MoD's Eternal Music Library
Posted: April 29th, 2012, 4:17 pmHey all. I spent a few days, off and on, racking through all of my playlists and library to find my favorite songs of all time. Now, this is considering songs I don't listen to as much now that I was obsessed with at one time and what impact those songs have had on me altogether. I've listened to a healthy amount of songs all across the board but I'll largely be a 21st Century music lover. This means that MIC will probably not like a single item on my whole list. 
This is just my opinion, so tread lightly, and hopefully enjoy.
35-TV on the Radio's Wolf Like Me
One of those songs that can really put a fire under your belly, for sure. A fast-paced, action packed song with intensity in both its music and lyrics, it's sure to get your blood pumping and your feet moving.
34-Jess’ Theme by ♥♥♥♥ Hirano (Advance Wars)
The very first video game theme I would stop the game in order to rock out to, I still find this beat just as catchy and rocking today, and considering it was made only by the technology for creating music for the relatively low-tech Gameboy Advance, I find that incredibly impressive.
33-Express Yourself by NWA
NWA has a tendency to go to extremes and anger with brass balls bigger than oranges, but it's in this levelheaded call for originality in hip hop and openmindedness in creativity that their lyricwork is at its finest. The flow is flawless and the message is delivered cleverly with an upbeat sample as the musical backdrop. It's a hip hop classic that seems to become more relevant as time passes.
32-How Far We’ve Come by Matchbox 20
One of my favorite radio tracks, I remember easily waiting around the radio all day in order to rock out to this song. I honestly find this to be my favorite out of the impressive Matchbox 20/Rob Thomas catalogue because of the energy of the song, the curious intensity of the lyrics and just how easy it was to rock out to.
31-Power by Kanye West ft Dwele
It took me a grievously long time to realize that hip hop and rap music could actually be incredibly cool, and through this song I learned that Kanye is clearly one of the kings of the genre, whether you like him or not. I absolutely loved the backing beat sample and the lyrics were incredibly clever as well.
30-Sail by AWOLNATION
It is certainly hard for me to pick a favorite AWOLNATION song, and for me it changes like the weather. Ultimately, I have to give the edge to the song that introduced me to this great band. These guys do a great job as an indie band at outdoing pop music at their own game, and it shows here. Everything about this song is haunted and haunting, from the hollowness in the music to the damaged emotion in lead singer Aaron Bruno, this song is composed cohesively and uniquely with a mood that will ensnare you and leave you a bit shook up when it's done.
29-Kids by MGMT and Opposite of Adults by Chiddy Bang
Definitely a quintessential 21st Century indie track and what got me into indie music in general. The catchy, infinitely memorable beat and the enigmatic lyrics never dull with age. I also enjoy the Chiddy Bang-helmed hip hop remix, what with its smooth charm and catchy beat and just general feel-good atmosphere.
28-No Sound But The Wind by the Editors
A slow, calm song uplifted by lead Tom Smith's emotional baritone, this piano anthem manages to be both heartbreaking and uplifting with gorgeous lyrics and a sense of urgency, sadness and yet possibility and in some ways, adventure. Rarely is a story told as succinctly as it is in this song.
27-Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve
Who doesn’t love that instrumental beat? It’s one of the most sweepingly gorgeous beats for any song and is an incredibly powerful and unshakable earworm. The lyrics and vocals are all great as well, but there is honestly little more immortal than the music of this song. It also makes great mashups, such as Zwierz's mashup with Fort Minor's Remember the Names.
26-Don’t Let Me Fall by B.o.B.
Not only is it a great testament to 2010 decade hip hop, it’s a gorgeous track altogether with a soaring anthem beat given balance by Bobby Ray’s confident yet retrospective lyrics with a good handful of clever quotables. Even if B.o.B. isn't the definite best rapper out there today, he's definitely the best rapping artist, and it shows in his work.
25-Some Nights by fun.
I do love a great rousing song that you can stomp your feet and sing along to. This song is just a burst of power in the performance, even if the lyrics waver in confidence. All of the lyrics are simply excellent but the first verse has the most power to it. This song is the kind of earworm you like to have. This song proves that fun. is here to say and that they're not just a fluke.
24-The Entirety of the Donkey Kong Country 2 Soundtrack by David Wise
Note: Start there for the soundtrack and utilize the links for the rest.
It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite out of this soundtrack- it’s remarkable how gorgeous they all are, even having been made for a two decade old gaming system they hold up remarkably today. From the ethereal nature of Forest Interlude to the subtle driving techno of Disco Train to the gorgeous atmospheric In a Snowbound Land, the windy swing of Jib Jig, the direly hopeful Krook’s March and the unforgettable VGM legend Stickerbrush Symphony, it’s an entire soundtrack immortal and timeless that holds up today, every single track.
23-Superstar by Lupe Fiasco ft Matthew Santos
There rarely seems to be a hip hop track with as much pathos and subtle emotion and wisdom as much as there is in a Lupe Fiasco track. This is perhaps the best example, with a soft melancholy, humility near nonexistent in rap music and the beautiful chorus powered by the voice of Matthew Santos.
22-Southside by Moby ft Gwen Stefani
A song that floats around in your memory for a few years and you never actually discover who it is for the longest time. It’s just seriously catchy and rocking and has a balanced amount of swag and power that outdoes most music today of any genre.
21-Koopa Road by Koji Kondo
Another memorable video game song, not only is this a gorgeous, haunting final level theme but it gives a healthy amount of drive and emotional involvement to the game itself- when the final level rolls around it’s a wordless message telling how far you’ve truly come in the game.
20-Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
There’s certainly no shortage of charm with this band and certainly not this song, a lovable and touching duet between the titular singer and fellow band helm Jade backed up by the cheers and jubilant sound of the large band in the background, and an incredibly catchy whistle break that can surely bring a smile to your face.
19-Desperation by Jimmy “Stupendous Jimbo” Rogers
As far as homegrown work goes, you’ll rarely find better than this song by upcoming composer Jimmy Rogers. I was surprised when, after conversing with him over the web and befriending him, that his music had such strength to it considering it had less than 50 Youtube views. The classical, somewhat medieval style beat with a gripping power and a truly stunning chorus break is sure to make your heart race and give you chills, often at the same time. I was able to utilize it in my fan-made Last Legacy trailer last year, much to his delight.
18-Where’d You Go by Fort Minor ft Holly Brook (Skylar Grey) and Jonah Matranga
Perhaps the first song I became hopelessly addicted to as a kid, this is a truly powerful and emotional song immaculately constructed with an entirely gorgeous chorus by Holly Brook (who, in the future, became pop mogul Skylar Grey) and a powerful rap by Mike Shinoda over a sparse, haunting piano beat.
17-The Cave by Mumford and Sons
Truly a 2010 decade musical wonder, Mumford and Sons have taken the simple idea of folk music and given it a truly remarkable spin without straying from its roots. The Cave, their most well-known song, is perhaps the quintessential Mumford and Sons song- purist folk strings with a driving beat, a gorgeous harmony, a heart-pounding emotional punch and poetic, moving lyrics sung by a truly remarkable, passionate voice.
16-Time by Hans Zimmer
This is the moment where the music in films stopped being background noise and became an art form in my eyes. The simple, minimalist structure which goes from a simple piano piece to a rousing orchestral finish and back again speaks a million words without anyone opening their mouths. It’s a chilling song with the phenomena of bringing tears to your eyes without having to say a thing.
15-All the Right Moves by OneRepublic
OneRepublic is the best thing in pop music today, and when this song was released I was hopelessly addicted. An addicting hook that refuses to let you go, excellent lyrical and vocal work with subtle enigma and a killer percussion beat (something OneRepublic is rarely ever beaten at) this is a prime example of why there is rarely anything on the radio better than one of their songs.
14-Mind Heist by Zach Hemsey
Definitely without a shadow of a doubt the best trailer music ever, having achieved massive fame after use in the original Inception trailer. Starting off quiet and anxious and eventually blasting into a rousing choir-led smattering of orchestral power rarely ever mimicked in musical history, this song is the very definition of “Epic”.
13-My <Dsmbr (Reanimation) by Linkin Park ft Kelli Ali
Minimalism is the key here, a much calmer track than typical Linkin Park fare. It sports a chilling musical accompaniment that is nothing if not mesmerizing with melancholic, lonely lyrics of regret echoed by the soft vocals of Kelli Ali which synergizes beautifully with Chester Bennington’s own.
12- The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place album by Explosions In The Sky
It's sort of cheating to put an entire album up of theirs up, but it's actually a continuous forty-five minute track with five named stages so it counts in my eyes. Explosions In The Sky are pretty easy to get into if you enjoy a good instrumental band. Their music is a truly unique, passionate sound played with a fervent power. It can be as calm as a lake and as roaring as the ocean waves, and every piece is composed masterfully so, leaving you involved until the very end. Not a moment is worth missing so if you press play, you might not find it easy to stop.
11-This is Your Life by The Killers
With one of the most original chanting beats in modern music and the typical Killers abnormal lyrics and offbeat swagger, this song is an arresting testament to the skill of the Killers that isn’t done justice until it’s been listened to.
10-Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Soundsystem
This earthy electronic song is written and performed as if the group was never going to make another song again. It starts off hypnotically slow with a very light beat and calm voice up until minute three when he just uncages a ♥♥♥♥' beast when the music just spikes up into a powerful driving beat with enigmatic lyrics and the vocalist singing like his life depended on it, showing an incredible amount of vocal prowess. It's consuming from start to finish and for something of its rhythm it's incredibly danceable. Somehow despite this being the only song of theirs I've heard I don't think it gets any better than this because that's just the passion they bring.
9-Panoramic by Atticus Ross
This is one of the most atmospheric tracks I’ve ever heard, and sometimes I have to wonder how on Earth Atticus Ross could have constructed this. With little to no regard to the usual laws of music, this song follows little to no traceable beat but can create a whole world just from the sounds of its calming, dreamy music that can bring someone to rest amid a sea of chaos and spark the depths of one’s imagination.
8-Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money In Your Hand by Primitive Radio Gods
Perhaps one of the most underrated hit tracks of the 90s; this is perhaps perfectly constructed around the anchor of a BB King sample that is one of the most unforgettable moments in music. The sparse, sorrowful beat fits the vocals and absurdly retrospective lyrics perfectly, with a gorgeous piano stretch and excellently accessorized sound effects.
[url]7-Dreaming Out Loud by OneRepublic[/url]
It is rare for such a mainstream band to be so uniquely talented that they rival bands of all genres and notoriety, especially in the 21st century, but OneRepublic is definitely that band. Their lyrical abilities are at their finest here, and Ryan Tedder easily shows his producing chops by creating an eerie yet optimistic backdrop of music that helps to tell the tale of dreaming out loud. The bridge here is by far one of the best samples of lyric and musical harmony. Overall, it's a
beautiful song with a beautiful message told with a measured hand.
6-Mind Killer by Adam Freeland
The best outsourced song a video game has gifted me yet (and much better than the Jagz Kooner remix), this rarely-heard-of song by electronic artist Adam Freeland is built around a gorgeous dystopian string section with a powerful, brief message containing wisdom and strength that leaks into the rest of the production.
5-Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine
Even before Shake it Out, Florence and the Machine were creating wonderful music on their previous album Lungs. Definitely their best track to date is Cosmic Love, a passionately and unrepentant romantic track driven by tribal drums and the sheer magnitude of Florence’s voice among a driving beat that echoes the passion of the lyrics and song itself.
4-Shake it Out by Florence and the Machine
Perhaps done by the greatest thing in music today, this is a sweeping, flying anthem with a perfectly synergistic blend of unmatched vocals by Florence Welch, unrelenting baroque music featuring the best use of an accordion ever and lyrics that are among the most gorgeous in music as it is.
3-The Escapists/Life in Technicolor by Coldplay
Note: This version, which synergizes the two songs for you, also includes Life in Technicolor ii, also a great song (although I personally prefer just the former two).
The songs, both the ending and beginning of my favorite album, Viva La Vida, connect with ease, providing not only a clever cycle ending, but a truly beautiful experience that takes you on a journey where every sound is nearly visible. Between the two songs, there is only one lyric, in Escapists: “And… in the end… we lie awake and we dream of making our escape” which could inspire a novel just from that line alone, sure to be an eternal favorite of mine. The track itself is soft and thoughtful, borrowed from Jon Hopkins’ Light Through the Veins, although subdued enough to provide a backing for Chris Martin’s drifting vocals. It leads into Life in Technicolor, a colorful sitar instrumental track that is the sunrise on Escapists’ sunset, bringing a vibrant and hopeful life into the slumber of the prior song. It’s energetic and bright and indelibly catching to boot, and the unity of the two is a perfect yin/yang to sign off and sign in a fantastic album.
2-Fake Empire by the National
Perhaps my personal favorite band, The National lives by the rule of subtle majesty in this track, featuring a humble piano beat accented by the bittersweet baritone of Matt Beringer with some of the most incredible musing lyrics I’ve ever heard. When it all builds up into a trumpet-led instrumental conclusion, it accesses that inexplicable power to bring forth emotion with only instruments just after the lyrics themselves show gorgeous, restrained emotion.
1-Glosoli (Bright Sun) by Sigur Ros
Now granted, this Icelandic group can be quite the acquired taste. Their music is ethereal and quite abnormal, and the lyrics are almost always in Icelandic, or other times in “Hopelandic” which is quite literally by design, pretty sounding gibberish. For those who can acquire the taste like myself, this band is quite something incredible. This song is by far the best example of their work, because it’s what they do best- capture pure beauty, raw and emotional and powerful and overwhelming- and pour every unflinching bit into their music. You don’t even need to really know the lyrics to feel the impact of this song, but it certainly helps- they’re wonderful as ever.
Jonsi’s voice is a wonder all on its own, the perfect complement and match to the music, soft and wondering and emotional. The music starts off slow and graceful, with a light orchestra of strings, backing vocals and a steady marching beat, building up slowly into something immeasurably and overwhelmingly powerful. Around the four minute mark is when it all blows up, into a frantic, barely controlled minute of music where it seems like everyone is playing their instruments with everything that they have, in an overwhelming, absorbing and engrossing climax of the best music I’ll ever hear recorded, before it falls off into a calm music box and drops off. It’s the raw, uncontrolled passion of this song that truly embodies artistry and musicians who love what they do, and so do I, and that’s why this is my favorite song.
Also, the music video is also my favorite of all time.
This is just my opinion, so tread lightly, and hopefully enjoy.
35-TV on the Radio's Wolf Like Me
One of those songs that can really put a fire under your belly, for sure. A fast-paced, action packed song with intensity in both its music and lyrics, it's sure to get your blood pumping and your feet moving.
34-Jess’ Theme by ♥♥♥♥ Hirano (Advance Wars)
The very first video game theme I would stop the game in order to rock out to, I still find this beat just as catchy and rocking today, and considering it was made only by the technology for creating music for the relatively low-tech Gameboy Advance, I find that incredibly impressive.
33-Express Yourself by NWA
NWA has a tendency to go to extremes and anger with brass balls bigger than oranges, but it's in this levelheaded call for originality in hip hop and openmindedness in creativity that their lyricwork is at its finest. The flow is flawless and the message is delivered cleverly with an upbeat sample as the musical backdrop. It's a hip hop classic that seems to become more relevant as time passes.
32-How Far We’ve Come by Matchbox 20
One of my favorite radio tracks, I remember easily waiting around the radio all day in order to rock out to this song. I honestly find this to be my favorite out of the impressive Matchbox 20/Rob Thomas catalogue because of the energy of the song, the curious intensity of the lyrics and just how easy it was to rock out to.
31-Power by Kanye West ft Dwele
It took me a grievously long time to realize that hip hop and rap music could actually be incredibly cool, and through this song I learned that Kanye is clearly one of the kings of the genre, whether you like him or not. I absolutely loved the backing beat sample and the lyrics were incredibly clever as well.
30-Sail by AWOLNATION
It is certainly hard for me to pick a favorite AWOLNATION song, and for me it changes like the weather. Ultimately, I have to give the edge to the song that introduced me to this great band. These guys do a great job as an indie band at outdoing pop music at their own game, and it shows here. Everything about this song is haunted and haunting, from the hollowness in the music to the damaged emotion in lead singer Aaron Bruno, this song is composed cohesively and uniquely with a mood that will ensnare you and leave you a bit shook up when it's done.
29-Kids by MGMT and Opposite of Adults by Chiddy Bang
Definitely a quintessential 21st Century indie track and what got me into indie music in general. The catchy, infinitely memorable beat and the enigmatic lyrics never dull with age. I also enjoy the Chiddy Bang-helmed hip hop remix, what with its smooth charm and catchy beat and just general feel-good atmosphere.
28-No Sound But The Wind by the Editors
A slow, calm song uplifted by lead Tom Smith's emotional baritone, this piano anthem manages to be both heartbreaking and uplifting with gorgeous lyrics and a sense of urgency, sadness and yet possibility and in some ways, adventure. Rarely is a story told as succinctly as it is in this song.
27-Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve
Who doesn’t love that instrumental beat? It’s one of the most sweepingly gorgeous beats for any song and is an incredibly powerful and unshakable earworm. The lyrics and vocals are all great as well, but there is honestly little more immortal than the music of this song. It also makes great mashups, such as Zwierz's mashup with Fort Minor's Remember the Names.
26-Don’t Let Me Fall by B.o.B.
Not only is it a great testament to 2010 decade hip hop, it’s a gorgeous track altogether with a soaring anthem beat given balance by Bobby Ray’s confident yet retrospective lyrics with a good handful of clever quotables. Even if B.o.B. isn't the definite best rapper out there today, he's definitely the best rapping artist, and it shows in his work.
25-Some Nights by fun.
I do love a great rousing song that you can stomp your feet and sing along to. This song is just a burst of power in the performance, even if the lyrics waver in confidence. All of the lyrics are simply excellent but the first verse has the most power to it. This song is the kind of earworm you like to have. This song proves that fun. is here to say and that they're not just a fluke.
24-The Entirety of the Donkey Kong Country 2 Soundtrack by David Wise
Note: Start there for the soundtrack and utilize the links for the rest.
It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite out of this soundtrack- it’s remarkable how gorgeous they all are, even having been made for a two decade old gaming system they hold up remarkably today. From the ethereal nature of Forest Interlude to the subtle driving techno of Disco Train to the gorgeous atmospheric In a Snowbound Land, the windy swing of Jib Jig, the direly hopeful Krook’s March and the unforgettable VGM legend Stickerbrush Symphony, it’s an entire soundtrack immortal and timeless that holds up today, every single track.
23-Superstar by Lupe Fiasco ft Matthew Santos
There rarely seems to be a hip hop track with as much pathos and subtle emotion and wisdom as much as there is in a Lupe Fiasco track. This is perhaps the best example, with a soft melancholy, humility near nonexistent in rap music and the beautiful chorus powered by the voice of Matthew Santos.
22-Southside by Moby ft Gwen Stefani
A song that floats around in your memory for a few years and you never actually discover who it is for the longest time. It’s just seriously catchy and rocking and has a balanced amount of swag and power that outdoes most music today of any genre.
21-Koopa Road by Koji Kondo
Another memorable video game song, not only is this a gorgeous, haunting final level theme but it gives a healthy amount of drive and emotional involvement to the game itself- when the final level rolls around it’s a wordless message telling how far you’ve truly come in the game.
20-Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
There’s certainly no shortage of charm with this band and certainly not this song, a lovable and touching duet between the titular singer and fellow band helm Jade backed up by the cheers and jubilant sound of the large band in the background, and an incredibly catchy whistle break that can surely bring a smile to your face.
19-Desperation by Jimmy “Stupendous Jimbo” Rogers
As far as homegrown work goes, you’ll rarely find better than this song by upcoming composer Jimmy Rogers. I was surprised when, after conversing with him over the web and befriending him, that his music had such strength to it considering it had less than 50 Youtube views. The classical, somewhat medieval style beat with a gripping power and a truly stunning chorus break is sure to make your heart race and give you chills, often at the same time. I was able to utilize it in my fan-made Last Legacy trailer last year, much to his delight.
18-Where’d You Go by Fort Minor ft Holly Brook (Skylar Grey) and Jonah Matranga
Perhaps the first song I became hopelessly addicted to as a kid, this is a truly powerful and emotional song immaculately constructed with an entirely gorgeous chorus by Holly Brook (who, in the future, became pop mogul Skylar Grey) and a powerful rap by Mike Shinoda over a sparse, haunting piano beat.
17-The Cave by Mumford and Sons
Truly a 2010 decade musical wonder, Mumford and Sons have taken the simple idea of folk music and given it a truly remarkable spin without straying from its roots. The Cave, their most well-known song, is perhaps the quintessential Mumford and Sons song- purist folk strings with a driving beat, a gorgeous harmony, a heart-pounding emotional punch and poetic, moving lyrics sung by a truly remarkable, passionate voice.
16-Time by Hans Zimmer
This is the moment where the music in films stopped being background noise and became an art form in my eyes. The simple, minimalist structure which goes from a simple piano piece to a rousing orchestral finish and back again speaks a million words without anyone opening their mouths. It’s a chilling song with the phenomena of bringing tears to your eyes without having to say a thing.
15-All the Right Moves by OneRepublic
OneRepublic is the best thing in pop music today, and when this song was released I was hopelessly addicted. An addicting hook that refuses to let you go, excellent lyrical and vocal work with subtle enigma and a killer percussion beat (something OneRepublic is rarely ever beaten at) this is a prime example of why there is rarely anything on the radio better than one of their songs.
14-Mind Heist by Zach Hemsey
Definitely without a shadow of a doubt the best trailer music ever, having achieved massive fame after use in the original Inception trailer. Starting off quiet and anxious and eventually blasting into a rousing choir-led smattering of orchestral power rarely ever mimicked in musical history, this song is the very definition of “Epic”.
13-My <Dsmbr (Reanimation) by Linkin Park ft Kelli Ali
Minimalism is the key here, a much calmer track than typical Linkin Park fare. It sports a chilling musical accompaniment that is nothing if not mesmerizing with melancholic, lonely lyrics of regret echoed by the soft vocals of Kelli Ali which synergizes beautifully with Chester Bennington’s own.
12- The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place album by Explosions In The Sky
It's sort of cheating to put an entire album up of theirs up, but it's actually a continuous forty-five minute track with five named stages so it counts in my eyes. Explosions In The Sky are pretty easy to get into if you enjoy a good instrumental band. Their music is a truly unique, passionate sound played with a fervent power. It can be as calm as a lake and as roaring as the ocean waves, and every piece is composed masterfully so, leaving you involved until the very end. Not a moment is worth missing so if you press play, you might not find it easy to stop.
11-This is Your Life by The Killers
With one of the most original chanting beats in modern music and the typical Killers abnormal lyrics and offbeat swagger, this song is an arresting testament to the skill of the Killers that isn’t done justice until it’s been listened to.
10-Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Soundsystem
This earthy electronic song is written and performed as if the group was never going to make another song again. It starts off hypnotically slow with a very light beat and calm voice up until minute three when he just uncages a ♥♥♥♥' beast when the music just spikes up into a powerful driving beat with enigmatic lyrics and the vocalist singing like his life depended on it, showing an incredible amount of vocal prowess. It's consuming from start to finish and for something of its rhythm it's incredibly danceable. Somehow despite this being the only song of theirs I've heard I don't think it gets any better than this because that's just the passion they bring.
9-Panoramic by Atticus Ross
This is one of the most atmospheric tracks I’ve ever heard, and sometimes I have to wonder how on Earth Atticus Ross could have constructed this. With little to no regard to the usual laws of music, this song follows little to no traceable beat but can create a whole world just from the sounds of its calming, dreamy music that can bring someone to rest amid a sea of chaos and spark the depths of one’s imagination.
8-Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money In Your Hand by Primitive Radio Gods
Perhaps one of the most underrated hit tracks of the 90s; this is perhaps perfectly constructed around the anchor of a BB King sample that is one of the most unforgettable moments in music. The sparse, sorrowful beat fits the vocals and absurdly retrospective lyrics perfectly, with a gorgeous piano stretch and excellently accessorized sound effects.
[url]7-Dreaming Out Loud by OneRepublic[/url]
It is rare for such a mainstream band to be so uniquely talented that they rival bands of all genres and notoriety, especially in the 21st century, but OneRepublic is definitely that band. Their lyrical abilities are at their finest here, and Ryan Tedder easily shows his producing chops by creating an eerie yet optimistic backdrop of music that helps to tell the tale of dreaming out loud. The bridge here is by far one of the best samples of lyric and musical harmony. Overall, it's a
beautiful song with a beautiful message told with a measured hand.
6-Mind Killer by Adam Freeland
The best outsourced song a video game has gifted me yet (and much better than the Jagz Kooner remix), this rarely-heard-of song by electronic artist Adam Freeland is built around a gorgeous dystopian string section with a powerful, brief message containing wisdom and strength that leaks into the rest of the production.
5-Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine
Even before Shake it Out, Florence and the Machine were creating wonderful music on their previous album Lungs. Definitely their best track to date is Cosmic Love, a passionately and unrepentant romantic track driven by tribal drums and the sheer magnitude of Florence’s voice among a driving beat that echoes the passion of the lyrics and song itself.
4-Shake it Out by Florence and the Machine
Perhaps done by the greatest thing in music today, this is a sweeping, flying anthem with a perfectly synergistic blend of unmatched vocals by Florence Welch, unrelenting baroque music featuring the best use of an accordion ever and lyrics that are among the most gorgeous in music as it is.
3-The Escapists/Life in Technicolor by Coldplay
Note: This version, which synergizes the two songs for you, also includes Life in Technicolor ii, also a great song (although I personally prefer just the former two).
The songs, both the ending and beginning of my favorite album, Viva La Vida, connect with ease, providing not only a clever cycle ending, but a truly beautiful experience that takes you on a journey where every sound is nearly visible. Between the two songs, there is only one lyric, in Escapists: “And… in the end… we lie awake and we dream of making our escape” which could inspire a novel just from that line alone, sure to be an eternal favorite of mine. The track itself is soft and thoughtful, borrowed from Jon Hopkins’ Light Through the Veins, although subdued enough to provide a backing for Chris Martin’s drifting vocals. It leads into Life in Technicolor, a colorful sitar instrumental track that is the sunrise on Escapists’ sunset, bringing a vibrant and hopeful life into the slumber of the prior song. It’s energetic and bright and indelibly catching to boot, and the unity of the two is a perfect yin/yang to sign off and sign in a fantastic album.
2-Fake Empire by the National
Perhaps my personal favorite band, The National lives by the rule of subtle majesty in this track, featuring a humble piano beat accented by the bittersweet baritone of Matt Beringer with some of the most incredible musing lyrics I’ve ever heard. When it all builds up into a trumpet-led instrumental conclusion, it accesses that inexplicable power to bring forth emotion with only instruments just after the lyrics themselves show gorgeous, restrained emotion.
1-Glosoli (Bright Sun) by Sigur Ros
Now granted, this Icelandic group can be quite the acquired taste. Their music is ethereal and quite abnormal, and the lyrics are almost always in Icelandic, or other times in “Hopelandic” which is quite literally by design, pretty sounding gibberish. For those who can acquire the taste like myself, this band is quite something incredible. This song is by far the best example of their work, because it’s what they do best- capture pure beauty, raw and emotional and powerful and overwhelming- and pour every unflinching bit into their music. You don’t even need to really know the lyrics to feel the impact of this song, but it certainly helps- they’re wonderful as ever.
Jonsi’s voice is a wonder all on its own, the perfect complement and match to the music, soft and wondering and emotional. The music starts off slow and graceful, with a light orchestra of strings, backing vocals and a steady marching beat, building up slowly into something immeasurably and overwhelmingly powerful. Around the four minute mark is when it all blows up, into a frantic, barely controlled minute of music where it seems like everyone is playing their instruments with everything that they have, in an overwhelming, absorbing and engrossing climax of the best music I’ll ever hear recorded, before it falls off into a calm music box and drops off. It’s the raw, uncontrolled passion of this song that truly embodies artistry and musicians who love what they do, and so do I, and that’s why this is my favorite song.
Also, the music video is also my favorite of all time.
