Triple Trouble

One year. 273 songs. 22 hours of 2004's best music.

By Michaelangelo Matos • October 9, 2006 12:00 am
Triple Trouble

For 2003’s Year in Music issue, I began putting together my year-end CD-R MP3 playlist in late November and limited myself to 101 songs—about seven and a half hours’ worth of music, enough for six audio CDs. This year, I started keeping track in March, and included as much as I wanted. As a result, the 2004 edition is three times as large as last year’s, filling three MP3 CD-Rs and 15 audio CDs (17 if you include the bonus tracks). Each paragraph below represents a single disc’s worth of material, which is how I assembled them.

As before, a few caveats apply. These are not “ranked” lists—they’re playlists meant for listening. I limited myself to one song per primary credited artist, though there are exceptions—hip-hop’s bread and butter is the guest spot, which means a lots of rappers appear more than once. Jay-Z is on here five times as a result of Black Album remix mania—in all but one case, the remixer got the artist credit, which I honored; Kanye West and Common’s “Better Than Yours” (a mixtape freestyle over Kelis’ “Milkshake”) fudged its way in as a collaboration-not-artist-plus-guest.

All of which makes what follows a little unfair, strictly speaking. Lousy albums with one good song automatically gain parity with great CDs I had to struggle to choose only one track from. And I missed and/or overlooked plenty; feel free to send your lists care of the Weekly. But, hey—life is unfair. It’s also a lot of fun—and to my ears, so is what follows.

DISC ONE

  1. The Hold Steady: “Positive Jam” (Frenchkiss). – iTunes
  2. Rilo Kiley: “Portions for Foxes” (Brute/Beaute). – iTunes
  3. The Walkmen: “The Rat” (Record Collection). – iTunes
  4. Portobella: “Covered in Punk” (Island, U.K.).
  5. United State of Electronica: “IT IS ON!” (Mannheim).
  6. J.O.Y.: “Sunplus” (DFA).
  7. Britney Spears: “Toxic” (Jive). – iTunes
  8. Ricardo e Esquisito: “Mulher Coca Cola”/MC Mascote: “Bate La Palme De Mao”/Paty: “Cavalo De Pau” (Essay, Austria).
  9. Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris: “Yeah!” (LaFace). – iTunes
  10. Brandy ft. Kanye West: “Talk About Our Love” (Atlantic). – iTunes
  11. Alicia Keys: “You Don’t Know My Name/Will You Ever Know It (Reggae Mix)” (VP).
  12. Devin the Dude: “Briarpatch” (Rap-a-Lot).
  13. M.I.A.: “Galang” (XL). – iTunes
  14. Kanye West: “We Don’t Care” (Roc-a-Fella). – iTunes
  15. Mya ft. Chingy: “Fallin’ (Zone 4 Remix)” (Interscope).
  16. Gretchen Wilson: “Redneck Woman” (Epic). – iTunes
  17. Big & Rich: “Kick My Ass” (Warner Bros. Nashville). – iTunes
  18. Nada Surf: “Au Fond Du Reve Dore” (Hear Music).
  19. The Magnetic Fields: “It’s Only Time” (Nonesuch). – iTunes
  20. Team America: “America, F**k Yeah” (Atlantic). – iTunes
  21. Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra: “Indictment” (Ropeadope).
  22. Youssou N’Dour: “Touba—Daru Salaam” (Nonesuch). – iTunes
  23. Burnt Sugar: “Funky Rich Medina” (Trugroid).
  24. Justus Kohncke: “Weiche Zaune (The Modernist Remix)” (Kompakt).
  25. Junior Boys: “More Than Real” (Domino).
  26. Maximus Dan: “Soca Train” (Honest Jon’s).
  27. Cecile: “Hot Like We” (Greensleeves).
  28. Vybz Kartel: “Buddy Nuh Done” (Greensleeves).
  29. Lady Sovereign: “Ch Ching (Cheque 1, 2)” (Casual, U.K.).
  30. cry.on.my.console: “Superlangalang!” (MP3).
  31. The Helio Sequence: “Repeater” (Sub Pop). – iTunes
  32. Camera Obscura: “Let Me Go Home” (Merge). – iTunes
  33. The Streets: “Could Well Be In” (Vice). – iTunes
  34. The Mountain Goats: “Your Belgian Things” (4AD).
  35. Fiona Apple: “Extraordinary Machine” (MP3).
  36. Keren Ann: “Sailor & Widow” (Blue Note). – iTunes
  37. Twista: “Overnight Celebrity” (Atlantic). – iTunes
  38. Beastie Boys/DJ Green Lantern: “Triple Trouble (Green Mix)” (djgreenlantern.com).
  39. Ghostface ft. Jacki-O: “Tooken Back” (Def Jam). – iTunes
  40. Alchemist ft. Illa Ghee, Nina Sky & Prodigy: “Hold You Down” (Koch).
  41. Madvillain: “Rhinestone Cowboy” (Stones Throw).
  42. Sleepy Brown ft. OutKast: “I Can’t Wait” (Interscope). – iTunes
  43. Air: “Run” (Astralwerks). – iTunes
  44. Stereolab: “Margerine Melodie” (Elektra). – iTunes
  45. Ricardo Villalobos: “Hello Halo” (Perlon).
  46. Jay-Z vs. Radiohead: “99 Anthems” (MP3).
  47. PJ Harvey: “Who the Fuck?” (Island). – iTunes
  48. The Thermals: “Keep Time” (Sub Pop). – iTunes
  49. Go Home Productions: “Rock With Addiction (Awww)” (MP3).
  50. The Roots: “Web” (Geffen). – iTunes
  51. J-Kwon: “Tipsy” (So So Def). – iTunes
  52. Crime Mob: “Stilettos (Pumps)” (Warner Bros.). – iTunes
  53. MarkOne: “Interference” (Rephlex).
  54. Davinche ft. Essentials: “Get Over It” (Paperchase).
  55. DJ Gama ft. Jookie Mundo: “Wonky (Vocal Mix)” (Slimting).
  56. Wiley: “Pies” (XL). – iTunes
  57. James T. Cotton: “Press Your Body” (Ghostly International). – iTunes
  58. Cesar Mariano & Cia: “Futebol de Bar (Heavy Usker Mix)” (Ether).
  59. Todd Edwards and Filthy Rich ft. Damon Trueitt: “Stormy Day (Dubstrumental)” (i!).
  60. LCD Soundsystem: “Yeah! (Stupid Version)” (DFA).
  61. Shakedown: “Love Game (313 Dub)” (Panorama).
  62. Pixeltan: “Get Up/Say What (DFA Remix)” (DFA).
  63. DKD: “Future Rage” (Bitasweet).
  64. Beenie Man ft. Ms. Thing: “Dude (Remix)” (VP).
  65. Richie Feelings: “Dancin Class” (Greensleeves).
  66. Elephant Man ft. Twista, Youngbloodz & Kiprich: “Jook Gal (Wine Wine) (Head Gawn Version)” (VP).
  67. Bounty Killer: “Hey Yallow” (Greensleeves).
  68. Kid606: “Slammin’ Ragga Bootleg Track” (Tigerbeat6).
  69. Dungen: “Det Du Tänker Idag Är Du I Morgon” (Subliminal Sounds).
  70. Matthew Shipp: “Ion” (Thirsty Ear). – iTunes
  71. Nellie McKay: “David” (Sony). – iTunes
  72. Phoenix: “Holdin’ on Together” (Astralwerks). – iTunes
  73. Van Hunt: “Dust” (Virgin). – iTunes
  74. The Fiery Furnaces: “Chris Michaels” (Rough Trade). – iTunes
  75. Belle & Sebastian: “I’m a Cuckoo ( . . . by the Avalanches)” (Rough Trade).
  76. The Meat Purveyors: “How Can I Be So Thirsty Today” (Bloodshot). – iTunes
  77. Carolyn Mark and the New Best Friends: “Bigger Bed” (Mint).
  78. Jon Langford: “Hard Times” (Bloodshot). – iTunes
  79. Old 97’s: “Friends Forever” (New West). – iTunes
  80. Mary Lou Lord: “Cold Kilburn Rain” (Rubric). – iTunes
  81. Luna: “Malibu Love Nest” (Jetset). – iTunes
  82. Tom Waits: “Hoist That Rag” (Anti-). – iTunes
  83. DJ Lt. Dan: “Dirt off Your Shoulder/Come Clean” (MP3).
  84. Brother Ali: “Bad Ma Fucka” (Rhymesayers).
  85. Lloyd Banks: “On Fire” (G Unit/Interscope). – iTunes
  86. Jadakiss ft. Styles P, Common, Nas & Anthony Hamilton: “Why (Remix)” (Ruff Ryders).
  87. Memphis Bleek: “Just Blaze, Free & Bleek” (Def Jam). – iTunes
  88. Christina Milian ft. Fabolous: “Dip It Low (Remix)” (Island). – iTunes
  89. Nicole Wray: “If I Was Your Girlfriend” (Def Jam). – iTunes
  90. Ciara ft. Petey Pablo: “Goodies” (LaFace). – iTunes
  91. Kanye West & Common: “Better Than Yours” (mixtape).
  92. N*E*R*D ft. Common, Mos Def, De La Soul & Q-Tip: “She Wants to Move (Native Tongues Remix)” (Virgin). .
  93. Brian Wilson: “Our Prayer/Gee” (Nonesuch). – iTunes
  94. Danger Mouse: “December 4th” (MP3).
  95. Prince: “What Do U Want Me 2 Do” (NPG/Columbia). – iTunes
  96. The Eaton Canyon Royal Ensemble: “When Doves Cry” (Vitamin).
  97. Arto Lindsay: “Kamo (Dark Stripe)” (Righteous Babe).
  98. Mylab: “Pop Client” (Terminus). – iTunes
  99. The Trio: “Dao Forms” (Splasc[H]).
  100. The Bad Plus: “Layin’ a Strip for the Higher-Self State Line” (Columbia). – iTunes
  101. Heiruspecs: “32 Months” (Razor & Tie). – iTunes
  102. Daedelus: “Something Bells” (Plug Research). – iTunes
  103. Lullatone: “Bushman’s Samba” (Audio Dregs).
  104. Rainstick Orchestra: “Waltz for a Little Bird” (Ninja Tune). – iTunes
  105. Squarepusher: “Iambic 9 Poetry” (Warp).
  106. Liquid Liquid: “Bellhead” (DFA).
  107. Matthew Dear: “And in the Night” (Ghostly International). – iTunes
  108. Thomas Brinkmann: “3 St. 2 Shinjuku” (Max.Ernst).

DISC TWO

  1. Black Leotard Front: “Casual Friday” (DFA).
  2. Franz Ferdinand: “Take Me Out (Daft Punk Remix)” (Sony).
  3. Modest Mouse: “The View” (Epic). – iTunes
  4. Ted Leo + the Pharmacists: “Little Dawn” (Lookout!).
  5. Dykehouse: “Lost Holiday” (Ghostly International).
  6. Moonbabies: “Summer Kids Go” (Hidden Agenda). – iTunes
  7. Snow Patrol: “Spitting Games” (A&M). – iTunes
  8. Clinic: “Falstaff” (Domino).
  9. Butchies: “Your Love” (Yep Roc). – iTunes
  10. Caetano Veloso: “Love for Sale” (Nonesuch). – iTunes
  11. Mouse on Mars: “Send Me Shivers” (Thrill Jockey). – iTunes
  12. Ben Watt ft. Sanada Maitreya: “A Stronger Man” (Astralwerks).
  13. Roy Davis Jr.: “My Soul Is Electric” (Ubiquity). – iTunes
  14. Swayzak: “My House” (!K7). – iTunes
  15. IQU: “Loving You” (Sonic Boom). – iTunes
  16. Ada: “Maps” (Areal).
  17. R. Kelly: “Love Signals” (Jive). – iTunes
  18. MC Scott D: “December 4th (Pushaman Mix)” (MP3).
  19. Ozomatli: “Believe” (Concord). – iTunes
  20. Boredoms: “Seadrum” (WEA Japan).
  21. Isis: “Backlit” (Ipecac).
  22. Coachwhips: “Evil Son” (Narnack).
  23. Dizzee Rascal: “Stand up Tall” (XL). – iTunes
  24. Plasticman: “The Music” (Rephlex).
  25. More Fire Crew: “Torch” (white label).
  26. Jon E. Cash/Black Ops: “Bang Bang Bang” (white label).
  27. Target ft. Dogzee & Syer: “S.T.D.’s” (Aim High).
  28. Chingy ft. Ludacris & Snoop Dogg: “Holidae Inn (Remix)” (Capitol). – iTunes
  29. So So Def ft. Ludacris: “Freestyle” (mixtape)..
  30. Pastor Troy: “Ridin’ Big” (Universal). – iTunes
  31. Federation ft. E-40: “Hyphy” (Virgin). – iTunes
  32. Masta Killa: “Digi Warfare” (Nature Sounds). – iTunes
  33. Luke Vibert: “Homewerk” (Planet Mu).
  34. Prodigy: “Memphis Bells” (Maverick). – iTunes
  35. Michael Mayer: “Amabile” (Kompakt).
  36. Rachel Stevens: “Some Girls” (Polydor).
  37. Kylie Minogue: “Slow (Chemical Brothers Remix)” (Capitol).
  38. Local H: “Toxic” (localh.com).
  39. Janet: “Just a Little While” (Virgin). – iTunes
  40. RJD2: “Exotic Talk” (Definitive Jux). – iTunes
  41. Carina Round: “Shoot” (Capitol). – iTunes
  42. The Fever: “Ladyfingers” (Kemado).
  43. The Hives: “Walk Idiot Walk” (Interscope). – iTunes
  44. The Catch: “After Party (Fire! Fire! Fire!)” (thecatchmusic.com).
  45. Courtney Love: “Mono” (Virgin). – iTunes
  46. Rocket From the Tombs: “Never Gonna Kill Myself Again” (Smog Veil). – iTunes
  47. Sonic Youth: “I Love You Golden Blue” (DGC). – iTunes
  48. Drive-By Truckers: “Puttin’ People on the Moon” (New West). – iTunes
  49. Blood Brothers: “Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck” (V2). – iTunes
  50. The Futureheads: “Decent Days and Nights” (Sire). – iTunes
  51. Les Savy Fav: “Hold on to Your Genre” (Frenchkiss).
  52. The Ponys: “Let’s Kill Ourselves” (In the Red). – iTunes
  53. Bowling for Soup: “1985” (Jive). – iTunes
  54. The Lashes: “Ex-Mas (Young in Love)” (Lookout!). – iTunes
  55. Gore Gore Girls: “Casino” (Get Hip).
  56. VV and Hotel: “Restaurant Blouse” (MP3). – iTunes
  57. Destiny’s Child: “Lose My Breath” (Sony). – iTunes
  58. Blaque: “I’m Good” (Elektra). – iTunes
  59. Nina Sky: “Move Ya Body” (Universal). – iTunes
  60. Assassin: “Girls Gone Wild” (Greensleeves).
  61. Tanya Stephens: “Pop It Off” (Greensleeves).
  62. Lady Saw: “Strip Tease” (VP).
  63. Diplo: “Favela on Blast [excerpt]” (Hollertronix).
  64. Petey Pablo: “Boys Bathroom” (Jive). – iTunes
  65. Lil Wayne ft. Mannie Fresh: “Go DJ” (Cash Money). – iTunes
  66. Big Tymers: “U Are Not a Pimp” (Universal). – iTunes
  67. Terror Squad ft. Ma$e, Eminem & Lil Jon: “Lean Back (Remix)” (Universal).
  68. Theodore Unit ft. Ghostface: “Guerilla Hood” (Navarre).
  69. MF Doom ft. Count Bass D: “Potholderz” (Rhymesayers). .
  70. Prince Po ft. Jemini & Cairo: “Fall Back” (Lex).
  71. Vast Aire ft. MF Doom: “Da Supafriendz” (Chocolate Industries).
  72. Kardinal Offishall and Solitair: “Lucifer” (MP3).
  73. Guerilla Black ft. Beenie Man: “Compton” (Virgin). – iTunes
  74. Nas: “Nazareth Savage” (Columbia). – iTunes
  75. Akon ft. Styles P: “Locked Up” (Universal). – iTunes
  76. Pete Rock ft. Black Ice: “Truth Is” (BBE). – iTunes
  77. Northern State: “Last Night” (Columbia). – iTunes
  78. Young Gunz: “Friday Night” (Roc-a-Fella). – iTunes
  79. Keyshia Cole ft. Eve: “Never” (Interscope). – iTunes
  80. Kerrier District: “Disclix” (Rephlex).
  81. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke: “Rubicon (Original Version)” (Roulé).
  82. Revl9n: “Walking Machine” (C.B.H.).
  83. Robag Wruhme: “Mensua” (Musik Krause).
  84. Flo Dan: “That’s Me” (Deuce).
  85. No Lay: “Unorthadox Daughter” (679).
  86. D Double E & JME: “Serious Thugs” (Meridian).
  87. Kano: “P’s and Q’s” (679).
  88. Footsie & D Double E: “War Wid” (Braindead).
  89. Terrah Danjah: “Juggling” (After Shock).
  90. Donae’o: “People Don’t Know” (Social Circles).
  91. Ears: “Happy Dayz” (679).
  92. Durty Doogz: “Back to School” (white label).
  93. Slaughter Mob: “Creeky Door” (Rephlex).
  94. Freq Nasty ft. Rodney P: “Come Let Me Know” (Skint).
  95. Lil Flip: “Game Over (Flip)” (Sony). – iTunes
  96. Young Buck ft. 50 Cent: “Let Me In” (G Unit). – iTunes
  97. T.I.: “ASAP” (Atlantic). – iTunes
  98. Mike Jones: “Good Times Freestyle” (mixtape).
  99. Trick Daddy ft. Lil Jon & Twista: “Let’s Go” (Atlantic). – iTunes
  100. G Unit: “Eye for Eye” (Shady).
  101. Estelle: “1980” (V2).
  102. Max Richter: “Horizon Variations” (Fatcat).
  103. Gorge Trio: “A Comedy in Sun” (Skin Graft).
  104. Ill Ease: “The Skank” (XL). – iTunes
  105. Jonathan Richman: “Cosi Veloce” (Sanctuary). – iTunes
  106. DJ Olive: “Crossunder” (theAgriculture). – iTunes
  107. The Platinum Orchestra: “Fix My Sink” (Trax).
  108. Lusine: “The Stop” (Ghostly International). – iTunes
  109. Superpitcher: “Tomorrow (Kaito Remix)” (Kompakt).

DISC THREE

  1. Neko Case: “If You Knew” (Bloodshot). – iTunes
  2. The Flatlanders: “Back to My Old Molehill” (New West). – iTunes
  3. Terri Clark: “Girls Lie Too” (Mercury Nashville). – iTunes
  4. Toby Keith: “Stays in Mexico” (Dreamworks Nashville). – iTunes
  5. Gary Allan: “Nothing on But the Radio” (MCA Nashville). – iTunes
  6. Wilco: “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” (Nonesuch). – iTunes
  7. The Ex: “Prism Song” (Touch & Go). – iTunes
  8. Kiiiiiii: “Brown Girl in the Ring” (Waikiki, Japan).
  9. Deerhoof: “Rainbow Silhouette of the Milky Man” (Kill Rock Stars). – iTunes
  10. Pixies: “Bam Thwok” (iTunes). – iTunes
  11. Bloc Party: “The Answer” (Dim Mak).
  12. Turing Machine: “Bleach It Black” (V2). – iTunes
  13. Pan Sonic: “Mayhem II” (Mute).
  14. Wasteland: “In Your Sleep” (Transparent).
  15. Lhasa: “My Name” (Nettwerk). – iTunes
  16. Cee-Lo Green: “I Am Selling Soul” (Arista).
  17. L.L. Cool J: “Headsprung” (Def Jam). – iTunes
  18. Tone-Tone ft. Kidd: “I Ain’t Playin’ Witcha” (New Skool). .
  19. De La Soul ft. Ghostface: “He Comes” (Sanctuary Urban). – iTunes
  20. Viktor Vaughn ft. Kool Keith: “Doper Skiller” (Insomniac).
  21. The Gift of Gab ft. Vursatyl: “Way of the Light” (Quannum). – iTunes
  22. Ludacris: “The Potion” (Def Jam South). – iTunes
  23. The Game, Kanye West & Ludacris: “The Whole City Behind Us” (Boost Mobile).
  24. Raphael Saadiq: “Live Without You” (Pookie). – iTunes
  25. Tego Calderon: “Cerca de Mi Neighborhood” (RCA International).
  26. Local 12: “Candela Collection Track 1” (MP3).
  27. Bugz in the Attic: “Booty (La La)” (V2, U.K.).
  28. Cut Copy: “Saturdays” (Modular). – iTunes
  29. Rhythm King and Her Friends: “Copie-Moi Je Veux Voyager” (Kitty-Yo).
  30. The Soft Pink Truth: “Do They Owe Us a Living?” (Tigerbeat6). – iTunes
  31. MC Narstie: “Top Boy” (white label).
  32. Ruff Sqwad: “Misty Cold” (white label).
  33. Roll Deep: “Let It Out” (679).
  34. The Juan MacLean: “I Robot” (DFA).
  35. Lawrence: “Spark” (Ghostly International). .
  36. Komeda: “Dead” (Minty Fresh). – iTunes
  37. Kasabian: “L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)” (RCA, U.K.).
  38. The Fontaine Toups: “Who Told You” (Teenbeat). – iTunes
  39. Gram Rabbit: “Dirty Horse” (Stinky). – iTunes
  40. The Angel Brothers and Satnan Singh with Ian McMillan: “Captain Beefheart & Mr. Neal” (Wrasse).
  41. Comets on Fire: “Pussy Foot the Duke” (Sub Pop). – iTunes
  42. Broken Social Scene: “Backyards” (Arts & Crafts). – iTunes
  43. Saicobab: “Death Valley ’69” (Narnack).
  44. Triola: “Unland” (Kompakt).
  45. To Rococo Rot: “Miss You” (Domino).
  46. Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom: “Rise (DFA Remix)” (DFA).
  47. Lansing-Dreiden: “I.C.U.” (Kemado). – iTunes
  48. Jacques Lu Cont with Cecile and General Degree: “Na Na Na Na” (V2, U.K.).
  49. Annie: “Me Plus One” (679).
  50. Javine: “Don’t Walk Away” (Innocent).
  51. Fat Marley: “Xin” (Wrasse).
  52. Philip Jeck: “Wipe” (Touch).

BONUS TRACKS:

  • Scharpling & Wurster: “Mother 13” (Stereolaffs).
  • John Adams: On the Transmigration of Souls, New York Philharmonic, Lorin Maazel, cond. (Nonesuch).
  • Strictly Kev: “Raiding the 20th Century: A History of the Cutup” (MP3).
  • The Necks: “Drive-By” (Recommended).