100 Songs for 2010: 81-85

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We're just getting started counting down our 100 favorite songs of the year.  Today, 86-90.  Check out previous posts here.

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85) Cut Copy - "Take Me Over



The uncool Cut Copy single, mostly because it’s a shot-for-shot remake of Men at Work’s “Down Under.” And, upon hearing it, you’ll realize you’ve always wanted exactly that. I mean, that song came out in 1981. It was time for another one.

SEE ALSO:

Men at Work - "Down Under"
Cut Copy - "Out There On The Ice"

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84) Generationals - "Trust"


Generationals - Trust from LaundroMatinee on Vimeo.

Ilana thinks the first minute of this song sounds like the backing track to one of those image-rehabilitation commercials for some huge faceless corporation, where it’s all children smiling and graduates walking across the stage and dogs jumping into lakes and a voice-over saying something like, “We’re working with you to build a better future.” That sounds about right.

Also, the two guys who make up Generationals were previously in the now-defunct The Eames Era, one of Gene’s favorite bands. If you missed those guys the first time around (like I did), don’t make the same mistake twice.

SEE ALSO:

Generationals - "When They Fight, They Fight"
The Eames Era - "Both Hands Full"

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83) Hot Chip - "One Life Stand"



The one song on this list that demands to be experiences at maximum volume. It’s not even so much a song as it is a series of vibrations.

SEE ALSO:

Hot Chip - "Ready for the Floor"
Hot Chip - "Over and Over"

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82) Limousines - "Internet Killed the Video Star"



I’ll have no problem retroactively bumping this song up about fifteen spots if it turns out the band’s name is a super-obscure Strong Bad reference.

As it is, they get the benefit of the doubt because they’re from San Jose. And it’s fascinating to me that the lead singer used to be in Strata because, if I remember right, those guys were horrible.

SEE ALSO:

Limousines - "The Future"
Buggles - "Video Killed the Radio Star"

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81) of Montreal - "Sex Karma" (f/ Solange)



“You are my only luxury item / If anyone tries to steal you I’ll fight ‘em”

Guy who wrote the “Let’s Go Outback Tonight” jingle teams with Beyonce’s little sister to write the best, most playfully flirtatious long song of the year. Because why not.

Time for our second (and final) Fluxblog swipe: It’s flirty and light, a head rush of infatuation and fascination that feels almost as good as the real thing. It’s not overly serious either. It’s playful and goofy, the lyrics put it in the terms of child-like wonder, enthusiasm, and exploration. I love that Barnes has Solange sing “you are my only luxury item, if anyone tries to steal you, I’ll fight ‘em.” For one thing, it just comes out sounding adorable, but in terms of pop music subtext, it’s a total flip on the usual dynamics of the lyrics in her famous sister’s hit singles. Instead of putting attraction and relationships in terms of accruing power and riches, this is simple and not at all crass: You’re what matters to me, everything else is just stuff.

SEE ALSO:

of Montreal - "Requiem for O.M.M."
Solange - "Sandcastle Disco"