Music Under Fire

This year has been fattened with a good deal of UK rock and songs of the melodic rock sort. I've found myself falling not only into the rock scene across the pond, but also into a classic form of indie music; one that heavily relies on delicately pieced guitar and prolific lyrics. Whether you're putting together a party playlist or finding music for your friends, this list has it all. Enjoy!

Check out Songs 11-25

Check out Songs 1-10

If you haven't checked out our top songs we discovered this year, which released prior to 2007, please check out our top 20.

All song titles are linked to the US iTunes store (and a few to the UK store since they are not available in the US right now).

26. Future of Forestry – Twilight
Why: The melodic fluidity of this is absolute and pure. There are many fans who have been waiting for their full length release and this song, although featured of their 2006 EP, this was worth carrying over to their 2007 release.

27. Air Traffic – No More Running Away
Why: There's an earnest way Chris Wall sings, and the music follows right along. "No More Running Away" builds up to the perfect amount. I couldn't get anough of the rhythm and piano in this song.

28. Bloc Party – Sunday
Why: Everyone knows Bloc Party, particularly in the UK, where this London-based techno-rock group started their following. Sunday's lyrics of hangovers and melodrama following a hard night out is the least important reason I picked this song.

29. Field Music – A House Is Not A Home
Why: This song reminds me so much of The Beatles: the guitar, the vocals, the horn section, etc. There are too many things I relish when listening to this. A crowd-pleasing, casual favorite I've used throughout the year.

30. Angels & Airwaves – Everything’s Magic
Why: I enjoyed their first album and the same went for this one too. Before the album came out, "Everything's Magic" was AVA's first single, and is still my favorite from this album. Who doesn't like a song with clapping in it?

31. The Cinematics – A Strange Education
Why: The Cinematics shocked me when I saw them at the TLA on South Street in Philly. Opening up for Mute Math, the Cinematics proved they could just as well be a headliner. "A Strange Education" has that off-kilter UK rock feel, emblazoned with a city rock glaze. Lots of energy in this song.

32. Keane – The Night Sky
Why: I believe this is Keane's best effort yet, closely competing with "We Might As Well Be Strangers". And what could be better that this song was sold to support a cause? Just as Keane has done in the past, I love the subtle piano and keyboard in this song.

33. Film School – Two Kinds
Why: Film School is one of a kind, and "Two Kinds" is one of the most outstanding songs they have done to date. The synthesized strings with a solid steady beat, mixed with a simple guitar diddy had me done in on first listen.

34. Anberlin – The Haunting
Why: Anbelin has proved to be one of the most popular pop-punk groups out there. With their release of their B-sides this year, the album as a whole wasn't anything lavish, but "The Haunting" was their star track, and for a reason. This easily fits into my top three Anberlin songs.

35. Radiohead – All I Need
Why: What Radiohead does the best is manipulate every sound exactly the way they want to. With the deep synth, sound effects and passionate lyrics Yorke sings "You're All I Need", the total package hits home here.

36. Athlete – Hurricane
Why: The lyrics are somewhat mundane in this song, but are catchy as can be. Combine this with a few catchy hooks and you have Athlete's first successful single from Beyond the Neighbourhood.

37. Wilco – Either Way
Why: Wilco hasn't always been my favorite band. I had trouble getting into Memaid Avenue, and several other of ther earlier works. Once Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, I was sucked in and there was no return. Sky Blue Sky's incredibly well done soft rock approach stuck with me throughout 2007. "Either Way", the album's opener, was one of the main reasons for this.

38. The Cribs – I’ve Tried Everything
Why: The Cribs just don't care about what anyone thinks, and that's why I love listening to these guys. "I've Tried Everything" shows the lighter side of the band, moving more towards their constant comparisons to The Strokes.

39. Motion City Soundtrack – Hello Helicopter
Why: There are way too many songs I could have picked to put on this list, but the constant refrain of "Hello Helicopter" was just too friendly to pass over. Motion City Soundtrack had a phenomenal year, one most bands could only dream of and this song could be one of five on their album, I could have put in its place, only this one keeps coming back to haunt me

40. Maps – To The Sky
Why: As far as self-produced "bedroom" albums go, James Chapman is on the top of the list for 2007 successes. "To The Sky" is one of those uplifting, electronic synced songs that can set your day straight.

41. Nightmare of You – I Was Never a Normal Boy
Why: Brandon Reily, formerly of Movielife, makes it known in his songs of his socially pathetic misdemenor, his odd nuances and overall self-illed diagnoses. "I Was Never A Normal Boy" sums all of this, with the NYC based groups happy-go-lucky attitude as "Living is so easy, with blindfolds on your eyes" is the basis for this song.

42. Days Away – I’m Sorry I Told You All My Problems
Why: Days Away is like the Band of Horses of lowly punk/folk music. Having seen them at one of the smallest shows I've ever been at this past year, I loved the earnest way the band members wave at you when you come to their shows. The same carries through with their songs. This song is the highlight of this year's EP, Ear Candy For The Headphone Trippers.

43. Travis – Big Chair
Why: Travis has done it once, and conintues to follow through time and time again. Enough has been said about this band. If you want to read more about one of Scottland's most beloved bands, go to wikipedia.

44. Jimmy Eat World - Dizzy
Why: "Dizzy" rekindled the old feelings I had when I listened to Jimmy Eat World. I was over "Big Casino" in no time, but this song stuck around longer than I anticipated.

45. Spoon – Finer Feelings
Why: There's no shortage of words to describe this album and the songs within it. Finer Feelings has clapping, an urban rhythm and soul background and a bassline that moves with lively appeal. I especially liked the 'live' effect thrown into this song.

46. Seabear – I Sing I Swim
Why: "I Sing I Swim" I dance, I cry could have been the extended name of this song since it withholds so many emotions. Seabear's pronounced indie style of music could be copied over and over again. It really is one of the best indie-rock songs I've heard this year.

47. Minus The Bear – Knights
Why: MTB has a way of hitting these quick, off-key notes that I just love. "Knights" is just that, quick-witted, upbeat and catchy as anything. I've enjoyed going back through their catalogue this year and have managed to find many more great songs just like this one.

48. Surrogate – 15
Why: Indie/folk may describe the style heard here the most. It was tough not to include other songs from this album, but I really enjoyed Chris Keene's vocals, which are so subtle and powerful, it may blow your mind. Great pickup by Tooth & Nail Records this year.

49. Earlimart – Nevermind The Phonecalls
Why: If you enjoy Elliot Smith, this is right up that same alley. Smith's fans have been lingering since his death, and although Earlimart doesn't cover all of the bases, they've done an impressive job at moving to the front of their class.

50. The Mohawk Lodge – Wear ‘Em Out
Why: This song got me purely by the up and down guitar changes. I enjoyed their guitar sound as well as the down to earth, "I don't seem to care about anything" vocal style coupled with the "oh, oh ooohohohoh!s" at the end of the song.

Honorable Mention

51. The Starting Line – Island
52. Modest Mouse – Dashboard
53. Kate Tucker & the Sons of Sweden – Everything Went Down
54. The Raveonettes – Dead Sound
55. Mae – Just Let Go
56. Bear Colony – Hospital Rooms Aren’t For Lovers
57. Eddie Vedder – No Ceiling
58. Anberlin – Dismantle, Repair
59. The Hoosiers – Good bye Mr A
60. Sea Wolf – You’re A Wolf
61. Siberian – Wolf and Crane
62. Idiot Pilot – Retina And The Sky
63. Thirteen Senses – A Lot Of Silence Here
64. The Cinematics - Break