Here We are going into the top 20. These songs I couldn’t get enough of during 2008, but just fell short of making the top 20. No worries though, these songs are all still pretty different genres, but all of the same quality. To me at least! I hope you guys enjoy numbers 30-21, and to look for the rest of my list soon:
30. Kings Of Leon – Sex On Fire
– The first time I heard this song was when KOL played it live (for the first time EVER) at All Points West. The song had one hell of a rhythm going for it, and the chorus was massive. I knew the song was something special right away. It hasn’t lost any of it’s replay value since.
– MGMT put a smile on my face every single time that I listen to them. The songs are so fresh and different. The synths create a wall of sound trapping you inside MGMT mind of ridiculously catchy psych-pop music. This has been on repeat since I first heard it. It never gets old, and it shouldn’t.
28. Deerhunter – Nothing Ever Happened
– This is the first Deerhunter song that I can say is truly accessible. This is their most straightforward song yet, but there is still enough of the shoe-gaze/re-verb guitar elements that define Deerhunter. All the instrumentation adds up to something special. The last 2 minutes of this song are a beauty.
27. The Dodos – Red and Purple
– While Fools seems to be every one’s favorite choice of song from The Dod’s “Visiter”, the true standout for me was Red and Purple. It features the fast tapping of the drums alongside the quick guitar strumming that The Dodos are all too good at. The lyrics fit so well, and the song stays with you. The energy of this song is just the cherry on top. This is well constructed folk-rock.
26. Hercules And Love Affair – Blind
– This was pitchfork’s #1 song of the year. I wouldn’t put it that high, but there is no doubt this is some fantastic disco-dance music. Anthony’s vocals only make it that much better. I mean..a hell of a lot better. It’s groovy baby.
25. The Last Shadow Puppets – Standing Next To Me
– The Last Shadow Puppets did a wonderful job filling the void 2008 left with the Arctic Monkeys. This song caught my attention right away . Clean guitar strums, clever lyrics, beautiful string arrangements. The song is a callback to all things ’60’s. I swear Alex Turner is a songwriting genius.
– This is the best thing the Kooks have ever done. There is a higher quality in the structure and songwriting of this song that really made an impression on me from the first time I played it. It still impresses me every time. Hugh Harris’s guitars really make the track. He’s an underrated guitarist in my opinion.
23. Dead Confederate – The Rat
– This song has a very ominious tone that hangs above the song throughout. It is what draws you in though, the raw energy and passion that makes your jaw drop.
– Honestly was there truly a bigger song in 2008? I am a Coldplay fan, and am so used to being made fun of for it that I enjoy it at this point. This song is just the way music used to be. Massive. A wonderful verse, haunting strings leading way into that chorus that we all know too well. My favorite part of the song is when the entire band joins in with the “oooooohs”. It reminds us this isn’t the Coldplay we used to know. That is not a bad thing either!
21. TV On The Radio – Dancing Choose
-This TVOTR song bursts out with energy right away with Tunde Adebimpe pretty much rapping over hand claps, fuzzy bass, crisp guitars. The chorus gives some time for a breath but it dives right back into the action. Horns come into play, along with a few strums from the guitar that sound all too good. All of this diversity, all of it works all too well. This is only one of the many standout’s from their classic Dear Science.
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