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"You gotta understand, I'm at odds with myself all the time. I actually want to be mysterious and quiet. I really do. If anybody out there is like me and just can't help but speak and communicate.. like i have a giant capacity to communicate and I'm always suffering becuase there's nothing I'd rather do than be the guy who speaks when spoken to. And I wake up every morning trying to be that guy, and by the end of the night it's the banana dance or something. I cannot get out of this really impressionistic communication thing. So I'm getting over it by acknowledging to myself that I do dumb stuff, and that I'm going to continue to occasionally do dumb stuff, peppered in with some special stuff... and so I'm coming to terms with that. But it's nice... it doesn't explain everything away but it helps to say, 'I've always been this way.' You know, it's not the perfect explanation but it helps me sleep."
- John Mayer
Ditto. 100 times, ditto.
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| Keri Hilson | In a Perfect World >> when half of the album charts, and 4 are recognizable hits, the album can safely be considered a success. At first I wasn't a fan of "Energy", but my opinion was blasted into the dirt when I heard it on a high-end system. Hopefully next time she'll ditch Timbaland and have less of a cookie-cutter sound. B
Ciara | Fantasy Ride >> I seriously thought it was okay! Nothing to write home about, but it'll keep you happy until something really worthwhile comes along. How about that song where she goes up and gets the guy's number? Yeah, Ciara doesn't mind trading places. B-
Fabolous | Loso's Way >> took him forever and a day to release this thing, but any Fab album is good by me. I still think he doesn't get the love he fully deserves. (Remember "Breathe"? People getting real forgetful) Loso's Way was solid, but kinda long-ish with 16 tracks. Too bad, because the first 7 are killer. B
Maxwell | BLACKsummers'night >> How bad was music missing an honest soul artist? I don't know if anyone ever found out what Maxwell was doing between touring for Now and recording BLACK, but now I almost don't care. BLACKsummers'night is a rich, satisfying listening experience that reveals more and more layers upon each play-through. In many ways, I regard Maxwell as precious. No one has his sound, and few possess his level of showmanship in-concert. But what sets him apart from other R&B/Soul acts today is that I never ever want to see him get on a track and/or sing a hook for some rapper. It would almost tarnish his greatness. It's like taking a bottle of Chateau Margaux and chasing it down with fruit punch - blasphemy. The man is a spectacle: during his recent stop in Vancouver, he paused between songs to tell the crowd, "We're bout to get real sexy up in here. Fellas, Imma make sure you get some ass tonight!" then went into a rendition of "Stop The World" that made the room suspiciously warm. Oh Maxwell, you nasty. And we missed you. A
Chrisette Michele | Epiphany >> I really liked "Epiphany (I'm Leaving)", "What You Do" (w/ Ne-Yo), and the remix of "Fragile" w/ Wale. Some people say Chrisette Michele got snubbed by the Grammys, and I agree that she should've gotten at least the one or two nominations considering who did receive nods: Melanie Fiona, Jazmine Sullivan, Indie.Arie. Anthony Hamilton, and frigging Pleasure P, to name a few. Ms. Michele is certainly on or above their level, and it's a shame Epiphany didn't get the love it deserves. From an album standpoint, Epiphany feels like the product of hard work and Michele's unique vocal style is like a breath of fresh air. B+
Eminem | Relapse (& Refill) >> His best album ever? No. But he came back like a storm and showed everyone that he's still the best in the game. He had so much left over from Relapse and Refill, he even went out and embarrassed people on their own songs. He even smashed his cypher at the BET Awards to boot. There's just no forseeable end to Marshall Mathers' reign. B+
Jay-Z | Blueprint 3 >> I thought "D.O.A." and "On to the Next One" were unnecessary, but BP3 was just about everything we thought it should be. That being said, it didn't do much at all to set any trends in rap, which is kinda what the first two Blueprints did. I'm not going to rag on his decision to have so many guest spots on the album, but I can see why it doesn't sit well with purists. Then again, is anyone really surprised? Blueprint 3 is a B+ album - it has its shining moments, but one can't help but feel like we've been here before with Jay. It must be tough being a legend. B+
KiD CuDi | Man On The Moon: The End Of Day >> It's so tough to categorize what Cudi is. You can't really label him strictly as a rapper, nor can you say he's straight hip-hop. Still, he's clearly catering to the hip-hop masses and being received well. Man on the Moon is a sonic odyssey filled with a selection of songs anyone would be comfortable throwing on at a party. Pick any track - it will likely stimulate you in a way you don't often experience. It's so different that you don't want to stop listening, but not different enough to alienate casual listeners who just want catchy melodies and easy-to-understand rhymes. All in all, an exciting debut that begs a sequel (sooner, rather than later). A-
Ryan Leslie | Transition >> Random fact: Ryan Leslie scored a perfect 1600 on his SAT's at age 15, and graduated from Harvard when he was 19. He could write his own piano arrangements when most people his age were learning how to arrange words into simple sentences. In a nutshell: the guy's brain is special. Despite his "Yeah, I know I'm really talented" vibe, Ryan Leslie is one of the most creative and proficient music architects in the industry. His ear for melody is evident in any and every song he touches. He is consistant, as Transition continues with the same style that he established with his self-titled debut in 2008. This is great for fans of his music, but the sameness is also his biggest weakness as a songwriter and producer. Songs from Transition did not make my Top 50 list because they sound too safe. Stylistically, each song sort of crosses over into the next, and the album ends up being a general blob of good, but non-descript Ryan Leslie music. Even still, you can throw on either Ryan Leslie album and it will be pleasing to the ears from start to finish. B+
Wale | Attention: Deficit >> After turning heads with 2008's Mixtape About Nothing, Wale continued to hammer the internet with various 'freestyles' and bonus tracks throughout 2009. Attention: Deficit was pushed back numerous times, and when it finally dropped late in the year, almost half of the album had already leaked at least a month ahead. This ruined the novelty of many of the key tracks, but the rest of the album was strong enough to make this one of the year's best. I'm a fan of Wale's pop culture references and general success with regard to introducing a new sound to hip-hop. Just as Kid Cudi brought indie rock and his lazy dronings to the table, Wale made a positive contribution with clever, conscious lyrics and the revival of Go-Go music. B+
Robin Thicke | Sex Therapy >> With a title like that, I was afraid that this album was going to be waste of space. As it turns out, though, it's swanky, sexy, and surprisingly enjoyable. Title track "Sex Therapy" is divine; if I didn't know any better, I'd had thought that Maxwell ghost-wrote this track. Do chicks find falsetto sexy? They must, because even I can't ignore how smooth this guy is. "Shakin It For Daddy" is a waste of a single, but "Meiple" was a great choice for a lead. B-
Lady GaGa | The Fame Monster >> We all know about the hits from the original release, but I must reiterate that "Bad Romance" is one mean piece of work. Just epic. This add-on release could fail to produce another #1 hit and I would still give it an "A" just for that one song. A
Alicia Keys | The Element of Freedom >> Nice, but a tad on the pedestrian side. Considering the standard that Alicia Keys has set throughout her career, Element leaves much to be desired. We know she's a wizard on the keys... and know she can sing all day and night, but what happened to ghetto Alicia? Aside from the singles, the only song that sticks out is "This Bed". Then I realized that the main reason I liked it is because it reminds me of Fergie's "Glamorous". Yeeeeeah... if you ain't got no money take your broke ass home. Try it - it's fun! B
Charlie Winston | Hobo >> Features a handful of catchy tunes that you'll be drawn to sing along with. "Boxes" rounds out the best of the bunch and is an absolute gem. B-
John Mayer | Battle Studies >> I feel sorry for the rest of John Mayer's career: nothing he does from here on in will match the sheer perfection of Continuum. My issue with Battle Studies is that it doesn't do much to further Mayer's axe-man cred, nor does it fully return him to his earlier pop days. Any of the tracks featured here are fine on their own, but put together, they aren't a cohesive unit. This isn't to say that Battle Studies will bore or confuse you, but why settle for getting on base when you know you can knock it out of the park? B
Mayer Hawthorne | A Strange Arrangement >> Considering the rash of motown-inspired music coming out in the last few years, Mayer Hawthorne's modest success with shouldn't come as a surprise. When you hear "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out" you'll think he's a genius. It's Then when you listen to the whole album and realize how every song sounds the same. In the end, Hawthorne might be relegated to one-hit-wonder status. Touring on the US leg of John Mayer's Battle Studies tour will help him stick around longer, but I can't see him staying around beyond the life of A Strange Arrangement. He almost had us fooled. C+
Royksopp | Junior >> Balancing out the relative lyrical simplicity of their songs, Royksopp ooze creativity with their larger-than-life sound. The meticulous layering and sampling throughout each song is a wonder to behold. "Royksopp Forever" may be an instrumental track, but you can't ignore how tremendous it is. It's like watching the birth of a planet or something. Yes, it's that big. Cameos from Robyn, Lykke Li and other noted Swedish songbirds round out a very exciting and successful offering from the duo. Look for this year's Senior to build on the progress set in motion by Junior. B+
Passion Pit | Manners >> These guys are crazy. The quintet from Massachusetts followed the success of their 2008's Chunk of Change EP with a thoroughly discombobulating venture into the electronic abyss. The anthemic stature of "Sleepyhead" and "Little Secrets" has earned the roaring approval of crowds ever since Passion Pit became openers for such acts as The Killers, Death Cab, RJD2, Girl Talk, and Phoenix. Manners delivers a disctinctive sound without ever getting repetitive or tired. Passion Pit is the real deal, and Manners is the proof. A
Phoenix | Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix >> With Wolfgang, the French indie popsters put in a serious bid for consensus top album of the year. I'm not as wild about it as most critics, but there's no denying how polished and addictive these tunes are. (If you want to hear the best Phoenix album, check out 2006's It's Never Been Like That). I'm glad to see Phoenix get their due, although it's weird to hear their music featured in car commercials and such. "1901" and "Lisztomania" are stellar tracks that should be on anyone's iPod. The youtube video of Lisztomania with footage from Footloose is a total riot, by the way. B+
Album of the Year: 2nd Runner-up
The xx | xx >> The xx were easily one of the biggest buzz bands of the year. Their debut album, xx, introduced us to a new brand of indie pop. xx's slow burn is irresistable. Those looking for an up-tempo romp will be sorely disappointed, but you'll be thrilled if low-key cruising is your thing. The understated beauty of their music powers xx and justifies the loads of hype the band has received thus far. For more detailed reviews of their songs, please read the Top 50 List. But really, you should see what the hype is about yourself... hint hint. A
Album of the Year: Runner-up
Jack Penate | Everything Is New >> If it weren't for Miike Snow, Mr. Penate would have surely taken the crown as my favourite artist and album of the year. Interestingly enough, I had the pleasure of seeing both live at the same show in September and I must say that Penate (who opened the show) out-performed his tourmates handily. Although a little on the short side for a full release, Everything Is New is a seemless collection of tunes that is very accessible and just a lot of fun. A
Album of the Year
Miike Snow | Miike Snow >> There are no words to accurately describe how much I love Miike Snow. From the bouncy "Animal" through to the Lennon-esque "Faker", Swedish electronic maestros Miike Snow created a masterpiece with their self-titled debut album. Someone once asked me to describe Miike Snow and the first three words that came to mind were: magical, psychedlic, and fun. It might be tough for casual listeners to appreciate the album in its entirety, but the great thing is that there's so much to offer that even the most unadventurous of listeners will find something to bop their heads to. I go through a ridiculous amount of music each year, and I am excited to announce Miike Snow as THE top album of 2009. Simply put, it is a must have. Please do yourself a favour and get your hands on it if you haven't already. A+
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| Akon | Nosy Neighbour (Prod. David Guetta)
Until last week, I was SURE that Black Eyed Peas were going to run away with the dubious honour of releasing the most idiotic, thoughtless, and un-artistic song of the year. (See: "I Gotta Feeling") Enter: Akon and David Guetta.
Having already assaulted our eardrums and overall intelligence with "Sexy Bitch", the dynamic duo are back at it again with the ultimate IQ rape job, "Nosy Neighbour".
Do you know what this song is about? Akon, binoculars in hand, window-creeping his neighbour. Yep.
"Oh my God! She's doin it - takin it off. Takin it off. Takin it off. Takin it off. Takin if off. She's gettin naked. She's getting naked, She's gettin naked. She's gettin naked. She threw her shirt (up on the floor). Then threw her bra (up on the floor).Then threw her skirt (up on the floor). Then threw her skirt (up on the floor)."
Yes, it goes on like that for the rest of the song.
Am I the only person that feels more stupid now? The only thing I'm thankful for is that this steaming turd is only 4 minutes long. And as I write this, there's probably some try-hard basement DJ remixing this into a 8-minute douchebag anthem. I'm already cringing at the thought.
At least will.i.am and Black Eyed Peas had good intentions when they made "I Gotta Feeling". They just want you to feel good and go out and have a good time, right? That song may be stupid, but at least it doesn't encourage fucking voyeurism. Should this really be considered passable music? And when I say "passable music" I mean something that sounds like a musician made it. Just as nailing wood together doesn't always produce a house, some asshole mashing on his keyboard and mixer shouldn't necessarily qualify as music. And these guys have the sack to present us with a tangled mess of 2 x 4's and tell us this house is the real deal.
Insulting, isn't it?
I'm not even looking for music that I'll appreciate 10 or 15 years from now, per se. But come on, you know it's bad when the song is so bad that you wish you hadn't heard it or even known of its existence. During the course of doing this review, I've probably listened to the song 10 or 11 times on repeat. With each subsequent listen, I feel more and more angry that there are people out there who actually like this garbage, and they perpetuate the demand for songs of the same ilk.
This song is proof that far too many pop entertainers blatantly abuse their "artistic licence." Let there be no mistake: there is no artistry at work here. Only an asshole could make a song this empty and pointless. So what happens when we have two assholes combining powers? This year's worst song of all worst songs. That's what.
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| And here are the Top 10 Tracks of 2009. Enjoy!
10. jj - Things Will Never Be The Same Again
Where would music in 08/09 be without Sweden? Good grief, do they do anything else than play good hockey and make amazing music there? jj's debut album, jj no.2, was not the complete work of art I was hoping it'd be, but it certainly did well to introduce another interesting act to the surging "whatever goes" music scene. Leave it to a smalltime Swedish band to deliver perhaps the best beach-bumming song of the year. Whoever is responsible for putting violins in a mellow calypso track deserves a pat on the back. And was that a harp in there somewhere? jj, you're rad. And your singer sounds hot.
09. Big Boi - Shine Blockas (f. Gucci Mane)
The penmanship is so legit... The oft-forgotten other half of ATL's hip-hop pioneers made a splash with the release of this joint. The production is squeaky-clean, and Big Boi's measured rhymes are so tight, only a true pro could pull it off. Each syllable is executed perfectly, and the pacing and emphasis is sublime. Gucci Mane makes his best cameo to date and makes a case for top song-stealing verse of the year (if you're wondering, that award goes to Eminem for "Forever"). Simply put, Shine Blockas is air-tight. I can't find something to dislike about it. It's arguably Big Boi's best solo song to date. If only Andre 3k would've gotten on this track.....
08. Drake - Fear
Of all things to love about "Fear", I will be remembering it mainly for the one huge revelation that I had because of it:
"I never cried when 'Pac died... but I probably will when Hov does."
I used to feel almost ashamed that I never had the same kind of love for certain (dead/faded) artists as the people around me did. I like a fair share of 2Pac songs, for example, but I don't like them enough for me to wish the guy was still alive to make more of them. There must be a reason why the guy is so legendary, but why can't I explain it for myself without Googling the answer? Listening to "Fear" made me realize that there's a embarrassingly easy answer to my question: you weren't there. Here and now, I'll reveal my hate for snarky hip-hop heads who front like they were always down for the Pacs and Biggies of the world. If you're 25 and younger like me, you can't say you listened to that shit and really incorporated it into your life and very being. Just admit it: you didn't skip class in 1991 to run out and cop Low End Theory. You weren't there.
I didn't cry when Michael Jackson died either. You know why? As Dave Chappelle would put it, I was living in my Dad's balls when Thriller changed pop music forever; and I certainly wasn't around the Jackson 5 were the talk of the town. The MJ I knew was a weird, melty-nosed ghoul who dangled his baby off a hotel room balcony and sang that stupid Free Willy theme. The best song he released during my music-listening lifetime was "You Are Not Alone." And I'm not even talking about him maybe or maybe not playing naked hug time with kids. That's the point: I love the music he made before, but I can't shed a tear for someone I never knew. I've accepted that there's nothing I can do that will allow me to gain enough insight to treat these dudes as anything more than guys who were good before I understood music.
As long-winded as this has been, I just had to relate how profound Drake's message is. It felt like a missing piece of a puzzle I was trying to solve all these years - hopefully you find some meaning in it too.
07. The xx - Basic Space
"Basic Space" is just that damn good - even the video is a work of art. The song begins at a snail's pace and if you didn't know any better, you'd be inclined to move on to the next track. It does gather some steam but just like the rest of xx, "Basic Space" maxes out a brisk marching pace. It teases as if something more is on the way, but controlled calm continues to steer the music.You might feel like something's coming so you can finally get up and dance, but the most you'll ever be able to do is nod your head or tap your feet in time with the kick drum. What mastery: they want us to have the one perfect bite, nothing more.
06. Miike Snow - Burial
I'm going to say it right now: if Miike Snow's self-titled debut isn't the best album of the year, I would absolutely love to see what is. Every once in a while, you may find a track you like so much you're willing to listen to the artist's whole album. Even more seldom still, you may be so lucky to encounter a work of art so complete and enthralling that you do not dare to do it the injustice of shutting it off before the whole thing is done playing. That, my friends, is how good Miike Snow is. "Burial" features tight military-style snares and a driving heartbeat bassline that will have you air drumming on the spot whenever you happen to hear it. That being said, I can't say with any certainty that "Burial" is my favourite track on the album - they're all my favourite. See the album review for more.
05. Charlie Winston - Boxes
Charlie Winston, a British singer/songwriter blew up in France on the strength of his debut album, Hobo, and made it one step closer to the mainstream spotlight (in the UK, at least). Well, I will do my best to pay Mr. Winston lip service and tell you all that Boxes is one of the finest piano ballads I've heard in recent memory. The theme of growing up and losing one's innocence is nothing new here, but the winning elements of this composition are the instrumentation and the soaring vocal passage (@ 3:00-3:50). Piano, bells, tuba, strings... I would die if I got to witness this song live with a full band. This is the kind of song that you hunt for, and find so rarely. It is worth the listen. It is worth holding onto and never forgetting about.
04. Lady GaGa - Bad Romance
Love her or hate her, Lady GaGa simply beat pop music into submission in 2009 and did it her way. Say what you will about her antics and fashion sense, but she is a high-octane entertainer through and through. Finally moving away from the tired Britney-style puppet acts of the world, pop music bowed down as GaGa became the face of the new breed of stars flexing equal parts artistic flair and actual musicianship. Her plethora of hits dwarfed all others that tried to snatch her crown, and none were as monstrous as "Bad Romance". Not since Christina Aguilera's "Dirty" has pop been this grimey, and boy is it exciting. When I say monstrous, I mean this thing is heavy and raw. To say it was merely released doesn't do it justice - this thing was unleashed on the world. Listen to the verse where she repeats "I don't want to be friends" through to the end chorus. That section literally gives me goosebumps. "Bad Romance" is proof that GaGa is a boss, and she'll continue to be our favourite (guilty) pleasure for many years to come.
03. Wale - Letter (f. John Mayer)
Wale is my dude, and I was glad to see that his work from 2008 paid off in 2009. With numerous delays and relentless internet buzz, Wale delivered a very respectable debut album with Attention Deficit. Since so many of the tracks were leaked or released as lead singles so far in advance of the album's eventual release, I was looking forward to some new material on the retail version. To my surprise, Letter was a notable omission from the retail release of Attention Deficit. As a devoted follower of all things Wale, I was disappointed when my favourite song of his to date didn't make the cut. With John Mayer lending his silky smooth vox and signature guitar riffs from Room For Squares' "3x5" to the mix, Wale lays out a pair of open letters to President Obama and the late Tupac. "Letter" is a song of purpose and substance. It flows like water, and speaks volumes of the level of Wale's honesty with himself and the state of his craft. It's not often that you come across a hip-hop song that addresses things that matter to real people and packages it so neatly.
"But music today is gettin lame for us / They chasin fame rather than making change for us / They stopped being artists / They stopped being honest / They want that club shit / Ain't no more Dear Mama's"
So true, and Wale deserves kudos for putting those lines together, reminding people to be cognisant of the quality of music they choose to guide them through life. For all of the shameless, thoughtless music published each passing year, I am thankful for songs such as this that are refreshingly thoughtful and borne out of purpose.
02. Corinne Bailey Rae - I'd Do It All Again
My heart went out to Corinne Bailey Rae last year when I read her husband had unexpectedly passed away. The only way I can explain it is that you can't help but share the loss when someone who makes such sweet, soulful music suffers through such a tragic ordeal. My music-loving heart would have been overjoyed to hear her again if she hadn't gone and broken it with this heart-wrenching ballad. I know of no other artist active today that sings like Corinne Bailey Rae, and “I’d Do It All Again" further proves my point. Listen to this song, and feel all the beauty and sadness that accompanies it. I’ll stop here, but only because I cannot put into words how much the world needs more music like this.
01. Maxwell - Pretty Wings
Far removed from the height his popularity in the late 90's, Maxwell resurfaced after a mysterious 8-year break - a hiatus rivalled only by the disappearance of fellow soul-man D'Angelo. Thankfully, the 6-time Grammy nominee returned, once again invigorated, and graced us with another top-selling album, which included one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Certainly a fine addition to his catalogue of classics, "Pretty Wings" served notice to the music world that the beloved neo-soul crooner is back to stay. There's a reason why he's racked up another 6 nominations for this year's Grammys - including a nod for Song of the Year (Pretty Wings). BLACKsummers'night might not be the 2x Platinum treasure that Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite was, but damn is it good. I have spent hours upon hours with "Pretty Wings" on repeat, and the song only gets better and better each time I hear it.
Most listenable music is hot at first, but fizzles out after a week or two. Even fewer songs will hold your attention for a month or three. A small handful of songs will be strong enough to last you beyond that time, and of those, only a select few will earn a place in your heart forever. If you can follow where I'm going: yes, "Pretty Wings" will leave an indelible mark on your romantic soul. After all these years, I never forgot about Hang Suite and Embrya. Now with the first album of his trilogy here and receiving much-deserved love, I simply cannot hang to see what Summer and Night sound like. Welcome back to the top, Maxwell.
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| The Top 50 of 2009 continues...
29. Jay-Z - What We Talkin Bout (f. Luke Steele) Jay-Z's "What We Talkin Bout" and The xx's "Intro": two awesome intro tracks for two totally different reasons. Whereas the latter uses the first track to light the kindling, Jay brings out the flamethrower from the jump-off. All of the bravado culminates into one of the best punchlines of the year (and believe me, 09 was the year of the punchline): "Grown men want me to sit em on my lap / But I don't have a beard and Santa Claus ain't Black / I repeat, you can't sit on my lap / I don't have a beard, now get off my sack"
What a great way to start BP3. Jay-Z don't mess around.
28. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
Grizzly Bear has long been one of those bands that seemingly all indie smartasses love, but I just didn't "get" (See also: Animal Collective). I've watched year after year as independent music super-authority Pitchfork continued to heap praise on them, and all I could do is scratch my head. Finally, after all this time, I have found a Grizzly Bear track that I will put on repeat for weeks and months to come. I've gotten the sense that "Two Weeks" could be the perfect track to open my world up to the rest of Grizzly Bear's catalogue. Upon the initial listen, I couldn't get past how much I loved the Chopsticks-esque piano jabs that repeat through this song. I was so entertained by all of the instrumentation that I forgot to listen to the lyrics even after the first five listens. The whole thing is just a treat; it's deceptively dynamic and playful at the same time. You'll find something new to love/appreciate with each listen.
27. Phoenix - 1901
With their 2006 album It's Never Been Like That, Phoenix cleverly disguised some curiously heavy sentimental content inside a tidy, poppy indie rock package. Now three years later, Amadeus Mozart Phoenix has delivered a familiar sound along with a lead single that could have only been built to get people jumping around, flailing their arms wildly. As soon as as the beginning synth chords drop, you know the band would have to fuck up pretty bad to knock this one down even one peg. This song is a spark - it hits you, energizes you, and leaves you reaching for the |<< on your iPod.
26. Kanye West - Paranoid (Video Version)
While 808's haters were busy throwing daggers at Mr. West for jumping on the auto-tune train, I was listening to the album and debating with myself over which songs would be favourite song 1A and 1B. "Paranoid" was just too nice to ignore, and the release of the video brought with it a slightly tweaked version of the song. You'd never notice the deficiencies of the original until you hear this version. Kanye just added more stuff - stuff to fill negative space, stuff to make the song feel faster and more theatrical. All of these things fused so well with the original groundwork laid out and effectively transformed a B+ song into an A.
Side note >> I haven't liked Rihanna for a long time, and the "Paranoid" video just made me realize yet another reason why: she has Crazy Eyes. For those of you who are HIMYM fans, remember the episode when Ted dates the girl with swirling fire in her eyes? Rihanna may be hot, but I would bet money that she's super crazy too.
25. Marina and The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Acoustic)
2010 could be a big year for Marina Diamandis. A trio of singles, including the heartfelt "I Am Not A Robot" are the prelude to her first full release. The Family Jewels is set to be released in February and things could go well if her work is consistent with the standard set by Robot. Her singing style reminds me of Imogen Heap, but maybe not quite as heavy. Comparisons aside, Robot is a moving ballad with lots to appreciate. It's sung with such precision, and the strings and xylophone peak beautifully just before the end of the song. It's so refreshing to hear something that's so powerful and delicate at the same time
24. Mos Def - Quiet Dog Bite Hard
A times, he's a god. Other times, he's off on some incoherent, aimless flight of artistic fancy. I'm not going to front like I understand what the hell Mos Def was doing between Black On Both Sides and 2009's The Ecstatic. I felt like the last 10 years where a question mark for a man whose lofty reputation created an (unfair?) expectation of stellar work every time he entered the booth. Die-hard fans may argue that Might Mos' impact on hip-hop can't be measured by mainstream success, but the bottom line is that any other non-music endeavours he has will suffer if he doesn't stay relevant. Italian Job was nice, but Mighty Mos' place in history is behind the mic (preferably with Kweli by his side), not in front of the camera. Sometimes I wonder if he cares that hip-hop needs him more than movies and political forums do.
You could almost hear hip-hop breathe a sigh of relief when The Ecstatic dropped and restored (at least in part) Mos Def's stature amongst his peers. Appearing on Letterman to perform "Quiet Dog Bite Hard" live, he did his own percussion on dual timpanis while spitting his lyrics in workman-like fashion. It was a flawless display, reminding everyone watching that he could be the coldest cat in the game if he wanted to be. "Quiet Dog" is sure to get your head nodding, with his anti-wack-rapper commentary re-awakening your lost hope that the spirit of the Soulquarians and authentic hip-hop still lives on in bits and pieces. Here's to hoping that this marks the return of a lost king.
23. El Perro Del Mar - Let Me In
El Perro Del Mar's music always focused on love and relationships, so it shouldn't come to anyone's surprise that her latest effort, entitled Love Is Not Pop, follows the same trend. This time she delivers a break-up record featuring "Let Me In", a haunting depiction of how it feels to be left out in the cold. The hypnotic echoes of her voice and background keyboards nudge the song to a head-bobbing pace, but the message is unmistakable: she's sad, and really wants back in. Anyone who remembers being the dumpee - especially a reluctant one - will quickly identify with this song. "I want to be your fool / If that's all I'm gonna be." It takes a brave soul to admit dependence on a fleeting, unrequited love. What an admirable, honest piece of song writing.
22. John Mayer - Edge of Desire
When you come across music as genuine and beautiful as this, there's no use in ranting and raving about it - it's waste of words. What I will say is that even though Battle Studies may not be Continuum, but I'm sure glad that it delivered this song. It says things that I wouldn't know how to say. It's the kind of song every guy wishes he knew how to write. As far as I'm concerned, "Edge of Desire" definitely deserves its spot amongst the best of John Mayer's library of songs.
21. Drake f. Kanye West, Lil' Wayne & Eminem - Forever
There is only one thing you need to understand about "Forever": Eminem found the code for God Mode. It's not that Drake, Kanye, or Wayne didn't come with it, it's just that Em really did smash that hard. He went in so hard that it completely broke any fluidity and continuity the song had for the 4 minutes and 42 seconds before it. Consider the track in its entirety: Em enters the room, disrespects the shit out of e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g in sight, then leaves. His lyrics don't have anything to do with anything, but no one cares because they're still in awe over what just happened. After his verse ends, the chorus returns but the song feels different... like it just experienced something horrific and things won't ever be the same again. That is special - so special, I'm not even going to write anything else to mention that the other 3 verses were completely respectable in their own right. Drizzy should've left Eminem off the guest list.
20. Clipse - Door Man
Cue the mariachi trumpets, Clipse returned for the throne in '09 and did it in typical greazy, grimey fashion. With "Door Man" the boys from VA swaggered back from their hiatus and served notice to hip-hop that they're coming to lay another beatdown on the competition. Till The Casket Drops may not be the second coming of Hell Hath... but Pusha and Malice are so legit you simply can't help but give them props. Similar to GaGa's "Bad Romance", "Door Man" feels large. Once you hear it, it sits on you and you can't ignore it. Credit should also be extended to The Neptunes for proving they're still good for a solid beat once in a while. The instrumental track matches the dark, filthy tone of the dirty duo perfectly. Seriously, do you know how much money it takes to crush this bitch? What imagery.
19. The xx - VCR
A very strong candidate for album of the year, xx by the xx was very pleasant surprise in the always-unpredictable indie music landscape. As a band, The xx look nothing more than a group of awkard, slightly emo teens. Oddly enough, they credit their sound to R&B acts of yesteryear and contemporary artists such as Missy Elliott. Yes, Missy Elliott. I'm not sure if their R&B sensibilities are coming through in their music as much as they'd like, but I'm in no rush to categorize them. VCR is probably their most accessible - and most exemplary - offering from their debut. The song may seem lacking or downright bored of itself, but it that is where the beauty lies: it's never in a hurry to reach a peak or send a message. The track glides along, guided by the easy xylophone tolls and the lazy harmonies of vocalists Romy Croft and Oliver Sim. xx won't be the party album of the year, but it will feed your hunger for good music, without the filler.
18. Drake - Best I Ever Had RMX (f. Nicki Minaj)
If this is the first time hearing about "Best I Ever Had", you need to get out more. It's the best of Drake's hit songs of this year, offering as addictive a hook and chorus you'll hear on any rap/r&b track this year. Years from now, we'll probably look back and see this as the defining song of Drake's rookie year. This is a college party joint; it's chill but catchy, both Drake and Nicki Minaj are in their element lyrically/vocally, and it feels authentic. It feels like Drake wrote it in highschool, and that's worth paying attention to now because this kind of content will vanish once blows up and does the whole clothing line/restaurant chain thing.
My personal favourite version of "Best I Ever Had" is the remix w/ Nicki Minaj. If this track is an indication, Young Money's rising stars are going to squash the competition this year. I've always liked Nicki Minaj, despite her nasty, over-sexed blackajuku image. Her ditzy, bubble-gum-chewing flow seems to be her weapon of choice these days, but I can remember a time before she was on that and she was just as legit without being annoying. This remix gives a slice of Minaj's more reserved side, which is a good thing if you ask me.
On the video side of things the Kanye-directed debacle fell far short of doing this song any justice. It was wack as hell, and would've knocked Drake down a peg if he wasn't so damn untouchable in '09. The acting was bush league, and the pep talk scene was so lame I laughed out loud when I saw it. To put it in perspective, having hot chicks playing basketball in slow-mo was the only thing in that video that made sense. They should've just done that, no talking. At least then it would've just been a normal rap video. But I'd digress...
17. Eminem - 3 A.M.
What a triumpant return track! When 3 A.M. leaked, I sat staring blankly out of sheer wonderment as the track swept over me and made me realize how sorely the rap game missed and needed Shady. Skeptics and haters tried to nit-pick the pseudo-accent he employed on the track (and parts of Relapse), but I actually thought that it was welcome addition to his repertoire. 3 A.M. is just one of countless stories Eminem has told so masterfully through his music. As the song fades, a haunting voice echoes: "Evil thoughts.... evil thoughts...." and flat-out gave me the creeps. Each verse is an exhibition of skill: his flow is just so intricate, so precise, so dynamic. There's no one who can even approach his level. He is Tyson in his prime. He is a filthy monster you hate to love, but you can't turn away because his elite talent is undeniable.
16. Washed Out - Feel It All Around
Make way, the king of all 2009's 80's Nostalgia tracks has arrived. A recent college grad with no job, Ernest Greene hermitted in his parents basement and recorded the year's premiere lazyboy album. A short-ish EP of only 6 tracks, Life of Leisure took me back to the 80's, toddling down to Kits Beach with my mom on a hot day, or fishing off a dock while dipping my feet into the cool lake water. Just like how the new generation of rappers cleverly push our buttons through references to old-school video games and TV shows, a new wave of electronic and dance technicians have achieved the same effect by crafting music remarkably similar to the stuff we used to spin on real vinyl record players back when we were barely old enough to understand what music was. It's the reason why so many artists have tried to revive disco, or why College Dropout is as legendary an album as we'll ever experience in our lifetime. People want a slice of yesterday, but listening to the same songs for 30 years just gets tiring. Nostalgia has been an important part of popular music ever since we realized the truth behind "they don't don't make __________ like they used to." I'm glad there are people dedicated to reviving the sounds of yesterday. They might not have the advantage of novelty, but there sure is a market for it. For all of the throwback tracks released this year, none fit as perfectly as Washed Out's "Feel It All Around".
15. Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind (f. Alicia Keys)
I know I use the word "anthem" a lot, but there are no other words that could possibly better describe "Empire State of Mind". I've never really seen and experienced the real New York City, but this song kicks me in the ass and asks me what the hell I'm waiting for. Every time I hear the chorus, I feel like I'm personally being invited to come and share their city. It's just so cleverly balanced: New York is both classy and ghetto, beautiful and ugly, and everything in between. All I'm saying is that it must take a hell of a city to hold the attention of non-residents for 4:36. Could you imagine if someone tried to make a song even half this good about Vancouver? It does doesn't exist, and for good reason. I love Vancouver, but I already know it would be awful and boring. Bottom line: chalk up another career-defining hit for Mr. Carter. A larger-than-life single on a Blueprint 3 album bursting with hits both radio- and street-friendly.
14. Dent May - Meet Me In The Garden
Boy, do I love it when an album's title describes exactly what you will hear when you press the play button. Here's the thinking: "'The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele'. Hmm, this man is going to play his magnificent ukulele and whatever comes out is going to make me feel good. Cool."
The infectious sing-song quality of "Meet Me In The Garden" makes a strong case for Dent May's song-writing smarts. It's such an approachable song - there isn't a verse or melody line in this song that doesn't invite you to at least hum along. The only people who won't like this song are those who are too cool to get in with a guy who rocks tweed suits and clear-frame Harry Potter glasses. Hey, I don't care - he told me the music would be feel-good, and really, who doesn't like to feel good?
13. Keri Hilson - Knock You Down (f. Kanye West & Ne-Yo)
I'm trying to think of an analogy where two awesome things fight over something awesome AND hot... but I can't come up with one.
This collabo teeters precariously on the brink of having too much pop sensability crammed into one tune. It's like the musical equivalent of a pizza pop commercial. From top to bottom, "Knock You Down" is stacked without feeling like it was randomly thrown together. Considering the cast is a trio of certified hit-makers (not only for themselves, but other acts in the game as well), they would've had to try very hard not to make one of the best pop songs of the year. If you put all that talent together and get master chef Danja behind the boards, it's a done deal.
And how about that staredown between Ye and Ne-Yo at the end of the video? You almost get the feeling like Kanye actually wanted to knock dude out. "This is bad, real bad, Michael Jackson / Now I'm mad, real mad, Joe Jackson / You should leave your boyfriend now / Imma ask him" oh mannn...
12. Drake - Little Bit (w/ Lykke Li)
In 2009, we witnessed the joyous union of Mr. and Mrs. Internet Hype. This wasn't the first time rap has mingled with indie pop, but Drake absolutely knocked this one out of the park. Perhaps the best of many reasons why Drake blew up in 2009, "Little Bit" remixes Lykke Li's buzz hit of the same name and achieves greater depth by simply introducing a male part. The push and pull between Drake and Lykke Li's verses works so well, one might wonder why it wasn't done that way to begin with. Harmonizing with Lykke Li's mousy, shallow voice should have seemed like mixing oil and water for Drake, but the two ended up sounding like a match made in crossover heaven. The bottom line: taking a song as infectious and complete as the original "Little Bit" and making it even better is certainly an accomplishment worthy of praise.
11. Jack Penate - Tonight's Today
I saw him live, and can verify that Jack Penate is the shit. The dude can sing while jumping around and wailing his guitar, without having the quality of his vocals suffer. That might not sound that impressive, but it's something else when he's doing all three and making sound like he was sitting on a stool. His breakthrough album, Everything Is New, sounds like a Best Of... I had to only pick one song to include on this list so as to save room for other entries. Like many other songs on Everything Is New, the energy of “Tonight’s Today” will have you dancing and doing jazz hands at the sky. Sounds weird, but good music makes you do weird things =)
Tomorrow: The Top 10 Tracks of 2009!
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