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Why Unreality Doesn’t Cover Music: My Top 10 Most Played Songs in iTunes

ByPaul Posted on

People often ask me why Unreality doesn’t write about music in addition to movies, TV and video games. Surely it’s the next logical category, right?

I’m not sure I see it that way, while music is certainly “media,” I feel like it’s removed from those others and is a unique experience. I also don’t have any idea how to descriptively write about music (“the sounds sound…nice?”) and it would probably make for a terrible read.

But furthermore, most everyone I know agrees that I have “terrible taste” in music. I can’t really fault them for that. My music selections are mostly pulled from movie trailers or video games, and the few pop songs that slip through aren’t going to impress anyone with their hipness. To see what I’m talking about, here are my recent most played songs on iTunes.

10. Nightcall – Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx (Drive Soundtrack)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV_3Dpw-BRY

I immediately went and downloaded the entire Drive soundtrack minutes after seeing the movie, and this is the song I play when I want to feel like a badass driving my Ford Fusion around town.

9. Heartbeat – Childish Gambino

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFVxGRekRSg

I heard that Community’s Donald Glover rapped, and I heard he was pretty good. Turns out, I heard right. This is an amazing track, and across both the albums I’ve listened to, dude has some of the most clever lyrics I’ve ever heard in rap.

8. Video Games – Lana Del Rey

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE6wxDqdOV0

I actually downloaded Lana Del Rey’s album after her “terrible” Saturday Night Live performance to see what all the anti-hype was about. I actually liked her stuff. Yes, it’s monotonous, but there’s just something addicting about this song.

7. Deadman’s Gun – Ashtar Command (Red Dead Redemption Soundtrack)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yag41F7eCLU

Red Dead had a great soundtrack all around, but this was my favorite track from it. Ashtar Command also had a song called “Into Dust” that was the best song from all five seasons of The OC back in the day.

6. Someone Like You – Adele

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLQl3WQQoQ0

SHUT UP IT’S A NICE SONG OK?

5. Doomsday – Nero (Borderlands 2 Trailer)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npW1RKNxBvY

This is my main workout song. When it comes on, I’ll easily keep running no matter how much I may be dying. I’m not a huge dubstep person, but this is by far the best track I’ve ever heard out of the genre, associations with the awesome Borderlands 2 aside.

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I think I'm a part of the first generation of journalists to skip print media entirely, and I've learned a lot these last few years at Forbes. My work has appeared on TVOvermind, IGN, and most importantly, a segment on The Colbert Report at one point.

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27 Comments

  2. The Deus Ex soundtrack is amazing. Really sets the tone. I’ve been playing that on my ipod for quite some time. It’s really good for a nice bike ride. Not too overbearing.

  5. Yeah, music — unlike other forms of media — tends to be a highly immersive and much more personal experience, as well. This tends to make reviews fall into specific categories — (a) technically accomplished, (b) where it rest comparatively on this band/performer’s history, and (c) where it rests comparatively to other artist releases that year.

    Consequently, one man’s Nickelback is another man’s Styx.

    While I’ve dabbled quite a bit in reviewing CDs over on Amazon, I’m usually upfront that what draws me to a particular ‘sound’ is the vocal styling. I could care less about longevity or creative imprint of a performer, as I’ve several CDs in my collection from folks who’ve only released a single album.

  8. Hell yeah Childish Gambino, I have been a fan since Derrick Comedy.

    Also if you like Lana del Rey, you should check out Blonde Redhead (I recommend Elephant Woman, also seen on the credits scene in Hard Candy) and Angus and Julia Jones (recommendation: I am not yours)

  9. Very interesting picks. I recall you expressing love for Nickelback in the past, which is almost always a sign that Musically Oblivious 8th Grader is in the house, but you pulled out some interesting stuff. Your trend towards film and video game soundtracks betrays both a preference for those forms of media and a willingness to go outside the mainstream in your listening preferences. Good stuff.

  10. Good choice not to write about music. My taste in music has declined since I’ve been married. She dominates the ipod. Discovering new music died after I graduated college…..

  11. Honestly, I wouldn’t call that list terrible in the least. I’d maybe go with nerdy/indie or indie/nerd but not embarassing. You should have your friends list their last 10 tracks anc see how much Katy Perry and Lady Gaga comes up.

    Besides, most soundtracks, whether gaming, movie, film, whatever, are still much better than a majority of the pop BS being shoveled out now anyways.

  12. If you made this list to demonstrate that your taste in music sucks, you have failed miserably. Excellent list, though I can agree that most of the time I have no interest in reading other people’s opinion on music, just link me a song and I’ll decide for myself.

    I was actually kind of surprised you didn’t have gangam style on the list though based on how many parodies you post of it though.

  13. I clicked on this ready to laugh at your silly tastes to find that 3 of these 10 are on my frequent playlist. I never saw Step Up 3, but by god I love ‘To Build a Home’.

  15. Love the Drive Song, I had forgotten about it. Might have to be my first song when I get my new 2013 Mustang GT in a few weeks.

    The only complaint about the movie is that the Mustang is only in the movie for a whole 5 minutes.

  21. You don’t have “bad” taste in music, in the popular sense (although, admittedly, I would say you had bad taste, personally). Music reviews you do need some taste for what you’re listening to, but more than that, you need an understanding of music, what goes into it, and what makes it up. I play guitar and alto sax, so I know a little, but not nearly enough to review things. Howeve,r attempting to branch myself out musically has led me to find some of my favorite albums ever, such as “Rain Dogs” from Tom Waits (so fucking good), or OK Computer from Radiohead (I don’t even like this band all that much, and this album has played so much that the CD skips in my car), or even 36 Chambers from WuTang Clan (very dark, but incredible). All this, might I add, from a metal head/prog rocker. Not my usual cup of tea up there.

  24. Wow, I really liked most of the selections (didn’t really get into the Nero song). I was surprised at how many didn’t…

    Seems like you’d also like Mogwai, sigar ros, and explosions in the sky. Mogwai’s song “auto rock” is really awesome, incredible buildup and a great payoff at the end. It was on the Miami Vice soundtrack, which is one of my favorite soundtracks. Thanks for sharing!

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