"Hater," the death of browser culture, Simon Cowell, Inc., and seven more musical regrets of the '00s, for The Stranger.

I'm a sucker for a (sort of) listicle, pt. 3: Baltimore City Paper's annual People Who Died roundup--this year, Helio Gracie, Judith Krug, Marilyn Chambers, Jack Cardiff, Rashied Ali, Allen Klein, Richard Whitcomb, Sylvia Schur, and Donald Westlake.

To the surprise of no one, I’ve made some end-of-decade lists. Well, I’ve made a few—not just here, either, but the lists I did for specific polls and surveys only apply here insofar as they’ve provided fuel for these lists. There are five altogether: 100 albums (already posted) and four separate lists of singles and tracks totaling 500. I’ll roll them out over the next few weeks, finishing by the end of January. I’ve got as much list fatigue as anyone, but I couldn’t resist.

The way singles and tracks are organized bears explaining. In 2000, Pazz & Jop began allowing for non-singles. The proliferation of downloading had made it impossible not to, and while the rule was later modified to cover “focus tracks,” the cat was out of the bag. The two critics polls I oversaw for Idolator made no such specifications: tracks were tracks, and you could vote for whatever. Before that, I’d put together three writers’ compendiums of year-end mixes for Seattle Weekly, the only rule for which was that the mix had to fit onto a single, 80-minute audio CD. With the polls, people still stumped for real-world singles, or their digital equivalents, more often than not.

Looking at Pitchfork’s Top 500 Tracks of the ’00s this summer, I wondered idly about the hits-to-personal-favorites ratio—eyeballing it, somewhere in the 50-50 to 60-40 range, with the hits bunched up toward the top, as usual. A list that mammoth is always a bit unwieldy, which is part of the point; musically, the ’00s were an musical decade. The idea was to suggest a wider context for both the stuff everyone knew and the stuff only a few people knew and thought you should too, as I’d tried to have the writers do with the SW mixes. Digital culture encourages that kind of big-stew approach, and part of writing about music is drawing parallels and making connections. But there’s a lot to be said for more specific contexts.

So I decided to keep my own tracks lists within specific orbits, as follows:

• Songs that made the Billboard Hot 100
• Singles (7- and 12-inches, digital one-offs, “focus” tracks, etc.) that didn’t make the Hot 100
• Album tracks that I played and/or focused on as if they were singles
• Remixes
  

(It turns out I wasn't the only one to think this way; Steve Mannion did too, very similarly so.)

Within each (yes, even the Hot 100) there is a good amount of variety. Nevertheless, I figured these parameters, loose as they are, might make the selections’ affinities a little more obvious. Whether that occurs or not remains to be seen, but I can’t help but think that a list of songs that were competing for the same airplay, to however limited a degree (and as the years go on, it becomes more limited, as Billboard began tracking digital sales more intensely), might make a coherent snapshot, just as an all-personal-favorites list might in its own way. Dividing things that way also made it easier to focus my thinking and decision-making with regard to the selections themselves. As Dave Marsh put it in The Heart of Rock and Soul, 1,000 is a small number—and 500 is smaller still, especially in a time as dauntingly bountiful as the ’00s.

As with the albums list, the singles/tracks reflect countless limitations of taste and sensibility. It was tempting to go back and give another shot to any number of tracks I’d never gotten around to, or overlooked, or that others had rated, be it Pitchfork’s writers or the public that ultimately decides the Hot 100. The lists reflect what I latched onto, valued, and ultimately learned from, and as much as possible I didn’t want to revise that history. If a choice looks token-like or dated or overly trendy, figure that it is, and that neither of us should lose any sleep over it. I’ve lost enough already putting these lists together. I’ve lost more than that playing these records, and I’d do it again in a minute. It’s my fondest hope that someone else might too.

Top 125 Hot 100 Hits of the 2000s
1. R. Kelly, “Step in the Name of Love (Remix)” (Jive, 2003)
2. R. Kelly, “Ignition (Remix)” (Jive, 2002)
3. Beyoncé, “Irreplaceable” (Columbia, 2006)
4. Nas, “Made You Look” (Columbia, 2002)
5. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, “Get Ur Freak On” (The Gold Mind/EastWest, 2001)
6. Kylie Minogue, “Love at First Sight” (Capitol, 2002)
7. Clipse, “Grindin’” (Star Trak/Arista, 2002)
8. M.I.A., “Paper Planes” (XL, 2008)
9. Lil Wayne, “A Milli” (Cash Money, 2008)
10. Ne-Yo, “Because of You” (Def Jam, 2007)

11. Brandy ft. Kanye West, “Talk About Our Love” (Atlantic, 2004)
12. Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone” (RCA, 2004)
13. Jay-Z, “99 Problems” (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam, 2004)
14. Justin Timberlake, “Rock Your Body” (Jive, 2003)
15. Three 6 Mafia Featuring Young Buck & Eightball & MJG, “Stay Fly” (Hypnotize Minds, 2005)
16. Daft Punk, “One More Time” (Virgin, 2001)
17. Amerie, “1 Thing” (Rise, 2005)
18. OutKast, “Ms. Jackson” (LaFace, 2000)
19. Jay-Z ft. UGK, “Big Pimpin’” (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam, 2000)
20. Jay-Z, “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)” (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam. 2000)

21. The White Stripes, “Seven Nation Army” (V2, 2003)
22. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Maps” (Interscope, 2004)
23. Maxwell, “Pretty Wings” (Sony, 2009)
24. Rihanna, “Don't Stop The Music” (SRP/Def Jam, 2007)
25. Jay-Z, “Roc Boys (And the Winner Is . . .)” (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam, 2007)
26. Carrie Underwood, “Before He Cheats” (Arista, 2006)
27. Kanye West Featuring Adam Levine, “Heard 'Em Say” (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam, 2005)
28. Eminem ft. Dido, “Stan” (Aftermath, 2000)
29. Nelly ft. City Spud, “Ride wit Me” (Universal, 2001)
30. Petey Pablo, “Raise Up” (Jive, 2001)

31. Nelly, “Hot in Herre” (Universal, 2002)
32. Brad Paisley, “Ticks” (Arista Nashville, 2007)
33. Rihanna ft. Jay-Z, “Umbrella” (SRP/Def Jam, 2007)
34. Gnarls Barkley, “Crazy” (Downtown, 2006)
35. Gretchen Wilson, “Redneck Woman” (Epic Nashville, 2004)
36. Britney Spears, “Toxic” (Jive, 2004)
37. E-40 ft. Keak Da Sneak, “Tell Me When to Go” (Sick wid’ It, 2006)
38. Miranda Lambert, “Famous In A Small Town” (Columbia Nashville, 2007)
39. Usher ft. Ludacris & Lil Jon, “Yeah” (Arista, 2004)
40. Ne-Yo, “Sexy Love” (Def Jam, 2006)

41. Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, “Welcome To Jamrock” (Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong, 2005)
42. Tweet, “Oops (Oh My)” (The Gold Mind/Elektra, 2002)
43. Kanye West ft. Lupe Fiasco, “Touch the Sky” (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam, 2006)
44. Pink, “Don’t Let Me Get Me” (Arista, 2002)
45. No Doubt, “Hella Good” (Interscope, 2002)
46. Petey Pablo, “I Told Y’all” (Jive, 2002)
47. Kelis, “Milkshake” (Star Trak, 2003)
48. Panjabi MC ft. Jay-Z, “Beware of the Boys (Mundian To Bach Ke)” (Sequence, 2003)
49. Eminem, “Without Me” (Aftermath, 2002)
50. Truth Hurts ft. Rakim, “Addictive” (Aftermath, 2002)

51. Brad Paisley, “Alcohol” (Arista Nashville, 2005)
52. Lloyd Featuring Lil Wayne, “Girls Around The World” (The Inc., 2008)
53. Jay-Z, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam, 2001)
54. Pink, “Get The Party Started” (Arista, 2001)
55. Britney Spears, “I’m a Slave 4 U” (Jive, 2001)
56. UGK ft. OutKast, “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)” (UGK/Jive, 2007)
57. Paul Wall ft. Big Pokey, “Sittin’ Sidewayz” (Swishahouse, 2005)
58. Kanye West Featuring Jamie Foxx, “Gold Digger” (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam, 2005)
59. Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z, “Crazy in Love” (Music World, 2003)
60. N.O.R.E., “Nothin’” (Def Jam, 2002)

61. Kylie Minogue, “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” (Capitol, 2002)
62. Nelly Furtado, “Say It Right” (Mosley, 2006)
63. Estelle ft. Kanye West, “American Boy” (Home School/Atlantic, 2008)
64. Christina Aguilera, “Ain’t No Other Man” (RCA, 2006)
65. Destiny’s Child, “Bootylicious” (Columbia, 2001)
66. DMX, “Who We Be” (Ruff Ryders/Def Jam, 2001)
67. The Hives, “Hate to Say I Told You So” (Epitaph/Sire/Gearhead, 2002)
68. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, “Work It” (The Gold Mind/Elektra, 2002)
69. Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River” (Jive, 2002)
70. U2, “Beautiful Day” (Interscope, 2000)

71. Pitbull ft. Trina & Young Bo$$, “Go Girl” (TVT, 2007)
72. Alicia Keys, “You Don’t Know My Name” (J, 2003)
73. Baby ft. Clipse, “What Happened to That Boy” (Cash Money, 2003)
74. Kanye West ft. Dwele, “Flashing Lights” (Roc-a-Fella, 2007)
75. The Game Featuring 50 Cent, “Hate It Or Love It” (Aftermath/G-Unit, 2005)
76. OutKast, “Hey Ya!” (Arista, 2003)
77. Coldplay, “Clocks” (Capitol, 2003)
78. Jay-Z, “Excuse Me Miss” (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam, 2003)
79. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz Featuring Ying Yang Twins, “Get Low” (TVT, 2003)
80. Ne-Yo, “Closer” (Def Jam, 2008)

81. Amy Winehouse Featuring Ghostface Killah, “You Know I'm No Good” (Universal Republic, 2007)
82. Webstar & Young B Featuring The Voice Of Harlem, “Chicken Noodle Soup” (Universal Republic, 2006)
83. Big & Rich, “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” (Warner Bros. (Nashville, 2004)
84. Mystikal, “Shake Ya Ass” (Jive, 2000)
85. Alan Jackson, “Remember When” (Arista Nashville, 2003)
86. D’Angelo, “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” (Virgin/Cheeba Sound, 2000)
87. Nelly, “(Hot S**t) Country Grammar” (Universal, 2000)
88. Rihanna, “SOS” (Def Jam, 2006)
89. Mary J. Blige, “Be Without You” (Geffen, 2005)
90. Modjo, “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” (MCA, 2001)

91. LFO, “Every Other Time” (J, 2001)
92. Lily Allen, “Smile” (Capitol, 2007)
93. Amy Winehouse, “Rehab” (Universal Republic, 2007)
94. Ne-Yo, “So Sick” (Def Jam, 2005)
95. Destiny’s Child, “Jumpin’, Jumpin’” (Columbia, 2000)
96. Ludacris, “Roll Out (My Business)” (Disturbing Tha Peace/Def Jam South, 2001)
97. Kelly Clarkson, “I Do Not Hook Up” (19/RCA, 2009)
98. Twista, “Overnight Celebrity” (Atlantic, 2004)
99. Franz Ferdinand, “Take Me Out” (Domino, 2004)
100. Gretchen Wilson, “Here for the Party” (Epic Nashville, 2004)

101. Brad Paisley ft. Alison Krauss, “Whiskey Lullaby” (Arista Nashville, 2004)
102. Brad Paisley, “Online” (Arista Nashville, 2007)
103. Prince, “Black Sweat” (NPG/Universal, 2006)
104. Eminem, “The Way I Am” (Aftermath, 2000)
105. Lil’ Kim ft. Mr. Cheeks, “The Jump Off” (Atlantic, 2003)
106. Luke Bryan, “Country Man” (Capitol Nashville, 2008)
107. Ghostface Killah ft. Ne-Yo, “Back Like That” (Def Jam, 2006)
108. Eminem, “The Real Slim Shady” (Aftermath, 2000)
109. Ludacris, “Southern Hospitality” (Disturbing Tha Peace/Def Jam South, 2001)
110. Justin Timberlake, “SexyBack” (Jive, 2006)

111. Ne-Yo, “Mad” (Def Jam, 2008)
112. Gretchen Wilson, “When I Think About Cheatin’” (Epic Nashville, 2004)
113. Erykah Badu, “Honey” (Universal Motown, 2008)
114. Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” (Doggystyle, 2004)
115. R. Kelly, “Feelin’ on Yo Booty (Remix)” (Jive, 2001)
116. Justin Timberlake Featuring T.I., “My Love” (Jive, 2006)
117. Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” (Music World, 2008)
118. Kanye West ft. Syleena Johnson, “All Falls Down” (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam, 2004)
119. Cam’ron ft. Juelz Santana, “Oh Boy” (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam, 2002)
120. Queens of the Stone Age, “No One Knows” (Interscope, 2002)

121. Clipse, “When the Last Time” (Star Trak/Arista, 2002)
122. Justin Timberlake, “Like I Love You” (Jive, 2002)
123. Santana ft. Michelle Branch, “The Game of Love” (Arista, 2002)
124. Cascada, “Evacuate the Dancefloor” (Robbins, 2009)
125. New Boyz, ”You’re A Jerk” (Warner Bros., 2009)

This isn't likely to change over the next four days, so I'll post it now. I started this list in September and have tweaked it heavily over the past three months. There are caveats galore, none of which I'll bother stating explicitly other than to say that anything you think looks short-sighted, not as good as another choice by the same artist, or like a mere genre token probably is. Bitch all you like about omissions, too. I didn't do a ton of re-listening; this is what I liked from this decade, during the decade; a snapshot, not a tombstone.

100 Favorite Albums of the '00s
1. Triple R, Friends (Kompakt, 2002)
2. Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (Merge, 2007)
3. Lifter Puller, Fiestas + Fiascos (Frenchkiss, 2000)
4. The Go-Betweens, Oceans Apart (Yep Roc, 2005)
5. Ne-Yo, Year of the Gentleman (Def Jam, 2008)
6. The Avalanches, Since I Left You (XL, 2001)
7. Basement Jaxx, Rooty (Astralwerks/XL, 2001)
8. DJ /rupture, Gold Teeth Thief (Negrophonic, 2001)
9. The Mountain Goats, The Sunset Tree (4AD, 2005)
10. M.I.A., Kala (XL/Interscope, 2007)

11. The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday (Frenchkiss, 2005)
12. Clinic, Internal Wrangler (Domino, 2000)
13. Erykah Badu, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (Universal Motown, 2008)
14. Daft Punk, Discovery (Virgin, 2001)
15. M.I.A., Arular (XL/Interscope, 2005)
16. Luomo, Vocalcity (Force Tracks, 2000)
17. Kanye West, Late Registration (Roc-a-Fella, 2005)
18. Sonic Youth, Sonic Nurse (DGC, 2004)
19. U.S.E. (Mannheim, 2004)
20. Superlongevity 2 (Perlon, 2001)

21. 2 Many DJ’s, As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt. 2 (Pias, 2002)
22. LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver (Capitol, 2007)
23. The Streets, Original Pirate Material (Locked On/Vice, 2002)
24. Ted Leo + the Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets (Lookout!, 2004)
25. Bob Dylan, Love and Theft (Columbia, 2001)
26. Clipse, Lord Willin’ (Star Trak, 2002)
27. Jens Lekman, Night Falls Over Kortedala (Secretly Canadian, 2007)
28. The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me (Frenchkiss, 2004)
29. Ghostface Killah, Fishscale (Def Jam, 2006)
30. The Best Bootlegs in the World Ever (No Label, 2002)

31. DJ Koze, Reincarnations: The Remix Chapter 2001-2009 (Get Physical, 2009)
32. The Futureheads (Sire, 2004)
33. The New Pornographers, Electric Version (Matador, 2003)
34. Basement Jaxx, Kish Kash (Astralwerks, 2003)
35. Kylie Minogue, Fever (Capitol, 2001)
36. The Thermals, Fuckin A (Sub Pop, 2004)
37. Gretchen Wilson, Here for the Party (Epic, 2004)
38. Devin the Dude, To Tha X-Treme (Rap-a-Lot, 2004)
39. The Strokes, Is This It (RCA, 2001)
40. The Mountain Goats, Tallahassee (4AD, 2002)

41. Scarface, The Fix (Def Jam South, 2002)
42. Quasimoto, The Unseen (Stone’s Throw, 2000)
43. OutKast, Stankonia (LaFace, 2000)
44. Missy Elliott, Respect M.E. (Atlantic, U.K., 2006)
45. Dungen, Ta Det Lugnt (Subliminal Sounds, 2004)
46. Amy Winehouse, Back to Black (Universal Republic, 2006)
47. Matthew Herbert, Globus Mix Vol. 5: Let’s All Make Mistakes (Tresor, 2000)
48. Portishead, Third (Mercury, 2008)
49. Queens of the Stone Age, R (Interscope, 2000)
50. Kiki & Herb Will Die for You (Evolver, 2005)

51. Lawrence (Dial, 2002)
52. Jay-Z, The Blueprint (Roc-a-Fella, 2001)
53. DJ /rupture, Minesweeper Suite (Tigerbeat6, 2002)
54. James Murphy & Pat Mahoney, FabricLive 36 (Fabric, 2007)
55. Poplife Presents Poplife Sucks (News/541, 2008)
56. Coachwhips, Double Death (Narnack, 2006)
57. Pure Garage II (Warner Bros. U.K., 2001)
58. D’Angelo, Voodoo (Virgin, 2000)
59. Justin Timberlake, Justified (Jive, 2003)
60. Michael Mayer, Fabric 13 (Fabric, 2003)

61. Kanye West, The College Dropout (Roc-a-Fella, 2004)
62. Sonic Youth, Murray Street (Geffen, 2002)
63. Madvillain, Madvillainy (Stones Throw, 2004)
64. Atmosphere, Lucy Ford (Rhymesayers, 2001)
65. John Peel, FabricLive 07 (Fabric, 2002)
66. Art Brut vs. Satan (Downtown, 2009)
67. Introducing Etran Finatawa (Riverboat, 2006)
68. DJ Koze, Kosi Comes Around (Kompakt, 2005)
69. Flying Lotus, Los Angeles (Warp, 2008)
70. Todd Edwards, Full On Volume 2 (i!, 2003)

71. R. Kelly, Chocolate Factory (Jive, 2003)
72. Raphael Saadiq, The Way I See It (Columbia, 2008)
73. Missy Elliott, Under Construction (Elektra, 2002)
74. Junior Senior: D-D-Don’t Don’t Stop the Beat (Chunky Frog/Atlantic, 2003)
75. DFA Compilation #2 (DFA, 2004)
76. Big & Rich, Horse of a Different Color (Warner Bros., 2004)
77. Pantha Du Prince, This Bliss (Dial, 2007)
78. Pantytec, Pony Slaystation (Perlon, 2003)
79. Franz Ferdinand (Domino, 2004)
80. Ellen Allien, Weiss.Mix (Bpitch Control, 2002)

81. William Parker, Sound Unity (Aum Fidelity, 2005)
82. Ne-Yo, In My Own Words (Def Jam, 2006)
83. Junior Boys, Last Exit (Kin/Domino, 2004)
84. A Frames, Black Forest (Sub Pop, 2005)
85. DJ Quik & Kurupt, BlaQKout (Mad Science, 2009)
86. The David S. Ware Quartet, Live in the World (Thirsty Ear, 2005)
87. v/a, Hyphy Hitz (TVT, 2007)
88. Luna, Romantica (Jetset, 2002)
89. Tanya Morgan, Brooklynati (Interdependent, 2009)
90. 5 Years of Hyperdub Records (Hyperdub, 2009)

91. Annie, Anniemal (Vice, 2004)
92. Sleater-Kinney, One Beat (Kill Rock Stars, 2002)
93. Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III (Cash Money, 2008)
94. Girl Talk, Night Ripper (Illegal Art, 2006)
95. Playgroup, DJ-Kicks (K7, 2002)
96. Hercules and Love Affair (DFA/Mute, 2008)
97. The Field, From Here We Go Sublime (Kompakt, 2007)
98. The Coup, Party Music (Ark 75, 2001)
99. The Fiery Furnaces, Blueberry Boat (Rough Trade, 2004)
100. The Postal Service, Give Up (Sub Pop, 2003)

I'm a sucker for a listicle, pt. 1: Forbes' High Fives archives.

Pt. 2 (well, not really a listicle, but a series of essays, one per year): New York Times' Op-Ed's "The Decade We Had," by Richard Ford, William Langewiesche, Mimi Swartz, Leon Wieseltier, Scott Turow, Jonathan Safran Foer, Richard Powers, Anthony Bourdain, Collum McCann, and Mary Karr.

Moments in history: the minutes of the meeting that brought us the phrase "world music." (Via Jace Clayton, via Wayne Marshall.)

Meghan Daum's eulogy for Kirkus Reviews is based on an OK idea--better a pro than an am, in most cases. I think everyone has agreed on this for a while now; fine. But there's a couple of casual asides that, for me, pulled things to a stop. To wit:

Granted, at Kirkus many of those critics were anonymous freelancers who were paid about $50 per review (an executive salary compared to Publishers Weekly, which in 2008 dropped its rate from $45 to $25 per review). But as dangerous as it can be to instill power in reviewers who work for cheap (and are therefore less experienced), there's now an even more menacing form of arbiter in our midst: the customer reviewer.

Hold on a minute: "less experienced"? Says who? This is the kind of glass-tower presumption that, in 2009, holds no water at all. People who've been writing for years--writing well for years--struggle to keep afloat in publishing. Talent = paycheck has always been a specious notion, if only for backstage/political reasons. (Not to mention that unpopular opinions often lead to less work, or work for less money. And no, "unpopular opinions" does not ipso facto mean "bad writing.") Entitled much? As for, "Too often, the pretense of sharing advice devolves into oversharing the contours of one's navel"--I'm sorry, the sob story about maxing out her credit cards wasn't navel-gazing on which planet, again?

Every year I swear I'm not going to do my Top 100 Tracks before Dec. 31, and every year the onslaught of year-end lists that are likely to skewer what I come up with toward stuff I didn't hear till I saw them convinces me otherwise. 2009 is no different. Call me insecure if you want, but I like to stick to what I know I liked, rather than be persuaded in other directions--even if those other directions end up being right. So here, before I can change it around again, is my list.

1. Walter Jones - Living Without Your Love - DFA
2. Joy Orbison - Hyph Mngo - Hotflush
3. Art Brut - Demons Out! - Downtown
4. DJ Kaos - Love The Nite Away (Tiedye Mix) - Rong/DFA
5. DJ Quik & Kurupt - 9x's Outta 10 - Mad Science
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero - Interscope
7. Maxwell - Pretty Wings - Columbia
8. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Young Adult Friction - Slumberland
9. Joker & Ginz - Purple City - Kapsize
10. Dâm-Funk - Brookside Park - Stones Throw

11. Tanya Morgan ft. Carlitta Durand - Never Enough (Crazy Love) - Interdependent
12. Ghostface Killah ft. Fabolous & Shareefa - Guest House - Def Jam
13. Camera Obscura - French Navy - 4AD
14. Wye Oak - I Want For Nothing - Merge
15. DJ Morgoth (Nirvana vs. Rick Astley) - Never Gonna Give Your Teen Spirit Up - MP3
16. Lone - Joy Reel - Werk
17. Natalie Imbruglia - Want - Universal
18. 2000f and JKamata - You Don't Know What Love Is - Hyperdub
19. Bob Dylan - Must Be Santa - Columbia
20. The-Dream - Kelly's 12 Play - Def Jam

21. New Era - Pockets On My Pannies - MP3
22. The Love Language - Sparxxx - Bladen County
23. Freddie Gibbs - County Bounce - mixtape
24. The Fiery Furnaces - Lost At Sea - Thrill Jockey
25. Unladylike - Sit Yo Ass Down (ESTL Remix) - Def Jam
26. The Juan MacLean - One Day - DFA
27. Micachu & The Shapes - Golden Phone - Rough Trade
28. Major Lazer ft. Vybz Kartel - Pon de Floor - Downtown
29. Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move - Domino
30. Bob Dylan - Beyond Here Lies Nothin' - Columbia

31. Moody - Freeki Mutha F cker - KDJ
32. House Of House - Rushing to Paradise (Walkin' These Streets) - Whatever We Want
33. Scheme - Respect the Art - Molemen/Sound Merchants
34. Noisettes - Never Forget You - Mercury
35. Ne-Yo - I Don't Care - MP3
36. The Hold Steady - Atlantic City - War Child
37. Black Moth Super Rainbow - Twin of Myself - Graveface
38. Darkstar - Aidy's Girl Is A Computer - Hyperdub
39. Simian Mobile Disco ft. Beth Ditto - Cruel Intentions (Joker Remix) - Wichita
40. Silkie - Purple Love - Deep Medi

41. Christina Milian ft. The-Dream - Chameleon - MP3
42. Dizzee Rascal - Bad Behaviour - Dirtee Stank
43. Luciano - Los Ninos de Fuera - Cadenza
44. Diego Bernal - Diego's Donut (RIP Dilla) - Exponential
45. School of Seven Bells - Iamundernodisguise - Ghostly International
46. Dyme Def - Not That Dude - 800 LB.
47. Cascada - Evacuate The Dancefloor (Radio Edit) - Robbins
48. Claude Von Stroke - Vocal Chords - Dirtybird
49. Busy Signal - Da Style Deh - Greensleeves
50. J. Period ft. De La Soul - Excursions (Tribute Remix) - mixtape

51. Clinton Sparks Feat. Clipse & Pharrell - Still Got It 4 Cheap - mixtape
52. Toddla T ft. Herve & Serocee - Shake It - 1965 Records
53. Still Going - Spaghetti Circus - DFA
54. Roy Davis Jr. ft. Erin Martin - I Have A Vision (The Juan MacLean Remix) - Scion Audio Visual
55. Lee Jones - Lab - Aus
56. Drake - Best I Ever Had [Clean] - Def Jam
57. New Boyz - You're a Jerk - Warner Bros.
58. Pink Dollaz - I'm Tasty - MP3
59. Kream Kidz - I'm Nasty - MP3
60. Charlotte Hatherley - White - Minty Fresh

61. Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (Enigma Remix) - MP3
62. Vibes - Psychic - Not Not Fun
63. F.Y.I. - Nasty Girl - MP3
64. Dan Deacon - Surprise Stefani - Carpark
65. Kelly Clarkson - I Do Not Hook Up - RCA
66. Love And Theft - Runaway - Carolwood
67. brakesbrakesbrakes - Ancient Mysteries - Rough Trade
68. Lusine - Crowded Room - Ghostly International
69. Heartland - Mustache - Permian
70. Keri Hilson - Slow Dance - Mosley/Interscope

71. Syran Mbenza & Ensemble Rumba Kongo - Infidelité Mado - Riverboat
72. K'naan - T.I.A. - A&M
73. Royksopp ft. Robyn - The Girl And The Robot - Astralwerks
74. Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas - Skal Vi Prøve Nå? - Eskimo
75. Royal P - Between Us - Rhythm Division
76. Solange - Stillness In The Move - MP3
77. Babydollz - Boyz In the Skinny Jeans (My Cookie) - MP3
78. Neil Diamond - The Chanukah Song - Columbia
79. Jeremih - Birthday Sex - Def Jam
80. Telekinesis - Tokyo - Merge

81. New York Dolls - 'Cause I Sez So - Roadrunner
82. Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes (Dâm-Funk Remix) - Domino
83. Bloody Mary ft. Argenis Brito - Sed Non Satiata - Contexterrior
84. Meleka - Go (Crazy Cousinz Remix) - Defenders
85. Bon & Rau - Cloverleaf Days - Smallville
86. Neko Case - People Got a Lotta Nerve - Anti
87. Professor Green (ft. Chynaman & C.O.R.E) - Upper Clapton Dance - Green
88. Swagg Kids - I'm a Nerd - MP3
89. Shackleton - Let Go - Perlon
90. Luomo - Tessio (Stimming Remix) - Great Stuff Classics

91. Weird Al Yankovic - Craigslist - RCA
92. Jürgen Paape - Ausklang (Burger/Voigt Mix) - Kompakt
93. Franz Ferdinand - Live Alone - Domino
94. Clipse - Popular Demand (Popeyes) - Sony
95. Clothesz Off Movement ft. Rome - Better Than You - MP3
96. Afrobutt - The Taste (Round & Brown) - Electric Minds
97. Cooly G - Love Dub - Hyperdub
98. Aeiress Ent - Billy - MP3
99. GusGus - On The Job - Kompakt
100. Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension - RCA

This year I've been participating in The Singles Jukebox, the review consortium organized by William B. Swygart. For year-end, Will has organized what he calls Best-Off--an eight-round heat of five songs each, with the top two finishers from each organized in head-to-head fashion in the coming weeks. The two heats I helped judge, Group 5 and Group 7, are now up. The others are entertaining, too: Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Group 4, Group 6, Group 8.

Below, updated for the final time, are my scores from the regular season, arranged by number and then alphabetically by artist, with the average Jukebox score in parentheses. An asterisk* means I'd drop my score by a point (maybe more, but usually not) if I were doing it again. Two asterisks** means my score appears but not my review. A plus sign (+) means I'd bump it up a point.

10:
DJ Quik & Kurupt, "9x's Outta 10" (8.06)
Walter Jones, "Living Without Your Love" (7.22)
Joy Orbison, "Hyph Mngo" (7.21)
Maxwell, "Pretty Wings" (7)

9:
DJ Quik & Kurupt, "Hey Playa! (Moroccan Blues)" (8.25)
Drake, "Best I Ever Had" (5.27)
Heartland, "Mustache" (6.15)
Natalie Imbruglia, "Want" (6.31)
Ne-Yo, "Part of the List" (7.3)
Noisettes, "Never Forget You" (6.71)
Toddla T, "Shake It" (6.3)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Heads Will Roll" (8.46)

8:
An Horse, "Camp Out" (7.3)
Annie, "I Don't Like Your Band" (6.6)
Boy Better Know, "Too Many Man" (5.91)
Busy Signal, "De Style Deh" (8.27)
Cascada, "Evacuate the Dancefloor" (5.91)
Ciara, "Like a Surgeon" (5.55)*
Cicada, "Metropolis" (5.7)*
Cheryl Cole, "Fight for This Love" (4.53)
Dirty Danger "'Ard Boiled" (6.44)
Egypt, "In the Morning" (6.64)
The Field, "The More That I Do" (6.53)
Charlotte Hatherley, "White" (6)
Keri Hilson, "Slow Dance" (6.09)
House of House, "Rushing to Paradise (Walkin' These Streets)" (7.12)
Paul & Fritz Kalkbrenner, "Sky & Sand" (5.75)*
The Lost Trailers, "All This Love" (5.88)
Love & Theft, "Runaway" (6.2)
Miranda Lambert, "Dead Flowers" (6.85)*/**
Meleka, "Go (Crazy Cousinz Remix)" (6.67)
Micachu & the Shapes, "Golden Phone" (5.3)
New Boyz, "You're a Jerk" (6.78)
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, "Young Adult Friction" (6.43)+
Professor Green ft. Chynaman & C.O.R.E., "Upper Clapton Dance" (7.27)
Tempa T, "Next Hype" (6.18)
Vitalic, "Your Disco Song" (6)

7:
Alien Beat Club, "My Way" (4.73)
Alphabeat, "The Spell" (6.38)
Amerie, "Why R U" (6.5)
Bisso Na Bisso, "Show Ce Soir" (6.5)
Blackout Crew, "Dialled" (5.08)
Calle 13 ft. Ruben Blades, "La Perla" (6.5)
Cam'ron ft. Skitzo & Byrd Lady, "Cookies-N-Apple Juice" (4.55)*
Chicane, "Poppiholla" (4.45)
Coeur de Pirate, "Comme Des Enfants" (6.27)
Taio Cruz, "Break Your Heart" (6.25)
Delphic, "This Momentary" (6.58)
Fefe Dobson, "I Want You" (6.93)
The-Dream, "Sweat It Out" (7.92)
The-Dream ft. Kanye West, "Walking on the Moon" (7.09)
The Drums, "Let's Go Surfing" (6.08)
Dusty Kid, "America (The Director's Cut)" (6.11)
Eels, "Fresh Blood" (4.77)*
The Flaming Lips, "Silver Trembling Hands" (5.33)
Florence and the Machine, "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" (6.4)
Girls Can't Catch, "Keep Your Head Up" (4.62)
Gorilla Zoe, "Echo" (5)
The Gossip, "Heavy Cross" (6.3)
Ellie Goulding, "Starry Eyed" (5.93)
HEALTH: "Die Slow" (5.2)
Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne, "Down" (4.64)*
Jessica Jarrell, "Armageddon" (6.62)
Jeremih, "Birthday Sex" (5.27)+
R. Kelly ft. OJ Da Juiceman, "Superman High" (5.1)*
Natalia Lafourcade, "Ella Es Bonita" (6.44)
Miranda Lambert, "White Liar" (6.5)
Ryan Leslie, "You're Not My Girl" (6.2)
Lethal Bizzle ft. Donae'o, "Go Hard" (6.22)
Little Boots, "Remedy" (6.08)
Major Lazer, "Hold the Line" (6.29)
Marmaduke Duke, "Rubber Lover" (3.86)*
Method Man & Redman ft. Erick Sermon, "Mrs. International" (6.31)+
Chrisette Michele, "Blame It on Me" (6.64)
Chrisette Michele, "Epiphany" (6.83)
Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne, "I Get Crazy" (6.64)
Mos Def, "Casa Bey" (6)**
Mz. Bratt, "Who Do You Think You Are" (6.25)
Paramore, "Ignorance" (6.25)
The Pastels & Tenniscoats, "About You" (5.89)
Phoenix, "Lizstomania" (5.86)
Pitbull, "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" (5.42)
Pleasure P, "Boyfriend #2" (4.88)*
The Prodigy, "Warrior's Dance" (5.57)
Sidney Samson, "Riverside" (6.1)
Shakira, "Lobo" (7.88)
Sharam ft. Kid Cudi, "She Came Along" (6.55)
Spinnerette, "Baptized by Fire" (5.3)
Spoon, "Got Nuffin'" (6.5)
Sticky ft. Lady Chann, "Your Eye Too Fast" (6.88)
Subeena, "Boksd" (6.57)
Sub Focus, "Rock It" (5.36)
Taylor Swift, "You Belong with Me" (8.58)
T.I., "Hell of a Life" (5.82)
Emiliana Torrini, "Jungle Drum" (6.73)
Kanye West ft. Mr. Hudson, "Paranoid" (6.71)
Charlie Wilson, "Can't Live without You" (5.11)
Young Money, "Every Girl" (5.64)

6:
Lily Allen, "22" (6.06)
Azzido Da Bass, "I Want U" (6.14)
Basement Jaxx, "Raindrops" (6.13)
Beastie Boys ft. Nas, "Too Many Rappers" (5.33)
Bless Beats ft. Charlie Brown & Wiley, "The Rain" (5.1)
VV Brown, "Shark in the Water" (7.27)
Mariah Carey, "Obsessed" (6.4)
Carolina Liar, "Show Me What I'm Looking For" (5.44)
Ciara, "Tell Me What Your Name Is" (6.55)
Clipse ft. Kanye West, "Kinda Like a Big Deal" (6.4)
Crookers ft. Kardinal Offishall & Carla Marie, "Put Your Hands on Me" (5.8)
Dan Deacon, "Paddling Ghost" (5.22)
The Dead Weather, "Treat Me Like Your Mother" (5.2)
Speech Debelle ft. Michacu, "Better Days" (5.22)
Dizzee Rascal ft. Chrome, "Holiday" (6.15)
Donae'o, "Party Hard" (6.63)
Donkeyboy, "Ambitions" (6.9)
Friendly Fires, "Jump in the Pool" (6.45)**
Future of the Left, "Arming Eritrea" (6.53)
Keri Hilson ft. Keyshia Cole & Trina, "Get Your Money Up" (6.56)
Whitney Houston, "Million Dollar Bill" (6.08)
Humphrey ft. Rohoff, "La Dans" (5.7)
Jeremih, "Imma Star (Everywhere We Are)" (5.07)
R. Kelly ft. Keri Hilson, "Number 1" (6.27)
Ben Kweller, "Fight" (5.08)**
Lil Kim ft. T-Pain & Charlie Wilson, "Download" (4.23)
Madonna, "Celebration" (4.71)
Major Lazer ft. Ricky Blaze & Nina Sky, "Keep It Going Louder" (6.71)
Make the Girl Dance, "Baby Baby Baby" (7.2)
Reba McEntire, "Strange" (6.9)
Mumford and Sons, "Little Lion Man" (6.09)
Muse, "Uprising" (5.57)
Nina Sky, "On Some Bullshit" (6.91)**
Nneka, "Heartbeat (Chase and Status Remix)" (6)
Panic at the Disco, "New Perspective" (4.1)
Sean Paul, "So Fine" (4.89)
Pet Shop Boys, "Did You See Me Coming?" (5.58)
Pill, "Trap Goin' Ham" (7.1)+
The Raveonettes, "Last Dance" (7)
La Roux, "Bulletproof" (5.6)
Tommy Sparks, "She's Got Me Dancing" (5.75)**
Jamie T, "Sticks 'n' Stones" (5.6)
The Temper Trap, "Sweet Disposition" (5.64)
Tinchy Stryder ft. Amelle, "Never Leave You" (5.85)
Jazmine Sullivan, "In Love with Another Man" (6.73)
Three 6 Mafia ft. Webbie, "Lil Freak" (5.31)
Usher, "Papers" (5.14)
Wale ft. Lady GaGa, "Chillin'" (4.79)
The xx, "Basic Space" (6)

5:
Agnes, "Release Me" (6.2)
Jason Aldean, "Big Green Tractor" (4)
Aqua, "My Mamma Said" (5.64)
Bag Raiders, "Shooting Stars" (5.18)
Beautiful Small Machines, "Robots in Love" (6)
Black Eyed Peas, "Meet Me Halfway" (4.64)
Bloc Party, "One More Chance" (4.64)
Booty Luv, "Say It" (6.11)
VV Brown, "Game Over" (6.94)**
The Ian Carey Project, "Get Shaky" (5.4)
Chipmunk, "Oopsy Daisy" (5.38)
Colbie Caillat, "Fallin' for You" (5)
Los Campesinos!, "The Sea Is a Good Place to Think of the Future" (6.47)
Kelly Clarkson, "Already Gone" (4.94)
Clipse ft. Pharrell, "I'm Good" (6.08)
Keyshia Cole ft. Monica, "Trust" (4.92)**
Herman Dune, "On a Sunday" (4.9)
Fight Like Apes, "Something Global" (6.6)
Florence & the Machine, "Drumming Song" (6.38)
Michael Franti & Spearhead, "Say Hey" (5.78)
Freemasons ft. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, "Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer" (6.62)
Ginuwine, "Last Chance" (5.11)
Gloriana, "Wild at Heart" (6.67)
Ellie Goulding, "Under the Sheets" (6.67)
Gracious K, "Migraine Skank" (4.83)
Pat Green, "What I'm For" (5.27)
Green Day, "Know Your Enemy" (3.64)+
Gucci Mane ft. Plies, "Wasted" (6.5)
Anthony Hamilton, "The Point of It All" (6)
Calvin Harris, "Ready for the Weekend" (4.87)
Hilltop Hoods, "Chase That Feeling" (5.12)
Whitney Houston, "I Look to You" (5.27)
Illa J ft. Debi Nova, "Sounds Like Love" (5.8)
Ironik ft. Chipmunk & Elton John, "Tiny Dancer" (3.18)
Sarah Jarosz, "Left Home" (6.6)
Kano, "Rock 'n' Roller" (3.9)
Kissy Sell Out, "The Kiss" (5.4)
k-os, "4 3 2 1" (5.44)
Little Birdy, "Summarize" (5.67)
Lord Cut-Glass, "Look After Your Wife" (5)
Mark Mallman, "White Leather Days" (4.29)
Manic Street Preachers, "Jackie Collins Existential Question Time" (4.23)**
Medina, "Velkommen Til Medina" (6.43)
Daniel Merriweather, "Impossible" (6)
Metric, "Help I'm Alive" (5.38)**
Mew, "Introducing Palace Players" (6.36)
Kate Miller-Heidke, "The Last Night on Earth" (4.2)
Misstress Barbara ft. Sam Roberts, "I'm Running" (5.56)
MPHO, "Box 'n' Locks" (5.17)
MSTRKRFT ft. John Legend, "Heartbreaker" (5.31)
New Boyz ft. Ray J, "Tie Me Down" (4.89)
Paperboys, "Lonesome Traveller" (5.91)**
Pink, "Please Don't Leave Me" (6.38)
Pitbull ft. Fergie & LMFAO, "Back to the Future" (4.73)
Pixie Lott, "Mama Do" (3.87)
Plies, "Becky" (5)
Polarkreis 18, "The Colour of Snow" (7.2)
Raekwon ft. Inspectah Deck, GZA, Ghostface & Method Man, "House of Flying Daggers" (7.36)
Jay Reatard, "It Ain't Gonna Save Me" (6.21)+
Reigning Sound, "Stick Up for Me" (6.25)
Richgirl, "He Ain't With Me Now (Tho)" (7.17)+
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Intentions, "Blanchard" (5.27)
The Saturdays, "Forever Is Over" (5.69)+
Shystie ft. DJ Deekline, "Nu Style" (7.62)
Joss Stone ft. Nas, "Governmentalist" (4.43)
The Sweptaways and Jens Lekman, "Happiness Will Be My Revenge" (3.44)
Weezer, "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" (4.91)
w-inds ft. G-Dragon, "Rain Is Falling" (4.25)

4:
Animal Collective, "My Girls" (4.94)
Arctic Monkeys, "Crying Lightning" (4.33)
Katie Armiger, "Gone" (3.6)
Mario Basanov & Vidis ft. Kathy Diamond, "In My System" (5)
Biffy Clyro, "That Golden Rule" (5.27)
Black Eyed Peas, "I Gotta Feeling" (5.5)
Boys Like Girls, "Love Drunk" (5.38)
Alexandra Burke ft. Flo Rida, "Bad Boys" (6.2)
Danny Byrd ft. IK, "Red Mist" (5.17)**
Cascada, "Dangerous" (4.73)
Cobra Starship ft. Leighton Meester, "Good Girls Go Bad" (5.56)
Death Cab for Cutie, "Meet Me on the Equinox" (4.25)
Jason DeRulo, "Whatcha Say" (4.53)
Alesha Dixon, "Let's Get Excited" (4.85)
Donkeyboy, "Sometimes" (5.73)
Drake ft. Trey Songz, "Successful" (5.69)
Dorrough, "Ice Cream Paint Job" (5.36)
Enter Shikari, "Juggernauts" (3.67)
Fabolous ft. the-Dream, "Throw It in the Bag" (4.71)
Nelly Furtado, "Manos Al Aire" (5.1)
Future of the Left, "The Hope That House Built" (4.82)
David Guetta ft. Akon, "Sexy Bitch" (4.82)
Maia Hirasawa, "South Again" (5.62)
Hockey, "Song Away" (4.62)
Allison Iraheta, "Friday I'll Be Over You" (6.6)
Just Jack, "Embers" (4.8)
Demi Lovato, "Here We Go Again" (6.53)
Mario ft. Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett, "Break Up" (4.79)
The Mars Volta, "Cotopaxi" (4.6)**
John Mayer, "Who Says" (5.22)
Jesse McCartney ft. T-Pain, "Body Language (Remix)" (5.27)
Meg and Dia, "Black Wedding" (5.25)
Metric, "Gimme Sympathy" (6.7)
Mr. Hudson ft. Kanye West, "Supernova" (5.7)
Monica ft. Missy Elliott, "Let Me Know" (4.69)
N-Dubz, "Wouldn't You" (4.8)
Pitbull, "Hotel Room Service" (5.6)
Darius Rucker, "Alright" (3.73)
Shakira, "Did It Again" (5.3)
Shontelle ft. Akon, "Stuck with Each Other" (4.08)
Slaughterhouse, "The One" (3.88)
Martin Solveig & Dragonette, "Boys & Girls" (4.93)
Teddybears, "Get Mama a House" (5.13)
Wild Beasts, "Hooting and Howling" (4.21)
Charlie Winston, "In Your Hands" (5.44)

3:
a-ha, "Foot of the Mountain" (5.12)
Alice in Chains, "Check My Brain" (5.67)
Aqua, "Back to the 80s" (5.17)
The Big Pink, "Velvet" (4.8)
Blazin' Squad, "Let's Start Again" (4.75)
Mary J. Blige ft. Drake, "The One" (4.73)
Boys Like Girls ft. Taylor Swift, "Two Is Better Than One" (3.92)
Michelle Branch, "Sooner or Later" (4.45)
Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz, "I Can Transform Ya" (3.82)
Caitlin & Will, "Address in the Stars" (4.67)
Chamillionaire, "Good Morning" (5.29)
The Cribs, "Cheat on Me" (4.45)
Kristinia DeBarge, "Goodbye" (3.67)
Empire of the Sun, "We Are the People" (4.58)**
Jade Ewen, "My Man" (5.14)
Foo Fighters, "Wheels" (3.33)
Livvi Franc ft. Pitbull, "Now I'm That Bitch" (5.89)
Grizzly Bear, "Two Weeks" (5.43)
Erik Hassle, "Don't Bring Flowers" (4.73)
Jay-Z, "Death of Autotune" (5.53)
Jay-Z ft. Rihanna & Kanye West, "Run This Town" (5)**
Jonas Brothers, "Paranoid" (5)
Kasabian, "Fire" (3.73)
Lady GaGa, "Paparazzi" (5.61)
Marit Larsen, "If a Song Could Get Me You" (5.62)
Leona Lewis, "Happy" (4.62)
Lights, "Saviour" (4.73)
Mika, "We Are Golden" (3.54)
Moneybrother, "We Only Die Once (And for Such a Long Time)" (4.09)
Morandi, "Colors" (4.19)**
Remi Nicole, "Standing Tears Apart" (4.43)
Nina Sky, "Beautiful People" (4.67)
OneRepublic ft. Sara Bareilles, "Come Home" (3.08)
Parachute, "She Is Love" (2.23)
Eva Simons, "Silly Boy" (5.09)
Britney Spears, "3" (6.06)
Rob Thomas, "Her Diamonds" (4.38)
3OH!3, "Starstrukk" (4)
U2, "Magnificent" (3.29)
Wilco, "You Never Know" (4.87)
Young Soul Rebels, "I Got Soul" (4.4)

2:
Ace Hood ft. T-Pain & Akon, "Overtime" (4.22)
Akon, "Be with You" (4.38)
The Big Pink, "Dominos" (4.5)
The Cast of Glee: "Don't Stop Believing" (4.62)
Miley Cyrus, "Party in the U.S.A." (6.69)
Deadmau5, "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" (3.86)
DJ Khaled ft. Usher, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross & Drake, "Fed Up" (4.1)
Paloma Faith, "Stone Cold Sober" (4.73)
Tiziano Ferrero ft. Kelly Rowland, "Breathe Gentle" (5.56)
Gaggle, "Crows" (5.5)
Kings of Leon, "Notion" (4.47)**
Adam Lambert, "Time for Miracles" (3.55)
Lenka, "The Show" (4.92)
Matt & Kim, "Daylight" (4.41)
Karen O and the Kids, "All Is Love" (4.08)
Owl City, "Fireflies" (4.28)
Rick Ross ft. T-Pain, Lil Wayne & Kanye West, "Maybach Music 2" (5.06)
Simian Mobile Disco, "Audacity of Huge" (6)
Frank Turner, "The Road" (4)

1:
Toby Keith, "American Ride" (4)
Linkin Park, "New Divide" (3.85)**
Milow, "Ayo Technology" (2.23)
Miss Li, "Dancing the Whole Way Home" (5.29)
Lisa Mitchell, "Coin Laundry" (3.2)
Muse, "United States of Eurasia (Collateral Damage)" (2.94)**

0:
Chris Brown, "Changed Man" (1.88)

Alfred Soto, illuminating, on the selling of mid-'80s roots-rock.

What's in a decade of band names? Philip Sherburne decides to find out. Overwhelming, probably definitive, and surprisingly entertaining--reading it gave me mental whiplash of the sort you usually get from a densely packed DJ mix, appropriately enough.

I don't know why, either.

No comment necessary.