One of the most coveted musical honors is getting to play the Superbowl halftime show.  This year, we get to be dulled to sleep by the Black Eyed Peas.  Don’t they realize the band’s last album tanked?  I really hate it when the network tries to go after ratings instead of giving football audiences what they want and like.  You really think a bunch of 13-year-old girls are going to sit around and watch two hours of commercial-heavy football just to see their favorite band lip sync through a distorted-filled audio malaise?  Or are they going to sit in their bedroom and gossip about cute guys and wait for the GLEE halftime show re-invention of Thriller?  I get the geriatric rockers.  It’s something for every one.  Most football fans appreciate it.  But going young & hip?  Has that ever worked?  Just be sure to keep Fergie’s boobs in a tight dress.

What does this have to do with Matisyahu?  Really nothing.  Just go buy the new live album.  It’s back to his stripped down musical basics.  It’s the Matisyahu we love…not the overproduced Matisyahu we don’t.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Matisyahu:

1. Jerusalem (Youth)

2. King Without A Crown (Live at Stubbs)

3. Youth (Youth)

4. Message in A Bottle (Chop ‘Em Down)

5. Chop ‘Em Down (Shake Off The Dust)

6. So Hi So Lo (The Louisville Light Sessions)

7. WP (Youth)

8.  Close My Eyes (Shake Off The Dust)

9. I Will Be Light (Light)

10.  Got No Water (Shake Off The Dust)

11.  On Nature (Light)

Buy Matisyahu’s new album,  Live at Stubb’s 2.