The Best Songs of 2007 - #20 - #16

Let’s keep this train moving:

20. “Mistaken for Strangers” by The National – This song seems to be about how people try to balance the rigors of an adult work life while trying to hold onto some sort of late night party life. Maybe I’m putting too much of myself into it, but that’s what music is supposed to do. Right? Songs can be great just on their own merits, but if you can pull something else from them, they are even more gratifying. Also, if you ever get a chance to see the National live, you should go. They put on a great show and their touring keyboardist/violinist/backing vocalist Padme Newsome practically steals the show from the “regular” band members.

19. “The Dress” by Blonde Redhead – There is so much fear and anxiety in this song that Blonde Redhead is able to capture so well sonically. This is a song about betrayal, but is the responsible party the singer or someone else? The tandem vocals by Kazu Makino and Amedeo Pace are simultaneously beautiful and unnerving. Other touches like the delay between the words “love you” and “less” and the breathing after the first chorus add to the tension. Simone Pace plugs away on the drums like a sinister clock, until the chorus, where adds a few skittish fills for atmosphere.

18. “80’s Life” by The Good, the Bad, & the Queen – I miss Blur. By that, I mean that I miss Blur with Graham Coxon. Think Tank was decent, but not the same. I dig Damon Albarn’s as an artist, but I really couldn’t get into the Gorillaz. However, Albarn’s latest project, The Good, the Bad, & the Queen (where he teams up with the Clash’s Paul Simonon, Simon Tong of the Verve, and Afrobeat legend, Tony Allen) is a great substitute. “80’s Life” is lovely mix of Northern Soul harmonies, plucked guitar, bar piano, and reggae bass.

17. “Tonite” by Jarvis Cocker – The “bah, bah, bah, bah” sample that starts the song and repeats throughout the verses is a wonderfully subtle hook. This is one of those “thousand stories in the naked city” types of songs that reflect on the events that are probably transpiring during any given night. This Jarvis Cocker being Jarvis Cocker and doing it very well. Of course references to drugs and sex make their requisite appearance, but there is a sense of mature observation present that separates this song (and album) from Cocker’s past Pulp work.

16. “Direct Hit” by Art Brut – I may not get any new Albarn/Coxon Blur albums in the foreseeable future, but this song nicely fills the void. The gnarly guitars and the sing/speak just screams Park Life/The Great Escape era Blur. This is a fun, wacky rocker about the insecurity and shyness involved when finding a stranger in a bar or club attractive. It should be noted that Eddie Argos reminds me of the kid that played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter movies.