The Best Songs of 2007 - #25 - #21

More, more, more…

25. “Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors” by Editors – Granted this is one of those bands that sprung up in the last five years that is heavily post-punk influenced, particularly by Joy Division, but like Interpol, they do it well. Tom Smith’s voice is really effective and I think that this is a very moving song.

24. “Crossing Line” by The Sea and Cake – Here’s another song with a great vocal performance. Sam Prekop sounds pretty smooth and sexy here. I love the “doo-oo-oo-yeahs” and that buzzy guitar is just killer.

23. “Selfish Jean” by Travis – Right out the gate, the first thing I noticed was the “Lust for Life” drum intro. Not that that’s a bad thing, but I can’t help but think of Iggy Pop when this song comes on. Fran Healy’s vocals are the polar opposite of the Stooges’ frontman’s, though. I kind of lost track of Travis after The Invisible Band didn’t win me over, but this song is great. There’s lots of wonderful imagery here like “chocolate biscuits wired to a car alarm.”

22. “Four Winds” by Bright Eyes – That Conor Oberst! So political! So angsty! A Generational Spokesman! Though he sometimes causes my eyes to roll uncontrollably at times, he can still write and perform a damn good song and this is one of them. I also like the video’s take on the whole Dixie Chicks “Shut Up and Sing” theme.

21. “The Heinrich Maneuver” by Interpol – This probably one of the strongest tracks on Interpol’s third and weakest album. Carlos Dengler and Sam Fogarino remain one of the best rhythm sections working in rock music today and I think Interpol would be half as good without them. This is also one of Paul Bank’s better vocal takes (I like the way he sings “My God!”).