10 Best Tracks of the Noughties

This list has been compiled with inspiration from Pitchfork Media’s recent ‘P2K’ list:

10. Gnarls Barkley – Crazy

Three seconds in, and the magic happens. 9 weeks at number one in the UK, and the first track to reach number one in that country based on downloads alone. Sampled from a western film’s soundtrack, it was a huge dancefloor tune and an immediate crossover success.

9. Animal Collective-My Girls

Leaked at the end of 2008, people quickly drew parallels between My Girls’ message and the invading global downturn in the economy. Sensible, given its squeaky-clean message regarding love, simple love that’s based on devotion and not keeping up appearances. Not an obvious alterna-rock sentiment, but the guys don’t need one with exhuberent synths like these.

8. Radiohead-Idioteque

Even to those for whom Radiohead have never really meant that much, Idioteque has always been a particularly appealing example of a creepy, experimental alternative style. The drumming and melodic style get right in your head and chill you through and through. But – and far apart from that – its a philosophical and feeling triumph.

7. Girls Aloud-The Loving Kind

Many Brits like to believe they know Cheryl Cole. She is the UK’s golden girl. But they don’t, well not personally anway. One thing that most music fans will know, however, is that Cheryl and the lasses would not have exactly groaned the day that Pet Shop Boys handed over to them a great, melodic track they had earlier penned. The result is ‘The Loving Kind’, the girls’ finest moment, splicing danceable melancholy with a typically fine Aloud-style hook.Pop bliss.

6. Missy Elliot-Get Ur Freak On

Hard to believe it now, with the release of his altogether rather insipid ‘Shock Value II’, but hip-hop producer Timbaland was actually once a mighty fine producer-type. Hyper billboard smash ‘Get Ur Freak On,’ is case in point. With its maddening bassline and chilling synths, Missy and Timbo would create a new sound for the cliched Billboard charts. (too bad they’ve since gone back in the wrong direction.) While at times head pounding, this one’s never unoriginal.

5. Daft Punk-One More Time

Oh, those Frenchies. What is it that’s going into their water? Well whatever it may be, it has the potential to make sweet, anthemic nostalgia. ‘One More Time,’ the party-friendly voice speaks. It signifies an ending, a conclusion, there won’t be another chance to party the way you will when this comes on, well in any one session. It’s a groovy shake, a tune, an adopted NYE anthem, anything but an ennui in one’s life. Chant on, then punks, and let the dancing reign supreme.

4. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z-Crazy In Love

‘Oh,Oh,Oh,Oh,Oh,Oh-Oh no no!’, Beyonce chants as she departs from her sisterly tribe of Destiny’s in one rapid blaze of glory. It had to be huge though,didn’t it,if it wanted to have a solo Beyonce Knowles splashed all over its cover?!. And with this single, enormous anthem, she set herself up as a frontronner in the race for the next Diana, Donna – or even Tina.

3. M.I.A.-Paper Planes

Picture this: dozens of wild clubbers in a neon maze with their fingers poised high, two slumdogs scrambling for a snack in Danny Boyle’s gigantic blockbuster, or even the trailer for the rather daft flick Pineapple Express. Whichever you choose, M.I.A.’s raw groove turned hip-hop smash is that rare kind of record – personal, relevant, mass,all at once – call it anything you want, you can’t call it generic.

2. Amy Winehouse-Rehab

‘And it’s not just my pride, it’s just till these tears have dried…’ The good thing about Ms Winehouse’s tears, is surely what pours out after them. Her critics are many, but so are her fans. Her ‘rehab is for quitters’ statement on this bold and brilliant record sent her head-first into the limelight, manifested in nasty headlines, self-harm rumours- the press had a field day. Fortunately, whatever you think of Amy – a soulful talent remains.

1. LCD Soundsystem-All My Friends

Brand New Decade

Welcome 2010! Here begin the teens,the ’010′s’,whatever you wish to call them. In the light of certain lists that have cropped up all over websites of late I’ll soon be posting a round-up of ten of the best, must-have tracks of the noughties-more than a little bit influenced by Pitchfork but hey,they know their ####.

Track of the Year

Meaning so much more for having been released as the global recession firmly set in, ‘My Girls’ was instantly the most appealing of tracks from Animal Collective’s ’09 Lp,  Merriweather Post Pavillion. After all, it’s so blissful and genuine that it doesn’t really seem to matter which way you swing - it boils down to a simple message about devotion. That said, it’s also an absolute synth-driven tuune!. It took me an awful long time to get into these guys, meaning it’s even more glorious now to re-listen to this Baltimore-originating’s quintessential release. Can’t get enough AC? Epic summer hit ‘What Would I Want? Sky!’ is available now.

Christmas on the Emerald Isle…

As I sit down to watch the Will Ferrell gem ‘Elf,’ my mind naturally wanders to the thought of returning home to Ireland for Christmas. I now believe having spent a semester abroad that the Emerald Isle is far nicer to return to than it is to reside on. Christmas is that perennial holiday that requires you be where family are in order to get the best out of that warm spirit (-:)) And though sentimental I may sound…who couldn’t resist this yuletide glory….

In particular, the second one brings to mind memories of keeping warm and cosy at my relatives in Galway, it’s always a good deal colder out west, and on the drive down the folks and I would have the Ronettes blaring with all the festivities in mind. My uncle’s a really great chef and once again my insatiable appetite can’t wait for the traditional turkey roast he’ll have waiting for us after St. Stephen’s Day…In the meantime I’ll count the days down to the eve of Yule with…

Prof. Andrew Watson thinking they’d gone off air…

Debate on climate change turns rather hilarious at 2.03 mins…

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