The popGeezer 100, Truly “America’s Top 40″: Numbers 40 – 31
We cross into the Golden Valley of the Top 40 with this set of 10 tracks. Let the harps play and the heavenly chorus issue forth with hosannas….
The anointing roll call of these most faboo pop tracks starts off with:
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40. “Kick Drum Heart“, The Avett Brothers: This is a lovely pop track, with an awesome bass drum line, from the impassioned avant-garde, bluegrass art rockers.
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39. “Wheels“, Foo Fighters: This will not be a popular pick for many of my radio pals. However, Dave and the boys do their best Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers impression on this tossed-off new track included on their Greatest Hits compilation. And that’s all right with me.
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38. “Cowboy Casanova“, Carrie Underwood: It’s cute. So is Carrie. But I do worry about a law of diminishing return on her career and material. As she gets bigger, does her material get thinner?
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37. “Magnificent“, U2: A powerful return to classic form from U2’s 2009 CD, “No Line on the Horizon”, this has the patented ringing Edge guitar, the lock-step of the Adam and Larry rhythm section, and the expansive lyrics and keening croon of Bono Vox. “I was born to sing for you…” No poop, Sherlock!!
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36. “She Wolf“, Shakira: Have you seen the video?!? Ooh, it makes Daddy feel all funny. This is pure disco, and Shakira moves in ways that are beyond provocative. The track is swell, but this woman is the current sexiest one on Earth. Ah-hoo, indeed!
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35. “Kind of a Girl“, Tinted Windows: Taylor Hanson, James Iha, Adam Schlesinger and Bun E. Carlos formed a pop supergroup. Any questions? Didn’t think so. \m/ and RAWK!
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34. “Nothing But a Miracle“, Diane Birch: She’s a piano-playing singer-songwriter, who is much more of a throwback to Laura Nyro or Carole King than the usual post-Tori Amos gals that fill up the category these days. A breath of fresh air, nevertheless.
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33. “Nightswimming/Joey“, Sugarland: From their “Live On The Inside” CD/DVD combo, with this combination of R.E.M. and their own sweetly tragic “Joey”, Sugarland continue to expose the rock roots underneath their country weave. As the esteemed Dr. Robert claims, “Jennifer Nettles’ twang is a total fiction!” Don’t know if I fully agree, but she truly can sing anything, anytime. And best of all, seeing “Whispering” Bill Anderson and Michael Stipe’s names in the same songwriting credit? Priceless.
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32. “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked“, Cage the Elephant: Swamp-stompy perfection, straight out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. By way of East London, U.K. These Southern boys had to cross the pond, like their regional brethren Kings Of Leon, to cut their debut disc, be discovered and then rightly worshipped. Sometimes, we Yanks are right twits, huh?
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31. “Say Please“, Monsters Of Folk: Our next supergroup is a bit more mellow than Tinted Windows. Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes and M. Ward comprise the Monsters of Folk. The debut disc from the collective took five years to finish up, as these boys are quite busy with their day jobs (and primary night jobs). The overall disc does not grab me by the lapels, but this key “single” is catchy, tuneful, and well-made.
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And now, at long last, I can announce that the popGeezer 100 Countdown will air on JDX1029.com (ooh, listen to a groovy promo right here–>) this New Years’ Day, 1/1/2010! Start your new decade with the popGeezer doing his best Casey Kasem impression… minus the long-distance dedications. Probably.
And on Christmas Day, the pG100 tears into the Top 30 with holiday nudity (and Lily Allen, go figure), Macca in an arty frame of mind, the ne plus ultra of pop divas, a modern New York anthem, and Pirates!!!
Hoping you get everything you want and everything you need this holiday season!!