1. It’s Late – Ricky Nelson – A 1959 hit, this is rockabilly as pop music and it is something that can’t be done in 2014, the guitar break is supple and sweet, just a couple of notes, but not one is wasted and the lyric so pared down he sings the entire thing twice and still brings it in at under two minutes – A
2. If I Die Young – The Band Perry – Die young? No such luck – D+
3. Bang Bang – Jesse J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj – A veritable who’s who of under 30s with a slightly over manufactured hit machine – B
4. Cry For Home – Tom Jones, Van Morrison – Two great singers, one iffy song – B+
5. 0 To 100/The Catch Up – Drake – Love the slippery tempo switches and a really great rap – A
6. As High As Wu Tang Gets – Wu Tang Clan – As pop as Wu Tang gets – A
7. Venus – Frankie Avalon – Huge song also from 1959, Frankie looks so sweet and sincere and seems so innocent in his longing – A
8. (Ain’t Nothing But A) House Party – J. Geils Band – I used to like it, but Jon Bon Jovi ruined it – C+
9. Austin – Blake Shelton – Good story song – B+
10. Ca Plane Pour Moi – Plastic Bertrand – The last punk rock song ever – A
