Top Ten Songs of the Week 7/19/10

This is just another way we try to spread the word about all the good music out there. As you’ll notice, every song that reaches the #1 spot on this list will also appear on our 100 Best Songs of 2010 list at the end of December. We try to mix it up, offer a little something for everyone: sad songs, funny songs, upbeat songs, quieter stuff, you name it. If you don’t like one of these, you can always go on to the next one. The only one here that doesn’t have a link to the track is #1 and that’s because it’s so new.

1. Erica Smith & the 99 Cent Dreams - River King

Apprehensive, hauntingly and richly lyrical Nashville gothic. Nobody does it better than she does. She’ll be playing the Dave Campbell memorial concert at the Parkside on the 22nd.

2. Adam H. Stevens – The Cities That You’ve Burned

Cynical retro-70s pop,  a snide portrait of a dissolute trendoid. From his forthcoming cd We Live on Cliffs – free download.

3. Mighty Fine – Ride

Absolutely kick ass garage rock with a funk/soul edge and an original style if you can believe it. They’re at Public Assembly on August 19.

4. The Anabolics – You Can’t Let People Walk All Over You

More kick-ass garage rock. They’re at Bruar Falls on August 1.

5. Jeremy Messersmith – Organ Donor

Creepy chamber pop, sort of on the Elliott Smith tip. He’s at Joe’s Pub on August 17.

6. Pete Galub – 300 Days in July

Pensive psychedelic pop song given the Martin Bisi treatment which means raw and authentic. Grab a free download.

7. Ernie Vega – I’ll Follow You Home (Sweet Isabelle)

Like early Dylan but better – both the guitar and the vocals.

8. The JPT Scare Band – Slow Sick Shuttle

Just stumbled across this twisted stumbling seven-minute 1973 slice of acid-warped bluesmetal while trolling for a completely unrelated video. Isn’t the internet wonderful.

9. The Audiobodies – Free

Upbeat acoustic soul shuffle with Barrington Levy-esque vox.

10. Under Byen - Kapitel

Dark dreamy art-rock – a sensation in Denmark.