mardi 5 Fév 2008, 20h07m
30. Angels & Airwaves – Everything's Magic
Okay, let’s get one thing clear- the riff in this song and the riff in Anthem Part 2 are in the same key and share about two of the same notes, not even played in the same way. So whoever said they ripped the song off can seriously fuck off. On a happier note, this was a great reintroduction to the band and their music, with Delonge again questioning of the world around him and beyond, with more huge sounding production and boppy clap along parts, compared by several critics and fans to Close To Me. Tom’s a big fan of The Cure, so I guess I wouldn’t put it past him to be influenced by that. All in all, a great single from a phenomenal album. To put it simple, I-Empire is the second best thing Tom Delonge has ever done. The first was leaving, and thus breaking up, blink-182.
29. Dead Letter Circus - Disconnect And Apply
Every year, an Aussie hard rock band will come and blow my mind in one way or another. Past bands to do so have included The Butterfly Effect, Cog and Karnivool. In 2007, it was Dead Letter Circus’ turn, who ripped shreds off me with this absolutely amazing song. Erratic and powerful vocals, a no-bullshit rock intro and that absolute killer guitar riffage- Disconnect And Apply is, to put it quite simply, a fucking winner. I love this band- despite being in a flooded genre, they stand out in the crowd with their unique and ambiguous lyrics, and the mystery that shrouds both their name and them as people. Easily the best EP of the year, and easily the best band ever to make going to work on Monday sound so inviting!!
28. Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip - Thou Shalt Always Kill
In 2005, it was Lazyboy’s Underwear Goes Inside The Pants. In 2007, it is this song. Absolute genius.
27. Angels & Airwaves – True Love
Originally known as “Star Of Bethlehem”, written in late 2006, the band rerecorded it in two parts for I-Empire, the bulk of which became this, easily the best song on the record. It encompassed everything that is great about the band in 4 and a half minutes, with bright guitar, cruisy bassline and loud, crisp drums featuring the unmistakable voice of Tom Delonge washed over it all. Tom’s lyrics are brimming with imagery and beauty, striking a chord hard and fast with the listener.
26. Silverchair - If You Keep Losing Sleep
If you were not a fan of Johns’ 2004 work in The Dissociatives, it’s probably best that you don’t listen to this. For those of you not-so narrow minded, feel free to enjoy this fantastically twisted little ditty.
Everything works here, from the haunted house organ of long-time Chair collaborator paulmac and the Jimmy Chamberlain-esque drum rolls and crashes of Gillies, to the wild, intense vocals of Johns. Even with some of Johns’ worst lyrics on the whole record (Daniel, seriously- “such seductive silent wine hopscotch trigger”?), it makes for fantastic listening. This track also marks the first appearance on the album of the legendary composer Van Dyke Parks, best known for his work with The Beach Boys. He’s done wonders for the Silverchair boys in the past, and here is no exception; featuring epic string arrangements and masterful orchestration- another complete credit to his already impressive work.
25. Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
Ever thought a song could reach its full potential if it was just recorded better? I have; and when it happens the band finally gets recognition. Past examples include The Grates with 19-20-20, Enter Shikari with Sorry You're Not A Winner and Operator Please with Just A Song About Ping Pong. And now here, with The Arcade Fire re-recording a song from their 2004 self-titled EP with more instrumentation, a faster pace and a hell of a lot more energy and intensity. Makes for yet another truly epic listen from Neon Bible.
24. Kisschasy - Opinions Won't Keep You Warm At Night
There’s always been something more to Kisschasy than meets the eye. Do-Do’s And Whoa-Oh’s was a subtle jab at the formulaic chart hits of the time, and the secret desire to write one just like it. In this single’s case, you must think of not just the political connotations, but the attack on the blogosphere, the MySpace generation, the critics, probably even more if I could get into Darren Cordeaux’s head. The song rocks, quite simply, and is proof that this is a band that has plenty of energy and longevity to keep them in the game for years.
23. Kisschasy - Spray On Pants
There’s been a few different interpretations as to who exactly is targeted in this song. Upon many listens, I see it quite simply as an attack on people who listen to music because it’s in fashion and not because they genuinely like it. There’s a fuckload of them out there, a lot on Last.FM too, so I connected with the song a lot when I heard it. Fuck the scenesters!
22. Burial – Archangel
What can be said? This is, ultimately, the most beautiful song in the history of electronic music. And this is NOT a hyperbole. The song is so simple, but it’s so fucking powerful. That looped, distorted vocal sounds so distant and lonely, the synthesised orchestration a gorgeous undertone. Nobody knows exactly who Burial is, but I have a lot to thank them for, because I see what they are doing as part of the future of music. Not much else to say, really, it’s a song that needs to be heard to be believed.
21. Gyroscope – Snakeskin
Welcome back, boys!! What a great way to kick back into our conscience. The song works on many different levels, through unexpected twists and turns, high and low points of both musical energy and lyrical intensity and that Kurt Cobain inspired howl of HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF WAKING UP?? It’s a killer single that has spread out the band’s fanbase even further, and, with any luck, will continue to do so on the back of Breed Obsession. It’s out March, and I cannot wait!