Re: Top 100 Songs of the Millennium (2000-2019) - #80-71
Posted: March 7th, 2020, 12:32 pm
#72
CHIEN
Sigur Ros, Svefn-g-englar (2000)
It’s time for some Sigur Ros. Music at its strangest, and finest. I’ve already said how not understanding lyrics to a song can be no problem, because the essence of it, I think, is somewhere else. I don’t speak a word of Icelandic, and I’ve never looked for a translation of Sigur Ros songs. Nonetheless, it feels like their songs speak a language understandable by everyone. This song is their best when they play live. Amazing.
GEEZER
Dropkick Murphys, The Warrior's Code (2005)
First entry from my favorite Boston band, the Dropkick Murphys. This one tells the story of Micky Ward, local Lowell boxer that was featured in the film "The Fighter." If you don't like what the Murphys do, hopefully you'll at least appreciate that, because this is very typical Dropkick Murphys Irish style punk.
JOHNERLE
Big Sugar, So Not Over (2001)
Like The Smithereens, Big Sugar makes my list partly due to nostalgia for how good they were in the previous millennium. Their final album before a long hiatus came out in 2001 and was a bit disappointing, but there's enough I like about it to save them a spot on my list. Their reggae/rock/blues hybrid was well established in Canada by this point, so they tried to incorporate 70s funk into the mix to keep things fresh. It largely didn't work, but So Not Over is a standout track for me.
Also: Nicotina, She Left Ashes
LEESTU
Mclusky, To Hell With Good Intentions (2002)
If I hadn’t set myself a one per album limit there would probably be up to five songs from this album by now. My favourite album of 2002, and one of my favourites of all time. Different songs have been my favourite from this album at different times but right now it’s this one. Great Welsh post-hardcore with a sense of humour.
NSPAN
Dandy Warhols, Cool as Kim Deal (2000)
Most of you already know the Dandies, so I won't try to convince you they kick ass. Let's just collectively enjoy rocking out to this tribute to the Pixies' bassist and leader of the Breeders.
RON B
Bon Iver, Skinny Love (2008)
Bon Iver hit gold with this one. Timeless.
SCREEN203
Tinashe, SuperLove (2016)
Usually known for dark, hypnotic R&B, Tinashe shows her lighter side on this summery (and a bit raunchy) pop song that seemingly takes influence from Ghost Town DJ's and other 90's hip-hop and dance acts. Easily the catchiest song released in 2016, and should have been a much bigger hit.
SHRYKE
UB40 feat. Hunterz and The Dhol Blasters, Reasons (2005)
I know there’s not a lot of reggae fans in this group, but there is a lot of the genre that I adore, especially UB40. What’s great about reggae is that it’s not flashy; the melodies and lyrics are simple, almost absurdly so, but I shouldn’t have to explain that sometimes the simplest songs are the best. UB40 have been doing this for FORTY YEARS, and I’ve seen them live more times than any other band (six, the last time being five months ago). Ali Campbell’s voice is still amazing, but that’s not where the greatness lies. The syncopation of bass, percussion, synth, and especially the sax and trumpets is breathtaking. There’s not a single wasted note in the whole song. Added into the mix for Reasons is a chorus sung in Punjabi to a bhangra beat. It’s a recipe for laid-back, toe-tapping harmony that proves why they’re the most successful reggae act in history this side of Bob Marley.
SIX
The Futureheads, Hounds of Love (2004)
One of two-and-a-half cover versions in my list. A good cover is a song that does something really different with the original, and while this is somewhat faithful, the emphasis on the energy and woofing gives it something more.
SURFER
Cloud Nothings, Stay Useless (2012)
These guys are phenomenal. While lead singer Dylan Baldi is the architect of the band, on their second full length Attack On Memory, he embraced the scale of the project he was creating. Producing the record with a full band and the assistance of Steve Albini, their sophomore effort took everything up a notch, both in terms of production values and quality of song writing. However, as most immediately found on Stay Useless (my daughter's favourite song in the world, her words), this change is never to the detriment of their sound. Everything still feels urgent, honest and real and the grit in Baldi's vocals hit all the harder for it. Yet it is also very melodic too. Not an easy thing to achieve, but then Cloud Nothings are not your every day band.
TRANSFORMERS
Denzel Curry feat. Twelve'len and GoldLink, Black Balloons (2018)
Hearing Black Balloons for the first time was a borderline shocking experience. While Denzel Curry isn't the type of artist that adheres to a one-note playbook, the majority of his tracks are abrasive in nature. An introspective, soulful pop rap anthem that wouldn't been out of place on an early Outkast record was an unexpected and simply brilliant departure that helped solidify (along with the rest of 2018's TAB1300) Curry's place in the upper echelon of modern hip-hop.
CHIEN
Sigur Ros, Svefn-g-englar (2000)
It’s time for some Sigur Ros. Music at its strangest, and finest. I’ve already said how not understanding lyrics to a song can be no problem, because the essence of it, I think, is somewhere else. I don’t speak a word of Icelandic, and I’ve never looked for a translation of Sigur Ros songs. Nonetheless, it feels like their songs speak a language understandable by everyone. This song is their best when they play live. Amazing.
GEEZER
Dropkick Murphys, The Warrior's Code (2005)
First entry from my favorite Boston band, the Dropkick Murphys. This one tells the story of Micky Ward, local Lowell boxer that was featured in the film "The Fighter." If you don't like what the Murphys do, hopefully you'll at least appreciate that, because this is very typical Dropkick Murphys Irish style punk.
JOHNERLE
Big Sugar, So Not Over (2001)
Like The Smithereens, Big Sugar makes my list partly due to nostalgia for how good they were in the previous millennium. Their final album before a long hiatus came out in 2001 and was a bit disappointing, but there's enough I like about it to save them a spot on my list. Their reggae/rock/blues hybrid was well established in Canada by this point, so they tried to incorporate 70s funk into the mix to keep things fresh. It largely didn't work, but So Not Over is a standout track for me.
Also: Nicotina, She Left Ashes
LEESTU
Mclusky, To Hell With Good Intentions (2002)
If I hadn’t set myself a one per album limit there would probably be up to five songs from this album by now. My favourite album of 2002, and one of my favourites of all time. Different songs have been my favourite from this album at different times but right now it’s this one. Great Welsh post-hardcore with a sense of humour.
NSPAN
Dandy Warhols, Cool as Kim Deal (2000)
Most of you already know the Dandies, so I won't try to convince you they kick ass. Let's just collectively enjoy rocking out to this tribute to the Pixies' bassist and leader of the Breeders.
RON B
Bon Iver, Skinny Love (2008)
Bon Iver hit gold with this one. Timeless.
SCREEN203
Tinashe, SuperLove (2016)
Usually known for dark, hypnotic R&B, Tinashe shows her lighter side on this summery (and a bit raunchy) pop song that seemingly takes influence from Ghost Town DJ's and other 90's hip-hop and dance acts. Easily the catchiest song released in 2016, and should have been a much bigger hit.
SHRYKE
UB40 feat. Hunterz and The Dhol Blasters, Reasons (2005)
I know there’s not a lot of reggae fans in this group, but there is a lot of the genre that I adore, especially UB40. What’s great about reggae is that it’s not flashy; the melodies and lyrics are simple, almost absurdly so, but I shouldn’t have to explain that sometimes the simplest songs are the best. UB40 have been doing this for FORTY YEARS, and I’ve seen them live more times than any other band (six, the last time being five months ago). Ali Campbell’s voice is still amazing, but that’s not where the greatness lies. The syncopation of bass, percussion, synth, and especially the sax and trumpets is breathtaking. There’s not a single wasted note in the whole song. Added into the mix for Reasons is a chorus sung in Punjabi to a bhangra beat. It’s a recipe for laid-back, toe-tapping harmony that proves why they’re the most successful reggae act in history this side of Bob Marley.
SIX
The Futureheads, Hounds of Love (2004)
One of two-and-a-half cover versions in my list. A good cover is a song that does something really different with the original, and while this is somewhat faithful, the emphasis on the energy and woofing gives it something more.
SURFER
Cloud Nothings, Stay Useless (2012)
These guys are phenomenal. While lead singer Dylan Baldi is the architect of the band, on their second full length Attack On Memory, he embraced the scale of the project he was creating. Producing the record with a full band and the assistance of Steve Albini, their sophomore effort took everything up a notch, both in terms of production values and quality of song writing. However, as most immediately found on Stay Useless (my daughter's favourite song in the world, her words), this change is never to the detriment of their sound. Everything still feels urgent, honest and real and the grit in Baldi's vocals hit all the harder for it. Yet it is also very melodic too. Not an easy thing to achieve, but then Cloud Nothings are not your every day band.
TRANSFORMERS
Denzel Curry feat. Twelve'len and GoldLink, Black Balloons (2018)
Hearing Black Balloons for the first time was a borderline shocking experience. While Denzel Curry isn't the type of artist that adheres to a one-note playbook, the majority of his tracks are abrasive in nature. An introspective, soulful pop rap anthem that wouldn't been out of place on an early Outkast record was an unexpected and simply brilliant departure that helped solidify (along with the rest of 2018's TAB1300) Curry's place in the upper echelon of modern hip-hop.