10 Favourite New Tracks of 2007

So my friend Aaron introduced me to the idea of a listening party the other day, the way that he usually goes about this type of party is to invite a bunch of people over and have them each pick a track that they have, that they just love. Well to add a little bit of zest to the concept he added the requirement that it be a track that you heard in the last year that you just absolutely had to share with the group, something you couldn't stop enjoying it, but that you had only heard in the previous year.
I decided to take it a step further and give it a top ten feel. Haha. Basically I've been a music junky and have had tons of time over Christmas break and have actually been able to listen to a ton of music. If you want to listen to any of these songs, go to projectplaylist.com and check 'em out. These tens tracks are not the "best of" anything, but they are my ten favourite new tracks of 2007. So, in no particular order I give you my 10 favourite new tracks of 2007, enjoy:

Hustle Rose
Artist: Metric
Album: Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
Year: 2003

This track takes a little time to get into, just because it starts off pretty slow, but if you love a breakdown as much as I do you will quickly fall in love with this song. This song has three different movements and an awesome end that you just cannot stop, so enjoy the rock with this track.


Hang Me Up To Dry
Artist: Cold War Kids
Album: Robbers & Cowards

Unfortunately I do not own, or possess this record, however, a friend of mine played me this track and I fell instantly and deeply in love with it. It doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard, I mean obviously it has roots in blues, but its not just one blues artist, but the entire genre that they incorporate, but not rip off. This song from start to finish just kicks serious ass.



Lose My Head
Artist: Damien Jurado
Album: I Break Chairs
Year: 2002

When I first heard this song I was driving up to Chicago, on my way to college, so... well, pretty much anything would have become instantly sentimental in that moment (it did), but this track in particular sticks out to me because of its drive, its... urgency. Usually Damien Jurado is much more Iron & Wine ish, but on this album, which his completely electric album, Damien Jurado just kicks ass – as much as any mellow indie rocker can.


Upward Over the Mountain
Artist: Iron & Wine
Album: The Creek Drank the Cradle
Year: 2002

Before I listened to this song I had really only heard Iron & Wine's cover of Such Great Heights (from Garden State) and after hearing this song I had all but forgotten about such great heights. Upward Over the Mountain has a very dulled drive to it, like listening to hard blues late at night while the player is trying not to wake the neighbours. It has an amazingly addictive lead part, good build ups, and perfectly strange lyrics.


Helena
Artist: Nickel Creek
Album: Why Should the Fire Die?
Year: 2005

This song is so unique not only in its execution but also just in content, it doesn't sound or feel like anything else you could possibly listen to. This song, when you compare it to Nickel Creek's first album – which was my experience – is absolutely mind blowing. Starting off rather slow you might expect it to stay pretty simple, but this song has the crescendo to end all crescendos. Its flawless in its execution, and really makes you have to take a look at the little bluegrass band known as Nickel Creek.


Hallelujah
Artist: David Bazan (Written by Leonerd Cohen)
Album: Live at the Grey Eagle: Asheville, NC 11/04/07
Year: 2007

This is a song that David Bazan has been performing for, I think, a year or two and has changed notably since the last time I heard it. Listening to this song is like listening to a lover talk, every time they stop speaking you seem to miss their voice, David Bazan's voice is at its best in this track, filled with grit and longing you can't help but feel it when he screams "with nothing on my tongue but hallelujah!". This song will be making an appearance on David's upcoming record, which is supposed to be out sometime this year, but I'm not sure an album version can compare with this live version. Check out http://davidbazan.com/ for a copy of this live show, you will not regret it.


Stray Dog And The Chocolate Shake
Artist: Grandaddy
Album: Sumday
Year: 2002

Just generally weird, Grandaddy takes very simple lyrics and makes them work with really well crafted instrumental parts. This song's hook is this really addictive synth part which just won't quit.... so if you're not into that kind of thing, this is not the song for you. However, if you love quirky indie rock, then check out this track its pretty sweet.


I'm Always In Love
Artist: Wilco
Album: Summerteeth
Year: 1999

When you first start this track you just hear that noise... that piercing synth which continues throughout the entire song. Admittedly this song holds a special place on this list because it was the first Wilco track to attract my attention, so its like.... the key hole to a new found love of Wilco. So whatever your opinion is on which Wilco album is best, or which one is the black sheep, I personally hold Summerteeth as my personal favourite, not best, but favourite, because it was my first Wilco love.

Come Downstairs and Say Hello
Artist: Guster
Album: Keep It Together
Year: 2003

This track starts with maybe the best line ever "Dorothy moves to click her ruby shoes with dark side of the moon"... so great. This track starts off very slowly, but you notice a subtle build starting from the very beginning, but about half way through the chord is strum and it goes into build up overdrive, and it just starts building and building and finally explodes into maybe one of the most satisfying break downs ever. The track goes from slow to just pure enjoyment. Definitely high on my list because I can't ever get over how much I like this song. You should also check out Guster's Ganging Up on the Sun album... its pure magic, its everything I've always wanted to hear.


California
Artist: Rogue Wave
Album: Descended Like Vultures

This song... man, where do I even begin? First of all it is written like a piece of symphony music, with layers of acoustic goodness. Once the vocals come in you will be floored by its sheer... otherness. It is unlike anything I have heard in modern rock music. With the reverb and the melody line that Zach Rogue hits you cannot help but equate it more with bollywood than contemporary rock. This song is the perfect combination of bitterness and longing with the opening "screw california" you hear Rogue's almost nostalgic dislike. Its perfect. As much as I don't want to choose a best, I will say this is definitely my favourite new track of 2007, just because of how unlike anything else it is.