The Wong Way
Back in July 2006, I bought my first digital SLR camera. The very next day, I brought it with me to Siren Festival in Coney Island. Although the shots from that concert didn't turn out too hot - too far away, too much of a novice with the camera - I wasn't deterred from future attempts at concert shooting. Ultimately, I decided to start a musicblog, titled The Wong Way, featuring photos I took from the concerts I went to. It ran regularly from July 2006 to December 2006 and while I'd like to start it back up some day, I prefer to just enjoy concerts from the sidelines. But who knows what the future will bring, right?
Favorite Songs of 2005, 25-11
My 25 favorite songs of 2005, presented in two parts. This, part 1, contains songs 25-11.
I can’t stress this point enough – these are my favorite songs from 2005. In no way am I declaring these to be the best songs since taste is subjective and my favorite songs can easily be someone else’s most-hated songs (though I hope that’s not the case). After a lot of thinking and searching through iTunes, I’ve come up with a list of 25 songs that I’m happy to say are my favorite songs of the year.
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25. Anna Nalick: Breathe (2 AM) It may seem like a typical pop song – and it really is – but Anna’s voice, filled with sighs and airiness, elevates it above the average pop song. It’s the song you listen to when you need a pick me up. |
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24. Coldplay: Fix You Yes, it’s a pale imitation of the monster ballad “In My Place” from A Rush of Blood to the Head but Chris Martin’s emotion makes it work. |
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23. LCD Soundsystem: Daft Punk Is Playing At My House A danceable song about Daft Punk playing at “my house,” with the furniture confined to the garage, no less – what could be better? How about a cowbell solo? Yeah, I thought that would do it. |
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22. Wolf Parade: This Heart’s On Fire A solid synth track drives this song until a pulse-pounding drum beat takes over a third of the way in. Dan Boeckner repeated tortured utterings of “this heart’s on fire” form an honest raw emotion that builds to a triumphant finish. |
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21. Gorillaz: DARE Funny story about this song – it was originally titled “It’s There” but Shaun Ryder’s thick accent forced a change in title. Whatever it’s called, this is a rollicking fun blend of rock and hip-hop. Just try listening to this song without wanting to yell out “It’s DARE!” – you might be able to stop yourself but why would you want to? |
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20. OK Go: A Million Ways Just watch the video and you’ll see why this song is on the list. |
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19. Maximo Park: Apply Some Pressure An excellent post-punk song about relationship – as well as general – anxiety with enough stop-start riffs to drive you nuts. Basically, it’s Maximo Park in a nutshell. |
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18. The Decemberists: On The Bus Mall Quite possibly, the best – certainly, the most profound – song Colin Meloy has ever written. |
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17. Hot Hot Heat: Running Out Of Time There’s a great guitar riff that plays in the background thoughout the entire length of the song. |
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16. Spoon: I Turn My Camera On There’s a certain swagger to this song, with the “woos” and “oohs” punctuating the end of several lines. Combine that with a persistent beat from the drums and bass and you get one of the best songs Spoon has ever come up with. |
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15. Kaiser Chiefs: I Predict A Riot A song about a rowdy night out – finally something comes along to succeed Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out” as the drunk frat boys’ night out anthem. |
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14. Rilo Kiley: I Never Jenny Lewis’ voice just soars on this song. |
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13. Bloc Party: Blue Light It’s not their most ambitious song but it’s certainly their prettiest. |
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12. Broken Social Scene: Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day) From the faint instrumental stirrings at the beginning to the knockout brass section to finish it off, it’s a tight display of the expansive talent at Broken Social Scene’s disposal. |
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11. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth Solid lyrics backed up by an even better instrumental track – just listen to the first minute which is devoid of any singing and you’ll get it. |
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