#20: Amanda Stott- Homeless Heart (2005)
Stott got her start as a
country singer in 2003, but 2005’s pop-oriented Chasing The Sky proved
to be her breakthrough performance. This was the second single, but it was by
far the album’s best song. Beautifully sung by Stott, the song is very
uplifting and reassuring for the forlorn- in love or even in friendship-
displaying the kind of emotion that resonates deep. It’s a wedding day classic
for sure, but it’s much more than that, a song for friends as well- and in a
pop world where everything gets stale rather quickly, the ability of a song to
be more than it’s intended for means that much more, a feat far too few songs
manage to hit.
#19: Diverse f/Lyrics Born- Explosive (2003)
Chicago’s Diverse made a
career for himself in the underground world as “the anti-hip-hop star”, the one
who railed against “bling-bling” and personified the idea of “keeping it real”
better than many of his contemporaries. He charts here with a blistering single
with the likes of Lyrics Born, and while it may not be as deep as his other
works, it’s his most energetic and entertaining single, a hip-hop song that
works just as well as a dance song. As the first single off “One A.M.”, it’s
the kind of introductory single that gets noticed- and what an introduction
that is.
#18: Slick Shoes- Now’s The Time (2003)
If one ever wanted an example of how timing is everything
in the music industry, look no further than this song. Quintessential emo-punk
released well before the likes of Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance
dominated the charts, “Now’s The Time” from Christian punk outfit Slick Shoes
is full of energy and is incredibly catchy, and while it became a hit on the
Christian circuit, it didn’t hit it big on the pop charts simply because the
charts were not ready for their kind of music. It’s a shame really, because
“Now’s The Time” is proving to be the standard-bearer here- the perfect blend
of energetic, up-tempo punk that’s so catchy you’ll be singing along with it
for days. Hopefully the band can remerge within the next year or so, because
their time just may be coming.
#17: Disturbed- Prayer (2002)
“Prayer” was meant as a
conversation between Draiman and God in relation to his dead grandfather, but the
song is much more than that. Released in the midst of the one-year anniversary
of 9/11, “Prayer” is also a call out for those who suffered in the aftermath of
the U.S.’ greatest tragedy, in doing so becoming the anniversary’s unofficial
anthem. Fiery and emotional, “Prayer” is Disturbed’s best work- it’s their
deepest, most reflective piece yet, a song for the disaffected and
disenchanted. The song was also the first Disturbed song to be a lot more
melodic, relying on lyrical depth and musical melodies- rather than outright
“speed nu-metal” that defined Down With The Sickness- that set the band
in motion to be the pre-eminent metal band that it is today. It’s a pity that
the video- which featured an earthquake destroying buildings- was banned
(unjustly, I might add), because this was over and above the band’s best work,
but if Disturbed’s most recent work is any indication, it’s a plateau they can
hit again.
#16: Tory Amos- A Sorta Fairytale (2003)
Tori Amos is best known for
her dark piano ballads, establishing a long career out of enigmatic, ethereal
songs of which “A Sorta Fairytale” is the best. Featuring Amos’ signature dark
sound, “A Sorta Fairytale” is reflective and enchanting, a powerful single
that, despite its gloomy sentiments, is actually quite peaceful sonically.
Overall, it’s well-written, alluring and simply beautiful- and that is Amos at
her very best.
#15: Deric Ruttan- When You Come Around (2003)
Perhaps what defined
Bracebridge, Ontario’s Deric Ruttan the best was his emotion, and nowhere is it
clearer than on this song, about a man scorned by a wayward girlfriend. “When
You Come Around” is a well-written, scathing rebuke of a woman who’s lost her
mind, with the song’s energetic, up-tempo and very emotional tone creating a
piece that becomes a personal anthem for anyone who’s had their hearts broken.
Ruttan made a name for himself creating songs that at the same time very
personal but easy to relate to, and “When You Come Around” captures this
feeling perfectly.
#14: Cradle Of Filth f/Liv Kristine- Nymphetamine (2004)
Dani Filth described
“Nymphetamine” as a drug-like lust, with the word itself being a portmanteau of
“nymphomaniac” and “methamphetamine”, the drug used for “crystal meth”. The
song doesn’t disappoint. Musically, it blends the band’s signature symphonic
sounds (owing to Filth’s classical influences) with an enthralling blend of
invigorating, melodic metal, while vocally it combines Leaves’ Eyes’ Liv
Kristine’s enrapturing, sultry and smooth vocals with Filth’s gruff and chilling
growls, creating a beautiful contrast. This is, simply put, extreme metal at
its very best.
#13: Sleepthief f/Jody Quine- Eurydice (2006)
Sleepthief- the alter-ego of Southern California’s Justin Elswick- produced what is quietly 2006’s greatest debut single in “Eurydice”, a trance-po song in the style of Delerium and Air that leaves its contemporaries- and then some- in the dust. Upbeat and relaxing, “Eurydice” features Vancouver, British Columbia singer-songwriter Jody Quine’s calming but stirring voice complimented by a dizzying background of strings that produced the finest musical interlude heard in a while. If Elswick can keep this up, it won’t be long before he’ll be the one setting the standard in his own genre.
#12: Celebrity- Disconnected (2003)
If there is any justice in
the music world then Nashville, Tennessee’s Celebrity will one day make their
mark on the music industry. Featuring spellbinding, dark rock, Lovesick
was a rock classic begging to be heard, the best of which is encapsulated by
the emotive “Disconnected”. This song is catchy and enthralling, beautifully
sung by the haunting vocals of Lance Black, whose style echoes that of Dredg’s
Gavin Hayes, and, despite its simplistic approach, it features a
well-constructed, gloomy and complex sound. With a few more breaks, Celebrity-
who have the hit-making down to a science and have the interesting angle to
break out- will be a band to watch in the coming years.
#11: David Francey- Wishing Well (2005)
Where 2002’s Skating Rink-
the album whose title track lent itself to the introduction of what would be
the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in the 2004 “Hockey
Day In Canada”- was a work that mainly dealt with everyday life in Canada, 2004’s
The Waking Hour saw two-time Juno Award-winning folk singer/songwriter
David Francey broaden his sound by adding the instrumentation of Fats Kaplin and
Kevin Welch and broaden his horizons, commenting on political issues of the
day. Here, he takes a swing at the execution of Timothy McVeigh, the notorious “Oklahoma
City Bomber” that was the greatest terrorist strike in American history until
9/11. Written from McVeigh’s perspective, “Wishing Well” is reflective and
angry, as McVeigh condemns his Roman-style execution where the media circus
turned his death into entertainment. The Earthy instrumentation of the track
gives it a very personal element, and Francey’s expressive, rich voice captures
the anger beautifully. It is Francey at his expressive best, as his ability to
capture perspective is among the best in whole industry and keeps him as the
top-ranked artist he is.
#10: Nickelback- Photograph (2005)
It may be true that
instrumentation-wise, Nickelback don’t challenge conventions (even though they
don’t have to), but what really sets Nickelback apart from its contemporaries
is its lyrical depth- simply put, no act in modern rock comes close to matching
Chad Kroeger’s innate descriptive abilities, owing to the band’s country
influences. Nowhere is this clearer than in this song, which captures the
feelings one gets from obtaining the memories of looking at old photographs.
Reminiscing about things like the old arcade and skipping school, the song’s
acoustic feel gives it a personal tone, and Kroeger’s cheery feel- after two
straight albums filled with anger- was refreshing when the song came out and
still is today. There are those who will point to this song as proof that
Nickelback are no longer a “true” rock band and are simply a pop act in rock
musicians’ clothing, but this song is really about Nickelback progressing- they
couldn’t always be angry, and the descriptiveness that pervades their work
eventually lends itself to happier material such as this. Besides, the progress
has always felt natural, and that translates to continued success- and they
deserve it.
#9: 1 Giant Leap f/Maxi Jazz & Robbie Williams- My Culture (2002)
Where “Braided Hair” was the
Earthy, minimalist, tribal-styled gem, “My Culture” was a contrast, a complex,
effects-laden single that captured the diverse nature of 1 Giant Leap in one
whole song. Featuring Maxi Jazz and Robbie Williams singing lyrics about the
importance of knowing where you came from and overcoming obstacles, the song
captures the challenges the project entailed, and that is to expand the popular
music world and re-think conventions. 1 Giant Leap- and “My Culture”- is a
journey, and what a riveting one that is.
#8: Toby Keith- Whiskey Girl (2004)
This is Toby Keith’s greatest
moment. The perfect song for the open road, “Whiskey Girl” is invigorating,
edgy, rock-based country, being the ode to the partying girl that just makes
life easy. It’s also sung with that trademark Keith conviction that makes it
inescapable, giving it that anthemic feel that lends itself to timelessness.
Few artists make even a handful of songs that could be considered classics, but
Keith- who always feels like he truly enjoys what he does- simply has a habit of
doing so, and does not seem to be slowing down any time soon.
#7: Michelle Branch & The Wreckers- Rain (2007)
It’s more of a Michelle
Branch song than a Wreckers song- given that it’s solely Branch singing here-
but it’s credited to The Wreckers on the album Stand Still, Look Pretty.
In any case, it’s Branch’s deepest work yet, with the lyrics being a lot more
adult in nature- she even uses “s***” to end the second verse, and it’s not
forced- and also her most emotional, as one could even feel the tears coming
out of her eyes. The angry sentiment of the song gives it a very relatable
feel, which is Branch’s trademark- and the mark of great pop music. Branch may
have lost the spotlight, but she beats herself with every release. Given her
work has already been stunning, it’ll be interesting- and joyous- to see where
she goes from here.
#6: Death Cab For Cutie- Title & Registration (2005)
Before there was “Soul Body”,
Death Cab For Cutie’s first major-label single, there was “Title &
Registration”. Death Cab at its best, “Title & Registration” features Ben
Gibbard’s signature droning voice over top poignant instrumentation that gives
the song a very emotional feel, plus the lyrics- about an accident that results
in a death- makes the song bluntly personal. It also has that timeless element
that allows one to play it over and over again without stopping, a quality precipice
very few will ever reach.
#5: David Francey- Come Rain Or Come Shine (2004)
Many write wedding-day
classics, few actually achieve them, but none have ever come close to this song.
“Come Rain Or Come Shine”, off the enthralling, very natural Skating Rink
album from two-time Juno Award winning folk singer/songwriter David Francey, is
simply the greatest love song ever written- with a violin that exudes intimacy,
Francey’s powerful and emotive voice as well as lyrics that are extremely
touching, “Come Rain Or Come Shine” will melt even the coldest of hearts- and
is the wedding classic that beats all other classics combined.
#4: Green Carnation- Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness (2002)
Many acts claim to write an
epic, but “Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness” is the epic that ends all epics. At a
staggering sixty minutes and five seconds, “Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness” is a
symphonic metal experience dedicated to composer Tchort’s late son that takes
the listener through the cavalcade of Tchort’s emotions- relief, sorrow,
despair, bewilderment- through a riveting assortment of guitars and strings
that is moving and intriguing. To say it is ambitious goes without saying, but
at well over an hour, it puts all other epics to shame. It may sound taxing to
sit through one whole sixty-minute song, but “Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness” is
no ordinary sixty-minute song (if such a term could exist) and is an experience
well worth taking.
#3: The Never-Ending White Lights f/Dallas Green- The Grace (2006)
“Surreal” wouldn’t even begin
to describe the first single from the stunning musical project that is The
Never-Ending White Lights, the stage name of Windsor, Ontario’s Daniel Victor.
This string-laden production- complimented by Alexisonfire’s Dallas Green’s
melodic, booming voice- is ethereal and moving, the kind of mind-blowing music
that sets Victor apart from his contemporaries. “The Grace” is also lyrically
and sonically deep, and, despite its gloomy texture, can have a very therapeutic,
uplifting effect. Where many artists overuse strings and sound cheesy, Victor’s
music never comes overdone- it just comes out magnificently.
#2: Michelle Branch- All You Wanted (2002)
“Rain” may be Branch’s
smartest, deepest work yet, but “All You Wanted” still remains her catchiest,
most invigorating single yet. “All You Wanted” combines the simple pop
sensibilities with a complex and dizzying array of guitars that makes it
inescapable, with Branch’s reflective tone giving the song a very personal
feel. No artist has combined depth, complexity and catchiness at quite the same
level as Branch has here, giving the Sedona, Arizona product her magnum opus-
but given her talents, it won’t be long before she eventually tops even this
song.
#1: Jason Mraz- The Remedy (I Won’t Worry) (2003)
Surprised? Don’t be. At the
end of the day, when I picked this list I recalled one particular song that
never, ever left my head, even years after I first picked it up, and often
without ever thinking about the song beforehand. That is the textbook
definition of catchy, but there’s more to a great song than catchiness- and “The
Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” has all the elements of a pop classic: lyrical depth
(it’s Mraz’s reaction after learning of a friend who was struck with cancer),
breezy, simple arrangements and a feel-good vibe that’s impossible to ignore.
It’s the perfect summer song, the quintessential pop song, the pop standard-
and the best song of the past five years.
-DG