TOP 100 SONGS OF THE 2000's (79-70)

The 2000's are really one of the best eras to be in musically. Of course both the very wise and the very ignorant will argue against this statement, but no other point in time before this has it been both so easy to create music and share it with the world, and so possible to have it sound like whatever the hell takes your fancy.

I've always described the 2000's as an amalgamation of all of the best parts that have come before it. Whether it's fashion, design or music, all of it cuts and pastes from trends of the 60's, 70's, 80's and (thankfully least of all) the 90's. However due to the wonderful power of hindsight, we can trim off all those ugly fads that took the world by storm when we knew no better, and what we're left with is the best of the best.

And what better way to celebrate the versatility of this great time we live in (creatively at least), than to count down the top 100 songs of the 2000's.

100 - 90
89 - 80

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NUMBER 79


Streets On Fire - Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco is one of those artists that tends to get thrown into a group of rappers that he really doesn't belong to. While others are content to cover the undeniably important issues of how the "bitches" love them, or the extent to which they are "fo' real", Lupe's work has always possessed a bit more depth. Streets On Fire is a really good example of this, a down-tempo and atmospheric orchestral track, with a undercurrent of electronic and percussion elements. Lupe raps about a horrible calamity that has befallen society; whether this be a fictional future event or a commentary on the current state of corruption in the world is left up to how you wish to interpret the song. Either way, as soon as the song begins you can just hear how much quality is in the song compared to most Hip-Hop, the whole album follows suit as well.

NUMBER 78


Always Like This - Bombay Bicycle Club

British Indie band Bombay Bicycle Club released their exceptional debut album earlier this year, sounding like an amalgamation of most of the best Indie bands you can think of, but with a unique quality to both their sound and songwriting that separates them from the rest. Always Like This is the second single from I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, which was produced by Jim Abbiss, the man responsible for both the Arctic Monkeys' and Kasabian's debut LPs, as well as Australian band Van She's exceptional first album, V.

NUMBER 77


Heartbreaker - Metronomy

Sounding like a fantastic combination of The Wombats, Klaxons, and Friendly Fires, Metronomy's lead single from their second album, Nights Out, is definitely a keeper. While instrumentally quite abstract and eclectic, the vocals have accessible indie qualities, singing of love lost, and the pain of a recent break-up. It's interesting to note how Metronomy have developed as a band, with their first album being completely instrumental, and relatively unknown, their new style has been welcomed with open arms by both critics and fans alike.

NUMBER 76


Uncle Sam Goddamn - Brother Ali

Brother Ali is a White Albino rapper from the United States, but you wouldn't be able to tell from his voice. Fitting in a niche of alternative American Hip-Hop shared with the likes of Atmosphere, Ali often raps about race and politics, giving off a Motown vibe in a big way. Uncle Sam Goddamn is a very critical appraisal of America and capitalist society in a larger sense. While it's incredibly common for bands to attack American society these days, it often comes across as pretentious and forced. Not so with Uncle Sam Goddamn, Ali's message really sounds like it comes from his heart and soul. So much so that he's run into sponsorship issues with a large unnamed corporation because of his "anti-patriotism".

NUMBER 75


Tessellate - Tokyo Police Club

Tessellate is the lead single from Tokyo Police Club's debut album, Elephant Shell. Mixing both Garage and Indie Rock into a very appealing package, and vocally sounding almost like a mix of Placebo and The Decemberists, Tokyo Police Club have a rather unique sound. Often writing about strange subject matters, including but not restricted to the inevitable Robot Uprising, apparently slated for the year 2009 some time (better get a move on), TPC offset strange lyrics with an incredibly punchy and succinct sound. Tessellate is no different.

NUMBER 74


All I Need - Radiohead

Radiohead need no introduction, widely believed to be one of the greatest bands operating at the moment, Thom Yorke tends to set as many trends as he breaks, not content to stagnate in any particular sound or genre. All I Need is from the latest album, In Rainbows, which Radiohead famously offered up for digital download for whatever you felt was worth paying. All I Need is one of the best songs on the album, and ranks pretty highly against their entire back catalogue as well. Down-tempo and filled with longing, a love letter to an unattainable object of affection.

NUMBER 73


Ride - The Vines

From The Vines' outstanding second album, continuing down the same road Get Free paved; filled with angst, noise, and youthful self expression, Ride is a two and half minute rock anthem that helped ensure The Vines' position as one of the greatest bands of the 2000's.

NUMBER 72


Something To Talk About - Badly Drawn Boy

Often incorrectly referred to as "About A Boy", Something To Talk About featured prominently in the only good Hugh Grant film ever made, which was actually called About A Boy. This acoustic and heartwarming track was definitely one of the highlights of the 2000's, accessible and memorable, Badly Drawn Boy essentially wrote a perfect indie-pop song.

NUMBER 71


Nothing But Green Lights - Tom Vek

If nothing else, you have to appreciate Tom Vek's incredible amount of style. Everything about this song is dripping in cool, with a funk infused electronic backbone, Nothing But Green Lights was probably one of the greatest songs nobody heard in 2005. Simple and and well executed lyrics wrap the whole thing up into an incredibly stylish package.

NUMBER 70


Changes - Van She

Van She are in my opinion, the greatest thing to come out of Australia in the last couple of years. Their debut album, mixing New-Wave, Indie, Rock, Electronic and all points in between was almost perfect, with every track having it's own identity and impossible quality that didn't wane throughout the whole twelve tracks. Changes is a catchy-as-fuck indie-scenester's wet dream, great; if somewhat hard to understand lyrics, handclaps and "whoa-ohs"; it has everything.


More tomorrow.