie Sioux with harrowing wails. On "Phenomena" the bad gets down right dirty, sounding like a stripper's bump and grind, hypnotizing and sexual. This album is the album that sees the band mature from their previous and that's always important for a band that sticks around.
RSR # Did Not Rank but "Fever to Tell" did


9. Gorillaz (2005), Demon Days
Eclectic, danceable and chillable. The cartoon band, The Gorillaz second album takes the elements that made the first album enjoyable and make them gel more cohesively. Hypnotic, melodic and weird are more adjectives to describe the music and while, the ubiquitous "Feel Good In." has a catchy bass line, "DARE" resurrected Sean Ryder from debris of 90s Manchester and stuck his fat head in a video for, Noodle to dance around. The songs found on the Demon Days are surreal dreams put to music, keyboard and beat heavy, Dennis Hopper even lends narration to "Fire Coming Oot Of The Monkey's Head." If there is one album to get high to this decade this is the one.
RSR # Did Not Rank


10. Felt Mountain (2000), Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp's dark, moody masterpiece is not something you'll find yourself walking away from with a smile, even the Goth kids get the shivers when they hear her coo over music that seems from another era, one that never existed. There's circus odd circus notes on "Oompa Radar" that in it's place could send a person on the edge right over. The chilling violins on "Human" that make the listener dread what's about to happen to our siren but when the song breaks out into a samba beat it still seems very dangerous.
This is a trippy, trippy album that needs to be listened to from start to finish; it is a complete work of art not just a collection of songs. The lyrics are somber to fearful almost in that torch song way that can be reminiscent of Portishead if Portishead didn't use beats. Strings, organ, whistling, keyboard whines and odd percussion range from seeping and dramatic to small warnings.
RSR # Did Not Rank


Here's the link to the Rolling Stone Top 100