November 9, 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. Gorillaz - Dirty Harry
If you are not a serious Gorillaz fan yet, you should be. In celebration of their Demon Days concert series at home in Manchester, England, I encourage you to listen to the incredibly funky, satirical, anti-war anthem complete with children's choir "Dirty Harry."
2. Mobb Deep - Have a Party
The soundtrack for 50 Cent's movie Get Rich Or Die Tryin' has a wide range of hot tracks, but my choice to start off is Mobb Deep's club-friendly cut "Have a Party."
3. Relient K - Apathetic Way To Be
Christian punk pop group Relient K have just released an EP titled Apathetic containing this bright, snappy new track declaring "apathetic's a pathetic way to be."
4. Neil Diamond - Delirious Love
Producer Rick Rubin took much-loved and much-reviled pop legend Neil Diamond into the studio, stripped down the sound, and came out with an impressive album. "Delirious Love" is a simple straightforward pop gem with basic piano and guitar backing instead of Diamond's usual strings and choirs.
5. Cyndi Lauper featuring Sarah McLachlan - Time After Time
Lauper's new album The Body Acoustic features acoustic reworkings of most of her classic hits. The richness and depth of Sarah McLachlan's voice helps dig even deeper into the emotion of the classic "Time After Time."
6. Kate Bush - How To Be Invisible
This song throbs with elegant, intimate, erotic sound. Do you expect anything different from Kate Bush? After 12 years absence from the pop music world, she has returned, and I heartily welcome her back.
7. Eurythmics - It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)
They've just released a new compilation The Ultimate Collection, and it's a perfect opportunity to dive back into 80's Eurythmics classics. Annie Lennox' treasure of a voice goes down so smooth and soulful here.
8. Beastie Boys - Sabotage
After exploring the 80's with Eurythmics, head into the 90's and the amazingly chaotic world of the Beasties. "Sabotage," a classic track from their Solid Gold Hits collection is still loud, fun, and just a bit unnerving, after all these years.
9. Fall Out Boy - Sophomore Slump Or Comeback Of the Year
It's hard to get tired of Fall Out Boy. This dissertation on lies goes down so easy with one of the group's best pop melodies.
10. Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass - Winter Wonderland
Here is more holiday music to cheer you as days get shorter and colder. The classic Christmas Album by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass has been remastered and repackaged. Enjoy the mellow Latin lounge horns on this Christmas classic.
