October 26, 2005
One of the best things about today's online music services is the opportunity to purchase individual songs for unlimited listening regardless of whether or not they have been released as a single. Each week I uncover some of the best pop tracks to download from online music services. The music will range widely across pop genres. The tracks listed may not be available at all of the major online music services.
Read lists from previous weeks.
1. Aerosmith - Rattlesnake Shake (Live)
This is a real chestnut included on the just-released Aerosmith live album Rockin' the Joint. "Rattlesnake Shake" is an old pre-Lindsey and Stevie Fleetwood Mac bluesy number. It was reportedly one of the first songs Aerosmith learned to play together and was a staple of their early tours. This is a tight performance by Steven Tyler and the boys.
2. Destiny's Child - Stand Up For Love
This all-new track from the trio's compilation #1's will really make you wish they weren't breaking up. The voices are gorgeous and build to an appealing gospel-style crescendo.
Listen to "Stand Up For Love".
3. Faith Evans - Santa Baby
The first lady of r&b has released her first Christmas album A Faithful Christmas. This version of the classic "Santa Baby" sounds appealingly retro. You can imagine Faith singing surrounded by gently falling snow on one of those old-fashioned TV Christmas specials.
4. Marcos Hernandez - Best Of My Love
Latin hunk Marcos Hernandez has made headway on the pop singles chart crooning "If You Were Mine." His album C About Me came out yesterday, and it is worth exploring. "Best Of My Love" is a romantic message nestled in midtempo Latin rhythms.
5. Natalie Merchant - Build a Levee
Retrospective 1995-2005 is a pleasing journey back through Natalie Merchant's recent alt-pop catalogue. This is a track you may have missed, but it's blues-gospel feel makes great listening. Legendary r&b singer Mavis Staples is featured.
6. Bette Midler - Mr. Wonderful
Just a week after Rod Stewart delivered his latest collection of pop standards, the Divine Miss M proves she can handle those classics as well on her album Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook. The album was produced by Bette Midler's old collaborator Barry Manilow. "Mr. Wonderful" is originally from the Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful, and Bette's version is warm, understated and, well, wonderful.
7. NSYNC - Pop
Do you need an excuse to dig back into the catalog of Justin and JC's band? The boys earnest defense of my favorite kind of music is still one of their best, in my humble opinion. The Greatest Hits collection came out yesterday.
8. Ric Ocasek - Don't Lose Me
For those old enough to have been around back then, Ric Ocasek, former leader of the Cars, is one of the most immediately recognizable figures from the pop music of the 80's. His latest album Nexterday, exclusively available online at Rhapsody for now, includes this picture perfect 80's retro nugget.
9. Santana featuring Bo Bice - Brown Skin Girl
I'm still digging out great tracks from Santana's All That I Am album which is only available online until next Tuesday. This track features American Idol runner-up Bo Bice. He has a classic rock voice and Carlos Santana's guitar is brilliant as always.
10. Ashlee Simpson - In Another Life
"In Another Life" has a big, full pop-rock sound and shows off Simpson's songwriting and vocal skills well. The album I Am Me is a solid effort and likely to be Ashlee's second album to debut at the top of the pop albums chart.
