Snobfest 2005: The Songs

A few days late but here we go. Here's some of my favorite songs from 2005. I wanted to stop at around fifteen, but kept going. I've linked each of the songs to an mp3, so you can take a listen. Some of these have shown up previusly on the Bits O Music portion of this blog. If you don't know how to click "save link as...," or I surpass my bandwidth, or you are simply too lazy to click, I'll glady mail you a disc of these songs and any of the previuos Bits O Music that aren't on this list.


Cigarettes-Greg Dulli-Amber Headlights

I was going to say this was my theme song for 2005, but with such lyrics as

get the wheel let's go for a ride
if you're trouble then i'll follow you down

I thought I’d come across as a self-destructive fool. So let’s simply say that this is the pure rock song of 2005. The fact that it comes off an album that was shelved years ago makes it that much more remarkable.

The Bleeding Heart Show-The New Pornographers-Twin Cinema

This song is all about the coda. When I first listened to this song I was pleased with the slow build. Then the coda hits with a choir singing “Hey Na’s” and the Neko Case comes in singing “We have arrived too late to play the bleeding heart show” and I got the goose bumps and that smile of hearing a great song.

Like Eating Glass-Bloc Party-Silent Alarm

I’ve already posted this song before in the Bit’s O Music segment of this blog. I still love listening to this song. I still think it’s the best song on a fantastic album. I still point out the bass and drums when I introduce someone to this song.

The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

First, the title is brilliant. Second, it’s catchy as hell. Third, it has the following lyrics:

Explaining that the sky holds the Wind
the sun rushes in
and a child With a shotgun
can shoot down Honeybees that sting
BUT THIS BOY COULD USE A LITTLE STING!

Beats me, but it makes my chuckle.

Mirror Kissers-The Cribs-The New Fellas

It’s all about the Woah’s.

Old School (feat. Talib Kweli)-Danger Doom-The Mouse and the Mask

I find it interesting that veteran Kweli brings one of his best performances on a track in which MF Doom name drops his favorite cartoons. As for DJ Danger Mouse’s production why aren’t main stream rappers swiping his beats up? Maybe he’s wisely staying out of that game?

Huddle Formation-The Go! Team-Thunder, Lightning, Strike

I know this album was technically first released in 2004. That was in the UK though. The US version wasn’t released till 2005. Taking advantage of that loop hole, I’m placing this joyous toy-hop song.

How a Resurrection Really Feels -The Hold Steady-Separation Sunday

she crashed into the easter mass with her hair done up in broken glass. she was limping left on broken heels. when she said father can i tell yr congregation how a resurrection really feels?

Mr. Finn has a way with telling sad stories with a hint of humor. Here he tells of Holly a Hoodrat’s return from a life of hell. It’s a sad song but the coda emphasizes the point that “today she finally came back.”

I See You, You See Me-The Magic Numbers-The Magic Numbers

This is one those songs that are perfect for that time between Friday night and Saturday morning when you’re driving and see that faint trace of sunlight on the horizon.

King-Rex Aquarium-The Back Of The Room

There’s a nice little Caribbean flair to this track. Sure it’s a “cheesy” love song, but sometimes that sweetness can do are cold hearts some good.

Na Na Na Na Naa-Kaiser Chiefs-Employment

Along with handclaps, cowbells, ooohs, and whoah’s, na na na’s make can help propel a song to the top of my favorite’s list. The fact that the song is actually titled “Na na na na naa” puts it over the top. Let me take this opportunity to say this about their album. It’s been awhile since I’ve come across an album that has such a stellar first half and then completely falls apart the rest of the way. They had a catchy brit-pop classic and then decided to bore us.

Power-Blackalicious-The Craft

New wave rap? A living and breathing backing band? Ass shaking bass line? Why didn’t this become a hit?

Autonomy-Heartless Bastards-Stairs and Elevators

Someday I'd like to play a part in the life I waited to start.

I’m really kind of cheating on this song. I stumbled across the demo for this song online about two years ago. Finally this year their debut album was released. When I first heard this song I thought for sure it was a guy singing. It’s not. Her voice is a sort of combination of Hynde and Robert Plant. It’s amazing a voice this strong comes out of a little Ohio girl like her. She also just lets her voice go warts and all. There is no holding back. Add the foot stomp rock n roll of the rest of the band and you have a fantastic grit of a rock song.

It’s All in My Mind-Teenage Fanclub-Man-Made

Did you really think I wouldn’t put a Teenage Fanclub song on the list? It’s like a requirement for me every time they release a new album. With their new album you don’t have to go very far to find that power-pop sugar rush. It’s All in My Mind has a classic TF hook, and the hook is huge. Throw in the backbeat and the trademark harmonies and you have musical bliss.

Emily Kane-Art Brut-Bang Bang Rock & Roll

Of the Brit bands (Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Futureheads) that have gained an audience over here there’s always some that undeservedly fall through the cracks. Art Brut I believe will end up being one of those bands. There’s a hint of Pulp in their attitude and sound. Take this bouncy simple song about not being over his first love.

Lit Up-The National-Alligator

My bodyguard shows her revolver to anyone who asks
And yeah she comes to attention when you come up to me too fast.

In case it hasn’t become obvious but I like a little cynicism in my lyrics. The effortless almost lazy delivery of the lead singer’s Nick Cave like baritone voice contrasts well with the anthemic chorus. Perhaps this is the year of the anthemic chorus.

Black-Okkervil River-Black Sheep Boy

Or I’d call, some black midnight, fuck up his new life where they don’t know what he did, tell his brand-new wife and his second kid. Though I tell you, like before, that you should wreck his life the way that he wrecked yours, you want no part of his life anymore.

The year’s best song about exacting revenge.

Leary Hearts Dulli

"Rescue Me" did it again last night. The end credits of last night's ep. showcased the song "Pussywillow" from the upcoming album Amber Headlights. That's two Dulli songs on the show in one month's time. They have been friends since working together on Ted Demme's "Monument Ave." I love my "Shield," but I think this show may have surpassed it. It's difficult balancing humour with drama the way this show does. It's simply outstanding.

Another Bit

In other news, Dulli's finally releasing Amber Headlights on Sep. 6th. I don't know how available it will be in your neighborhood, so I suggest ordering it on-line. The sucker I am went a head and paid the extra shipping, so I could get it on the day it's released. The songs "So Tight," "Domani," and "Wicked" have all appeared as B-sides on singles from the Blackberry Belle album. I've also seen him play "Cigarettes" live a few times. I'm interested to hear if the album version rocks as hard as the live version. I have a rough version of "Golden Boy" for you fans. Enjoy.

Greg Dulli-Golden Boy-Amber Headlights


Track listing
1. So Tight
2. Cigarettes
3. Domani
4. Early Today (And LaterThat Night)
5. Golden Boy
6. Black Swan
7. Pussywillow
8. Wicked
9. Get the Wheel


If you are an artist or artist representative being featured on this blog and want me to take down a song, let me know, and it will be removed from the server immediately.

Another Uptown Lights Review

Here's another Uptown Lights review. This one's from Rhino.com.

Bastards!

My memory seems to be slipping even more as I get older. I have no other reason for not suggesting the Heartless Bastards yesterday. They are even from my home state Ohio which is rich in musical talent. The Heartless Bastards fit into that garage rock soul that apparently seeps up from the ground. The band is great, but Erika Wennerstrom’s voice is where it’s at. The lady can howl as in Robert Plant howl with the best of them. I also love saying “Bastards.”

For a lost gem of an album I recommend The Outfield's Play Deep. You may remember the Top Ten hit "Your Love." You should remember the whole album. It's great 80's Brit-pop.

Here is a decent review in Now Playing of the last two Uptown Lights concerts.

Concert Bill

Uptown Again

Up there in my top ten reasons I’m happy to live in LA is that Greg Dulli lives here too. The benefit is the Uptown Lights. I got to see them again last month and even persuaded a co-worker to experience the gospel of Dulli. The highlight of the show was Dulli going into full on soul man mode during his rendition of O.V. Wright’s “Ace of Spades.” It was also a bonus hearing two tracks from the upcoming Twilight Singers album Amber Headlights. Dulli said this was the last Uptown Lights show which leaves me a little torn. The music fan in me believes he should tour the country with the Uptown Lights so that all may enjoy. The music snob in me gets a little thrill that I got to see the two shows Uptown Lights ever did even though I may be the only one to care. Below is the set list with the original artist.

From the Uptown Lights page at Myspace -

Punish Me - Margie Joseph
Ain’t Nobody - Chaka Khan
All Along The Watchtower - a la Jimi Hendrix
Get Ready - Temptations
Follow Me - Cee-lo
Tell Everyone - Ronnie Lane
Ace Of Spades - OV Wright
I Want To Be Free - Joe Tex
Hercules - Aaron Neville
So Tight - Amber Headlights
Tell Me What’s On Your Mind - Cyril Neville
Red Hot Mama - Funkadelic
Come To Mama - Ann Peebles
Wang Dang Doodle - a la Willie Dixon
Back Stabbers - O'Jays
I’ll Be Around - Spinners
Lost In The Supermarket - The Clash/Stand By Me - Ben E. King
Cigarettes - Amber Headlights
Ooh La La - Faces

For updates on Twilight Singers and Uptown Lights I suggest the following links.
Dulli's Inferno
Summer's Kiss

I've come to the final conclusion that I must be getting old because new music just isn't doing it for me anymore. I find myself buying fewer and fewer new albums. I always thought I'd be one of those guys who would be able to adjust. There have been a couple purchases though that I offer up to you.

The first is a hesitant recommendation simply because the singer's voice is an acquired taste. The Hold Steady are the rock band I need at the moment. Yes the singing is more talking in tune rather than actual singing, but the bar band rock and spectacular story telling makes Separation Sunday my record of the year so far.

My second suggestion will take a little effort to find becuase it's an import. Katamari Damacy is the soundtrack from the PS2 game of the same name. If you aren't familiar with the game, shame on you because you are missing out on a simple trippy joy that needs to be experienced. That same simple trippy joy is found in the music as well. I would describe it as Japanese pop, but then it's more than that. You could go find it for sale on some website, but I recommend using bittorrent to get a hold of it, and then buying it if the guilt gets to you.

Finally I recommend the power pop compilation Yellow Pills: Prefill. Jordan Oakes, who is responsible for power pop magazine Yellow Pills in the early 90's, is rightfully the man to compile this two disc set of lost power pop gems. Fans of Jellyfish, The Exploding Hearts, and dangerously catchy hooks will be fans of this set. My only complaint is the doubling up of artists on the compilation, but it's a minor complaint. I do offer this warning some of these songs are dangerously catchy.

Thanks for reading. Tomorrow will be a baseball post. So how ever that effects your reading take notice.

The Uptown Lights

Concert Poster

Going Downtown to see Uptown (Lights)

Uptown Lights at Spaceland, Silver Lake, CA 2/19/05

Uptown Lights are:
Greg Dulli/Vocals
Scott Ford/Bass
Mathias Schneeberger/Keys
Jon Skibic/Guitar
Bobby MacIntyre/Drums

When I first heard of this concert back in early January, I rode a wave of giddiness that then crested down to apprehension in about three seconds. The Uptown Lights are Greg Dulli (lead orchestrator of the Afghan Whigs and Twilight Singers) getting together some of his friends from the Twilight Singers recordings and doing a show of all R&B covers. It’s one of those too good to be true moments that made me thankful again that I live in LA. I’m not one for high hopes or expectations, but I was already pegging this concert as “Concert of the Year.” This of course made me feel like I was jinxing the whole thing. Surely I’m setting myself up for a big disappointment. By the day of the show I was hesitant to even go. Welcome to my world of anxiety.

But I went. I was able to convince myself that I couldn’t miss out on the “Concert of the Year.” And that guilt beat out my apprehension of jinxing the show. So I drove to Silver Lake in the apparent flood season in LA. Yes, I took the downpour as a sign of impending doom for the show.

Of course the show was spectacular. When Mr. Dulli stepped up to the mic and the band went into the first chords of “Get Ready” my fears were washed away. Dulli is one of those few artists that can cover a song and make it sound like it’s all his own. It’s tough to pin down highlights from the “Concert of the Year.” The opening combo of “Get Ready” and “Ain’t Nobody” was just kick start my heart badass. Being an Ohio boy I always like it when another Ohio Boy (Dulli from Cincy) pays compliment to other Ohio Boy’s (Black Keys from Akron). There wasn’t much Dulli banter this night. That can be seen as both pro or con depending on who you are. But Dulli was Dulli at his cigarette tinged howling best. I didn’t even mind risking life and limb while I hydroplaned back home to Long Beach.

A side note: I am not musically gifted no matter how much my mother tried to impose it upon me. But I'm pretty sure Bobby MacIntyre is one of best drummers I've ever seen. After going to a few Twilight Singers shows and this one.Mr. MacIntyre has garnered himself a little following among Dulli fans. The man is seriously good. I wish I could tell you why.

Uptown Lights setlist

get ready/temptations
ain't nobody/chaka khan
under tha influence (follow me)/cee-lo green
tell me what's on your mind/cyril neville
what becomes of the broken hearted/jimmy ruffin
i wanna be free/joe tex
ace of spades/o.v. wright
tell everyone/ronnie lane
stay cool/sylvio delacroix
red hot mama/funkadelic
come to mama/ann peebles
backstabbers/o'jays
i'll be around/spinners (tagged Blame Etc./Afghan Whigs at the end)
come see about me/supremes
i'll be your man/black keys
a love supreme/coltrane
please stay/marvin gaye
black is the color/nina simone
ooh la la/the faces

Pictures from the Show