mxdwn Top 50 Songs 200750. The Bird and The Bee – Again and Again
49. She Wants Revenge – Written In Blood
From This is Forever
Hints of grandfather Bauhaus echo through this gritty yet eloquently executed testimony: listen angry and you will be redeemed.
– Zachary Preston
48. Animal Collective – For Reverend Green
From Strawberry Jam
Amidst shimmying synths and hearty howls, the controlled chaos of this peak effort from Avey Tare and Noah Lennox showed us all that it was alright to feel inhuman.
– Robert Huff
47. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Gone, Gone, Gone
46. Against Me! – White People For Peace
From New Wave
A hard rock song as fun as it is thought provoking, “White People For Peace” harkens back to a not-too-distant time where music had a moral, social and political duty.
– Raymond Flotat
45. Sia – I Go To Sleep
From Lady Croissant
In this Pretenders cover, Sia belts the songs chorus, blasting every syllable with power, grace and confidence.
– Raymond Flotat
44. Social Distortion – Far Behind
From Greatest Hits
After nearly three decades of rootsy, sticking-to-their-guns punk, Social D can still prove their worth against the punk of today with this rocker about shedding excess baggage in life.
– Matthew Kiel
43. Foo Fighters – The Pretender
From Echoes, Silence, Patience, Grace
Good ol’ fashioned rock-and-roll plus a moody bass line make for a hit in heavy production syrup.
– Zachary Preston
42. Deerhoof – Matchbook Seeks Maniac
41. The Shins – Sleeping Lessons
40. Arcade Fire – Black Mirror
39. Wilco – You Are My Face
From Sky Blue Sky
A spaced-out, mellow Phish-esque jam explodes into a dirty, Neil Young rocker and back again as only Jeff Tweedy & Company could.
– Ryan Lewis
38. LCD Soundsystem – Get Innocuous!
From Sound of Silver
James Murphy and company kick off The Sound of Silver in familiar territory with a “Losing My Edge”-esque beat. This soon mutates into a combination New Order/David Bowie take on how everyone seems to “normalize.”
– Matthew Kiel
37. Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals – Lifeline
From Lifeline
Harper’s most poetic, passionate and beautiful writing in years cooed over a gentle acoustic slide background.
– Ryan Lewis
36. A Place to Bury Strangers – To Fix the Gash In Your Head
From A Place to Bury Strangers
A heavy electronica beat, what sounds like a thousand guitars and the tortured, dead pan vocals of Oliver Ackerman make up this beautiful piece of noise.
– Brendan Welsh
35. Prefuse 73 – Class of 73 Bells
From Preparations
Guillermo Scott Herren had an alt-rock choir lift every voice and sing over his left-of-center interpretation of a phat beat.
– Adam Blyweiss
34. The Good, The Bad and The Queen – Northern Whale
From The Good, The Bad and The Queen
Damon Albarn amassed a supergroup of Paul Simonon, Simon Tong and Tony Allen to create some of the darkest, most beautifully murky music with a social outlook since “Ghost Town,” by The Specials.
– Matthew Kiel
33. The Shins – Australia
From Wincing the Night Away
A delightful if elusive verse camouflages apocalyptic lyrics but, before you know it, the hook is set and you’re humming along.
– Zachary Preston
32. Kanye West – Good Life
From Graduation
An über-catchy reminder of how good Kanye’s life probably is: hot models, Ferraris, and Michael Jackson samples a-plenty!
– Ryan Lewis
31. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Down Boy
From Is Is
The song equivalent of the strange character who is seemingly shy then suddenly erupts into their secret bad-ass persona.
– Danielle Reicherter
30. Battles – Atlas
From Mirrored
Love or hate post-rock seemingly encompassing every genre not nailed down, there’s something gripping about stutter-step guitar loops, six-foot-high cymbals, and a “weeble wobble” chorus.
– Adam Blyweiss
29. Panda Bear – Comfy in Nautica
From Person Pitch
Panda Bear’s serene Beach Boys-style vocal melody appears out of insane industrial noises, lasting for a few minutes before returning back to the depths from whence it came.
– Brendan Welsh
28. Radiohead – Jigsaw Falling Into Place
From In Rainbows
A song that builds parabolically throughout, “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” is a song that weaves vocal counterpoint against acoustic guitars until a twelve-string melody in the finale sends the whole tune into the stratosphere.
– Raymond Flotat
27. Los Campesinos – You! Me! Dancing!
From Sticking Fingers into Sockets
Beguiling! Blame it on their youth but Los Campesinos!, a group of seven college friends from Wales, are having a blast and their giddiness is infectious with this fanciful, upbeat song.
– Jacquie Frisco
26. Radiohead – Reckoner
From In Rainbows
Deceptively titled, this swooning, stunning centerpiece from Radiohead’s literally most accessible album patiently swells into the band’s most hauntingly beautiful crescendo since “Exit Music (for a Film).” Ok computer, indeed.
– Robert Huff
25. Jens Lekman – The Opposite of Hallelujah
From Night Falls Over Kortedala
On a tour de genre-conquering force like Night Falls Over Kortedala, which is full of standouts, a sweet, bouncy number concerning the protagonist worrying about his sister rises above all as a poignant testament to growing up and imparting wisdom.
– Matthew Kiel
24. LCD Soundsystem – North American Scum
From Sound of Silver
James Murphy’s cowbell-laden rant against anti-American sentiment, “North American Scum” bumps and blasts with a joyous vibe aching for a loud party atmosphere. Handclaps never sounded so good!
– Raymond Flotat
23. Glen Hansard – Leave
From Once: Original Soundtrack
Glen Hansard’s “Leave” tells a brief, but haunting story of the moment of romantic collapse. Accompanied by nothing but acoustic strums, Hansard builds to a stunning crescendo screaming, “Leave / Leave / Let go of my heart / You’ve said what you have to now leave.”
– Raymond Flotat
22. Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
From None Shall Pass
Hearkening back to the day when hip hop had a message, Aesop Rock proves that tracks with addictive beats can have thought provoking lyrics and still maintain street cred.
– Danielle Reicherter
21. The White Stripes – Icky Thump
From Icky Thump
The shining star of the record which bears its name, “Icky Thump” springs to life with a synthesizer like none other. It reappears between White yelling his fast, convoluted lines over his trademark dirty guitar.
– Brendan Welsh
20. LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great
From Sound of Silver
Reverent sadness sets the tone in this sincerely melancholy song which is a departure from James Murphy’s mainstay of sarcasm. There is a time to slow dance “when Someone Great is gone.” In fact, you might just want to sit down, hold your head, and sigh.
– Zachary Preston
19. Bloc Party – Hunting For Witches
From A Weekend in the City
Bloc Party’s not so subtle jab at the state of the world paired with upbeat drums, unusual samples, and a killer guitar part is a rare song about political unrest that makes one want to dance.
– Danielle Reicherter
18. Of Montreal – Gronlandic Edit
From Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
The indie-dance song checklist is a funky bass line, a clap beat and a falsetto harmony. But it can also use thought-provoking questions such as “I guess it would be nice to give my heart to a god / But which one do I choose?” Apparently Of Montreal can ponder and dance at the same time.
– Brendan Welsh
17. Mark Ronson – Valerie (Featuring Amy Winehouse)
From Version
“Valerie” is an exuberant, dance-worthy delight. Brit DJ and producer Mark Ronson captures the essence of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound while Amy Winehouse dazzles, belting out the lyrics, channeling Motown. It’s superb.
– Jacquie Frisco
16. The White Stripes – I’m Slowly Turning Into You
15. Nine Inch Nails – Survivalism
From Year Zero
It was once written that each Year Zero song represented a character in Trent Reznor’s backstory. Here it sounded like America’s entire right wing — from college meatheads misreading Nirvana lyrics to mercenaries with blind faith — urgently feeding on itself.
– Adam Blyweiss
14. Arcade Fire – The Well and the Lighthouse
13. Eddie Vedder – Society
From Into The Wild – Original Soundtrack
“Society” is a message song without being preachy. This standout from the soundtrack to the film “Into the Wild,” touches a nerve, much like the movie has. Eddie Vedder brings integrity and sincerity to a song celebrating simplicity and freedom from the excesses of a fat society. Vedder’s simple arrangement proves less is more with this gem.
– Jacquie Frisco
12. Iron & Wine – Boy With A Coin
From The Shepard’s Dog
Sam Beam transforms a simple guitar melody and hand claps into a haunting folk ballad that flows through the narrative story on slide guitars and Beam’s disturbingly melancholy vocals.
– Danielle Reicherter
11. Hot Hot Heat – Harmonica and Tambourines
From Happiness Ltd.
It’s back to 80’s pop ethics and enthusiasm via the vigor and vitality of 90’s indie rock for this Hot Hot hit! Chunky guitars, simple lyrics, and a classic dance beat will have you hopping along by the end of the first chorus.
– Zachary Preston
10. Modest Mouse – Dashboard
From We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
2007 saw Isaac Brock and company bear the first fruits from a partnership with ex-Smiths axeman Johnny Marr on the album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. “Dashboard” is easily the centerpiece with its infectious bass drum stomp opening which crescendos to a chaotic mix of soulful horns, sweeping strings with time to throw in some synths and still have room to show off Marr’s guitar playing and Brock in typical, maniacal vocal form.
– Matthew Kiel
9. Radiohead – All I Need
8. Spoon – Don’t Make Me A Target
From Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
With more ferocity and seediness than the average Spoon tune, Britt Daniel rages out against an un-named oppressor (the record industry, the government?) From the dark distortion and crashing piano to the chaotic electric fuzz and shredded vocal chord screams, “Don’t Make Me A Target” is as epic and beautiful as it is angry.
– Ryan Lewis
7. MIA – Paper Planes
From Kala
Forget the inherent irony in a modern day electro-Clash sampling “Straight to Hell,” the unsettling drug-dealing undertones of the lyrics, and that kick-ass gunshot-cash-register chorus. What our favorite road-running diva has accomplished here, even without all of those awesome things, is create a true pop music anomaly that’s somehow politically aware (even divisive) and sonically accessible. As always with M.I.A., what she says is all the better for how she says it.
– Robert Huff
6. Interpol – Mammoth
From Our Love To Admire
Our Love to Admire polarized fans and casual observers alike. Arguments for its merit might include discussion of Interpol’s latticework of first-album languid dread with second-album pulse, but sealing the deal is this stomping track’s secret ingredient: bitter post-punk snarl.
– Adam Blyweiss
5. Radiohead – House of Cards
4. LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends
From Sound of Silver
What do you do once you’ve started to outgrow the very scene you helped define? If you’re James Murphy, you write yourself a haunting and propulsive magnum opus that manages to unite your generation while at the same time crossing over to unite others before and after. A “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for those who are over being entertained and ready to just call it a night.
– Robert Huff
3. Arcade Fire – Intervention
From Neon Bible
Arcade Fire know how to jerk tears and tingle spines. “Intervention” leaves little to be desired lyrically with its narrative of poverty, war, religious disillusionment, family and love. The song is punctuated by droning organ chords like book ends, in between which lies a gradual crescendo ending in a deafening, nerve-racking chant that shocks, delights, and begs for a repeat.
– Brendan Welsh
2. Feist – 1234
From The Reminder
Canadian indie-darling Feist, became the “It” girl when Apple used her simple tune (and video) “1234” to sell Ipods to the masses. No wonder. With sweet, coy vocals and a simple melody, the catchy “1234” deserves the attention it’s gotten.
– Jacquie Frisco
1. Justice – D.A.N.C.E.
From †
The year’s most discussed (and deeply divisive) tracks were at their heart Sesame Street back-to-basics life lessons. Feist’s “1234” was a counting class simplifying the topic of love, but Justice spelled out something even easier to grasp: a good time. Their debut † was filled with compelling tracks but as a party anthem, a remix base, a nu-rave classic and even a credo, ” D.A.N.C.E.” did it right in 2007.
– Adam Blyweiss
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