December 30, 2010
Best of Twenty - Ten (30 - 16)

 

30. Crystal Stilts – Shake the Shackles

- Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RDktzDTIMU

29. She & Him –Thieves

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeAgLIaHj0M 

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858773572/

Oh, Zooey.

28. Vampire Weekend – Holiday

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPnbYZnALVQ

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858812360/

If your last holiday was half as fun as this song, then it’s a good one.

27. Gorillaz – Stylo

- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhPaWIeULKk

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858814123/

This is a killer track, and if you hold out ‘til the end, Mos Def comes in to finish it off.

26. Big Boi – Shutterbug

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWsvkW6rKkQ

          - Lyrics: http://www.dilyrics.com/big-boi-shutterbug-lyrics.html

I’ll be the first to say I underestimate Big Boi.  I’ve always liked the Andre 3000 half of Outkast the best, but Big Boi stepped up to the plate in a big way this year.  I’m happy to see someone holding down the Outkast mantle still. 

25. Ezra Furman and the Harpoons - Take Off Your Sun Glasses

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0HvpwTS1xc

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858745167/ 

For a couple months straight, Saniie would bring this song up every time I talked to him.  “Have you listened to ‘Take Off Your Sunglasses’ yet?  Why haven’t you?  When are you going to listen to it?”  Upon listening to it, I see what all the fuss is about.  It is Dylan meets Girls.


24. Crystal Castles – Not In Love (feat. Robert Smith)

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32udqal_lyQ

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858825315/

A little ‘80s Cure nostalgia never hurt anyone.

23. Tame Impala – The Bold Arrow of Time

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZSjk6yBObE

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858830269/

I am almost certain that this song time traveled from 1968 to 2010 to rock our faces off.  This is a psychedelic throwback jam that does not disappoint. 

22. Smith Westerns – Weekend 

  - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SMEj5l2lLw

          - Lyrics:http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858852059/

21. Mumford & Sons – White Blank Page

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYQ_lse44gQ

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858723674/

Warning: At the 1 minute and 14 second mark, your soul will begin to rip apart.  My friend who introduced me to Mumford & Sons warned me about this song, with good reason.  This song is incredibly intense.  I pass this warning on to you.  Enjoy.

20. Best Coast – Each and Every Day

- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flT5Xe-IBlo

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858837131/

All your high school drama masked by the fuzz of guitars.

19. Kid Cudi – Maniac (Feat Cage, St. Vincent)

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1hUTMcWEX4

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858847712/

On paper, the meeting of Kid Cudi and St. Vincent looks great, but I was skeptical of it actually working out.  Cudi, one of hip hop’s darkest rappers, does not disappoint over a well executed sample from St. Vincent’s “Marrow.” 

18. Beach House – 10 Mile Stereo

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-rYQRxzaJM

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858805781/

“10 Mile Stereo” is a melodic dream coming through your speakers, and into your ears.

17. LCD Soundsystem – Dance Yrself Clean

    - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfO1cAi8WKc

          - Lyrics: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858824564/

The opening track off LCD Soundsystem’s This Is Happening LP starts off rather unassumingly, sparse, and with some cowbell for good measure.  This song is best experienced with the volume up to 11, because just after the 3 minute mark hits, you will want to feel it.  The casual listener would have skipped to the next track, but since you held on, you are greatly awarded.

16. Girl Talk – Let It Out

          - Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtsxfquYHf0

          - Lyrics: http://www.lyricsreg.com/lyrics/girl+talk/Let+It+Out/

I absolutely love the new Girl Talk album, but I had a hard time finding it a place on this list.  “Let it Out” creatively puts Jay Z, General Public, ELO, GZA’s “Liquid Swords,” Beck, Fugazi, and Rihanna all on the same plane.  That is no easy task.  From beginning to end, “Let It Out” showcases what Girl Talk does best.

3:38pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZCBxWy2M_1kq