2008

In a year of such great music it was difficult to narrow down a top 10, so I’m throwing you a top 20 for your ears…

20. The Veronicas – Untouched
“…so even if the world falls down today | you’ve still got me to hold you up | and I will never let you down…”

19. Passion Pit – Sleepyhead
“…like stars burning holes right through the dark | you gave fire like saltwater into my eyes…”

18. Rachael Yamagata – Elephants
“…so for those of you falling in love | keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right | throw yourself in the midst of danger | but keep one eye open at night…”

17. Beyonce – Single Ladies
“…if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it…”

16. Sam Sparro – Black & Gold
“…now I’m looking for a reason why | you even set my world into motion…”

15. Coldplay – Lovers In Japan (acoustic version)
“…tonight maybe we’re gonna run | dreaming of the Osaka sun…”

14. M83 – Graveyard Girl
“…she collects crowns made of black roses | but her heart is made of bubble gum…”

13. The Killers – Goodnight, Travel Well
“…stay, don’t leave me | the stars can’t wait for your sign…”

12. MGMT – Kids
“…but I thought | this wouldn’t hurt a lot | I guess not…”

11. Lady GaGa – Just Dance
“…I love this record baby but I can’t see straight anymore…”

10. Hot Chip – Shake A Fist
The electric keys almost lull you into a trance until Hot Chip reminds you at :17 that this will not be something you can slumber to. Like the song instructs, crank up those headphones. Its thumping in a warehouse, low ceilings, cracked tile floors, greased up dirty windows, sprinklers going off, bodies thrashing, girls flinging water from their hair, boys with fists to the sky…all shaking, breathing in, without.

09. Kate Nash – Nicest Thing
This is probably one of the most heart-wrenchingly desperate songs I’ve ever heard. It epitomizes someone who is longing for a person they can see and touch, but lies just out of reach. I think everyone has felt this way at one point about someone; Kate just puts it to music with a laundry list of wishing. It also contains probably my favorite line of the year: I wish you thought I was the reason you were in the world. As independent as people can be, who hasn’t wanted to feel they were someone’s everything? I saw her perform this live at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC and was floored by the heartstrings it pulled…and I guess that’s all I can wish for in a song.

08. IAMX – Spit It Out (Designer Drugs Remix)
Oh, Designer Drugs, how I love thee. The Brooklyn based duo has spun out some of the hottest remixes of the year. So for me, taking on an already great song from IAMX solidified their greatness. It’s not super mixed, leaving the strong lyrics intact was key but by adding a grimy back beat they allowed the tune to be dancefloor friendly. They sing, “If you’re hurting | I will replace the noise with silence instead”…sorry, but there is no way I want this noise to be replaced. The sounds of the song and protective words wrap you up leaving you with a warm feeling after it ends. Or maybe that’s just your body temperature from dancing for five minutes.

07. Mariah Carey – Touch my body (Remix feat. Rick Ross)
A Mimi song on my blog? What? Uh huh. And dare I say it, this one’s better than the original. Mrs. Carey decided to take her 18th #1 hit and drop it off at Rick Ross’ doorstep for a little nip/tuck. And man, he cranked out a fine piece of ass. Sped it up, added a heavy bass line, some classic Mariah riffs, and a killer comeback that says, “If there’s a camera up in here | Load that right on up to YouTube”. Twist! But the best part, where my knees get weak, where my ears cloud over, is at 3:43…Mariah hit another high note, but this time it wasn’t with her voice.

06. The Ting Tings – Great Dj
Simply put, this is a ridiculously fun song. Sometimes a song doesn’t need to be emotionally deep or musically innovative…it just needs to get you moving, get those hands in the air. I saw them live at the 9:30 Club and this was definitely the highlight of the concert for the crowd. “That’s Not My Name” might be their more popular song, but nothing got us bouncing like the “ah ah ah ah’s” and “e e e e’s”.

05. Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson – Winter Song
This proves again that all you really need is a touching, simple tune, a bit of piano and a few strings. Here, the cello part acts as a third voice, joining Bareilles and Michaelson in a song that is equal parts heartbreak and hope in these grey winter months. While this is a duet, both ladies sing in unison throughout most of the song, giving these lyrics of loneliness a feeling of companionship.

04. Death Cab For Cutie – Cath…
Everyone will think of something different when they hear this song. Unrequited love is the central theme to our heroine Cath and instead of waiting out, she settles. It’s sometimes so daunting to think about finding the person that is so completely right for you that if someone gives you a wink you’ll convince yourself you’re in love. Time is slowly running out, you’re not getting any younger, and like the song says her “heart was dying fast.” What would you do? A sad song that makes you think.

03. Coldplay – Strawberry Swing
Asian folk. What? Oh, but how it works. Coldplay goes out on a limb with (in my opinion) their best song on a fantastic album. The pentatonic sound, echoing voices, and dense percussion make this song stunning. It has one of my favorite lyrics of the year, “Oh the sky could be blue | I don’t mind | Without you it’s a waste of time.” Who knows where or what Strawberry Swing is. To me it’s driving on the PCH with the windows down, a warm summer day on the beach, finally falling in love…anything that makes a perfect day. And at 1:41, it’s such a perfect song.

02. Adele – Hometown Glory
Adele is the UK’s newest darling, along with Duffy, since Amy’s career is in the same gutter as her weave and panties. She sings with such power that you can’t helped getting wrapped up in the song. The constant yet simple piano chords add an urgency to the song and keep it flowing while Adele pays homage to the city and its people who have brought her this far. “I like it in the city when two worlds collide” is the best line on a fresh album. It’s musicality, phrasing, and emotion call to mind a sudden meeting of two strangers who, in a fleeting moment, can change each others’ worlds. Let’s hope this UKer is here to stay.

01. MGMT – Time to Pretend
Well, here it is. My pick for the best song on the year. It may have seen predictable if you read other blogs out there, but there is a reason it’s on everyone’s list. It’s just that good! The alien intro moving to the synths, moving to the smutty, grimy, gritty drums and vocals. The Brooklyn duo sing about cocaine, islands, and models all culminating in death by choking on your own vomit…an obvious cynical reflection on the rockstar lifestyle. Every time I listen there is something new that I hear, there is just so much sound in it. Well done, MGMT, welcome to the big leagues. You don’t have to pretend any longer.

And in conjunction with the singles above, here are my top 5 albums of the year…

The Killers - Day and Age 05. The Killers – Day and Age