TOP 100 Songs of 2004

01. Kanye West – Slo Jamz Kanye West – Best artist of the year. 10 Grammys. Jamie Foxx – One of the most talented people in the world today. Academy Award to bode.

02. Radiohead – 2+2=5 Following up my number one single of 2003 in There, There. Radiohead never seems to dissapoint.

03. John Vanderslice – Coming and Going On Easy Terms One of the Best artists around the Northwest. Also one of the most honest songwriters around today.

04. Wilco – Hell Is Chrome This is why Wilco is the best band in America right now. They came out with possibly the album of the year. One of the most unique guitar solos of the year.

05. Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You When I first heard the song I was blown away by it’s simplistic yet resonate chord changes. They leave an imprint in one. Keys has stabilized herself as a musician, not an entertainer.

06. Outkast – Hey Yea How big was the influence of hip hop in culture this year. In politics Hip Hop culture reigned supreme. Outkast was the spark for this cultural revolution.

07. U2 – Miracle Drug Returning from what I felt was possibly the best album of the decade they return with How Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. This song belongs on the last one.

08. Xiu Xui – I Luv The Valley OH How About this year being the year of the anthems? This song makes a statement.

09. Elliott Smith – King’s Crossing One of the best songs of the year. Smith is relived in his last CD From A Basement On A Hill.

10. The Black Keys – 10 AM Automatic Speaking of blaring anthems that make statements. How about the Black Keys? The reemergence of true young musicians in Black Keys and Helio Sequence.

11. AC Newman – Miracle Drug From New Pornographers what could one expect from an artist who decides to record a solo record? AC Newman blew up that reputation for artists going solo from their bands. Newman was named one of Canada's 20 biggest celebrities by MuchMusic.

12. Kanye West – Family Business I still say that this was the anthem of the summer this last year. Kanye became the most successful out of any artist in America this year. "Who knew that life would move this fast..." Kanye shows off the lyrics theme that he should of done on College Dropout instead of using songs such as "The New Workout Plan".

13. Wilco – Wishful Thinking Once again, where would 2004 be without Wilco? Jeff Tweedy had a hell of a busy year, whether it be checking in to rehab or making the best rock album of 2004. What does time have in mind for Tweedy now? Wishful thinking easily blends all of Wilco's previous YFH and ST into one song (reminiscent of Jars...).

14. U2 - Yahweh Yes, this album just came out, but it might be among U2's best albums. Beside's "Vertigo" this album is among the best albums of the year. U2's SNL performance solidified their claim as one of the best bands of all time. Yahweh shows influences from Joshua Tree and some of their earlier albums. This song will be huge in 2005.

15. Nerd - Maybe Fact: Nerd's sophomore effort became a huge flop. Myth: Every song on the album is bad. On the contrary, "Maybe" and "Chariots of Fire" may be some of Nerd's best musical efforts. The producing is slick and tight as is all of Pharrells production. This song could of been a top 10 song, however, Pharrells new "Ice Cream" put a dent on his image until his latest song "Drop It Like It's Hot" saved him.

16. Modest Mouse – Ocean Breathes Salty The Flaming Lips ruined what could of been a great album. Modest Mouse nearly had a perfect direction, towards and edgier poppier sound displayed on "Alone Down There". Yet Brock decided to go the opposite direction to a complete pop/Flaming Lips sound. This song most accurately displays this theory.

17. Rogue Wave – Endless Shovel One of the best songs of the year. AC Newman named Rogue Wave as one of his favorite bands. People have given them influences towards The Shins. But this band is clearly unique. Expect a nice sophomore effort in the next two years. Rogue wave is a cutting edge single.

18. Ted Leo – Me And Mia "As I was walking through a life one morning, the sun was out..." Possibly the best intro track to any album of the year. Look at this way: U2's Vertigo vs. Ted Leo's Me and Mia. Again Ted Leo broke the reputation of flops after great albums with one of the best albums of 2004.

19. Talib Kweli – Ghetto Show Talib Kweli tells it how it is. Among the most cutting edge lyricists in America along with Nas and Common, Kweli's album has received mixed reviews. But what separates the critics reviews on the positive sign is this song. The final song on the album which completely blows the album up.

20. Common Sense/Kanye West - The Food Possibly the best collaborative effort of 2004. Matching one of the best producers with one of the best lyricists. The collaboratory effort proved positive on the Dave Chappelle Show.

21. Wilco - Theologians What more could be said about Wilco's impact on 2004? Rolling Stone covers, #1 record, one of the best live bands. The solo capture's Neil Young's sound with a unique sound of Tweedy's own.

22. Nada Surf – Blonde On Blonde Sure the album was released in late 2003, but Nada Surf sparked a radio hit with Blonde On Blonde. One of the hardest working bands in the Northwest compiled this hit on KEXP in early 2004. Listen to this song in the rain.

23. Outkast – Roses "Bitch": One of the most popular words of 2004 because of this song. Probably the best music video of the year as well. Outkasts impact on culture was astonishing.

24. Mojave 3 – Starlight No 1 This song may not have the radio airplay but it clearly has cutting edge songwriting, integrity and honesty. Great production as well.

25. Norah Jones – Sunrise Sophomore effort, no worries. Grammy uprising for Norah Jones sparked 2004.

26. Jon Brion – Knock Yourself Out
27. Jay Z – Dirt Off Your Shoulders28. The Arcade Fire – Wake Up
29. The Futureheads – Hounds Of Love
30. The Walkmen – The Rat
31. U2 – City Of Blinding Lights
32. Sufjan Stevens – To Be Alone With You
33. Postal Service – Such Great Heights
34. Jay Z – Dirt Off Your Shoulders
35. The Wrens – Happy
36. The Strokes – What Ever Happened?
37. Ambulance Ltd. - Primitave
38. Citizen Cope – Bullet And A Target
39. Ted Leo - Walking To Do
40. The Helio Sequence – Let It Fall Apart
41. The Darkness – I Believe In A Thing Called Love
42. Her Space Holiday – Sleepy California
43. Frou Frou – Let Go
44. Menomena – E Is Stable
45. Death Cab For Cutie – Title and Registration
46. Aveo – Newton and Gallileo
47. The Helio Sequence – Everyone Knows Everyone
48. The Strokes – Meet Me In The Bathroom
49. Pedro The Lion – Bands With Managers
50. Aqualung – Easier To Lie
51. Madvillain – All Caps
52. Nas – Thiefs Theme
53. Radiohead – Sail To The Moon
54. TV On The Radio – Staring At The Sun
55. The Futureheads – Decent Days And Decent Nights
56. Jay Z – December 4th
57. Rogue Wave – Kicking The Heart Out
58. Kanye West – Through The Wire
59. Elliott Smith – Shooting Star
60. The Libertines – What Katie Did?
61. Jay Z – 99 Problems
62. Menomena – E Is Stable
63. Jay Z – My First Song
64. David Kilgour – Everybody’s On A Ride
65. Kanye West – We Don’t Dare
66. Postal Service – District Sleeps Alone Tonight
67. Wilco - Atleast That's What You Said68. Secret Machines – Nowhere Again
69. Air – Cherry Blossom Girl
70. Modest Mouse – Float On
71. AC Newman – On The Table
72. Minus The Bear – I’m Totally Not Down
73. Aveo – Ackward At The Knees
74. Basement Jaxx – Good Luck
75. Viva Voce – Alive With Pleasure
76. The Bad Plus – 1979 Semi-Finalist
77. Sufjan Stevens – Size Too Small
78. Nerd – Chariots Of Fire
79. Kanye West – Never Let Me Down
80. Outkast – I Like The Way You Move
81. The Roots – Star82. Sonic Youth – Pattern Recognition
83. The Thrills – Whatever Happened To Corey Haim
84. Sufjan Stevens - Kill
85. The Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
86. Doves – Hit The Ground Running
87. Sufjan Stevens – The Dress Looks Nice On You
88. Menomena - The Late Great Libido
89. Modest Mouse – Black Cadillacs
90. Outkast – Happy Valentine’s Day91. Aqualung – Good Times Gonna Come
92. The Helio Sequence – Don’t Look Away
93. John Vanderslice – White Plains
94. Athlete - El Salvador
95. The Strokes – The End Has No End
96. The 88 - How Good It Can Be
97. Blink 182 - Always
98. Nas - American Way
99. Jay Z - Encore
100.AC Newman - Drink To Me