Chutz’s Top Songs O’ 2007
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1. We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives - Los Campesinos!
Extraordinary catchy. Beyond those two words, I can’t really explain why I like this song so much.
2. Let’s Talk About It - White Denim
This is one of those songs that I only needed to hear once to be hooked. It quite possibly contains my favorite guitar riff of the year and it by far the most rockin’est song on this list.
3. ABC - The Pipettes
It was difficult to pick a favorite song off my favorite album of 2007, especially when said album has zero clunker songs on it. But I think this track was the most played of them all. Clocking in at a shade over two minutes, this song would fit in nicely as a B-side on any number of 45s coming out of the Brill Building or Motown in the 60s. This song also gets points for having one the most insanely catchy nonsense lyrics of the year: A-B-C-1-2-D-Even I (Ain’t in any of his categ’ries).
4. The Cap’m - They Might Be Giants
A great guitar-driven TMBG track that features a stylophone. What could be better?
5. (tie) The Con - Tegan and Sara / Back in Your Head - Tegan and Sara
I keep vacillating on which of these is my favorite. They’re both great for different reasons. And since it’s my list, I can rank them both.
6. Lithium (Live in Seattle) - The Polyphonic Spree
Quoth Tim DeLaughter, “This is the best town in the world to do this song.” He was right - covering Nirvana in Seattle is always a good idea. This was by far my #1 concert highlight of the year. I’ve never seen an audience (and hell, band for that matter) bounce so much during a single song before. Pure energy.
7. The Well and the Lighthouse - The Arcade Fire
Neon Bible has a handful of great driving songs (which is weird since I don’t have this album in my car) and this is definitely one of them. “No Cars Go” could have easily been put in this slot, but it’s been around for a few years now.
8. Release the Stars - Rufus Wainwright
I think I was driving over the Mississippi River when I first heard this song. I was trying to beat a storm front that was bearing down on Minneapolis and subsequently forgotten that I wanted to listed to The Current (a preeminent independent radio station out of MSP) while in town. This was the first song I heard when I flipped to their frequency. Between the ominous lighting and general uneasiness I had driving in this unfamiliar place, I was in need of some soothing and this song did the trick. Definitely my “moment in time” pick of the year.
9. 15 Step - Radiohead
Hearing this song at Bonnaroo ‘06 was my first taste of the In Rainbows experience and it stuck with my more than any of the other new songs played that night. Nothing beats 5/4 clapping!
10. Suffer for Fashion - Of Montreal
A great, prototypical side one/track one. This song nicely sets the mood of Hissing Fauna…
Honorable Mentions:
“A Mundane Phone Call from Jack Parsons” - A Sunny Day in Glasgow
“My Sword Hand’s Anger” - Apostle of Hustle
“In Context” - Field Music
“Muscle ‘n Flo” - Menomena
“Back to the 101” - Albert Hammond Jr.
“Lips Are Unhappy” - Lucky Soul
“1234” - Feist
“Fiesta” - Ween
“Flathead” - The Fratellis
