Yes, it's February and I'm just now getting around to this. But really, I'm not. The top five or so from this past year were the hardest to sort out I think I've had since I started doing this.
So in a year where the full-scale return of sexy was publicized (I didn't even realize it had gone missing), the rap-rock craze breathed its last gasping breaths, leaning and shaking became all the rage, and a supermodel-dumping crybaby-voiced nancy boy threatened to bring the whole thing down, this is what we're left with. The cream of one man's crop.
THANKS FOR PLAYING:
Mary J. Blige - "Enough Cryin'"
Chamillionaire - "Ridin'"
Jay-Z - "Show Me What You Got"
Audioslave - "Revalations"
Bubba Sparxx - "Ms. New Booty"
Field Mob feat. Ciara - "So What"
Gnarls Barkley - "Gone Daddy Gone"
THE LIST:
15. The Killers - "When You Were Young"
You'd think there'd be more bands coming out of Las Vegas. (Yeah, I think people thought they were British when they got big because of their sound and that's where they were when Hot Fuss blew up.) The city's ripe with material, like regrets, expectations and temptations, all of which get touched on by this quartet of native sons.
14. KT Tunstall - "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree"
It's so rare that I'm ahead of the curve on these things, but this song caught my attention months before Katharine McPhee covered it on Idol. Months, I say. Let me have this moment. I have so little; don't take this away from me.
13. Three Six Mafia - "Stay Fly"
When you win an Oscar, you can get away with making a whole bunch of songs about smoking pot and nobody will really bat an eyelash. Although I suspect that wouldn't have stopped this Tennessee outfit. What I like about this is that you've got five guys rapping over a beat that doesn't actually change, and none of them have the same style.
12. Beyonce (feat. Jay-Z) - "Deja Vu"
History may go on to remember this as Jay's best rapping of 2006, but it's Beyonce's groovy take on the theme of a woman who's got a guy that's got her all flustered that's the real star of this show.
11. Wolfmother - "Joker and the Thief"
"So I'll tell you all the story", and yet they don't. Not all of it, anyway. This Australian group isn't the next Jet only because they're so different. There's a very heavy and very obvious 70's rock influence in their stuff that I dig.
10. Nelly Furtado (feat. Timbaland) - "Promiscuous"
Wait, what? This was the end result of a semi-reinvention after a disappearing act, a development that had everybody scratching their heads when this dropped, so much so that I kept asking myself "Am I supposed to like this?" for about a month before I decided it didn't matter. Bonus point for the Steve Nash reference.
9. Ghostface Killa (feat. Ne-Yo) - "Back Like That"
Most MC's wouldn't touch a track about a guy feeling both angry and betrayed that his girl cheated on him with his worst enemy because it would sound like an incoherent, blubbering mess. But this is Ghostface, and he'll do what he damn well pleases. Also, this is one of about 43 songs Ne-Yo appeared on this year.
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Dani California"
The natural successor to "By The Way"? Possibly. What it definitely is is a well-crafted fusion of the Peppers' old, harder rock sound and their more recent, more melodic approach.
7. Avenged Sevenfold - "Bat Country"
The title comes from Hunter S. Thompson's nickname for the near-wasteland that is the drive from Barstow, Calif., to Las Vegas, a stretch of barren desert that plays tricks on the mind as well as any and all drugs HST was on at the time. This is probably what it feels like.
6. AFI - "Miss Murder"
You may also know them as "A Fire Inside", and they've spent 15 years grinding in the neo-punk scene. This isn't so simple or straightforward, but it does rock.
5. Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"
Cee-Lo's version of N.E.R.D.? Sort of, but not quite. If anything, he and producer Danger Mouse crossed even more genres. And somehow I must live in the only part of the country that didn't play this on three different stations.
4. Blue October - "Into the Ocean"
I normally hate overly emo, depressing themes in songs. If you're going to get me to like something like this, you have to do it either very well or very differently.
3. Kanye West (feat. Lupe Fiasco) - "Touch The Sky"
It's no "Gold Digger." And Kanye's still an egotistical twit. But this tale of "Hey, I made it! Now what?" is actually kind of fun in its own right. The horns help, as do Kanye's weird enunciation. This is also effectively Lupe Fiasco's debut, and anyone who can drop a Lupin III reference into a rap and have it make sense in context is okay by me.
2. Coldplay - "Talk"
I'm also surprised this wasn't a bigger hit. I think this group has missed the Top 15 exactly once. They've earned some time off.
1. Gomez - "How We Operate"
This prolific British quintet wins the year with a song about love and compromise, about moving forward and making do. It's got a bit of pop and a lot of heart.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Monday, February 5, 2007
By The Pigskin of Our Teeth: Rain Dance
THIS JUST IN: Jeff Garcia and Carmella are, in fact, still together. They were in town on Saturday for some event.
5:57 - Ricky Proehl being inactive makes me :(. This is his game!
6:19 - Total number of team captains over/under: 12.
6:22 - They're gonna introduce them all?
6:23 - Only 7? I was way off.
6:24 - Wow. Who's keeping track of that? Seriously, how is there unemployment with obscure crap like which conference won the last 10 coin tosses?
6:27 - OOPS.
6:29 - Amazing that the Colts got what they wanted there (the kickoff outside the numbers) and still couldn't stop Hester.
6:33 - Again, OOPS. Peyton hasn't been anywhere near his receivers so far.
6:41 - Um, Sierra Mist isn't that refreshing.
6:43 - Yeah, I think we would have heard more about Peyton's thumb if it had been an issue.
6:47 - Well, all right. Nice downfield coverage.
6:47 - WTF. Simms: "Snap is good." I hope that was sarcasm.
6:49 - "Auctioneer Wedding" looks to be the best of a bad lot so far.
6:50 - PROTECT THE FOOTBALL. Who was that guy?
6:51 - Oh, it is raining? The last three balls have been straight-up dropped.
6:54 - Nice throw into traffic, Rex. Oh, Muhammad caught that? Wow. They're not booing, they're saying "Muuuuuu."
6:55 - Snickers just took a huge lead. "Quick! Do something manly!"
7:04 - Yeah, a force-out's probably the right call there.
7:04 - What the hell?
7:07 - I think the Colts are getting too greedy on offense. They should pull back a bit.
7:07 - Colts punter Hunter Smith, one of the more anonymous individuals in the NFL. Looks like the Colts are still gonna punt. Nice kick.
7:18 - I'd like to see the Colts put together a drive here.
7:21 - Abilene Christian? That's where JBL played, right?
7:26 - No Hester on the kickoff? That's strange.
7:27 - That's even stranger. They thought the Colts would squib kick? Why would they think that? They can see he's not back there.
7:38 - What are we calling that? "Bitch Slaps 'R' Us?"
7:41 - Gary Brackett, from? RUTGERS!
7:44 - Addai's been good at getting the crucial small gains tonight.
7:49 - Another turnover? Jeez. You're supposed to just go out of bounds.
7:50 - Didn't this just happen? Is this a record? Seriously.
7:52 - Peyton's dump to Addai - was that legal?
7:55 - You really think that guy's never had a Coke before?
7:56 - Seriously, WTF. Vinatieri only misses in Houston.
8:07 - I'm disappointed Prince didn't do the full "Let's Go Crazy" intro:
"Dearly beloved ... we are gathered here today to get through this thing called LIFE. Electric word, 'life', it means forever and that's a mighty long time, but I'm here to tell you ... there's something else ... the afterworld. A world of never ending happiness. You can always see the sun, day or night. So when u call up that shrink in Beverly Hills -- you know the one ... Dr. Everything'll Be Alright -- instead of asking him how much of your time is left, ask him how much of your mind, baby. 'Cause in this life, things are much harder than in the afterworld. In this life, you're on your own."
8:11 - Is this the beginning of "All Along the Watchtower?"
8:13 - Prince is covering the Foo Fighters? Shouldn't that be the other way around?
8:16 - Let me tell you something: This rocked.
8:31 - More tough yards from Addai. And they're receiving yards on top of it. The Bears haven't done well trying to stop him.
8:36 - They're challenging that the Bears had 12 men on the field? That seems petty.
8:37 - It doesn't really look like it's raining, though, except for the occasional wet camera shot.
8:40 - The E-Trade "Bank Robbery" commercial has potential.
8:47 - And this is what I figured would happen: The Colts get the lead and start teeing off on Rex, making his head explode.
8:51 - This is what the Bears wanted to do to the Colts, right? Well, it's the other way around.
8:55 - Wow. Robert Goulet and Emerald Nuts just made it close.
9:00 - Solid block of commercials with K-Fed (which I thought was funny, but I hadn't seen it yet) and the Bud Light hitchhiker spot. "He's got Bud Light." "Yeah, and an axe!"
9:09 - Good decision to reverse the call. Harrison pretty clearly got both feet down.
9:17 - The human leg isn't supposed to bend like that, right?
9:19 - Nantz is belaboring the point, but it's valid: The Bears really haven't done much. And there's a big run getting wiped out. Giants fans are having flashbacks.
9:21 - Horrible throw by Rex. Nice work.
9:23 - I think he's inbounds at both points of contention. The replay also shows Hayden was sitting on the double move like he saw it coming.
9:25 - All right, NO MORE POINTS. I have 28-17 in the office pool.
9:27 - Was that Shula with Jay-Z in the holographic football game?
9:28 - And this is the worst-case scenario for the Bears: down big late and having to rely on Rex to bring them back.
9:30 - See?
9:36 - Now the Colts downshift into first gear. No reason to take any chances, especially in this weather.
9:37 - And isn't it kind of refreshing and different to have weather actually be a factor in a Super Bowl?
9:44 - The NFL Network contest-winning ad? Not as great in execution. And what was with the Favre tack-on at the end?
9:56 - Anybody see a bunch of monkeys go flying through the air just now?
9:58 - Ship the Super Bowl. And SHIP THE PRIZES.
10:01 - Hey, who's your MVP? I think they might pick two guys.
10:14 - Oh, it's Peyton. Yay.
10:17 - The parade needs to be led by an Indy car, am I right?
FINAL RANKINGS
TOP 3:
1. Indianapolis - Stop drinkin' that Haterade, playas!
2. San Diego - Still pulling bullets out of their feet
3. (tie) New Orleans - Pieces in place for longevity
(tie) Chicago - Could be dangerous if Rex stops sucking
(tie) New England - At something of a crossroads, perhaps?
BOTTOM 3:
30. Cleveland - Two words: Adrian. Peterson.
31. Detroit - Pitchers and catchers report when?
32. Oakland - Does anyone care anymore?
5:57 - Ricky Proehl being inactive makes me :(. This is his game!
6:19 - Total number of team captains over/under: 12.
6:22 - They're gonna introduce them all?
6:23 - Only 7? I was way off.
6:24 - Wow. Who's keeping track of that? Seriously, how is there unemployment with obscure crap like which conference won the last 10 coin tosses?
6:27 - OOPS.
6:29 - Amazing that the Colts got what they wanted there (the kickoff outside the numbers) and still couldn't stop Hester.
6:33 - Again, OOPS. Peyton hasn't been anywhere near his receivers so far.
6:41 - Um, Sierra Mist isn't that refreshing.
6:43 - Yeah, I think we would have heard more about Peyton's thumb if it had been an issue.
6:47 - Well, all right. Nice downfield coverage.
6:47 - WTF. Simms: "Snap is good." I hope that was sarcasm.
6:49 - "Auctioneer Wedding" looks to be the best of a bad lot so far.
6:50 - PROTECT THE FOOTBALL. Who was that guy?
6:51 - Oh, it is raining? The last three balls have been straight-up dropped.
6:54 - Nice throw into traffic, Rex. Oh, Muhammad caught that? Wow. They're not booing, they're saying "Muuuuuu."
6:55 - Snickers just took a huge lead. "Quick! Do something manly!"
7:04 - Yeah, a force-out's probably the right call there.
7:04 - What the hell?
7:07 - I think the Colts are getting too greedy on offense. They should pull back a bit.
7:07 - Colts punter Hunter Smith, one of the more anonymous individuals in the NFL. Looks like the Colts are still gonna punt. Nice kick.
7:18 - I'd like to see the Colts put together a drive here.
7:21 - Abilene Christian? That's where JBL played, right?
7:26 - No Hester on the kickoff? That's strange.
7:27 - That's even stranger. They thought the Colts would squib kick? Why would they think that? They can see he's not back there.
7:38 - What are we calling that? "Bitch Slaps 'R' Us?"
7:41 - Gary Brackett, from? RUTGERS!
7:44 - Addai's been good at getting the crucial small gains tonight.
7:49 - Another turnover? Jeez. You're supposed to just go out of bounds.
7:50 - Didn't this just happen? Is this a record? Seriously.
7:52 - Peyton's dump to Addai - was that legal?
7:55 - You really think that guy's never had a Coke before?
7:56 - Seriously, WTF. Vinatieri only misses in Houston.
8:07 - I'm disappointed Prince didn't do the full "Let's Go Crazy" intro:
"Dearly beloved ... we are gathered here today to get through this thing called LIFE. Electric word, 'life', it means forever and that's a mighty long time, but I'm here to tell you ... there's something else ... the afterworld. A world of never ending happiness. You can always see the sun, day or night. So when u call up that shrink in Beverly Hills -- you know the one ... Dr. Everything'll Be Alright -- instead of asking him how much of your time is left, ask him how much of your mind, baby. 'Cause in this life, things are much harder than in the afterworld. In this life, you're on your own."
8:11 - Is this the beginning of "All Along the Watchtower?"
8:13 - Prince is covering the Foo Fighters? Shouldn't that be the other way around?
8:16 - Let me tell you something: This rocked.
8:31 - More tough yards from Addai. And they're receiving yards on top of it. The Bears haven't done well trying to stop him.
8:36 - They're challenging that the Bears had 12 men on the field? That seems petty.
8:37 - It doesn't really look like it's raining, though, except for the occasional wet camera shot.
8:40 - The E-Trade "Bank Robbery" commercial has potential.
8:47 - And this is what I figured would happen: The Colts get the lead and start teeing off on Rex, making his head explode.
8:51 - This is what the Bears wanted to do to the Colts, right? Well, it's the other way around.
8:55 - Wow. Robert Goulet and Emerald Nuts just made it close.
9:00 - Solid block of commercials with K-Fed (which I thought was funny, but I hadn't seen it yet) and the Bud Light hitchhiker spot. "He's got Bud Light." "Yeah, and an axe!"
9:09 - Good decision to reverse the call. Harrison pretty clearly got both feet down.
9:17 - The human leg isn't supposed to bend like that, right?
9:19 - Nantz is belaboring the point, but it's valid: The Bears really haven't done much. And there's a big run getting wiped out. Giants fans are having flashbacks.
9:21 - Horrible throw by Rex. Nice work.
9:23 - I think he's inbounds at both points of contention. The replay also shows Hayden was sitting on the double move like he saw it coming.
9:25 - All right, NO MORE POINTS. I have 28-17 in the office pool.
9:27 - Was that Shula with Jay-Z in the holographic football game?
9:28 - And this is the worst-case scenario for the Bears: down big late and having to rely on Rex to bring them back.
9:30 - See?
9:36 - Now the Colts downshift into first gear. No reason to take any chances, especially in this weather.
9:37 - And isn't it kind of refreshing and different to have weather actually be a factor in a Super Bowl?
9:44 - The NFL Network contest-winning ad? Not as great in execution. And what was with the Favre tack-on at the end?
9:56 - Anybody see a bunch of monkeys go flying through the air just now?
9:58 - Ship the Super Bowl. And SHIP THE PRIZES.
10:01 - Hey, who's your MVP? I think they might pick two guys.
10:14 - Oh, it's Peyton. Yay.
10:17 - The parade needs to be led by an Indy car, am I right?
FINAL RANKINGS
TOP 3:
1. Indianapolis - Stop drinkin' that Haterade, playas!
2. San Diego - Still pulling bullets out of their feet
3. (tie) New Orleans - Pieces in place for longevity
(tie) Chicago - Could be dangerous if Rex stops sucking
(tie) New England - At something of a crossroads, perhaps?
BOTTOM 3:
30. Cleveland - Two words: Adrian. Peterson.
31. Detroit - Pitchers and catchers report when?
32. Oakland - Does anyone care anymore?
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