Listomania! - 2000

The world didn't end. My computer didn't explode. Financial markets didn't crash. The new millennium came in with a whimper, disappointing all the gloom and doom prognosticators and religion addicts worldwide. The big change in my life was that Martina got a job at The National Post in Toronto, with the help of her friend and mentor Phil Tyson, so we had to move. We looked at places in Toronto, but the prices were so outlandish that we just kept going east until we got to Oshawa. We rented a semi-detached place on King Street and moved in. It was the move from hell! We arrived at the appointed time, only to find that the previous occupants had barely begun to even pack their things, never mind move them out. We had the 2 kids helping us, as well as the 2 Dachsunds and 1 very unhappy cat. I forget how long we had to wait, much of it spent in the parking lot of the local strip mall, but it was several hours. We were all quite pissed off and by the time we got to move our stuff in, it was done in record time, causing me to pull every muscle in my body. We just fired everything in the place and left arranging for the next day as it was very late by the time we were done. We vowed never to do the moving by ourselves again and on our subsequent move to our current address, we hired movers and avoided all the pulled muscles and cursing and swearing. Here are the songs I was digging while convalescing from the move:

10. Ms. Jackson - Outkast

My dislike for all things Hip-Hop and Rap borders on the fanatical. But, something about this gem of a tune grabbed my ears and wouldn't let go. Apparently, it is from the duo's 4th album called Stankonia, but I only know that because I looked it up on AllMusic. There is a great sample from the brilliant Strawberry Letter 23 by The Brothers Johnson and the chorus is so hooky. The song has a Sly Stone/Prince sort of feel to it and a fantastic rhythm, just made for shaking your groove thang. I think it's quite clever lyrically. I read, again thank you to AllMusic, that it was written about Erykah Badu's mother, but I claim no insight otherwise. "I'm sorry Ms. Jackson. I am for real. Never meant to make your daughter cry, I apologize a trillion times." Say it loud! I'm sorry, but I'm proud!

9. The Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret - Queens Of The Stone Age

This is melodic Stoner-Rock, all warm fuzzy guitar tones on the verses, then louder and crunchier on the choruses. For me, QOTSA are all about lead singer/guitarist Josh Homme. The former Kyuss member just has such a cool delivery and style that has induced me to have a huge man-crush on him. I am not a huge fan of this band, but when they do it right, like on this tune, I sit up and take notice. The drumming sounds a lot like Dave Grohl, but it is another former member of Kyuss, Gene Trautmann, slamming away on the kit here. this song is from the band's 2nd album called Rated R. "Whatever you do, don't tell anyone." My lips are sealed......

8. The Rainbow - The Apples In Stereo

This little Pop gem is on their 4th album, The Discovery Of A World Inside The Moone. The Apples, who are mainly vocalist/guitarist Robert Schneider and a rotating cast of musicians, harken back to the mid-60s sounds of The Monkees, spreading a sunshine-kissed, summery feeling through the world's ears. They are big favourites of Little Steven and get a ton of airplay on his Underground Garage radio show. You cannot resist the charms that this song offers and you will be belting out the chorus after only a couple of listens. "Take a trip under the ground, take a little look around, baby don't you know people come and go, just like the rainbow." Somewhere, over the .....

7. Trouble - Coldplay

Yes, they sound somewhat like Radiohead. I don't like everything they've ever recorded, but I think Chris Martin is a sincere enough chap. I don't understand a lot of the hatred that is directed at them. Coldplay are a fine little combo and have written and recorded a few very good songs and this is one of their finest. The piano is the hook here folks. It is gorgeous and that is just a fact. I also really like the sound of the bluesey slide guitar and the tasteful deployment of said guitar. This is just a hauntingly beautiful song sung by Martin with lots of feeling. Is that a crime? "Oh no, what's this? A spider web, and I'm caught in the middle. So I turn to run, the thought of all the stupid things I've done." Amen brother....

6. Renegades Of Funk - Rage Against The Machine

This is one of the best cover versions ever done. It's not very often that I prefer the cover to the original, but that is definitely the case here. The original was done in 1983 by Rap pioneer Afrika Bambaataa and it was OK. But, when put into the hands of the guys from Rage, it becomes a monstrous dinosaur trampling all in the way. Producer Rick Rubin gives this the full sonic treatment with chunky bass, thwacking drums, bongos, and Tom Morello and his guitar blasting away all of life's cares. They also do a fine cover of Springsteen's The Ghost Of Tom Joad on this album, which is called, funnily enough, Renegades. "Nothing stayed the same, but there were always renegades like Chief Sitting Bull, Tom Paine, Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, they were renegades of their time and age." I have a dream....

5. Ariel vs. Lotus - Limblifter

Taken from their 2nd album, Bellaclava, the Dahle brothers spread their musical wings a bit and incorporate more of a groove into their music. Singer/guitarist Ryan belts out a killer melody, augmented by 2 future New Pornographers, brother Kurt on the drums and Todd Fancey on bass. It is the bass groove which drives this tune - a big slab of funk-rock goodness. This band were known to write catchy songs and this one is probably their best. They were another fine example of the improving Canadian music scene in the 1990s. "She stole an Ariel on her way here. It's twice her age and jet fast. No helmet's safe 'cause she's luckier this year." Luck be a lady tonight....

4. A Place Called Home - PJ Harvey

I always felt that PJ Harvey is the next in line to Patti Smith in the natural progression of Punk poetesses. Like Smith, her lyrics are stark, frank and often personal. This song continues in that vein, but, much like Ms. Smith around the release of Easter, the music has become much more accessible. The sound of this song is beautiful, the melody memorable, almost pretty. The almost spoken backing vocals mimic Patti as well. The lyrics are hopeful in the face of life's pitfalls and are a heartfelt attempt to ease someone's pain with the thought of love and the comforts of a "home." This album has many collaborators, most notably former Nick Cave cohort Mick Harvey on guitar. "And I'm right on time and the birds keep singing and you're right on line, one day there'll be a place for us." Everything in its place.....

3. Mass Romantic - The New Pornographers

This is the title track from their debut album. They are a sort of Canadian Indie "supergroup" led by singersongwriter/guitarist and general bon vivant Carl Newman. The band was started as a side project and has since morphed into the full time gig for most of the members. The secret ingredient here is vocalist Neko Case, whose distinctive sound has catapulted the band into one of the biggest Indie bands around today. Case has a thriving solo career as well, but New Pornographers put her name on the map. This is Power-Pop crossed with New Wave and it wears those influences proudly. This tune is familiar right from the first listen and it is one of those occasions where you swear that you have heard this song before. Just a brilliant song from a smashing debut album! "Now this romantic duel is into the streets, bon appetit, you've eaten me alive you realize, this is not the way." I want you, to show me the way...

2. Godless - The Dandy Warhols

The top 3 songs on this list were all so amazing that it was hard to rank them. From the Dandy's 3rd album, Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia, this song is the opener, and what an opener! The great acoustic guitar riff at the beginning sounds quite familiar and it is. If it is not a direct rip-off of George Harrison's My Sweet Lord, (for which he was successfully sued for ripping off He's So Fine) then it is so close that it fooled my ears. But, it is a great riff which is augmented by the song's signature sound, the trumpet part played by one Eric Matthews. The song is sung in whispered tones and full stoner/slacker style by frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor and the effect is outstanding. This song would be at or near the top of any of the years on this list. Just superb! "Hey I said you're godless and it seems like you're a soulless friend." But how do you really feel?

1. Sea Song - Doves

Doves are from the Manchester area and are the direct descendants of The Smiths and Joy Division and their ilk. This song is more psychedelic in feel than those predecessors, but Jimi Goodwin's vocals convey that Mancunian sense of sadness and betrayal. The melody is so gorgeous and the overall feel so wonderful that, to me, this is one of the most beautiful songs ever. I love the way the rhythm undulates and crashes over the listener like the waves in the sea. Their is a sax solo too and it melts perfectly back into the song in a seamless continuum. Oh yeah, pop it on in the car when you're on a long highway drive and tell me that it isn't one of the best driving songs ever too. "Drive with me, do the things you wont believe. Drive with me, past the city and down to sea. Crushing dreams leave me be, I cannot sleep." Ativan will fix that.....