The Hold Steady – Hurricane J

And, since I’ve been spending every other week in the Detroit area lately, a song from The Anniversary (a band @bobkubicek turned me onto my freshman year of college).

The Anniversary – The D in Detroit

Ellie Goulding

@bcbone turned me onto Ellie Goulding earlier this week. As he mentioned to me, it’s not necessarily my genre of choice but her album Lights is stocked full of catchy, beautiful pop songs.

Ellie Goulding – Your Biggest Mistake

Ellie Goulding – The Writer

Days Away

The fellas from Good Old War announced they’d be putting out a new full-length this summer. If it’s anything like their debut, The Only Way to be Alone, it’s going to be stellar (see Coney Island in my Best of ‘08). News of a new album made me break out Mapping an Invisible World, a Days Away album, where two of the three Good Old War guys played before breaking up. Keith Goodwin (drums) lays down some sweet beats on the bridges of both songs.

Days Away – God and Mars

Days Away – Keep Your Voices Down

BONUS: Butch Walker

Rumor has it that Butch Walker will be playing The Waiting Room in Omaha on May 4th and now I’m inappropriately giddy.

Butch Walker – Canadian Ten

Goodbye Straylight Run

First song comes from Straylight Run, a band that went on indefinite hiatus (read: broke up) a week or two ago. Their self-titled debut was a staple of my early college career, and I had the pleasure of seeing them live a few times. It’s For The Best is the best song on the album and features some sweet background vocals courtesy of Nate Ruess of The Format/Fun fame.

Straylight Run – It’s For The Best

Fang Island

I stumbled onto my newest music obsession late last week. Fang Island is a band that describes their sound as “everyone high-fiving everyone.” After several spins through their intense 30 minute album, I’d say the description holds true. They’ll be in Omaha on April 24th – you best believe I’ll be in attendance. Daisy, is their first single.

Fang Island – Daisy

Sideswiper is another fun tune – worth getting to the 2:45 or 3 minute mark.

Fang Island – Sideswiper

Fun

Last, but certainly not least is a song that somehow didn’t make it onto my Best of ‘09 list. It’s the epic pop closer from Fun’s Aim and Ignite. It’s a long one, clocking in at over 7 minutes, but worth every second.

Fun – Take Your Time (Coming Home)

Butch Walker – She Likes Hair Bands

You can also download a ZIP of all the songs here.

Phoenix – 1901

Great song. There’s an even better version here.

John Mayer – Half of My Heart

Despite John Mayer’s latest not having as many solid songs as Continuum, John Mayer was able to put out a Taylor Swift song that I can’t stop listening to.

Passion Pit – Little Secrets

Might be my favorite song of the year, despite Passion Pit cancelling a show on my birthday that we had already driven down to Kansas City to see. Not the end of the world, though, @moltman and I were able to dance our asses off on the sidewalks of Westport as we blasted the song from my car’s speakers

Franz Nicolay – Quiet Where I Lie

Solid tune from the Hold Steady’s keyboard player. He salvages a riff from an old Hold Steady b-side on this one.

Timbaland – Morning After Dark

Jay-Z – Off That

Must-have song in my running mix.

Discovery – I Want You Back

Discovery (dude from Vampire Weekend and dude from Ra Ra Riot) took one of my all-time favorite songs and made it feel brand new. I love it.

The Killers – Read My Mind

Old tune from Sam’s Town recorded live and released this year.

Them Crooked Vultures – New Fang

What happens when Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters/Nirvana), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) get together? This.

The Lonely Forest – We Sing in Time

Shout out to @MajorLB for this one.

Julian Casablancas – Out of the Blue

Drive-by Truckers – 3 Dimes Down

Also an older song, but I just discovered these whiskey-fueled country-rockers a couple of months ago.

Miley Cyrus – Party in the U.S.A.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Slowly (Oh So Slowly)

The Hold Steady – 40 Bucks

My favorite band released a live album and this was a bonus b-side. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see this song either time I saw them live this year.

Silversun Pickups – There’s No Secrets This Year

The Lonely Island – Boombox

From the fellas who brought you On a Boat comes Boombox featuring Julian Casablancas (he’s back!) – a terrific tune about the underrated powers of…you guessed it…a boombox.

M. Ward – Never Had Nobody Like You

Barcelona – Lesser Things

McCarthy Trenching – The Most Attractive Disguise

Released last year, discovered this year as I saw Dan McCarthy open up for It’s True. Incredibly honest lyrics from a fantastic musician and funny guy.

Finally, I’ve compiled my Top Tracks of ‘08 list. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m sure I’ve left a whole lot out. The only rule: the song had to be released in 2008. Other than that, It’s a good view of what I really listen to, varying from pretentious hipster tunes to the “hot jams” you’d hear on any Top 40 station. I’ve offered commentary where I had anything to say, and the first five tracks are what I consider “the very best.”

Hopefully you’ll listen to a song or two you haven’t heard before. I’ve embedded the mp3s for your enjoyment.

The Hold Steady – Two Handed Handshake
In my opinion, the best track on the Stay Positive is the last (bonus track), which only really happened to get added after the album leaked a few months early.

Good Old War – Coney Island
I used to love Days Away. After they disbanded, two members formed Good Old War, and I was pleasantly surprised with their upbeat, country-leaning album that’s reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel.

The Faint – Forever Growing Centipedes
I first heard this song back in the spring of ‘07 at the opening of the Waiting Room in Omaha. After hearing it, I eagerly anticipated the long-overdue Fasciinatiion. 15 months later, the album didn’t disappoint.

Girl Talk – No Pause
I used to hate mashups. Hate. Until I heard Girl Talk. Listen to this entire tune and tell me the Yael Naim/Eminem mix isn’t genius.

Butch Walker – Here Comes The…
It pains me to have a song featuring Pink on my list, but this is a fantastic song from the 2nd best album of the year.

The Gaslight Anthem – Old White Lincoln
The album surprised the hell out of me. I was finally convinced to listen to it after the snobby Pitchfork gave it an 8.6 review.

Vampire Weekend – A-Punk

Britney Spears – Circus
Don’t hate.

The Hold Steady – Constructive Summer
The only band on my list to feature two tracks (coincidentally my favorite band) – this is the first track on Stay Positive, and I stumbled onto it my first week after graduation. A perfect start to an awesome summer.

The Grand Archives – The Crime Window
I was thrilled when these guys played UNL for free last spring, unfortunately only 50 people showed up. Luckily, I was one of them.

Rihanna – Disturbia
Pretend you hate this song. I won’t believe you.

Fall Out Boy – Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet
My guilty pleasure since 2003. This is their best song.

The Black Keys – I Got Mine
Blues-rock at its best.

Ludo – Love Me Dead
These STL guys can sure write a good tune.

Third Eye Blind – Non-Dairy Creamer
Silly lyrics aside, Third Eye Blind is back after a five year absence and I couldn’t be happier.

Keri Hilson – Return the Favor
BFleiss pick #1

John Mayer – Say

Bloc Party – Signs
A beautiful song from the ever-evolving Bloc Party.

Augustana – Sweet and Low

Kanye West – Welcome to Heartbreak
What the hell am I doing with a Kanye song on my list?

T.I. – Whatever You Like
Fleiss pick #2.

Funeral for a Friend – Someday the Fire…
A band I’ve been a fan of since 2003 has released another great album filled with awesome tracks like this one.

8 minutes on lower setting
2 minutes on dual setting
6 minutes on lower setting
4 minutes on dual setting
4 minutes on lower setting
6 minutes on dual setting
2 minutes on lower setting
4-8 minutes on dual setting (Chef’s Choice Round)

(credit: JonD)