What’s even better than the year’s best album list? A best songs list of course. But listing down 50 of the best songs is a lot tougher to embark on than it looks. I did suffer from a couple of halucinations and mild delusions during the process. Clearly the side effects of trying to put a quantitative value to a song. Further down the list, it started getting all mixed up and I'm not sure whether I've placed the songs in the correct order. No but really, I'm pretty sure each track is right where I want 'em. There was immense pressure to vary the assortment of songs featured since I kept pulling out tracks from the same album, for instance Little Joy, Fleet Foxes etc. These songs weren't judged based on lyrics or music arrangement or any of that stuff; I simply liked what I liked.//UPDATE//
You're on your own now. I initially published this post with streaming mp3s for each song. But Blogger took it down and because I refuse to accept the fact that hours spent writing and formatting this post will just go to waste (it's 50 songs! a single mistake, and a rewriting I will go), I am re-posting it, provided that I've removed the songs. So now everyone's happy. Sort of.
Curious to know how one of the tunes sound like? Just go to Google or Hype Machine and search for it-- I'm pretty sure most of them are just floating around the Internet, waiting to be listened.
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50. The Magnetic Fields "California Girls"
In the Beach Boys inspired surf-pop number, Magnetic Fields starts it off with the obvious approach, but as the song nears its end, you realize the protagonist is "is an extremely unreliable narrator. Psychotic, even"...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
49. Four Tet "Ribbons"
There's almost an organic feel, for something pasted out of technical sound effects, captured in the hypnotic, sparkling, sonic droplets on Four Tet's 'Ribbons'. An utterly transfixing listening experience....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
48. Je Suis Animal "Sparkle Spit"
One of my most fave moments from pop group Je Suis Animal's stunning debut....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
47. She & Him "I Thought I Saw Your Face Today"
That 50s uncomplicated clarity which the song carries just makes you feel all warm and tingly inside....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
46. Crystal Castles "Magic Spells"
Iridescent and clean musical textures in this understated electronic, ambient piece is truly inspired, regardless of its icy exterior....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
45. This is Ivy League "London Bridges"
'London Bridges' offers light, dreamy vocals on top of sweet, idyllic guitar melodies that regularly conjure up sounds of Belle and Sebastian. But that guitar solo at the end, now that is pure heaven....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
44. Cut Copy "Feel the Love"
I'm not particularly enamored by the music of Cut Copy. But In Ghost Colours definitely has its moments, and at the peak of it all is the fun, harmonius, electro delights in 'Feel the Love'....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
43. French Kicks "Sex Tourists"
French Kicks' latest album didn't really sink in at the first listen. But now that I've gone past that, I hear nothing but an overflow of hazy, wistful pop perfection. If only I had realized it sooner....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
42. Coldplay "Chinese Sleep Chant"
Coldplay's undertaking in the obscure yet eminent landscape of Shoegaze is pretty impressive. It would be interesting to see what will happen if they had settled in that position a lot longer....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
41. Tokyo Police Club "Listen to the Math"
Tokyo Police Club moves further away from their former music range that was built on influences drawn out of Is This It?, and closer into their own distinctive sound in their debut. 'Listen to the Math' is that stellar centerpiece everybody needs to listen to....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
40. The Botticellis "Old Home Movies"
I've declared my love for the band and the song too many a times now. So you get the drill....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
39. Moscow Olympics "What's Left Unsaid"
I believe that Moscow Olympics is only going to get better after this, and they will continue to weave out solid dreamy creations after solid dreamy creations. Much like this one-- if not better....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
38. Crystal Castles "Vanished"
There's always something cold and detached about electronic/dance/disco music that doesn't make you want to dwell in it for too long. But it's the mesmeric whirls in 'Vanished' that makes you want to hang around this tune a little bit longer....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
37. Je Suis Animal "Rousseau World"
I guess it's the familiarity of that guitar chord at the start, that just draws you into the song. And though it takes on poppier, lighter, and less rougher terrains, 'Rousseau World' comes through as some of the most endearing pieces of music 2008 has seen....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
36. Vivian Girls "Where Do You Run To"
Dreamy girl group harmonies and raw riffs with hints of shoegaze wrapped in a lo-fi package. It can't get any better....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
35. Lykke Li "Little Bit"
'Little Bit' was that first, introductory song that had beckoned me into the lush music expanses of Swedish singer, Lykke Li....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
34. Kanye West "Love Lockdown (Flying Lotus remix)"
I don't know when it happened, but 'Love Lockdown' got stuck in my head pretty deep, and then the remix came along and then the rest was pretty much history....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
33. Bon Iver "For Emma"
'For Emma' lends the disc it's most joyous and hopeful moment, though it's still delivered within that similar confines of a cold, stark atmosphere....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
32. Vampire Weekend "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"
Since I've already chosen 'Oxford Comma' as one of the best songs for last year, I went with the second obvious choice of course....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
31. Beach House "Astronaut"
Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes listed this as one of his fave songs of the year too. Which kind of really made my day....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
30. Deerhoof "The Tears And Music Of Love"
Some records sound piss-weak when played in the car, but Deerhoof's record? Mindblowingly amazing....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
29. Grouper "Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping"
For those bare and quiet moments during the late, late night, this truly work wonders....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
28. Foals "Big Big Love (Fig. 2)"
The music of Foals is a fusion of so many things (pop, rock, electronic), with obscure vocals that completely melds into the tunes against gorgeous atmospherics. This one tune says it all....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
27. Goldfrapp "Eat Yourself"
On most rainy days, this is all I listen to. The inviting, almost tangible warmth it radiates seems to complement that rainy day mood....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
26. The Dodos "Red and Purple"
It didn't particularly catch my attention the first time around, but not long after that I've come to believe that it's the best folk pop creations that's become the highlight of last year....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
25. Deerhoof "Chandelier Searchlight"
I think Deerhoof’s tunes have grown more accessible in this new record. The quirky, fun filling in Chandelier Searchlight is certainly one proof of that....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
24. Chad VanGaalen "Willow Tree"
I've said this before and I'll say it again, don't be a coconut, just listen to this would ya?...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
23. Crystal Stilts "Departure"
You know that song that pulls the whole record together, and the rest just falls into place and the music finally starts to make sense. This is it....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
22. The Radio Dept. - "The Room, Tarzana"
I'm being a little biased here, but the song's really wonderful so it doesn't matter. I could listen to this all day and never get tired of it. God, I wanna be buried in this song....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
21. Bombay Bicycle Club "Evening/Morning"
I have high hopes for this band’s debut. Hope it’s not going to be a huge letdown. At least this isn’t....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
20. Born Ruffians "Little Garcon"
It’s the most memorable track out of the record, and funnily enough, featured quite frequently in this film. Go figure....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
19. The Soft Pack "Extinction"
You’re the kind of person / you think you’re better than everyone / you’re the kind of person / you think you’re better than me / well I’ve got news for you…...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
18. Fleet Foxes "Meadowlark"
‘Meadowlark’ doesn’t contain as much intricate instrumentation as the rest in the collection. And though it’s very spare and simple, it delivers one of the most breathtaking vocal melodies you’ll ever hear....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
17. Women "Cameras"/"Black Rice"
The only spot I’m willing to award to two songs, from the same artist. Because they’re just tremendously brilliant like that....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
16. Little Joy "Play the Part"
Spinning out languid, romantic melodics that's clothed in a hushed delivery and delicate instrumentation, 'Play the Part' is that woozy, wonderful, and cozy affair that's sure to sweep you of your feet....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
15. Albert Hammond, Jr. "You Won't be Fooled By This"
Dunno if it’s true: but Julian said it’s his fave track off Albert’s new record, which pretty much is all I wanted to say....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
14. Slow Down Tallahassee "The Prettiest Tree"
'The Prettiest Tree' somewhat sticks out like a sore thumb in Slow Down Tallahassee’s newest collection of songs. It’s too sweet, too melancholic. And really good of course....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
13. These New Puritans "Navigate, Navigate (The Loving Hand remix)"
The remix gives the original track an overall subtler, poppier finish, making it more accessible, more entrancing even....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
12. The Raveonettes "Young and Beautiful"
This song proves that the Raveonettes just keeps getting better, and better, and better, and better………...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
11. MGMT "Electric Feel"
'Electric Feel' comes through solid as the true champ in their much loved compilation -- it helps that the song is pretty zexxy too....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
10. Portishead "The Rip"
‘The Rip’ is Portishead’s finest hour in Third....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
9. Little Joy "Keep Me In Mind"
With songs like this, that 4th Strokes record can take all the time in the world for all I care....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
8. The Raveonettes "Black Satin"
This song blends together contrasting elements - the sweetness of the vocal, melodies of the guitar and the harsh distortions - with the greatest of ease. A true gem....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
7. Dept. of Eagles "No One Does It Like You"
There’s something about Daniel Rossen’s voice that’s quietly comforting, even in this....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
6. Women "Group Transport Hall"
It’s 71 seconds of pure unadulterated bliss. But why 71 seconds? Why not more?...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
5. The Soft Pack "Parasites"
The Soft Pack draws immense comparison to Velvet Underground in most of their repertoire. But in ‘Parasites’, their best yet, they border between Strokes and Joy Division. Which is a match made in punk-rock heaven, if you ask me....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
4. M83 "Kim and Jessie"
It’s suppose to feel 80s cheeseball and all that, but it doesn’t-- it really doesn’t....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3. The Radio Dept. "Freddie and the Trojan Horse"
Radio Dept. tests new boundaries in this new piece, but I love how it never really ventures too far from their comfort zone....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. Fleet Foxes "White Winter Hymnal"
It's true that everyone's listened to this, but it would be a futile attempt to deny the warmth and loveliness the song carries....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
1. The Ruby Suns "Kenya Dig It?"
Trust me when I say the title of the song doesn't do it justice. Interweaving an assortment of memerizing, exotic, and otherworldly sonic textures, the result is a tune that's almost magical and wonderfully epic.
