The Top Fifty Favorite Songs Of 2003 - Pt.2

This is the first time I really sat down and tried to do a list of my favorite songs from the past year. Like I have said before, it was very difficult. Basically, I put 150 songs into a playlist on my iPod and went through them at work on random play (I did this several times over a couple weeks… seriously). Eventually I got the list down to 50 songs. It was tough. One thing that I learned about songs while doing this: the songs you think are great, may only be great in the context of the record, but don’t stand out as strong on their own. Intuitively, I kind of suspected that, but it was really pronounced after doing this exercise.

40. “Henry VIII” by The Tyde
Great intro!! When lead vocalist Darren Rademaker comes in with his wavering “NOW…” and the band launches into the verse, I wanna boogie down. A song that shows their Felt influence (see “Crystal Canyons” too), but it’s tweaked with a bit of REM jangle and Velvet Underground attitude. Also, love the keyboard breakdown that goes into that light Felt-y guitar line. Tight as hell too.

39. “The Reasons” by The Weakerthans
BIG violent power pop guitar riffs makes me slobber like a giddy tween boy admiring the girls at a gymnasium dance. Love how the lyrics are consciously cheesy, but entirely sweet: “I know you’d roll your eyes at this, but I’m so glad that you exist.” Love that.

38. “The School Song” by Black Box Recorder
Shoot, Luke Haines’ lyrics and music are something to behold. He slaps you with this sexy-punk-synth-pop; it’s so funny, but the point is clearly made: you don’t know shit. Sarah Nixey’s vocals are killer, sexy, full of attitude: “Wipe that idiotic smile off your face. When here you do what I say…” yes, Ms. Nixey, spank me again. Oh, the sweet arrogance of “Destroy your record collection, it’s for your own protection” is immaculate.

37. “Girl, You Shout!” by Dressy Bessy
From the amplifier hum to the overdriven guitars to Tammy Ealon’s excellent vocals (that hint of a rasp!), this song delivers indie pop perfection. This is as good as the best songs by The Apples In Stereo (the quintessential and best indie pop band ever). I love it when DB rocks out – so cute, but so tough.

36. “Me And Jesus Don’t Talk Anymore” by Beulah
A difficult song. I don’t know about the long minor plodding intro, but once the song gets going at the 1:20 mark, it’s a hot track! Miles Kurosky’s vocals and lyrics are, well, awesome. Nice touch with the pedal (lap?) steel, fuzz bass riff, and then the song just builds and builds so wonderfully. Almost a country boogie with orch-pop flourishes. There’s a lot of tension here.

35. “Billy Liar” by The Decemberists
“Billy Liar’s got his hands in his pockets, staring over at the neighbor’s knickers down”, sings Colin Meloy. The Decemberists are so weird! KNICKERS? I always think of some weird post-Civil War Era something or another when I hear the records by this Portland band. The key to the greatness of “Billy Liar” isn’t the odd lyrics, but the odd melody and changes – and it’s hooky; a tremendous concoction.

34. “Turn A Square” by The Shins
This song rocks! It’s like the prog Sunny Day Real Estate meets the Shins own acoustic rock, and the hooks are so there. Again, lots of tension going on, and the song revolves effortlessly. Top notch.

33. “The Road Of Love Is Paved With Banana Skins” by BMX Bandits
Absolute truth in the title of this song. Kindred spirit (and collaborator) of Teenage Fanclub, Duglas T. Stewart has recorded a super-duper ultra-terrific twee Beach Boys/Scottish Power Pop song. The economy of this song is tops, great melody, great bridge, great hooks all in under 3 minutes.

32. “Do It Yourself” by Drive-By Truckers
A down and dirty and heartfelt anti-suicide ode from the very good record, Decoration Day. While pretty standard alt.country.rock, the grittiness and the lyrical intensity propel this into a must hear. I do think there are better songs on the record, but this one always moved me more than others.

31. “Testament To Youth In Verse” by The New Pornographers
A Dan Bejar composition that swings. Bejar’s contributions to the New Pornographers are always more eclectic, big on Hunky Dory inspired melodies (yet still idiosyncratic), than Carl Newman’s songs. The wonderful coda of “The bells ring no-no-no-no-no-no-etc.” is a surreal “round” sung in a school for brain-fried acid freaks that swells to heaven’s gates.