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The Best Of 2009 [Part One]

Favorite Song:

“1901” by Phoenix

If adrenaline tumbling through my bloodstream had a theme song, it would have to be “Ace Of Spades” by Motörhead. But “1901” is now a close second, a timeless track that deserved to be the soundtrack for the summer. Guess we'll have to be happy with a Cadillac advert instead.

Favorite Song (Runners-Up):

“Beautiful People” by Pet Shop Boys
“Zero” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
“Stillness Is The Move” by Dirty Projectors
“No Time” by The Juan MacLean
"Daniel" by Bat For Lashes
"To Lose My Life" by White Lies
"In Sympathy" by Depeche Mode
"My Love Is Better" by Annie
"Bulletproof" by La Roux
"Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects
"Something Is Squeezing My Skull" by Morrissey
"Empire State Of Mind" by Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
"Sex Wars" by Evil Cowards
"Bicycle" by Memory Tapes
"Never Forget You" by Noisettes
"Uprising" by Muse
"Boom Boom Pow" by Black Eyed Peas
"Dirty Secrets" by Replicas
"Crystalised" by The xx
"Dominoes" by The Big Pink
"Walkin' On The Moon" by The-Dream feat. Kanye West

Most Surprising Second-Favorite Song:

“While You Wait For The Others” by Grizzly Bear feat. Michael McDonald

How can you make a good song great and bridge the generations in the process? Get Michael McDonald involved. The former late-era Doobie Brothers frontman (and poster child for the derisive label “yacht rock”) was originally asked to contribute background vocals to a new version of “While You Wait For The Others,” but when he took a pass at a lead vocal, the results were so alchemic that the new version was born.

Despite the eye-rolling of hipsters across the interweb, it’s hard to deny that McDonald can bring grit and polish simultaneously to a track, and his impassioned soulful vocals bring out additional colors and shading to an already compelling song. In fact, instead of McDonald doing another Motown covers album, imagine him taking a stab at more contemporary material; he would rip through indie hits both old and new like the blue-eyed white-haired soul pro that he is.

[And what would that album look like? Imagine the following songs with McDonald on vocals: “NYC” by Interpol, “Los Angeles I’m Yours” by The Decemberists, “Man On The Moon” by R.E.M., “Everyday Is Like Sunday” by Morrissey, “Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer, and on and on. The mind fucking boggles.]

Favorite Music Video:

"Wrong" by Depeche Mode

Favorite Movies (In No Order):

The Hurt Locker, Thirst, Up, District 9, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Coraline, In The Loop, An Education, (500) Days Of Summer, Inglourious Basterds, Precious

Favorite TV (In Order):

Lost, 30 Rock

Favorite TV (That I Should Be Watching, But I’m Waiting For The DVD):

Glee [v1], Breaking Bad [v2], Curb Your Enthusiasm [v7]

Favorite TV (That I Watched After Having Waiting For The DVD):

Flight Of The Conchords, The Mighty Boosh, Skins

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