(It's Day Three of our look at some quality songs that couldn't crack the Top 100. The full list of my 100 Songs for 2010 will be available December 6.)
The phrase "overrated" never seems totally accurate to me. Most of the time people use it when they mean "not good at all." When I say that I think these songs are a little overrated, what I really mean is that I like them, but I just don't like them as much as most people seem to. These bands and songs will be on a LOT of year-end lists. The fact that they didn't make mine shouldn't be seen as too much of a slight. I get the hype, to some degree. Just maybe not ALL of it.
Best Coast - "When I'm With You"
There seem to be a lot of lo-fi girl groups out there, and I'm not exactly sure how Best Coast came out on top of that heap. Somehow, though, Bethany and the girls have become an internet sensation, probably responsible for about a quarter of all traffic over at Hipster Runoff. If we've learned anything, it's that "Snacks" is an excellent name for a cat.
Surfer Blood - "Floating Vibes"
Formerly known as Jabroni Sandwich, I think we can all agree that, no matter how good these guys get, their best decision as a band was getting rid of that name.
2009's "Swim (To Reach the End)" was a Weezer-inspired reverb classic, while this one adds Shins phrasing to a guitar sound that is quickly becoming a defining characteristic of the band. Played an unexpectedly excellent set at Treasure Island, too.
Drums - "Down by the Water"
Lead single "Let's Go Surfing" just screamed "one hit wonder" to me, but follow-up tunes like this one point to a band that might be sticking around for a while. I'm okay with that.
Crystal Castles - "Not In Love"
Just weird, weird music. The kind of music that really feels like it's altering my brain when I listen to it on headphones with the volume all the way up (especially songs like "Air War" or "Untrust Us"). And there's an alternate version of this song featuring vocals from Robert Smith of the Cure, proving that he is still the best in the world at singing the word "fascination."
Local Natives - "Airplanes"
After the massive success of Animal Collective in 2009, it was no surprise that labels, magazines, and blogs went out hunting for more bands with a similar sound. And I'm not saying that Local Natives are callously ripping off Animal Collective, but I AM saying that they sound a LOT like Avey, Panda, and the boys. So ... recommended if you like that kind of thing.
Robert Smith singing with Crystal Castles makes a lot more sense than when he appeared on a Blink 182 albumn a few years back.
ReplyDeleteVery true. I think he should just join the band, like how Johnny Marr is a full member of Modest Mouse now.
ReplyDeleteI still can't get over Johhny Marr being a member of modest mouse. I mean I bet they all idolized him and Marr was thinking unless I get back with Morrisey, Modest Mouse is easily the best option for me. It is one of those situations in life that you hear about and it shocks you then you take a second and give it thought and it makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteSmith though can sell out Arenas still with the Cure, though they haven't put out any good music since BloodFlowers. (I still hold out hope that he has one more masterpiece left though)
The Blink collaboration made no sense. What would make sense is if he sang with AFI. AFI covers the cure really well and Davey Havoc would probobly shit himself working with smith.