Top Ten Tracks on Elbo.Ws Reviewed in 50 Words or Less: 5/16/08--5/31/08

Bi-Weekly, MFR Reviews the top ten tracks on music blog aggregator Elbo.ws. Here are the songs for the weeks of May 16th through May 31st. Lots of Blondie influence and slow-burn songs here.

1. Mates of State - "My Only Offer"

The fact that this song has grown on me so much since the last time I wrote about it probably means one thing: That I'm becoming older. But, then again, "My Only Offer"'s effortless effervescence has proven pretty hard to resist. Furthermore, you gotta wash the dishes to something, and there are a lot worse options out there.

Grade: B+

2. RATATAT - Mirando

Why this song receives a lot of attention, and Matmos doesn't, I'm not sure, but the second single from RATATAT's upcoming LP3 features many of the same electronic flourishes/trills and not-quite syncopated grooves that should please fans of Supreme Balloon. That said, wasn't this already released earlier this year?

Grade: B-

3. Beck - "Chemtrails"

The leaked first single from the tentatively titled Modern Guilt shows Beck dabbling in Brian Wilson-influenced dream-pop, while retaining the haunting Nigel Godrich touch of his past few albums. "Chemtrails" is a striking departure, one that causes curiosity to definitely pique.

Grade: A-

4. RATATAT - "Shiller"


See above. (Though the soundcapes are legitimately pretty, and this song has grown on me over time as well).

Grade: B-

5. Ponytail - "Celebrate The Body Electric (It Came From An Angel)"

The titular shout-out to Walt Whitman hints at only the slightest idea as to the joyfully noisy racket this Baltimore quartet is capable of. Though "Celebrate" certainly is long, it ultimately rewards the patience of the listener by eagerly revealing its sonic sunlight upon multiple listens. Simply amazing.

Grade: A

6. The Ting Tings - "Shut Up and Let Me Go"

SASSY SASS-TASTIC SASS-A-ROO!!!!!

Grade: B

7. Music Go Music - "Light of Love"

Yet another Blondie 2.0 (after The Ting Tings), though Music Go Music hew closer to having hearts of glass, lest they be ones to endure the rapture. The vocals owe more than their fair share of debt to Debbie Harry, but the band plays catchy, competent 50s Doo-Wop in the background. This is a song that I can't be enthused about, but will remain in my head the rest of the day

Grade: B-

8. The Ting Tings - "That's Not My Name"

Is it possible just to mainline sass directly into my veins? At least this is more Missy Elliot than Debbie Harry, so it's in this decade.

Grade: C+

9. Mudhoney - "I'm Now"

"I'm Now" contains one of the best lines to capture the zeitgeist since we found ourselves half-awake in a fake empire. The music, a ramshackle combination of blues and punk, ain't half bad either.

Grade: B

10. Coldplay - "Violet Hill"

While I don't necessarily believe that Eno saved this band from the mumbly doldrums of most mope-rock, he, along with the band's new sense of expressing musical darkness through dynamics, has certainly helped to create the best new Coldplay song since our heads rushed with blood.

Grade: B+

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com