Bedizen Brigade

The Streets - Everything Is Borrowed

2008-09-15T19:42:00.000-07:00

Album: Everything Is Borrowed

Second single off his forth (and most mature) album. He can only get better and better. Throughout the recording process, Mike Sinner made it known that he dropped from sampling loops to using live instruments. The hymn-like chorus glazes over the song very well.

Gorillaz - El Manana

2008-09-14T00:41:00.000-07:00

Album: Demon Days

It was since this album that got me hooked on the Gorillaz. The keyboard + strings interlude is absolutely glorious.

The Cool Kids - What It Is

2008-09-11T04:40:00.000-07:00

Album: The Bake Sale

It's unapologetic, minimalist hip hop. This duo really reminds me of Clipse but less "drug pushing" and more "partying". The lyrics are aimed perfectly for the career-less, financially unstable youth. Like me.

Vapnet - Hall Ihop

2008-09-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

Album: Nagot Nytt Daligt Har Hant

Can someone who speaks Swedish translate this? What a catchy song. The chorus is sung unconventionally, yet familiar at the same time. Oh, and it also features Jens Lekman

Andrew Bird - The Happy Birthday Song

2008-09-09T06:06:00.001-07:00

Album: Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs

This song may not be the best representation of Andrew Bird, but it shows what he does best. He is a minimalist, and on this particular album, a multi-instrumentalist. Violin, vocals, guitar, whistling, he does it all. You have to bear the first few minutes of this song as it aggrandizes into an incredible finale. A sadder, but great "Happy Birthday" alternative.

Ted Leo + Pharmacists - Me and Mia

2008-09-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

Album: Shake the Sheets

Pop rock at it's best. Although he has millions of great singles, I think Me and Mia edges them all to take first place.

Death From Above 1979 - Black History Month

2008-09-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

Album: You're A Woman I'm a Machine

Too bad this duo broke up after just one full length record. (remixes don't count). They actually make the bass and drum combination work, and the energy they put into their shows is like no other. This track is about moving away from the city to the suburbs and loosing all the things that you held dear to. Tragic, but oddly dance-able.

Bloc Party - Trojan Horse

2008-09-01T18:45:00.000-07:00

Album: Intimacy

They really tried with this album. The band really put effort into evolving as opposed to producing the same sounds that made them famous in the first place. Many write them off now as being too experimental. You have to hand it to them, their music may not jive upon first listen, but it does grow on you. This track hits the climax at the 2:19 mark.

Brendan Benson - What I'm Looking For

2008-09-01T02:04:00.000-07:00

Album: The Alternative To Love

Nothing flashy. There is a few good rhythmic changes mid-chorus if you can spot it. But simplicity makes way for lyrics to shine and Brendan just confesses his utmost inner insecurity with life through this song.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

2008-08-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

Album: For Emma, Forever Ago

The recording is not fully polished, and that's was so great about it. The beauty of the song's imperfections. You can still hear the squeaks when the fingers slide between frets, or the imbalanced volume of both vocals and guitar. This guy/band is blowing up huge, and for good reason.

Devotchka - The Winner Is

2008-08-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

Album: Little Miss Sunshine (Soundtrack)

Having heard this song for the first time, my mother turns to me and says "When I die, I want you to play this song at my funeral". No joke.

Santogold - Lights Out

2008-08-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

Album: Santogold

The opening chords are so sinister, yet the song is very upbeat. Santogold's voice makes the song unique and all the more enjoyable.

A Tribe Called Quest - Find A Way

2008-08-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

Album: The Love MovementFind A Way touches on all the subjects on the insecurities of romance. Whether it is the jealousy of another's boyfriend, the signals we emit when flirting, or whether or not the pursue of love is worth it's consequences. Not to mention, the music is great as well.

De La Soul - It's Like That

2008-08-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

Album: The Grind Date

To be honest, I've always thought De La's lyrics were a little weak. But on this track, the beats are undeniably amazing. The keyboard and bass plays on the offbeats which makes it so unconventional. Many people overlook such subtitles that makes a song like this one great.

Bloc Party - Banquet

2008-08-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

Album: Silent Alarm

They were England's answer to Franz Ferdinand. They were one of the best at melding dance and rock. This was quite easily the best album of 2005.

Badly Drawn Boy - A Minor Incident

2008-08-22T21:06:00.000-07:00

Album: About A Boy (Soundtrack)

So what if Badly Drawn Boy is now churning out lackluster albums. We always have this one to remember him by. The entire soundtrack is a classic from beginning to end.

Phoenix - Consolation Prizes

2008-08-21T22:08:00.000-07:00

Album: It's Never Been Like That

They play great upbeat music. It's this feel-good, dancable rock that makes you want to round up your friends and party in the living room. Think Razorlight meets Hot Hot Heat.

The Streets - Turn The Page

2008-08-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

Album: Original Pirate Material

This is the first track on the album, and already, singer/rapper/talker Mike Skinner sets the tone of what it's going to be like: Grand, smart, ambitious, and reflective. It's got all the qualities of an artist desperately trying to break out. If I were to walk into a fight, it would be to this song.

Interpol - Specialist

2008-08-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Interpol EP

I heard this performed live once on television, then I went scrambling through my previous Interpol albums only to find out that it's not on there. You can only find it on their EP, which unfortunately, did not get much attention. Like every Interpol song, it's dark, mellow, and oddly, slightly optimistic.

The Roots - Dynamite!

2008-08-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

Album: Things Fall Apart

How chill is this track? The guitar plucking delivers the perfect rythem that dances around ?uestlove's straight hitting drums. The most incredible part though, is the a running double bass that persistanly continues throughout the entire song.

Big Wreck - That Song

2008-08-17T04:25:00.000-07:00

Album: In Loving Memory Of

This is by far, one of the best singles of all time. Right when the sticks hit the snare to kick off the track, a flood of perfect chords will spew from your headphones/speakers. The song itself is about one's emotional attachment to a song. How original is that? A song about songs.

Consequence - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

2008-08-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

Album: Don't Quit Your Day Job

This song was originally to be in Kayne's graduation album, but instead was passed on to Consequence. It certainly is a song that motivates. Whenever you're down, this is the single that can certainly pick you up. In fact, the entire album is about discovering your true calling while trying to make a decent living. I'm sure it identifies with a lot of people.

We Are Scientists - After Hours

2008-08-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

Album: Brain Thrust Mastery

After watching the trailer to the new Michael Cera movie, I remembered how much I like We Are Scientists. This single certainly has anthemic potential. It's not fancy, the strumming is not original, the beat pretty much remains unchanged, but the plea-like vocals make the song a memorable one. There is also a slow building crescendo from beginning to end. Simple yet really enjoyable.

Jakob Dylan - Everybody Pays As They Go

2008-08-13T19:06:00.001-07:00

Album: Seeing Things

"Oh, isn't he that guy from Wallflowers?". Yes, but this album takes a different approach. Almost all his tracks are stripped down to just acoustic guitar and vocals. I'm a sucker for male + female vocals, and this one certainly takes the cake.

The Last Shadow Puppets - Meeting Place

2008-08-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

Album: The Age Of The Understatement

Something about this song that's really romantic. It's like a classic Sinatra tune, with edge, and less showy. I knew it was special right when the violins trinkled in. The guitar strumming complements the tune well, but the best moment is the additional 45 second violin outro. Beautiful.

Lil Wayne - Dr. Carter

2008-08-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

Album: Tha Carter III

This Swizz Beatz produced track takes hip hop back to it's roots. Jazz music infused with metaphorical rhymes. It's like listening to a good episode of ER. Best lines:

Respect is in the heart.
So that's where i'ma start.
And a lot of heart patients don't make it.

Girl Talk - Still Here

2008-08-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

Album: Feed the Animals

Best part of the song: Kanye's Flashing Lights meets Blackstreet's No Diggity

Shak K - Compromise

2008-08-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

Album: The Old Prince

This guy needs more press! Opened up for Common, and Lupe. His lyrics hits deep with the struggles of retaining integrity in this absurd world. Wait for the female vocals to kick in during the chorus, its flawless. The Compromise beat is re-used a year later by NAS for his remix to Be a Nigger too.

Brendan Canning - Hit the Wall

2008-08-11T22:28:00.001-07:00

Album: Something For All Of Us...

This single is a force to be reckoned with. Driving beat, lingering bass, muddled guitars, a perfect formula for the ultimate power pop song. A perfect example of a beautiful mess. Already makes the list for best single of 2008.