[10]. The Fugees, performing Killing Me Softly
Awesome cover. One of the few times that a cover does justice to the original.

[9]. Hanson, performing MmmBop
This song brings me so many memories. It's so catchy and it never gets old for me.

[8]. George Michael, performing Freedom '90
My favorite song of him from the 90's. I like the point he was trying to make with this song at that time and the video was perfect for that.

[7]. R.E.M., performing Losing My Religion
I've always liked this song. It has a classic sound that doesn't get old.

[6]. En Vogue, performing Don't Let Go (Love)
Of the songs I've heard from this group this one is my favorite. It's so powerful and I enjoy the harmony of their voices.

[5]. Mary J. Blige, performing Real Love
This is probably one of the best songs I've heard from Mary. I like that R&B production of early 90's.

[4]. Moby, performing Porcelain
The instrumental is so relaxing. One of his best works and it sounds great live.

[3]. Beck, performing Loser
My favorite part of this song is when he sings "Soy un perdedor"
The instrumental is really cool.

[2]. Michael Jackson, performing Scream (with Janet Jackson)
I don't really consider it one of his best songs of the 90's. It's not bad but he has much better songs and this collaboration is kinda overrated IMO.

[1]. The Beastie Boys, performing Sabotage
I'm not a big fan of their music, however this song is not bad and I like the production.

All I have to say is ... next week's results are VERY interesting.

I started writing my comments, but with Britney performances weighing heavily on my mind, I sorta just gave up. I might edit this later and add in thoughts for the other songs, if I'm not too busy defending my QUEEN elsewhere.

George Michael Freedom! '90

(10)

Beck Loser

(9)

Hanson Mmm Bop

Everything Ace said. (8)

Mary J. Blidge Real Love

Real Good. (7)

The Fugees Killing Me Softly

(6)

R.E.M. Losing My Religion

As a child I remember someone (probably my mother or goody-two-shoes sister) explaining in limited detail how this was pro-atheism, and therefore not the sort of thing I should be listening to. Though they have crazy abilities to read too much into almost everything, Christians are not opposed to interpreting things in a literal/face value sense when it can be conveniently used to promote nonsense, such as this everyone is against us/we're basically the minority idea. Because of this, my understanding of the track is perhaps a bit muddied. I obviously do not hear this anthem of atheist rebellion, and at the same time I have a difficult time connecting to Stipe's explanation of obsessive love. There's a certain ambiguity to this which I think of as neither a hindrance, nor an asset.*Despite everyone's best efforts to turn me away from this track, I can't help but love this. There's something inherently Fleetwood Mac-esque here, and that can't really be a bad thing. Furthermore, this has to be the best usage of the mandolin in the history of all popular music. Wouldn't you agree? (5)

En Vogue Don't Let Go (Love)

(4)

Michael Jackson Scream (feat. Janet Jackson)

I'll be damned if I understand one ****ing word that comes out of Michael's mouth. I'll be damned if any compete words are actually coming put of his mouth. The total indecipherability of Michael's delivery has always been the most frustrating aspect of this track. In terms of production, this is a bit too much of a retread of other Michael material, and the track itself isn't particularly intriguing, but there are some redeeming qualities, namely the addition of Janet. She is the saving grace and the reason I tolerate and enjoy (on some level) this track. (3)

Moby Porcelain

"Porcelain" is the sort of track that could have been released at any point during the 90s and it wouldn't have sounded entirely out of place. It could have been a single for Enigma in 1990, or, as was the case, it could have been a notable track from Moby's much over-hyped 1999 release, Play. I enjoy "Porcelain". Those chilly pads and that twinkling piano are lovely, but with those stoic vocals and the lack of a great buildup, the track lacks any real emotional punch. (2)

The Beastie Boys Sabotage

A whole lotta noise. Were we ranking music videos, you could expect the opposite of what's happened here. (1)

I guess I'm the only one that doesn't understand the argument for why "Mmmbop" is supposed to be a good song? As a matter of fact, I detest the song for the same reasons Mr. Bart loves the song.

Also worth noting: I think this is the first time I've flat-out disagreed with Patrick on rankings during the entire run of BotB. Then again, this week was also very difficult.

You've got more of an appreciation for those rock/alternative tracks than I do, but, you're right, I think this is the most opposite our rankings have been.

Admittedly, I have a bit of a jaded attitude towards some of these tracks, but truthfully I do not totally dislike anything here. This was an incredibly stacked week for te competition. I have a feeling we'll have a lot of weeks like this.

That's the part that sucks about this BotB. Most of the songs EVERY WEEK will be great tracks, which guarantees that some pretty good artists will get left in the dust EARLY. But then again, having so many good songs every week is a great improvement over most of the weeks during the last BotB.

Lolene.