December 18th, 200740 best songs of ending 2007 (from 40 to 21)
I’m not gonna do an albums of the year list because there were hardly any full albums that I really got into. Of Montreal, Tegan and Sara, The Maccabees, Paramore and…thats about it. There were lots of albums I listened to, but hardly anything that I went back to over and over throughout the year. So that’s that. There were, however, a lot of songs that I was really excited about this year. Separate from the album they appear on. I’d go back to these before the rest of the album. They defined 2007 more than any individual album, save the four mentioned above. So here is my top 40 of 2007.
40-21, Alphabetically…
Ryan Adams - Halloweenhead
Aside from just being a nice song, it was the ring-tone for my alarm clock phone for the latter part of the year. So I wake up to “I’ve got a baaad ideeea…” every morning. Somehow, it still made the list.
The Black Lips - O Katrina
This song…this band in general, just doesn’t sound 2007. Despite the, um, topical lyrics. Like a completely different era. All said, probably the most enjoyable live band of the year. This is their best song off the latest album.
Digitalism - Pogo
I didn’t want to put this on as a “representative” of this great album, because it’s such a departure from the rest of the band’s stuff. Regardless, it’s still a great tune. If there’s one song to take off of that album tho…one song that I’ll listen to on its own a year or two on the line, this is it.
El-P - The Overly Dramatic Truth
I can never get into El-P’s flow, but his beats are the best. This one wins on that alone.
Justice - Stress
This song is off the charts intense. Maybe not as listenable as some of the other songs on this album, but I like music that creates subliminal reactions. This song makes me twitch.
Menomena - Wet and Rustling
I couldn’t ever get past the first three songs on this record, but man are they good. This is the best of the three, I suppose. My opinion on them changed almost daily when I used to listen to this more often.
Modest Mouse - Dashboard
I really really liked this Modest Mouse album when it came on. It was a perfect progression past the mainstream ‘Float On’ era into a new comfort zone. This was probably the best song on the album, tho there were other contenders. I haven’t listened to it much lately, but I should. It was good.
The National - Mistaken for Strangers
The “Silvery Citibank lights” line, the “Showered and blue blazered” line. The National creates great images. Stuff I can kind of relate to. This song just feels like walking down Lafayette street at 3AM in the rain. I like that.
Of Montreal - She’s a Rejector
Jeez, it’s been so long since I’ve spent a lot of time with this album, it’s hard to pick songs off it. The entire album could have probably made this list had the record been released 6 weeks ago. It was my favorite this year by far, but looking back now, its hard to pick favorites. This was the last song that I decided was my favorite before I stopped listening to this album every day. So points for that.
Okkervil River - Our Live is Not a Movie or Maybe
I never got into this OR album, despite loving them more than ever leading up to the release and it getting a ton of great press. Every time I try to listen to the album, I really get into this jam (first track on the record) then kinda lose focus.
Paramore - Hallelujah
Another alarm clock song. The pre-chorus hook is so huge I love it. Also, I like the way her voice starts at a higher pitch than expected. Thats fun.
Pela - Waiting on the Stairs
This was the song that made me say whoh…these guys are great. Must have seen them live 5 times at the beginning of the year, still love hearing this song. Great moment towards the end of the song where they slow it down and are all “Come sit next to me…” Terrific song.
The Photo Atlas - Light and Noise
In the end, this was a far better song than the rest of the album, which was probably why I never really noticed them take off. This song kind of takes everything I like about music over the last 6 years and mushes it into four minutes.
R. Kelly/Usher - Same Girl
This shit was just genius. Sure, the video was what really put it over the top, but the back and forth dialog, the lyrics about TBS, Waffle House, and that magical “She gonna be looking so stupid when she see us together!!!” line was what won me over. Kudos, Kel.
Rihanna - Please Don’t Stop the Music
Best song off an album that had several other fairly decent tracks. I get excited when I hear this instead of Umbrella at a Knicks game or a Christmas party.
Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
I thought this was a killer single. Exactly the kind of song that makes people remember that you’re Bruce Springsteen and this is what you do. Not the greatest thing he’s ever done, but it was fun for a couple months towards the end of the summer.
Sum 41 - With Me
One scene on Gossip Girl with Chuck and Blair going at it in the back of a limo and I was sold. I know nothing of what this band is up to since the Fat Lip days, but whatever. I found this song after that episode and listened to it over and over.
Tegan and Sara - Knife Going In
My second favorite song off my second favorite album of the year.
Wilco - You are My Face
I guess this pick came from those VW ads. I heard this song first on there, followed up with the full record and settled back on this song after listening through a couple times. The “I have no idea how this happened!” part, and the guitar part leading into it is one of the top 10 stuck-in-you-head musical moments of the year.
