Randy Newman can probably write songs like this one in his sleep, but that doesn’t stop it from being freaking awesome. It’s amazing how much mileage he can get out of a jaunty New Orleans musical backdrop and some conversational lyrics.
For me, the genius of this song comes right in the first verse, when Newman says/sings “She may be hungry, but she won’t say. You better get a burger or something in her right away. If you don’t, you’re gonna pay.”
Yesterday I was bemoaning the lack of worthwhile new discoveries, and as if in response, the Pazz & Jop poll offered up fun. in spots #14 and #16 with ‘We Are Young’ and ‘Some Nights,’ respectively. Now that’s a new band that has me excited.
In between them sits Icona Pop, who earn the honor of the final spot in my annual recap of the Village Voice poll. This has been a particularly depressing installment, with very little to recommend, so I’m hoping this mystery band will help me go out on a high note.
The 12th position in the Pazz & Jop poll belongs to Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style,’ a song absolutely worthy of its position. (Again, I’ve featured it on the blog already so I’m skipping it here).
At #13 is ‘Oblivion’ by Grimes. Grimes is a Canadian electronic musician whose third album, Visions, was released last year, receiving effusive critical praise. I know this only because I just read it, not because I’ve ever heard of Grimes. When did I fall so far out of the loop? Does this have something to do with me turning 40?
Roots rockers Alabama Shakes hold the #11 spot in the Pazz & Jop poll with their first single, ‘Hold On.’
I’ll admit, after crapping all over the R&B and hip-hop songs dominating the top of this list, I was starting to feel vaguely racist. And when I heard the early moments of this song and started swaying along appreciatively, I thought “Of course… my first real praise is going to be for the white southern rockers.”
Not only did Frank Ocean’s album top the Village Voice critics poll, he placed two songs on the singles list. The second, ‘Pyramids,’ comes in at #10.
I was disappointed in the first entry by Ocean. As much as I want to like his music, based on what I’ve learned about his story, it just didn’t rise above standard R&B fare. I suspect that it is exactly Ocean’s story that has catapulted him to the top of all of those critics’ lists. Or maybe the album’s deeper cuts bear more fruit.
