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The Best Songs of 2010: #10: “Excuses” by The Morning Benders

20 Dec

How can you not like number graphics?

And it officially begins. Today is December 20. By December 30 the mystery will be unraveled and the Music Court’s top 10 songs of the year will be revealed. People love lists. Seriously, if I devoted this entire blog to “Best-Of Lists” I would gain a tremendous amount of viewers. For the next 10 days (excluding Sunday the 26) I will list a song a day from today’s #10 to Dec. 30 #1. Let us begin with #10.

Song: “Excuses”

Artist: The Morning Benders

I have been trying to put my finger on what “Excuses” by The Morning Benders sounds like. Well, the #10 song on our list was released in March of 2010 and co-produced by Grizzly Bear bassist Chris Taylor. The Grizzly Bear influence is evident. The song is what happens when you put Spector’s “Wall of Sound” concept and late 60’s light, melodic, British psychedelia into a particle collider and let them hit each other at such a rapid speed that it bends time and travels 40 years and penetrates lead singer Chris Chu. The melodic hook in this song is beyond wonderful…it’s eery.

This is a 5-minute work of genius. Notice how we immediately are introduced to a wacky string section that already hits us with the Grizzly Bear sound. And when they erupt into the acoustic chords and normal string section it is as if we have been sent back in time. The string coordination is beautiful. Chris Chu’s voice appears in the first verse and, just like an ocean wave, douses listeners with water infused with vocal goodness. The harmony prior to the chorus is so British harmonizing it is absolutely scary. The lyric is not shabby either.

The breakdown extends the song’s infectiousness. We have another one that sticks. And, in typical “Wall of Sound” fashion, the breakdown slowly rises into this ultimate crescendo that leads into the powerful last verse where it seems like several voices are pounding into listeners. After listening to the song I felt drenched. This piece starts off our Top 10 well. And, as you can imagine, if this is #10 we have a solid list and 10 days ahead of us. See you all tomorrow.

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The Best Songs of 2010: Sneak Peak – Number 11: “Tighten Up” by The Black Keys

14 Dec

Last year at around this time in December I was summing up a decade of music. Today premieres a preview of the top songs of 2010, a post category that will run from December 20 – December 30 (Skipping the Sunday in between). Each day will feature a different song in a running countdown to the best song of 2010. Please understand this disclaimer. All opinions expressed in this list (especially order of songs) are opinions. That’s right. So, if you have another song that you believe deserved a spot, post it in a comment and let’s talk. Also, be nice. It’s New Years and Christmas and overall merriment should be the pervasive thought during this season.

Anyway, before I travel home tomorrow (today marked the official end of Fall semester of my senior year at Binghamton University), I wanted to leave you with the #11 song on my 2010 countdown. The list is made up of 11 songs to mark our transition into 2011 and to hold true to the “one for good luck” axiom. I know. Aren’t I witty? Okay, not really. Let’s get to some music.

#11.) “Tighten Up” by The Black Keys

We kick off our list with a song about a dinosaur. Well, no, it’s not about a dinosaur, but Frank, the Black Keys’ puppet dinosaur, does star in the video for this catchy rock tune. Take a listen:

Yes, Frank is infectious, but so is the opening whistle, catchy riff, excellent bass and drum portion (Pat Carney at his best). The song is excellently put together, clean, but rugged. The mini-solo that repeats throughout the song serves as a shaking breakdown (or Frank dance portion). Because, as we all know, Frank is a Funkasaurus Rex.

The song, not to be confused with Archie Bell and The Drell’s “Tighten Up” from 1968 – because who in the world would confuse a Black Keys song with Archie Bell’s awesome hit – appeared on The Black Keys’ release Brothers (May 18, 2010). The song was created by The Black Keys and Brian Burton, a.k.a Danger Mouse (who actually makes several appearances on our list through numerous different projects).

As guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach told The Sun, “That was the last song we did for the record. We had a couple of days off and so did Brian (Danger Mouse) and since we are friends and like hanging out with each other we thought it would be fun to go into the studio and see if we could come up with a tune. We always have a blast when the three of us get together.”

The result was a rock hit that fuses pop and the Keys’ trademark gritty style. Also, let us not forget Auerbach’s vocal which is trademark Keys, bluesy and upbeat. The end of the song definitely shows some Danger Mouse influence, as the song slowly moves into an odd techno, robotic beat and cuts out.

I think the songs greatest strength is in its simplicity. That, and Frank, mark it as #11 on our countdown. Tune your dials to The Music Court on December 20 where we will pick up with #10. I will be back posting on Thursday. Wish me happy traveling tomorrow (and hopefully none of that white stuff)

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