Top 15 Songs of 2007: The rest!

To say we took a break is an understatement. Time got the best of me, and I never got around to finishing my top 15 songs of 2007 posts and to move forward you've got to complete that which was start. So here is the rest, then I will be taking the rest of this week off to compile many posts to look ahead on the new year. Thanks for sticking around!

10: Dr. Dog - Heart It Races

The audible definition of polishing a turd (sorry Architecture In Helsinki). After hearing this, it begs the question: when is the covers album coming out Dr. Dog?
http://www.drdogmusic.com

09. HEALTH - Perfect Skin

Just got this record on wax a few weeks back and it sounds great. "Perfect Skin" rules even harder on it. This track is so fucking powerful, and it has the best sounding drums I've maybe ever heard.
http://www.healthnoise.com

08. Welcome - Natural Frost

Probably the best rock and roll record of the year, and a this song is a mix tape staple for me for the past 6 months.
http://www.myspace.com/yrwelcome


07. Alicia Keys - No One

My personal favourite pop song of the year and the only radio track that didn't make me want to shoot myself. Old girl has pipes and when that synth lines kicks in, it's over for me. Pure gold.

06. Dri - Free Tonight

2007's party anthem. "Smoke Rings" was unstoppable, and I see it dominating 2008.
http://www.myspace.com/drismokerings

05. Juvelen - Summer-Spring

I find out about bands on this blog too. When Matt posted about Juvelen, I was hooked. I know he swears by "Watch Your Step", but it was "Summer-Spring" for me that was the deal maker. Pop music at it's finest/sexiest.
http://www.juvelenjuvelen.com

04. No Age - Neck Escaper

No Age is the Jesus of punk music. I like this song cause it's catchy and it's from my favourite single of theirs. I'm pretty sure their debut on Sub Pop is my most anticipated album of '08.
http://www.myspace.com/nonoage

03. Spank Rock & Benny Blanco - Loose (featuring Amanda Blank)

Another Matt posted gem. The whole Bangers & Cash ep was a party for me (dudes: where's the full length?) and this was it's crowning achievement. Amanda Blank spits fire at the closing end of this opus.
http://www.myspace.com/spankrock

02. Scout Niblett & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Kiss

Beautiful, beautiful music. I loved the output from both of these heavyweights of rock this year, but no one can deny the power of "Kiss". A perfectly orchestrated song from the beginning to end. A real tear jerker/love partier/gash slayer.
http://www.scoutniblett.com
http://www.bonnieprincebilly.com

01. Sam Sparro - Black & Gold

From the second I heard it, I knew "Black & Gold" was my favourite song of the year. Catchy as all fuck and sung by Sparro's soulful voice, it's like all the best drugs being transmitted to your ears. Count me in! Hope 2008 brings an lp from this modern wonder.
http://www.myspace.com/samsparro

So there you have it. If you want to see my best records of 2007 list, I posted those on the Pink Teeth website. Check them out here: http://www.pinkteeth.com/bestof2007.htm. See you next week!

Top 15 Songs of 2007: #11 Bat For Lashes

MP3: Bat For Lashes - What's A Girl To Do


NOTE: Happy birthday Mom. Just for you, here is post #5 from my personal list of the 15 greatest songs of 2007. Faaaaantastic.

It is so rare when you hear a song that sounds like nothing else and it's even more rare when it turns out that the song is actually good as well. Not only did I get this from "What's A Girl To Do", but honestly Bat For Lashes' debut lp "Fur And Gold" delivered an album full of unique pop music.

"What's A Girl To Do" has those thundering drums and great loops I love so much, with it's infectious chorus and honey sweet vocals from Lashes' mastermind Natasha Khan that will fucking cut you if the timing was right.

It's also impossible to post about this song without mentioning the just-as-incredible video shot for it. There is a reason it showed up on everyone's favourite video lists this year, so if you haven't caught it yet, please enjoy it below.

Top 15 Songs of 2007: #12 Fourth Of July

MP3: Fourth Of July - I Don't Want To Lose You

NOTE: Awwww yeah suckas, day number 4 from my personal list of the 15 greatest songs of 2007. Maybe more posts today, maybe not, but I'd check every now and then just in case. Either way, these posts are coming daily so come on back tomorrow at least. Wonderful.

I try not to post about my friends here too much without having them involved in some way, but since this is my top 15, I'm going for it.

Lawrence, Kansas' own Fourth Of July released a fantastic record titled "Fourth Of July On the Plains" this year on Range Life Records (friend of the blog) that is chock full of fantastic music that will stick to your head like gum on shoe (that you purposely stepped on).

When they went on tour this fall, they released 3 "tour singles" of all new music that were freshly recorded and ready for the public's ear to enjoy. And enjoy we did, as they had already topped themselves months after the gem they just dropped on us. For me, "I Don't Want To Lose You" was the stand out of those 3 incredible songs, with it's irresistible hook and it's overall sincerity coming from a band of rock geniuses.

Plus, they have a pretty sweet crib too:

{purchase fourth of july recordings from range life records}

Top 15 Songs of 2007: #13 Grinderman

MP3: Grinderman - Get It On

NOTE: We're still at it mother fuckers, the 3rd day of my personal list of the 15 greatest songs of 2007. Don't stop looking, some days will probably have more than one post (hint: probably today), and you don't want to miss out on pure gold! This shit might continue to be posted daily as I haven't been slacking much. Alright!

Grinderman's self-titled debut this year was really one of the best things to happen to 2007. It gave us that raw edge that rock and roll has been missing for so long (and in some ways had never seen) as well as giving us bits and pieces of tenderness as only Nick Cave could deliver. Back in March, Matt introduced us to "No Pussy Blues", certainly one of the stand out tracks from the lp, but the one that constantly stunned me was the opening song "Get It On". And while I could go on and on about how amazing it is, really all you need is what could be the greatest lyrics ever penned:

"He drank panther piss and fucked the girls you're probably married to."

Fuck yeah.

"Grinderman" is out now on Anti Records.

Top 15 Songs of 2007: #15 Akron/Family

MP3: Akron/Family - Don't Be Afraid, You're Already Dead

NOTE: I am counting down my personal list of the 15 greatest songs of 2007. I may put up a couple a day, and I do plan on doing our regular posts as well so please keep checking back, as we could double up in that day. If all goes to plan, these songs will be posted daily. Sweet.

One of the most endearing and representational tracks of Akron/Family as a whole was, to me, "Don't Be Afraid, You're Already Dead" from this year's "Love Is Simple". It not only captures an emotion, but has an entire song written around it, becoming even stronger with the group's four part harmonies and delicate instrumentation. Lyrically, it's the album's strongest (my main beef with the lp was the quality of lyrics, a strong point in Ak Ak's previous efforts but mostly absent in this round) and it has everything great about Akron/Family: rising build up to a grand finale, in this case it's audible love. As they sing the titular line over and over, you realize it's very true: love is simple, especially when it comes to loving Akron/Family.

"Love Is Simple" is out now on Young God Records.

{purchase akron/family recordings from insound}