snippets

La Ritournelle - Sebastien Tellier

Such a beautiful track. The soaring string arrangement would make it worthy of an entry in this list on its own, but when you add in the lazy-funk drums and the whimsical, poetic lyrics this is an all out winner. Sebastien Tellier is, by all accounts, a little barmy and I find his music somewhat hit and miss, but some people are made for a purpose, and this song is his.

Killing me softly [The Fugees]

I’ll overlook the silly ‘yeah’s and ‘aha’s because Lauryn Hill has a magical voice. Heartbreaking and magical.

Joga [Bjork]

Mad as a hatter, bu such an amazing voice. All her albums have a different vibe, and Homogenic has the sound I like the most.

Is this it? [The Strokes]

This track and the album that shares its name are (IMHO) the Strokes finest work. Sinewy, cynical and brilliant.

How Soon is Now [The Smiths]

Angst ridden doesn’t begin to describe it. Bloody marvelous does though…

PS - sorry for the huge delay. Turned out this was a pre-iTunesPlus purchase and involved a whole world of UK billing address pain to get it upgraded. Sometimes, Apple, I hate you.

Get the Message [Electronic]

The summer of 1991 concentrated, bottled and blasted from your stereo on demand.

Fake Empire [The National]

Matt Nerninger’s amazing baritone voice in all its glory. First track and highlight of a great album (Boxer). 

Ever Fallen In Love [The Buzzcocks]

Best 3 minute pop song ever? And it’s only 2:39.

Do you realize? (Flaming Lips)

Heart breakingly beautiful. If I could give one song to Ruth, this just might be it. Stand out track from an excellent album.

Chemtrails [Beck]

Damn - got behind already. Must try harder. Anyway, Beck is a dude. And this is my current favourite of his.

Bittersweet Symphony [The Verve]

Richard Ashcroft’s delivery is at its snarling, arrogant best over beautiful orchestraion (borrowed from the Rolling Stones) and driving rhythm.

This mix by UNKLE strips the whole song back to bare bones for the first half, showcasing the vocals and funky bass and making the arrival of the strings at 3:15 a draw dropping, spine-tingling moment to savour.

Finally, A is for Against All Odds [Postal Service]

You could know me down with a feather if a few years ago you’d told me a Phil Collins cover would make it onto this list, but I’ve been in love with this Postal Service version since the first time I heard it.

Everything that thePostal Service has done is amazing. If you haven’t already then I’d encourage you to seek out their album ‘Give Up’ and then indulge your completist side by gobbling up all the excellent B-sides too. If they’d only done a little bit more then they might be up for the best band under ‘P’.