Archive for the 'CAGE THE ELEPHANT' Category
TOP 10 SONGS OF 2009
Hey, it’s me. J. Stone. The guy who writes wrote That’s So Fetch everyday for a year and a half.
Good to see you again. Looks as though you’re doing well. I started this blog in July of 2008 with an audience of zero. As an up-and-coming blogger, I devoted my life to entertaining you people. You’d awake every morning with an email from That’s So Fetch at 7am Central Standard Time … then one day, you wake up, and it’s over … Oh how spoiled you were.
Then the blogger moves to New York and writes for various publications. I guess you could say I’m a sellout. Blame it on the man. Blame it on a rent payment or the fact that I buy my Golden Retriever $600 in cashmere sweaters a month.
Enough banter, more list. Don’t you ever think I wasn’t paying attention in 2009. Just because I dropped off the face of the earth does not mean I wasn’t planning this list all year.
Album, movies, and more lists coming soon…
THE TOP 10 SONGS OF 2009
10. CAGE THE ELEPHANT
“Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked”
“Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked” is a song with an identity crisis: an un-categorizable mashup of genre-crossing awesomeness. A song with a strong Jack White influence and just enough country, folk and rock to satisfy your musical taste buds.
9. NEKO CASE
“People Got A Lotta Nerve”
Neko Case is an artist you’ve probably never heard of and her 2009 album Middle Cyclone is probably an album you’ve never listened to — how unfortunate for you. She’s a brilliant songwriter and her voice is angelic. She has a diction that would allow her to interestingly sing the alphabet without the slightest hint of incurring boredom upon the listener.
8. THE AVETT BROTHERS
“The Perfect Space”
I was contemplating writing down every song from The Avett Brothers‘ major label debut, I and Love and You, onto tiny pieces of paper and drawing one out of a hat, but this song sticks out on the best record of 2009. Two songs in one: a soft ballad collides with a lil’ up-tempo folk ditty. The most musically appealing song from the album, but not necessarily the most entertaining — that distinction goes to “Kick Drum Heart”.
7. EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS
“Home”
By far one of the most unique songs released in the decade-ending 2009. A song driven by infectious whistling partnered with just the right amount of high school band instruments. Two simple vocalists are perfect for this folk tune, making it the 3rd best duet of the year (see nos. 5 and 1).
6. ZAC BROWN BAND
“Toes”
Just about every song on this list was an immediate addition to my iPod within minutes of hearing it, and “Toes” is no exception. It’s a song that - on first listen - by the end of the second chorus, you feel like you’ve been listening to it your entire life. Nothing is better than a hook that’s fun to sing-a-long to, and “Toes in the water, ass in the sand / not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand” might be the best of the year. “Toes” is my number one most played song of 2009.
5. KID CUDI
“Soundtrack 2 My Life”
Kid Cudi is the best thing to happen to hip-hop in years. I knew from the first 60 seconds of his winter ‘08 smash hit “Day N Nite” that his subsequent debut album, Man On The Moon - The End Of Day, would be incredible. Stocked with great singles, the #2 track on the album is the standout. If you like hip-hop, you must have this song in your collection.
4. WHITE LIES
“E.S.T.”
The best and most original rock song of 2009. White Lies has finally released a rock album worth listening to, and one of the better rock albums of the latter ‘00-’09 decade. Sonically impressive and a song that can but put on repeat … and repea … and repe … and rep … and re … and r …
3. EMINEM
“Beautiful”
Eminem = best solo rapper of all time
“Beautiful” = top 3 Eminem songs of all time
“Beautiful” = one of the best rap songs of all time?
2. LADY GAGA
“Speechless”
“Speechless” is Lady GaGa’s coming out party. And no - not out of the closet. This song is 100% proof that she’s an amazing talent and can write one hell of a song. If you haven’t heard this song, then you don’t know Lady GaGa. This isn’t “Poker Face” … it’s a maturation, a statement and a masterpiece.
1. JAY-Z FT. ALICIA KEYS
“Empire State of Mind”
I would put the top 3 songs of 2009 up against any songs from the entire decade. “Empire State of Mind” is easily one of the best songs released in the last 15-20 years. If you don’t like this song, you don’t like hip-hop. If aliens came to earth and asked for one song from each genre to define our race, I’d have no problem with “Empire State of Mind” representing the entire hip-hop genre.
(HONORABLE MENTION)
(11) WEEZER FT. SARA BAREILLES
“If You’re Wondering If I Want You To (I Want You To)”
Coming in as an honorable mention, “If You’re Wondering…” is the only curveball to make the list. Explanation: this song is different from the Rivers Cuomo-only version from Weezer’s latest album, Raditude. I found this version on YouTube and it’s unbelievably better than the song on the album, yet it’s not available to purchase…anywhere.
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NEW SONGS FOR YOUR iPOD (06.10.09)
CAGE THE ELEPHANT
“AIN’T NO REST FOR THE WICKED”
Cage The Elephant is a southern rock band from Kentucky with extreme influence by British Rock, most notably the best band of my lifetime, Arctic Monkeys. At some points, they’re too similar and the lead singer sounds like he’s trying to emulate Alex Turner of AM. Regardless, this song deserves a spot on your iPod and a place on your summer playlist. From their 2009 self-titled release. Also check out “In One Ear”, which is probably the better track, but not as single-friendly.
PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS
“ACID RAINDROPS”
People Under The Stairs are a hip-hop duo from Los Angeles with a stripped-down, underground hip-hop style. The beats take a back seat to the flow in songs that could almost be a cappella and you’d still listen to it. “Acid Raindrops” is from 2002’s The OM Years. (thanks to Alex N. for the email suggestion)
GET MORE TSF RECOMMENDED NEW SONGS FOR YOUR iPOD.
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