Murs, "3:16"
The beat that 9th Wonder put together on this track is smoking hot.
They Might Be Giants, "Can You Find It?"
This song makes more sense if you watch the accompanying video for it. But, uh, I'm not sure if I'd worry too much about it. Also, I think we've had this song before, but looking through all these entries to confirm that is a hassle. Uhhh, I'm going to say we did?
Laura Stevenson, "Claustrophobe"
Laura Stevenson's record Cocksure showed up on some year-end lists that year, so I took a shot. And it's pretty charming, just a straight-ahead pop-rock record, but plenty of fun.
Polyrhthmics, "Stinky Finger"
This song just keeps going, bringing the instrumental funk thunder. Ok, maybe not thunder. Driving rain? Ehhhh, maybe a...you know what? This metaphor got away from me. This is a good song.
Black Flag, "Depression"
It's hard to measure how many bands were inspired by any particular band. But you can always point to a few releases which are pillars of particular scenes. And in the scene of hardcore punk, there might be no taller pillar than Damaged, the incendiary album from Black Flag that featured Henry Rollins on vocals for the first time. The fertility of the California branch of hardcore gives this album a leg up on Minor Threat's body of work over on the east coast.
Benton Falls, "Sad Like Winter Leaves"
Folks, that is a tremendous emo song title. That's just good hustle. Not only that, but it's a good song! Excellent stuff.