10 Songs, Sunday May 11th, 2014

the late great Ari Upp

1. Typical Girls – The Slits – M.I.A. mentioned the late great Ari Upp at yesterdays Webster Hall gig, and listening to this great song from back when the fractured rhythms sound so much like an ancestor of M.I.A. and in a way the entire modern House scene it is worrying, it makes you think we didn’t give the Slits their due – A

2. Led By Hand – Fucked Up – At first it sounds like Fucked Up 101 but by the time you get to the bridge it becomes a brilliant roiling anthem of guitars on guitars – A

3. Spoonful – Tomas Doncker Band – The intro to this version? Leading up to the harp? Stops me dead in my tracks in awe every single time – A

4. Charge – Elbow – The chorus has the most inspired use of the word fuckers you will ever be – A

5. Evil – Tomas Donckerman Band – Another terrific opening – A

6. The Message – M.I.A.- Is that a morse code?  B+

7. Lovers In The Parking Lot – Solange – One of her better r&b takes – A-

8. Poker Face – Lady Gaga – The sort of song that can make you a superstar while you’re not looking – A

9. Trophies – Young Money, Drake – When I wanna here Rise, I come to this track – A

10. As Long As I Got You – Lily Allen – Killer zydeco hook – A