Part Two: 30-21
30. "Mistaken For Strangers" - The National
The National are one of the only bands right now keeping indie rock interesting. I really did like Boxer, but I probably played "Mistaken For Strangers" a good ten times more than any other song on it. Glad some folks can still craft a good chorus.
29. "I'm on Fire" - Bats For Lashes
Bats For Lashes put their own spin on the Bruce Springsteen classic, slowing it down several notches. The results are striking - much like the brilliant "Thunder Road" cover from Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Tortoise.
28. "Fisher King" - Greg Ashley
I've had the good pleasure of knowing Greg Ashley these past couple years, in addition to seeing him live and at work in the studio. A highly-prolific artist, his sound continues to evolve, and with "Fisher King," he has his catchiest song yet.
27. "Int'l Player's Anthem (I Choose You)" - UGK featuring OutKast
Yes, we also miss OutKast, and Idlewild did not exactly fix our craving. Thankfully, we have Andre and Big Boi bookending a stunning beat. For UGK, the Southern rappers who'd influenced many of today's stars, it was their biggest hit. Sadly, Pimp-C passed earlier this month.
26. "Pro Nails" - Kid Sister featuring Kanye West
The first time I heard this, I thought it was some underground classic from the eighties, until Kanye West brought it back into modern times. Kid Sister spits fire and the A-Trak beat is truly one of a kind.
25. "Rest My Chemistry" - Interpol
Our Love To Admire was my least favorite Interpol effort to date. Thankfully a few tracks, namely "Chemistry," had just what I was looking for - more of the same.
24. "Hood Boy" - Fantasia featuring Big Boi
This actually dropped in late 2006, but was sadly, sadly overlooked. Dig the Big Boi verse at the end - he absolutely kills it.
23. "D.A.N.C.E." - Justice
Yeah, this should probably be higher. Yes, it's awesome. I just didn't listen to it enough. Sorry.
22. "Revival" - Soulsavers featuring Mark Lanegan
You probably already know that I go positively apeshit over anything with Lanegan's voice attached. I just heard this a few days ago - but I was compelled instantly.
21. "Upgrade You" - Lil Wayne
When Weezy freestyles over a beat, he murders it, destroys it, burns it down and builds it back up anew. All you can do if you're the original artist or producer is take it as a compliment. It's hard to tell where Wayne pulls his rhymes from, but we can just be thankful he's got lots of them.
2 comments:
Interesting list! The National made my top ten, such a good record! Look forward to seeing the rest.
There are far too many songs here that I have never heard before. Good thing you are keeping me honest.
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