Favorite Songs of 2007

1. “Thrash Unreal” by Against Me!
• I’m not normally a big punk fan. There’s something about the energy in this song, the unlikely pop sensibility and sing-along style lyrics that make it the best song I’ve heard all year. It’s the kind of song I can listen to when I’m in any mood, and really isn’t that what music is all about?

2. “All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem
• I know it sounds lame to say this, but I feel like this song really captures the way I feel when I am away at school. Just one listen will have you hooked too. The monotony of the song is an obvious reference to the monotony of life. James Murphy muttering that he wouldn’t trade one stupid decision for another five years life just rings so clearly in my mind as something most people my age would agree with. Those nights of heavy drinking may not be the best for you health wise, and yet they are what living is all about.

3. “Stronger” by Kanye West
• How can anybody deny the catchiness of this track from Kanye? It will automatically put you in a great mood. Thanks of course to the sample from Daft Punk, whenever the song starts everybody is up and ready to dance. In my humble opinion Kanye has definitely earned his right to the air of infallibility that he maintains.

4. “Sad Sad City” by Ghostland Observatory
• The perfect party sing along song, the moment I realized its greatness was when I was at a bar down on Sixth Street dazed from hours of drinking, sweating like crazy and exhausted but not too exhausted to yell the lyrics at the top of my lungs and dance like a madman. If you haven’t heard this Austin band then get on it.

5. “No One” by Alicia Keys
• Let me get one thing straight, this is kind of a chick song but it’s a great one. Alicia Keys is usually pretty hit or miss with me, but I can’t deny the sort of raw emotion that she possesses on this track. Driving around all day in the car, I heard this song at least three times. Perhaps it will fall in that overplayed category by the spring, but for now it’s a great song deserving of all the radio play.

6. “The Underdog” by Spoon
• The moment the horns set in on this Spoon track, you know it’s going to be a good one. Of course almost every song on the album has a perfect pop hook but this one especially captures just why I love Spoon so much.

7. “1 2 3 4” by Feist
• This is one of those songs people are sometimes embarrassed to admit they like so much for whatever reason. Perhaps it has sort of lost its luster after finding its way into commercials and movie trailers, but it’s still one of the most fun pop ditties of the year.

8. “Straight Lines” by Silverchair
• I don’t know too much about Silverchair, but I do know that I love this song. For a band that has been together for well over 10 years, this is quite an accomplishment. Apparently this song is huge overseas, and don’t understand why it hasn’t caught the radio attention that it deserves here in the states. Worth a listen even if you can’t name another Silverchair song.

9. “Umbrella” by Rihanna
• The best bubble gum pop song of the year by a mile. Thank God for Rihanna, like Nelly Furtado last year, finally making listening to the radio fun again.

10. “You Don’t Know What Love is (You Just Do as You’re Told)” by The White Stripes
• Every song on this album could have earned this position, but this one is so approachable for those who aren’t even fans of the Stripes.

11. “Take Me To the Riot” by Stars
• Stars proved they have staying power after the nearly impeccable Set Yourself on Fire. With this track, they further they grip on great pop music thanks in part to an amazingly snappy hook.

12. “Piece of Me” by Britney Spears
• Granted “Gimme More” was a great pop song, unfortunately it was plagued by a not so great performance by Brit at the VMAs. “Piece of Me” matches it and lacks that Britney stigma…so far.

13. “Well Thought Out Twinkles” by Silversun Pickups
• A little to My Bloody Valentine for some people’s taste, but I love when this song comes on the radio or my iPod. A decent rock sensibility matched with the rather cathartic lyrics and vocals make it a great track.

14. “Fireworks” by Animal Collective
• Pure Animal Collective. Listen and learn.

15. “Fake Empire” by The National
• Beautiful lyrics hauntingly performed by what is rapidly becoming one of my favorite bands.