Monday, January 05, 2009

Non-required Listening


non-required

While my official "best of" selections were made some time ago, there were a few tracks and noted releases that didn't make the list, but should not be overlooked.
Some other good stuff from 2008:


More than having the best-selling album of 2008, Lil' Wayne's "Tha Carter III" popped up on nearly every "best" list, leaving critics divided only over which track stands out the most. In my opinion it's T-Pain's guest appearance on "Got Money."

If you went to a club, mall, or outdoor picnic where someone had a boombox, chances are you couldn't resist shaking your hips to Flo Rida's "Low." This may be the most mashed, mixed, and re-mixed track of the year -- but in every incarnation it's infectious. Sure, it features borderline hilarious lyrics ("Make it rain, I was makin' it snow" ; "Shorty was hot like a toaster"), but the beat is undeniable.

The second best-selling, and perhaps most ardently hyped release of the year, Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" attracted the most attention for its title track, but the album's understated gem is "Life in Technicolor." Nearly pure instrumental, the track is short, sweeping and lovely.

Seamlessly blending hip hop and electronica, Kid Cudi's "Day 'n' Nite" was easily remixed from slow jam to dance hall jam with a simple bump of the bpm.

Even if mash-ups aren't your thing, the Ting Tings' "Shut Up and Let Me Go" belongs so perfectly with Estelle's "American Boy," it's hard to listen to either of these songs alone after you've heard this fabulous blend.

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