Good Weather For Airstrikes

FINAL UPDATE: I just found the video for “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)”, which I’ve basically been looking for forever, so I uploaded that also. It’s quite good, from the same animation team that did The Shins’ “So Says I” video, Plates Animation.

UPDATE: Everything is uploaded now, but when you download the songs they’ll show up in your iTunes with the album classified as “Top 17 Songs of 2005″, which is a mere typo, and should instead read “2004″. I’m sorry if this error ruined anyone’s day. But yes, Top 16 of ‘04 below, read on.

So I’m sure you’re probably all thinking, “Omgz doesnt he kno that its 2005?!?1!1!”, and the answer is yes, I’ve been aware of that for roughly 12 months now, but that’s besides the point. In anticipation of the year-end Best-of-’o5-list-blowout that will be descending upon you all beginning this weekend and continuing into next week, I am posting my Top 16 Songs of 2004. “Why?” you ask. Because I didn’t have a blog this time last year. But more importantly, because with a year to put everything in perspective, it becomes more clear what were actually the top songs of 2004, as you realize what songs really had the staying power to remain just as incredible in late 2005. This originally began as my Top 10 Songs of 2004, but I had to expand the list to 16 due to the fact that I just couldn’t bring myself to cut some of these songs. Also, because there are only 16 songs (well actually 17 due to the Saul Wiliams two-piece) and they are all the best of 2004, this makes an absolutely incredible mix CD, so if you choose to you could view this as M3 “Best of 2004″ Edition. But without further adieu, my Top 16 Songs of 2004 (artwork displayed is either the single artwork for the song, or if the song was not released as a single, just the artwork of the album the song was taken from).

NOTE: “Banquet” would be near the top of this list [it was originally released on the Bloc Party EP], but the re-released version on Silent Alarm eclipses it so look for it instead at the top (on top?) of the 2005 songs list, out soon.

16. “Beating Heart Baby” - Head Automatica ~ Head Automatica is a band that got consistently overlooked by the indie community due to lead singer Daryl Palumbo’s hardcore/emo roots (Palumbo also fronts hardcore band Glassjaw), but in 2004 Palumbo teamed up with Handsome Boy Modeling School beat-maker Dan the Automator (who also produced/dropped the beats on the Gorllaz’ Demon Days) to form Head Automatica, and with “Beating Heart Baby” the duo proved that they could take on anyone else with a synthesizer and a dream. And there’s cowbell.

Video: “Beating Heart Baby” - Head Automatica

15. “Lua” - Bright Eyes ~ Conor Oberst released “Lua”, along with “Take It Easy (Love Nothing)”, as the first single off of his incredible acoustic/folk album I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, last October, giving thousands of fans a sneak preview of what would be his finest album to date. The song details Oberst’s adjustment to his new life in New York City, having grown up in Omaha, Nebraska, where his record label, Saddle Creek, is based. Also, the song brilliantly uses a poetic technique similar to the “The Trapeze Swinger”, as every verse ends comparing the difference in mindset between a drunken evening and a sober morning.

Video: “Lua” - Bright Eyes

14. “The Power Is On” - The Go! Team ~ There’s so much controlled chaos on this song I almost don’t know what to do with myself. I can’t decide if I’m at a Southern college drumline showdown with cheerleaders facing off in the forefront, or I’m driving the getaway car after a rushed bank robbery and there’s money flying out of the back of the fan as the police gain ground on us. Industrial percussion with piano and trumpets and god knows what else come together in a most holy union of noise and chaos to create one of the bangin-est jams of 2004, narrowly edging out “Huddle Formation” as the hottest track off of The Go! Team’s ‘04 UK debut.

13. “List of Demands (Reparitions)”/“Black Stacey” - Saul Williams ~ The two most important hip-hop songs of 2004, though you’d have no idea from radio play, weren’t found on Kanye’s debut (The College Dropout) or Jay Z’s curtain call (The Black Album), rather they came from Saul Williams self-titled 2004 release. On “List of Demands”, Williams attacks our nations figureheads and calls for changes in racial relations in society (”I ain’t afraid of you. I’m just a victim of your fears. You cower in your tower praying that I’ll disappear. I got another plan, one that requires me to stand…”) over a vicious industrial synth line and intense percussion. “Black Stacey” opens with dramatic piano and Williams rapping about adolescent pillow-humping and his teenage insecurities about his skin color (”I think I’m too black, I think I’m too black”), but becomes an attack on blacks who embrace the “black thug” stereotype (”Now here’s a message for you, all your baller-thugs got some insecurities too”). Both songs provided a much needed shot in the arm to a hip-hop genre that had devolved into nothing more than name-dropping and big-upping over a catchy beat, and though it was Kanye who got all the credit from the media for his conscientious lyrics (see: “All Falls Down”), it was Saul who did it first.

Video: “List of Demands (Reparations)” - Saul Williams

12. “Portions For Foxes” - Rilo Kiley ~ The seminal track from Rilo Kiley’s third album, More Adventurous, finds Jenny Lewis further cementing her role as the clear-cut queen of indie rock, as she manages to nail the basic feeling of every relationship that’s ever gone wrong. Also, this is the song most likely to jumpstart Lewis and co’s ascension from indie elite to billboard success, as this song has seen success on mtvU as well as on tour when the band opened for Coldplay this past fall. What makes this song so special is the way its universally applicable, as anyone whose ever had a relationship go awry can relate to this in one way or another. Unfortunately the rest of More Adventurous could not quite live up to the glory that was “Portions” or even the consistent quality that was achieved on 2002’s The Execution of All Thing, but “Portions” showed everyone what Rilo Kiley was capable of and previewed their impending takeover of mainstream indie rock.

Video: “Portions For Foxes” - Rilo Kiley

11. “Goods (All In Your Head)” - Mates of State ~ The point where the “bah-bah-bah-bahs” explode into a “wa-oh-oh!” at the beginning of this song (the 0:22 mark to be exact) is one of my favorite musical moments of the past year, and the rest of the song is just as fantastic. Husband and wife duo Kori Gardner (on keys and vocals) and Jason Hammel (on drums and vocals) play off each others voices to create a wonderful playful sing-song effect, and you just can’t help but to smile when you hear this song, as it’s just an extremely enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Video: “Good (All In Your Head” (Original Version) - Mates of State
Video: “Goods (All In Your Head)” (Dance Version) - Mates of State

10. “Homemade Bombs In The Afternoon” - A.C. Newman ~ It’s interesting that Newman’s best track of 2004, and the best of his career (including his New Pornographers work) to that point was a track that wasn’t even included on his debut solo album, The Slow Wonder, but rather was a b-side that only saw the light of day on a Matador Records rarities compilation and as an iTunes exclusive single. “Homemade Bombs” is somehow even more awesome than its name suggests, as everyone’s favorite Carl (with the obvious exception of Winslow) sings over tambourine shakes and guitars played in reverse, before dropping it like it’s hot with a lovely guitar solo at the 1:49 mark. I can’t exactly discern the lyrics and tell you what it’s about, but with a rhythm section as addictive as this, it’s hard to worry about the lyrical content.

9. “Passing Afternoon” - Iron & Wine ~ The final track on Sam Beam’s best album, Our Endless Numbered Days, “Passing Afternoon”, specifically the lyric, “There are things that slip away, like our endless numbered days”, perfectly captures the feeling one has when they never want something to end but know it has to, as can be the situation in a relationship or simply just in the case of the ephemeral bliss of summer. This song was meant to be listened to by someone sitting on the front porch of their house at dusk, sipping lemonade and gazing out onto the natural beauty of summertime. This song will also hold special meaning for anyone whose ever had to countdown the days before they leave someone they love, and is just an awe-inspiringly beautiful song to behold and listen to from the start all the way until the subtly beautiful piano line that closes out the song comes to an end.

8. “Me and Mia” - Ted Leo & The Pharmacists ~ On first listen “Me and Mia” is simply an awesome, awesome, catchy-as-shit pop-rock song, but further review reveals that there is much more to it than that. “Me and Mia” was recently propelled from the “awesome song” category to “amazing lyrical masterpiece” and “best of 2004″ status, and also earned the title “best and happiest song about eating disorders ever” upon Zack Friendly informing me what the song is really about. We all knew Leo could right compellingly political anti-Bush lyrics, but turns out he’s not just a one trick pony, as the “me and Mia, Ann and Ana” chorus actually refers to eating disorders ( the “me and Mia, Ann and Anna” chorus actually is referring to bulemia and anorexia (”me and [bule]mia, Ann and ana[rexia]”). This insight brings new meaning (or just, you know, the correct meaning) to the rest of the lyrics (”fighting for the smallest goal to gain a little self-control, won’t anybody here just let you dissappear”) and really ties the whole song together neatly. But looking past the exact literal meaning of the song, the general message is jut wonderful and Mr. Leo gives us words to live by: “Do you believe in something beautiful, then get up and be it”.

Video: “Me and Mia” - Ted Leo & The Pharmacists

7. “Hounds of Love” - The Futureheads ~ While I didn’t seem to consistently enjoy The Futureheads self-titled debut as much as the rest of the world, I am and always have been able to appreciate the pure bliss that is “Hounds of Love”, the album’s centerpiece. “Hounds” breathes new life into the Kate Bush classic and even eclipses the original, flawlessly exemplifying The Futureheads brand of a capella-tinged dance rock, from it’s “oh oh-oh, oh-whoa-oh” intro all the way to it’s infectiously anthemic choruses.

Video: “Hounds of Love” - The Futureheads
Bonus MP3: “Hounds of Love” (Phones’ Wolves At The Door Mix) - The Futureheads

6. “Admit It!” - Say Anything ~ Say Anything are generally pigeonholed as a generic punk rock band by those who won’t give them a chance, but a simple listen to their 2004 debut, Say Anything Is A Real Boy shows that they are really much more than that. Lead singer Max Bemis is a lyrical mastermind (Drive Thru Records offered him a solo recording contract when he was still in 8th grade), and nowhere is this more apparent then on the album’s closing track, “Admit It!!!”, an outraged rant and call to arms against the indie elitist hipster community in which he calls out those aforementioned hipsters that would so likely dismiss Say Anything’s brand of post-emo as nothing more than punk-emo. While this is not a typical Say Anything song, with it’s spoken word elements and long running time, it is a musical and lyrical accomplishment that should not be overlooked when looking at the highlights of 2004. To read the brilliant lyrics go here.

5. “Retreat! Retreat!” - 65 Days Of Static ~ With the words, “We will not retreat, this band is unstoppable!” (a Matt Dillon sample from 1992’s grunge film Singles), post-rock juggernauts 65 Days Of Static (sometimes spelled 65DaysOfStatic) are off and shredding, taking the listener on a 4 minute adventure they won’t soon forget. Seemlessly melding ferocious guitar riffs, drum n’ bass beats, live drums, and computer glitches, 65 Days Of Static create a masterpiece of controlled noise that is equal parts viciously euphoric, mind-blowingly frenetic, and really, really loud.

4. “Staring At The Sun” - TV On The Radio ~ Though I prefer the Young Liars EP version with its wonderful a capella intro, “Staring At The Sun” remains a true masterpiece, both musically and lyrically. Vocalist Tunde Adebimpe croons smoothly about the fragile relationship between creation and destruction over a “massive, industrial synth line, which– like God, or a skyline– humbled and inspired anyone who came near it” (Pitchfork). Adebimpe’s vocals coalesce beautifully with the supporting vocals of the rest of the band, and their voices blend flawlessly over one another as well as with the urgent percussion in the background. Lyrically, the song discusses the relationship between sex (life/creation) and death, and the blatant sexual overtones speak to the idea of La Petite Mort, that an orgasm brings one as close to clarity and God as they ever will be again until they are dying or near-death.

Video: “Staring At The Sun” - TV On The Radio
Bonus MP3: “Staring At The Sun” - The Subways

3. “Seventeen Years” - Ratatat ~ “I been rappin’ for about seventeen years, okay?”… From the opening monologue to the flawless, soaring guitar solos around the mid-way point, to the most-thunderous basslines and power chords maybe ever, “Seventeen Years” is the single greatest party anthem of all time. This is another track first introduced to me by Lizzy as her favorite song of 2004, specifically the guitar solo that begins at the 1:03 mark of the song, and this song is just ridiculously enjoyable. Also: one time when my friends and I were all kinds of not sober we thought up the most incredible music video for this song, involving robots escaping from an evil factory, which can only mean bonus points for the song. Pitchfork summed it up perfectly when they wrote that “Seventeen Years” is “the sound of hip-hop, rock, and Nintendo perfectly co-existing”.

2. “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)” - Arcade Fire ~ This song is flawless, a masterful composition worthy of infinite praise, and was far and away the best song of ‘04, until I remembered that “The Trapeze Swinger” was released (though not on an album) in the same year. So, unfortunately “Power Out” is relegated to the number two spot on the list, but could easily be the best song of the year in any other year (except, you know, if that year happened to be 2005, and it had to compete with “Banquet”). Long story short though, the song is incredible. The instant the urgent percussion bombards you in the opening seconds of the song, you know you either need to buckle up and get ready for the ride or just let everything go and rock out. This song is also an unlikely dancefloor hit, and if you really want to get the indie kids rocking out, spin this one on the record player. Seriously, this song is just a five-minute, balls-to-the-wall joyride, and seeing this song live in January caused me to nearly have a seizure. External rock-ability aside, the song is an incredible call to arms to the youth of society (”Kids are swinging from the power lines”) to overcome the disenchantment of suburban life and the indifference that is plaguing modern society (”Ice has covered up my parents hands, don’t have any dreams don’t have any plans. Growin’ up in some strange storm, nobody’s cold, nobody’s warm”). Win screams out to the youth of society “What’s the plan?!”, begging them to overcome the indifference of their elders. The urgency of this song (specifically the caucophonous percussion) perfectly reflects the urgency of the subject matter, and everything comes together to form what is definitely the best-song-of-2004-had-Trapeze-Swinger-not-also-been-released-in-2004.

Video: “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)” - Arcade Fire
Bonus MP3: “Power Out” (Original Version/August Session) - Arcade Fire

1. “The Trapeze Swinger” - Iron & Wine ~ Sam Beam’s finest work to date, his Mona Lisa if you will, “The Trapeze Swinger” is an absolute epoch, clocking in at 9 minutes and 31 seconds with lyrics that would not be out of place in a book of beautiful poetry. Operating with an interesting poetic technique in which every verse begins with the same “Please remember me…” refrain, Beam’s ambiguously autobiographical lyrics are the best he’s ever brought to the table. “Trapeze Swinger” is a beautifully epic song; it speaks to the bittersweet nostalgic feeling of being alive and exposed to all of the joy and tragedy in the world, viewed through the lens of the effects of the passage of time on relationships and moments that we can never relive. If I were to die tomorrow, which y’know, hopefully won’t happen, this is what I would want played at my funeral.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 15th, 2005 at 5:47 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.