The Top 10 Songs of 2010 (with Notes!)

10. Jonsi-Go Do - Sigur Ros' lead singer unloaded this single at the beginning of springtime as the city thawed out, and everything started to come back alive.  Running to this supplied that much needed breath of fresh air, as everything bustled back to life.  "We should always know, that we can do anything" was the perfect line to carry me to the next level out of the winter doldrums. 



9. Sleigh Bells-Kids - "Crown on the Ground was already taken by last year's list, but this one does not disappoint. Whether it's in the preshow mix, or in the middle of your run, this song (and most Sleigh Bells) is a kick starter. Forget kindling, let's go straight to the dynamite. Jay-Z beats,* Jack White guitar riffs, and Gwen Stefani chants come together for a powerful amalgamation of sound. (*Admittedly, these beats are probably nothing like Jay-Z's, I don't really even know what constitutes a "Jay-Z beat," but I do know that he is the coolest, and so are these guys, so there).


8. Kanye West-Power - This year was truly the "Rise of Rap" for me. Definitely not because it's better than in years past, but I finally cracked the mold with some really good artists who are crossing genres to create new masterpieces. This one falls into my favorite category of rap: the kind that could provide the soundtrack to an NBA highlight reel. Empowering, motivational, and inspiring. I want my rap to do what LeBron did to Cleveland in his return to Quicken Loans...blow the roof off the place in the face of adversity (Sorry for bringing up LBJ in Cleveland, Greg).



7. Titus Andronicus-A More Perfect Union - An American of an anthem as there ever was.  Over the top with references from the Boss, the Pledge of Allegiance, and "Glory Glory Hallelujah," does it get more American than that? Well, maybe the video does...and maybe our annual July 3rd bash does too, but this will be a welcome addition to the U.S.A. mix in years to come.



6. Neil Young-Love and War - It's rare an artist lives long enough to look back on the predominant themes of their career and recap them.  It's also rare that a 59 year old man survives a brain aneurysm and goes on to create some of the most relevant music of his 40+ year career.  This is an honest reflection of the two themes that have dominated Neil's (and mankind's for that matter) existence.  This all encompassing ballad cuts to the core of our existence over the last few thousand years.



5. Roots ft. John Legend-The Fire - At our annual July 3rd Bash, my friend Dave was playing some songs late night on my IPOD and I came back in the room and took the helm.  He declared:  "If you are going to change this, you had better play to the best song I have ever heard.  So I put this song on, and no one was disappointed.



4. Sufjan Stevens-Impossible Soul - This one has an unfair advantage. Where "Flash Delirium" by MGMT seemed like 7 songs in one, this one ACTUALLY IS. Clocking in at over 25 minutes, it eats up an entire side of the two disc vinyl, and will easily carry you the distance on a 2-4 mile run. It runs the gamut of sounds, from folk, to space rock, to hip hop, it's all there, and in my mind, it all symbolizes what Stevens' was facing in making this album. After it's release, Stevens admitted that a neurological disorder all but shut him down in the time between Illinois and All Delighted People.  Listening to this track, I feel it is a symbol for Sufjan's life before the disease ("Impossible soul..." part), the disease taking him over (the female vocals that creep in during part two), Sufjan being completely suppressed by the disease ("Stupid man..." autotuned section) and the triumphant overcoming at the climax ("Boy, we can do much more together...IT'S NOT SO IMPOSSIBLE!").  Excessive?  Yes.  Could ANYONE else pull this off?  NO.  Sufjan Stevens is a one man Radiohead.

3. LCD Soundsystem-Dance Yrself Clean - Just be patient with this one.  The madman who hooked jumper cables up to your chest may lull you to sleep, but he will shock the shit out of you at the 3 minute and 10 second mark.  A great track to ease your way into a run, then explode when you hit your stride (whether you're ready for it or not).




2. Black Keys-Tighten Up - I honestly could listen to this song on repeat for a week, and the breakdown in the middle would never get old.  This as gnarly as when Jack White kicked the door open on the Raconteurs' "Consoler of the Lonely" with "IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN ACCOMPLICE..."  There's a murky sounding breakdown, and in stomps a riff and tom-tom drums that just light up the room.  My buddy Dan, who's a hip hop producer heard this song for the first time a week ago at a bar, and said "I don't even know this song, but I know THAT IS A SWEET RIFF."  The title is ironic, because this song couldn't get much tighter. (Hilarious video too):




1. Arcade Fire-Sprawl Pt. II/Suburban War - Whew.  Here we are.  Just like last year, I couldn't pick just one.  Luckily on the vinyl, due to time constraints on the sides of an album, this two songs ended up next to each other in the running order (unlike the CD or .mp3 version of the album), which made all of the difference.  Arcade Fire are a double edged sword, with the pop synthesized aesthetics of Will Butler and Regina Chassagne, and the apocalyptic intensity of lead singer Win Butler.  These two songs personify those elements of this epic band.


The Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) is a pop masterpiece, channeling Blondie's "Heart of Glass," it shimmers and shines as Regina twirls ("Of course she twirls!" my friend Katie exclaimed at their Lollapalooza performance). The song subtly builds through various points of restraint, and when the synths kick in full effect at it's climax, there's no way to stop going with a smile of bliss upon your face. While running, I am often tempted to give other runners high fives as I pass them, especially if they are out in extremely miserable conditions, just a small dose of positive reinforcement to help them push through a little more. I have never had the guts to do it, but in the new year, I hope to start. No song will make me want to high five more people out of excitement than this one.

Suburban War is the foil to Sprawl II, especially when lined up immediately after it. As the album closer (not counting the exhale of Suburbs pt. II), it takes on greater significance, and immediately resembles Radiohead's The Bends closer "Street Spirit (Fade Out)," as an eerie, minor-keyed, apocalyptic look toward the future.  It threatens annihilation throughout, with various rises, and the truth pours out: "Now the music divides, us into tribes.  You choose your side, I'll choose my side."  I won't go into what happens after that, I would rather you go for a run and experience it yourself.  I will tell you it involves 2 drum kits, 3 guitars, 1 organ, 2 violins, and your heart racing two feet in front of your body while your legs fight their hardest to catch up to it.

Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - UNSTAGED - Live @ MSG - 1080 HD from Théan Slabbert on Vimeo.

Time for a run.