Re: Top 100 Songs of the Millennium (2000-2019) - #40-31
Posted: April 20th, 2020, 5:35 pm
#32
CHIEN
Franz Ferdinand, The Dark of the Matinée (2004)
Everyone usually cites “Take me Out” when discussing Franz Ferdinand, but I’ve always preferred that other song from the debut album of the Scots. There is such energy in that song, perfectly highlighted by soft moments of calms that allow the rhythm to pick up slowly, before the music explodes again for the chorus. And there’s that guitar sound in the background that almost never leaves the song and feels so cool to my ears. Yes, it’s definitely my favorite song of Franz Ferdinand, fantastic song.
GEEZER
The Gaslight Anthem, Great Expectations (2009)
What a freaking way to start off this album. It just wastes absolutely no time showing you what it is, where its going, and what this album was going to be. And what is that you ask? Pure fucking greatness, that's what. A top 5 album of the last 20 years for sure.
JOHNERLE
Sparks, Unaware (2017)
“Wish I could warn her, don't turn that corner, stay unaware of it all.”
If you know anything about Sparks, chances are you know them for their sense of humour, which is partly on display here, but this song is surprisingly poignant, both lyrically and musically, It's about a man looking down at a baby in her crib who understands nothing expect her parents' love, and wishing he could protect her from all the trivial nonsense and sadness that awaits her in the adult world.
Also: Scandinavian Design, One For The Ages
LEESTU
System Of A Down, Chop Suey! (2001)
One of my favourite albums of all time, so when picking which song from this album I had to go with the classic song that started my appreciation of SOAD.
NSPAN
The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Open Heart Surgery (2001)
What a track, what an album. The nostalgia is strong with this one.
RON B
Bluejuice, Vitriol (2007)
SCREEN203
Ingrid Michaelson, Girls Chase Boys (2014)
Most songs on my list are on it for reasons that some may call superficial: the beat, or memories associated with them. This one doesn't really fit in with that. Michaelson has used her platform to make one of the only songs not by Madonna you could hear at a LGBTQ+ Pride festival and your local Kohl's. Musically, the song is more along the lines of Sarah Bareilles than Madonna or her electro-pop contemporaries. The lyrics are clever, and it's one of the rare songs that has to power to change minds.
SHRYKE
UB40, I’ll Be Back (2005)
My favorite reggae song of the millennium (so far), by my favorite reggae band (of all time). People knock the genre because it doesn’t take a lot of chances musically. Maybe so, but when you have multiple instruments – guitar, synth, trumpet, sax, drums, bass – coming together so perfectly, who needs risk? UB40 have been together for FORTY YEARS for a reason. This song wonderfully showcases why.
SIX
The Knife, Heartbeats (2003)
Many bands start off experimental and get more commercial, but The Knife did the opposite, making some very experimental material in recent times. I think I prefer their slightly more poppy side, like this song. It’s a beautiful 80s-indebted synth pop track, a love song about a fleeting relationship and the power it invoked.
SURFER
Sharon Van Etten, Afraid Of Nothing (2014)
I discovered Sharon Van Etten via Epic and found her to be a tender songwriter with an ability to craft an honest song filled with emotion. However, it wasn't until Are We There, a collection of beautiful poetry backed with sombre pianos and guitars, that I was truly enamoured with her. The record is such a delicately beautiful, yet painful album. And for me, the highlight is the opening song, a gut wrenching, sorrowful ode to acceptance within a relationship.
TRANSFORMERS
The Faceless, Legion of the Serpent (2008)
The 2nd entry of the special recurring series of "Noisy, Space-Themed Death Metal Tracks That Will Have You Rushing for the Stop Button" is finally here! I looked back at the comments of when I posted this on our 2010 countdown a few weeks ago and they were hilarious. Hopefully you witty bastards can deliver again.
surf
CHIEN
Franz Ferdinand, The Dark of the Matinée (2004)
Everyone usually cites “Take me Out” when discussing Franz Ferdinand, but I’ve always preferred that other song from the debut album of the Scots. There is such energy in that song, perfectly highlighted by soft moments of calms that allow the rhythm to pick up slowly, before the music explodes again for the chorus. And there’s that guitar sound in the background that almost never leaves the song and feels so cool to my ears. Yes, it’s definitely my favorite song of Franz Ferdinand, fantastic song.
GEEZER
The Gaslight Anthem, Great Expectations (2009)
What a freaking way to start off this album. It just wastes absolutely no time showing you what it is, where its going, and what this album was going to be. And what is that you ask? Pure fucking greatness, that's what. A top 5 album of the last 20 years for sure.
JOHNERLE
Sparks, Unaware (2017)
“Wish I could warn her, don't turn that corner, stay unaware of it all.”
If you know anything about Sparks, chances are you know them for their sense of humour, which is partly on display here, but this song is surprisingly poignant, both lyrically and musically, It's about a man looking down at a baby in her crib who understands nothing expect her parents' love, and wishing he could protect her from all the trivial nonsense and sadness that awaits her in the adult world.
Also: Scandinavian Design, One For The Ages
LEESTU
System Of A Down, Chop Suey! (2001)
One of my favourite albums of all time, so when picking which song from this album I had to go with the classic song that started my appreciation of SOAD.
NSPAN
The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Open Heart Surgery (2001)
What a track, what an album. The nostalgia is strong with this one.
RON B
Bluejuice, Vitriol (2007)
SCREEN203
Ingrid Michaelson, Girls Chase Boys (2014)
Most songs on my list are on it for reasons that some may call superficial: the beat, or memories associated with them. This one doesn't really fit in with that. Michaelson has used her platform to make one of the only songs not by Madonna you could hear at a LGBTQ+ Pride festival and your local Kohl's. Musically, the song is more along the lines of Sarah Bareilles than Madonna or her electro-pop contemporaries. The lyrics are clever, and it's one of the rare songs that has to power to change minds.
SHRYKE
UB40, I’ll Be Back (2005)
My favorite reggae song of the millennium (so far), by my favorite reggae band (of all time). People knock the genre because it doesn’t take a lot of chances musically. Maybe so, but when you have multiple instruments – guitar, synth, trumpet, sax, drums, bass – coming together so perfectly, who needs risk? UB40 have been together for FORTY YEARS for a reason. This song wonderfully showcases why.
SIX
The Knife, Heartbeats (2003)
Many bands start off experimental and get more commercial, but The Knife did the opposite, making some very experimental material in recent times. I think I prefer their slightly more poppy side, like this song. It’s a beautiful 80s-indebted synth pop track, a love song about a fleeting relationship and the power it invoked.
SURFER
Sharon Van Etten, Afraid Of Nothing (2014)
I discovered Sharon Van Etten via Epic and found her to be a tender songwriter with an ability to craft an honest song filled with emotion. However, it wasn't until Are We There, a collection of beautiful poetry backed with sombre pianos and guitars, that I was truly enamoured with her. The record is such a delicately beautiful, yet painful album. And for me, the highlight is the opening song, a gut wrenching, sorrowful ode to acceptance within a relationship.
TRANSFORMERS
The Faceless, Legion of the Serpent (2008)
The 2nd entry of the special recurring series of "Noisy, Space-Themed Death Metal Tracks That Will Have You Rushing for the Stop Button" is finally here! I looked back at the comments of when I posted this on our 2010 countdown a few weeks ago and they were hilarious. Hopefully you witty bastards can deliver again.
surf