Here is the 2nd installment (4 overall) of the Rolling Stone's top 100 songs for 2006. To help your surfing agitation, I have included links (although some songs are impossible to find). 75 "Before He Cheats" Carrie Underwood
A song that has become a mainstay on country radio the latter part of the year. Overall, I don't mind this song. It's basically about trashing some dude's pickup while he's cheating on her… which if you've seen her, the song probably isn't auto-biographical. (B) Carrie Underwood's Myspace
74 "Just Drums" Tapes 'N Tapes
After hearing this song for the first time, all I can say is… "okay". I don't hate this song, but on the other hand it isn't make me want to rush out and hear more from these guys. The vocals take a backseat to the instruments, and for me it was hard for me to pay attention… or maybe that's just the lack of caffeine in my system. (C) Tapes 'n Tapes Myspace
73 "Pushover" The Long Winters
Yet another band I haven't heard of… which makes me wonder if I'm that sheltered, or just not on the same wavelength as RS. I like this song though, it's acoustic guitar-centered… and has the type of sound that you might hear down at the local bar one night. Plus, who hasn't felt the "For you I'm a, Pushover" vibe before? (B+) Pushover Mp3
72 "Louisiana " The Walkmen
If you didn't know this song was a new release, you'd think that A) It was from a couple decades ago, and B) Is this person trying to cover lost Bob Dylan songs? This song has grown on me and I am starting to like it. Anytime a band adds other instruments, in this case trumpets, I think I tend to like the song even more. Worth a listen. (A-) The Walkmen myspace
71 "Let Me Know" Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I like the YYY's, but do not own any of their CD's… just a random mp3 here and there. This song seems to be a little more whimsical than the other YYY's songs… Karen O is definitely not stressing her voice on this track. (B) YYY's myspace
70 "I Gotcha" Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco has gotten a lot of press lately(after "Touch the Sky" w/ Kanye), but until now I hadn't heard a complete song by him. I like his flow as well as the solid beats. His website has a player, where you can hear a few of his tracks. (A) Lupe's homepage
69 "Trouble" Jay-Z
Retirement ended early for Jay-Z, who release a new cd this year after a three year hiatus. This is solid Jay-Z work here, along with a catchy beat. More rappers need to take lessons from Shawn Carter. (A-) H to the izzo
68 "Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts" Arctic Monkeys
Yes, the group that released "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" had more than one song released. This song, while not as "catchy" as their other release, will get your toe-tapping/head-bobbing along to the beat. (B) Monkey's myspace
67 "Deja Vu" Beyonce with Jay-Z
This song is different for me between the radio and video versions. The video version I don't care for… it's all over the place, between spastic dancing, 100's of location/wardrobe changes, etc. The radio version is a lot more palatable to me. The rapping by Jay-Z at the beginning and middle of the song help dilute this high energy song. (C+) Not ready for this jelly
66 "Ballad of Bitter Honey" Eef Barzelay
Not a completely horrible song, music-wise… but singing about hoochie skanks, Nelly's bodyguards, etc. in your best folk-voice doesn't quite get it done for me. (C-) Eef's myspace
65 "Penny on the Train Track" Ben Kweller This is the first song I've heard from his album that was released a couple of months ago. I am really liking this song, enough that I'll probably look into more tracks (or the entire cd). The song has piano, inspiring lyrics and pretty good sing-along-ability. (A-) Wasted & Ready
64 "Put Your Records On" Corinne Bailey Rae
A VH1 favorite for the past 6 months. This song makes you think of summer, which at this time of year, isn't a bad thing. I would be interested to hear more songs by Corinne, because this is pretty easy on the ears. (B+) Corinne's page
63 "The Funeral" Band of Horses
This song sounds like it could easily be included on the "Garden State" soundtrack. The song slowly builds over its 5:15 run time. Something about this song makes me think I've heard it before… but just not sure where. (B) Band of Horses
62 "Work, Work, Work (Pub, Club, Sleep)" The Rakes
Yet another "The ___" band. These guys are from across the pond and are hard to differentiate from the other "The ___" bands. This song is pretty average, and neither the lyrics or music stand out. (C) The Rakes myspace
61 "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above" CSS
Brazilian disco music that sounds like it's from a lost 80's radio station. Not my bag baby! (D) CSS's myspace
60 "Phenomena" Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This sounds more like the YYY's I'm used to (vs. #71). The chorus is straight-up LL Cool J, from his song "Phenomenon". (B+)
59 "Bossy" Kelis with Too $hort
Not really digging this song. The pinging noise that runs in the background the whole time is a bit distracting… sounds like my grandpa trying to figure out how to run the microwave. (D) Kelis myspace
58 "Idlewild Blues" Outkast
This song is pretty catchy, even if the movie it was on the soundtrack to wasn't. Leave it to Andre 3000 to go from "Hey Ya" to "Idlewild Blues"… both songs channel something before the 21st century. (B+) Outkast's myspace
57 "Love Me or Hate Me" Lady Sovereign
The beat and video game sound effects are solid, but not too sold on her rapping. To me, she has one-hit wonder written all over her. (D+) The Lady has myspace
56 "Promiscuous" Nelly Furtado with Timbaland
The song that brought Nelly Furtado back from "Fly like a Bird" territory. Along with Timbaland, this song has been all over the place the past several months. Not much more needs to be said, because there's only a very small percent chance you haven't heard this song before. (B-) The other Nelly
55 "Nausea" Beck
Beck continues to do his own thing, and I for one continue to listen. The lyrics might be out there, but the music and presentation suck you in. You hardly even acknowledge you're actually singing "Nausea" multiple times. (A-) Soy un perdedor
54 "Kilo" Ghostface Killah
"A kilo is a thousand grams, its easy to remember" where was this when I was working on the metric system in school? A rap about dealing that delivers. "Kilo" has a catchy chorus, but doesn't have to worry about an annoying bass line to get in the way. (C+) Ghostface's myspace
53 "O Valencia!" The Decemberists
The first release off their new "The Crane Life" CD. I've liked what I've heard from these guys, and this song is about par for the course. The Shakespearean lyrics of "O Valencia" along with a little organ, make this song a solid addition to your mp3 collection. (A-) Decemberists
52 "Makedamnsure" Taking Back Sunday
According to TBS, love sucks… and he just wants to "bring you down so badly, in the worst way". When the chorus kicks in, the songs starts to rock. This song is good whether you're thinking about an ex, or just wanting to throw a rock-fist (or two) up in the air from time to time. (A) TBS's myspace
51 "Black Sweat" Prince
An okay song that has me wishing for the Prince of the 80's and early 90's. (C-) <<<<>>>>
Not sure when I'm going to get to the top 50... hopefully there will be more songs that I do know vs. don't know. As always, comments/arguments/worship is appreciated.
Happy Holidays! -->[endif]-->