Here's an article on my top 10 tracks of 2008. Hope you enjoy it and please add your own list
if you wish. I've added links for all the tracks so you can hear them yourselves
1. "Reckoner"by Radiohead
While this song technically came out in 2007 on In Rainbows, it was released as a single in 2008 so I’m including it. Starting with a dominant drumbeat, the track is a beautiful ballad sung entirely in falsetto by Thom Yorke. The lyrics are some of the best on In Rainbows (Because we separate like/ripples on a blank shore). The highest point is the gorgeous bridge in which the drums drop out, leaving Yorke to sing over just the guitar and string arrangement.
2. Spaceman by The Killers
The second single from Day and Age is a brilliant track about alien abduction. Starting with a short synth intro, the song quickly explodes into pure dance-rock. The song has glittery guitar that ensnares itself in the listener’s brain. Containing an instantly catchy chorus and a funky bridge, it may be the best song The Killers have ever done.
3. Chemtrails by Beck
Probably the most psychedelic track Beck has ever done, “Chemtrails” is a very ethereal track grounded by a steady drum beat. Beck’s vocals lazily float over the track in a beautiful falsetto. The track instantly puts the listener at ease and can easily lead to a daydream. It almost feels like you can just float out to sea and leave your worries behind.
4. "Spiralling" by Keane
The first single off of Kean’s latest album, Perfect Symmetry, has a nostalgic 80s New Wave/dance feel to it without going over the edge into feeling dated. One of the first tracks by Keane to contain a guitar, the song is held up by the use of two synthesizers and the vocals of singer Tom Chaplin. Without a doubt, “Spiralling” is one of the best pop-rock songs in recent years.
5. "Daddy's Gone" by Glasvegas
From Glasvegas’ self-titled debut album, “Daddy’s Gone” is a testament to a father who wasn’t there for his child. The lyrics are fairly straightforward but they aren’t overly sentimental or cheesy. There is a real anger that’s just barely held back by a sense of longing. One of the most noticeable qualities of the track is James Allan’s thick Scottish accent. The track also heavily implements Phil Spector’s “wall-of-sound” technique, which works in favor of the song. The track is one of the best singles from a new group from 2008 and should hopefully lead the band to much success.
6. "Lost!" by Coldplay
While Coldplay’s two earlier singles, “Violet Hill” and “Viva La Vida,” have received more exposure, “Lost!” is the real gem of the album. Containing a prominent tribal drum beat throughout the song, “Lost!” rocks a little more than the rest of the album. While the lyrics aren’t particularly great (the “big fish/small pond” line is cringeworthy), the track’s rhythm and enthusiastic energy causes it to stand out.
7. "Dying is Fine" by Ra Ra Riot
One of the first songs written by Ra Ra Riot, this track has a slightly tragic attachment due to the accidental death of the band’s drummer, John Ryan Pike. The band decided to continue after his death, releasing “Dying is Fine” on their first album, The Rhumb Line. While the title may imply a dark or depressing song, the track has a very light-hearted quality to it. The cello and violin adds an organic quality and distinguishes the song from many other indie tracks released this year.
8. "Bones Of You" by Elbow
From Elbow’s fourth album, The Seldom Seen Kid, “Bones of You” has an Arabic vibe to it, especially in terms of the guitar arrangement. Holding the song together is the combined percussion of traditional drums and handclaps. Lead singer Guy Garvey’s earthy vocals are counterbalanced in the chorus by the much more airy vocals of various backup singers.
9. "Evil Urges" by My Morning Jacket
Featuring a bluesy guitar that sounds like it could have been written by Lynyrd Skynyrd, this track features a funky falsetto that makes you wonder if the audience should be fist-pumping or dancing. The answer is both. “Evil Urges” shows My Morning Jacket’s ability to blow open the genre of southern rock and their refusal to be tied to one style of music.
10. "Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon
The first single from Kings of Leon’s latest album, Only By The Night, seems to be made for people to sing along to in an arena. That’s not necessarily a bad thing either. Another instantly catchy tune that gets stuck in your head, “Sex on Fire” should finally break open the American market that Kings of Leon have struggled to find success in.
While this song technically came out in 2007 on In Rainbows, it was released as a single in 2008 so I’m including it. Starting with a dominant drumbeat, the track is a beautiful ballad sung entirely in falsetto by Thom Yorke. The lyrics are some of the best on In Rainbows (Because we separate like/ripples on a blank shore). The highest point is the gorgeous bridge in which the drums drop out, leaving Yorke to sing over just the guitar and string arrangement.
The second single from Day and Age is a brilliant track about alien abduction. Starting with a short synth intro, the song quickly explodes into pure dance-rock. The song has glittery guitar that ensnares itself in the listener’s brain. Containing an instantly catchy chorus and a funky bridge, it may be the best song The Killers have ever done.
3. Chemtrails by Beck
Probably the most psychedelic track Beck has ever done, “Chemtrails” is a very ethereal track grounded by a steady drum beat. Beck’s vocals lazily float over the track in a beautiful falsetto. The track instantly puts the listener at ease and can easily lead to a daydream. It almost feels like you can just float out to sea and leave your worries behind.
4. "Spiralling" by Keane
The first single off of Kean’s latest album, Perfect Symmetry, has a nostalgic 80s New Wave/dance feel to it without going over the edge into feeling dated. One of the first tracks by Keane to contain a guitar, the song is held up by the use of two synthesizers and the vocals of singer Tom Chaplin. Without a doubt, “Spiralling” is one of the best pop-rock songs in recent years.
5. "Daddy's Gone" by Glasvegas
From Glasvegas’ self-titled debut album, “Daddy’s Gone” is a testament to a father who wasn’t there for his child. The lyrics are fairly straightforward but they aren’t overly sentimental or cheesy. There is a real anger that’s just barely held back by a sense of longing. One of the most noticeable qualities of the track is James Allan’s thick Scottish accent. The track also heavily implements Phil Spector’s “wall-of-sound” technique, which works in favor of the song. The track is one of the best singles from a new group from 2008 and should hopefully lead the band to much success.
6. "Lost!" by Coldplay
While Coldplay’s two earlier singles, “Violet Hill” and “Viva La Vida,” have received more exposure, “Lost!” is the real gem of the album. Containing a prominent tribal drum beat throughout the song, “Lost!” rocks a little more than the rest of the album. While the lyrics aren’t particularly great (the “big fish/small pond” line is cringeworthy), the track’s rhythm and enthusiastic energy causes it to stand out.
7. "Dying is Fine" by Ra Ra Riot
One of the first songs written by Ra Ra Riot, this track has a slightly tragic attachment due to the accidental death of the band’s drummer, John Ryan Pike. The band decided to continue after his death, releasing “Dying is Fine” on their first album, The Rhumb Line. While the title may imply a dark or depressing song, the track has a very light-hearted quality to it. The cello and violin adds an organic quality and distinguishes the song from many other indie tracks released this year.
8. "Bones Of You" by Elbow
From Elbow’s fourth album, The Seldom Seen Kid, “Bones of You” has an Arabic vibe to it, especially in terms of the guitar arrangement. Holding the song together is the combined percussion of traditional drums and handclaps. Lead singer Guy Garvey’s earthy vocals are counterbalanced in the chorus by the much more airy vocals of various backup singers.
9. "Evil Urges" by My Morning Jacket
Featuring a bluesy guitar that sounds like it could have been written by Lynyrd Skynyrd, this track features a funky falsetto that makes you wonder if the audience should be fist-pumping or dancing. The answer is both. “Evil Urges” shows My Morning Jacket’s ability to blow open the genre of southern rock and their refusal to be tied to one style of music.
10. "Sex on Fire" by Kings of Leon
The first single from Kings of Leon’s latest album, Only By The Night, seems to be made for people to sing along to in an arena. That’s not necessarily a bad thing either. Another instantly catchy tune that gets stuck in your head, “Sex on Fire” should finally break open the American market that Kings of Leon have struggled to find success in.
Whoo! Go Joe. This list is pretty aweosme. I like "Lost!" and "Spiralling" too. I hadn't head that Killers song and now I'm glad I have! And of course, "Reckoner" is great. I think my favorite song on In Rainbows is "All I Need," though. It deliciously creeps me out.
ReplyDelete:D
AWESOME JOB!
Christine