Top 100 Songs of the Millennium (2000-2019) - #80-71

[Shrykespeare]

#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.

[numbersix]

72

Chien: I had to caution John, and now I'm forced to give you a yellow card, buddy. Ágætis Byrjun was released in 1999. But I guess it was in Iceland only so you get away with it. If I had considered the album to be a 2000 release I would have considered Ny Batteri and this song, which is stunning. BTW, there's no Icelandic in this song - it's a made-up language called Hopelandic. So your point remains very valid!
Geez: I would have liked it more without the fucking bagpipes. Bagpipes! We barely use those fucking things. It's more for the Scots to ward off invaders.
John: It was nice but didn't grab me. The lack of bagpipes helped a lot though.
Leetsu: I always saw this name and assumed they were a boy band. I've heard this song loads over the years on Irish pirate (and eventually legit) radio. Excellent song. Love the wit and the restrained heaviness. Thought they were Irish but Welsh isn't too far off.
NSpan: Good track. I like pretty much every Dandy Warhols song I've listened to. Must watch that doc about them.
Ron: Stunningly beautiful song. Almost made my list. Don't know why it didn't.
Screen: Not my thang. There are so many pop songs that try to be raunchy, but they're so bland in their lyrics that I just never believe. It's all "babe I wanna touch you right". Nonsense! The only ones I believe are Rihanna and Tove Lo because they exude sexuality beyond vague lyrics and the occasional twerk in a music video (or people like Aguilera who try too hard that it's kind od sad). So yeah, not for me
Shryke: Really don't like UB40. But I'll give you this: the vocals don't sound like they've changed or aged much.
Surf: love this song. It's emo done right. I'm a little bored of them now, but that record is excellent. No Future No Past just missed my list.
Tranny: Always enjoy your hip-hop picks. This didn't blow me away but I enjoyed its vibe.

[Chienfantome]

Chien: I had to caution John, and now I'm forced to give you a yellow card, buddy. Ágætis Byrjun was released in 1999.

Well I did specifically ask, before we started this, what was the status on songs that were released in 99 in their native country, but in the rest of the world in 2000 and 2001, and the only one who answered was you, saying "if it's from Iceland it's alright", so with no other response, I went ahead and based my choices on international release.
We do the exact same thing for films after all, we do our awards with the US release dates.

[Chienfantome]

BTW, there's no Icelandic in this song - it's a made-up language called Hopelandic

Actually in this Song it's Icelandic I think.

[Leestu]

#72 playlist

https://open.spotify.com/user/purplepas ... s6TvBchBvQ

[numbersix]

Well I did specifically ask, before we started this, what was the status on songs that were released in 99 in their native country, but in the rest of the world in 2000 and 2001, and the only one who answered was you, saying "if it's from Iceland it's alright", so with no other response, I went ahead and based my choices on international release.
We do the exact same thing for films after all, we do our awards with the US release dates.

I have managed to defeat myself!

[numbersix]

Actually in this Song it's Icelandic I think.

You're right, it was the next album that was in Hopelandic. I guess I'm like you in that I don't really care what is being said. On a side note I saw them perform in 2000 for a headline show (my 2nd gig after seeing them support GYBE a few months earlier) and after the gig I met singer Jonsi and chatted. A girl came up to us, thanked me for the gig (assuming I was a band member) and proceeded to tell us that Jonsi was singing "it's you" throughout the song, which meant it was directed to her. It was the only time I've been mistaken for a popular alternative band member, and it felt great. Even though we denied her hopeful misinterpretation.

[Leestu]

Actually in this Song it's Icelandic I think.

You're right, it was the next album that was in Hopelandic. I guess I'm like you in that I don't really care what is being said. On a side note I saw them perform in 2000 for a headline show (my 2nd gig after seeing them support GYBE a few months earlier) and after the gig I met singer Jonsi and chatted. A girl came up to us, thanked me for the gig (assuming I was a band member) and proceeded to tell us that Jonsi was singing "it's you" throughout the song, which meant it was directed to her. It was the only time I've been mistaken for a popular alternative band member, and it felt great. Even though we denied her hopeful misinterpretation.

Wow! so you mourned Lou Reed with Chelsea Wolfe, have mates who are mates with Spritualized, and are an honorary member of Sigur Ros, yet you still humbly spend time on a tiny message board with us? That's awesome! Seriously though, cool stories. Keep 'em coming.

[Leestu]

The Excellent

Sigur Ros, Svefn-g-englar - beautiful song, the highlight of the album...I'm glad this appeared on a weekend so I got to watch the awesome video which I hadn't seen before

The Great

Cloud Nothings, Stay Useless - I love his voice and they are quite catchy here...this is the second day in a row you have a chosen a song from an album that will also have a song appear on my list

Denzel Curry feat. Twelve'len and GoldLink, Black Balloons - this was the song that got me interested in Denzel (even if it's not my favourite from the album it's still up there with the best), and now he has a couple of us in this household following everything he does...and he has had a great couple of years since this song put him on the map...I had two of his songs in my favourite songs of 2019

Bon Iver, Skinny Love - one of the better songs from the explosion of indie folk at the time...school bands should avoid this song though, it's not an easy song and I've had to endure it being murdered once and I'll never forget it

The Good

The Futureheads, Hounds of Love - first listen...interesting version...they have really changed it up so that I hardly even recognised it and I love the original

Big Sugar, So Not Over - first listen...cool fusion of genre influences there that kept the song interesting

Dropkick Murphys, The Warrior's Code - first listen...I don't mind the bagpipes, and enjoyed the song

The Okay

Dandy Warhols, Cool as Kim Deal - first listen...you sort of managed to get Frank Black, and Kim Deal back together again, at #73 and #72 ...I never got around to listening to this album because the singles didn't grab me like anything off Thirteen Tales...

UB40 feat. Hunterz and The Dhol Blasters, Reasons - first listen...for me reggae like this is easy to like (I mean it's all about a good mood vibe), but it's hard to get excited about, which makes it okay at the time but I'm not coming back

The Rest

Tinashe, SuperLove - first listen...just passing through, nothing here for me

[Chienfantome]

Hahaha, I knew you looked familiar, Six, I never thought it was because you were a member of Sigur Ros

[Shrykespeare]

#72


NSpan - Cool as Kim Deal - Liked it. Anything to do with Kim is cool, so you couldn't miss. 7.5/10

Leestu - To Hell With Good Intentions - Not bad at all. Heard just a touch of Ozzy in the vocals. 7/10

Geezer - The Warrior's Code - BAGPIPES! I love bagpipes! (thumbs nose at Six) 6.5/10

Surfer - Stay Useless - Just okay for me. 6/10

Chien - Svefn-g-englar - Nice enough, but I got bored halfway through. 5.5/10

Six - Hounds of Love - I had to listen to Kate Bush's original for reference. Not a fan of the song, no matter who sings it. 5.5/10

JohnErle - So Not Over - Didn't care for it. 5/10

Transformers - Black Balloons - Totally get the Outkast comparison, but this song felt lacking in something. Not sure what. 4.5/10

Ron B - Skinny Love - listened to a bunch of Bon Iver during my music blitz, including this song. Didn't care for any of it. 4/10

Screen203 - SuperLove - Miles away stylistically from Bon Iver, yet it had the same effect on me. Which is none at all. 4/10

[Shrykespeare]

We close out our third thread. Let's get caught up, people!


#71



CHIEN

Alex Turner - Stuck on the Puzzle (2011)

Sometimes you discover a great song in a shitty film, but when you discover a great song in a great film, that’s magic. That’s what happened for me with the film “Submarine”, and the song “Stuck on the puzzle”. That song manages to both makes your body move without you even realizing it, and be so exquisitely romantic.





GEEZER

Off With Their Heads, Don't Make Me Go (2013)

I know its only been a few songs since I last featured these guys, but I'm going to begin and end the round with them. At least this song is COMPLETELY different from the last one, even though they are from the same album. Both nearly equally brilliant for me, maybe some who didn't like the last will prefer this one.





JOHNERLE

Pearl Jam, Man Of The Hour (2003)

This one goes out to Chien, who will undoubtedly recognize it because it was in a movie.

Also: Just Breathe





LEESTU

Gossip, Standing In The Way Of Control (2006)

A driving post-punk revival anthem with disco influences. We have the anti-authoritarian, self-empowerment lyrics paired with a feel-good danceable beat, delivered with strong, powerful vocals.





NSPAN

Black Angels, Black Grease (2005)

This local Austin band made waves and found worldwide renown with their take on psychedlic-rock. This track, in my opinion, stands out on their big-label debut as particularly groovy.





RON B

Interpol, The Heinrich Maneuver (2007)

If you describe Interpol as a movie, you would say its a slow burn crime/thriller with a bittersweet ending.





SCREEN203

La Roux, Sexotheque (2014)

Another summery pop song, to follow the last one...

La Roux's throwback style can be described as the medley from "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna stretched out over every song having a tropical vibe. Ally Jackson's vocals are still amazing, and this is one of my favorite songs of hers.





SHRYKE

Scandroid, Neo Tokyo (2017)

Thank my friend and coworker Joey for this one. We often exchange videos to make the workday pass quicker, and this is one of his favorites. He calls it “the perfect song”.

Scandroid is a project started by an multi-instrumental musician from NYC named Klayton, and he’s a fucking prodigy. I recommend this entire album. I loved the first time I heard it, with its retro 80s synth sound combined with more modern lyrics. The sound quality of this video is PHENOMENAL, so listen on earphones if you can. Funny enough, two months ago I wasn’t sure if I liked this song enough to include it on my list, but every time I listened to it, it liked it even more. It just kept creeping up the ladder, finally landing on #71.

Thanks, Joey!





SIX

Atoms for Peace, Ingenue (2013)

I went of Radiohead for a while. It was diminishing returns after the brilliant duo of Kid A and Amnesiac (until their last album, which was a superb return to form). And Yorke’s often pedestrian electronic-music solo material didn’t help much. And yet he managed to make it all worthwhile with this one, simple song of swirling synth rhythms looping around his soulful singing.





SURFER

The New Pornographers, 'Mass Romantic' (2000)

While the Canadian supergroup have recently adopted a more electronic driven approach to their sound in recent years, the early power pop style of Mass Romantic, Electric Version and Twin Cinema are albums I hold close to my heart. The former's opening track of the same name especially is so much fun. Layers and layers of sweet guitars and Neko Case's lead vocals that weave between one another, its completely overblown, but so wonderfully done. The clean production resembles the best of the 80s pop scene, with obvious nods to the likes of The Cars and Cheap Trick beautifully realised. Yet with Dan Bejar, Case and AC Newman at its core, it is never a derivative style. It captures all the best that had come before and amplifies it into something fresh and addictive. Just as all power pop should be.





TRANSFORMERS

Kali Uchis feat. Jorja Smith, Tyrant(2017)

Kali Uchis excites me more than any other up-and-coming artist in mainstream music right now. By combining production that draws from a wide variety of styles (R&B, pop, soul, reggaetón, dancehall, hip hop, funk) with a smooth voice that almost sounds like if Billie Holiday was born in the 90's, she's been able to create a distinct, ambitious sound that is already unbelievably refined for a 25 year old artist that has only 2 official releases under her belt. This warm, breezy track-which features a brief guest spot from powerhouse British R&B singer Jorja Smith-from her tremendous debut LP Isolation, only offers up a small taste of Uchis' mesmerizing genre-bending and vocal prowess.

[NSpan]

#71

CHIEN
Alex Turner - Stuck on the Puzzle (2011)
wow, this song is really something else. i love it. gonna listen again, for sure

GEEZER
Off With Their Heads, Don't Make Me Go (2013)
i was into the vibe and tone... but the lyrics just weren't enough to really captivate me

JOHNERLE
Pearl Jam, Man Of The Hour (2003)
I normally hate Pearl Jam... but, taken in isolation, i had absolutely no problems with this track. hell, i kinda enjoyed it

LEESTU
Gossip, Standing In The Way Of Control (2006)
there is a LOT going on here... i'm not totally convinced it gels together successfully. super interesting blend of sounds and ideas, though

RON B
Interpol, The Heinrich Maneuver (2007)
I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but i never saw the appeal of this band

SCREEN203
La Roux, Sexotheque (2014)
Fun but forgettable

SHRYKE
Scandroid, Neo Tokyo (2017)
Major new waves vibes with a (very welcome) touch of NIN. I can dig it
note: for better or worse, i completely ignored the lyrics and weird karaoke video

SIX
Atoms for Peace, Ingenue (2013)
You just happened to catch me in a mood where I was open to this. I ended up liking it a lot. But there are also a lot of times where i might not have the patience for it

SURFER
The New Pornographers, 'Mass Romantic' (2000)
haha, i really enjoyed this. might check them out a bit more

TRANSFORMERS
Kali Uchis feat. Jorja Smith, Tyrant(2017)
fun but not my style

[numbersix]

Fun in 71

Chien, Geez, John: All three were pleasant but I've already forgotten them.
Leetsu: Love this track. Great bassline. I'm a sucker for post-punk revival
NSpan: It sure does have a nice groove. Decent.
Ron B: One of the better tracks from their mixed third album. Really good. Still prefer everything from their first two.
Screen: Not really for me.
Shryke: I can see how you like this. Very 80s. A bit of Depeche Mode in there. Maybe too indebted to the past?
Surf: This was fun. Good rhythm
Tranny: It was okay. A little unassuming for mainstream music.

[transformers2]

Denzel Curry feat. Twelve'len and GoldLink, Black Balloons - this was the song that got me interested in Denzel (even if it's not my favourite from the album it's still up there with the best), and now he has a couple of us in this household following everything he does...and he has had a great couple of years since this song put him on the map...I had two of his songs in my favourite songs of 2019

Which ones? Although Black Balloons is my favorite song by him, I liked ZUU a bit more TA1300.

Also I'll have the thread recap up in a bit. I haven't added to anyone's lists since the forum got back online, but I'm going to get on that right now.