1. This Is Country Music – Brad Paisley – On the edge of country is a patriotism tinged with xenophobia. It appeals to me for the same reason faith in God appeals to me. Because I don’t share it so it feels exotic. Here, on a very, very strong song which seems archival, Paisley misconstrues country and the lyric content of all other forms of popular music. If he believes for a moment that country is the only place “cancer” is a lyric content, I will lend him my “The Black Parade”.
2. Shell Games – Bright Eyes- After reviewing this elsewhere, I am still on the fence. Yesterday I said it was under produced, today I think it is over over over arranged. There is too much going on here, you want Conor to return to the simpler arrangements of his first solo albums. Still, by the time you reach “Everyone at the count of three…” you’re sold.
3. Christmas In Harlem – Kanye West – If you can tune out some of the more scatological rhymes, this could find itself on a Ze Christmas next to godlike genius August Darnell.
4. Breakaway – Ramona – Karen tells me this is a blast to play live. Hopefully, next we can put the band to the test.
5. Here In The Real World – Alan Jackson – This is, in fact, country music.
6. Ghosts Of The Midwinter Fires – Agalloch – Ambience as guitar based moodcore. Wyatt got this one right.
7. I Just Had Sex (Feat Akon) – The Lonely Island – The trick is stupid lyric to blueprint hip hop. This one ain’t funny so you’re left with the blueprint which ain’t a song last time i looked. PS It might well prove Helen’s point yesterday about visuals. It might need em bad.
8. Greek Song – Rufus Wainwright
9. Have I The Right – Vampire Weekend – Should work, does work.
10. All That Glitters – Sweet Soubrette – Jan 8th at Bowery Poetry Club -this hits me as a potential biggie.