Wednesday, December 26, 2007

The Best Music of 2007 - The Top 10

I've just made a queue of them on my Media Player. So here are my ten most-loved, most-played, most heads bobbed to-songs of the past year:

10. Stolen by Dashboard Confessional
So what if this is a departure from the acoustic set, and employs a full band? There's still as much emo going on as with their previous favorite, Vindicated.

9. Better Days by The Goo Goo Dolls
I do have a certain liking for songs that lead to a swelling denouement. This one starts mellow, wanting, and ends that way, swelling for a complete overture. Love it, and will always remember the nights I spent on a bus crossing Vietnam.

8. Last Request by Paolo Nutini
Yes, the "Breakup Sex Song" scores high on my list. Paolo Nutini offers much on his album, from drawls, to whispers, I hope he stays for some time.

7. Glory Days by Just Jack
A friendlier, more sober version of The Streets, I remember this song being played one late night on MTV - with changing shirts and easy beats, it was a late addition to summer soundtrack. Still, it was my wake up alarm - nothing says good morning like this song.

6. Wait For You by Elliott Yamin
Hands down my favorite American Idol contestant; and the only post-AI song that I liked. It's a great song with honest lyrics and a likable voice. He teams up woth Mary J. Bllige and Jason Nevins for some wicked remixes too.

5. First Time by Lifehouse
How can I resist Lifehouse? It's a happier, less somber new track and a world tour on the way. I do hope they swing by Southeast Asia.

4. Rescued by Jack's Mannequin
Though this should really count for last year, (Jack's Mannequin had 2 songs in the Top 20), this one takes the cake for 2007's cathartic expression of solitude. Look for the acoustic version.

3. Grateful by Julianne
The only OPM of this year, and well deserved it is. It's the lightest, feel-good song all through out 2007, and a much needed change from everything emo, R&B, and electronica. I remember listening to this song while walking on a peaceful late afternoon by the beach.

2. Starz In Their Eyes by Just Jack
You can so tell I loved Overtones. I repeat, it's a great, great album, though it feels like it's spoken word, but with lyrics that take on a skewering commentary like this, what's not to like? Plus, spins by Ashley Beedle, Trophy Twins and Boss Boss make this satirical ditty much more interesting.

1. My Love (Linus Loves Remix) by Justin Timberlake
Yes, Futuresex/Lovesounds was definitely one of the better releases of 2006 that carried over to 2007. Justin and Timbaland brings in their neo-R&B sound that makes the whole album interesting.

However, this win is not only for the duo, but for the remixer as well, Linus Loves. He cashed in on famous songs by Gossip, Mika, Jamelia and Kelis. Good dance music, and definitely one to be remembered. Wouldn't have loved My Love if not for this wicked remix.

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So that was my list, and do vote on the poll on my sidebar, I'd like to hear what was your song of 2007.

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Just to summarize my year-end countdown, here they are:

The Sign by Ace Of Base (1994)
One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men (1995)
Ooh Aah...Just A Little Bit by Gina G (1996)
Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind (1997)
Wishful Thinking by Duncan Sheik (1998)
You Get What You Give by New Radicals (1999)
2000
One More Time by Daft Punk (2001)
Yellow by Coldplay (2002)
Breathe by Michelle Branch (2003)
Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard (2004)
Hard to Beat by Hard-Fi (2005)
Move Along by All American Rejects (2006)
My Love by Justin Timberlake and Linus Loves (2007)

I'm still looking for the song from year 2000.
Friday, December 21, 2007

The Best Music of 2007 (Part 2)

Here's Part II of the list. Should've updated it a day ago, but what the hey. Let me take this time out that I wanted to include Daft Punk's Around The World/Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (live) to the list, but since it's not exactly a new song, I can't. On a related note, it is time to announce Kanye West's blasphemy for duplicating the song. Hehehe.

Drat, that song from Transformers almost made the Top 10. And yes, too much pop in here, I think.

11 Before It's Too Late - Goo Goo Dolls
12 Stay With You - Goo Goo Dolls
13 All Good Things (Come To An End) - Nelly Furtado
14 I'm Ready - Jack's Mannequin
15 All My Friends - LCD Soundsystem
16 Lying Is The Most Fun… - Panic! At The Disco
17 9 Crimes - Damien Rice
18 Clothes Off - Gym Class Heroes
19 Rewind - Paolo Nutini
20 Let Love In - Goo Goo Dolls
21 For You I Will - Teddy Geiger
22 Signal Fire - Snow Patrol
23 Disco Friends - Just Jack
24 Jenny - The Click Five
25 Til The Dawn - Dawn Sidora
26 Summer Love - Justin Timberlake
27 Do It - Nelly Furtado
28 Let Go - Boys Like Girls
29 Samson - Regina Spektor
30 It's All True - Tracey Thorn
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The Best Music of 2007

Hey hey! It's time for the best music (my list of course) of 2007. Which songs got overplayed in my music player, which ones were on constant repeat in my CD player, and ultimately, which song will remind me most of the year that was. Any ideas who the #1 song will be? Here is the rest of the list - I'll be flagging a song everyday until the new year (will be editing this post daily). In the meantime, here is the partial list. Do post a comment if you like any of them.

31 Typical - Mute Math
32 Here (In Your Arms) - Hellogoodbye
33 Fidelity - Regina Spektor
34 So Simple - Stacie Orrico
35 Beautiful Liar - Beyonce/Shakira
36 Rootless Tree - Damien Rice
37 Grand Canyon - Tracey Thorn
38 Whatever It Takes - Lifehouse
39 Just So You Know - Jesse McCartney
40 These Walls - Teddy Geiger
41 Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake
42 Tell Me Bout It - Joss Stone
43 1 2 3 4 - Feist
44 What Goes Around…Comes Around - Justin Timberlake
45 Walk Away - Funeral For A Friend
46 D A N C E - Justice
47 Apologize - Timbaland featuring One Republic
48 Face Down - Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
49 Lil Star (Linus Loves Remix) - Kelis featuring Cee Lo
50 Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5
Monday, December 17, 2007

Stupid ATMs Were Closed Over The Weekend

It had never really sunk in to me until I bought a bag. Or maybe the credit card bills haven't been forwarded yet. I'm going backpacking for 3 weeks and the day I leave is fast approaching. Most of the pertinent things have been taken care of, like a visa, and plane tickets, but I'm still scampering for accommodations in Sydney. Drat the hectic holiday season and peak travel times for Australia. Oh well, I'll find something - CouchSurfing, come to my rescue!

On my way to the loo, I end up buying a zoom lens for my camera. Let me calculate thate - if I use for 4 days, will get me views of a $200 seat for the price of $20...times four! Okay, so it's skewed reasoning, but it's the only monetary way I can justify the cost of the lens I picked up this afternoon. (Strange, I was Scrooging to avoid the 10-peso toll for lounge toilets, so I had to use the loo near the lens store. I save 10 bucks, but I get coaxed into buying the lens.)

Speaking of shopping distractions, I was looking for a dentist yesterday, and saw a large sign that said "CDs as low as 5 Pesos!!!!" Yes, I count exclamation marks. Like a moth to a flame, I swerve 3 lanes, at my personal risk, ire of other drivers, and possible apprehension by the MMDA. Of course the 5-peso CD was never going to by my taste, but I did find great bargains. The most expensive CD I bought was 150, with the cheapest being 50 pesos. It was a chance for me to collect the great electronica complations, and an opportunity to sample the newer indie artists introduced by the hit ex-show The OC. Here's a list:

1. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm Remixed and A Weekend In The City
2. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
3. The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
4. The Perishers - From Nothing To One
5. LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
6. Telepopmusik - Milk Angel
7. The Best of Moloko - Catalogue
8. The Best of Underworld - 1992-2002
9. The Best of Prodigy - Our Law 1990-2005
10. Thievery Corporation - The Cosmic Game
11. The Best of Basement Jaxx
12. The Best of True Faith - Memories Are Cheap

By the time my wallet was needing a refill, all the ATMs needed one too. Oh well. I'll hopefully last another weekend.
Thursday, December 06, 2007

Some People Never Learn

My stupid laptop crashed again. This time, she took no prisoners - all my photos are gone. All the music I had archived is gone. All the emails that I have saved for work are gone. And this stupid PC hasn't been with me for a year.

Folks, avoid the Compaq NC6400 like a rat-infested plague. It's a guaranteed lemon.
Monday, December 03, 2007

Busy!

Tsk. Gimme a few days to write a decent entry. Just been so busy - my "baby" is due this December, but alas, she will be finished on January. Busy ironing out all the kinks there.

Also been busy finalising all my plans for that Aussie trip - lucked out as all plane tickets (free ones) have been consumed. Must have to shell out major moolah to get to Sydney. Also, couldn't get a couch in Sydney!! Drat, double drat.

There. A few days - gimme a few days. Also, let me plug that there's a CouchSurfing party on Saturday, December 8. Hope to see you guys there.