My favorite songs of 2008.
20. Estelle - "American Boy"
Estelle is the latest female retro-R&B export from the UK, but unlike the dull Amy Winehouse and the excruciatingly bad Duffy, "American Boy" sounds more 90's than 60's.
One of the few songs on radio to combine throbbing post-house synths and annoying smooth jazz melodies - it sounds bad on paper, but it works, as does Kanye's mid-song rap cameo.
The verse itself is weak, but Estelle's flirty ad libs complement Kanye's cheekiness pretty well; overall, he seems to have more fun with the whole thing than anything he's done in recent memory.
After it's over, there's kind of a post-coital-sigh-bridge that leads strong into the last chorus and fade out, finishing up a cute, sly song that outdoes Estelle's contemporaries without even trying.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008.
21. Sean Kingston - "Take You There"
Released in late 2007, before his first hit "Beautiful Girls" had fully grown on me, I originally wrote this tune off as a weak dance throwaway. But among a weak crop of early contenders, by February, "Take You There" had become a front-runner for a top 10 slot on my list.
It's not quite that good - for all intents and purposes, it is a weak dance throwaway - but a closer look reveals several strong vocal hooks and melodies that keep it moving.
Also, the lyrics are, deceptively, somewhat intriguing. Kingston juxtaposes odd imagery of Jamaican poverty and social strife next to R&B come-ons and Jimmy Buffett-worthy stuff about "pina coladas" and "paradise". Near-great stuff.
21. Sean Kingston - "Take You There"
Released in late 2007, before his first hit "Beautiful Girls" had fully grown on me, I originally wrote this tune off as a weak dance throwaway. But among a weak crop of early contenders, by February, "Take You There" had become a front-runner for a top 10 slot on my list.
It's not quite that good - for all intents and purposes, it is a weak dance throwaway - but a closer look reveals several strong vocal hooks and melodies that keep it moving.
Also, the lyrics are, deceptively, somewhat intriguing. Kingston juxtaposes odd imagery of Jamaican poverty and social strife next to R&B come-ons and Jimmy Buffett-worthy stuff about "pina coladas" and "paradise". Near-great stuff.
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008.
22. T-Pain - "Can't Believe It"
The least "busy" single ever associated with T-Pain, "Can't Believe It" is more noteworthy for what it doesn't do than for what it does. Auto-Tune (is it really "on the way out", as T-Pain claims in the equally sweet remix?) and machine-gun drum machines take a back seat to relatively clear vocals, cheesy non-sequiturs about mansions in Wiscansin, spare production heavily reliant on the vibraphone, and another cameo fom Lil' Wayne.
22. T-Pain - "Can't Believe It"
The least "busy" single ever associated with T-Pain, "Can't Believe It" is more noteworthy for what it doesn't do than for what it does. Auto-Tune (is it really "on the way out", as T-Pain claims in the equally sweet remix?) and machine-gun drum machines take a back seat to relatively clear vocals, cheesy non-sequiturs about mansions in Wiscansin, spare production heavily reliant on the vibraphone, and another cameo fom Lil' Wayne.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008.
23. T.I. - "Dead and Gone"
Why do I rate this higher than the similar and critically acclaimed "No Matter What?" The beat is merely serviceable, T.I. really doesn't say anything significant, and Justin Timberlake's cameo is the sort of thankless, gratuitous appearance you'd expect on a filler track, not a hit single.
But whereas "No Matter What" overstayed its welcome and overstated its case (to a degree, it's still a fine track), "Dead and Gone" proves to be a more accomplished slice of dramatic pop rap, at least to my ears. The slick hook comes and goes with ease - maybe it's better off that JT doesn't steal the show here - and T.I.'s cadence in the verses is unexpected and refreshing. I didn't expect to hear such barrage of words in an odd pattern on a poppy, slow track like this, but it definitely works to keep the song interesting for the full running time.
23. T.I. - "Dead and Gone"
Why do I rate this higher than the similar and critically acclaimed "No Matter What?" The beat is merely serviceable, T.I. really doesn't say anything significant, and Justin Timberlake's cameo is the sort of thankless, gratuitous appearance you'd expect on a filler track, not a hit single.
But whereas "No Matter What" overstayed its welcome and overstated its case (to a degree, it's still a fine track), "Dead and Gone" proves to be a more accomplished slice of dramatic pop rap, at least to my ears. The slick hook comes and goes with ease - maybe it's better off that JT doesn't steal the show here - and T.I.'s cadence in the verses is unexpected and refreshing. I didn't expect to hear such barrage of words in an odd pattern on a poppy, slow track like this, but it definitely works to keep the song interesting for the full running time.
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008.
24. Beyonce - "Single Ladies"
This one was hard to describe. There's not much to it - it's all bouncy hand claps, snaps, and whoa-ohs - but it still manages to be stronger and more Epic than anything on the overproduced, overwrought misstep I Am... Sasha Fierce. A solid piece of hyperactive and irritating soul-pop cheese - think Lil' Mama meets "Get Me Bodied" meets Gwen Stefani, maybe?
24. Beyonce - "Single Ladies"
This one was hard to describe. There's not much to it - it's all bouncy hand claps, snaps, and whoa-ohs - but it still manages to be stronger and more Epic than anything on the overproduced, overwrought misstep I Am... Sasha Fierce. A solid piece of hyperactive and irritating soul-pop cheese - think Lil' Mama meets "Get Me Bodied" meets Gwen Stefani, maybe?
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008.
25. OneRepublic - "Stop and Stare"
As I sit down to type this, I'm almost tempted to take this song off my list in embarrassment. It's not really a "guilty pleasure" song, per se - I'd imagine that most people familiar with it would consider it a Serious Alternative to, say, Katy Perry - but I'm embarrassed to like it nonetheless.
"Stop and Stare" could have been a lot like some awful American post-post-grunge band like The Fray - and it's definitely dangerously close - but OneRepublic strives for much more than that: a cheesy Coldplay ballad.
The fact that they don't achieve anything like that is a blessing in disguise. The actual result is a solid everyman ballad, simple and satisfying, driven by clear ideas and an even clearer vocal by singer/producer Greg Wells. The fact that there are obvious swells and crescendos and falsetto vocals doesn't take away from the fact that this is a strong folk ballad, represented by the last and best leg of the track.
25. OneRepublic - "Stop and Stare"
As I sit down to type this, I'm almost tempted to take this song off my list in embarrassment. It's not really a "guilty pleasure" song, per se - I'd imagine that most people familiar with it would consider it a Serious Alternative to, say, Katy Perry - but I'm embarrassed to like it nonetheless.
"Stop and Stare" could have been a lot like some awful American post-post-grunge band like The Fray - and it's definitely dangerously close - but OneRepublic strives for much more than that: a cheesy Coldplay ballad.
The fact that they don't achieve anything like that is a blessing in disguise. The actual result is a solid everyman ballad, simple and satisfying, driven by clear ideas and an even clearer vocal by singer/producer Greg Wells. The fact that there are obvious swells and crescendos and falsetto vocals doesn't take away from the fact that this is a strong folk ballad, represented by the last and best leg of the track.
Monday, December 29, 2008
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008.
26. Katy Perry - "Hot and Cold"
In the Lady Gaga review below(#28), I mentioned Katy Perry as being ham-fisted. That's true of "Hot and Cold", too, but it's a minor gripe, and about the only negative thing I can say about it.
This is annoyingly loud and relentless dance-pop, but it's also full of really solid hooks, which is all I can ever ask for. It'd probably rate even higher if it didn't wear so thin after a while.
26. Katy Perry - "Hot and Cold"
In the Lady Gaga review below(#28), I mentioned Katy Perry as being ham-fisted. That's true of "Hot and Cold", too, but it's a minor gripe, and about the only negative thing I can say about it.
This is annoyingly loud and relentless dance-pop, but it's also full of really solid hooks, which is all I can ever ask for. It'd probably rate even higher if it didn't wear so thin after a while.
Friday, December 26, 2008
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008.
27. T.I. - "No Matter What"
I dug this track from T.I., but not as much as "the blogs sites and the magazines," apparently, as this showed up quite high on numerous year-end best ofs. It's got a neat chorus ("I ain't dead/I ain't done"/etc.), but it's a little slow and doesn't grab me as much as it probably should. To me, it all sounds very similar to something Eminem would have done a half dozen years ago, what with the power ballad guitars and the faux drama and the whining.
I do like the requisite Danja synths that pop up pre-chorus and inject some life, even if they're starting to feel a little obvious, and the third verse is pretty strong.
I should also add that listening to "No Matter What" in the context of the very solid Paper Trail is a different experience than listening to it as a stand-alone single.
27. T.I. - "No Matter What"
I dug this track from T.I., but not as much as "the blogs sites and the magazines," apparently, as this showed up quite high on numerous year-end best ofs. It's got a neat chorus ("I ain't dead/I ain't done"/etc.), but it's a little slow and doesn't grab me as much as it probably should. To me, it all sounds very similar to something Eminem would have done a half dozen years ago, what with the power ballad guitars and the faux drama and the whining.
I do like the requisite Danja synths that pop up pre-chorus and inject some life, even if they're starting to feel a little obvious, and the third verse is pretty strong.
I should also add that listening to "No Matter What" in the context of the very solid Paper Trail is a different experience than listening to it as a stand-alone single.
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008.
28. Lady Gaga - "Just Dance"
Less ham-fisted than Katy Perry, less self-consciously sexy than Brit - and not quite as catchy as either one - Lady Gaga and "Just Dance" sort of snuck up on me in the last couple months of 2008. A solid chunk of well-produced dance pop (dig the early 90's synths), it makes the chart in a weak year, despite some shortcomings. A weak chorus frames the excellent verses conceptually (Too drunk to remember where you are? Just DANCE!), but not musically, as the song kind of runs out of melody after a promising start.
Not to mention, it features a cameo from the unbelievably boring Colby O'Donis, who needs to visit Dr. Carter for a shot of charisma.
28. Lady Gaga - "Just Dance"
Less ham-fisted than Katy Perry, less self-consciously sexy than Brit - and not quite as catchy as either one - Lady Gaga and "Just Dance" sort of snuck up on me in the last couple months of 2008. A solid chunk of well-produced dance pop (dig the early 90's synths), it makes the chart in a weak year, despite some shortcomings. A weak chorus frames the excellent verses conceptually (Too drunk to remember where you are? Just DANCE!), but not musically, as the song kind of runs out of melody after a promising start.
Not to mention, it features a cameo from the unbelievably boring Colby O'Donis, who needs to visit Dr. Carter for a shot of charisma.
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008
29. Kanye West - "Heartless"
"Heartless" may be one of the lesser songs on the nearly excellent 808s and Heartbreak, but even moderately catchy Kanye trifle was good enough to scrape the bottom of my chart this year. A departure from the rest of the album in a way - he raps a little bit, there's very little distortion or Auto-tune on the vocals - it's also just not as interesting, as the vague dancehall underpinnings prove to be less memorable than, say, the tribal leanings of first single "Love Lockdown".
Also, I feel like I should mention the couplet "How could you be so/Dr. Evil?", not because it's good or anything, just because.
29. Kanye West - "Heartless"
"Heartless" may be one of the lesser songs on the nearly excellent 808s and Heartbreak, but even moderately catchy Kanye trifle was good enough to scrape the bottom of my chart this year. A departure from the rest of the album in a way - he raps a little bit, there's very little distortion or Auto-tune on the vocals - it's also just not as interesting, as the vague dancehall underpinnings prove to be less memorable than, say, the tribal leanings of first single "Love Lockdown".
Also, I feel like I should mention the couplet "How could you be so/Dr. Evil?", not because it's good or anything, just because.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
30 Songs: 2008
My favorite songs of 2008.
30. Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"
Despite a lame verse, featuring a melody that even a hack like Joe Satriani (or Marty Balin??) should have realized was too obvious, I kind of dug this stab at... whatever it is Brian Eno and Coldplay were going for here. Art soft-rock? I dunno. Anyway, I love Eno, and while this tune doesn't sound particularly Eno-esque, I don't think it's a coincidence that his involvement produced the first tolerable Coldplay single in history.
Note: watching the video clip for this track could very well have cost it 4 or 5 slots on this countdown, so I don't recommend clicking on the link below.
30. Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"
Despite a lame verse, featuring a melody that even a hack like Joe Satriani (or Marty Balin??) should have realized was too obvious, I kind of dug this stab at... whatever it is Brian Eno and Coldplay were going for here. Art soft-rock? I dunno. Anyway, I love Eno, and while this tune doesn't sound particularly Eno-esque, I don't think it's a coincidence that his involvement produced the first tolerable Coldplay single in history.
Note: watching the video clip for this track could very well have cost it 4 or 5 slots on this countdown, so I don't recommend clicking on the link below.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Elvis Costello vs. Pavement
Who is less overrated?
That is, which one deserves to be rated as undeservedly high as they are?
Disclaimer: I don't think either artist is bad at all. It's just that I haven't put on an album, by either artist, and listened to it all the way through in nearly a decade.
That being said, I decided to think about their tunes rather than albums in order to compare.
My top 10 Pavement tunes:
1. "AT&T"
2. "In the Mouth a Desert"
3. "My Radio"
4. "Grounded"
5. "Shoot the Singer"
6. "Frontwards"
7. "Box Elder"
8. "Cut Your Hair"
9. "Gold Soundz"
10. "Home"
Hm... There's more, but that's the great great stuff. Mostly stuff from their first few years of existence, but a couple from the late 90's (well, 1995). Overall, I started with about 19 or 20 contenders, and was considering stuff from all of their albums, even the last two somewhat mediocre ones. So, not a bad Korea, all in all.
Now, Costello:
1 ."Oliver's Army"
2. "Radio Radio"
3. "Human Hands"
4. "Riot Act"
5. "Big Tears"
6. "Accidents Will Happen"
7. "No Action"
8. "Clubland"
9. "Watching the Detectives"
10. "Beyond Belief"
Spans more albums than the Pavement list, but reveals a massive drop-off in quality after the first few years of his career, as well. And believe it or not, this just isn't up to par with the Pavement list, in my book. All told, I only had to cut five EC standouts to round the list out to ten.
Verdict: Pavement is less overrated than Elvis Costello.
That is, which one deserves to be rated as undeservedly high as they are?
Disclaimer: I don't think either artist is bad at all. It's just that I haven't put on an album, by either artist, and listened to it all the way through in nearly a decade.
That being said, I decided to think about their tunes rather than albums in order to compare.
My top 10 Pavement tunes:
1. "AT&T"
2. "In the Mouth a Desert"
3. "My Radio"
4. "Grounded"
5. "Shoot the Singer"
6. "Frontwards"
7. "Box Elder"
8. "Cut Your Hair"
9. "Gold Soundz"
10. "Home"
Hm... There's more, but that's the great great stuff. Mostly stuff from their first few years of existence, but a couple from the late 90's (well, 1995). Overall, I started with about 19 or 20 contenders, and was considering stuff from all of their albums, even the last two somewhat mediocre ones. So, not a bad Korea, all in all.
Now, Costello:
1 ."Oliver's Army"
2. "Radio Radio"
3. "Human Hands"
4. "Riot Act"
5. "Big Tears"
6. "Accidents Will Happen"
7. "No Action"
8. "Clubland"
9. "Watching the Detectives"
10. "Beyond Belief"
Spans more albums than the Pavement list, but reveals a massive drop-off in quality after the first few years of his career, as well. And believe it or not, this just isn't up to par with the Pavement list, in my book. All told, I only had to cut five EC standouts to round the list out to ten.
Verdict: Pavement is less overrated than Elvis Costello.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
