Islands101. Muse - Map Of Your Head
Impressively, this is one of two Muse B-sides on the list, showing the depth of their catalogue.
102. Yeah Yeah Yeahs -
Maps
This was released back in 2003 and it still feels fresh.
103. Death Cab for Cutie -Marching Bands of Manhattan
Okay, the lyrics are mostly cringe-worthy (except for the part about living like a hermit in your own head), but it's a great tune.
104. Oceansize - Massive Bereavement
Oceansize is probably the most underrated band of our time. The climax of this song is mind-blowing.
105. Slow Club - Me and You
"I've got a feeling someone else is reading the letters I wrote to you."
"Well my pet's illiterate and I live alone, so it's someone in betwixt of me and you."
106. The Mars Volta - Meccamputechture
They manage to make a saxophone sound menacing, which is an accomplishment in itself.
107. Oceansize - Meredith
The first Oceansize song I really loved. Apparently this was on The O.C.?
108. The National - Mistaken for Strangers
It's hard for The National to make a really bad song, because Matt Berninger's voice is so awesome, but the songwriting on this one stands out.
109. Frightened Rabbit -The Modern Leper
An overwhelmingly good track.
110. Joanna Newsom -Monkey & Bear
Lyrically, this is Joanna Newsom's most cohesive song. It tells an interesting story, which unlike most of her songs is fairly easy to follow.
111. Animal Collective - My Girls
Animal Collective: it's not just for hipsters anymore!
112. Fleet Foxes - Mykonos
I can't decide whether this or White Winter Hymnal is their best song. This is the more complex of the two, though.
113. The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour
The vocals on this song are just bursting with joy. It's hard not to smile when you listen to it.
114. Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
Youthful idealism tinged with sorrow in the form of a song.
115. Queens of the Stone Age -No One Knows
That riff!
116. Radiohead - Nude
I'm just glad that when I google this I don't get pictures of Thom Yorke naked.
("You'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking...")
117. The Decemberists -O Valencia!
Colin Meloy's voice is always kind of flat, but it's got a certain charm, especially on this song.
118. Grizzly Bear - On a Neck, On a Spit
These guys sure can write songs. Everything on this song is put together perfectly, but the drumming stands out.
119. Regina Spektor -On the Radio
This song reminds me how great "November Rain" is. Also, it's got some of Regina Spektor's most touching lyrics.
120. Oceansize - One Day All This Could Be Yours
Chilling.
121. Joanna Newsom -Only Skin
The best song on the best album of the decade. I can't possibly say enough good things about it.
122. Oceansize - Ornament/the Last Wrongs
If you only listen to one Oceansize song, make it this one. But really, you should listen to everything they've ever recorded.
123. Okkervil River - Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe
Yet again, Will Sheff's impassioned vocals make this song.
124. Audioslave -Out Of Exile
Awesome solo.
125. Hot Chip -Over And Over
The joy of repetition.
126. Björk -Pagan Poetry
One of the best videos of the decade, for one of the best tracks.
127. of Montreal - The Past is a Grotesque Animal
Too many good lyrics to list. The 12 minutes go by like 4.
128. Regina Spektor - Pavlov's Daughter
The best of her early songs, on which her quirkiness really comes through.
129. Joanna Newsom -Peach, Plum, Pear
Best harpsichord solo since The Art of the Fugue?
130. The Shins - Phantom Limb
Well, The Shins didn't change my life, but this is a great song.
131. Muse - Plug In Baby
Sure, it's just an arpeggio, but I bet you've never come up with a riff this good.
132. Coldplay -Politik
This is from when Coldplay used to write good songs. Ah, those were the days.
133. Explosions in the Sky -A Poor Man's Memory
A lot of EITS songs leave me cold, but I really like this (andHave You Passed Through This Night?).
134. Ludovico Einaudi -Primavera
This is the only classical song on my list - I mean, the 21st century isn't exactly known for its classical music. Einaudi obviously takes a cue from Vivaldi, because you can hear the influence of the cascading strings from the last movement of Summer (not Spring, ironically) on this track.
135. Animal Collective -The Purple Bottle
Animal Collective's lyrics are somehow obtuse and direct at the same time, especially in their love songs: "Sometimes I'm naked and thank God sometimes you're naked, well hello." The last couple minutes of this song are incredible.
136. The Fiery Furnaces - Quay Cur
This is the first Fiery Furnaces song I heard, and I was hooked after about 30 seconds.
137. Carla Bruni -Quelqu'un m'a dit
I'm willing to bet that Michelle Obama couldn't write a song this good.
138. Bon Iver - Re: Stacks
"This is not the sound of a new man or a crispy realization"
139. Regina Spektor - Real Love
I don't listen to many covers, and this is the only one on my list. But damn, the crescendo at the end is soulful.
140. Mates of State - The Re-Arranger
Again, how am I the only one who really loves Re-Arrange Us?
141. Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
The best song on the album, and it's an amazing album.
142. Muse - Recess
Most bands would kill to have a bassline like this on an A-side or an album track, let alone a B-side.
143. Radiohead -Reckoner
Thom Yorke singing "Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore..." gives me goosebumps every time.
144. The Strokes -Reptilia
Incredibly catchy. This is the song that made me pay attention to the Strokes.
145. Portishead - The Rip
Haunting. The keyboards and general droniness at the end combine perfectly with Beth Gibbons' vocals.
146. Akron/Family - River
What an uplifting song. It's even more awesome live, like every Akron/Family song. (Seriously, their live show is like a big party.)
147. Bright Eyes - Road to Joy
Okay, it's pretty lazy to use Ode to Joy as the basis for a song, but Conor Oberst does magical things with it.
148. Islands -Rough Gem
This is what cotton candy would be like in the form of music.
149. The Mars Volta -Roulette Dares (The Haunt of)
Surprisingly, since De-Loused in the Comatorium is my favourite Mars Volta album, this is the only song from it on my list. The "exoskeletal junction at the railroad delayed" refrain is stunning.
150. Au -RR vs. D
This sounds like the kind of song WHY? would write, and that's a good thing. It also has pretty much the best use of handclaps in an indie song I've heard.
Impressively, this is one of two Muse B-sides on the list, showing the depth of their catalogue.
102. Yeah Yeah Yeahs -
MapsThis was released back in 2003 and it still feels fresh.
103. Death Cab for Cutie -
Marching Bands of ManhattanOkay, the lyrics are mostly cringe-worthy (except for the part about living like a hermit in your own head), but it's a great tune.
104. Oceansize - Massive Bereavement
Oceansize is probably the most underrated band of our time. The climax of this song is mind-blowing.
105. Slow Club - Me and You
"I've got a feeling someone else is reading the letters I wrote to you."
"Well my pet's illiterate and I live alone, so it's someone in betwixt of me and you."
106. The Mars Volta - Meccamputechture
They manage to make a saxophone sound menacing, which is an accomplishment in itself.
107. Oceansize - Meredith
The first Oceansize song I really loved. Apparently this was on The O.C.?
108. The National - Mistaken for Strangers
It's hard for The National to make a really bad song, because Matt Berninger's voice is so awesome, but the songwriting on this one stands out.
109. Frightened Rabbit -
The Modern LeperAn overwhelmingly good track.
110. Joanna Newsom -
Monkey & BearLyrically, this is Joanna Newsom's most cohesive song. It tells an interesting story, which unlike most of her songs is fairly easy to follow.
111. Animal Collective - My Girls
Animal Collective: it's not just for hipsters anymore!
112. Fleet Foxes - Mykonos
I can't decide whether this or White Winter Hymnal is their best song. This is the more complex of the two, though.
113. The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour
The vocals on this song are just bursting with joy. It's hard not to smile when you listen to it.
114. Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
Youthful idealism tinged with sorrow in the form of a song.
115. Queens of the Stone Age -
No One KnowsThat riff!
116. Radiohead - Nude
I'm just glad that when I google this I don't get pictures of Thom Yorke naked.
("You'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking...")
117. The Decemberists -
O Valencia!Colin Meloy's voice is always kind of flat, but it's got a certain charm, especially on this song.
118. Grizzly Bear - On a Neck, On a Spit
These guys sure can write songs. Everything on this song is put together perfectly, but the drumming stands out.
119. Regina Spektor -
On the RadioThis song reminds me how great "November Rain" is. Also, it's got some of Regina Spektor's most touching lyrics.
120. Oceansize - One Day All This Could Be Yours
Chilling.
121. Joanna Newsom -
Only SkinThe best song on the best album of the decade. I can't possibly say enough good things about it.
122. Oceansize - Ornament/the Last Wrongs
If you only listen to one Oceansize song, make it this one. But really, you should listen to everything they've ever recorded.
123. Okkervil River - Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe
Yet again, Will Sheff's impassioned vocals make this song.
124. Audioslave -
Out Of ExileAwesome solo.
125. Hot Chip -
Over And OverThe joy of repetition.
126. Björk -
Pagan PoetryOne of the best videos of the decade, for one of the best tracks.
127. of Montreal - The Past is a Grotesque Animal
Too many good lyrics to list. The 12 minutes go by like 4.
128. Regina Spektor - Pavlov's Daughter
The best of her early songs, on which her quirkiness really comes through.
129. Joanna Newsom -
Peach, Plum, PearBest harpsichord solo since The Art of the Fugue?
130. The Shins - Phantom Limb
Well, The Shins didn't change my life, but this is a great song.
131. Muse - Plug In Baby
Sure, it's just an arpeggio, but I bet you've never come up with a riff this good.
132. Coldplay -
PolitikThis is from when Coldplay used to write good songs. Ah, those were the days.
133. Explosions in the Sky -
A Poor Man's MemoryA lot of EITS songs leave me cold, but I really like this (and
Have You Passed Through This Night?).134. Ludovico Einaudi -
PrimaveraThis is the only classical song on my list - I mean, the 21st century isn't exactly known for its classical music. Einaudi obviously takes a cue from Vivaldi, because you can hear the influence of the cascading strings from the last movement of Summer (not Spring, ironically) on this track.
135. Animal Collective -
The Purple BottleAnimal Collective's lyrics are somehow obtuse and direct at the same time, especially in their love songs: "Sometimes I'm naked and thank God sometimes you're naked, well hello." The last couple minutes of this song are incredible.
136. The Fiery Furnaces - Quay Cur
This is the first Fiery Furnaces song I heard, and I was hooked after about 30 seconds.
137. Carla Bruni -
Quelqu'un m'a ditI'm willing to bet that Michelle Obama couldn't write a song this good.
138. Bon Iver - Re: Stacks
"This is not the sound of a new man or a crispy realization"
139. Regina Spektor - Real Love
I don't listen to many covers, and this is the only one on my list. But damn, the crescendo at the end is soulful.
140. Mates of State - The Re-Arranger
Again, how am I the only one who really loves Re-Arrange Us?
141. Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
The best song on the album, and it's an amazing album.
142. Muse - Recess
Most bands would kill to have a bassline like this on an A-side or an album track, let alone a B-side.
143. Radiohead -
ReckonerThom Yorke singing "Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore..." gives me goosebumps every time.
144. The Strokes -
ReptiliaIncredibly catchy. This is the song that made me pay attention to the Strokes.
145. Portishead - The Rip
Haunting. The keyboards and general droniness at the end combine perfectly with Beth Gibbons' vocals.
146. Akron/Family - River
What an uplifting song. It's even more awesome live, like every Akron/Family song. (Seriously, their live show is like a big party.)
147. Bright Eyes - Road to Joy
Okay, it's pretty lazy to use Ode to Joy as the basis for a song, but Conor Oberst does magical things with it.
148. Islands -
Rough GemThis is what cotton candy would be like in the form of music.
149. The Mars Volta -
Roulette Dares (The Haunt of)Surprisingly, since De-Loused in the Comatorium is my favourite Mars Volta album, this is the only song from it on my list. The "exoskeletal junction at the railroad delayed" refrain is stunning.
150. Au -
RR vs. DThis sounds like the kind of song WHY? would write, and that's a good thing. It also has pretty much the best use of handclaps in an indie song I've heard.
