1. “We Float” – PJ
Harvey, Stories From the City, Stories
From the Sea (2000):
This album is honestly
probably the last album from PJ Harvey that I gave my full attention. I started listening to her with her first two
albums and was generally hooked. I just lost a little bit of momentum in the
2000s even though she has continued to put out great music. Though not one of the album’s singles, this
song represents the album and Harvey very well: “We float. Take Life as it
comes.” SHUFFLE GOLD!
2. “Up For Breakfast” – Van Halen, The Best of Both Worlds (2004):
The Best of Both Worlds was Van Halen’s second greatest hits
album. Sammy Hagar came back on board to
record three new songs that had not been released before. This song is one of
those singles. As a hardcore VH fan, I was excited to get some new songs, but I
was never in need of a greatest hits album.
I actually saw VH tour in 2004, presumably in support of this
release. EVH was in terrible shape, and
it was the worst that I had ever seen them live, though I was excited that they
were playing “Unchained” on that tour. Maybe
because it is a strange one-off song on a best-of album, but this tune is proof
that, even for me, not all VH is shuffle gold, SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. “Sign of Love” – Aimee Mann, Ultimate Collection (2000):
I love Aimee Mann but truthfully do not know a ton of her
music. I have this “best of” compilation to try and be better versed in her
music but really only love a handful of her songs. This song was originally released on the 1987
soundtrack for “Back to the Beach.” I did not see this seemingly terrible
movie, but there is some great bands on its soundtrack, including Mann, Fishbone,
and Stevie Ray Vaughn. As for Mann, most recently, I have loved her work with
Ted Leo and their band Both. I think she
is a genius but just do not lock into all of her songs. MEH.
4. “Arabella” – Arctic Monkeys, AM (2013):
Arctic Monkeys is one of the more popular bands that I have
liked in the 2000s. I believe I only
have their debut album and this one from 2013. This song is one of my
favorites off of this album. It has a bit of a slow burn with a killer
chorus. Great stuff and SHUFFLE GOLD!
5. “Caroline” – Jawbreaker, Etc. (2002):
Released a number of years after the band broke up, this
album is a collection of b-sides and rarities from one of the Bay Area’s best.
As someone who followed them in their heyday, I found it strange that they
retroactively were labeled as an “emo” band.
They were always Bay Area punk for me. If you are not familiar, start
with 24-hour Revenge Therapy and Bivouac.
Even as a b-side, “Caroline” is SHUFFLE GOLD!
