The Best of 2009 - 25 Songs

Dear Internet, sorry for the tardiness, my dog ate my iTunes. So to round out this unbearable Sober January, here we go: the 25 best songs, in my opinion, to come out in 2009, in alphabetical order. Also, a bonus funny song.

Notice 3 reoccurring artists: Casablancas, Ward and Yorn. Quite a year for those blokes.

[right-click and "save as" individually, or click here to download all in a .zip]

11th Dimension - Julian Casablancas
The early descriptions of this track worried me: synth, 80's, dance anthem. The execution won me over. Way to rock, Jules.

All the Pretty Girls - fun.
Musical Theater pop rock. If "RENT" was like this, I'd have actually stayed awake when my girlfriend made me go see it.

Ambling Alp - Yeasayer
Insanity rules in this apocalyptic dance anthem. Kinda 80's-ish, spastic, and catchy as hell.

The Calculation - Regina Spektor
Quirky piano pop. Very light, very lyrical, very off-beat. This will sound weird, but I love the vocal-flugelhorn sound she makes throughout.

Easy - Deer Tick
Is this song sarcastic? It certainly sounds angry, but it's a very tight roots-rock song.

Empire State Of Mind - Jay-Z
I think that Mayor Hova made it illegal to not include this on a "Best of 2009" list.

The Fixer - Pearl Jam
I cringe at aging rockers trying to make their fans think that new songs can be relevant. Well, it worked here.

Garbage Day - Brendan Benson
Disco Rocks? Here it does, courtesy of some sweet sweet hooks. Reminds me of "Breakin' Up" by Rilo Kiley.

Hang You from the Heavens - The Dead Weather
Jack White doesn't sing, or ever play guitar on this track. But you know it's him because of how awesome it is. I'm usually not one for gratuitous drum solos, but by all means JW, go ahead.

Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
A Hippie Western! Weirdo's dancing while tumbleweeds shuffle by in a lo-fi ghost-town.

I Want You To Know - Dinosaur Jr.
More 90's band redemption, from a more underground band. Solid rock throughout.

Lions - The Features
The best hook of the year. It sucks you in. It's amazingly interesting. The verse is a bit brooding, but it's cohesive.

Little Secrets - Passion Pit
Imagine the Super Mario Bros at a rave. All the little goombas and toad guys singing along. This year's MGMT single that they didn't write.

My Last Mistake - Dan Auerbach
The Black Keys' frontman goes solo with some throwback early 70's garage rock. Makes you feel like starting a band or driving cross-country.

Never Had Nobody Like You - M. Ward (feat. Zooey Deschanel)
The lost single by She & Him, performed by...She & Him.

On A Whim - Flying Machines
A grandiose, over-the-top, and spastic ELO sendup. I hope these guys have more to offer in 2010.

Relator - Scarlett Johansson & Pete Yorn
The sultry temptress and Mr. Morningafter play some sunny California pop.

Rome - Phoenix
How is this not in every rom-com trailer out right now? The type of song you and your girlfriend can both agree on.

Rooftop - Pete Yorn
Mr. Morningafter flies east and spends a lazy summer night in NYC.

Say Please - Monsters Of Folk
A rocking lyrical-round by the indie supergroup. It just sounds like fun.

So Far Around The Bend - The National
One of my 2010 resolutions is to get into The National this year. If the rest of their catalog is like this tight wintry ballad, I'm in for a nice surprise.

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear
I don't even know how to describe this song. Operatic? Thematic? Illmatic? It's awesome however you slice it.

Warm Heart Of Africa - The Very Best (feat. Ezra Koenig)
What? The lead singer of Vampire Weekend? OMG! Afro-pop 4eva!

Wet Hair - Japandroids
I don't know where I heard this, but its true: Japandroids sound like their name would lead you to believe.

You Never Know - Wilco
Hey Tweedy, watch out, the Traveling Wilbury's are going to be pissed you stole their sound. Nice track though.

BONUS:
Boombox - The Lonely Island (feat. Julian Casablancas)
When God, when will we see the Digital Short for this? I need to see the boiled goose!