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10 TRACK MIND: A little too much ambiance and bombast
City Paper intern Matt Cantor set his iPod on shuffle. This is where it led him...
10 TRACK MIND: A little too much ambiance and bombast
6. James Taylor, “Carolina in My Mind,” Greatest Hits
“Carolina in My Mind” appeared on Taylor’s first album, James Taylor, which didn’t make much of a splash. But he must have liked the song, because a new version — the one everyone knows — was released on his 1976 Greatest Hits album. You don’t get much more Taylor-y than this song: It’s relaxed, deeply personal, and it’s got quintessential Taylor finger-picking. He’s a sorely underappreciated guitarist, with a multi-voiced style that’s almost classical.
7. Dexy’s Midnight Runners, “All in All (This One Last Wild Waltz),” Too-Rye-Aye
They’re more than just “Come on Eileen”: These guys play haunting, Celtic-influenced pop, with strings and horns cleanly mixed over punchy bass lines. “All in All” would benefit from being a bit faster, but it showcases Kevin Rowland’s uniquely intense and well-controlled voice. If you like “Come on Eileen” — as who doesn’t? — check out “Let’s Make This Precious,” a better example of the band’s non-Eileen-related work.
8. Coldplay, “Square One,” X&Y
Say what you will about Coldplay — Chris Martin knows how to write a great melodic pop song. “Square One,” however, appears on their weakest album, and it’s a got a little too much ambiance and bombast for its own good. Coldplay are at their best when they’re more intimate — as demonstrated in this song’s tag, which features just Martin’s voice and an acoustic guitar.
9. Local Natives, “Cubism Dream,” Gorilla Manor
Like a lot of Local Natives originals, this song doesn’t seem to go anywhere; there’s a droning quality to it. On the other hand, the band’s got a full, rich sound, and songs like this showcase great voices singing impeccable, original harmonies. They put on one of the best shows I’ve seen in quite a while.
10. The Jam, “Eton Rifles,” Setting Sons
The Jam often sound like the Clash playing Motown songs, and this tune is no exception. With a good beat, “Eton Rifles” manages to be aggressive but poppy, a fun song for an indie club night. It’s very, very English.
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