In the 17th Pazz & Jop position is tUnE-yArDs with ‘Water Fountain.’ I’m a stickler for writing band names in the appropriate fashion (fun. in all lowercase with the period, for example) but these guys take it a bit too far.
This gal, I should say, because tUnE-yArDs is the stage name of indie artist Merrill Garbus. I put her on the blog once per year because she always shows up on this list (I believe she even topped it a few years back).
This week I’ll continue featuring the songs that topped 2014’s Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll, a conglomeration of more than 600 music critics’ top albums and singles.
In the 15th spot is Sam Smith’s ‘Stay With Me,’ which should make Tom Petty happy, as he was recently awarded a songwriting credit on the popular track due to its similarity to ‘Won’t Back Down.’
It’s Throwback Weekend with a focus on uncompromising female artists, as the Random iTunes Fairy follows Madonna with Sinead O’Connor.
I know she became a nut known more for her Twitter battles than her music, but once upon a time Sinead O’Connor was one of the most exciting, sexy and artistically unique singer-songwriters around.
I’ve never been the biggest Madonna fan. I’ve always considered her a better self-marketer than a singer, songwriter or performer.
But it’s hard to deny the pop appeal of a song like ‘True Blue,’ even in this overlong “Color Mix,” which adds nothing worthwhile to the original.
Looking at Madonna’s early output — those undeniable hits that helped launch MTV — you can trace a line to Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Carly Rae Jepsen and a handful of other modern hitmakers who owe more than a little of their success to Ms. Ciccone.
Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy‘ sits at #13 on Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop poll, followed by St. Vincent’s ‘Digital Witness.’
St. Vincent has been kicking around for a few years now, producing interesting videos and collaborating with fellow oddball David Byrne. But her latest, self-titled, album has received her best reviews to date and topped many a critic’s year-end list.
Meet Me In Montauk 