Part Five: 10-6
10. "I'm a Flirt (Remix)" - R. Kelly featuring T-Pain
It's called the "remix" but few know where to actual find the original. In fact, R originally produced it for Bow Wow, but you can imagine him having a hard time leaving it with a rapper who most still cal "Lil.'" Thankfully, he rescued for his own R&B odyssey, Double Up, and brought two of the biggest stars of the moment (T.I. and T-Pain) along for the ride. The guest spots don't hurt, but they're just a supplement to the amazing piano beat. R's certainly got courage to drop a line like, "a dog on the prowl when I'm walking through the mall," given his always-impending sex-with-a-minor trial - but he doesn't care. He keeps pulling nuggets of genius out and we keep eating it up.
9. "Herculean" - The Good, the Bad and the Queen
With Gorillaz retired, and Blur still prepping that reunion (???), what keeps Damon Albarn busy. His latest innovative project was a supergroup of sorts with the bassist from the Clash; a guitarist whose played with the Verve, Blur and Gorillaz; one of the most highly regarded and underappreciated drummers ever, and a producer who continues to surprise with his every move. If you were simply expecting Blur meets the Clash or the fun-yet-uninspired sound we've become accustomed to from supergroups, then you're in for a disappointment. Results were minimalist, but effective - single "Herculean" is positively stunning.
8. "The Dull Flame of Desire" - Bjork
Few voices can even come close to matching the emotion and intensity of Bjork's - which probably makes her a difficult singer to duet with. Thom Yorke pulled it off with "I've Seen it All" and with Volta's "Dull Flame of Desire," Antony of Antony and the Johnsons proved up to the challenge. Antony sings as though he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders - he sounds as though he could break down at any moment, but can move mountains when he opens his mouth. Bjork sings as though she is fighting her way out of her own head. Together they create a song that is gorgeous and heartbreaking - six minutes of intense bliss.
7. "Do It" - Nelly Furtado
I really did not think anything Furtado did could ever top "Say It Right" ... and then she comes back with this bit of 80's goodness. I've been hooked on this song since the moment I heard it. I especially think it was a bold choice to release it as a single - since this is the beat in question when Timbaland was accused of theft. Regardless of who crafted the beat, it is sheer bubblegum - and I mean that in a good way.
6. "Can't Believe a Single Word" - VHS or Beta
I find that there's not a whole lotta love out there for VHS or Beta. Pitchfork's Nate Patrin writes, "It was a mistake for VHS or Beta to subjugate their dance beat into a perfunctory structure for the guitars to smash against; the riffs sound like they're there for their own sake, biding their time and waiting for a moment of catchiness that never really arrives." I will have to respectfully disagree. VHS or Beta's odd mix of dance floor rhythms and seventies power rock may not make the world's best albums, but it sure does make for some amazing singles that beyond making you want to dance, they make you want to live.
3 comments:
Bjork sings as though she is fighting her way out of her own head - brilliant analogy! Bjork is a true individual and a bit of a genius.
Didn't PB&J come out in 2006? Great song, nonetheless!
I think PB&J's album came out in the US in 2007. Not sure, though. I didn't hear that song until recently, so I figured I'd include it.
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