WWWWW- One of the year's finest
WWWW- Exceptional
WWW- May not change the world, but it's still good
WW- Well
uuhhhh...maybe
W- Next stop: the trash bin
112 f/Supercat- Na, Na, Na (W) Tell me something: how can all these pop-R&B acts differentiate themselves if they keep on splurging the same song (in this case about sex)? Not even the return of Supercat is memorable. Also, what kind of a hook is "Work your body/Change positions/Work your body/Move positions"? *sigh*
Alien Ant Farm- These Days (WWW) It's enjoyable, driving rock, but it's a little too generic for it's own good.
Atheist- An Incarnation's Dream (WWWWW) It starts off mellow and guitar-driven, but eventually it explodes into a fury of screaming guitars and insane drumwork from Marcel Desantos. It sounds disorganized, but it stays together so well. Atheist just may be the only band out there who can mae even the most disorganized songs sound organized.
Michelle Branch f/Dave Navarro- Are You Happy Now? (Naked Remix) (WWWW) It's an interesting, trance remix that's retains just the chorus and the introduction of the song and brings out Dave Navarro's guitar, but it can be too strange to stomach at times. Still great work, though.
Michelle Branch- Breathe (WWWWW) Another of Michelle Branch's signature songs: infectious, catchy, light-hearted and fun. With light-rock touches and a free-spirited vibe, this song just may land Branch on the country charts as well, and what a joy that will be.
(Single Of The Month)
Kelly Clarkson- Low (WWWW) It borrows just enough from Avril Lavigne's "Losing Grip" (the guitarist in this song, Clif Magness, co-wrote "Losing Grip") to make enjoyable rock-ish pop whose vocals Clarkson just nails.
Bruce Cockburn- Open (WWWW) Channelling vintage Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen in a mesmerizing, peaceful folk tune, "Open" is proof that legendary Canadian folkster Bruce Cockburn still has a lot left in the tank.
Fe Fe Dobson- Bye Bye Boyfriend (W) It starts off well, but then the hook (the title repeated three times) shows up and it becomes an irritatingly whiny rock song that sounds like an obvious Avril Lavigne knockoff. One of the worst songs of the year.
The Donnas- Too Bad About Your Girl (WWW) The lyrics are stupid, but it's still a light-hearted, fun pop-rock song that borrows just enough from one of their major influences- KISS- to make it work.
Finger Eleven- Good Times (W) Okay, so it's got a great hook...but the rest of the song just spells "dumb".
Forty Foot Echo- Save Me (WW) It has good intentions as a simple, driving rock tune, but it's really nothing more than a boring, stale generic rock song.
Matthew Good- Near Fantastica (WWW) It's an interesting and thought-provoking song about the "robotics of humanity", but it's just not as compelling as it could be. Still solid, though.
Macy Gray- She Ain't Right For You (W) It's a cheesy ballad with a lot of overwrought instrumentation that brings out Macy Gray's biggest weakness- her raspy voice.
In Essence- Friend Of Mine (WWWW) Yeah, it's not particularly deep, but the bassline-heavy beat is still pretty creepy- and interesting.
The Isley Brothers f/JS- Busted (WWWWW) It's a very biting and angry tune where a father (Ronald Isley) throws her persistently truant daughter (JS) out of the house despite her pleas. It's really convincing too, making this a real shocker to hear. Absolutely brilliant.
Jewel- Stand (WW) It works well as a single and is a plausible hit, but it's still a little unsettling to hear Jewel imitate Madonna.
Lillix- What I Like About You (WWWW) Very catchy, enjoyable, fun pop-punk send-up of the pop classic.
Maria- I Give You Take (WWW) It's a little whiny, but the bassline-heavy pop beat is pretty impressive.
Tim McGraw- Real Good Man/The Ride (both W) The first song is an absolutely stupid song where Tim McBlah tries convincing his lover that he's not as bad as he looks. The second one is just a dull tune about taking a ride McBlah knew he shouldn't have taken. Essentially, they're just "classic" McBlah- "blah".
Mya- My Love Is Like...Wo (W) Yet another pop-R&B song attempting to be sultry but just coming out as a bad, sex-ed up cliche. In other words, this song is like...no.
Powerman 5000- Action (WWW) Catchy but hard-hitting nu-metal urging people to take some "action" to fix their problems. It may not be profound, but it works really well.
Rancid- Fall Back Down (WWW) It borrows a bit too much from Tim Armstrong's other project, The Transplants, but it's still very nice, summery, upbeat punk-pop-rock.
Robert Randolph & The Family Band- I Need More Love (WWWWW) It's just a great, upbeat blues song with funk influences and amazing guitarwork from Robert Randolph. Simply put, music like this hasn't been this fun since...ever.
The Roc Project f/Tina Arena- Never (Past Tense) (WWW) It's merely simple pop-dance with Euro and disco influences, but it's still interesting and enjoyable all the same.
Ray Stevens- Thank You (W) Yet another overtly patriotic chest-thumper of a country ballad thanking the American soldiers for their hard work. Not that being patriotic is bad: it's just that this Ray Stevens tune has all the air of insincerity.
Supersuckers- Rock And Roll Records (Ain't Sellin' This Year) (WWWW) It's an explosive, upbeat and fun punk tune that berates the current state of the music industry. One line even blasts hip-hop for taking all the money away from the rockers...ooohh. Well, they don't "supersuck"- they "superrock" (okay, that was lame, but I HAD too...)
Three Days Grace- (I Hate) Everything About You (WW) The pulsing drumwork and guitarwork are catchy, but it's a very whiny song whose beginning rips off Seether's "Fine Again" a bit too much.
The White Stripes- The Hardest Button To Button (WW) It's a palatable hit, but the song seems to follow the leads of their previous two smash hits ("Seven Nation Army" with its simply instrumental chorus and "Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground" with its "all over the place" messiness) way too much. Simply put, it's failed potential.
Dakona- The Richest Man In The World (WWW) It's a little whiny, but it's pretty catchy, emotive and enjoyable pop-rock.
The Dandy Warhols- We Used To Be Friends (WW) There's some interesting tricks to this electronic/rock hybrid, but the chorus is excruciatingly dumb and overall it sounds like a Simple Minds ripoff.
Delerium f/Jael- After All (WWW) It's still an interesting trance/dance song, but it still sounds a little too much like a pop song for comfort.
DMX- Where The Hood At (WWWW) Yeah, it's another track where he's pitting himself up against everyone else, but there are few who can match the power of his punchlines. That and having a great beat borrowing from "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" really helps.
Fall Out Boy- Dead On Arrival (WWW) It's pop-punk to the "kiddest" extreme, but it's still very enjoyable.
FlamBey- Hot Girl (WWWW) On the surface, it seems like another standard sex-rap song. However, dig deeper and it seems contemplative and unsure and almost serves as a warning, telling the girl "you don't know what you're getting into (with this thug)". That and the beat is really impressive. Proof that party tracks can still sizzle and be smart too.
Jet- Are You Gonna Be My Girl (WWW) These garage rockers recall Bill Haley & The Comets in an infectious song that makes the past seem new again.
Toure Kunda- Rapada (WWW) It borrows a bit too much from previous salsa works, but this is still fun and pretty interesting stuff.
Ben Lee- No Room To Bleed (WWWWW) Presenting pop-dance that doesn't stink. Here we have Lee penning a very personal and emotional song with simple piano playing and drum machine loops swirling all around him. It may not be complex, but it's interesting all the same.
LEN- Do Whatcha Wanna Do (W) You ever get those summer songs that are just too stupid for their own good? This is one of them. I mean, this song is so cheesy, it makes Fannypack look good...
Ludacris f/Bow Wow- P-Poppin (W) Another "toilet beat" + another cliched sex song = another Ludacris song. Enough said.
Marilyn Manson- This Is The New *Hit (W) I find it vaguely ironic that in a song that's supposed to slam the "standardness" of contemporary music it is in itself "standard". This song has been done WAY better before, and the lyrics themselves don't escape the constrains of the hook. That and Manson's singing is really, really irritating. *sigh*
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes- I Believe I Can Fly (WWW) Punks covering R. Kelly? Really. A winner every time.
Mowett f/Loon- Tru Rider (WWWW) Okay, so P. Diddy is ripping himself off (this beat is taken right from Mase's "Tell Me What You Want"), but can you blame him? This beat is amazing...making this one of the year's better party-R&B tracks.
Obie Trice- Got Some Teeth (W) Simply put, this has a confusing carnival beat and confusing rhymes (which are cliched party rhymes anyway). Simply...confusing.
Presence- Remember (WWWW) With a driving rock beat combined with lots of catchiness and smart, personal rapping, this is proof that rap-rock- if nothing else- can be done VERY well.
Pretty Tony- Down In Tha Dirty (WWW) It's not very compelling, but it's a bouncy, fun Southern party-rap track.
The Rising- Cradle (WWW) Channelling The Verve Pipe's "The Freshmen", this driving rock song becomes very emotional, personal and enjoyable.
Juelz Santana- Santana Town (W) Hitting new lows with the cliched sex rap song: this toilet beat features parts where a woman screams "oww". Oh why...
Timbaland & Magoo f/Missy Elliott & Sebastien- Cop That D (WWW)
For once, there's a varied, complex party track from Timbaland and Missy Elliott that ACTUALLY WORKS. Even Missy gets to deliever a clever rhyme (you say I'm ugly/Yeah, just like your mother).
Turbonegro- Sell Your Body (To The Night) (WWW) It overuses the "don't sellout" cliche (delivered as a sarcastic acceptance of the practice), but this pop-rock song works well- especially with that enjoyable solo.
Luther Vandross- Dance With My Father (WWWW) It's a beautiful, emotional and personal ballad from the R&B veteran that proves he still has what it takes.
The Weakerthans- Our Retired Explorer (WWW) It's a little bland, but this ska-punk song still has quite a bit of bounce.
Billy Talent- Try Honesty (WW) It's catchy driving pop-rock, but the screaming in the chorus is a little unnecessary.
Cursive- Art Is Hard (WW) Should it be any surprise that these punk-popsters are about as boring as the art they rebel against?
Dog Fashion Disco- Nude In The Wilderness (WWW) It's Guns 'N' Roses meets Danzig's "Kiss The Skull" (with its rolling chugs) meets great rapid-fire solo, but it works really well.
Elephant Man- Pon De River (WWW) Simply put, this reggae song is pretty bouncy and vibrant.
Holly James- I'm In Heaven (WWW) May not be overtly complex, but it's pretty entertaining and bouncy pop-dance.
Kings Of Leon- Molly's Chambers (WWW) Well, this Brit-pop is not The Beatles (who they're very similar to), but this song is still pretty fun and catchy.
Michael Franti & Spearhead- Everyone Deserves Music (W) This sounds like an infomercial telling everyone that we just "need" music, set to a commercial-ready guitar-pop beat.
I know there's plenty of music simply about commercialism, but this sets new
lows. (Stinker Of The Month)
Pete Miser- Toothbrush (WWW) A two-and-a-half rapped rant about, eventually, the joys toothbrushes have in solving problems. Genius. That and the complex, Kid Koala-type beat is pretty impressive.
Overkill- Damned (WWW) It's a song against the horrors of today's society in a catchy...pop-rock song? It's great, but it seems really odd for this to come from the former thrash metallers.
Simply Red- Sunrise (WWWW) It's synth-pop meets classic George Michaels, but it really, really rocks.
Sum 41- Over My Head (Better Off Dead) (WWWWW) Combining radio-friendly hooks, an up-tempo beat and very personal and emotional lamentations over things Deryck Whibley said that went horribly wrong, the band has recorded one of 2003's true winners.
2B- Uh Oh (WWW) It's a little too simple, but it's still a slammin' party rap track.
Gary Allan- Tough Little Boys (W) "When tough little boys grow up to be dads, they turn into babies again". Uhhh...yeah. Yet another country snoozer.
Barlow- Walk Away (WWWW) Simply put, it's an emotional, personal, driving and thoroughly enjoyable alt/pop-rock.
Betty Blowtorch- Love/Hate (WWW) A more thoughtful, hard-hitting and challenging version of The Donnas? Who'd a thunkit? Good all around.
Burnside Project- Cue The Pulse To Begin (WWWW) Simply put, this is gloomy, if a little simple, electro-rock who in one minute, trumps anything The Music (or pretty much anyone else) ever did. Great stuff.
Campfire Girls- Buttercup (WWW) The words are a little slurred (and stupid), but this droning, gloomy rock song makes its point.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds- The Mercy Seat (Live) (WWW) It's a little too long, mundane and stupid, but this rock ballad is emotional, so it works.
Cherish- Miss P (W) "Hi everyone! I'm here!"...and we could care less. Tell me, how many bling-bling R&Bers (like this lady) have to announce this?
Chingy f/Snoop Dogg & Ludacris- Holidae In (W) Cliched sex rap song #1,334,223,222,554,789,555,665,443,112. How many more do we need?
Client- Rock And Roll Machine (WWW) It's interesting, gloomy synth-pop, but Ladytron did do this better...
Dashboard Confessional- Hands Down (WWW) It's a little dumb, but the driving rock sound makes this emo work.
Fischerspooner- Sweetness (W) With sounds ripped right off from the NES (yes, <i>that NES</i>) and the same cliched booming up-tempo sound, they've created the exact opposite of what they wanted- an electronica snoozer.
Montgomery Gentry- Hell Yeah (WWW) It sounds a little canned, but it's still thoroughly enjoyable country rock.
Hot Action Cop- Don't Want Her To Stay (W) Since he didn't get the message from the last single, I'll say it again: THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN DO THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. Thank you.
Marques Houston f/Joe Budden- Clubbin' (W) I think I've made up my mind: R. Kelly should stop producing songs and people should stop using his bass-only production techniques, because they're just awful. Add to that pathetic, cliched lyrics (and rap by Joe Budden) and you have a song tailor-made...for the trash bin.
Ill Nino- How Can I Live (WWW) The riffs are catchy and this nu-metal is pretty emotive (not to mention the use of bongo drums here are pretty cool), but it still sounds too much like Disturbed's "Prayer" and 3rd Strike's "No Light".
Impromp2 f/Kim Fields- Mocha Soul (WWW) Like FlamBey's "Hot Girl", this song shows what all those cliched sex songs the big labels push lack- honesty. The rapper raps about a girl blowing his mind, and she actually does, communicating it without the fake, over the top sleaze the mainstream rappers use. That, and the beat is pretty good too.
Wyclef Jean- Industry (WWW) It could be better, but it's still a great tune where Wyclef Jean laments about the state of hip-hop and asks for order to restore the chaos. Highlight: when Jean blasts G-Unit for wielding their guns and continuing the chaos "but hey, they gotta make it to the magazine covers".
Toby Keith- I Love This Bar (WWWWW) Simply put, it's another of Keith's classics: an emotive, sarcastic view of a bar from an alcoholic who just wants to get away but can't. Through it, he details all the people who show up to it- mentioning twice the "hookers and dancers"- and why he just can't leave. Sure to be a bar anthem in the near future.
R. Kelly- Thoia Thoing (W) Note to R. Kelly: sticking Japanese influences in a cliched party/sex R&B track doesn't make it any better.
Arthur Kill- It's No Good (WWWW) It's a little whiny, but the intricacies and tricks to this industrial song more than make up for it.
Less Than Jake- The Science Of Selling Yourself Short (WWW) It's a bit of a Sublime knockoff, but this is still pretty enjoyable summery ska.
The Mars Volta- Son Et Lumiere, Intertiatic E.S.P. (WWWW) There may not be much vocally after the singer's wails, but it's still an interesting mix of "when Dredg meets punk".
Holly Palmer- Just So You Know (WWWW) It's uptempo, bright and at the same time yearning pop that can get convincingly seductive at times. Kylie Minogue has met her match.
Poison The Well- Apathy Is A Cold Baby (W) Half boring mainstream rockers, half KoRn knockoffs, this should have been sent right to the trash bin- and KEPT there.
T. Raumschmiere- Monstertruckdriver (WWWWW) With alarm clocks, screw drivers and a really interesting booming beat, this electronica has even The Blue Man Group beat. Impressive.
Roscoe- Smooth Sailing (WW) The beat's good, but the "I'm so fly" lyrical content by this rapper is really lame.
Seether- Gasoline (WWWW) Channeling what was
good about Nirvana (the anger) and penning some pretty emotional and personal
lyrics about a girl who wastes her life on beauty products and not on Shaun
Morgan. Impressive stuff.
Simple Plan- Perfect (WWWWW) So what if all the lyrics are essentially monosyllabic? It captures the tortured feeling a teen who just can't impress and plain old get respect from their father very, very vividly. That and it's highly emotional too. One of the best singles of the year.
Marty Stuart- If There Ain't There Ought'a Be (W) With dime-a-dozen philosophies that essentially lead to "you should be with me", this country song essentially defines "cliche".
Darryl Worley- Tennessee River Run (WWW) It seems out of place with the summer ( *frown* ) almost ending, but it's still an enjoyable, upbeat song about the joys of fishing and being in the South.
Ying Yang Twins- Naggin (W) It's supposed to be a rant against their girl for always nagging them, but they sound like cavemen and their words ("make you wanna say 'kiss my pants'") are not much better. WHY?