Feature / Music
Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (August 2006)

Posted pre-2010

Top 5 Singles (US)

by Michael

1. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy

There is a reason why "Crazy" became the first #1 single based solely on digital downloads. It is the catchiest song of the year, no ifs, ands, or buts. The song is anchored by Cee-Lo's soulful and high-note melodies. The lyrics aren't anything groundbreaking, this is pop music after all, but when Cee-Lo sings all worries vanish. Dangermouse backs Mr. Lo with a mix of classic hip-hop beats and the unique musical arrangements that one could only expect from the man wacky enough to mash The Beatles and Jay-Z.

2. Peeping Tom - Mojo

Mr. Patton is at it again. When is he not involved with something? This time around, Patton has turned his focus towards the world of pop music. And while it may still be left-of-center as far as mainstream pop is considered, "Mojo" is a song destined for the hippest of nightclubs. The human beat-boxer himself, Rahzel, contributes his vocal talents while Dan the Automator provides his artificial ones. And while you won't find any crunk inspired bootyshakin', you will find a solid beat to groove to.

3. Rihanna - S.O.S.

Take one sample from a notorious 80's pop tune and one of today's hottest female talents and what do you get? One of the hottest club tunes of 2006, that's what. I had never heard of Rihanna prior to a night out at my weekly music trivia contest game at my local BW3. But after hearing "S.O.S.", I was hooked. The song is anchored around a sample from "Tainted Love." Add in some urban dance beats - think J-Lo - and you've got a club hit. Well after adding in Rihanna's sultry vocals of course.

4. Eagles of Death Metal - I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)

Rock-n-roll is alive and well, there is no doubt about that. "I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)" is the first single from the Eagles of Death Metal's second album. Frontman Jesse "the Devil" Hughes lays down sexual-laced lyrics to a soundtrack of garage-tinged rock-n-roll. Sure, it doesn't hurt to have Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme on the drumkit. But regardless, this tune kicks serious ass, and the music video is quite humorous. Jagger would be proud.

5. E-40 - Tell Me When to Go

No you didn't discover a warp-zone, Mario style. The year is in fact still 2006 and that is E-40's name that you see above. E-40 was a big name in rap back in the 90's. Some may argue that he never left the limelight, but they are wrong. His peers have outshunned E-40 in recent years, particularly the likes of Lil Jon and Ludacris, among others. But the single "Tell Me When to Go" brought him to forefront of the pop music world again, and with it he brought the new-wave of rap/hip-hop - the "hyphy" movement to the nation's attention. The song is perfect for all spots - clubs, home-parties, cars, wherever you want. I'm a fan, though you won't catch me ghost riding the whip anytime soon.

— words by the SPB team

Related features

Unseemlier

One Question Interviews • June 27, 2025

Mike Assatly (Unseemlier - guitar/vocals) SPB: Do you have a preferred model of van for touring? Assatly: Chevy G-20 Gladiator! It was my first van, I got it from my uncle with 115,000 on it. He got rid of it for a new van because it was "old" and would … Read more

Dollar Store

One Question Interviews • June 26, 2025

Dave Slaverave (Dollar Store - bass) SPB: This band hits a lot of styles, all kind of overlapping at the same time. How hard was it to find “your sound” when bringing these influences together? Slaverave: Not very hard at all actually. We're all old-ass adults who've soaked in a … Read more

Golden Shitters

One Question Interviews • June 25, 2025

Matt (Golden Shitters) How nervous were you the first time you played a show? My first show was around 2002. I was 15 years old and it was a basement house party in my hometown of Welland, Ontario. I’d just proved myself to my high school buddies by singing The … Read more

Arms Aloft

Interviews • June 23, 2025

Remember Election Day 2024? Maybe you shouldn't. Maybe you've blocked it out. That's fair, but there was one pleasant surprise that day: a new EP from Wisconsin's Arms Aloft. It took a while to claw out of the darkness in November, then Year End 2024 coverage took over the Scene … Read more

Small Steps

One Question Interviews • June 12, 2025

Jeremiah (Small Steps - guitar/vocals) SPB: What song has the best use of whistling? Jeremiah: I feel like the easy answer would be the Bobby McFerrin song "Don't Worry Be Happy". Which is catchy as all get out, but we prefer the road less traveled here in Small Steps. For … Read more

More from this section

Caterwaul 2025

Music • May 13, 2025

Each year in late May, the 4-day party and noise-rock festival Caterwaul takes over multiple venues in Minneapolis. It’s a stacked lineup this year, to put it mildly, with each night’s headliners FACS, Young Widows, Naw, Pissed Jeans, and Uniform -- and that’s leaving a ton of other great bands … Read more

Guest List: Steven Fairweather (Gob) – The Gateway And The Getaway

Music / The Set List • May 13, 2025

Steven Fairweather is a Canadian musician, radio show host, and comic book writer. He is best known as the bassist of the punk band Gob and the founder of Stranger Radio, an independent online radio station. -- Before the internet, before streaming, before Shazam could tell you what was playing … Read more

2024: A Year In Review

Music / Year End 2024 • January 13, 2025

It's a new year – hooray. And things are off to a fine start, too. If the thought of corrupt governments, AI domination, unmoderated social networks and endless war is causing you to retreat into the past, we don't blame you. In fact, we encourage it! Our writers have summed … Read more