| Author | Message | ||
     kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 618 Registered: 05-2005 |
As a follow on from the "does anybody still buy singles" thread. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley. Honourable mentions: The Strokes - Modern Age Outkast - Hey Ya No wonder I dont buy singles, I struggled to come up with these 3  | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 431 Registered: 04-2005 |
Good list, Kevin--I'd have to go with "Hey Ya!" as the single of the decade so far, but like you, I have trouble naming singles. However, "Here Comes A City" is better than the Strokes song! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 619 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, I really like Here Comes a City, probably because like me, Robert also enjoyed listening to Talking Heads circa Fear of Music! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 515 Registered: 03-2006 |
"Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira...just kidding. But funny, the only singles, as such, that come to mind are for the most part, hip-hop related. I'd add to the list: "Gold-digger" - Kanye West "99 Problems" - Jay-Z "Galang" - M.I.A. "Fit But You Know It" - the Streets and one that isn't hip-hop, "C'mon C'mon" - the Von Bondies But still, I do agree "Hey Ya!" has to be at the top of the list. One of those rare songs that, no matter how ceaselessly it was played, it still sounded great. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 378 Registered: 10-2004 |
I may get boo'd for this one but... Dirty Mind - The Pipettes Easily the best thing I've heard all decade. Period. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 360 Registered: 08-2004 |
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Date With The Night Electric Six - Gay Bar (the kids love singing it) Junior Senior - Everybody Kelis - Milkshake | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 520 Registered: 03-2006 |
Describe the Pipettes for the uninitiated, Jeff. Is that out here in the colonies? Is it worth pursuing an import? | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 380 Registered: 10-2004 |
Well, I heard one journalist describe them as a poor man's Bananarama. Very catchy, Spector-ish girl-group stuff, centered around the vocal harmonies and polka dot dresses of three very English young women. Total bubblegum, but I dig it. The production and arrangements aren't completely retro (though maybe they should've been, I mean, why not?), but the stylistic 60s girl-group Motown-esque references are pretty apparent nonetheless. Whomever is writing the music is most likely a pretty serious record geek and pop fiend. Sure, you could argue that I'd be much better off just listening to singles by the fabulous Martha and the Vandellas, but it's at least nice to hear some people making some genuinely hummable and catchy pop tunes, something that NEVER seems to happen anymore. I'm not sure if it's worth pursuing as an import, as I've only downloaded several tunes. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 434 Registered: 04-2005 |
Pitchfork has been touting the Pipettes lately, which makes me wary. But your recommendation makes me want to hear them, Jeff. That's what I love about this board--advice from people whose taste I can trust. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 381 Registered: 10-2004 |
I always get nervous when people say they trust my tastes in music! Just keep in mind that whenever I say I like any band or artist, remember that I happen to love Madonna's first two records, and that I own more than one Steely Dan album! That is to say, take anything I say with a grain of salt! Here's a Pipettes video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qycZxUcsKRk and another: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrCK2dbcJ0o What can I say? I'm a fool for pop. | ||
| Pαdraig Collins Member Username: Pαdraig_collins Post Number: 466 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just downloaded Dirty Mind. Thanks for the tip Jeff. I wouldn't say it was single of the decade... but it's a great wee pop song. Maybe best single of the decade so far is the very next one on my iTunes - Bam Thwok by Pixies. I love Steely Dan. Can't bear that skanky, fake English accented ho Madonna though. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 621 Registered: 05-2005 |
Padraig, the Pixies? Single of the decade, really? Havent heard it but I had gathered it was pretty throwaway. Isnt it Kim on vocals? | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 382 Registered: 10-2004 |
I remember the Pixies playing that song live when I saw them a few years ago. Sadly, I don't really remember the song itself. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 523 Registered: 03-2006 |
Must jump on Steely Dan wagon (somewhat belatedly and chickenshit-edly) - I love 'em... | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 437 Registered: 04-2005 |
I think we've had the Steely Dan defense before so I'm sure I'm repeating myself, but I have to jump on the bandwagon, at least through their mid-70s albums. They start to go off the rails with "The Royal Scam" (half a good album) and then "Aja" set the template for everything that followed, which was far too mellow and muso for me. Basically, every SD and Fagen solo album after "Aja" (which, in comparison to what followed, rocked like "Physical Graffiti") has recycled the same mellow jazz/funk-lite blend. Sometimes the songs were good enough to overcome it, but mostly the albums have been numbingly boring. And it's just sad that they settled for predictability so early in their careers. For all their claim of being hip jazzbos, their own take on jazz music sure is schlocky and MOR, just a notch more legit than Kenny G. But man, those first four albums were good, and "Pretzel Logic" is one of my faves of all time by anybody. Apparently, those albums make Fagen and Becker cringe now, so I guess it was accidental brilliance. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 438 Registered: 04-2005 |
Well, Jeff, I'm not sure I'd call that Pipettes song single of the decade, but I do want the blond with glasses to be my girlfriend. | ||
| Pαdraig Collins Member Username: Pαdraig_collins Post Number: 467 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yeah, Bam Thwok is a completely throwaway single, but it just came on as soon as the Pipettes song ended and it made me smile as I had not expected it. At that moment it felt like single of the decade. In the cold light of day; probably not. I think the thing with Steely Dan is that the first four albums were very much in touch with pop (not pop as Joe Sixpack and Sally Housecoat know it, but pop nonetheless); but after that maybe they thought they should be doing something more serious than pop? I still love a lot of the later stuff too though. Steely Dan played a very important part in my musical education in the early 80s. I still love the mix tape I made from their vinyl records (the tape was bought in the chemist shop - the only place in the small country village I grew up in that sold blanks). | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 622 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hmmm. I've always avoided Steely Dan because they reek of MOR dross to me. My friend , who has (mostly)the same musical taste as me thinks their early stuff is genius. Now, lots of you guys are lauding them too. This has prompted me to download Pretzel Logic from Napster which I will listen too when I feel brave enough. Given my allergy to American FM rock from the 70s though, I don't hold out much hope of them surviving a mauling from me . But you never know. If I am not that impressed by Reeling In The Years does this make me a lost cause? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 624 Registered: 05-2005 |
Here is a list of Uncuts best 100 singles since 1976. I know this covers 25 years (the list is from 2001), but to me it shows how standards have drastically dropped given that we are struggling to come up with choices for the first half of this decade. I bought 29 of these singles, which is not a bad amount given that I stopped buying singles in 1994. The only one that I am ashamed of buying is Walking on The Moon by The Police. First published in Uncut Mag. Iss.45 February 2001. Compiled by the writers at Uncut Magazine. Public Enemy Rebel Without A Pause 1987 Nirvana Smells Like Teen Sprit 1991 Joy Division Atmosphere/Shes Lost Control 1980 Primal Scream Higher Than The Sun 1991 Kraftwerk Trans Europe Express 1977 The Sex Pistols God Save The Queen 1977 Massive Attack Unfinished Sympathy 1991 My Bloody Valentine You Mad Me Realise 1988 The Stone Roses Fools Gold 1989 The Smiths This Charming Man 1983 Donna Summer I Feel Love 1977 The Clash White Man (In Hammersmith Palais) 1978 Dinosaur Jr. Freak Scene 1988 Frankie Goes To Hollywood Relax 1983 Chic Good Times 1979 David Bowie Heroes 1977 The Jesus And Mary Chain Never Understand 1985 Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five The Adventures Of GF On The Wheels Of Steel - 1981 New Order Blue Monday 1983 Radiohead Paranoid Android 1997 Run DMC & Aerosmith Walk This Way 1986 Michael Jackson Billie Jean 1983 Underworld Born Slippy 1995 RE Iss. 1996 Magazine Shot Both Sides 1978 Elvis Costello (I Dont Want To Go To) Chelsea - 1978 The Specials Ghost Town 1981 Orange Juice Blue Boy 1980 Eminem The Way I Am 2000 PIL Death Disco 1979 The Ramones Blitzkrieg Pop 1976 ABC Poison Arrow 1982 Talking Heads Once In A Lifetime Happy Mondays Wrote For Luck 1989 Tricky Aftermath 1994 R.E.M. Radio Free Europe Human League Love Action 1981 De La Soul Me, Myself And I 1989 Oasis Some Might Say 1995 Richard Hell Blank Generation 1976 Wire Map Ref. 41 Deg. N 93 Deg W 1979 Heaven 17 We Dont Need This Fascist Groove Thing 1981 Suicide Dream Baby Dream 1979 Mantronix Bassline 1986 Stardust Music Sounds Better With You 1998 Grace Jones Pull Up To The Bumper 1981 DAF Der Mussolini 1981 The Cocteau Twins Sunburst And Snowblind EP 1983 The Associates Party Fears Two 1982 Orbital Chime 1990 The Beastie Boys (Youve Gotta) Fight For Your Right To Party - 1987 Gary Newman Cars - 1979 A Guy Called Gerald Voodoo Ray 1989 Scritti Politi The Sweetest Girl 1981 Kate Bush Running Up That Hill 1985 Simple Minds I Promised You A Miracle 1982 Pulp Common People 1995 The Fall Totally Wired 1980 Bob Marley And The Wailers Jamming 1977 Cabaret Voltaire Nag Nag Nag 1979 Buzzcocks Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldnt Have) - 1978 The Orb Little Fluffy Clouds 1993 Dexys Midnight Runners Geno 1980 Aphex Twin Didgeridoo 1992 Prodigy No Good (Start The Dance) 1994 M|A|R|R|S Pump Up The Volume 1987 Nick Cave The Mercy Seat 1988 Suede The Drowners 1992 Blur Girls And Boys 1994 Eric B And Rakim Follow The Leader 1988 Nick Low I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass 1978 XTC Making Plans For Nigel 1979 Blondie Heart Of Glass 1979 Japan Ghosts 1982 Siouxie And The Banshees Hong Kong Garden 1978 A Certain Ratio Shack Up 1980 Devo Jocko Homo 1977 The Chemical Brothers Block Rockin Beats 1997 The Gang Of Four Damaged Goods 1978 Manic Street Sweapers From Despair To Where 1993 The Sugarcubes Birthday 1987 Madness House Of Fun Neil Young Hey Hey My My (Into The Black/Blue) 1979 Prince If I Was Your Girlfriend 1987 Fatboy Slim The Rockafeller Skank 1988 The Pixies Gigantic 1988 Beck Loser 1994 The Jam Eaton Rifles 1979 The Police Walking On The Moon 1979 Snoop Doggy Dog Whats My Name 1993 Pere Ubu Datapanik In The Year Zero 1978 The Klf What Time Is Love 1990 Tlc No Scrubs 1999 The Dammed New Rose 1976 Funkadalic One Nation Under A Groove 1978 Iggy Pop The Passenger 1977 The Slits Typical Girls 1978 Adam And The Ants Kings Of The Wild Fronteier 1981 The Saints Im Stranded 1976 Janet Jackson Nasty 1986 The Undertones Teenage Kicks 1978 | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 361 Registered: 08-2004 |
That list was limited to 1 song per artist. I approve of Rebel Without A Pause, but it's not even PE's best single let alone a 1/4 century of post punk. We'll have to assume Cattle & Cane is 101. You are right though Kevin. Singles are not a priority anymore. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 625 Registered: 05-2005 |
Well spotted Jerry, the list excludes great singles by Joy Division, The Clash, The Fall, New Order The Smiths etc. This makes my point about singles from years ago being of a higher quality even more telling imho | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 626 Registered: 05-2005 |
Back to Steely Dan. Oh dear. I'm sorry guys but this(Pretzel Logic) is MOR hell I only lasted halfway through track 3(its a miracle I made it through the tortuous guitar solo on track 2) and had to take it off, put on Rays and Hail by Magazine, and then Moanin at Midnight by Howlin Wolf and felt much better. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 440 Registered: 04-2005 |
Sorry, Kevin, you're just wrong this time, as you are about 16LL. ;-) | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 383 Registered: 10-2004 |
I'm partial to Aja and Katy Lied myself. Their music is so icky and slimey 70s that I like it. The pinnacle of cocaine-fueled 70s excess. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 441 Registered: 04-2005 |
No, the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac are #1 and #2 as the pinnacle of coke-fueled '70s excess! SD was at most #3. Not that it's anything to be proud of... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 627 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, guess I just dont like MOR no matter who the artists are |