Forcing My Musical Tastes on Others 2018: December 2010

The Radio Dept. - "Heaven's On Fire"

I just realized my list is bookended by 2 Swedish artists. That has to be a record of some sort.

Surfer Blood - "Swim"

These guys are from Florida, and this song is pretty catchy. That’s all I know about them.

On one hand, the cringe-inducing lyrics (and questionable dental hygiene habits mentioned in the first verse) set a pretty awful example for any young girls who might listen to this song. On the other hand, the synth riff is killer.

T-Pain - "Reverse Cowgirl"

Put your hands in the air, wave ‘em round and go YEEEEE-HAWWWWW!

Kanye West - "All of the Lights"

Kanye is known for throwing childish tantrums at award shows whenever he doesn’t win. I don’t typically condone this behavior, but if his new album doesn’t sweep the 2012 Grammies, can we all agree to give him permission to go apeshit?

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is the best album of 2010.

The Besnard Lakes - "Albatross"

These hosers are from Montreal, eh? Their long, pretentious song titles hurt my brain, like taking a hockey puck to the toque, but the layers of droning guitars are sweet like a maple-glazed doughnut from Tim Horton’s.

Trey Songz - "Neighbors Know My Name"

Is that a tattoo of the Magna Carta on his left pec?

The Bird & The Bee - "Heard It On The Radio"

This is the one original song on their album that is otherwise all Hall & Oates covers. The covers work better in theory. This song, however, is pleasantly hummable.

Erykah Badu - "Window Seat"

Her New Amerykah Part 2 album isn’t the accomplishment that Part 1 was, but it’s still full of quietly superb songwriting.

Patty Griffin - "All Creatures Of Our God & King"

I love Patty Griffin. Her voice give me chills. Her 2010 album Downtown Church is made up of all gospel songs, and was recorded in the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville with Buddy Miller. It’s a fantastic album.

This particular tune was written by Saint Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century.

Jaheim - "Whoa"

Jaheim’s 2010 album Another Round is quality all the way through.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - "I Learned The Hard Way"

A lot of bands seem to be jumping on the classic 60’s & 70’s soul revival bandwagon. These guys still do it best.

By the way, the title of my next side project: 60’s & 70’s Soul Revival Bandwagon.

The Weepies - "I Was Made For Sunny Days"

I like these guys. Deal with it.

Josh Rouse - "I Will Live On Islands"

Josh Rouse’s music is like a personal diary. A few years back he got divorced and wrote songs about being sick of American culture. A couple of years later he wrote an album about moving to Spain, getting sober, and meeting a new girl. Now he’s back with an album full of Spanish-sounding tunes. To his credit, he seems to have effortlessly picked up a good feel for the style.

Cee-Lo Green - "F*** You"

This is easily the best single of 2010, if not the past 5 years. Humorously, it can’t even be played on the radio. It is nominated for a Grammy under the title The Song Also Known As "Forget You". Your Grandma would hate these lyrics, but she’d still have to shake her booty to the beat.