Consider this a continuation of the Best of 2010 lists. But don’t worry, no Kanye West here. These are some songs that I listened to a lot in 2010, but weren't released in '10. I always think it's weird when individuals make best of a year lists, because it’s not like they exclusively listened to music from that year during that year. And what about those albums that get released at the end of the year before, but get played a lot through the next year? Anyway, enough fussin’, more rockin’. Here goes...
Jams of Terry – Olden Jams Edition
1. "Coochie" by BLAKROC
BLAKROC is a hip-hop/rock record that Damon Dash put together, with the Black Keys as the house band. Each song features a track based on the Keys' live instrumentation, and different guest rappers. Since the music is cohesive, the album isn't the confusing shit show that it could have been. Here's a particularly unhinged track, with gleefully foul-mouthed rhymes by ODB and Ludacris.
2. "Gangster Boogie" by Schoolly D
Philly's Schoolly D is often credited as the first gangster rapper. Here's his first single. Can anyone find the lyrics to this song? I swear the second verse is about getting fucked up with Tarzan and Jane.
3. "Hey Playa (Moroccan Blues)" by DJ Quik and Kurupt
DJ Quik started his career in the late '80s as a Jheri curl rap also-ran, but his longevity and consistent catalog have established him as a west coast torchbearer. Kurupt was in the Dogg Pound, so that means he was Snoop Dogg's weed carrier. Imagine, for a moment, the amount of work it would take to carry Snoop's weed. This is from an album Quik and Kurupt did together in '08 or so. How big is this track?
4. "Fascinator" by HTRK
Hmm, rough transition there. HTRK were a Berlin by way of Australia group who played dissonant shoegaze music. I described them to a friend as "The XX on heroin." The Birthday Party's Rowland Howard produced this. I assume that it sounds best while lying on velvet sheets in a red-lit room while someone lovely licks parts of your body then puts clothespins on the spitty parts. Just sayin'.
5. "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" by Van Morrison and Them
Van Morrison's garage rock band covering Bob Dylan. It's cool to hear Van's unmistakable voice singing Dylan's surreal lyrics, and the music is eerie.
6. "What Do All The People Know" by The Monroes
Lost power pop hit from the early '80s. Don't bother checking out any other songs by this band. They sound like rejects from second-tier Eddie Deezen flicks. Whenever I play this song for people, they ask when it's from, thinking that it's current, or a Weezer b-side. That's how perfect an example of power pop it is-–it sounds like someone studied how to make a hit, then wrote one with a little historical perspective.
7. "Good Thing" by Fine Young Cannibals
Washed up second wave ska musicians recruit guy that looks like my grandfather and have a couple smash hits in the late '80s. I love the retro scooter theme in this video. Mark my words, if I ever start another band, we are covering this. It is just begging for a punked-up cover version.
8. "Call Me" by Reigning Sound
This is urgency. Talk about selling your lyrics. How does a forty-year-old man who looks like Foghorn Leghorn make you believe that he is going to have a heart attack if you don't call him up and do him? Will someone please go over there?!
9. "Bad Girl Pt. 1" by Lee Moses
Speaking of singing like your life depends on it. Can you imagine this guy calling the cable company because his internet is messed up? You know he wouldn't be put on hold.
10. "I Wonder If I Will Ever Rest" by Mahalia Jackson
My girlfriend gave me some of Mahalia's music last year, saying, "Yeah, it’s gospel... but it sounds like the blues." True. I like singing this one in the shower.