After
much consternation, much preparation, much deliberation, I have completed
my Best of 2003 lists. The following is my Top Fifty Most Favoritest Songs
of 2003. Inspired by readings of Mr. John Peel's Festive Fifty and Pitchfork
Media's publication of their lists, I sat down with 125 of my favorite
songs and ranked them, whittling it down to 50. It was one of the toughest
things I have ever done. My brain hurt after about ten iterations, but
I finally settled on fifty songs ranked in an order that I could defend
while simultaneously being satisfied. What follows is the list (from #50
to #1) published ten at a time. As they say in show business, without
further ado, #50 through #41:
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50.
“So Says I” by The Shins
The Shins go fairly straightforward on this wonderful indie pop song;
high energy, great vocals, and that big “Whooo-ooo-oo”;
while the “single” from the excellent Chutes Too Narrow,
though it isn’t the best song on the record.
49. “All Of Your Days Will Be Blessed” by Ed Harcourt
Sometimes hearing a song live makes you pay closer attention when listening
to the record. This is definitely the case with “All Of Your Days
Will Be Blessed.” The melody rises and falls and rises to the
driving chorus. Odd glockenspiel riffs and Harcourt’s excellent
vocals, make this a must hear. It was a brilliant move for Harcourt
to leave in the “background” wheezing and squeaking of the
mellotron on the intro.
48. “All You Need Is Hate” by The Delgados
Brilliant hook. The Delgados have an uncanny ability to over-orchestrate,
but make it sound so natural. As evidence: this track. Lovely and biting.
47. “Love In Veins” by Ian McCulloch
I know this dude who says, “Ian McCulloch could sing the phone
book and it’d be great.” I concur, his vocals are as great
as ever. This upbeat rocker with air-guitar inducing leads, nice touch
of orchestration, and a great vibe. To anyone who has fallen in love,
this song captures the feeling perfectly (the double entendre “I
got you under my skin” acknowledges the joyous unity, fear, and
irritation).
46. “Back To The Future” by The Joggers
Where did these guys come from? Not really a singles band (the songs
are best appreciated in the context of their full length), but this
warrants inclusion for the wonderful four-part-indie-pop-post-punk-harmony
breakdown just past the halfway point of the song. Spine tingling. Just
so out of left field that you can do nothing but say, “That is
so cool!”
45. “Because You” by Cosmic Rough Riders
Pure glossy Scottish power pop here; nothing new at all (actually, they
may be treading too close to Teenage Fanclub’s sound), but who
cares. Insanely catchy, totally sing-a-long, and a great hook; definitely
a tremendous song to roll down all the windows and crank up in the car
on a summer drive. Nice lyrics that aren’t as sweet as they appear
to be.
44. “Spiraling Sideways” by Centro-Matic
Centro-Matic scores no points for originality, but they more than make
up for it crafting an excellent indie rock rocker. The thing that really
gets me with this song is the changes; so utterly familiar but executed
with such ferocity, I can’t help but snap my head back and purse
my lips. “Awlright!”
43. “Fractions & Feelings” by Stephen Malkmus &
The Jicks
What happened on Pig Lib?? This track is from the limited edition EP
that was packaged with the aforementioned record. This tune is wonderfully
classic Malkmus – but older, more mature (in a good way). Love
the acoustic guitar and piano juxtaposed against the angular guitar
line. It’s much better than any track on Pig Lib, and way too
good for an EP. Oh well.
42. “Crackle & Drag (alt. Version)” by Paul Westerberg
From Come Feel Me Tremble, Westerberg puts a “rock” version
right in front of this quiet mostly acoustic version that kills that
noisier take. Lyrics are the kind we expect from Westerberg, depressingly
funny, poignant, a storyteller song (add this to his great story songs
like “Androgynous”, “Here Comes A Regular”,
“Skyway”, “Johnny’s Gonna Die”, etc.).
Love the ending with Westerberg’s annoyed, lazy “Yeah”
to a phantom “Paul are you down there?”
41. “Now It’s On” by Grandaddy
Like The Shins, Grandaddy plays it pretty much straightforward on this
tasty pop single. Lytle acted like he hated the song when he introduced
it at Grandaddy’s show at First Avenue in Minneapolis. What a
dork. STILL, the song’s sweet, descending ELO sponged chorus is
what really gets me. Add to it that driving fuzzed out guitar riff and,
yeah, it is on.
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