Stereogum: The 10 Best Underworld Songs

[saintrik]

Of course these lists are a minefield of subjectivity, but here's an interesting list published on Stereogum today with a couple of surprising entries.

Here's the short form list, but check the article for their full write-up...

10. “Two Months Off” (from A Hundred Days Off, 2002)
9. “Always Loved A Film” (from Barking, 2010)
8. “Low Burn” (from Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future, 2016)
7. “Beautiful Burnout” (from Oblivion With Bells, 2007)
6. “Small Conker And A Twix/You Do Scribble” (from Live In Tokyo 25th November 2005)
5. “Pearl’s Girl” (from Second Toughest In The Infants, 1996)
4. “Dirty Epic” (from Dubnobasswithmyheadman, 1994)
3. “Born Slippy .NUXX” (from the “Born Slippy” single, 1995)
2. “Jumbo” (from Beaucoup Fish, 1999)
1. “Juanita:Kiteless:To Dream Of Love” (from Second Toughest In The Infants, 1996)

[TheBang]

He also wrote the Pitchfork review.

[pandamagic]

as subjective minefields go, this list is pretty decent. by this point there are so many outstanding UW tracks that any list will have to suffer from some heretical exclusions so I don't even begrudge the absence of "dark and long." my own list would no doubt include unpopular choices like "air towel" and "luetin" so I'm in no position to complain.

the article is eloquently written as well, especially the bit on "dirty epic."

[khouri]

Originally Posted by pandamagic

the article is eloquently written as well, especially the bit on "dirty epic."

That's my friend Sean T. Collins. He's as authoritative as anyone I know on pop music, and writes great coverage of television for Rolling Stone and elsewhere. Also a notes comics critic.

[skyscraper101]

Interesting I'd have had Juanita/Kiteless/To Dream Of Love at no.1 too. I'd probably also have had Dirty Epic and Pearls girl in the top 5 so not a bad list.

Missing from that list in my entirely subjective view would also be Why, Why, Why and Rez of the top of my head.

Not a massive fan of Jumbo so it'd have been further down my list, same for NUXX which although is a great track it has rather become the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" of the UW catalogue. I almost wish UW wouldn't do NUXX at their gigs as standard and end on something else.

[bornEpic]

Originally Posted by pandamagic

as subjective minefields go, this list is pretty decent. by this point there are so many outstanding UW tracks that any list will have to suffer from some heretical exclusions so I don't even begrudge the absence of "dark and long." my own list would no doubt include unpopular choices like "air towel" and "luetin" so I'm in no position to complain.

the article is eloquently written as well, especially the bit on "dirty epic."

It really is very well written. Found my head uncontrollably nodding in agreement several times.

I absolutely love Luetin by the way.

As for the choices, I couldn't argue with 1 and 2 though I would have to find room for KOS in there somewhere and probably Best Mamgu Ever depending on my mood.

[rohanworth]

Excellent article. Interesting re the no. 6 choice. Really spot on and insightful.

[holden]

A pretty nice read. Always good for UW to get some positive press.
Makes me wonder which, if push came to shove, would be my top 10. With 7 LPs and 3 EPS and several soundtracks during the Mk ii phase, what can you do? Every release has it's high point(s), so one can't pick one from each...

I think Cups, Momove, Leutin, Cowgirl, cherry pie, moon in water... After that, not sure, or maybe, wait!...

[King of Snake]

phew...my top 10 would be (in no particular order):

Rez
Dark Train
Thing in a Book
Dirty Epic
Juanita
Banstyle/Sappy's Curry
Oich Oich
Mmmmm... Skyscraper
Cups
Nylon Strung

[potatobroth]

While its impossible to ever look at a list and say "nailed it" or "awful!" i find it hard to take a track like Low Burn and call it a top-10 song while tracks like Cowgirl are omitted. Low Burn is nice, but its no standout.

I remember we did a poll on here yeeeeears back and Juanita came out tops I believe solely because it made everyone's top 5.