50. Tonto – Battles

A newer rock band actually playing their instruments at a competent level as well as making it catchy? As Yoda once said, “there is hope”.

Sample

49. Year of the Waitress – The Eames era

Cute dork rock taken to its highest level. At times, the lead vocals just kind of fizzle out in the left channel as the singer tries to act “whatever”, but it works.

48. Coyotes – Richard Thompson and Don Edwards

The heartbreaking featured track from the fascinating documentary “Grizzly Man”. As the song proceeds, nature slowly fades from the landscape as referenced by an old timer.

47. Dead Queen – Espers

Enthralling, rambling mystical piece that envokes a sense of timelessness and general wonderment.

Sample

46. Peacebone – Animal Collective

A bouncy, fascinating ride through Animal Collective’s distorted psyche. Happiness encapsulated in musical format.

45. With Crippled Wings – Lift to Experience

A christian rock band delivers the goods in a big way. The sample is the live version, which is inferior to the studio. Try and get your hands on it.

Sample

44. The Scientist – Coldplay

Well done mainstream pop, nothing to apologize for and something sorely lacking this decade.

43. Holy Smokes – Aesop Rock

If Fred Flinstone was in hip hop, I think he would have been like Aesop Rock. Vocal hooks and a slinky melodic synth line will seep into your soul. “I knew it!”.

42. My Immortal – Evanescence

One of the biggest songs of the decade. Beautifully sung with a melody producers would cheat and steal for. True beauty in a sea of auto-tune garbage.

41. I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry

The song that had all the soccer moms upset, but also had them thinking about their own possible experimentation earlier in life. This song single handedly fucked with suburbia badly, and that’s always a good thing.

rate this review
(20 votes, average: 2.75 out of 5)
 Loading ...

 
Lil’ Wayne – Tha Carter III
Reviewed By Nolan Grey

Self-proclaimed “greatest rapper alive’s” third and final installment of Tha Carter exceeds expectations set by previous material. Overrated and adored by many critics, and underrated by self-ascribed hip-hop heads, Weezy’s ability is streaky. On any given track, out of control nonsense and unexpectedly engrossing rhymes can both be equally expected. In the recent past, these two balanced one another out, leading to solid, but not spectacular mix tapes and features. In Tha Carter III, Lil’ Wayne manages to play far above this level, providing engrossing rhymes over some superb beats.

1. 3 Peat: 8.5

The album’s lead track sets Lil’ Wayne against a rich backdrop – packed with strings, varying beats, and flangy synth sound. Wayne’s raspy voice enters next, bringing his hallmark overconfidence, non-sequiturs, and oddball creativity to the table instantly. The entire track is completely over the top, but works well as the first song off of the album.

2. Mr. Carter: 8.8

(more…)