The Best of 2008 - 25 Singles

Here it is, my list of the 25 best songs that came out in 2008. They are streaming on the sidebar of the page. Merry Christmas!
In no particular order (except for the first one):

I'm Amazed - My Morning Jacket
The highest quality of American Music. Intricate but accessible, catchy but deep. It's musical happiness. This how enjoyable music should be to listen to. Best song of the year, no contest.

Many Shades of Black - The Raconteurs
Brandon Benson and Jack white deliver the most epic of rockers; it sounds like the centerpiece of a rock opera. The guitar work is as to be expects of JW, but the horns add that extra something.

Constructive Summer - The Hold Steady
Champions of the storytelling rock anthem, and heir to the restless narrative of Bruce and Bob; The Hold Steady are the tops.

You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne
If more "singer/songwriters" were like Ray, we'd be a lot better off. The horns in this song prove that a brass section can add balls to any love song (BONUS, your girlfriend will love this song).

I Got Mine - The Black Keys
The most badass song of the year. Listen to this while walking at night and feel very evil, yet vindicated (like you're a killer, but you only kill to keep bad guys off the street. Or you're a mercenary and have no moral problems with blood on your hands. Or...I'll stop). It's dirty, dirty blues.

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? - She & Him
The cutest singer all year, Zooey Deschanel (yes, the actress) let's out a country rocker with an amazing groove. The vocal layering gives it that retro feel of warmth that most new records lack.

Who Put The Fire Out - Electric Touch
I'm a sucker for pianos, especially when they're more of a percussion instrument than anything. This Spoon-esque hit is a pure pop gem.

Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
Though their new album is a complete departure from their past, and it's significantly less rocking, they've managed to churn out this sincere uptempo ballad. (Gossip Girl approved, so your girlfriend has already heard and loved it)

Carpetbaggers - Jenny Lewis (w/Elvis Costello)
I wont go too deep into my love for Jenny (she's a redhead), but let's just say that she knows how I work. This three-chord, country-rock, hook-laden tale is exactly the song I would want to play with her. Unfortunately, it's not me but Elvis Costello, the new "cool-uncle" of rock, who nails it as her verse-trading vocal partner.

Morning Tide - The Little Ones
California beach pop. Harmonies, sun-soaked organs and a very singable chorus. Cheer up music for sure.

Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution - The Black Crowes
I'm overly critical of some of my favorite bands from the 90's who release new music (Oasis, CAKE, Pearl Jam), and the brothers Robinson reserve some of my harshest criticism. Their newest album isn't great, but this song is fantastic, if not a bit too long at the end. A chorus straight out of "Southern Harmony," and great guitar work get this one to the top. Rainsberger gets the gold for finding this one.

Do The Panic - Phantom Planet
PP kind of suck. They have a knack for pop rock for the post-Jonas Brothers but not-quite-Kings of Leon listeners, yet are mostly unimportant overall. However this song to me is a very tongue-in-cheek sendup of 50's dance songs and 00's mope-rock, and contains some great instrumental work. (Girlfriend friendly, 'cause she used to watch The O.C.)

Wake The Sun - Matches
I woke up to this song every morning for 8 months straight and never once got sick of it. Maybe it was because I was in a subconscious trance as it played, and it's soft, light and fun pop was unoffensive and soothing. But it's monotonous main guitar line is very uplifting and happy. Smile.

Aliens & Rainbows - Ferras
This one's for Tom and Inky. There's a love for Queen and Elton John that this guy holds dear, and it shows on this track. This single sounds like the introspective "big showstopping number" by the lead actor in a Superhero-themed big budget Broadway musical. Seriously. It's great.

In My Room - Albert Hammond Jr..
Albert is the guitar player in The Strokes. Albert is a big part of their NYC hipster rock sound. But Albert has an emotional, California pop side to him. His second solo outing doesn't disappoint, and this is the best rocker on the album.

Brand New Start - Little Joy
Fabrizio is the drummer in The Strokes. Fabrizio is a big part of their NYC hipster rock sound. But Fabrizio has an emotional, California pop side to him. His first solo outing doesn't disappoint, and this is a throwback soft-rock hit missing from AM radio.

Profanity Prayers - Beck
Beck somehow escapes my aforementioned 90's-artist wrath. He's not always good, but he's always pushing himself somewhere musically. This song is a rock fest of guitars and tempo. The little breakdown towards the end is the signature-Beck curveball.

Shut Up and Let Me Go - The Ting Tings
I know it's overexposed and annoyingly predictable, but dammit it's catchy, fun, bouncy, and I have a feeling the lead singer is hot. Brodie gets the W for introducing me to this one.

A Few Words (In Defense Of Our Country) - Randy Newman
Different than everything else on this list, because I would NEVER want you to put this on a party playlist. But download this song and take 5 minutes out of your life to put on some headphones and enjoy Randy's lyrics. He is the Larry David of music; cringe worthy, true 'til it hurts, and funny as hell.

Dying Is Fine - Ra Ra Riot
Their drummer died surfing before they started to record their debut album. They had written this song (inspired by an e.e.cummings poem) before his death, but sounds like a group eulogizing their lost friend. Aside from that, its a deep pop song with a haunting violin, great guitar work, and a catchy chorus. Not as sad of a song as I may make it sound, but it's complex and a great listen.

Swing That Tambourine - Kristoffer Ragnstam
I don't love this song until about 1:10 into it. The beginning sounds a little too Jack Johnson meets Postal Service, but when the refrain kicks in, it starts rocking. Very catchy; very good chorus.

Mercy - Duffy
I know this whole throwback-R&B-singers thing is gimmicky, but I loved Joss Stone in 2003, Amy Winehouse in 2006, and I dig Duffy now. It's Bill Clinton approved sexy. This is her best song.

Moab - Conor Oberst
Following up on "Four Winds" last year, this country-rocker from Mr. Bright Eyes proves how great he can be. A whole album of this and less moping would make me like him a ton more. The chorus sounds like an Irish folksong repurposed for the American west.

Time to Pretend - MGMT
The youth anthem of 2008. I cant lie; I dig it. It will be in every teen movie trailer in 2009, and in 20 years will be played at bars and people will look at each other and give that "OMG remember this song!" look. But for now, let's do what those sweaty hipsters say and find some models for wives.

(I Used To Couldn't Dance) Tight Pants - Eagles of Death Metal
EODM are a very guilty pleasure of mine. It's not death metal, it's garage-band dance-rock. All their songs smell of sex and booze and, well, tight pants, yeah! What's not to like? Hell, even I might dance to this.