So after a long layover, I'm back with another installment. Hopefully the top 25 won't take nearly as long!
50 "My Love" Justin Timberlake
I dig this song, even though it's by JT, who was once in a boy band… The addition of T.I. also helped seal the deal though too. (A)
49 "Chasing Cars" Snow Patrol
Another great song that was doomed early due to over-rotation at most radio stations. The rest of the album (Eyes Open) is very solid, and worth a look into… don't be dismayed by the lack of scope by radio stations. Personally, I figured this song would rate higher than #49 (A)
48 "He Said, She Said" Shawnna with Ludacris
This is on a mix tape somewhere I guess… can't find it anywhere so that = (F)
47 "Cheer It On" Tokyo Police Club
This song definitely has a "The Strokes" feel to it. Between the brash guitars and singing/screaming, there is something about this song that I dig. I am interested enough by this song to look into more of their stuff… plus I think I might have seen that they'll be in Omaha sometime soon. (B-) Tokyo Police Club's myspace
46 "Hang Me Up to Dry" Cold War Kids
A great new band that didn't get the due they should have. The pounding pianos, the belted-out lyrics… I mean, what's not to like? (A) Cold War Kids' myspace
45 "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" Chris Brown
Chris Brown is like Usher's little brother… I smell a dance-off! The guy can sing and dance though… well I guess that goes for both of them. (C+)
44 "Hustlin' " Rick Ross
Rick Ross will probably never be confused with Twista. His slow jam/delivery is very catchy and definitely has a bit of the summertime feel to it…"Everyday, I'm hustlin'" (B) Rick's myspace
43 "Tony the Beat" The Sounds
The Sounds rec'd a lot of "indie" publicity in 2006… 80's sounding music straight from Sweden. Chances are if you're into the indie-pop scene than you probably have this song in constant rotation. Not a bad song for not exactly being the normal stuff I listen too. (B-) The Sounds myspace
42 "Origin of Species" Chris Smither
A song by an artist that I would never have listened to, if it wasn't for this list. While not a bad song, I'm just not sure how it got on here along with Rick Ross, The Sounds and Cassie. (C)
41 "Me & U" Cassie
It doesn't hurt that Cassie is pretty easy on the eyes (ex-model). Her singing leaves a little to be desired. The whole thing reminds me a bit of Jennifer Lopez… pretty, not the best singing voice… but we'll turn up the background vocals & synthesize the hell out of it to make a "hit". (C-) Cassie has a myspace
40 "Incinerate" Sonic Youth
Although I was not really a big Sonic Youth fan back in the day, I've grown to really like their sound. The guitars in this song pull you in from the opening riffs. (B+) Sonic Youth's myspace
39 "Dance, Dance" Fall Out Boy
A song that you like the first 432 times you hear it, then starts to get on your nerves a bit. A good follow up to their initial success… and really what better way to follow it up than a very catchy "pop rock" song. (B+) Fall Out Boy's space
38 "Gin & Milk" Dirty Pretty Things
At first glance, I thought this song was might be a Dr. Dre/Snoop parody, but knowing about Dirty Pretty Things figured I was safe. This is a very good British punk song, on a cd that is pretty solid too. The band was recently formed from old members of The Libertines… minus Pete Doherty (who really has enough problems of his own right now). (A-) Dirty Pretty Myspace
37 "Strange Apparition" Beck
Beck continues to please with this piano-heavy tune. It's solid work that makes "The Information" a must-buy for me in the very near future. (B+) Beck's myspace
36 "SOS" Rihanna
Another song that everyone has heard, like it or not. The "Tainted Love" beat is partially what makes this song good… and bad. It's catchy, but as we all know with catchy songs; they're soon very played out. This is a solid pop song, regardless. (B) Rihanna's space
35 "Summersong" The Decemberists
A nice ballad by a band that is starting to grow on me. This song just rolls along, all the while slowly drawing you in. They remind me a bit of Death Cab… but that's not a bad comparison. (A-)
34 "When You Were Young" The Killers
From the opening guitar strum, the Killers had me at "You sit there in your heartache…" An awesome song to follow up Hot Fuss, which seems like it came out forever ago now. The Killers tried to go for a bigger sound on this cd, and this song definitely showcases that. (This song was even good enough for me to use it as a blog title earlier this year). (A) Killer myspace
33 "Chillout Tent" The Hold Steady
I'd heard a few songs by this group prior to this song (which I hadn't heard before), I really like their sound. I'm not sure if any of their other songs made the list ahead of this song… but others might be more deserving. This song is pretty solid overall though. This band was playing when I made the trip to Orlando… should've went (dammit!) (B-) The Hold Steady
32 "Do It to It" Cherish
I had no idea about this song until I listened to it… of course from the opening beats I realize that I've heard this song a few times before. The beat is solid and they do a good job of easing my need for some harmonizing R&B. (B-)
31 "The Clock" Thom Yorke
Thom Yorke uses his voice so much like an instrument, that it's hard to tell him solo vs. him w/ Radiohead. I like Radiohead so ergo I like Thom Yorke… could be a question, but is much more like a statement of fact. I haven't heard a lot from his new CD, but am liking what I am hearing so far. (A-) Acoustic Version!
30 "Over & Over" Hot Chip
The beat/rhythm of this song instantly gets your head bobbing a bit. I don't want to spoil it, but there is a reference to "…a monkey with a miniature cymbal", they had me at "monkey". I'm not sure if this is considered "pop", but it's fun & catchy. (C+) Hot Chip's space
29 "Smiley Faces" Gnarls Barkley
One of my more favorite songs from their album. Cee-Lo's voice combined with a hand-clapping beat = success. A good tune from a band that many people got down on due to the over-playing of "Crazy". (B+) Gnarly myspace
28 "Level" The Raconteurs
I've listened to this song so many times, that it almost seems hard to believe it was released in 2006. The formula of Jack White, Brendon Benson & killer guitars definitely works in my book. (A) Raconteurs
27 "Capillarian Crest" Mastodon
One of the hardest songs on the top 100 list. The guitar work is top notch and will want to make you want to raise your fist and extend your pointer and pinky fingers to the heavens. (C)
26 "Province" TV on the Radio
I've already praised this band a lot, so you know how I feel about their music. This song moves a little slower than some of their other stuff, but it doesn't dilute the powerfulness of their music. (A) TV on the Radio
75 down... 25 to go!