Nicklist #7

1.) “Bachelorette” – Bjork (from Homogenic)

Bjork is one of the greatest singers I’ve personally heard.  Her voice is can be powerful (sometimes even scary) or beautiful.  It has a lot of resonance and is very dynamic.  “Bachelorette” is a great example of her vocal talents.  Despite the excellence of the backing track (soaring strings, a dark bassline) what manages to be the most interesting memorable part of the song is the melody and vocals.  The fact that she also arranged the instrumentation is just an addition to her talent as a musician.  The best part about Bjork, however, is her willingness to evolve and change – so if you like this, definitely check out some other stuff.  Vespertine, for example, is a little more minimalistic and electronic than her work on Homogenic.

2.) “Shut The Door” – Fugazi (from Repeater)

Fugazi is one of my favorite rock bands, and I feel like they’re the most underappreciated and unique bands of their era.  People are most familiar with their biggest song, “Waiting Room” – but if you delve into their other albums, you really get the scope of their talent.  “Shut the Door” is one of their best songs and a great example of their excellent instrumentation.  Guy Piccotio and Ian Mackaye (the band’s two guitarists) have always been great at taking two interesting, complementary guitar parts and putting them together.  The quiet sequence at the beginning of the track is a good example of this.  When Mackaye screams “Have you ever been free?” and the song launches into a heavy chorus, it really shows off the dynamics of the song (and the band).  Two album recommendations if you haven’t listened to Fugazi: The Argument and Repeater.

3.) “Dreams” – J.Cole ft. Brandon Hines (from The Warm Up)

J. Cole isn’t necessarily one of my favorite rappers, but I really enjoy “Dreams.”  It samples Hank Crawford’s “Wildflower,” which has been utilized many times in rap music by artists like Kanye West, Eminem, and Tupac.  However, it’s utilized differently on “Dreams” and works really well.  What I like most about the song, however, is J. Cole’s storytelling.  He focuses on a girl who he admires from afar and wants to be with, and lyrically it’s very impressive.

4.) “Pink Moon” – Nick Drake (from Pink Moon)

Nick Drake’s Pink Moon is a fairly quiet, moody album that isn’t necessarily listenable all of the time.  However, when I feel a specific way I can turn it on and really get into it.  “Pink Moon” is a beautiful, melodically interesting track and it opens the album.  Drake’s vocals fit in well with his soft acoustic guitar playing.  It’s a little amazing to me that this album was released in 1972 when a lot of similar music is being made today (and is much more popular).  But I guess that’s just how things work sometimes in the musical world.  Sometimes people don’t get the credit they deserve.  Granted, Nick Drake is probably much popular now than he was back when he was active.

5.) “Race for the Prize” – Flaming Lips (from The Soft Bulliten)

The Flaming Lips’ The Soft Bulliten was the first album that got them much mainstream notice, and is arguably one of their best.  It’s a sprawling, long, experimental pop album and “Race for the Prize” is it’s first track.  It’s my favorite song on the album for it’s excellent vocal melody (the “They’re just two men/with wives and children” part specifically).  Wayne Coyne is one of the most deceptively unique vocalists in rock music – nothing he does sounds too out of the ordinary, but there’s not many people his voice is comparable to in any aspect I’m personally aware of.