The 411 Music Top 5: Week 4
Posted by Brian Berry on 01.16.2007
411 staffers pick their Top 5 Tracks of 2006 in the 4th edition of the Music Zone's Top 5. From The Killers to Justin Timberlake to TV On the Radio, see what songs we decided were the best of '06!
Welcome to the 4th edition of 411 Music's Top 5!
In our last column 411 Mania staffers checked in with their Top 5 Live Bands.
The brilliant minds baking this feast of lists wrote about over 40 of the most exhilarating live bands in all the land, with only Radiohead and Yeah Yeah Yeahs showing up on more than one list! You can view the lists by clicking here.
You can't please all the 411 Mania readers all the time, and one of these cats dropped us a message about our last Top 5 edition, which brings us to…
***READER MAIL***
-A 411 reader, known only as "Some Guy", is full of piss and vinegar after being subjected to a Youtube.com clip of The Locust. Let the record state that the most handsome writer in 411 Mania history placed that band on his Top 5. Bite your tongue, "Some Guy": best live bands good stuff but were [sic] was distubed [sic], insane clown posse, and
socialburn all them guys great great shows grinds my gears that nobody
choose [sic] any of them and i want you to do something for me stupid slap the
guy who put the locusts [sic] on his list i checked the youtube clip who in the
fuck would enjoy that?
Thanks for the response "Some Guy"...and I did as I was instructed by slapping myself back to the future. You'll be happy to know that I waited until the temperature outside my house was in the mid-20's before I wound my weather chapped, leathery hands back to deliver two blows to the face that I made sure I would never forget. I sure taught me a lesson!
To answer your question, I enjoy The Locust (it's singular, not plural) probably for the very reason most people despise them…not to mention that on a technical level they are gifted musicians. A two-dimensional Youtube.com clip does them no justice…and I encourage you to check out other clips of them playing where the fans aren't so enthusiastic about their performance. Good fun for fans and haters alike.
411 Music writers check in this week for a retrospective of the year that was for this week's topic…
Top 5 BEST TRACKS OF 2006!
As an added bonus, we included a video for each #1 Song! Mikey's #2 has a video up since both he and I had the same #1 for 2006...enjoy! [Ed.]
BRIAN BERRY [Music Editor/Top 5 Overlord/Prefers Schwarzenegger in Junior Over His Political Career]
Honorable Mention: Getting my favorite tracks of 2006 down to just 5 was agonizing, so here are my next 10 favorites of last year- Band of Horses "The Funeral", The Hold Steady "Stuck Between Stations", The Killers "When You Were Young", The Knife "Silent Shout", Lamb of God "Walk With Me In Hell", Muse "Supermassive Black Hole", The Raconteurs "Steady As She Goes", Silversun Pickups "Lazy Eye", Weird Al Yankovic "White & Nerdy", and Young Jeezy "I Luv It".
5) "Tell Me When To Go", E-40 (feat. Keak Da Sneak) –
Consider this an Idiot's Guide To Hyphy, backed by Lil' Jon's sparse crunkarific production. On the track, one of the most gifted linguists in the rap game drops all the terminology (e.g. "going dumb", "ghost riding the whip", "thizzing") associated with the Oakland/Bay Area cultural movement known as "hyphy". The deceased Bay Area rapper and creator of the hyphy movement, Mac Dre, would be tickled red to see all the kids wearing their "stunna shades" and paying homage to his music in this fun track.
4) "Did I Step On Your Trumpet", Danielson -
Danielson is a deranged indie-pop band comprised entirely of Christians. This lead single off of Ships is a twisted campfire song whose message is to say "excuse me" to people when you say something offensive. You may think I'm completely nuts for liking this stuff, and it doesn't help my credibility adding The Locust to my Top 5 live bands list, but after one listen you'll find yourself singing along to the choruses and dropping any pretensions you have about non-secular music. Sweet insanity...and I'm not even down with J.C.
3) "Over and Over", Hot Chip -
White dudes from England bring the massive funk here like nobody has since The Happy Mondays. This song wears its infectious, repetitive grooves on its sleeve (sample lyric: Like a monkey with a miniature cymbal/The sound of repetition really is in you) while using weird ass, cheap instruments such as kazoos and wind chimes to let the listeners know that they don't give a mother eff. The world has needed a solid, nerdy dance band for a while, and along with LCD Soundsystem, we may have a major dance movement for dorks brewing.
2) "What You Know", T.I. -
Is it the Kraftwerk-like synthesizers? Maybe it's T.I.'s sing-speak rap style, which mixes a Southern drawl with East Coast thug smarts. I could list off a dozen reasons why this is one of the best hip-hop singles in years, but you should just check it out on your own. Probably the best gangsta rap song since "Nuthin' But A G Thang"…plus, any rapper who says dude gets massive bonus points from me.
1) "Wolf Like Me", TV On the Radio -
Not since The Talking Heads has a band blurred the lines of musical genres with such success. Imagine Otis Redding fronting Television over a bed of white noise and you're in the right ballpark. These guys have a singular sound mixing soul, new wave, punk, doo wop, and electro-noise, which is best displayed on this lead single off of Return To Cookie Mountain. When Tunde Adibempe sings "We're howling forever, more" you'll wish more bands were comprised of man-beasts. This was the single of the year, by a mile.
JAMES MUNSON [Album & Concert Reviews/Easily the Best Iowa Writer In This Feature]
HM: "Stuck Between Stations", The Hold Steady
I have to admit, upon first hearing them I wasn't the hugest fan of Craig Finn's voice. However, the same way Tom Waits and Bob Dylan were for me a few years ago, it was an acquired taste I picked up with repeated listens. Everything from the piano to the crunchy AC/DC-like guitars make this a classic track from every indie-hipster's favorite Springsteen fans.
5) "Steady As She Goes", The Raconteurs
Yes, the bass line totally steals from Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" Yes, this is probably not the best song on Broken Boy Soldiers. Yes, this became Jack White & company's signature tune. Yes, it rocks. Not to mention, it's awesome.
4) "Irreplaceable", Beyonce
I'm not usually one who goes ga-ga for pop music, but I found myself listening to more and more of it this year. Sure, "Sexyback" may be the new "Since U Been Gone", but I will take this tale of woe and retribution in which Beyonce firmly flips the bird to a dirty cheater over Justin Timberlake any day.
3) "Cheated Hearts", Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I liked "Gold Lion" a lot when I first streamed it online, but this song, off of 2006's Show Your Bones, stole the show. Call it "Maps" part II, but over an alternating dancey/shredding guitar line, Karen O's croon of "I think that I'm bigger than the sound..." only hints to how large her ambitions are for the future.
2) "When You Were Young", The Killers
Try as I did, I just could not get into this album. I liked a handful of songs, but the sheer bloatedness of Sam's Town was enough for me to keep this as far away from my stereo as possible. However, in true Killers fashion, they write pretty great singles and this one, as cliched as some of the lyrics are, is no exception.
1) "Crazy", Gnarls Barkley
If I never hear this song again in 2007 (even if someone covers it), I won't be disappointed. It was easily the most over-played song of 2006, much like "Hey Ya" was in 2003, but it was also performed by two eccentric goofballs with a passion for funk, soul, hip-hop, and rock 'n' roll. The album wasn't terribly fantastic, but the millions who downloaded this song onto their iPods couldn't care less. Whether or not Gnarls will be a one-hit wonder remains to be seen. But in the meantime, this track will live on as one of the weirdest popular songs in recent memory.
JES TONES [Concert Reviewer/Thinks Domino's "Brooklyn Style" Pizza Isn't Nearly As Good As the Real Thing]
Honorable Mention: "Postcards From Italy" - Beirut, "Roscoe" - Midlake, "World Wide Suicide" - Pearl Jam, "Gin And Milk" - Dirty Pretty Things...I don't know, there's a bunch...
5) "Woke Up New", The Mountain Goats - How lucky for us when our favorite artists get dumped, are heart left heartbroken and lonely, and then of course put this all out in the open for the world to see. "Woke Up New", as well as "Get Lonely", off the 'Goats 2006 release of the same name, provide a manual-like attestation on breaking up -- just incase you're not sure what its like to have your heart ripped out and then "wake up new" the following day feeling rather disoriented. Still, the honesty is refreshing and surely something many can relate to.
4) "Incinerate", Sonic Youth –
"You dosed my soul with gasoline. You flicked a match into my brain. Incinerate...". Couple this with one of the most musically catchy tunes to come from this band, which, by the way has been cranking out "top singles", or rather, top albums, since the early '80s, and you have just one of the many (well, 12 on the album anyway) "top" songs of 2006.
3) "Insistor", Tapes 'n Tapes –
Probably the funkiest, most urgent and lyrically challenging tune to make it to this top 5. And it deserves mentioning that this is just one of two bands on this list whose "top single" comes from its debut full length album as well. To be honest, this tune probably would've landed a little higher too, but got pushed back a little because although it rocks, the rest of the album needs to do some catching up to be able to hang with it.
2) "The Gold Song", Bouncing Souls –
Another punk rock anthem on the 'Souls first studio album in three years which, although not quite the best album in their repertoire, is an improvement from 2003's "Anchors Aweigh. This is the first song on the album (and, after the Bruce Springsteen intro. of course, has been the first song played at their shows on - you guessed it - this year's "Gold Tour") and definitely gets things started with the right energy - something you can always depend on from this band.
1) "The Funeral", Band Of Horses –
This song lives on the second album on this list to get bonus points for being the debut full length from this band. Not sure what it says about me that I can't stop listening to a song with a chorus line of "At every occassion I'll be ready for the funeral", but the sweeping music and lead singer Ben Bridwell's captivating voice carry this tune to the top of my list. (But do yourself a favor and get the whole album.)
MIKEY MIGO [Music Columnist & Reviewer/He is "The Savage Animal"]
HM: "Level", The Raconteurs
I liked "Steady as She Goes", but I got burnt out on it after it being played over and over again. I knew there was talent involved with the group, but sorta forgot about them until the next single came out. "Level" was that single and it kicked my ass. This is a pure rock song. Not alternative, indie, hard, or any other subgenre. Play this song in 10 years to someone who had never heard it and I doubt they'll be able to tell you when it was made. Some tracks are just timeless like that.
5) "Phenomena", Yeah Yeah Yeahs -
The self titled album was awesome, but I think Show Your Bones was even better and showed a lot of advancement for the group. The funkified track that is "Phenomena" ended up being played a lot in the car this year. The almost anthem like song made me want to get back into professional wrestling for the sole purpose of using this song as my entrance music.
4) "Hip Hop is Dead", Nas -
I've said it once and I'll say it again, "Hip Hop is Dead" is easily the best hip hop/rap track of 2006. The Nas album was sorta put to the side for whatever reason, but this track should be getting heavy rotation on the radio, TV, and on our playlists. Sure the beat was reused, but in my opinion it was used better this time around.
3) "The Pot", Tool - 10,000 Days wasn't given nearly the respect it should have gotten. In my opinion, the second single from the album, was the stand out and stands up against any of the other Tool hits. As always the bass is incredible and I dare anyone to tell me that it's not one of the best rock bass lines from 2006. In my first full year of being clean, a song about being "so high" makes the list.
2) "SS", Fashion Bomb -
This was rough. Fashion Bomb's "Devils to Some, Angels to Others" was easily my pick for the top album of the year, but singling one song as the "main track" is nearly impossible. In this spot could have been tracks like "Christ Puncher", "Skin", "Low", "Ascend This Day", and pretty much the entire album. I went with "SS" because it's not only the hardest track on the CD, but the first one. When you listen to a CD over and over again the first track is one that you'll remember the most.
1) "Wolf Like Me", TV on The Radio
This is my pick for the best song of 2006 because it's nothing like anything else I've heard the entire year. There's a reason why TV on the Radio made a lot of the writer's top 6 lists in 2006. The music and sound of TV on the Radio is one of the freshest things going right now. This song and video stand out as something unique and special. With their upcoming shows in Chicago, it's safe to say you'll find me at one of them.
MATT STONE [Music Columnist, "Music For Hypocrites"]
5) "Sexyback", Justin Timberlake -
Correcting myself from a previous column: good beat from Timbaland I guess, cool as hell vocal effects, and just a decent dance tune, for a guy like me that hates dance music. Not as good as the "Dick in a Box" song from SNL, but I'm assuming that comedy is not an option, otherwise this would be an entirely different list.
4) "Everybody is Easy (We Sink We Swim)", The Burden Brothers -
An under-appreciated song by an under-appreciated band. There's nothing difficult about this song at all, and that's what makes it great.
3) "Unemployable", Pearl Jam -
Wow, I totally forgot this was a 2006 release, but this was my favorite Pearl Jam album since Vs. and this track in particular had a great chorus. Good for 'em for still making decent tunes after all these years.
2) "Colossal", Wolfmother -
Greeeeat track for me. This is the textbook definition of the power and dynamic that a lead off track for an album should be. It physically pained me that the album peters out after a few tracks and falls into mediocrity.
1) "For Reasons Unknown", The Killers -
Still holding onto this one from my best of 2006 column a few weeks back. The build up to the chorus kicks my ass every time I hear it.
TOLLAH [Legendary Forumer/Music Writer on Hiatus/Argues the Merits of Outback Steakhouse As ‘Authentic' Australian Cuisine]
5) "Memphis Water", The Answer -
Zep-like blues rock with a modern twist.
4) "The Fury", Prince -
Prince showing that he can still write a killer tune and is also still one of the best guitarists in the world.
3)"Heart in a Cage", The Strokes -
Probably the hardest the Strokes have ever rocked, and it works.
2) "City of Delusion", Muse -
"Knights of Cydonia" got all the praise from Muse's latest album, but this tune is my favourite. Matt Bellamy's soaring scream of "I WILL AVENGE" with that glorious trumpet in the background rocks my face every time.
1) "Bad For Good", Meat Loaf -
Classic Jim Steinman lyrics and melody, plus Brian May on guitar. How can you possibly go wrong?
TIM O'SULLIVAN [Sports Columnist, "The Round Football Column"/Movie Contributor/Inventor of The 411 Top 5]
HM: Like a DJ – Jaheim, I'm in love – Ginuwine, Keys open doors – Clipse, Don't Feel Right – The Roots, Here I come – The Roots, Crazy – Gnarls Barkley, Mardy Bum – Arctic Monkeys, A certain romance – Arctic Monkeys, Lovestoned – Justin Timberlake, Kick, Push – Lupe Fiasco, Kick, Push II – Lupe Fiasco, Pressure – Lupe Fiasco, Harrowdown Hill – Thom Yorke, End up like this – Jurassic 5, Rehab – Amy Winehouse, Special Girl – Donnell Jones, Hip Hop is Dead – Nas, What you know – T.I, Live in the sky – T.I, Heaven – Jamie Foxx, Extravaganza – Jamie Foxx, Sexy Love – Neyo, So Sick – Neyo…………and probably a ton more I'm forgetting.
5) "Lost One", Jay Z -
Chrisette Michele plays as big a part in the quality of this as Jay. The beat hooks you in from the outset, the guest spot is excellently cast, and Jay does his thing well enough.
4) "Elephant", Damien Rice -
Probably my favourite track off the Irish singer/songwriter's latest offering. Just beautiful.
3) "Chop Me Up", Justin Timberlake -
I just wanted to add a JT track considering how much I loved his album in ‘06. Ask me next week and it may be different, but I can't stop playing this right now. Three-6 Mafia bump it up another notch, and Timbaland's touch is as golden as ever.
2) You Know I'm no good", Amy Winehouse -
The standout track from a stellar sophomore offering from Winehouse. She may be a British piss head, but she is one talented girl. Awesome track from a classy set.
1) "Save Room", John Legend -
Just funky, soulful and brilliant work from Legend. He's a great fella to have in the game whilst D'Angelo and Maxwell are AWOL, and even when they get back it will take a lot to dismantle Legend.
Think we missed one of the great tracks of 2006? Let us know!
…and don't forget to click on each writer's name to see what else they've been writing at 411 Mania!
That's it for The Top 5 this week. Check us out this time next week for our TOP 5 CONCERT MOVIES!
