Top 119 of 2009: Semi-aquatic Hits

Here you can get your very own 119, but they're also available from me at my house. If you are going to download it from here, you should use the labels and inserts I made to go with it. Sharpies are disgraceful to the 119's proud heritage.

7.3 hours, 661 MB

1997 – GRACE
I wasn’t going to start with this one, but it was too good not to include. Sung entirely by one of this young band’s three primary singers, it’s one of the more emotionally potent songs on this mix. Give it a shot.
1997 – WATER’S EDGE
THIS song, I was unquestionably going to start with. It’s like 5 songs spliced together, due to the group’s highly varied musical backgrounds. I’ve been addicted to it for months. Now close your eyes, and picture this mix cd starting with this song. See, isn’t that awesome?
30 SECONDS TO MARS – EDGE OF THE EARTH
No, they don’t have anything new. I just recently got their first album, from 2002 (see “Capricorn” on the 119 of 2003). It’s so much better than their 2006 one! This is a good crunchy rock song.
30 SECONDS TO MARS – FALLEN
As I listen to the verses, I can’t help but think “Who wrote these verses, Jared? One of your 15-year-old fans?”
Oooh! Burn!
Seriously, though, listen to the verses, if you dare. They’re completely idiotic.
But then the Gravity Kills-like chorus comes around, and rocks my brains right out, and the song is totally redeemed.
ALBERT HAMMOND – GFC
Former Strokes member does a decent solo job. This is very different from his band, and I like it in a different way.
ALL TIME LOW – DEAR MARIA, COUNT ME IN
You’ll wake up humming this punk number.
BEN FOLDS f REGINA SPEKTOR – YOU DON’T KNOW ME [EDITED]
My two very favorite indie jewish piano players join forces! Both of these guys are a little left of center, and this is a very interesting song. I clipped the naughty word just for you.
BLOC PARTY – I STILL REMEMBER
This is from their fantastic Weekend in the City. The whole album was so polished and penetrating, and this is a good indicator of the feel, if not necessarily the sound.
BLOC PARTY – MERCURY
This is the slightly odd direction they took with this year’s Intimacy. The whole album, like this song, only unsettles you. If you get past the repetitive beginning, it gets complex.
BOOM BOOM ROCKET SDTK – SMOOTH OPERETTA
I clipped this from a British podcast about video game music (don’t ask). I’ve never heard of this game, but this song intrigues me.
CAB – CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?
Just go ahead and try not to dance with them. They’re begging you!
CAB – ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS
This is another funky, produced jam, featuring Brendan Urie (the dude from Panic! At The Disco) and Patrick Stump (the dude from Fall Out Boy). You can instantly recognize each of them in their parts.
CAT POWER – WILLIE
A couple wanted this played at dinner at their reception. It’s very long and moody.
CHEVELLE – ANTISAINT
It’s Chevelle. Crunchy, kind of bitter, probably. You know them.
CHEVELLE – SAFERWATERS
More sweeping and epic than the previous. I think this is an excellent contestant for their best album.
COLBY O’DONIS f AKON – WHAT YOU GOT
Groovy. It’s produced enough that I think it will endure future listenings.
DANKO JONES – BABY HATES ME
Disjointed head banger. Trivia: did you know Danko is a verifiable music geek? He has his own radio show or podcast or something. He’s like me, except a rock star pimp with a broadcast.
DANKO JONES – TIME HEALS NOTHING
The most vengeful, insane revenge song I’ve ever heard, and may ever hear. Danko doesn’t do anything halfway.
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL – MATTERS OF BLOOD AND CONNECTION
Chris returned to classic emo form with this album, with pleasing results. This one won’t be pleasant to listen to if you’re a financially well-off poseur.
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL – SHADE OF POISON TREES
It doesn’t invite a singalong like his old ones did, but this is still one of his best and Dashboardiest.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – BIXBY CANYON
This is unapologetically epic, and deceptively slow. Descend with them into madness.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – GRAPEVINE FIRES
Another great blue-collar narrative from Death Cab. You don’t even have to listen to the words to weep in despair. The very notes communicate the disturbing transitiveness of life.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – LONG DIVISION
Hey, it’s a fast one! The chorus is, anyway. For Death Cab, this is turning it up to 11.
EISLEY – A SIGHT TO BEHOLD
So I admit that when I included these guys on last year’s list, I wasn’t really all that familiar with them. Now that I have listened to this superb album (Combinations), I couldn’t bring myself to remove any of these three songs. Eisley hardly ever resolve their chords in a satisfying way, and it’s unnerving.
This song, more than any other on this mix, is terrifying in it’s quiet power. Follow it to the end – you won’t be sorry. It’s giving me goosebumps as I write this.
EISLEY – I COULD BE THERE
This pretends to be some lighthearted tune you might hear in feudal Europe. When all the minor chords from the song’s second half hit, you’ll realize that these guys like to wrap their monsters in pretty packages.
EISLEY – MANY FUNERALS
This is the lead track from the album. Within the first minute, they’ve established what they’re about. Hear the song evolve in less than three minutes.
EMAROSA – HEADS OR TAILS? REAL OR NOT
My friend Jason tied me up and forced me to listen to these guys and it was pretty good. They certainly have a flair for drama, and the singer has got better pipes than you hear in most metal bands. The vocal acrobatics in this chorus are what got this song on the list.
FLOBOTS – HANDLEBARS
I listened not-very-closely to this on the radio, and thought it was kind of a funny song. Then I saw the video that likened the song’s subject to Bush 43, and the song became terrifying, as you follow the imagined growth of George’s hubris, from childhood to the worldwide apocalypse.
FLO RIDA – ELEVATOR f TIMBALAND
This is maybe my favorite new dance song of 2008. Everyone wants to hear Flo’s “apple bottom jeans song,” but I like this one better.
Timbaland knows how to reach the top of the charts…
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND – ALL HANDS ON DECK PART 1: RAISE THE SAIL
I heard about these guys in emo circles for some time, then saw them at Warped Tour 2007. They were good. Their latest release is some kind of nautical concept album (no, I’m not kidding). The concept doesn’t wear well over the better part of an hour. This track is my pick. It’s short and punchy.
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND – THE SWEETEST WAVE
The epic ending to their naval homage, about the return at the end of the voyage. It changes pretty dramatically every minute or two.
GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY. – ONCE MORE WITH FEELING
This guy’s music is so clear and so spare that you feel like you’re sitting in his U.K. living room while he makes something up for you. I think the ladies in particular will like this guy. He’s seriously charming.
GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY. – THE CHRONICLES OF A BOHEMIAN TEENAGER PT 2
This has a bit more drum machine on it. It’s like a Scottish “Postal Service” track. But even with the electronic backup, the album focuses completely on his unembellished voice.
GNARLS BARKLEY – A LITTLE BETTER
I listened to this on repeat more than once this year. This album, The Odd Couple, is now one of my best. This is a stirring, soulful proclamation of faith in personal triumph.
GNARLS BARKLEY – GOING ON
This is a rapid-fire, troubling goodbye song, of sorts. This, like the previous song, would have been on the 119 even if it was just 10 songs long. If you really listen to what he’s saying, you’ll realize why these guys are in a completely different league from the rest of the 2-dimensional hip hop industry. It’s heartbreaking, at the same moment that it’s danceable.
GNARLS BARKLEY – RUN
This is another great dance sound distracting from Cee-lo’s hopeless battle against the world around him.
GO! TEAM – FLASHLIGHT FIGHT
Great lo-fi, guest rapping with Ninja and her crew. I’m very curious where these kids are headed with this. Could they be the godfathers of my children’s hip hop scene? A genre can only survive so much homogenous fluff before it collapses.
GOLDFRAPP – HAPPINESS
She seems to be perfecting her craft with successive albums, instead of getting stale. This one will make you feel better, calmer.
HELLO SAFERIDE – 2006 [EDITED]
I got this enchanting EP, entitled Would You Let Me Play This EP 10 Times A Day?, from the Brazilian American-indie music blog that exposed me to a significant pie slice of the music I discovered this year. This is a great new year/love song. She’s a witty lyricist. No, I have no idea where she’s from.
HIVES – BIGGER HOLE TO FILL
These Swedes released the best album of their career, as far as I’m concerned, with this 2007 LP. They refined the Hives sound with tremendous precision, then unapologetically dumped it in your ears. 
HIVES – SQUARE ONE HERE I COME [EDITED]
I sang this one in my truck till I lost my voice. Seriously.
Have you heard a song that rocks more? There aren’t many.
This is another one that would have made it onto a regular CD year-end list, if the 119 had somehow become an 11.9.
This song was stuck in my head after Christmas, and made me laugh “You get what’s given to YOU!” Get it?
HIVES – TICK TICK BOOM
I think this was their single in 2007. Remember at the last song when I asked if you had heard a song that rocks more? This is definitely a contender. I want to see them live again so bad.
HOT CHIP – OUT AT THE PICTURES [EDITED]
These guys got a lot of buzz, and frankly, their album kind of sucked. This song, however, stuck with me like a pesky little brother. It changes a lot after 90 seconds, so don’t think that the first bit is representative. The rest will linger with you.
HUSH SOUND – HONEY
Hush Sound are deliciously retro, but without it being pointless and lame like an ordinarily throwback band (see the Pipettes, later in this mix, technically). They genuinely add to whatever genre this is. I wouldn’t necessarily call it swing. It’s just good pop with some strong swing values. I’ve been listening to this album a couple times a week for most of the year, and I think anyone who likes MUSIC will adore it. Who wouldn’t? The bridge in this one gives me goosebumps.
HUSH SOUND – LOVE YOU MUCH BETTER
I really wanted to give these guys three spots, as I got two of their albums this year, but there just wasn’t space (the 119 is extraordinarily lean this year). I love their uncharacteristically off-kilter chorus in this one. Clap along – you know you want to.
I’M FROM BARCELONA – COLLECTION OF STAMPS
Not from Barcelona at all, they sound like indie music for elementary-schoolers. That accent is also Swedish, in case you were wondering.
I’M FROM BARCELONA – MINGUS
While faster and more upbeat than the last one, this one is still somehow sadder. The mix, and randomly heavy ending, are great. This song was never in danger of being eliminated from the 119.
JAMES BROWN – GET UP I FEEL LIKE BEING A SEX MACHINE
Okay, “So I Married An Axe Murderer” is one of my favorite movies of all time. Near the end, there’s a scene when Mike Myers is moving his new wife’s lips for her, and says several things, including “Get on the scene – with the sex machine!” I could tell it was from an old song, but not one I had ever heard. Last year, someone requested it for their wedding reception, and I could tell pretty much right away what I was listening to. And it’s great! Enjoy the funk.
JENNY LEWIS – MELT YOUR HEART
These two are from the first of what is now two solo albums from the sultry singer of Rilo Kiley, featuring the Watson Twins, who now also have their own solo (duo?) album. This will drain the hope and joy from you like a needle to a waterbed. But it’s somehow cathartic as well, like good blues. As though you’re fortunate that you aren’t living her life.
JENNY LEWIS – RISE UP WITH FISTS!!
Wow, yeah, this was a really dark album. This has some great melodies and harmonies, and is really just a great musical achievement – in a “there’s nothing good left in the world” sort of way
KEANE – PLAYING ALONG
Okay, everyone made a big deal out of the new Keane this year (even if they didn’t play it on the radio). I got it, and while there wasn’t anything I necessarily disliked about it, it doesn’t ever really grab you by the collar and change you. This album, however, made a good pass at ambient Radiohead. I like the infrequent chorus on this one, which actually has a hint of Queen vocals, I think.
KILLERS – LEAVE THE BOURBON ON THE SHELF
Yes, the Killers have a new album! No, these songs are not from that album! (Stay tuned for next year’s list.)
These two are from Shadowplay, their B-sides and rarities release from a year or two ago. I like the dramatic changes about halfway through this song, toward its epic conclusion.
KILLERS – MOVE AWAY
I got this album from a music blog, out of curiosity, and expecting little. But virtually every track is excellent and polished, making this a better album than most of the full albums I hear. “Move Away” is particularly choice, with aggressive instrumentation and complex structure.
KIMYA DAWSON – TIRE SWING
I don’t know what genre you would call the whole Juno soundtrack, but it was all the same genre and nothing else would have fit. Kimya and the other half of the Moldy Peaches dominated, by far, and this was my favorite. It’s so quaint and simple, without being naïve.
LILY ALLEN – EVERYTHING’S JUST WONDERFUL [EDITED]
The two radio singles from the British queen of MySpace belie the somewhat vulgar and fierce album that they came from. Her voice is never not silky smooth, even when she’s tearing you apart. Luckily, this one (about trying to buy her first home, strangely enough) isn’t aimed at us. Of the whole album, this in particular should be played on some dance floors.
LILY ALLEN – TAKE WHAT YOU TAKE [EDITED]
Another very catchy, well-produced, vulgar indignation song – this time aimed at an old man that offers her some advice. You’ll probably be humming this tomorrow.
LOS CAMPESINOS – DEATH TO LOS CAMPESINOS!
Okay, like the aforementioned I’m From Barcelona, these guys have a somewhat deceptive name. They’re a Welsh indie band, and not even a tiny bit Hispanic (although I suspect the girl is American). But, while their music tries to be politically and socially incisive, it ends up just being a lot of fun. I love the imagery in this one, of playing with the change in the cash register so they can “smell and pretend like a robot.”
LOS CAMPESINOS – IT STARTED WITH A MIXX
Here’s a 90-second song about the 119! It pretty much tells the story, year after year.
I got their whole catalog in 2008: their good LP, and the two fantastic EPs that preceded it. Each EP had this song, but I picked this version because they allow themselves a little more emphasis on the ridiculous falsetto backup singers.
LOS CAMPESINOS – IT’S NEVER EASY, THOUGH, IS IT? (SONG FOR THE OTHER KURT)
What is there not to adore about this song? Listen to that bumpy beat, those violins, and whatever that other instrument is! The harmonies! You need some Campesinos in your life.
LUPE FIASCO f MATT SANTOS – SUPERSTAR
To be honest, I abhor Matt Santos and the other Maroon… 4, I guess. But I think this was some of the best hip hop I heard this year. I think this is one of the most sophisticated raps I’ve heard. I realized it when he rapped “I’m too uncouth.” Plus, it’s a good jam.
MAINE – WHOEVER SHE IS [EDITED]
A year and a half ago I heard these Arizona kids open for the opener for Paramore, and was blown away at their rock sensibilities. They were definitely pop punk, but they could peel the paint with their guitars (and amuse with their random Akon cover). Now, on their first full-length, they’ve become the Damnwells! (See 119s of Christmases past.) Even their older punky tunes have been reworked to dull the sharp edges, make it a hint more somber. And it’s nice for a slow afternoon, ripe for acoustic guitars and piano.
MAINE – YOU LEFT ME
This one is an awesome break from the rest of the album, a little more of a HelloGoodbye sound, with the heavily-synthed white boys singing their teenage drama song. You may start tapping your foot…now.
METRO STATION – SHAKE IT!
Super fun dance number (as you can see by the music video), along the lines of The Cab (above). These guys got a lot of hype in the last year, as well, if you noticed any CD endcap displays in 2008. I got this one on a request for a school dance, so I don’t know yet if the rest of the album warrants it; but in the meantime, I like to hear this one as often as possible.
MORNING OF – AN UNSEEN DIRECTION
Initially sounding like squeaky teen punk, it quickly shows greater complexity, Something Corporate-esque piano, and (you know I like it) the male/female harmony.
MORNING OF – THE SOUND OF SOMETHING SECURE
The same, but a little more dramatic, and with each singer now singing independent choruses at the same time. In the final 30 seconds they combine every element of the song thus far (which are many). Brilliant!
MUTEMATH – SPOTLIGHT
I heard this on the Twilight soundtrack (which, other than this track, Muse and Paramore, was as mediocre as I heard the movie was). But I really like the pace of this, as well as the Jamiroquai-style strained vocals that we occasionally get from this guy. A friend has told me that they’re known for their insane percussionist playing his insane percussion. You can hear it here.
NATASHA BEDINGFIELD f SEAN KINGSTON – LOVE LIKE THIS
You may not like Natasha Bedingfield, but you definitely don’t dislike her. At best, she’s a summer breeze, at worst she’s wallpaper. And Sean is such a nice young man that you wouldn’t mind him taking your daughter out. Put them together and you get a smooth, pleasant jam.
Spread it on your toast and enjoy.
OASIS – THE TURNING
Like so many other bands on this list, these guys just released the album of their career. As in, I really don’t like Oasis very much, but I thought this was a pretty kickin’ album. Every song had its own little world. This one is a good representation.
OCTOBER FALL – KEEP DREAMING UPSIDE DOWN [f HAYLEY WILLIAMS]
Okay, I admit that on one level, this song was a sneaky way to get Paramore’s Hayley Willams a fourth spot on the 119. But I like this guy and his desperate emo voice. And I like the call-and-answer guitar in the chorus. Even more, I like the message: that the things we want most are usually the opposite of what actually makes us happy. I’ve listened to this one a lot this year.
PANIC AT THE DISCO – SHE’S A HANDSOME WOMAN
Much like the Killers on their second album, the second dose from Panic has the  guys shed their “image,” their exclamation point, and their trademark audio schtick for more of the G-D-and-A guitar rock fundamentals. It’s not as catchy as all their old singles (I couldn’t hum any off the top of my head right now, not even this one!), but it has its place.
PARAMORE – MY NUMBER ONE
Doesn’t this one wail, unapologetically, from beat one? What a great rarity. I got it from a music blog, and heaven knows where it came from originally. I love the rapid verses and the onomatopoeia choruses.
This is Paramore’s third straight (and well-deserved) year of having multiple songs on the 119. They didn’t release an album in 2008, but they’re in the studio right now working on their third.
These guys are young enough that they still have many more years with which to disappoint me, wimp out, and break up, just like every other band I’ve liked this much.
PARAMORE – STOP THIS SONG (LOVESICK MELODY)
This one wails even more, from beat, like, negative one. This song ended Riot! if you got it from Best Buy or iTunes. Turn it up and feel that chorus thump your chest. I’ve heard this one live, and it sticks.
PARAMORE – STUCK ON YOU
I hunted this for a long time. It’s a cover of Failure’s only radio single! This faithful recreation is one of my favorite things: awesome bands copying each other! Some would question Paramore’s cred, but I have recordings of them covering Jimmy Eat World, the Foo Fighters, Sunny Day Real Estate (which cover I heard live), the Kaiser Chiefs, and Failure here. Their biggest influence is my own CD collection!
And it shows.
Also, I miss Failure.
PAS/CAL – YOU WERE TOO OLD FOR ME
One of a couple songs on here that were from Amazon’s free mp3 collection in 2008, I think this makes a fun quirky, disjointed indie narrative. It feels like it’s an actual conversation, which they just tried to set music to, after the fact.
PHANTOM PLANET – DO THE PANIC
One of the best albums of the year, and PP’s career best by a long shot. Their “I just got back from the dentist” vocals, combined with a subtle sense of humor and top-notch pop sensibilities and instrumentation deserve your nine bucks.
This song seems to want to be a “set dance” song, like the Hustle or the Twist, except they never really tell you what to do. That’s why it’s an awesome song, instead of a stupid one.
PHANTOM PLANET – DROPPED
Seriously rocking. Great dynamics. Turn it up.
PHANTOM PLANET – RAISE THE DEAD
I hope one day to blast this as I march in a Dia De Los Muertos parade, and maybe at my own funeral. It’s the most spirited tribute to the loved and lost that I’ve ever heard. The ruckus that they muster upon screaming the title line is awesome. If this doesn’t get your blood moving, you’re not listening.
PIPETTES – PULL SHAPES
Adorable British girls with cute stage names sing 2-dimensional ‘60s throwback love songs. This is the most charming of them. If you’re interested in the album, it’s all charming; but be warned – 45 minutes is a long time to listen to this kind of stuff.
PIXIES – BAILEY’S WALK
BAILEY!
Mark found me this old Pixies tune, and it won a 119 spot in one listen. If you’ve never listened to the Pixies before, it’s, um, different.
PLAIN WHITE T’S – SAD STORY
The T’s at their best – rocking it old-school, instead of ballading all over themselves.
PLASTILINA MOSH – TOLL FREE
Yeah, this bilingual Mexican electro-rap group is as cracked out as ever. I put this in to add some spice to this mix. ¡Que enchiloso! (Don’t worry, anglophiles: this one’s all in English.)
PUDDLE OF MUDD – PSYCHO
Surprised to find a Puddle of Mudd song on here? So am I!
When they got horrendously overplayed several years ago, I decided they were one of the most overrated bands of all time, and was not sorry when they disappeared without a trace.
Okay, so I have a thing where I make fun of all alt-rock promotional writing, which, as a rule, is required to say that their band, whether a local garage band of tone-deaf teenagers or a musclebound neckless grunge metal band, evokes Nirvana in some way. I laugh, because not one of them does.
But you can go ahead and chalk this song up to the Nirvana album that never was. Vocals, guitar, the whole package, could be one of Kurt’s best songs. The verses are a little silly-sounding (while still Nirvana-sounding), but quickly give way to the paint-peeling choruses. I’ve lost my voice singing to this in the car. Even if you’re not yelling with it, you’ll need to catch your breath when it’s over.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – MAKE IT WIT CHU
Another superb slow jam from the Queens, with just a hint of disco. As prolific as they are, and as consistently awesome as they are, you should probably expect to find them here every year.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – MISFIT LOVE
Unearthly groovefest.
RA RA RIOT – GHOST UNDER ROCKS
These guys were one of the best finds of the year. The music is just so grandiose, with a huge instrumental section (they’re a pretty large band), and chord progressions that are more epic than most bands are able to pull off on a debut album. Hear the strings set a suspenseful baseline, while the main and backup vocals wander all over the staff.
RA RA RIOT – TOO TOO TOO FAST
The slow dreaminess of The Rhumb Line is broken by this rapid-fire, tense number.
RACONTEURS – THE SWITCH AND THE SPUR
After an adequate debut, the Raconteurs are starting to figure out what they sound like. Apparently, it’s unabashedly western, and also somehow bluesy. This song is a great sample of the album’s love of bluesmen telling mysterious cowboy stories.
RACONTEURS – YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND ME
Less cowboy, more blues, White Stripes/Brendan Benson style. Great piano. Most bands would end their album with a track like this – the Raconteurs made it track 3.
REGINA SPEKTOR – BETTER
From one of the great artists of the decade thus far, this song makes me feel safe enough to cry on her shoulder.
If you compare her to any of the other piano-playing balladeerettes, you’ll notice right away how much her voice is just another instruments in the music (one of my favorite qualities in any artist, in any genre). Even words will morph into sound effects to blend with the song.
REGINA SPEKTOR – FIDELITY
Her delightful single from her breakout album. When are we getting another, Regina?
She says she comes up with a story about imaginary people, then writes a song about them. Each song is another story. Get more from this album on Mark’s year-end mix.
R.E.M. – ACCELERATE
Remember those like 5 songs from the last 25 years on which R.E.M. totally rocks, like a regular rock band? Well, here’s the sixth. Fast and relentless enough to play while street racing.
R.E.M. – I’M GONNA DJ
Yet another DJ reference on this mix, this final track from their latest album is a crazed 2-minute tribute to the necessity of a mighty music collection before death.
RIHANNA – DISTURBIA
I declare this the new best Halloween dance song in the world. (It’s also a great dance song for most other days of the year.)
This made-for-the-club hit was an add-on to her last album, as part of the re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad. A lot of artists are re-releasing their most recent album with added tracks or video, and I think it’s weird and unnecessary. But maybe the industry will sell me on it one day.
I already had the original album, and just bought this track by itself on Amazon. So, so much for their “sell Ryan another copy of the CD” idea.
SHINS – AUSTRALIA
As far as I’m concerned, Wincing The Night Away is the perfection of the Shins sound. They made a big jump, artistically, from their previous catalog, and it paid off bigtime. This is a great sample from the disc. Dig that banjo!
SHINY TOY GUNS – STARTS WITH ONE
No, these aren’t from the new album either (check next year). But I discovered this year, upon actually listening to the whole debut STG album, that it’s great! They undoubtedly have a flair for the dramatic, occasionally becoming so dramatic as to be schmaltzy. But at their best, they are the all-out electric rockfests that are included here.
SHINY TOY GUNS – YOU ARE THE ONE
One of their strengths is the male/female harmonies in almost every song. Both of their singers are strong vocalists. Unfortunately, as is apparently the case with every band that has female co-singers, there’s just too much drama and they go through girls like Spinal Tap goes through drummers (1997 is now on their third female vocalist of their short career.) So, Carah something-or-other, who gained some notoriety on her own part over the last couple years, has decided to strike off on her own.
In the meantime, enjoy some sharp Midwestern electronic europop.
SIMPSONS MOVIE SDTK – SPIDER PIG
Can he swing from a web?
No, he can’t.
He’s a pig.
SOUNDS – 24 HOURS
A brief, startling glimpse into a vulnerable side of singer Maja Ivarsson (you might have heard her singing for Cobra Starship back when they were a superband in 2006. The Sounds are her main group.). I’ve seen them live, and she could kick your butt. Seriously. You can see it in her eyes.
SOUNDS – SONG WITH A MISSION
This is that sub-3-minute rocker you may have heard on the radio. I think they’re polishing their sound. Pump your fist for the Sounds. They know what rock really is.
SPILL CANVAS – ALL OVER YOU
I listened to this whole album on the vague, indirect recommendation of their genre, and it was derivative and pretentious as heck. By the end, I wanted to punch that stupid pandering singer in his stupid pretentious face.
However, I unfortunately cannot deny the awesomeness of this pop-punk number.
SUBWAYS – GIRLS & BOYS
I love me some Subways. It’s hard to say whether the second album here is better than the first one, but it’s clearly more complex, polished, mature, and a little more furious. The main singer apparently did enough screaming while touring for this album (and not in the correct way), that he’s had to have his larynx worked on – despite the fact that this album has a lot more folk elements than their last one did. But just listen to all the different kinds of instruments, production, and chords in this one song. They’re headed somewhere, artistically.
SUBWAYS – MOVE TO NEWLYN
This easygoing lemonade-on-a-sunny-afternoon kind of song contains some of the best harmonies and lyrics that the Subways have offered us thus far.
TENACIOUS D – DIO
Actually a message to past-his-prime 80s metal legend Dio, I recently found this 100-second song on one of the mix CDs that the guys made me for my bachelor party… in 2006. (Sorry it took me so long to get around to listening to those, guys.) In context, I think the song is implying that, now that I am married, I’m “too old to rock, no more rockin’ for [me].” Ha! Behold my year-end mix: I am rocking more than ever!
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS – THE MESOPOTAMIANS
I couldn’t resist throwing this in, the fourth song from their masterful The Else to get onto the 119. This closing track presents the ancient civilization as a garage band that’s simply been invisible to the world for thousands of years. It’s complete madness, and catchy as heck. Get ready to learn the names of some notable Mesopotamians.
T.I. – LIVE YOUR LIFE [FEAT RIHANNA]
They did a live medley of this song with “Disturbia” at the MTV Video Music awards last year, well before this song had come out, and it blew my mind. I got this album the day it came out (for cheap, on Amazon’s mp3 store) and realized that I even like T.I., at least on a personal level. But I dub this the dance anthem of the year.
TING TINGS – GREAT DJ
If you’ve been around, you’ve heard a lot of the Ting Tings (“That’s Not My Name,” and “Shut Up And Let Me Go”), but you haven’t heard this one. Turn it up and sing with the chorus; you’ll catch on quickly. Nothing could have taken this song off this year’s list.
TING TINGS – IMPACILLA CARPISUNG
The singer chants in an inscrutable round with herself. Heaven knows what she’s saying, except the opening line/title. These guys are really different, which accounts for a portion of the hype they’re receiving.
TOKYO POLICE CLUB – CITIZENS OF TOMORROW
A hopeless lo-fi sound burst about the impending robot enslavement of 2009. Be forewarned!
TOKYO POLICE CLUB – JUNO
This is a lot more representative of their sound, from their fantastic Elephant Shell. A little bit Decemberists, a little bit Strokes, a little Death Cab, and quite a bit of something else.
TOMAYASU HOTEI – BATTLE WITHOUT HONOR OR HUMANITY
This is actually from the Kill Bill Soundtrack, I’ve just been passively looking for it for five years. I think it’s the best possible music for entering the scene, whatever that scene may be. Give it 19 seconds, then you may recognize it for its swanky coolness.
TYGA f TRAVIS MCCOY – COCONUT JUICE
The cousin of the guy from Gym Class Heroes made yet another anthem to actual coconuts for future generations. It’s got such a bumping groove that I can’t resist its powers. Gym Class’ McCoy makes a capable cameo, probably on his mother’s request.
U.N.K.L.E. f  JOSH HOMME – CHEMICAL
Techno legends UNKLE team up with the Queens of the Stone Age singer to make a creepy composition about the futility of trying to live life without pharmaceuticals.
VERUCA SALT – SICK AS YOUR SECRETS
In 2006, the Louis Post half of Veruca Salt (and her new friends) released another “Veruca Salt album.” I never got around to including a piece of it on the 119 until now.
I can perceive the old, electric-guitar creativity slowly drying up as the years go by. But I liked the old 90s feel of this one. The chorus is still completely VS, through and through.
WE ARE SCIENTISTS – AFTER HOURS
Somewhat electronic and very British. You’ll like it.
WE ARE SCIENTISTS – LET’S SEE IT
An awesome, groovy indie beat. Try to follow the meter of the verses, then rock along with the cool chorus.
WE THE KINGS – CHECK YES JULIET (RUN BABY RUN)
This is a really fun, teen punk song. I would have passed it up, but for the catchiness of the parenthetized title lyric.
WEEZER – EVERYBODY GET DANGEROUS
Weezer’s so-called Red is the best album they’ve released since Pinkerton, or at least Green. They care a lot less about hitting some sort of “sound,” and instead write whatever songs they (yes, all four of them) want to write and sing (I very nearly included “King,” written and sung by the new guy, whose name continually escapes me). The result is some very fun, laid back distilled Weezer. Delicious.
You’ll notice, if you’re very perceptive, that Rivers isn’t even doing all the singing on this one (I don’t think he’s singing the chorus at all). I like the message, and especially the “is it cool if we smash up this place?” interlude. What other rock band does that? (I’ll give you a hint: most of them can be found here on the 119.)
WEEZER – MISS SWEENEY
Silly office love song, from the “bonus” section of Red’s deluxe version, brimming with awesome generic office-speak. It’ll make you coo a little bit, and laugh quite a bit. I can picture the whole conversation, and I love it.
WEEZER – THE GREATEST MAN THAT EVER LIVED (VARIATIONS ON A SHAKER HYMN)
Epic as heck. What else could they have put in this song? Some kind of Vespers-style monk chant?
Oh, they included that too.

Did you seriously read all this? If you did, you should tell me, and we can geek about music.