My homie and ex-room mate, Mike Walter, asked me to write up a list of my favorite songs since 2010. I just couldn't wait to see the results in print, so I'm posting my list here too. Let's get to it!!!!!!
A Punk Prayer – Pussy Riot
Pussy Riot is clearly an operation where the music comes second, but
this actually why I love them. In a world where God Money owns and
filters every grain of public discourse, and a culture solely focused on
fleeting sexual trivia. It's not that people have given upon making
music that can change the world. It's more like we've forgotten that
it's even an option. These women prove that idealism, bravery, a good
hook, and a small, ever present camera crew can still fuck shit up.
They literally walk up to the face power and call it out for its
misdeeds. 90% of music today is just annoying people lying about their
sex lives. Pussy Riot wrestle with monsters twice their size.
Stolen Bikes – Krispy Kreme
The Internet persona that was Krispy Kreme came across to most people as
a half assed prank that went just as wrong as it did viral. He really
does have his moments though. I find his dim witted, rural, small fry
coming “live from him mom's basement” style to be a pretty good read on
how people actually do feel out there in broke ass America. This song
specifically is just great story telling. The avenging nerd who's just
had enough of the neighborhood bully. A low speed bumper car chase.
What else do you want? It reminds me of a young Nas or Slick Rick.
Accident Murderers – Nas
Speaking of your boy. This track off of Life Is Good just grabs me from
the first note. Nas is like rap's Norman Mailer. A king story teller
who can do more with a couple sentences than most rappers can say in a
whole album, hell, most novelists can do with a whole book for that
matter. In an America where George Zimmerman is allowed to live and
walk free, a song about assholes who brag about being killers (Who
aren't even competent at that!) hits home. It puts fake gangster
rappers to shame. You think you're awesome cus you terrorize your
neighbors and beat up on your fellow black man? You're a piece of shit.
That's what you are.
Keep Your Children In A Coma – Future Bible Heroes
Oh the lyrics on this one. “You can't take your kids to school because
of bullying little beasts, and you can't take your kids to church for
fear of priests.” This dance optional lament on the craziness of the
post modern world is catchy, hilarious, and far too true. There's a kind
of Beach Boys vs Pet Shop Boys vibe to this song that speaks to
everything good our culture has left behind. “Do they have to use
computers just to sing?” Stephen Merritt asks at the climax of the first
verse. They do Steve, they do.
Business – Tune Yards
I love this loop centric, jangly, afro-pop/punk. I also have a soft
spot in my heart for one man bands. tUnE-yArDs manage to bounce on that
soft spot like a trampoline. Playful while political, animal and
artsy, this song is just the best damn ear worm to hits the streets in a
long time. It's also the only song on this list to be entirely unique
to the 2000s. It highlights all the good things that actually managed
to emerge from the post 9/11 cultural sink hole we've been stuck in
since the 90s died.
Runners Up
Slash Gordon - Murs & Fashawn
Overexposure - Sick Of Sarah
What Is This Lonliness - Deltron 3030
Right The Relation - Polvo
