Tobedawg's Top 100 Alt/Indie Tracks of 2004

[tobedawg]

I'm going to post 20 Tracks from the chart EACH day from now until Friday..


Alright here it is...

#100 -- A Band from Sacramento, CA who's name sounds like a punctuation error.. A couple of members of the band used to be in a Hardcore band called "Yah Mos".. BUT after the demise of "Yah Mas", they went on to form this little group which has been compared to THE RAPTURE (who was on last year's Top 100 with "House of Jealous Lovers").. They released their album "Louden Up Now" back in June.. # 100 is by the band !!! (pronounced chk-chk-chk-) with "Hello! IS this Thing ON?"

#99 -- These Wild Aussie Boys were touring earlier this year with those other wild aussie boys of the band JET (who are on the Year End 100 TWICE).. These guys though haven't been on the Top 100 since 2002 when they scored big with their debut single "Get Free".. Their sophomore album flopped badly but they did manage to make my Top 100 with their single "Ride".... THE VINES..

#98 -- Probably the most popular Aggro-Rock/Rap band around.. They haven't made a Year-End top 100 since 2001 (I'm not really a fan of theirs) but this song which doesn't really sound like them and their Anime Video for this song landed it a place on the top 100.. Their latest album is a mashup record with Hip-Pop mogul, Jay Z.. This one comes from their 2003 album "Meteora" and is their ONLY Track on the chart.. Linkin Park are at #98 with "Breaking the Habit" ..

#97 -- Zack Braff's Movie "The Garden State" was pretty big this year and is actually coming out on DVD tomorrow (Dec. 28).. The movie's soundtrack featured bands like the Shins (who have 2 songs coming up on the chart).. but it is this artist who's album came out 2 years ago, that got revitalized with this movie.. The song was used in the trailer for the film and at appeared at the very end of the film.. The chill-style trancy beats and the emotional singing style of Imogen Heap (who had a solo single with "Come Here Boy" back in 1999) made a splash back in September.. Frou Frou is at #97 with "Let Go"

#96 -- Electronica made a comeback this year! Thanks to artists like The Sounds, The Killers, and Franz Ferdinand (who ALL have songs on the chart)... The band at #96 has 2 songs on the Top 100.. One from their 2002 release "Danse Macabre" and this one.. They are also one of two bands on the 100 from the land of Omaha, Nebraska (the other band is 311).. The song at #96 comes from their album "Wet From Birth" which was released back in September..
The Faint with "Dissappear"..

#95 -- Prime-Time WB Teen Dramas can do alot for music.. In the late 1990's the television show "Dawson's Creek" gave us many soccer-mom rock music staples.. Also, The TV show "Roswell" helped propell Dido into the mainstream and The TV show "Smallville" helped Remy Zero to semi-breakthrough in early 2002.. This band from New York actually broke in 1996 with the single "Popular".. This year though they released a whole new album which had tracks that were played on the newest show featuring minty-fresh upper-middle class white kids called "The O.C.".. The band Nada Surf is at #95 with "Inside of Love"...

#94 -- George W Bush may have been the inspiration for many songs on this year's Top 100 (Green Day's "American Idiot" for example) BUT he was NOT an inspiration for the name of the group at #94.. There was a bit of a mid-1990's revival going on this year, and these guys from Seattle, Washington were very much a part of it.. Releasing their new album, "Love Everybody" on an indie label and embarking on a small club tour.. #94 is by The Presidents of the United States of America with their song "Some Postmas is Grooving'"

#93 -- Here's the only other band from Omaha, Nebraska.. A song that was featured on a soundtrack featuring Island/reggaepopish infused covers of 80's songs.. "The 50 First Dates" Soundtrack.. Only certain artists should be able to cover certain other artists and this horrible passionless cover of The Cure gives me all the more reason to wish for this rule.. 311's "Love Song" is at #93.. Don't Worry Cure Fans, THE CURE has 2 songs that will be featured later in the top 100..

#92 -- These Aussies had a song on last Year's Top 100 called "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?".. This year they have a song on the top 100 called "Cold Hard b**ch".. By Jet

#91 -- The Woman at #91 is a woman that has earned some cred in Modern Rock.. She has worked with 2 of the biggest egos in the genre.. Courtney Love & Billy Corgan.. This Canadian was in both the Smashing Pumpkins and Hole before embarking on her own solo career and released her 3rd album, Auf Der Maur, earlier this year, Melissa Auf Der Maur is at #91 with "Followed the Waves"

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Part II: #90 - #81

#90 -- This song was a Big Hit on Rock Radio this year.. and the propel this band from Nu-Metal Hipster status to Big Name Rock Band.. Their 2nd album, "Start Something" actually got "started" because of this song, The Lostprophets are at #90 with "Last Train Home"..

#89 -- Seattle, Washington.. The city that brought us "grunge" and Starbuck's, also brought us the indie band Sunny Day Real Estate back in the 1990's.. In 2002, Jeremy, Nate, and William from the band, formed a new band called "The Fire Theft" and late last year released their self-titled debut album which featured the song at #89, "Chain" by the Fire Theft..

#88 -- Just when you thought dork/quirk rock band, They Might Be Giants were doomed to a life of making children's albums, they come out with an exciting new album called "The Spine".. and an EP Called "Indestructable Object" which brought us the tune at #88.. From the Boston, MA Band They Might Be Giants, "Am I Wrong?"..

#87 -- I really despise MTV2 Subterranean VJ, Jim Shearer.. The guy should be hosting TRL and not a cool hip show like Subterranean.. He strikes me as the jock guy that kicked your ass last week, and decided that he wanted to be "cool" and listen to your music the next.. with that vent done, The video for this song landed at #5 on the Subterranean Top 10 of 2004, which isn't band for a band from the same state that brought us ZZ Top and The Bush Family.. From Dallas, Texas, #87 is The Secret Machines with "Nowhere Again"..

#86 -- Propelled to commercial success thanks in part to the O.C, this band was only ONE of the bands that Ben Gibbard fronted that is on the Top 100.. The Postal Service is still to come.. Their CD, "Transatlanticism" was released last year and spawned 2 tracks that are on the Top 100 of 2004, the first one is at #86, Death Cab For Cutie's "The Sound of Settling"..

#85 --- That bloke Mike Skinner A/K/A: The Streets has 2 songs on the top 100 of 2004 as well.. This one is a ballady track featuring Chris Martin from Coldplay.. (Coldplay have NO Songs on this year's chart).. "Dry Your Eyes" by the Streets F/Chris Martin.

#84 -- Maynard James Keenan has earned cred on many levels, all the while pissing off hardcore TOOL fans who are yelling and screaming that they want a "New Tool Album".. so what does Maynard do? Release a New PERFECT CIRCLE album.. AND Not just any Perfect Circle album.. A Politically charged album with cover songs of protest songs.. Among them is the cover of John Lennon's "Imagine".. A Perfect Circle. "Imagine" is at #84..

#83 -- Jenny Reid, Blake Sennett, Dave Rock, and Pierre De Reeder make up the band Rilo Kiley who formed in 1998 in Los Angeles.. This year, their album, "More Adventurous" made many critics' Top 10 "Best Albums" lists.. Hopefully this will spell a breakthrough for them in years to come.. Rilo Kiley is at #83 with "Portions for Foxes"..

#82 -- The band at #82 broke up earlier this year, BUT Aaron and Molly went on to form a new group called A-Bomb who are more electronic infused, upbeat, and energetic as evil.. Their former band though, played a show at the Mainzer Theater in Downtown Merced earlier this year and will be remembered as one of the big draws.. New Bethel is at #83 with "The Ticket" from their album "Inside the Blue Vera".. Definately worth checking Out!

#81 -- Speaking of Local Music, these guys played at the "Very First Seventh Gathering of Goodness" last May.. Their album, "Hopalong" which was released in 2002, is on indie label "Sweat of the Alps".. Built Like Alaska are at #81 with "Thinkfast"..

PEACE!

[tobedawg]

#80 -- The only Sweedish act on the Top 100 are The Hives.. Their new album "Tyrannosaurus Hives" was released earlier this year which was actually their fourth full-length album.. #80 is "Walk Idiot Walk" by the Hives..

#79 -- The very much long awaited "To All Five Borroughs" came out last Summer to much praise from critics... The Beastie Boys have been around for almost 20 years and they still know how to make a flow.. (especially in this day in age of artists like Lil' Jon and Ja Rule who's claim to fames are to see who can shout the loudest or sound the most like the Cookie Monster).. The Beastie Boys -- "Triple Trouble" (the first of two songs by the Beasties)..

#78 -- Wha? Wha? ELTON John put out a new CD this year? Yep! Elton John's CD release this year was called "Peachtree Road".. BUT, this isn't about Elton John, it's about a band that put out a song that SOUNDED alot like Sir Elton.. (The good Sir Elton tunes before he sang to cartoon lions).. The question is what do they have in common with The Beastie Boys, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes, Sonic Youth, and the Sounds besides all being on the Top 100? They are all from New York City.. The Scissor Sisters with "Take Your Mama"..

#77 -- 2004 was the year when the U.K. music scene made a very welcome comeback! Snow Patrol, The Streets, Keane, later in the year, Kasabian.. The band at #77 has been making music together since the guys in it were 13.. They have gone through many names like The Gothic Plague , Rocket Baby Dolls, and Fixed Penalty.. In 2000, they had a minor hit with "Muscle Museum" but it wasn't until the 2003 release of their album "Absolution" that they finally got the credit that was overdue.. #77 is Muse with "Hysteria" (the first of Two songs by Muse)..

#76 -- Band breakups this year weren't as popular as band reunions, We had the Pixies, We had Motley Crue.. But on the breakup side we had Creed (which was long overdue), & these guys from Vermont.. Unlike Creed though, they had crowds of thousands attend their final shows back in August.. Splash on some Patchouli Oil, put on your hemp necklace, and slide on your Birkenstocks.. #76 is Phish with "The Connection"..

#75 -- 2004 was indeed the Year of the Elphant.. Gus Van Sant's film, "Elephant" was released on DVD, the political party of the Elephant, the Repubs won more control over our country, and the band from the same city as Kid Rock and Jack & Meg White had a minor breakthrough with the song "Misfit" .. by Elefant ("Elepahnt" coincidentally was the name of the White Stripes' 2003 album?!) hmmmm..

#74 -- "Space.. The Final Frontier." Trekkie fans and Scifi geeks celebrated this year as seasons of the original "Star Trek" and the "Star Wars" trilogy were released on DVD.. Sci-fi geeks who happened to be fans of Ben Folds were especially happy this year as their Captain Kirk not only put out an album called "Has Been" but did a cover of a song by the U.K. band Pulp with Ben Folds.. "The Common People" by William Shatner & Ben Folds is at #74..

#73 -- It's about time! These guys are finally up for a Grammy! Best Alternative Rock Album! Although their CD leaked on the internet early amidst mixed reviews, Jeff Tweedy & Wilco have walked the walk! After 10 years, it seems to finally be paying off.. Wilco is at #73 from their album, "A Ghost is Born", "I'm a Wheel".. This is the first of Two Wilco Songs on the Top 100..

#72 -- Originally released as a B-Side to their single "Electrobix", this Wicked Technoy cover of Pink Floyd gave us something to laugh with this year.. The Scissor Sisters -- "Comfortably Numb"

#71 -- Speaking of cover tunes, this song has been covered by The Clash, The Dead Kennedys, and even Bryan Adams.. Originally recored by the Bobby Fuller Four.. This year though, Berkeley, CA band Green Day released it as an online only gift to fans, Green Day's cover of "I Fought the Law" is #71..

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Part II:

#70 -- I was truly bummed about the cancellation of Lollapalooza this year! No Morrissey, No PJ Harvey, No Sonic Youth, and No Polyphonic Spree.. Yes, I know, they may dress like they are in a religious cult, or the Partridge Family times ten, but they do know how to harmonize and have a really unique, spiritual, upbeat message.. "Light and Day" by The Polyphonic Spree is #70..

#69 -- Jumping right into the Kool-Aid bowl, #69 is a song called "Agenda Suicide" by the band, The Faint.. Although the album "Danse Macabre" was released in 2002, it took awhile for this tune to get exposed and build.. Had most Modern Rock fans not been so fixated on Aaron Lewis' wailing into the microphone maybe we wouldn't be having this conversation now? Wai..What's that you say? You think that "Faint" is just a Linkin Park Song?.. Bleh!

#68 -- Call them legends, Call them the band that Nirvana ripped-off, call them OLD.. BUT, Sonic Youth has been making music since before many nu-modern rock fans were put on the pacifier.. Their latest album "Sonic Nurse" was sort of a comeback.. It's been 4 years since "A Thousand Leaves: NYC Ghosts & Flowers"
was released, Sonic Youth's "Unmade Bed" is #68..

#67 -- What does this band have in common with Men at Work and INXS? You'd think by listening to them that they would have more in common with Jar Jar Binks on Speed (AKA: AC/DC) but the track at #67 actually slows it down for Australian band JET.. "Look What You've Done"..

#66 -- Rich kids from New York City who's folks had the money to finance their rise to fame!! It also helped that Modern Rock (at the time of their breakthrough) was consumed by the likes of Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, and Creed.. This band doesn't really have a big "We worked hard and were junkies" story to tell and actually their sound is instantly recognizable by older Modern Rock fans of that of Television or some Velvet Underground, but their songs are just sooo damned catchy! The Strokes are at #66 with "The End has No End".. There is still one more track on the Top 100 by them.. Coming Soon! (or later)

#65 -- "HEY DUDE! PLAY "SUMMER OF 69!" " It's shouts and taunts like that will earn you an instant refund and shown to the door at one of this guy's concerts.. Talk about tempermental.. Mr. Personality's album "RockNRoll" was released last year, but we still felt the aftershocks earlir this year.. Former Whiskeytown frontman, Ryan Adams is at #65 with "Burning Photographs"..


#64 -- So, they played at the Mainzer last Christmas.. Her and her band, Concrete Blonde.. Who will be forever remembered as the "band that sings that "Joey" song about the alcoholic".. Sad indeed.. Their career included classics like "God is a Bullet", "Tomorrow Wendy", and "I Don't Need a Hero".. Johnette Napolitano also had a couple of projects post-Concrete Blonde and last year did a solo track for the "Underworld" Soundtrack.. "Suicide Note" by Johnette Napolitano is #64

#63 -- Many good independant films were released this year.. "Napolean Dynamite", "Open Water", "The Motorcycle Diaries", and for those that still have mullets, The Metallica Movie where you can watch the band whine and cry about how hard life is being millionaire rock stars with subpar talent.. The band at #63 were in an indie film this year in a sort bit about the Tesla-coil (No Metallica fans, we aren't talkin' bout the band that covered "Signs"), The White Stripes are at #63 with "(I Just don't Know) What To do with Myself"..

#62 -- A Band from the land that brought us Sheena Easton, The Bay City Rollers, and Scrooge McDuck.. (okay maybe not a whole hell of alot).. Aren't Groundskeeper Willie & Big Fat Bastard from "Austin Powers" Scottish too? This band has managed to land 3 songs, effectively tying them with Green Day for Most songs on the top 100, in the Top 100.. Franz Ferdinand are on Fire this year, "This Fire" is #62..

#61 -- First they embark upon a tour, then they are on the cover of "SPIN" Magazine, then they release a whole new single.. 2004 was a good year for the PIXIES.. "Bam Thwok" is #61..

[tobedawg]

#60 -- Maybe sounding like Classic Rock Icons, Rush is what this band will be known for in years to year? But Coheed and Cambria actually claim to be influenced by punk legends, Bad Brains.. Their album "3" spawned the single "A Favor House Atlantic" by Coheed & Cambria

#59 -- Currently Director Tim Burton is working on a remake of "Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" which will star Johnny Depp as Wonka, but the ditty at #59 by a Seattle group that toned it down was from Burton's movie "Big Fish" released late last year, Pearl Jam's "Man of the Hour"

#58 -- There's an interesting story in the new issue of SPIN Magazine about Frontman Jeff Tweedy's 9 year old son's musical aspirations... Wilco is at #58 with "Theologians"..

#57 -- The U.K. has been exploding with good music this year! Not since the mid-90's Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Radiohead-infusion has The U.K. music scene had as much impact as it does now!! (if you want to count those gawdy Spice Girls, but I'm talking about GOOD U.K. Music).. The first of two tracks by Snow Patrol is at #57, "Spitting Games"..

#56 -- Yee Haw!! Coming at us from Greenville, Texas is Ben Kweller.. A jem in the indie music scene who broke with his 2002 album, "Sha Sha" and the single "Wasted & Ready".. He also had a brief stint touring with Ben Folds and Ben Lee.. Ben Kweller's "The Rules"..

#55 -- U.K. electronica artist Faithless released his take on the state of the World and the War on Terror with this track.. A song that cites "Halliburton, Enron, BBC-One, etc".. Faithless' "Mass Destruction"

#54 -- Louisville, Kentucky.. There ain't much there.. But the band My Morning Jacket hails from there.. Formed in 1998, they have released a total of 5 albums.. The track at #54 comes from 2003's "It Still Moves".. The lead singer, Jim James, sounds like a young Neil Young.. My Morning Jacket's "One Big Holiday" is at #54

#53 -- Berkeley, CA is a city that voted over 90% for Presidential Candidate John Kerry this year.. Not very surprising, since it has housed a very historical political movement AND a punk scene that is unbeatable anywhere else in the U.S. former Gilman Street alums, Rancid are at #53 with "Red Hot Moon"..

#52 -- Courtney Love released an album this year but the single "Mono" failed to make the top 100, however, Courtney is racking in the dough thanks to the release of the new Nirvana box (oh, Frances Bean is actually getting that money.. I didn't know she changed her name to "Heroin").. Anyway, Contract Killer, eh hem! Ms. Love decided to finally make a deal with Krist Novoselic and the lead singer of the band at #52, The Foo Fighters' cover of Prince's "Darling Nikki" is at #52..

#51 -- Coming from the same country that brought us "Lucky Charms", Sinead O'Connor, and U2, Dublin, Ireland.. The Thrills mellowed us out last Spring with "One Horse Town"..

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PART II: THE HALFWAY POINT!!!

#50 -- Halftime Show: Scott Weiland is exposing his breast again! DAMN! (Dude.. You are NOT at #50)..
The band ACTUALLY at #50 comes from Sveeden.. OR should I say Sweeden! but formed in New York City in the late 1990's.. Their sound is very retro/new wavy and the female frontwoman has gotten compared to Deborah Harry from Blondie.. The Sounds with "Living in America"..

#49 -- Nominated for "Rock Single of the Year" at the Grammys, Velvet Revolver is at #49 with "Fall to Pieces".. the band features former STP frontman Scott Weiland and members of Guns N'Roses and punk band, Wasted Youth..

#48 -- Viva Las Vegas! We go out to the Desert for the track at #48 and the band that was influenced by the Smiths, New Order, The Cure, and Oasis.. The cool thing is though.. That you can ACTUALLY hear the influence in their music and they don't just "throw names out".. The Killers are at #48 with "Mr. Brightside" (the first of two Killers Songs).

#47 -- Did anyone go to Coachella this year? Well.. The band at #47 didn't play there.. BUT they had a tour of their own launch in the summer, The Beastie Boys are at #47 with "Ch-Ch-Check it Out"..

#46 -- We go to the place with a funny name, Yeovil, England and check in with a Woman that has been making music since the early-90's when her album "Dry" created a major buzz.. PJ Harvey is still all the rage and her track "The Letter" is more proof of that..

#45 -- We stay in the jolly old U.K. and get served some tea and scones by "Mr. Belvadere" and check in with the band, Keane and their track "Somewhere Only We Know"..

#44 -- This band absolutely fascinates me! They started their career by releasing songs on cassettes during the 1990's and gained a huge underground following... The Mountain Goats are at #44 with "Palmcorder Yajina"..

#43 -- The band at #43 got sued by a U.S. Government agency.. Well.. Sort of.. The U.S. Postal Service gave Ben Gibbard's band The Postal Service a "cease and desist" order on the use of their band name, BUT then backed off.. The band, The Postal Service is at #43 with "Such Great Heights".. A song that was actually on the top 100 of 2003, still continued to make a splash in 2004!

#42 -- The band at #42 continued to explode in 2004 with the release of their 2nd full-length album, "Antics".. It also helped that they had a prime-spot on the Curiousa Tour lineup, Interpol's "Evil" is at #42.. There will be one more little Interpol Ditty on the 100 somewhere?!?

#41 -- Named one of the Most Interesting people of 2004 by a magazine (I forget which one), but things seemed to look up for the Modern Rock legend at #41.. His album, "You are the Quarry" was released to critical acclaim and he got a spot on the Lollapalooza line up (if you can get over the whole "Cancellation" thing).. Morrissey's "First of the Gang to Die"..

40 More songs left!!

PEACE!

[tobedawg]

40 To Go..

TOP 100 Part IV...

#40 -- What can I say but this band is legendary.. This year they proved just how immortal they truly are as they launched their first festival-style tour which featured artists like The Cooper Temple Clause, The Rapture, and Interpol.. The Cure are at #40 with "Alt.End".. The first of two songs by those gloom-cookies on the Top 100!

#39 -- With the addition of Ex-Pumpkins guitarist, James Iha for their album "The Thirteenth Step" this band showed that they were truly a force to be "reckoned" with.. A Perfect Circle is at 39 with "Outsider"..

#38 -- All you blokes will know what "fit" means in the U.K. Don't'cha? Cause if ya don't this U.K. rappster will spit it for you.. The Streets' "Fit But (my gosh don't) You Know It"..

#37 -- From Albuqurque, New Mexico, we have the band, The Shins at #37.. Their album third album, "Chutes Too Narrow" was released late last year.. Critics have gone as far as calling the Shins this "generation's Simon & Garfunkel".. "New Slang" by the Shins is #37.. (the first of TWO Shins Songs)..

#36 -- Jack White From the White Stripes said "Knock YA Out! He's Gonna Knock Ya Out!".. Their album, "Pawn Shoppe Heart" may have been arguably one of the best albums of the year, but this band really couldn't get past the whole Jack White knocking out lead singer, Jason Stollsteimer thing.. From Detroit, MI, The Von Bondies' "C'mon, C'mon" is #36.

#35 -- We travel now to Georgia to check in with some Modern Rock legends.. Their CD "Around the Sun" was released earlier this year and Michael Stipe tried his hand at movie making as he helped write the screenplay for the movie "Saved!".. "Leaving New York" by R.E.M. is #35..

#34 -- A Country Music Legend? A White Stripe? Who woulda thought? Her Album, "Van Lear Rose" was released earlier this year and contained a duet with White Stripes frontman, Jack White.. The best fusion of Country and Modern Rock since The KLF got together with Tammy Wynette back in 1991.. Lorretta Lynn & Jack White's "Portland, Oregon"..

#33 -- Ya know! I really hate those Orange County Choppers TV Shirts, hats, buttons, etc.. Most of the people that wear them don't even know what a motorcycle is let alone ride one.. From Orange County, we have the band at #33.. On this track, they took a turn for the mid 90's Alt Rock sound, The Offspring's "(I Can't Get) My Head Around You"

#32 -- Like Oh My God! Since We are talking about SoCal Pop/Punk! Let's like Totally check in with this group who's music is like soooooo not gay at #32.. Like oh my gawd! They invoked "Nightmare Before Christmas" and even like came up with a waaaayyyy kewl video & even didd a track with thee deadd guy frommm The Cure.. I think I will like strt misspelling now cuz it's hellla kewl! Like Blink 182's "I Miss You".. oh my gawd!

#31 -- Finally! A song that makes going to the movies in the afternoon sound like fun!! Franz Ferdinand's "Dark of the Matinee" is #31.. There's ONE more Franz Ferdinand song Coming Up somewhere on the Top 100?! (In the Top 30!?)

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Part II: The Top 30

#30 -- Two legends, Both of them dead.. Covering a song by another Dead Legend.. How depressing you must be thinking? You're right! If you listen to the lyrics of the song you'll know just how FAR away from the visions of the song we truly are.. Johnny Cash F/Joe Strummer's cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song"..

#29 -- The band at #29 started in 1997 by releasing a Cassette called "You Can Play All these songs Chords".. They also claim as influences Weezer, Big Star, Matthew Sweet, and Teenage Fanclub.. Death Cab for Cutie is at #29 with "The New Year"..

#28 -- BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES! "I Robot", "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King", "Van Helsing",
"Dawn of the Dead", Mel Gibson's "The Passion of My Ego", and "Spiderman II".. Coming from the "Spiderman II" is "Vindicated" by Dashboard Confessional..

#27 -- The Rainy City of Seattle, Washington gives us the band at #27.. (Is it me or does it seem like there are ALOT of bands from Washington state on the Top 100?).. This band had a good year, breaking through and having their song "Float On" played at Pep Rallies on Pop Radio right alongside Ashlee Simpson and Justin Timberlake.. BUT.. "Float On" will be later.. Did you know that Modest Mouse had a released an ENTIRE album this year? From "Good News For People Who Love Bad News", "The Ocean Breathes Salty" is #27... By the way, Modest Mouse has been around since 1993!

#26 -- Talk about Critical Acclaim and a breakthrough.. How does it feel from playing at the punk outlet The Gillman in Berkeley to being nominated for mulitple Grammy Awards? Ask Green Day! From their CD, "American Idiot", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams".. The Second of Three Green Day songs (meaning ONE is coming up in the Top 25 somewhere?)

#25 -- How does "Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes" sound for an album title? Sounds like a scary goth band or a Cradle of Filth type of "I wanna be Satan" type band? Well.. Mixing Electronica in a tripped out way with punk puts visual artists and musicians, TV On the Radio on the map.. TV on The Radio also directed a video for the band The Yeah Yeah's for their song "Pin".. TV On the Radio are at #25 with "Staring at the Sun"..

#24 -- Legendary Gothstress Siouxsie Sioux got "mixed up" late last year.. Mixed up with London's Techno/Electronica outfit, Basement Jaxx.. "Kish Kash" by Basement Jaxx F/Siouxsie Sioux is at #24..

#23 -- SoCal act, Incubus, has had a busy year.. Out touring to promote their CD "A Crow Left of the Murder" and releasing controversial videos.. The song "Talk Shows on Mute", a commentary about our Jerry Springer-like culture is at #23..

#22 -- A Scottish band has had a great year! And NO!! This ISN'T Franz Ferdinand! This band has been around since 1995 and released many albums with titles like "Tigermilk" and "Fold your Arms Child.. You Walk like a Peasant".. Their album "Dear Catstrophe Waitress" was released late last year and "Step into My Office Baby" was on last year's Top 100.. Another track off of that album lands at #22, Belle & Sebastian with "Stay Loose"..

#21 -- From Sacramento, CA.. The same city where Gubernor AAnold flexes his muscle giving big breaks for big business interests, this band flexes it's muscle making good contageous little tunes.. We didn't get a busy signal this year when we tried to call on Cake "No Phone" is at #21..

PEACE!

The Top 20 ... TOMORROW!

[tobedawg]

*******GUESS MY TOP 5************
Guess My Top 5 of 2004 (For the satisfaction of Knowing that you are Smarter than Most People)..

What do we have here? a TIE!!! A TIE For #5..

#5 (A) -- So the album was released in 2003, but this New Yawk band earn the honors of being the HIGHEST New Yawk band on the Top 100 with a song that sounded alot like the Pretenders and judging by it's title, can help get you to your destination point, no matter where it may be.. The name of the band is the same name of that God-awful Usher song X3 and plurally..

#5 (B) -- This veteran punk rock band from Southern California, is singing a song that was literally on fire, you can almost see the palm trees blowing in the wind like candles..

#4 -- With all of the rain in Seattle, WA, one may need to build a raft and do exactly what this song title says..

#3 -- What do Scott Peterson, Jeffery Dahlmer, and John Wayne Gacy have in common with the artists at #3? The answer may lie in the name.. It's a song about a Romantic interlude that occurred in February of 2003 and a mixed up triangle affair..

#2 -- It's New Years' Eve.. Many people will be saying the title of this song to friends and loved ones tonight!

#1 -- HERE IT IS!!.... With one of the most heated elections this year, something tells me that these guys weren't in the 51% of voters.. *claps*

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Alright, here's the Top 20 of 2004 (or should I say Top 21?).. The Top 5 will be revealed later today..

#20 -- Not since 1996 have these guys made an album on new material. It was a comeback of sorts for Social Distortion.. They "Reach for the Sky" at #20..

#19 -- Speaking of come-backs, the Modern Rock legend at #19, hasn't made a new album since 1997, but alas Moz has been busy planning that Smiths reunion (but we just don't know it yet).. Morrissey's "Irish Blood, English Heart"..

#18 -- Ooops... I mistakingly said that these guys were from England in a previous post, BUT, in fact.. They are from the same country that brought us Belle & Sebastian, and Franz Ferdinand.. From SCOTLAND.. Snow Patrol are at #18 with "Run"..

#17 -- Now for a REAL English band who had a big year and a nice breakthrough.. Muse with "Time is Running Out"..

#16 -- "Take Me Down to the Paradise City where the grass is gre.." oh wait! Move Over, Axel! There's a new junkie on the block!! Scott Weiland and Velvet Revolver "Slither" into #16..

#15 -- This band claims Blondie as one of their influences.. Well, duh? The Sounds with "Mine for Life"..

#14 -- Their album "Room on Fire" was released late last year but didn't spawn this single until early this year.. Very damn catchy! The Strokes' "Reptilia" is at #14..

#13 -- Hailing from Meza, Arizona.. The band at #13 released their CD, "Futures" earlier this year but have actually been making music together since 1994. Jimmy Eat World's "Pain"

#12 -- Duran Duran and Tears for Fears attempted to make comebacks this year with little fanfare.. But one of Tears for Fears' songs made a comeback in a different way through a movie that made a comeback.. "Donnie Darko" didn't do well in the theaters, but on DVD, it became somewhat of a cult classic.. The U.K. singer that did a song that was featured in the movie brokethrough this year with a song originally recorded by Tears for Fears.. Michael Andrews F/Gary Jules is at #12 with "Mad World"..

#11 -- If it's cold inside, it's time to build A Fire Inside.. Although their album, "Sing the Sorrow" was released in 2003, one of the tracks from it carried over into 2004, AFI's "Silver and Cold" just misses the Top 10..

------------------------------------------------------
Part II: Here it is.. HOLY MOTHER OF GAWD! THE TOP 10 SONGS OF 2004!! (Here's #10 - #6):'

#10 -- Somebody needs to teach these guys how to count in Spanish, "One.. Two.. Three... Fourteen??!?".. The demo for the CD was stolen, then recovered.. THEN their CD was leaked online 3 weeks before it's actual release.. But, they are rich rock stars so who cares? U2 is at #10 with "Vertigo" from their CD, "How To Dismantle and Atomic Bomb"..

#9 -- My Favorite movie of 2004 was "Fahrenheit 9/11".. Though it wasn't Michael Moore's best film, it did get people talking about the Presidential Election.. Unfortunately though, red state religious zealotry and paranoia prevailed.. BUT Incubus brought us a very powerful song and video this year along those lines.. "Megalomaniac" is at #9..

#8 -- These guys really established themselves this year.. Their Cd, "Turn on your Bright Lights" was released 2 years ago and created a big enough buzz to where, by the time "Antics" was released many people were onto the Interpol "Slow Hands" is #8..

#7 -- The Shins may or may not "Change your life" but their album "Chutes too Narrow" is definately one of the best.. "So Says I" is #7..


#6 -- "The Day After Tomorrow" is a movie that schooled us on the effects of global warming, with it's predictable plot line and unbelievable special effects (literally unbelievable).. Meanwhile, The Cure brought us a song about "The End of the World"..


THE TOP 5 is Coming Soon!!!

[crash46]

okay, I'll make myself smarter than most people (in addition to pointing out how there's 101 songs in the top 100)...

5a. The Yeah Yeah Yeah's - Maps
5b. Bad Religion - Los Angeles Is Burning
4. Modest Mouse - Float On
3. The Killers - Somebody Told Me
2. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
1. Green Day - American Idiot

[tobedawg]

WOOHOO!!! You are Indeed Smarter than Most People!!

Congratulations You win the satisfaction of knowing that!!  !!!

All of your answers are correct!!

(and I have the same countdown with the Top 5 guessing game posted on my webjournal and nobody has guessed yet, so that makes you the first person to not only guess but guess correctly!!!)

Also: You are right! There are 101 songs on The Top 100 of 2004 (which really isn't a Top 100)..

Happy New Year!!!

[halo19]

Wow, great chart as usual. You know, I did the same thing with my chart, although on my "guessing game", I left out a few chart hits. It's really a "top 105" which I posted, although I omitted songs from Sarah McLachlan, The Von Bondies, and the local Girls in a Coma from the guessing game.

[tobedawg]

Yeah, I could see how a Top 100 could become a Top 105 and how chart hits could be unintentionally left out.. The real reason why Bad Religion and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are Tied for #5 is because I glanced over my final draft of the chart and realized that I had left Bad Religion off (They were on both rough drafts)..

I liked your guessing game and chart too.. (I just didn't guess because I would always read the clues after people had guessed them, so it was too late..)

[Matt4319]

tobedawg said:

#93 -- Here's the only other band from Omaha, Nebraska.. A song that was featured on a soundtrack featuring Island/reggaepopish infused covers of 80's songs.. "The 50 First Dates" Soundtrack.. Only certain artists should be able to cover certain other artists and this horrible passionless cover of The Cure gives me all the more reason to wish for this rule.. 311's "Love Song" is at #93.. Don't Worry Cure Fans, THE CURE has 2 songs that will be featured later in the top 100..

So... why exactly did this hit your chart at all?

[tobedawg]

because it hit the weekly charts during the year 2004..

I have to put a few songs on that I don't like to balance it out.. The BAD makes the GOOD sound so much better!

;)

Also, It's 311.. They tend to make the chart with most of their singles... and I like most of them and respect the cred of the band, I just don't think that they should be covering The Cure..