It only gets better from here. Once again, if you missed our previous lists or want to see the top 20, hit up the links below:
Part 1: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (81-100)
Part 2: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (61-80)
Part 3: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (41-60)
Part 5: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (1-20)
40. The Gaslight Anthem - The 59' Sound (buy)
Why: A common theme for popular indie music is that while the songs themselves may be new, they carry a nostalgic, retro sound that makes their songs even more likable. This goes for TGA's "59' Sound" which made heads turn this past year.
39. The Rosebuds - Life Like (buy)
Why: Multiple vocals and the downtoned theme from the Raleigh group sinks and dims with every beat. Even better, it doesn't come across as dark, but rather more mystical and foreign composed than anything.
38. CSS - Jager Yoga (buy)
Why: A delightful piano capade makes for one of this years best jammable songs. The best part of this song is really how synced up the band is and how rhythmic and movable each instrument is. All of that accompanied with at least three solos made this a sure-fire pick for us.
37. The Helio Sequence - Lately (buy)
Why: The message of this song fits perfectly to the regretful tone of Summers' vocals. There's not enough that can be said of this band. Computers, drums and guitar are all you need to make a classic album for us.
36. The Lodger - The Good Old Days (buy)
Why: These Brits rarely leave a beat or a breath to be determined and when they compiled this song, nothing was left for interpretation. Much like "Morning Tide" from The Little Ones, this song shakes with an amicable personality sure to make you feel like you got out on the right side of the bed.
35. Glasvegas - Geraldine (buy)
Why: Perhaps running even with "Daddy's Gone" on the self-titled debut from the Scottish group, "Geraldine" provides heart through uplifting dream guitar wailing and the intriguing vocals of James Allan.
34. Cut Copy - Feel The Love (buy)
Why: The vanguard for many electronica albums generally gets the "Intro" title. Not Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours. "Feel the Love" not only was playable but could be considered a staple to the buzz that surrounded the Aussie's rise to many #1 album rankings.
33. Weezer - Pork and Beans (buy)
Why: As much as we loved their video for this song, there were more reasons to add this to our top songs list of the year besides Weezer just being Weezer. "Pork and Beans" is a defiant song created for the record companies themselves. They wanted a pop hit, they got one. Turns out Weezer can apparently light it up in their classic style whenever they want, despite their efforts to go in a different direction on this album.
32. Anthem In - Down (buy)
Why: The resemblance of this song to DCFC struck first, and the more I listened to it and their album, I realized there really was not too many similarities at all. As the band's best song on their latest album, Anthem In fits right here in a perfect spot from many of our favs of this year.
31. French Kicks - Abandon (buy)
Why: One of the first songs this year that we fell head over heels for. That was, until we heard the rest of the album. French Kicks seem to be inspired by something from the past, although we can't put our finger on it, but this song combines all of the bands best attributes as one.
30. Bloc Party - Talons (Phones R.I.P. mix) (buy)
Why: What more do you need to know? This was out favorite remix of the year and involves Bloc Party.
29. The Academy Is... - About A Girl (buy)
Why: The Academy Is... continues to define themselves from album to album and Fast Times at Barrington High by no means mimicked any of their previous work. "About a Girl" hit a pop switch with many radio listeners while also serving as the gateway to this album which is part of an ever-expansive genre laden with relationship cursing lyrics and memorable refrains.
28. Fleet Foxes - Ragged Wood (buy)
Why: Many of the songs from FF were astounding through vocal harmonizing and the overall timing involved. If the individual efforts of the group shone through anywhere on the album, it was here. From Skye Skjelset's acoustic play to Robin Pecknold's yearning lyrics, this track manifested yesterday's folk with today's talent.
27. Blitzen Trapper - Furr (buy)
Why: Yet another preview song we heard before the album was actually in our hands. "Furr" tells a folk story just as much the band themselves sound folk in this song. Given the combination and our love for those quiet, yet deadly bands, this track settled quite well to say the least.
26. Kings of Leon - Manhattan (buy)
Why: KOL have been doing their thing for some time now, and although their past success has drawn many to them in terms of popularity and radio play, this was the first time we really noticed them. In fact, "Manhattan" still holds true to be our favorite song by these young lads.
25. Bloc Party - Better Than Heaven (buy)
Why: Drop the beat and throw in some synths and breakdowns and you've got Kele singing Bloc Party's best track of the year. As driven as their album was to be louder and more raw, this song reminded us of their great past works.
24. m83 - Graveyard Girl (buy)
Why: Edgy and electrically charged "Graveyard Girl" embodies a forgotten effervescence that soundtracks from the 80's once spawned.
23. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing (buy)
Why: Unlike the rest of Viva La Vida, this song progressed while still maintaining its individuality as just one song and not two grouped together. Coldplay displayed a folk-inspired joy in this song through light banjo vibes and storytelling, which ultimately developed into the diamond in the rough from VLV.
22. The Shore - When Tomorrow Comes (buy)
Why: Our favorite song from the obscure band from CA. We know them to deliver a sound so laid back, yet calibrated to perfection. Whatever these guys do seems to fit our fancy for some rockable, likable psychadelic rock. Throw this one back to the 60s and they would be legends in our time.
21. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma (buy)
Why: The Ivy League boys snapped together a clever song "dripping with disdain" and a melodic chemistry that charms any listener. Imagine a convoluted rock anthem strung together by preppy musicians in a study hall and you have "Oxford Comma".
Just to preface our best of list of 2008: Some songs may deserve a higher spot than others, but the time it took just to compile our list should give each and every song on here enough deserved attention. We did our best to make a list of 100 songs we thought were great and left a lot of songs off we begrudgingly had to remove to abide by the 100 song limit. Our list is as accurate as we could make it, so song 100 all the way to number one represent our favorite songs and artists of this year.
We seperated our list into 5 parts because there was just too much to put onto one post. We hope you enjoy our favorite songs of this 2008!
Part 2: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (61-80)
Part 3: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (41-60)
Part 4: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (21-40)
Part 5: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (1-20)
100. Keane - Lovers Are Losing (buy)
Why: Spiraling struggled but the personal touch from this track mid-way through helped boost the overall album enough to make it bearable.
99. The Shore - Open Up The Light (buy)
Why: Coming back from a long wait, The Shore delivered a great album. Their most notable song won't be found here, but this one may be as perfectly chilled-out as rock comes.
98. Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart (buy)
Why: Eight minutes and twenty-six seconds of cinematic gusto from a group that really doesn't have too many tracks longer than five minutes. Overall, a well thought-out song considering every instrument in the group grabs some of the spotlight.
97. Department of Eagles - No One Does it Like You (buy)
Why: Bass thumps and clapping ensues as the humble, yet budding group Department of Eagles made their presence known in 2008. Nobody does this like them in this gem with the harmonizing and the eerie playfulness of this song.
96. The Little Ones - Morning Tide (buy)
Why: Hearing The Little Ones and keeping a smile on of your face are synonymous with each other. "Morning Tide" clearly set the Cali natives back on track after their struggle to find a label and get their sound right.
95. Pictures and Sound - 100 Directions (buy)
Why: Luke Reynolds' latest project couldn't please fans more when transitioning from his older work. Now laced with some mild funk, "100 Directions" settles in behind light drum rapping and a heavy bass before slowly building up for a finale worth waiting for. Check out our live video of this song here.
94. Nada Surf - See These Bones (buy)
Why: Opening Lucky with their strongest song set the tempo for another great effort from Nada Surf. Perhaps this song layers a bit much as it goes on, but nothing takes away from the professional and well-timed shown here.
93. The Shore - Lose My Breath (buy)
Why: We doubled up listing the Shore in this section of our top 100, but that's okay since The Shore have so many good songs to list here. Neither this one or "Open Up The Light" could really be picked over the other, so really think of this as just another song you need to listen to and an album to own.
92. MGMT - Kids (buy)
Why: The main five-star songs on Oracular Spectacular flew across the blogosphere faster than the drug-inspired artists could imagine. "Kids" takes the teenage mentality of the duo along the same lines as the other greats on the album while still being incredibly original and addictive.
91. Kings of Leon - Sex On Fire (buy)
Why: The most pop-friendly song on this good effort and most listed throughout the blogsphere. That's not why we listed it however. The boldness of this song earned its place on our list. Saying someone's sex is on fire is quite a compliment to dish out, so kudos KOL.
90. French Kicks - With the Fishes (buy)
Why: Drowned out guitar meets sad, lonely singing. I don't know what does it for me on this song, but the chemistry is perfect, the guitar isn't too much and the vocals kill it every time. Everything down to the drums marks this album a materpiece in my mind.
89. Athlete - Flying Over Bus Stops (Acoustic) (buy)
Why: A song featured on their 2007 Beyond The Neighbourhood album, Athlete topped themselves with an acoustic version on their The Outsideres EP released earlier on this year.
88. The Notwist - Good Lies (buy)
Why: The Devil, You + Me opened with this low-key instrumentally and vocally sound track and the result helped the album as a whole. Seeing this song anywhere else in the Top 100 would be merited as it subtly speaks volumes to every ear that listens to it. Thanks to Pitchfork for the legal mp3.
87. The Republic Tigers - Buildings & Mountains (buy)
Why: Encompassing the ideals the Kansas City crew brought to Keep Color, this track harmonizes, entrances and hooks in like a cult does to its followers.
86. Greg Laswell - Comes and Goes (In Waves) (buy)
Why: Simple melodies and some nice harmonizing was enough to add this to our list. Laswell has sparked our interest this past year and this song was one of his most well-produced pieces.
85. Plants and Animals - Good Friend (buy)
Why: Parc Avenue's ground-work was put down here and the rest of the album benefited from it. "It takes a good friend to meet you in the park in the dark."
84. The Walkmen - In The New Year (buy)
Why: These guys went for a particular sound on thier album this year, and their nailed it with You & Me. "In The New Year" is something like we've never heard before with its rhinestone jangling riffs and slack-jawed singing. Where else could you find a better song with featuring an organ?
83. The Kooks - Always Where I Need To Be (buy)
Why: Konk would not be found anywhere near our top albums of this year, but our beloved UK rockers did score one song we couldn't resist to list here. They've once again managed to feature one song bound to be syndicated all over God's creation.
82. Elbow - Weather To Fly (buy)
Why: The Mercury Prize winners in 2008 claimed their spot on our list, particularly with one of their magnificently assembled songs listed here. Elbow didn't just surpass all of their previous albums, they made a name for themselves in 2008. This song shows everything we love and have loved about Garvey and Co..
81. Beck - Gamma Ray (buy)
Why: Beck highlighted this song on his website which promoted Modern Guilt and it fit perfectly for any returning fan as maintains the zany vibe Beck had back when he released Midnight Vultures almost ten years prior. Saying it is the best on the album isn't entirely accurate although it could be the addictive ingredient Beck albums consistently contain.
The Shore, with their psychedelic rock, remain on top of our lists of favorite bands since 2004. Influenced by many sounds of the 60s, including Buffalo Springfield and The Beach Boys, the California foursome have had us repeatedly going back for more since their infectious, self-titled debut. We were delighted to hear of their news not more than a month ago of their new album, Light Years, which was released digitally on October 13th.
The band, consisting of Ben Ashley Wayne Faler, Kyle Mullarky and John Wilmer, were kind enough to give us some feedback on their current status, what went into their latest album and a few other meddling questions. Aside from the questions below, we strongly urge you to go out and buy Light Years, The Shore's second album on iTunes or give them a listen on their MySpace page. They are sure not to disappoint.
Since the release of your last record and your eventual departure from Maverick Records, what has happened with The Shore? Why such a long gap between records?
Well... A lot has happened. We left Maverick, which eventually was dissolved, a couple of us had children, management changes, etc. We were also searching for direction as a band.... I'd written about 60+ songs, which were eventually distilled down to what ended up on "Light Years". Plus we only release our albums in Olympic years!
Your new album 'Light Years' released digitally on October 13th, what is the significance of this album name?
I'd taken that title from the James Salter novel of the same name... basically about beautiful lives frayed over the course of time... which seemed to be a bit of a theme while writing the album.
You were once again working with Rick Parker (Sugarcult, Dandy Warhols), how did having him back in your corner help with completing this album?
Well, Rick's very good at reigning us in. Perhaps we would go way off course into some really abstract psychedelic stuff otherwise... He's able to produce in a way that isn't intrusive but more so inspiring in that he gets really great tones and sound.
Were there any setbacks making 'Light Years'?
Only in the time it took to actually get into the studio. We had the songs ready, as well as the vibe of what we were hoping would be translated in the recording. Once we actually got in to the studio everything flowed quite quickly.
Four years later and we're thrilled to hear your second album is ready for the public. Much has happened since then, how does 'Light Years' differ from your 2004 self-titled album?
I'd say some of our other influences perhaps are more relevant on this one... there's a lot of sitars and mellotrons and whatnot. Also I think the theme and vibe of this one is maybe a bit closer to how we are as musicians...
We at MusicUnderFire were quite fond of "Hold On" from your last album. What particular song off of your newest work are you most excited about?
I really dig all the songs on this album... but if pushed I'd have to go with "Wandering Light" or "Showers You With Love"
If you could go on tour with another group right now, who would it be?
Fleet Foxes are doing some great stuff right now... Or perhaps My Bloody Valentine or Oasis.
Besides the obvious CD release party with tons of champagne bottles popping, how are you going to celebrate your new album?
Hopefully by touring soon, and writing another masterpiece!
Anything else you would like to add?
Just thanks to everyone for hanging in there and believing in our music! Now go pick up "Light Years", and enjoy!!
Update: We had previously posted the album would be out on October 20th from a message listed under one of The Shore's pictures on their site, until we had realized much sooner that it had been released digitally via an update on their MySpace page. If you would like to support The Shore, you can buy it on iTunes right now right here! We highly recommend "When Tomorrow Comes".
We can't add enough exclamation points into this post!!! The Shore have added two more songs onto their MySpace page and it looks as though they have an album name as well. So far The Shore have four new songs in total to listen to on their MySpace page. You can listen to them here.
Light Years will be out October 13th! 20th!
They also have a solo show coming up (below), so if you're out near L.A., and not in Philly like us, you'll be missing out if you don't catch them play. Stay tuned for more news...
MP3: The Shore - Coming Down [buy]
Upcoming Show:
Oct 19 2008 - 9:00PM - SPACELAND - LOS ANGELES, California
Nevertheless, this crowd is a prime list when it comes to just you and the just music. We don't recommend this for a cookout, but possibly for that period where you're just marinating the chicken or deciding how many veggie burgers may be required to appease your guests. So grab your mango mojito and rip it up, we hope we could help close your summer out in style.
MP3: The Rumble Strips - Clouds (buy)
MP3: Kaiser Chiefs - Hard Times Send Me (live)
MP3: Butcher The Bar - Get Away (buy)
MP3: The Decemberists - Summersong (buy)
MP3: Tokyo Police Club - If It Works (buy)
MP3: The Bravery - Swollen Summer (buy)
MP3: Bat For Lashes - A Forrest (buy)
MP3: The Octopus Project - The Adjustor (buy)
MP3: Daft Punk - Around The World (buy)
MP3: Mason Proper - Rest Up (buy)
MP3: The Magic Numbers - Love Me Like You (buy)
MP3: Wolf Parade - Language City (buy)
MP3: The Shore - Hard Road (buy)
MP3: Built To Spill - Goin' Against Your Mind (buy)
MP3: Brightblack Morning Light - Everybody Daylight (buy)
Just recently posted on their myspace page.
"The New record is going great! We are getting into final mixes this week, and should have the album completed soon. As of right now there will be twelve songs for the record, and many b-sides to be released. Everyone in the band is excited to get it out the new music to our friends and fans. Hopefully there will be many live shows to support the new release of the album. thanks for the love and support"
The Shore's last album, self-titled The Shore, was released in August 2004 also with the aid of Parker. Composed of Philadelphia-native Ben Ashley (lead vocals, guitar) and Los Angeles musicians Kyle Mularky (bass) and John Wilmer (drums), the group formed in 2002 and soon signed with Maverick Records for their introductory four song EP.
