50.
"
No Excuses" by
Air France
From the best EP of the year, two songs from it are just pitch-perfect. With samples of French dialogue and other little gems, this song deserves more attention and is a great opener for my list.
49.
"
Hands in the Air" by
Girl Talk
It's very difficult to choose a favourite song from an album with so much from which to choose.
Hands in the Air just feels right. Sampling "Whoomp! There It Is!" is probably the most effective thing Greg Gillis has done... at least since
My Neck, My Back (Lick It).
48.
"
Calvary Scars II / Aux. Out" by
Deerhunter
A glorious 10+ minute closer to
Weird Era Cont. Perfectly ending two of the best discs of the year.
47.
"
Red and Purple" by
The Dodos
Do you know how difficult it was to limit myself to how many songs I used from these guys? Quite! The percussion, the baby piano, and, arguably, the catchiest chorus of the year. Well-done.
46.
"
Majesty" by
The Music Tapes
From an album that I really enjoyed, but one that lacks variety, this song stands out.
45.
"
Good Friday" by
Why?
Within the first line of the song, a smile emerges. On
Alopecia, this might be their best in terms of their songwriting, especially in terms of hip hop-style.
44.
"
Lights and Music" by
Cut Copy
Almost every song on
In Ghost Colours is just as good as any song on the album. It's what makes it such a great album.
"Lights and music... is on my mind... be my baby... one more time." This is one of the more important songs on the album.
43.
"
Wedding Bell" by
Beach House
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. A harpsichord bringing in one of the best chords of year, the song opens and sets the theme for
Devotion--
"Oh, but your wish is my command!"
42.
"
He Doesn't Know Why" by
Fleet Foxes
I was disappointed slightly the first time I saw
Fleet Foxes and they didn't play this song. I understood... they had a short setlist opening for the most blah concert I saw this year (
Wilco). When I saw them a second time, I slipped the mandolin player a note that said "Could you play "He Doesn't Know Why"? They didn't play it. You might conclude that I have a personal vendetta against the band now, but I don't. I just wanted to see them play this song for a reason.
41.
"
Hercule's Theme" by
Hercules and Love Affair
One of the stronger tracks... I express disappoint that it hasn't become a single yet.
40.
"
These Few Presidents" by
Why?
"Even though I haven't seen you in years, yours is a funeral I'd fly to from anywhere. Arguably my favourite line of the year. Before I had the tracks to memory, I'd refer to it as that one song with that line. When it comes down to it, it might be my favourite from the album.
39.
"
Soldier's Grin" by
Wolf Parade
Rather than narrowing down the stand-out tracks from
At Mount Zoomer, I'll point out that there are no stand-out tracks. Each song works perfectly together to create the most shamefully underrated album of the year. Why I include this track of all tracks is that it lived up to why I love this band so much. After a masterpiece like
Apologies to the Queen Mary, expectations must be lowered. While I lowered mine substantially, I was able to love this album.
Soldier's Grin is a promise that you should keep listening.
38.
"
Courtship Dating" by
Crystal Castles
The opening seconds of the song is enough to mention this track from the self-titled. *nods* It's made of awesome.
37.
"
German Love" by
Starfucker
I'll admit, I haven't exactly finished listening to the debut by the Portland band. I only listened to them because someone particularly handsome recommended them to a group of friends. This song is ultimately very listenable and very, very cute.
36.
"
On Tour With Zykos" by
Okkervil River
If you ask me, these are the best lyrics on either of these past two OR albums. I'm not so sure why sometimes, but this song is a crier for me... it is among the most devasting songs I've heard from them. Excellent.
35.
"
Eraser" by
No Age
Divided between an outstanding instrumental and followed by Dean's singing... this demonstrates what I love so much about this album.
34.
"
Here Should Be My Home" by
No Age
Yeah, they're right next to each other. Cool, huh? While the former will be acknowledged as their best, this one is left unmentioned for reasons I can't explain. I proudly rocked out and shouted the lyrics when I saw them at the end of July. This one will fall down as my favourite song by them.
33.
"
Gallery Piece" by
of Montreal
Georgie Fruit laying down everything he wants to do to someone. By the time he confesses,
"I want to turn you on | I want to make you cum | 200 times a day" it makes me want to forgive any issues I have with the album as a whole.
32.
"
Antillas" by
El Guincho
I cannot listen to this song and sit still. My body has no control... the best I can do is not stand up and full-on dance the fuck out of this song.
31.
"
Graveyard Girl" by
M83
With this and the song that will, no doubt, appear higher on my list... I actually prefer this one. Not because it is better, the other one is higher for a reason. Interrupting M83 is a monologue from the graveyard girl, while arguably pretentious and even more arguably unnecessary, at the right moment, it evokes more emotion than most songs on this list.
30.
"
J'aime Vous Voir Quitter" by
Islands
While
Arm's Way is disappointing and loses charm after multiple listens, this song does not. It's pure fun to rock-out to and out of nowhere, as listeners, are sent to Mexico and involved in some party on the beach and later brought back to a conclusion to the song and a chance to relax.
29.
"
Street Flash" by
Animal Collective
At one point, I deemed this
Animal Collective's laziest song ever. Since then, I have grown to really love and appreciate it, as well as the EP as a whole. Yes, it is much more subtle than probably any other song by them... but it shows them experimenting with new sounds in a less chaotic way. While not why I find myself listening to the band, it is an admirable and enjoyable addition.
28.
"
Id Engager" by
of Montreal
The first single from the album ends the album. Odd, yes... but rightfully a single. Kevin Barnes, I'd also like to play with you.
27.
"
White Winter Hymnal" by
Fleet Foxes
Okay, okay... so I already deemed a song the catchiest song of the year and forgot about this one. While I am unbelieveably annoyed with its fans, this song is pretty fucking great and one of the things that will remind me most of 2008.
26.
"
D.A.R.L.I.N.G." by
Beach House
Upon first listening of the album, this was my initial favourite. I want to shout from roof tops of how glad I am that it plays on the album at the exact moment it does. Seldom mentioned, this song is just gorgeous and brings together the whole concept of
Devotion.
25.
"
The Vowels Pt. 2" by
Why?
Full-on opener to
Alopecia, it is incredible. A E I O U!
24.
"
Lost Coastlines" by
Okkervil River
It's slightly alarming when Will Sheff's vocals disappear and reappear throughout the song. It had to be that way. When they reappear with nothing but a string of "la-la-la-la"'s...
Okkervil River have made their perfect pop song.
23.
"
The Rip" by
Portishead
Beth Gibbons's vocals, easily, sound best on this song from the album. To be eloquent, the review I gave the album after I listened to it was "cool". I'm sorry... but it is. On this song, the transition from guitar plucking and not much else to an upbeat masterpiece is, well... really cool.
22.
"
Golden Age" by
TV on the Radio
Thank fuck I typically refrain from playing this song for others. I find it odd that I enjoy the band as much as I do enough as it is. However, when this song plays... expect the song scale that is
"Comin' round, comin'round, comin' round!" to be sung.
21.
"
Untrust Us" by
Crystal Castles
I really don't give a fuck what is being said on this track. I now know that it is something about cocaine is "no bueno para la salud" or something to that extent. Not necessary. This song opens the self-titled album wonderfully and I'm glad it doesn't have the screaming vocals here.
20.
"
Where Do You Run To" by
Vivian Girls
While I loved the album as a whole and realise that it is only 22-minutes long, I find myself mostly listening to this track. It is definitely their strongest on an album full of great little lo-fi tracks.
19.
"
Black Rice" by
Women
What makes this song so good? I don't know. I just don't know. From their debut album, while as a whole is also great, it's admirable they've already made a song this good.
18.
"
Creeper" by
Islands
Again, I will remind everyone--
Islands did release an album this year. It actually is pretty good and deserves some recognition. Surrounding the album's release, I can't say how often this song was left on repeat. Like some others, this is a song that will remind me of 2008.
17.
"
Kim & Jessie" by
M83
This song was pretty boring live. A great way to explain why its the 17th best song of the year. Essentially, this song is
Saturdays = Youth and very important to 2008 in general. With an almost too-cute video of two girls rollerskating and music that could have easily come directly from the 80s... I will regard this as M83's best.
16.
"
The Nun's Litany" by
The Magnetic Fields
No contest--lyrically, this is the best song of the year. Our narrator, a nun as the title suggests, confesses her secret desires and suppressed dreams.
15.
"
Nothing Ever Happened to Me" by
Deerhunter
By the time this song starts on
Microcastle, we're already well aware that we've been listening to one of the best albums of 2008. By the time it's over, we're now aware that we've listened to its best song.
14.
"
Hearts On Fire" by
Cut Copy
When I saw Cut Copy live, I was sitting down in my seat. Unfortunately, all of the floor space was taken. Plus, I was too tired from all of the other bands I had seen earlier and walking around the festival. I tried my best to stay seated and just enjoy some of my favourite songs of the year being performed. I couldn't sit down. I had to get up and dance. By the time this song came on, I couldn't deal... Cut Copy are fucking amazing.
13.
"
Ready For The Floor" by
Hot Chip
Where do I begin on talking about this song? While, as a whole,
Made In The Dark is a very good electro-dance album... no song on it lives up to this one. It's endlessly listenable. Yes, it sometimes borders guilty pleasure, but I don't give a fuck.
12.
"
Palmitos Park" by
El Guincho
Panda Bear took a trip to Spain, did a lot of acid, and then went to a carnival... then he made
Palmitos Park. Try your best not to dance... but do expect to fail.
11.
"
Machine Gun" by
Portishead
It's puzzling how a song as simple as this has not been made before and is this good. I have ruined and will continue to ruin my ears blasting this on my iPod.
10.
"
Blue Ridge Mountains" by
Fleet Foxes
When they closed their set opening for
Wilco, a few tears rolled down my face. Immediately after it, I would call it the track of the year. While it may not be as high on my list anymore, it still is, in my opinion, the most powerful and emotional song released this year.
9.
"
The Butcher" by
Final Fantasy
After discovering that his third LP would not be released this year, I did not expect Mr. Pallett to be mentioned at the end of the year at all. Well, look at that! Releasing two good EPs at the same time, we fans are kept busy while we previously were impatiently anticipating
Heartland. On one of those EPs is
The Butcher--one of his strongest tracks to date and clearly influenced by his friends from
Beirut. While we may be kept busy, it makes me want to hear that third album even more.
8.
"
Blind" by
Hercules and Love Affair
Antony had a fantastic year: finishing up
The Crying Light, doing some art bullshit, touring with an orchestra (fuck my life, I missed him in Portland), and providing vocals for
Hercules and Love Affair. This song can be on chronic repeat and not get old.
7.
"
Jodi" by
The Dodos
How the fuck is this song going unmentioned? Seriously?! It's my favourite song of the year and I can't find one bad thing to say about it. The climax of
Visiter, we experience musically and lyrically their best song:
"But this won't stay, yeah I confess
That I am not what you have guessed
I'm just a whore and nothing less
And I won't stop until I rest"
6.
"
Crimewave (Crystal Castles vs Health)" by
HEALTH/
Crystal Castles
Technically, this was released in 2007. Well, I didn't hear it untill 2008 and it appears on two albums from 2008... in my book and my list, it is from 2008. I can't even imagine not listing it--141 plays.
5.
"
Shake That Devil" by
Antony and the Johnsons
Apparently, everyone either loves or hates this song. I am definitely on the fan bus for this one. While every other song on the
Another World EP was just there for me... this song was perfect and holds a place as one of his best songs.
4.
"
The Hollows" by
Why?
Why?'s masterpiece. Perfect... start to finish! There's even a
Joanna Newsom reference! I am puzzled how, at the end of the year, this song was almost not mentioned at all. It seems like only myself, my friend Matthew, Tiny Mix Tapes, and the band themselves (Hello! They released it as a single!) love this song.
3.
"
Collapsing At Your Doorstep" by
Air France
That
one website stole what I wanted to say about this song. Whatever. I will say it anyway.
Sort of like a dream? Isn't it? No. Better.
2.
"
Gila" by
Beach House
What else? This is their best and rightfully a single. When it comes down to it, I was very, very close to giving it the #1 spot. It could very well deserve it. It's that good and the defining song for dream pop.
1.
"
Water Curses" by
Animal Collective
While they may be my favourite band currently making music, they've yet to receive a number spot on any of my lists. (Unless you count Mr. Noah Lennox, taking both top track and top album last year.) While this may not be their best song they've released, it does come close and calling it the top track of the year just feels natural. At 109 plays, it came close to being my most listened to track of the year and I know that it will receive many more plays over the years.
Water Curses shows that
Animal Collective are likely the most accomplished band from this decade.
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