Here's my top 10 songs below. In order to not get repetitive with the artists featured (I've got more than just one song by each artist that I love), each of the 10 songs below will only feature the artist ONCE. So for example: I didn't pick "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem as one of my top tens because I thought another song off his stellar album "Recovery" deserved the recognition. Doesn't mean I hate "Love the Way You Lie", cause I don't. Just trying to be fair and get the most exposure for the artists.
Now on to the list:
10.
Ra Ra Riot "Too Dramatic"
This rich sounding band utilizes some great instrumentation to what could've been a carbon copy of Vampire Weekend or any other indie band on the scene right now. Instead, whenever I hear Ra Ra Riot, I distinctly know it's them and not some clone of a band. This song struck a chord with me in the lyrics and the pacing of the song.
9.
Sara Bareilles "King of Anything"
She had her first hit single be about love, or so you thought. Now with her 2nd huge chart topping single, "King of Anything", Sara Bareilles proves once more that she can survive on her own and doesn't need the cliche "perfect boyfriend" there to protect her. In fact, I love her sense of confidence in her song writing, it's very refreshing to hear in a female singer.
8.
Sleigh Bells "Rill Rill"
Where did this band come from? Honestly, I don't know. And yet when I went out on a limb and bought their album this past June, I was literally blown away. No really, my car speakers almost blew the hell up. This band is LOUD! However, with all the noise and banging of reverb, you get a sense of art and style like never before from Sleigh Bells. And this song, "Rill Rill", played on Alt Nation this past summer on Sirius XM radio. Ever since then, it's been stuck in my head.
7.
Travie McCoy "Need You"
Katy Perry was the queen of 2010. She had the song of the summer (though "Love the Way You Lie" had more depth IMO) and she has sustained herself through "Teenage Dream" and recently "Fireworks". Hell, she has a freaking Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. But what about her ex boyfriend? Poor Travis...errr....Travie McCoy. This song clearly seems to be about trying to get over their past relationship and start anew with another girl. Sadly, it also lets the new girl know, he needs plenty of time to fully be ready to love again. I love the theme and I love the lyrics to this song out of all of Travie's songs off "Lazarus". Yes, I like "Billionare" but it just didn't seem worthy of being in my top 10.
6.
Vampire Weekend
"Giving Up the Gun"
I heard this song on their newest album, "Contra", before the music video was out. Let me tell you, the music video only adds to the awesomeness of this song. The lyrics are perfect, just flat out beautiful. And the video. Well just watch the video now. Stop reading this.
5.
Motion City Soundtrack "So Long Farewell"
Their newest album, "My Dinosaur Life", is a step up from 2007's "Even If It Kills Me". However, the ironic thing about their newest album happens to be that I keep listening to the B-sides. "Sunny Day" is a B-side that should've NEVER been a B-side. Find that song ASAP if you want a good time. Yet, I had to choose "So Long Farewell" as my pick. It's got beauty and depth toward the lyrics and a bone chilling guitar and piano hook. It might be one of the best examples of how to do a slow, thought provoking song by MCS. As opposed to something like...ohhh...."The Conversation".
4.
My Chemical Romance "Destroya"
The band that made the phenomenal "The Black Parade" is finally back making amazing music again! Granted, their newest album "Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys", isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it gets the job done. This song in particular strikes a major chord with me. I love the energy, the fast metal sound, and the chorus begging to be screamed at the top of your lungs just makes for one damn good MCR song.
3.
Natasha Bedingfield "Strip Me"
While I've been a fan of some of her work, she's not really been on my radar. And if it wasn't for the insane marketing of a little film called "Morning Glory", I doubt I would've known that she has a new album out this year. The album itself wasn't the greatest thing I've heard, but this song is sure to get stuck in your head with a fantastic message for any and everyone. I'm proud she's pushing boundaries and yet keeping her place in pop music at the moment.
2.
Taylor Swift "Mine"
Take away my man card, but please don't take Taylor off the air. Sure, she writes her own songs and yet those songs are almost always about love and heartache, two things that haven't been considered original since Shakespeare's day and age. Yet, Taylor Swift does something I'm always so impressed with: She writes pitch perfect pop-rock-country songs that will reach millions upon millions of people with her lyrics and formulaic hooks. And considering we had a song about owning a damn G6, liking it on the dance floor, and letting everyone know how much cooler a girl thinks she is than me, I say I'm ready for something with a little more creativity and heart. Taylor always delivers. "Mine" is probably her best single to date and certainly helped her sell over a million records of her "Speak Now" album.....in the first week. Hate all you want, this girl is on fire.
1.
Eminem "Talking To Myself"
I've purposely posted the lyrics version of this song above. Please read them. This maybe my favorite Eminem song EVER. It just kills "Love the Way You Lie", "Not Afraid", and even "No Love"....though "No Love" is by far the climax to "Recovery". I can't get over how after having one of the worst albums of 2009, "Relapse", Eminem would come back and dominate rap in his own way. This song should be a single and I'm praying he releases it as such. The lyrics are haunting and 110% honest. "I've turned into a hater, I've put up a false bravado" and
"So I pick up myself off the ground and fuckin swam before I drowned
Hit my bottom so hard I bounce twice suffice this time around
It's different them last two albums didn't count
Encore I was on drugs, Relapse I was flushing em out
I've come up to make it up to you no more fucking around
I've got something to prove to fans I feel like I let em down"
All fans needed to hear was this. Once he did that and announced he's cutting the stupid accents, we got behind him again. "Recovery" happens to also be my 2010 album of the year and with good reason. Eminem put a lot of thought and heart into this album, and there's no shortage of it in any song presented.
