My favorite songs of 2010

Good year for singles. Albums, not so much.

"Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins Remix)" -- Star Slinger



"Not In Love" -- Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith

A melding of old and new: modern-day Robert Smith sings over a remixed forgotten 80s new wave song.



"Birthday Boy" -- Drive-By Truckers

I'm sad to admit that I regularly skip half of the songs on this album, which makes their previous discographic nadir (A Blessing and a Curse) seem that much better in comparison. But what continues to make DBT my favorite band is their ability to keep churning out at least one or two bona fide classic songs per album. This, along with "This F*****' Job", is their latest. And Cooley is still one of the coolest dudes on the planet.



"Is This On Me?" -- Elite Gymnastics



"Odessa" -- Caribou



"Meet the Frownies" -- Twin Sister

A vaguely sinister tune reminiscent of those film strips we used to watch in elementary school that made that little "beep" when it was time to advance the frame.



"Round the Moon" -- Summer Camp

Dance, Swedish kids of the early 70s! Dance! Prance! Pout! Also, smoke cigarettes at 14!

SUMMER CAMP - Round the Moon from Paddy Power on Vimeo.

"On Melancholy Hill" -- Gorillaz

Wistfulness, in musical form.



"Lawless Lands" -- The Sword

Yes, the rock has not left us. Starts out slow, teasing, until the second half lets loose a monster chorus.