#384: R.E.M.-Finest Worksong (Top 500 Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

#384

(Top Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

Song: "Finest Worksong"

Artist: R.E.M.

Release Date: March, 1988

From the Album: Document (1987)

Quick Take: The opening track on R.E.M.'s commercial breakthrough album, Document, "Finest Worksong" is early proof that the bandmembers were no longer shy about engaging the commercial marketplace. The production, by Scott Litt (who would go on to work on all of their most commercially successful material), is a bit murkier than the glossy and straightforward Lifes Rich Pageant, but "Finest Worksong" has a downright assertive drum mix that shows Bill Berry truly leading the band for the first time, and Pete Buck's guitars seem to be turned up a few notches as well. Over this, Michael Stipe's lead vocal sounds much more commanding, almost hectoring, than he had ever successfully managed before, even if his lyrics remain opaque. The IRS years retrospective Eponymous features an alternate mix of "Finest Worksong" that adds subtle but effective horns; Buck's liner notes sheepishly admit that they should have used this brighter, punchier version on the original album.
Courtesy: Stewart Mason (allmusic.com)

New Music Reviews: Savages-Silence Yourself

Savages-Silence Yourself

Average Score: 81

 [Matador]

Available At: Amazon MP3 & CD

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87 Pitchfork
The album cuts through a world of chatter and distraction because it practices what it preaches, transmitting its message directly through the primal, bone-rattling force of its songs.

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84 Paste
Silence Yourself evokes very real sensory and emotional connections, leaving it up to you to get something out of it.

Read Full Review

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81 Beats Per Minute
Since Savages have cultivated such a politicized aesthetic, it’s hard to divorce the concept behind the art from the art itself, but Silence Yourself delivers if you are willing to submit to its unflinching authority.

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80 Consequence Of Sound

Recorded live in the studio rather than piecemeal, Savages’ debut album Silence Yourself sees the band completely locked in with each other.

Read Full Review

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80 No Ripcord

Silence Yourself is more than just this year’s best debut record so far and even more than one of the best records of any kind this year. It could be the closest post-punk has come to full-bodied artistry since Interpol took their own post-punk influences and gave us Turn On The Bright Lights all those years ago. 

Read Full Review

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80 AllMusic

In some ways Silence Yourself doesn't provide the full Savages experience, but it offers more than enough to make it a powerful debut that suggests they'll become an even more distinctive force to be reckoned with over time.

Read Full Review

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80 Pop Matters
With one foot in the here-and-now and the next already stepping into the future on Silence Yourself, Savages are not only making the statement that they are here, but that they are here to stay.

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80 Under The Radar
This is anarchic, itching punk at its most primal, most belligerent.

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75 The A.V. Club
This juxtaposition of dissonance and beauty adds more friction to Silence Yourself’s atmosphere, transforming a potentially monochromatic record into something with intriguing depth.

Read Full Review

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#385: Luscious Jackson-Naked Eye (Top 500 Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

#385

(Top Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

Song: "Naked Eye"

Artist: Luscious Jackson

Release Date: October, 1996

From the Album: Fever In Fever Out (1996)

Quick Take: "Naked Eye" is a 1996 song by American alternative rock band, Luscious Jackson, the first single from their second album entitled Fever In Fever Out also released in 1996. The song was a commercial success peaking at #18 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and #36 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

#386: Bush-Little Things (Top 500 Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

#386

(Top Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

Song: "Little Things"

Artist: Bush

Release Date: May, 1995

From the Album: Sixteen Stone (1994)

Quick Take: "Little Things" is a song from rock band Bush released from their successful 1994 album, Sixteen Stone. Although it was a big hit, it did not reach the heights of "Glycerine," "Comedown," or "Swallowed." The Bulgarian group D2 used the guitar riff used in the song in their 1999 breakthrough hit "I Can't Stop Loving You" ("Ne Moga Da Spra Da Te Obicham"). The song's riff is also very similar to that of The Offspring song "Self Esteem". It is unknown who ripped off who because both songs were released around the same time. Although "Self Esteem" was released as a single (December 1994) six months before "Little Things" was, "Little Things" was also released in December 1994, but on the band's debut album, however "Self Esteem" was recorded in 1993 while "Little Things" was recorded in 1994.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

TUESDAY TOP TEN SERIES: Artist #99 (My Morning Jacket)

TUESDAY TOP TEN SERIES

What's your favorite Ten My Morning Jacket songs in order from 1 to 10?

Every other Tuesday, station to station will give a Top 10 list based on reader's own Top 10 lists from our Top Artists Of All Time tournament. Your #1 song will get 10 points, #2 will get 9 points and so on. If you like the artist given, feel free to participate. Next up is artist #99 (My Morning Jacket). If you don't have 10 songs, you can still list no less than 5 songs for half the points.

There's a deadline of each Monday before the list is revealed. If you would like to give your list of 10, click on the image below to submit or on the sidepanel. Thanks!

Click On Image To email your Top 10 Favorite My Morning Jacket songs!

(deadline: Monday, 6/3/13 at midnight)
 

TUESDAY TOP TEN SERIES: Top Ten Counting Crows Songs

The TUESDAY TOP TEN SERIES features the artists 100 to 1 from our Top Artists of All Time tournament held here at station to station from March 2012-May 2013. Voters choose either 5 or 10 favorite songs from the artist featured every other Tuesday. Information on how to vote is available on the side panel of the page. First up at #100 is Counting Crows.

Artist #100: Counting Crows
Formed: Berkely, California,
Active: 1991-Present
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop Rock
Number Of LPs: 6 (Studio), 3 (Live), 2 (Compilations)
Number Of Singles: 20
Highest Charting LP in US: Recovering The Satellites #1 (1996)
Highest Charting LP In UK: Recovering The Satellites #4 (1996)
Highest Charting Songs: Mr. Jones #2 (US Billboard Hot 100, 1993), Accidentally In Love #3 (US Adult Alternative, 2004), Einstein On The Beach # 1 (US Alternative, 1995), Big Yellow Taxi #16 (UK Singles Chart, 2003)

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Counting Crows' Top 10 Songs:

1. Have You Seen Me Lately?
From The Album Recovering The Satellites (1996)

2. Mr. Jones
From The Album August And Everything After (1993)

3. Rain King

From The Album August And Everything After (1993)
4. A Murder Of One
From The Album August And Everything After (1993)

5. Hanginaround
From The Album This Desert Life (1999)

6. Anna Begins
From The Album August And Everything After (1993)

7. Angels Of The Silences
From The Album Recovering The Satellites (1996)

T8. American Girls

From The Album Hard Candy (2002)

T8. Sullivan Street

From The Album August And Everything After (1993)

10. Daylight Fading

From The Album Recovering The Satellites (1996)

*Based On Individual Votes From Contributors*

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Individual Lists:

TSOTD's 10:

1. American Girls

2. Mr. Jones

3. Hanginaround

4. Rain King

5. Daylight Fading

6. Round Here

7. If I Could Give All My Love (Richard Manuel Is Dead)

8. Hard Candy

9. Omaha

10. Have You Seen Me Lately
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Uncle Salty 10:
1. Hanginaround
2. A Murder Of One
3. Angels Of The Silences
4. Mr. Jones
5. Round Here
6. Have You Seen me Lately?
7. Rain King
8. Miami ***Salty's Needle in the Haystack (If you don't know this song you should)
9. Einstein On The Beach (For An Eggman)

10. Holidays In Spain
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Charlie's 5: (5 Points to 1 point for 5 songs)
1. Rain King
2. Big Yellow Taxi
3. Mr. Jones
4. Round Here
5. Hanginaround

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Trapper's 10:

1. Anna Begins

2. Goodnight Elizabeth

3. Have You Seen Me Lately

4. A Long December

5. If I Could Give All My Love (Richard Manuel Is Dead)

6. A Murder Of One

7. Sullivan Street

8. Perfect Blue Buildings

9. St. Robinson's Cadillac Dream

10. Mrs. Potter's Lullaby
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Dirty's 10:
1. Cowboys

2. Angels Of The Silences

3. She Don't Want Nobody Near

4. Mrs. Potter's Lullaby

5. A Long December

6. Mr. Jones

7. Einstein On The Beach (For An Eggman)

8. Omaha

9. Holidays In Spain

10. A Murder Of One
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JB's 10:
1. Sullivan Street
2. Amy Hit The Atmosphere
3. Rain King
4. Have You Seen Me Lately?
5. Anna Begins
6. Mr. Jones
7. American Girls
8. Angels Of Silences
9. Accidentally In Love
10. Einstein On The Beach (For An Eggman)
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JHO's 10:

1. A Murder Of One

2. Have You Seen Me Lately?

3. Daylight Fading

4. Recovering The Satellites

5. Anna Begins

6. Speedway

7. Rain King

8. Hanginaround

9. Omaha

10. Hanging Tree

#387: Pavement-Stereo (Top 500 Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

#387

(Top Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

Song: "Stereo"

Artist: Pavement

Release Date: February, 1997

From the Album: Brighten The Corners (1997)

Quick Take: "Stereo" is a single by the band Pavement, taken from the album Brighten the Corners. It was released by Domino Records in 1997. The catalogue number for the single is RUG-051. It contains two B-sides: "Westie Can Drum" and "Winner of The." It was released at the same time as the 7" version of the single, which contains a different B-side. This song would be released on Matador's 10th Anniversary compilation. NME ranks the song as the 15th best song of 1997.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

New Music Reviews: Deerhunter-Monomania

Deerhunter-Monomania

Average Score: 77

 [4AD]

Available At: Amazon MP3 & CD

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93 Paste
Don’t blink--no mere mid-career album, Monomania registers as an absolute impact event, a massive dirty blast marking the moment Deerhunter’s steady trajectory spins out of control.

Read Full Review

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90 No Ripcord
Taken as a whole, Monomania is arguably their most imposing, and by far their most courageous, proving that Deerhunter have a frontman who’s willing to open up his soul to fit the demands of the stage.

Read Full Review

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85 Under The Radar
Initially intending to discard the songs he wrote during that [dark] period, he instead salvaged many of them, which serve as something of a spiritual cleanse on the staggering Monomania.

Read Full Review

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83 The A.V. Club
Monomania feels less like a collection of songs that belong together and more like simply a group of great tunes.

Read Full Review

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83 Pitchfork
Monomania is certainly a strong effort on its own merits, and more importantly, they’ve avoided making their deflating “diminishing returns” record.

Read Full Review

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80 Pop Matters
It’s half as strange as anything Deerhunter or Atlas Sound has made before, but twice as reflective of, well, music.

Read Full Review

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75 Beats Per Minute
It may not reach the same creative highs or artistic wholeness of their previous releases, but in its own right, it can be just as enjoyable.

Read Full Review

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70 Tiny Mix Tapes
Monomania will be remembered as the album where Deerhunter veered from their carefully acquired sound as opposed to constructing a more pronounced encapsulation of it.

Read Full Review

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70 AllMusic

By turns raw and reflective, Monomania is about shaking things up; it's not as grand or cohesive as Microcastle or Halcyon Digest, but with repeated listens, its quick shifts in sound and mood feel more like different sides of the same coin than a split personality.

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70 Consequence Of Sound

It’s a cagey, manic record that tethers the band’s new-American muscle to Cox’s longstanding self-immolation.

Read Full Review

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50 Slant Magazine

Whereas both Deerhunter and Atlas Sound albums typically reflect the obsessive brilliance and meticulous pathos of Cox's personality, there's few signs of either on Monomania, which is in dire need of a little less impulse and a bit more OCD.

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#388: Living Colour-Cult Of Personality (Top 500 Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

#388

(Top Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

Song: "Cult Of Personality"

Artist: Living Colour

Release Date: July, 1988

From the Album: Vivid (1988)

Quick Take: "Cult of Personality" is a song by funk metal band Living Colour. It was the first single from their debut album, Vivid, released in 1988. The band's founder, Vernon Reid described the song as very special for the band not just for its commercial success but because it was essentially written in just one rehearsal session. The riff was stumbled upon while practicing something else and by the end of the session they had written what was to become Living Colour's best known song.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

Championship Match, Top Artists Of Al Time

We started with 1024 artists and 21 voters picking their favorite six artists each week and nibbled that number down to 256 through 32 different genres.

We then got some more voters in to play via Twitter and a couple of word mouth friends of new and old to get the panel up to 36 voters at times. The goal was to get the pool of 256 down to 68 artists with a 8 artist play in round with voters picking their six favorite artists again. We achieved that as well.

Then since late February, 33 voters (all who voted at least once or most every time) have chosen artists head to head who they like more through single elimination from the 64 remaining artists. To 32. To 16. To 8. To 4. And to 2.

Here's The Chamionship Match. As I told you via email, THANK YOU for your participation for keeping this idea afloat. I've got to see some great tastes in each and every voter as far as music goes. Some of you I see daily, some of you I haven't seen in months or many, many years and there's a handful of voters I've never even met before! Voters from 5 countries and 13 different states took part. One thing we all have in common, I believe, we all love music.

And it's good everyone doesn't think and vote the same. That would make us all robotic. The final two artists are the two that lasted the longer and one took the cake, no upset here. 

Thanks again! If you're particpating in The Top Songs Of The 80s, let me know. First ballot will be out in Mid June (maybe the 14th) if all goes to plan and we've got 20 willing opening round voters.

In the meantime, here's a final Top Artists Of All Time result and comments.

Championship Match

#(4) The Beatles 19

(3) Led Zeppelin 10

Voter Comments:
(The Beatles) Honestly neither band would be in my top five but I do recognise their achievements and commercial success. It's a difficult choice, I grew up listening to The Beatles as they were one of the few "pop" bands my Mum & Dad had on record. For me they were a singles band and I've got quite a bit of love for their best tracks, never got into the albums though and was always put off my the British music press' apparent need to constantly remind me how influential they are. Led Zep I discovered on my own. I got into rock & metal as a teenager and you had to work back and listen to the greats. I did have a phase where I really loved them, I went to see Jimmy Page in a solo live show (it was dreary) and worked my way through all their albums up to Houses Of The Holy. Nowadays I don't feel the need to listen to them at all. They're a little too bombastic and testosterone fueled for me. So, who to vote for?  I guess there's a reason the press bang on about The Beatles so much. They really did change the face of music and lay the foundation for many of the bands I really love now. Which is a long way of saying, against all odds and my own expectations, I'm voting for The Beatles. (CTF)

(The Beatles) Was there really much doubt the Fab Four were going to be in the finals from the start of this tourney?  Hard to choose Zeppelin over a band with such a diverse playlist, but after getting by the Stones matchup of the Final Four, and knowing I'd probably choose the Stones over Zep, the choice was clear. (BH)

(The Beatles) "They're like a vibrator," Charles Shaar Murray wrote about Led Zeppelin in 1975.  "It can get you off something ridiculous, but it can't kiss you goodnight."  Although many appreciate a good vibrator, it is just not the aural buffet of styles and experimentation undertaken by The Beatles.  The Beatles drew from numerous influences and have themselves served as an influence across many genres.  Innovative & exploratory, yet accessible & enduring, in this match up The Beatles have my vote for the Top Artist of All Time. (TSOTD)

(Led Zeppelin) For me, it boils down to who rocks, and that makes it a no-brainer: Led Zeppelin. (BCU)

(The Beatles) Very very comparable bands... Similar catalogs... Led Zep starts off stronger but that has a lot to do with The Beatles, who start steady and sprint off...then hit their stride and end in a flurry of greatness like a Zambelli Fireworks show after a Saturday night Pirate game...Look I Love love love some Led Zep... have their complete catalog and look forward to their new box set lps being rereleased... Oh wait the Beatles did that too... Damn... They did EVERYTHING....All while 'Sgts played amarchin tune' (Ed Sullivan Voice) Ladies and Gentlemen...THE BEATLES (JB)

(Led Zeppelin) ..though it should have been the Clash. I’m still sulking. (MM)

(The Beatles) I put off entering my answer as a protest...how the hell is Led Zeppelin still in this? How are they ground breaking? Their overplayed songs (all of them) are wonderful for fans of wizards and gypsies but sadly I grew up. (AC)

(Led Zeppelin) OK-- I'm going with Zeppelin. Each are rock legends in their own right. But, somewhow, Led Zeppelin seems worthy of the "Top Artist of All Time". Their entire sound is something that's massive, larger than life. From Plant's vocal gymnastics, to Page's heavy lifting on guitar, and John Bonham's name essentially becoming an adjective for thunderous drumming-- there's no question Zeppelin is the "biggest" rock band of all time. (MK)

(The Beatles) Not even close. This is like those Super Bowls where the NFC Dominated in the 90's. the only excitement is when Jimmy Page knocks the Gold Record out of John Lennon's hand ala Don Beebe/Leon Lett (SB)

(Led Zeppelin) No doubt about it for me. One of my all time favorites. Always has been, always will be! (AE)

(Led Zeppelin) Beatles are for "CHOICE WORD--RADIO EDIT". (SCHNIDES)

(The Beatles) I was hoping for a Rolling Stones v Beatles final. Settle the debate amongst this eclectic group. Hard to argue against The Beatles. Zeppelin was a brilliant band, but people can find fewer faults in The Beatles' members and their music than Zeppelin's. Some may grow weary of Plant's vocals, but you can't say the same about The Beatles. Ringo's simplistic drumming is really the only major thing that people would agree was a bottleneck of their sound. Some may argue that Ringo is the most steady drummer you'll hear, and that he's a strong point, rather than a deterrent. In the end, I have to vote for The Beatles because I feel their influence reaches further, and that they came along at the turning point of the modern age of music. Zeppelin also came along at a critical time and set the stage for more abrasive music, but not everyone cares for metal and the like. The Beatles and those they influenced play music that's more accessible to the masses. (TB)

(Led Zeppelin) Public perception vs. Reality. If you vote solely on public perception, you take The Beatles. Public perception would have you believe Prince makes great music because he can play 12 different instruments - how did that midget make it as far as he did in this tourney! Public perception in North Korea has Americans killing Jews back in the day instead of Nazis. The lesson here is, DON'T BELIEVE PUBLIC PERCEPTION! Led Zeppelin is hands down the greatest rock n' roll band of all time. I'm not quite sure what The Beatles are. The greatest pop act of all time? No, that would be Michael Jackson. Ramble On! The award for best commentary during the tournament goes to...Brad Brown! Thanks for keeping me entertained! (BCO)

(The Beatles) Not much more to say (sigh) .....  Honorable mention to Rolling Stones.... cant always get what you want. (JT)

(The Beatles) sorry, swamped with work, but it's gotta be the beatles. they had waaaay better drugs than Led Zeppelin. (BP)

(Led Zeppelin) Sheik picks Zeppelin. That is all. (BB)


Links:
Top Artists Of All Time (GENRE ROUNDS)
Top Artists Of All Time (SEMIFINAL ROUNDS) 
Top Artists Of All Time (FINALS)
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Ballots:
1. The Beatles
2. The Beatles
3. The Beatles
4. The Beatles
5. Led Zeppelin
6. Led Zeppelin
7. The Beatles
8. Led Zeppelin
9. The Beatles
10. The Beatles
11. The Beatles
12. The Beatles
13. Led Zeppelin
14. Led Zeppelin
15. The Beatles
16. The Beatles
17. The Beatles
18. The Beatles
19. Led Zeppelin
20. The Beatles
21. Led Zeppelin
22. The Beatles
23. The Beatles
24. The Beatles
25. The Beatles
26. Led Zeppelin
27. Led Zeppelin
28. Led Zeppelin
29. The Beatles

#389: Bob Marley-Could You Be Loved (Top 500 Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

#389

(Top Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

Song: "Could You Be Loved"

Artist: Bob Marley

Release Date: June, 1980

From the Album: Uprising (1980)

Quick Take: Written in the last year of his life and appearing on the rather disappointing Uprising, “Could You Be Loved” is certainly one of the outstanding tracks on that record, but as a love song it pales in comparison which such works as ”Waiting In Vain” and ”One Love/People Get Ready”. Lyrically, the song does not include anything particularly revelatory, but it does it’s job without getting in the way of the melody. Musically, the song is laid-back and charming, yet you do get the impression that Marley was going through the motions somewhat. He sounds tired throughout the song, and distinctly uninspired. Nevertheless, the song was one of the artist’s chart hits, and was especially popular in the UK.
Courtesy: Thomas Ward (allmusic.com)

#390: Jesus Jones-Right Here, Right Now (Top 500 Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

#390

(Top Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

Song: "Right Here, Right Now"

Artist: Jesus Jones

Release Date: September, 1990

From the Album: Doubt (1991)

Quick Take: "Right Here, Right Now" is a song written by Mike Edwards and recorded by the British band Jesus Jones from the album, Doubt. A single was released in September 1990, peaking at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it was a number one song on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1991. The song was inspired by events in Eastern Europe of the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Courtesy: Wikipedia

New Music Review: Akron/Family-Sub Verses

Akron/Family-Sub Verses

Average Score: 70

 [Dead Ocean Records]

Available At: emusic, Amazon MP3 & CD

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90 AllMusic

Sub Verses offers such a disciplined sense of exploration, multivalent nuance, and commitment in its production and performance; it stands out in an already very distinguished catalog.

Read Full Review

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70 Under The Radar
The explosion continues here, infused with a bit more darkness than these guys typically conjure up--heaviness, even.

[Mar-Apr 2013, p.90]

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70 Pitchfork
Sub Verses proves we shouldn't take Akron/Family for granted; their restlessness is rare.

Read Full Review

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68 Beats Per Minute
Akron/Family are never going to stop changing and you never really know what you’re gonna get, but they could perhaps do with a bit more cohesiveness and bit less grandiosity next time around.

Read Full Review

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60 Consequence Of Sound

The trio continue on that trajectory, the mystic chanting and ceremonial trances dancing through the scattering ash. Due to that cratered impact, everything on the album sounds urgent, an exhilarating feeling that takes a while to escape.

Read Full Review

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60 Pop Matters
It’s a beautiful, often striking temple, one with some wonderful surprises. In the end, though, you’re outside that temple listening in, the visitor that never quite gets to come inside.

Read Full Review

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#391: The Shins-Caring Is Creepy (Top 500 Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

#391

(Top Modern Rock Songs Of All Time)

Song: "Caring Is Creepy"

Artist: The Shins

Release Date: June, 2001

From the Album: Oh, Inverted World (2001)

Quick Take: "Caring Is Creepy" is the first song on The Shins' debut album Oh, Inverted World, released on June 19, 2001. It is notable because it is their first song as a signed band on the label Sub-Pop, serving as a first impression to a broader audience of listeners. The song appeared in the 2004 film Garden State, and on the soundtrack to the film, impacting both the film and the band in a large way.
Courtesy: Wikipedia