November 13th is the date for Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, the new album from Outkast legend Big Boi, a short wait compared to what we had to endure before hearing his excellent solo debut a couple years ago, Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. Remember how awesome that album was? I surely do: “Shutterbug” was hands down my favorite track of 2010. And “Gossip,” the first leak from the new album, gives promising hints at a Dirty South-sized follow-up. Maybe we’ll see this player at the mother of all parties in November, Fun Fun Fun Fest? Don’t rule it out.
Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.
80. The White Stripes – Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
The opening track from White Blood Cells squeals to life, Jack White’s guitar screeching into a staple new-blues riff before Meg pounds in and all hell breaks loose. For many, it would be the first we would hear from this Detroit duo, and first impressions have a lasting impact. Jack and Meg needn’t worry – they certainly got our attention.
Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.
270. The Shins – New Slang
I heard all the brouhaha about Garden State and the hype surrounding this band, but I didn’t actually see the film until I met my good friend Kim in college. I believe it is still one of her favorite movies, and it is one that I enjoyed immensely, though I haven’t watched it since. I managed to get my hands on a copy of Oh, Inverted World back in high school, and, honestly, I didn’t really get it. Sure, the songs were pretty and soft, but I was initially bored. And dumb. It took repeated listens and a few years for me to appreciate it; what a brilliant little debut from a band that would, along with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, probably be the first in the new indie-Internet age to become too popular too quick.
