40. Camera Obscura — “Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken” — I was a few albums late to the party, but I loved Camera Obscura the moment I heard the church-organ-turned-pop-instrument intro on this entry. And I loved Tracyanne the first time I heard her voice a few seconds later.
39. Neko Case — “I Wish I Was the Moon” — Wise-beyond-her-years lyrics combined with a voice that we should declare a national treasure (contrary to a common misconception, Neko is American, not Canadian).
38. The Killers — “Human” — A song so good that it only has to sort of make sense (“Are we human/ Or are we dancer”). Almost certainly the best song ever to be in heavy rotation at American Eagle Outfitters.
37. Iron and Wine — cover of The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights” — Sometimes recordings featuring one guy in a soundproof booth with a simple tape recorder is all that’s needed to achieve greatness.
36. Cat Power — “Where is My Love” — Sometimes I decide to get my act together and be happy. But I just can’t give up Cat Power tracks such as this one, which suggests that you’ll never be more alive than when you are extremely depressed.
35. Bruce Springsteen — “Land of Hope and Dreams” — “Big wheels roll through the fields where sunlight streams …” This is the most romantic song ever about farming.
34. Nicole Atkins — “Maybe Tonight” — With a great voice and fast-paced, catchy instrumentation behind her, Nicole and her band make romanticism rock.
33. Belle and Sebastian — “Funny Little Frog” — B&S makes incredibly cool songs about being incredibly uncool. Case in point.
32. The Wallflowers — “Sixth Avenue Heartache” — A catchy tune, sure. But I heard a slowed-down cover by a female vocalist on a TV show recently and it showcased how great the lyrics are, too (although I still don’t understand that part where it sounds like the line is “just like green beans”).
31. Smashing Pumpkins — “Today” — The Pumpkins deliver a great message about living in the moment but also being excited about the future (“Today is the greatest … Can’t wait for tomorrow”). Paradoxically, it’s one of the most nostalgic-sounding songs I can think of.
Comments
40. one of my favourites of theirs
38. SO GOOD! it’s based off a piece by Hunter S. Thompson. people find the phrasing odd. i don’t. “human” and “dancer” are categories. i really don’t understand the confusion. anyway, Thompson claimed that the next generation is a generation of dancers. in that, we are not conscious of that which is around us. instead… we are concerned with mass consumption and are only concerned with self indulgence and being entertained.
37. you just gained a lot of respect from me.
36. she’s cool# Posted By chance | 8/1/10 2:39 PM
The lyrics of “Human” aren’t confusing, it’s just that they are weird. I did not know it was a Hunter S. Thompson homage. I’m kind of disappointed to know that Brandon didn’t come up with it himself. On the other hand, it adds extra depth and meaning to the song because you can dig into its literary roots. Come on, you knew I’d have “Such Great Heights” on there since “Garden State” is my No. 1 movie of all time.# Posted By John Hansen | 8/1/10 10:43 PM
I love Such Great Heights! Another discovery from a great soundtrack, The Garden State. I could listen to that CD every day. Every song is amazing, and it has Simon & Garfunkel’s Every Living Boy In NY that you listed already.# Posted By Danielle | 8/3/10 9:52 PM
I managed to limit myself to four entries off the “Garden State” soundtrack in my top 300. I am proud of the restraint I showed.# Posted By John Hansen | 8/4/10 2:25 AM