Ever woke up in the morning with a song in your head? That was the case this AM for me. The song? “It Kills” by indie rock icon Stephen Malkmus. Released last year on his third solo record, Face The Truth, the track is a slow rocker which features great guitar and vocals from the former member of Pavement.
Great, now I’m going to have it in my head all day.
Listen to a sound clip here.
I recommended my #1 rap song of all time a few days ago, so why don’t we talk about #2?
It wasn’t released by the Geto Boys until 1992 on their first “best of” compilation, Uncut Dope: Geto Boys’ Best, but it appeared on my limited rap radar in 1999 during my first viewing of the Mike Judge comedy, “Office Space.” The song is used brilliantly during the movie – I’m not sure I can describe it any better than this cat, so I’ll just quote him:
Against Geto Boys’ rap declaration “Damn, it Feels Good to be a Gangsta,” (Ron Livingston’s character, Peter) commits acts of small and liberating vandalism in the office, while management and serf alike are struck dumb by his unprecedented behavior. Eventually, his sense of entitlement becomes hubristic; he dares too much and risks a terrible end.
The song features a phat groove (that’s right – with a “ph”), a simple yet effective beat, and some graphic lyrics. The best verse comes at the end when one of the Boys raps from the point of view of the then-President Bush.
Listen to a song clip here.
For me to like a rap song, it has to have some considerable crossover potential. It needs a solid beat, a good groove and meaningful lyrics. “Quality Control” is my all-time favorite rap song, and even though I don’t really dance, this one gets me moving every time.
You can find it on their album, aptly named Quality Control.
Listen to a song clip here.
I’m a rock guy, but I wouldn’t mind hearing more rap like this – anyone have a suggestion?
The Mountain Goats are one of the more prolific and literate bands to be described as “indie rock.” Singer John Darnielle sounds a bit like Colin Meloy (of the Decemberists), which means his voice is pleasant, if a bit nasal. This track starts off with a nice piano riff before Darnielle starts to sing about a recent roadtrip. But the chorus – “I’m going to make it through this year / if it kills me” – is what drives the song.
Listen to a sound clip here.
Watch the full video here.
Originally released on the band’s 1971 album, Long Player, I first heard this song during an especially violent episode of “The Sopranos.” I believe it was when Steve Buscemi’s character deviated from his “going it straight” lifestyle to kill a man that had wronged him in the past.
The song made for a perfect soundtrack, with its lyrics “Mother don’t you recognize your son? / coming home, ’cause I failed you mother” sung by a not-yet-castrated Rod Stewart. (Stewart had loads of good rock in the early ’70s.) The song is all about falling from grace, and anyone who likes the Rolling Stones’ bluesy stuff from the late ’60s/early ’70s will probably enjoy this tune.
Listen to a song clip here.
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