Kanye West's Top 10

It's a gloomy, rainy day in the country.  Why, what could ever lift my spirits and also make me feel better about wanting to puke up my guts right now?  Kanye West, of course.  Amassing a Top 10 list of his work was an exceptionally difficult task; I've said that before about my lists, but it was all lies before.  This list was the hardest to narrow down to 10 tracks.  What can I say?  Kanye is kind of freaking awesome.  He is the rap genre right now, and has been since the release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  Enjoy each track I've included here, I know I will.

Wildflower - Sheryl Crow

I'm back on a little bit of a country kick this Sunday afternoon, but Sheryl Crow's lovely Wildflower was more of a delicate pop album than a pure country one.  I've long been a casual fan, having her self-titled 1996 release in my library as well.  Though Wildflower got mixed reviews from most, I quite enjoyed it, and have been enjoying tracks like "Where Has All The Love Gone" and "Chances Are" since 2005.  But it's the title track that's the kicker.

"Wildflower" is a quiet acoustic track where Sheryl's voice and some impressive lyrics are the stars.  Here we are, burning faster than the closest star, falling back down to the Earth, I love you so, it sometimes hurts.  It's delicate (my new buzzword, if you haven't noticed) and minimal (an old favourite); therefore, exactly what I like it my music.  It's country music without the country, and pop without the pop.  A happy medium that translates in "Wildflower."  Well done, Sheryl.

Nightwish - Planet Hell

I'm going to be off to the magical land of Niagara Falls tomorrow, and will likely not have time to blog.  So instead, as a small gift to my dedicated followers and those who just stop in for a visit while they're in the neighborhood, I'm going to feature a song one day early.  Yes, I know, I'm insane.  So sue me.  This month it's my goal to have a post for everyday, and I'll do it by any means possible.

Now, to the reason why we're all here.  Nightwish.  If you've been around here for a while, you might be tired of me throwing them in your face.  My advice?  Have a glass of wine and relax a little, you crazy bastard.  There's no denying that this collective is one of the big guns.  The veterans.  The ones you can't help but love.  "Planet Hell" is an oldie of theirs that came to me via Youtube, with Annette taking over Tarja's vocal parts.  I'm going to get into a Tarja vs. Annette bit soon, so brace yourselves, trolls of the internet.  As a whole, "Planet Hell" is something different.  It's something that bridges the operatic feel of symphonic metal with everything else in the book.

As for the ladies, I honestly can't say I prefer one version over the other.  Tarja has that voice to lean on, and her vocal battle with Marco has that contrast I like to see in metal.  However, Annette breathes new life into "Planet Hell," giving it more of a modern edge that allows the heavier metal fans to fall in love.  When it comes down to the nitty-gritty of the matter, I'm an Annette-o-phile, but they're even here.  Maybe for ten minutes, you could give both a listen, and allow yourself to tour the underworld.  Save yourself, I'm headed for the ferryman.

Also, give Julius some props for the drums.  Holla.

Thank U - Alanis Morissette

I'm happy to say, that thanks to Value Village and three dollar used CDs, I've nearly completed the Alanis Morissette discography.  I've so far found that my favourite is the early Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, filled with angsty tracks of yesteryear and everything under the tree that could be called unique.  Alanis outdid herself there.  You might have heard "Thank U" on the radio before (I'm pretty sure I have), but if you haven't, why not give it a listen now?

Thank you frailty, thank you consequence, thank you, thank you silence.

"Thank U" is a tender side of Alanis, and one I quite enjoy seeing come out through song.  There's a delicate pound on the keyboard (an oxymoron, I know, but what a good one to come up with on a Friday morning), a present drum set and a casual guitar that keeps "Thank U" in the territory that is beautiful.  Maybe sometimes there's no reason to go insane instrumentally, and keep the focus on Alanis and her lyrics.  This lady is my hero. And the video...it kicks some ass.

Destroya - My Chemical Romance

I'm conflicted when it comes to My Chemical Romance.  I'll give them The Black Parade, an album of pure artistry that came out near the end of my emo phase and the beginning of my time as a metal monger (and what a time that's been).  But it's that iffy, almost poppy sound that has me confused, especially in their latest album, Danger Days.  Maybe I've just grown out of some music.  Who knows?  However, I did find one solid track from that album that's lingered in my head long enough to make it to my blog.  "Destroya."

You don't believe in God, I don't believe in luck, they don't believe in us, but I believe we're the enemy.

"Destroya" is, simply put, fun alternative track.  It's a nice change from all of the heavy stuff out there these days.  Gerard and the boys build up to pounding percussion, vocals that don't quit, and guitars that might sound the same throughout the song, but are in fact quite good.  The chorus is your golden ticket here, delivered with precision.  It gets an A for execution, as it's really what sold me.  What part of "Destroya" will do the same for you?

Every Night I Say A Prayer - Little Boots

Throwback pop might just be my favourite of the pop genres (in a close tie with indie pop), and Little Boots has the throwback part down pat.  She's a modern-day Madonna in a world of Disney pop stars and girls who think they can sing but can't.  This Brit can sing, and knows her way around electropop while still retaining her own sound.  It's a happy medium that everyone can enjoy, and her latest "Every Night I Say A Prayer" will be the one you remember.

"Every Night I Say A Prayer" has no religious convictions.  It's a bass-pumping pop song tinged with synths and the keyboard.  The chorus will get you, I guarantee.  I have seen into the future, every night I say a prayer.  I'm looking forward to hearing some remixes of this song too; it has the potential to become a solid club staple.  I've already got one by Tensnake, so what else do you have for me, internet?  The bottom line?  Big things come in small packages, and Little Boots, the Brit with a voice that could, is going to be a very big thing.

Fear of the Dark - Van Canto

I usually don't condone covering an Iron Maiden song unless you want the full force of my wrath to ensue.  Cradle of Filth got away with it, though I'm going to say now that it's difficult to cover one of the greatest bands to ever exist while not trying to ruin it.  You have to be unique, but still stay true to what the men of Iron Maiden were trying to do.  Why not give it a run by going a capella?  I was browsing through Van Canto songs and found that the collective covered "Fear of the Dark."So I gave it a go, and the rest is history.

Van Canto's "Fear of the Dark" might take some getting used to if you're a diehard Iron Maiden fan, but it'll grow on you, I promise.  Here, you have a different flavor on an old favourite (1992 was a good year, after all).  There are no guitars, only vocals that are meant to sound like there are.  No, they really only sound realistic during vocal stretches, but it's an interesting way of going about things.  I'm also a big fan of turning this into a male-female duet of sorts; you know I love that contrast.

Maybe I'm just too excited to see Iron Maiden in concert.  Yeah, I am too excited.