10. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart – Wilco

9. Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons

8. New Slang – The Shins

7. Paper Planes – M.I.A.

6. Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros

5. Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

4. Float On – Modest Mouse

3. Sleepy Head – Passion Pit

2. Staring at the Sun – TV on the Radio

1. Encore – DJ Danger Mouse

The oughts were a decade of rule breaking, fusion, and creative stealing. Every decade from the past century had its influence on this decade. Creativity and struggles abounded as an entire industry adapted to a new way of producing and consuming music.

I have long been fascinated by songs that use the phrase “alright”, as in “everything’s gonna be alright”. The common, comforting phrase appears in music over and over again.

Rock and Roll – The Velvet Underground

Little five year old Jenny, oppressed by her materialistic parents with two TVs and two Cadillacs, with absolutely nothing happening at all, until Jenny turns on that New York radio station and hears that fine fine Rock and Roll music, then It was alright.

Alright (Brad Carter Remix) – Red Carpet

An Ibiza favourite back in 2004, from the disappeared Belgium band, Red Carpet. The dreamy house track reminds the listener that:

The sun is gonna keep on shining
Risin’ on a new horizon
My love for you is gonna keep on rising
Everything is gonna be alright

Feeling Alright – Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker’s comforting vocals, with the piano and female backup vocalists adding to the effect, reassures himself, and the listener, that when someone messes with your heart, it’s more important that ever to be alright.

Boy you sure took me for a ride
And even now I sit and wonder why
That when I think of you I stop myself fron crying
I just can’t waist my time
I must keep tryin
Feeling alright

Feel Alright – Steve Earle

Steve Earle is a tough one. From his 1996 album I Feel Alright, he shows us that he can be a-okay, even after being through the worst:

Be careful what you wish for friend
Because I’ve been to hell and now I’m back again
I feel alright – I feel alright tonight

Float On – Modest Mouse

In this fan favourite we hear that all sorts of things can go wrong, but it ain’t no thing because:

And we’ll all float on, ok.
And we’ll all float on, alright.

I hope you are alright!

Float On – Ben Lee

John Tucker Must Die Soundtrack (2006)

Originally released by Modest Mouse in February 2004 on their forth album Good News for People Who Love Bad News, this ditty is about floating through life, even when we hit bumps in the road:

Bad news comes don’t you worry even when it lands
Good news will work its way to all them plans

Such a nice sentiment; an outlook on life I hope to keep.

This melodic version of the now classic track was done by Ben Lee for the Soundtrack for John Tucker Must Die in 2006. Ben Lee has had an accomplished career thus far in his native land, Australia, and is now gaining popularity in North America since his newest albium Ripe was released a year ago. It just so happens to be Lee’s birthday… Happy Birthday Ben Lee! Welcome to your 30’s!

Some Candy Talking – Chris Whitley

(1984)

Chris Whitley’s version of this song, originally by The Jesus and Mary Chain, is a radical departure. Where the original is light and airy, Whitley’s version dark and visceral. The raw power of lust is unmistakable in Whitley’s voice, despite the heavy use of euphemisms in the lyrics.

I had the pleasure of both meeting Chris Whitley, and seeing him perform live before he left us in 2005. He showed my friend a few tricks on the slide guitar in the Victoria hot spot of the time, Legends, where he played later that night. A very skillful guitar player, and thoughtful song writer. Rest in peace Chris Whitley, you will not be forgotten!

Disarm – Amie Miriello

(1984)

I recently found this version of Disarm by Amie Miriello that she, according to her myspace blog has made for a Smashing Pumpkins tribute album. The powerful bells and bass drum of the original have been replaced with the acoustic guitar and Miriello’s beautiful voice. This version is well worth a listen, perhaps it will lead you to explore her album I Came Around which was released just last week.

If you are hungry for some more Smashing Pumpkins, run out and get Guitar Hero® World Tour when it’s released in late October. They have contributed songs to newest incarnation of the popular game, including a brand new single, G.L.O.W., as an exclusive download.