Top 10 Brand New Songs

This week, Long Island rockers Brand New released "Mene," their first new song since before the turn of the decade, and a song that could very well one day end up on this list. Brand New have had one of the more interesting career trajectories in modern rock, starting as a drop in the ocean of pop-punk bands in the early '00's before blossoming into proficient post-hardcore leaders with 2006's The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me and, later, Daisy. The band has always claimed a large group of rabid followers, and recently have been shown a good deal of retrospective critical acclaim across the indie blogosphere. As someone who is a pretty big fan of the band (especially their later work), I'm very excited at the increasingly likely prospect of a new record, and figure now would be a good time to look back at the group's catalogue and attempt to pick out their ten best singles. While this list is dominated by tracks from the band's two latter albums, all of Brand New's music is worth checking out.

10. "Daisy" - Daisy (2009)

Kicking off our countdown is the self-titled track from the band's last full-length LP. Opening with an unsettling male voice leading some sort of choir shortly followed by an eerie soundbite of a small child speaking, "Daisy" is an atmospheric track about failure and inadequacy. Singer Jesse Lacey opens up the first verse by proclaiming, "I'm a mountain that has been moved/I'm a river that is all dried up," going on to compare himself to several other objects that have failed to serve their purpose. The child's dialogue splits the two verses, the second of which takes on a decidedly darker feel thanks to a low bass grumble and death-march drum pattern. "Daisy," like its eponymous album as a whole, is a slow-burner, but that doesn't make the flame any dimmer.

Top 10 Indie Love Songs

It's Valentine's Day and, depending on your relationship status, either your favorite or least favorite day of the year. Today we'll be looking at ten of my favorite love-struck songs from the realm of indie music. In the past, we've counted down the top ten songs with the word "love" in the title, but for originality's sake, no repeats from that list will show up here. Instead, today's post takes a less literal approach and focuses on songs about infatuation with a significant other. This means no break-up songs; that's a list for another day. The rankings were determined by a combination of each track's lyrical content and message, and the actual quality of the music. Lastly, as always, these lists are based on my personal tastes, and are in no way supposed to be taken as gospel.

10. Tegan and Sara - "Closer"



For our first entry, we jump to the poppier end of the indie spectrum, with Tegan and Sara's monster 2012 single "Closer." The twin-sister duo released the song ahead of their 2013 album Heartthrob, announcing their departure from their cutesy indie-folk style with billowing synthesizers and a colossal hook. "Closer" describes the complete relationship - one that's "not just all physical," where the speaker recognizes how special her partner is. The chorus will grab you right away and won't let go for a long time afterwards, just like the characters in this excellent depiction of young, uncomplicated love.

Top 10 Nirvana Songs

Nirvana are a band that've been extremely present as of late. This week, they're going to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Singer Kurt Cobain's ex-wife Courtney Love recently announced that her band Hole was reuniting. On a personal level, my term paper on grunge's effects on society, much of which is centered on the story of Nirvana and Cobain, is due next week.

Of course, the biggest reason Nirvana's name has been everywhere lately is because this week marks 20 years since the end of Nirvana, as Cobain was discovered deceased at his home on April 8th, 1994, twenty years ago today. The news of the tortured singer's suicide shocked the world much like word of Lennon's murder did over a decade prior, though there warning signs ahead of time, unlike the latter's sudden death. Regardless, the tragic end to the career of grunge's kings cemented their place in history as one of if not the greatest alternative act of all time. As such, whittling down their catalog to a measly ten tracks was no walk in the park. This list might seem In Utero-heavy, but that's largely because it's widely accepted as their best and most time-withstanding work. And to prove my point, here's number ten...

10. "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle" - In Utero

For those who wonder why In Utero is known for its abrasiveness and viscerality, look no further. Dry guitars and Cobain's gravelly vocal each stand out on this track, and the harsh feedback during the verse does its job dutifully. The track follows the quiet-loud-quiet format to a tee. Dave Grohl also pounds heavily behind the drumkit in one of the group's loudest, most violent songs. It's not Nirvana at their most commercially appealing by any means, but it is one of their best nonetheless.

9. "Serve the Servants" - In Utero

To kick off Nirvana's third and final studio album, Kurt Cobain howls possibly the greatest opening lyric in rock history: "Teenage angst has paid off well," he admits, before lamenting "now I'm bored and old." The lyric perfectly encapsulated not only what was going on in terms of pop culture and grunge's increasing role in it, but also Kurt's attitude towards his newfound fame and influence. The song comes off as more tame, more composed compared to "Frances Farmer," which gives it just that extra bit of quality. Cobain's guitar work here is some of his best, whether it's the crunchy opening riff or the more free-flowing solo. The quiet-loud song structure is reversed, as Kurt's screaming in the verses shrinks into a timid moan for the eponymous chorus. "Serve the Servants" kicks off the album in style, via a dirty, unglamourous grunge crawl.

8. "Rape Me" - In Utero

Due to its provocative title, "Rape Me" is far and away Nirvana's most controversial track, which is odd considering the lyrics are extremely anti-rape. But ,of course, some people will always judge a book by its cover or, in this case, a song by its title. Though "Heart-Shaped Box"'s music video was definitely, let's say, "out there," and the subject matter was just as sexual (according to Courtney Love), it's "Rape Me" that had Walmart and KMart aflutter. Ironically, the song is one of In Utero's most commercially viable, following a relatively standard structure with a powerful chorus and pulsating beat. The guitar riff is fantastic, and the entire song has a somewhat straightforward punk sound to it. "Rape Me" is a classic grunge song, and is probably the closest thing to Nevermind-era Nirvana you can find on In Utero.

7. "About a Girl" - Bleach & MTV Unplugged


Nirvana's pop tendencies were evident from the beginning, as this track from their 1989 debut Bleach clearly indicates. I've included both the original recording and the live acoustic version here, as both a thoroughly entertaining in different ways. The catchy chorus, simple instrumentation, and addictive melody all come together wonderfully in the plugged-in version, which still sounds great twenty-five years on. The MTV show that Nirvana played is one of the most famous in history - how many other concert recordings are regularly played on rock radio? The trio lead off on this famous night with an acoustic rendition of "About A Girl," setting the tone perfectly for the rest of the show. The prettier acoustic guitars and soft drums put all the focus on Kurt's voice, changing the emphasis of the song significantly. I'd be hard-pressed to declare one take better than the other, and would rather just enjoy each for what they are, by which I mean two amazing pieces of music.

6. "On a Plain" - Nevermind

Nevermind's penultimate listed track and final 'loud' song (as its followed by the quite closer "Something in the Way") will leave you wanting more after the disc stops spinning. "On a Plain" jumps straight in after a bit of feedback, with the first verse kicking off quite suddenly. Cobain's riff is great, and the chorus is catchy. Grohl's drumming is substantially above average once again, particularly those thumping tom-toms during the refrain of "I'm on a plain." Lyrics such as "love myself better than you" show off Cobain's salty side as well as his unique songwriting ability. It's a wonder this seemingly commercially viable track didn't get more radio play, but that doesn't stop it from being an excellent example of Nirvana in their Nevermind phase.

5. "All Apologies" - In Utero

Here's another track that is perhaps better known by its acoustic version, however, I've elected for the electrified edition of In Utero's final notes. While the MTV Unplugged performance is beautiful in its own right, I think the contrast between the extremely quiet verses and explosive chorus plays a particularly pivotal role here, perhaps more so than in any other Nirvana single, save "Smells Like Teen Spirit." In the verse, Cobain is upset but not necessarily angry, as he ponders his faults ("I wish I was like you") and asks questions like "what else should I be?" While it could be interpreted as passive-aggressive ("I'll take all the blame" and other lines like it could easily be interpreted as sarcastic), there's still no direct conflict involved. The bashful guitar riff and subdued drum beat back up this idea suitably. The chorus then brings an eruption of sound, with distorted guitars and Cobain's classic cry taking over. "All Apologies" manages to fit despair, regret, anger, self-blame, and even some philosophy ("all in all is all we are") into a stunning four-minutes.

4. "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" - MTV Unplugged

The only performance of Nirvana's on MTV Unplugged to surpass the kick-starter, "About A Girl," is the closer, the absolutely breathtaking cover of Lead Belly's arrangement of an old folk song. Cello plays a prominent role in the build up to the song's stunning epicenter, as do two excellently-played verses. For a moment, everything drops but Cobain's whisper and quiet guitar. Then, unexpectedly, the late singer unleashes a desperate, shrieking, emotional plea, asking his love about a possible infidelity. The moment is even more powerful when seen on video, as Kurt's frail frame and sad blue eyes really paint a picture of what's going on behind the scenes with his troubled marriage. No one expected this kind of performance from the loud, wild grunge-punks from Seattle, but everybody was thankful for it once it came.

3. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Nevermind

Goodness, where to start. Well, if you don't know the deal with "Smells Like Teen Spirit," you might want to pay a bit more attention. Even for those who weren't alive to see it happen, myself included, it's well established that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is the song that kicked off Nirvana's career, launched the grunge movement into the public eye at blistering speeds, and defined a generation of disaffected youth. "Teen Spirit" is possibly the most commonly analyzed song on Earth, a rare example of a piece of music that was and is hugely successful both commercially and critically. From the iconic drum into to Cobain's riff, to the instantly recognizable chorus, to the final wail of "let it die out," "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is an amazing song through and through. I don't have much else to say that hasn't already been said a thousand times before, except that it's quite remarkable that there could be two Nirvana songs better than this one, even if this list is completely subjective.

2. "Pennyroyal Tea" - In Utero

To be frank, much of Nirvana's discography is musically simple at first glance, and "Pennyroyal Tea" definitely falls under that categorization. A calm verse and loud chorus is nothing new for Nirvana, but on this track they do it particularly well. The chorus is one of their best, and the instrumental breakdown halfway through is outstanding in its sluggishness. The raw vocals are especially poignant during the bridge just after the solo, acting as a quiet before the final chorus's raucous storm. I also love the acoustic version, which is just Cobain on vocals and guitar, but it just missed the cut for me. I'm finding that it's hard to explain why I love this song so much, so hopefully the music can speak for itself.

1. "Heart-Shaped Box" - In Utero

Simply put, "Heart-Shaped Box" is in my humble opinion the greatest thing Nirvana ever did. Every single component of this song just works. The creepy guitar pattern creates a certain, definite mood of anticipation and uneasiness, matching the cryptic lyrics. The classic quiet-loud-quiet format is at work once again, with a volatile two-part chorus standing out among the group's other refrains. Between the crazed "Hey! Wait!" shouts and the sardonic "forever in debt to your priceless advice," the chorus is full of emotion. Cobain's growl was perhaps never better employed than here. Though the guitar solo simply mimics the melody, the distortion gives it that slightly-off feel that the song needs. "Heart-Shaped Box" is infectious, and while Kurt claims he's been locked in for four weeks, music fans have been trapped by the single for twenty years, and happily so.

Honorable mentions: "Pennyroyal Tea" (MTV Unplugged version), "School," "Dumb," "Scentless Apprentice," "Come As You Are," "Lithium," "The Man Who Sold the World"

Top 15 Long Songs

Every now and again, an artist feels restricted by the expectation that a song will last somewhere between three and five minutes. Often, musicians (some more than others) will fight this sense of constriction by crafting works significantly lengthier than average. Such songs must be approached by the listener in a different manner. Depending on the style, exceptionally long tracks can put added emphasis on certain aspects of music. Some marathon-like songs are intended to build up and up to an ultimate cathartic release; some are supposed to drift along, allowed the listener to let his or her mind wander blissfully; still others consist of several different parts, indicating that the performer had plenty of ideas to fit into one piece.

Today, I will be looking at these sort of songs, and listing what I consider to be the best among them. In order for a track to qualify for this countdown, it needed to be at least seven minutes long, a length I chose because it's roughly twice as long as a typical pop song and also because it narrowed down the field substantially. Some songs that just missed the cut due to their sub-seven-minute runtime but would be considered otherwise include My Bloody Valentine's "Soon," "Whirring" by the Joy Formidable, and Radiohead's "Paranoid Android." The song's listed runtime on iTunes was the data used. The selection and ranking processes was based on a combination of my personal taste and general cultural recognition and importance. I limited the choices to one entry per artist as well. Additionally, in keeping with the extra-long theme, I've decided to make this countdown a top fifteen rather than the usual top ten. Enjoy.

15. "Wasted Days" - Cloud Nothings


Back when I reviewed Attack on Memory, I talked about "Wasted Days" as one of the album's standout moments. The fast-paced guitar riff melts away after a few minutes into the wild instrumental midsection, complete with cataclysmic drums and eerie atmospheric noise. Dylan Baldi's primal screams during the finale mark a violent end to a visceral track, one you'll hardly notice lasts nine minutes.

14. "I Am the Resurrection" - The Stone Roses


"I Am the Resurrection" starts as a typical 'Madchester' single, with a march-along drum beat, echoed vocals, and sunny guitars. However, once the vocals disappear and the funky bassline takes over, the song transforms into a part-jazz, part-Britpop instrumental breakdown that lasts over four minutes. Congas join the standard drum kit as John Squire gets a little experimental with his guitar playing, which remains some of the flashiest found on any Stones Roses record. Switching between quiet and loud on several occasions, the outro is a major reason why this track is one of the most famous to come of the Manchester scene.

Top 10 Frontwomen in Rock

Unfortunately, for much of rock music's history, women were under-represented as most bands had had all-male members. Still, the years have given us our fair share of great female band leaders. In celebration of International Women's Day, I'll be counting down my top ten favorite female singers in rock and alternative music history. For this list, I've excluded singers who were/are known primarily as solo artists (sorry Janis Joplin and Sky Ferreira). However, the definition of a "frontwoman" is a loose one, as several of the singers featured on this list often had male companions at the mic, but would at least sporadically have a song to herself. Lastly, in addition to a description of each singer, I've embedding a track of theirs that I feel showcases their vocal prowess most successfully. And remember, as always, this is just my opinion. Let's dive right in.

10. Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill)


This ferocious punk-rocker was at the head of the Riot Grrrl movement, as her band Bikini Kill took a leading role in the counter-culture. Closely tied in with grunge, Riot Grrrl brought significant social change wherever it thrived, advocating for gender and sexual equality, and even facilitated the resurgence of feminism in the United States. Hanna's distinct snarl and tongue-in-cheek lyrics played a significant role in the genre's rise to prominence, and she may be the most politically significant person on this list.

Top 10 The Smiths Songs

Thirty years ago this past Thursday, Manchester-based music icons The Smiths released their self-titled debut. Rather than doing (another) anniversary post, I've decided to take a broader look at the group's discography by ranking their ten best songs. This list is by no means definitive, especially considering the excellent body of work the band put together in just five years.

10. "Death of a Disco Dancer" - Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)

For their last full-length release, The Smiths decided to implement more jam-style songs. "Death of a Disco Dancer" is the prime example of how the usually clean-cut, fine-tuned group break out of their predetermined formula and improvise a little. It's the only Smiths song to feature famed lead singer Morrissey on a instrument, as he plays some jingling piano under Johnny Marr's punchy guitar strumming. It may not be the most put-together track by The Smiths, nor the most typical, but that's what makes it special.

Top 75 Songs of 2013

With very little music expected to be released this December, and as other music blogs beginning their 2013 round-up processes, I figured I'd do the same. To start, I'll be ranking (though not reviewing) my seventy-five favorite songs of this calendar year below & embedding a Spotify playlist containing each song listed descending from #1 down to #75. Feel free to post your top 10's/20's etc. in the comments below, and expect a more in-depth countdown of 2013's best records over the course of December.

75. Vampire Weekend - "Hannah Hunt"

74. Nine Inch Nails - "Various Methods of Escape"

73. Deerhunter - "Back to the Middle"

72. Pearl Jam - "Mind Your Manners"

71. Sky Ferreira - "24 Hours"

70. CHVRCHES - "The Mother We Share"

69. Washed Out - "Weightless"

68. Balance and Composure - "Reflection"

67. HAIM - "Forever"

66. Washed Out - "Entrance"

World Cup 2014 - Top 10 Most Likely Winners

This week, Uruguay's draw with Jordan granted them the last spot in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, the most watched sporting event on Earth. With all 32 teams set to compete, it's time to take an early look at which national squads are most likely to bring the trophy back to their home country next summer.

10. Portugal

Anything's possible for Portugal so long as Cristiano Ronaldo is leading their side. This past week's playoff second-leg against Sweden proved just that, as the dazzling winger slotted home a hat trick on top of his goal in the first leg. Other strong players in the squad include box-to-box midfielder João Moutinho and Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio. If Manchester United winger Nani can recapture the form he displayed a couple of years ago, Portugal will be a real force in the upcoming tournament.

9. Colombia

This South American nation's biggest star is undeniably AS Monaco's Radamel Falcao. Considered by many to be the best pure striker in the world, Falcao will have help up top from the likes of Jackson Martinez, currently at FC Porto, and James Rodriguez, a brilliant young attacking midfielder/winger who also plays for Monaco. The chemistry between James and Falcao should be stellar, as they'll have played a year of club and international ball together by the time June rolls around. Midfielder Fredy Guarin and defenders Christian Zapata and Pablo Armero will bring both strength and quickness to the squad, all three playing in Italy this season. The lineup does drop off a little after that, however, and Colombia might not have enough in them to make it farther than the quarterfinals.

8. Uruguay

Despite needing a playoff victory over Jordan to even qualify, Uruguay will be a force to reckon with in 2014. The clear strong point in the team is the attacking duo of Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani. Both bring great pace to the team as well as incredible on-the-ball skills and finishing ability. Veteran forward Diego Forlan may be 34 but shone in 2010's World Cup, so there's a chance he scores a few in Brazil next year. Team captain Diego Lugano heads the defense with help from Juventus player Martin Caceres and Diego Godin. Like Colombia, Uruguay pretty much rely on their strikers and lack any superstars in midfield or defense, and thus could very well fall short of the last tournament's fourth place finish.

7. Netherlands

The Dutch squad had a very successful qualifying process this cycle after reaching the 2010 final in South Africa, but admittedly had a very weak group in the UEFA qualifiers and have aged since losing out to Spain last tournament. The Netherlands are one of the oldest national teams going to Brazil, which has both benefits and drawbacks. Players like Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie, and Wesley Sneijder bring loads of experience against world-class opposition, but all three are somewhat injury-prone and slower than they used to be. RVP is undoubtedly one of Europe's best scorers, and Robben plays a pivotal role for a Bayern squad that won the Champions League last season, but Sneijder has dropped in form over the last year or so. Roma summer signee Kevin Strootman will look to fill that central midfield role if Sneijder struggles, as youngsters like Maro Van Ginkel, Adam Maher, and Leroy Fer will hope to break into the first team. Defense is, as with the other teams already mentioned, the biggest concern here. Johnny Heitinga has been seeing minimal play time at Everton since 2012, and will be extremely rusty come June. Gregory van der Wiel has talent but is also young and prone to error. To make matters worse, first choice keeper Maarten Stekelenburg has struggled mightly at relegation candidates Fulham this season, and may be dropped for fellow Prem goalies Tim Krul or Michael Vorm. A supremely physical team, the Netherlands definitely have a shot at the world title, but are far from the favorites.

6. Argentina

Lionel Messi is unstoppable for Barcelona (unless his quads have anything to say about it), but has yet to show the same immaculacy for his country. He failed to score for Argentina in South Africa, though he was credited with six assists in five games. Next summer, he'll most likely play as a center forward behind any combination of strikers Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, or the red-hot Sergio Aguero. Aguero's teammate at Manchester City Pablo Zabaleta will anchor the back four. Javier Mascherano is used more effectively as a center back but may play midfield alongside Angel di Maria and Ever Banega. If Messi performs at the same level he does in La Liga, then Argentina could wreak havoc at Brazil 2014.

5. Italy

After unceremoniously bowing out in the group stage in 2010, failing to win a single game (in a remarkably easy group as well), Cesare Prandelli's crew look set to challenge for the World Cup in a few months. Extremely talented but equally unpredicable forward Mario Balotelli did well in the Euro 2012 matches as well as this past summer's Confederations Cup, but his giant ego and tendency to self-destruct could hurt Italy more than his ability on the pitch can help. Antonio Di Natale has retired from international play since the last World Cup, so Balotelli will look to Giuseppe Rossi and fellow AC Milan sparkplug Stephan El Shaarawy for assistance up top. The amazingly skilled and generally beloved Andrea Pirlo will be a force in midfield as well as on set pieces. Fellow Serie A veterans Daniele De Rossi and Ricardo Montolivo round out the central midfield roles. In the back, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon provides leadership as well as skill, while defenders Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, and Giorgio Chiellini sit in front of him. Italy are one of the most well-rounded teams in the world, and should have a great chance to return to the glory of their 2006 victory after 2010's dismal performance.

4. Belgium

Belgium is everyone's favorite dark horse this World Cup, and how could they not be? Young strikers Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke have been nothing short of outstanding in the Premier League this calendar year, and the team in general is a joy to watch. Thibaut Cortois and Simon Mignolet may split time in net, and a star-studded midfield will see rotation between Eden Hazard, Maroune Fellaini, Moussa Dembele, and Axel Witsel, among others. Vincent Kompany is one of the best defenders on the planet when healthy, and Jan Vertonghen is no slouch either. The team could employ several different formations depending on the situation, with 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1, and 4-3-3 all possibilities.If head coach Marc Wilmots uses the flexibility granted to him effectively, Belgium could become the second consecutive first-time World Cup champions after Spain won their first ever trophy in 2010.

3. Spain

Spain dominated international soccer/football from 2008-2012, but in last June's Confederations Cup final, a strong Brazilian team fully dismantled the reigning world champs, exposing them to the rest of the world as vulnerable. Teams have had more time to adjust to their passing style of gameplay as more and more club teams have employed the so-called "tiki-taka" approach. Nevertheless, this is largely the same team that won in South Africa. Striker Alvaro Negredo has taken his game to the next level at Manchester City, and about half of the starting eleven still play together at a little club called FC Barcelona. Xabi Alanso, Juan Mata, and Sergio Ramos join FCB stars Gerard Pique, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Jordi Alba. Whether recently-benched Iker Casillas starts over Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina is a question worth pondering, but all three will contribute strong efforts. Spain are still a very strong side, but are not immortal as they appeared to be just four years ago.

2. Germany

The German national squad is one of the deepest in the world; if one player goes down injured, five more talented ones are waiting in the wings. Mario Gomez is a clinical finisher up top, and looks to fill the role Miroslave Klose shone brightly in during the tournament in South Africa. A stacked midfield utilizes Bundesliga stars like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sven Bender, Thomas Muller, Ilkay Gundogan, Mario Gotze, Toni Kroos, and Marco Reus. Premier Leaguers Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil add playmaking ability to the aformentioned midfielding corps. Philipp Lahm can control a game both offensively and defensively when operating from the right back position, while center backs Per Mertesacker and Mats Hummels can shutdown enemt attacks with ease. Goalie Manuel Neuer is arguably the best in the world. In short, Germany have no weak link, and only one country prevents them from being the favorites for the upcoming world cup.

1. Brazil

After winning the Confederations Cup, all eyes are on the Brazil national team going into 2014. Having homefield advantage is an added bonus to a team already claiming the likes of Barcelona starlet Neymar, acrobatic keeper Julio Cesar, and world-class defender Thiago Silva. All three will play pivotal roles in the tournament if Brazil hope to win the title for a world-record sixth time. Neywar will play on the wing, as will strong-footed and aptly-named Zenit St. Petersburg stud Hulk, with one of Brazilian league strikers Jo and Fred sitting between them. They'll likely set up in a 4-3-3, with Luis Gustavo, Paulinho, and Ramires splitting time at defensive midfielder while Oscar, Hernanes, and Bernard share duties at CAM. Speedy PSG youngster Lucas Moura may take some of Hulk's minutes, and footballing legend Ronaldinho hopes to make a triumphant return to the Brazil squad next summer. The defense looks strong as well, lining up from left to right with Marcelo, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, and Dani Alves. Brazil are a frontrunner in every World Cup, and in 2014 they should be the frontrunner.

Top 10 Radiohead Songs

This week's countdown features a list of my ten favorite songs by my all-time favorite band, Radiohead. With such a large discography and so many varying musical styles, the final shortlist was very eclectic. Let's dive in.

10. "The Bends" - The Bends  (1995)



The title track off Radiohead's second album, which many see as their first truly fantastic output, "The Bends" is a rip-roaring rocker that's just weird enough to let you know this band is special. Thom Yorke's stammered vocals gel nicely with Jonny Greenwood's arena-sized guitar riff.  "Where do we go from here?" asks Yorke earnestly. Little did he know that where Radiohead would "go" would soon be straight up to the top of the indie world. The whole song is big, and remains one of the band's best straightforward rock tracks.

Continue the list by clicking the "read more" button below.

Top 10 "Love" Songs

Love is by far the most common subject a song is written about. It's a universal theme that transcends generations and will never come close to going away. So, naturally, lots of musicians make it the focus of their music.

But this list is not going to countdown songs about love; that's a pretty insurmountable task, considering the volume of songs that would qualify. Instead, today I'm listing my top ten songs with the word "love" (or some variation of it) in the title. Yes, it's a pretty open, loosely-related category, but that just allows for a more eclectic bunch of tunes to be featured. It may only be a trivial shared characteristic, but I still think it'll make for an interesting lineup.

Top 10 Guitar Solos

When I decided to make this week's countdown on my ten favorite guitar solos, I had no idea about the heftiness of the task ahead of me. The preliminary list included nearly 60 songs, and the process of whittling those down to just ten was arduous at best. Before we jump into the list, I want to make a few clarifications. Firstly, these are my top ten favorite guitar solos, meaning this list will probably look different from other lists you've seen. Sure, songs like "Crazy Train" and "Purple Haze" have legendary solos that other artists aspire to match, but those have been analyzed and broken down repeatedly. I didn't want this post to just be a rehash of every other guitar solo countdown you've seen before, so nothing made the list solely based on status. While I took this into account, the list was more or less created based on which guitar solos I enjoy most. This means that I considered everything from how the solo sounds aesthetically, how difficult it was to write and compose, and how it fits into the song, among other points. Also, I limited the list to one song per artist. So without further ado, I present my top ten favorite guitar solos.

10. Grizzly Bear - "Fine For Now"


Solo starts at 4:25

Grizzly Bear is a band not particularly known for its instrumental brilliance, but rather its vocal harmonies and sweeping flourishes of sound. But on this track from 2009's Veckatimest, the group decides to finish with a bang. Guitarist/vocalist Daniel Rossen steps into the spotlight with a flurry of quickly-strummed high notes, accentuated by Christopher Bear's sweeping crash cymbals. In fact, the drums here play as big a part as the guitars by flying around the track and generating a sense of chaos.

9. System of a Down - "Lonely Day"


Solo starts at 1:35

I am by no means a metal head, but SOAD's unique blend of aggressive lyrics, heavy drums, and hypnotizing harmonies has always drawn me in. "Hypnotize" is my favorite SOAD song, thanks to the reasons above, but it's "Lonely Day"'s guitar solo that impresses me most out of their discography. What makes it stand out to me is not only its amazing technical ability (it's a monster of a solo), but that it achieves something very rare in rock music, especially metal: a sad-toned guitar solo that still sounds great. Most solos are either gloriously triumphant-sounding or just to show off, but on "Lonely Day" guitarist Daron Malakian plays in such a way that the solo perfectly complements the song's dreary, hopeless feeling, while still managing to blow you away.

8. Foo Fighters - "Best of You"


Solo starts at 2:00

For a long time, "Best of You" was my favorite song. While it remains in my remarkably nonvolatile top 5, it has dropped behind by the likes of The Joy Formidable, Brand New, and Radiohead (twice).So while sentimental value & personal taste may (probably) be clouding my judgement on this one just a bit, I still feel that "Best of You" deserves a spot on this list. Sure, there's nothing too complicated here, just various power chords being played repeatedly in long strings, really quickly. But, yet again, it's the role of the solo in the song that helps it gain a spot on my top 10. "Best of You," and most Foo Fighters songs in general, relies on raw energy and power to gets its message across and give the listener a pleasurable listening experience. This fast-paced, upbeat solo plays into that idea well, despite not being the most technically or intellectually challenging solo around. And, besides, when it's all said and done, this solo flat-out rocks. And isn't that what Foo Fighters are for?

7. Pavement - "Gold Soundz"


Solo starts at 1:17

I wrote in detail about this song, and particularly its guitar solo, at length in my look back at Pavement's classic Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. And, since pageviews are my friend, I won't go into too much detail here, other than to say the brilliance here is that this guitar solo actually features three different guitar parts overlaying each other, weaving in and out of the mix. One riff will step to the foreground before eagerly making way for another to take center stage. Click the blue text here or above when I referenced the previous article to visit it & read more about "Gold Soundz" and the album as a whole, one of my prouder pieces of writing thus far.

6. Led Zeppelin - "Stairway to Heaven"


Solo starts at 5:50

Yeah, remember when I said that no solo would make the list because of how famous it is? That rule still stands. Though it's truly iconic and is often recognized as one of the greatest of all time, that's not why Jimmy Page's solo on the equally legendary "Stairway to Heaven" made it in my top 10. It made my top 10 because it's a truly amazing piece, and definitely one of my favorites to listen too. "Stairway" is known for its slow build-up, and Page's guitar outburst is the climax of the song. It's only fitting that one of the best songs ever by one of the best bands ever contains one of the best guitar solos (you guessed it) ever. (Lesser songs and less famous solos ranked higher, but  remember, these are my favorites, not the world's favorites. Take it with a grain of salt.)

5. The Strokes - "The Modern Age"


Solo starts at 1:45

The second track on this New York band's debut smash Is This It utilizes eastern influences in its guitar part. The solo starts off unassumingly enough before launching into a full-fledged guitar onslaught. One of the common (yet few) criticisms of The Strokes is that their instrumentals and song structures are too simple. But, after the technically brilliant guitar work on "The Modern Age," that argument gets thrown out the window. The solo catches you off guard, and that's what makes it so much more enjoyable.

4. Dinosaur Jr. - "Watch the Corners"


Solos start at 2:27, 3:25

One of the hardest decisions I had to make when composing this list was choosing between this and "Feel the Pain," in order to follow the one-song-per-artist rule. Thus, I wanted give a quick nod to "Feel the Pain"'s joyful burst of guitar majesty before diving into "Watch the Corners." This track from Dino Jr.'s most recent release, 2012's I Bet on Sky, contains not one but two lengthy, eardrum-exploding, wailing guitar solos. J Mascis has been impressing fans with his skills ever since the group's 1985 debut. Now on their tenth studio album, Dinosaur Jr. brings the good yet again, and this is most noticable in the dual solos in "Watch the Corners." The song is a wash of muddy, low-toned power chords over Mascis' famous droning vocal style. Not only are the technical and aesthetic aspects here astounding, but the production is as well. The way the higher notes are distorted to almost a shriek is tremendously rewarding. The first solo makes way for a short acoustic reprieve, and though technically not a "solo," Mascis free-forms during the final chorus as well before finishing the song with a blazing part. Dinosaur Jr. hasn't lost its sound over its nearly three-decade-spanning career, and that's very apparent on "Watch the Corners."

3. The Joy Formidable - "Maw Maw Song"


Solo starts at 3:49

The Joy Formidable are a band that thrive most when the step back and let the instrumentals take over and ride out the end of the track. Though songs like "Whirring" and "Austere" do it even better, those boisterous, alt-rock freakouts are just as much about the drum parts as the guitar lines, which largely consist of power chords, not really qualifying them as "solos" persay. That is not the case, however, on "Maw Maw Song." The focus here is clearly on frontwoman Ritzy Bryan's magnificient talents as almost half the track is devoted to this epic solo. While the beginning is still great listening and impressive, the real attention-grabbing stuff that makes you recognize Bryan's ability starts about a minute in the solo (around the 4:45 mark in the above video.) This Welsh group's album The Big Roar (not not containing this track, from this year's Wolf's Law) perfectly summarizes their sound, and "Maw Maw" shows you why.

2. Brand New - "Limousine"


Solo starts at 5:42

The solo in this song, like so many others in this list, represents the culmination of all the emotions built up earlier in the track. However, where earlier efforts have been grand, joyful excursions, "Limousine" is a tragic one. A true story about a young girl who was killed by a drunk driver, the 2006 track takes the perspective of several people involved in the wreck, including the drunk driver and the victim's mother. It contains several parts and emotions, varying from sorrow to guilt to fury. The build up to the solo contains a repeated refrain of " I love you so much," with the number preceding the lyric continuing to go up until 7, victim Kate Flynn's age when she was killed. With each repetition, singer Jesse Lacey sounds more desperate and devastated. The final time is the most chaotic of all, with horns blaring as Lacey screams "I can't take it" before the guitar solo is unleashed. It truly is an extremely powerful song, and though the solo doesn't come until the end of the track, I wholeheartedly recommend you watch the entire video to feel the song's full effect.

Rest in peace, Katie Flynn.

1. Radiohead - "Paranoid Android"


Solos start at 3:04, 5:38

What more is there to say? Well, if you haven't read my full-length track-by-track review of OK Computer, I'll tell you pretty much all you need to know. "Paranoid Android" is yet another track with shifting movements, of which the guitar solos are the most energetic and frantic. Jonny Greenwood is a genius on the guitar, and shows it all off on this song. Cool sound effects added post-production are scattered throughout the 1997 record, and the guitar solos here employ them well. Indie rock's "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Paranoid Android" relies on its schizophrenia and Greenwood's performance contributes outstandingly. A true work of art, the solos in "Paranoid Android" are my favorite of all time.

Well, that about does it. A lot of work went into crafting this list and I appreciate anyone who's read this far. Hopefully you enjoyed my list, and maybe learned a thing or two. Feel free to post your own top 10's in the comments below, and thanks for reading.