Surprise! Surprise! I am back from obscurity to do my annual end-of-year post. As I have done the past few years, I will close 2008 with a countdown of my favorite songs of the year (Yeah yeah, I am a few weeks late :p) The following songs have helped to define the past year for me -- some of them, personal anthems, others as 'hit the club' type of hits, and everything in between. BTW if you find that I did not include an incredibly popular song from the past year, more likely than not I probably hated it (i.e. "I Kissed A Girl" :) What I will apologize for is leaving some of you hanging the last few months. I've been working full time, so my attention has kept me away from updating this site, but I guess my new year's resolution for this site is to update it more. I will make every effort to add a little something from time to time. Close to making it, but no cigar: Colbie Caillat - "Realize", Metro Station - "Shake It", P!nk - So What, The Click Five - "Flipside", Kevin Rudolf - "Let It Rock". Note: The songs marked with "*" may have not reached their peak yet, so they have the potential of charting in 2009. Enjoy! The Top 80 of 2008 by Ray V. 80: Rehab - Rihanna feat. Justin Timberlake 70: Somebody's Gonna Miss Us - The Starting Line 60: Circus* - Britney Spears 50: Northern Downpour* - Panic At The Disco 40: Fall For You - Secondhand Serenade 30: Little Miss Obsessive - Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson 20: Hero/Heroine - Boys Like Girls 19: February Air - Lights 18: Better In Time - Leona Lewis 17: I'm Not Over - Carolina Liar 16: Deliverance - Quietdrive 15: Sweet And Low - Augustana 14: Change For You - The Midway State 13: It Had To Be You - Motion City Soundtrack 12: Take A Bow - Rihanna 11: Beautiful World - Carolina Liar 10: Stop And Stare - OneRepublic 09: Whatever It Takes - Lifehouse 08: Crush - David Archuleta 07: Live Your Life - T.I. feat. Rihanna 06: The Time Of My Life - David Cook So, what do you think?! Do you agree with my choices? Comments are appreciated! Bring on 2009.
79: Say (All I Need) - OneRepublic
78: Lovers In Japan* - Coldplay
77: Light On - David Cook
76: Poker Face* - Lady GaGa
75: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)* - Beyonce
74: Weightless - Nada Surf
73: You Make It Real - James Morrison
72: If I Never See Your Face - Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna
71: The Little Things - Colbie Caillat
69: In Love With A Girl - Gavin DeGraw
68: Mercy - Duffy
67: I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
66: Everything I Ask For - The Maine
65: Candle (Sick And Tired)* - The White Tie Affair
64: Stay Away - Josh Hoge
63: Your Call* - Secondhand Serenade
62: Leavin' - Jesse McCartney
61: That's What You Get - Paramore
59: Everything - A Cursive Memory
58: Forever - Chris Brown
57: This Is Home - Switchfoot
56: I'm Gone, I'm Going - Lesley Roy
55: Closer - Ne-Yo
54: Paper Planes - M.I.A.
53: Viva La Vida - Coldplay
52: Do You Feel - The Rocket Summer
51: Don't Trust Me* - 3OH!3
49: Whoa Oh! (Me Vs. Everyone) - Forever The Sickest Kids
48: Shattered (Turn The Car Around) - O.A.R.
47: Until You - Dave Barnes
46: The Man Who Can't Be Moved* - The Script
45: Thunder - Boys Like Girls
44: Disturbia - Rihanna
43: Jamie All Over - Mayday Parade
42: Into Your Arms - The Maine
41: Hot N' Cold* - Katy Perry
39: T-Shirt - Shontelle
38: Summer Hair = Forever Young - The Academy Is...
37: Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis (#48 in 2007)
36: Always Be - Jimmy Eat World
35: Womanizer - Britney Spears
34: No Air - Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown
33: Check Yes Juliet - We The Kings
32: The Way She Moves- Forever The Sickest Kids
31: So Close - Jon McLaughlin
29: If This Room Could Move - I Nine
28: Beating My Heart - Jon McLaughlin
27: Love Me - National Product
26: If I Were A Boy - Beyonce
25: Just Dance* - Lady GaGa feat. Colby O'Donis
24: Beautiful Beat - Nada Surf
23: With Me - Sum 41
22: This Love* - The Veronicas
21: With You - Chris Brown (#55 in 2007)
Spending two weeks at the top spot of the Friss Zene countdown in early January, the Massachusetts-based band led by Martin Johnson's video for Hero/Heroine was actually the second version. Originally released as the first single off their eponymous debut, the song was re-released after the success of their hit "The Great Escape".
When I first heard of this song -- yes on that major national clothing company store's television commercial -- I was immediately entranced by this girl's breathy vocals set against electro-pop beats. I hope to see big things (including her debut) from Lights next year.
Although her other hit became a bigger chart success this past year, "Better In Time" is the type of song that better showcases the vocal prowess of this young lady from England. Catchy drumbeat throughout the song? Check. The chops to pull off somewhat romantic cliches? Check. Hit in 09? We will see...
The only band to make have two songs in the top 20, Chad Wolf leads his band Carolina Liar in this pop-rock head thumper penned by Swedish hit maker Max Martin.
The result of an infusion of techno and alternative punk would sound something like this. Simply one of the best rock songs of 2008 and it wasn't even officially released as a single. 
A charming and earnest vocal delivery from frontman Dan Layus, Augustana came back to the fore with "Sweet And Low", a decidedly low-key affair that has the band going for a roots/folk sound for their sophomore album Can't Hurt, Can't Love. I was lucky enough to meet the band after their show in Hawaii this past summer and can say they are nice guys.
Simplistic and majestic. Keyboardist and lead singer of Nathan Ferraro's haunting wail instantly piqued my interest. They haven't made it big in the states, but dare I say that this band may well be Canada's answer to Coldplay, only less bombastic. This song spent three weeks at the top on the Friss Zene countdown.
12 months ago, Motion City Soundtrack landed at #13 with "Broken Heart" and now the Minneapolis-based band comfortably stays at the same position yet again with the next single "It Had To Be You". And again, MCR doesn't take themselves too seriously in their video, in which the band entertains sock pockets and become musical marionettes.
The reigning queen of the year-end countdown (with last year's #1 "Umbrella") marks her FIFTH song appearance on the countdown with arguably the summer jam of 2008. Penned by Ne-Yo, this piano ballad about a scorned lover seems like a certain other song Ne-Yo happened to pen for a certain famous R&B songstress. Nonetheless, "Take A Bow" is another shining example of Rihanna's entrancing voice set alongside the impressive songwriting from the 'Gentleman'.
Without sacrificing sincerity while maintaining a radio-friendly sensibility, the other standout track from Carolina Liar's debut Coming To Terms was this pleasantly unexpected track, a tragic/heartbreaking ballad about a man who has deluded himself after experiencing a particular tragedy: I wanna ask for directions but I don't dare to disturb / I got a thing with affections, yeah, That's why I'm walking alone. The chorus: Sunlight creeps in between the curtains / Lose the sheets, there's no time for sleep / I lie, I pretend 'til I'm almost certain it's a beautiful world
Sure, OneRepublic hit it big last year with "Apologize", but I preferred this song, the second single off their Dreaming Out Loud. Ryan Tedder has written and/or produced many hits for other artists, including #37 and Beyonce's future single "Halo", yet his band has not been able to attain the same level of success of "Apologize". Nonetheless, the dude's got a knack for crafting pop tunes.
Lifehouse began 2008 on top of the Friss Zene countdown, landing at #1 for 3 weeks with "Whatever It Takes", a Jason Wade-led power ballad about a man's swoon-worthy attempt to remedy a failing relationship. This marks the second consecutive year a Lifehouse song has made the Top 20 ("First Time" was #11 last year).
As the debut single for his self-titled album, this year's Idol runner-up had to match --or surpass-- the success of David Cook's debut single (more of that a little later). Thankfully, David Archuleta has the goods to deliver. "Crush" is by all means a classic pop song made for radio airplay and the throngs of tweens with disposable income whom are able to purchase the music. Simplistic yet catchy, its melody and chorus will stick in your head for days. It's a bonafide guilty pleasure.
I am not a huge fan of hip-hop, so it takes an amazing song like this for me to take notice. Collaborations between rappers and R&B songstresses are usually hit or miss. However, Rihanna, who is arguably the most successful female artist in 2008, has that distinct pop voice that can pull-off a rather unlikely sing-along chorus. Not only does this song have great beats and vocals, it is further enhanced by an overall affirming message through refreshingly thoughtful lyrics by Mr. T.I himself. My favorite lyric: I'm the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished with the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid
The 2008 American Idol's debut single had all the trappings of a reality television competition coronation song: syrupy-sweet lyrics about "magic rainbows" and cliches about rising from the ashes or finding wings on the road of achieving success. And yet, David Cook's rock delivery of a would-be also-ran, won me over. It debuted at #3 and was the highest debut single for any Idol winner since 2003. By the end of the year, the song has achieved platinum status. Goes to show that with major talent, Cook has the ability to take inspiration and create magic.
5: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT - Cute Is What We Aim For
My coming-of-age anthem of 2008. This promising debut single off their sophomore album Rotation is a departure from CIWWAF's previous releases due to the band's overall evolving sound. Lead singer Shaant Hacikyan presides over lyrics that speak of a self-awareness that comes with maturity and life experience, or, perhaps the realization of a lack thereof, and delivers mature sounding pipes through each rousing chorus.
4: ISLAND (FLOAT AWAY) - The Starting Line
The line "Well it seems like we can never catch a break" sounds so heartbreakingly true. The Starting Line began early 2008 announcing that their latest spring tour would be their last...for a long while. After their 2007 disc Direction failed to bring in the sales their label Virgin Records expected them to garner, they were subsequently told that promotion would cease after its brief release to rock stations. Led by the scruffy yet soulful frontman Kenny Vasoli, the Pennsylvanian quartet's "Island" had all the makings a huge hit: soaring choruses, the brilliant utilization of metaphor, ace guitar riffs, and a pop sensibility. One wonders what would have happened if it were released to mainstream radio, as it was originally intended. Island will remain as a personal favorite.
3: I'LL RUN - The Cab (with ZZZZZ and TAKE MY HAND as honorable mentions)
"I'll Run" was the inaugural debut single off Fueled By Ramen's newest signed band The Cab, had a record makeover of sorts from its original cut from the Vegas-based band's indie EP Glitz and Glamour. Now with major studio production touch-ups, a rythmic piano hook and guitar riff that plays throughout the song and soulful vocals from lead singer Alex Deleon, the song has helped develop a fellow fanbase since its debut on their Myspace in late 07. In February, I saw them on the "Really Really Ridiculous Good Looking Tour", in which they opened for Cobra Starship, what surprised me was (1) their youth (all in their teens) since they all seemed like seasoned pros because (2) they sounded great live, which indicated how they would translate as a full record. The result was an amazing collection of polished pop rock hits called Whisper War.
2: UNTOUCHED - The Veronicas
It is quite surprising to me how it is only now that the country is finally discovering how great this song is. Originally released as a spring single off their 2007 album Hook It Up, the Australian twin sis duo of Jess (newly blonde) and Lisa Origliasso may finally get their American chart breakthrough in 2009 with the song's re-release stateside. The song is co-written by Toby Gad, the dude who helped pen hits for Fergie ("Big Girls Don't Cry) and Beyonce (see #26). Undeniably the poppiest venture from the Veronicas, its rush of violin strings and a beat that sticks into your head like molasses contribute to its elegantly frenetic charm. What a fine electro-pop piece of art.
1: THINK OF YOU LATER (EMPTY ROOM) - Every Avenue
From Michigan pop-punkers Every Avenue, "Think Of You Later..." was an instant aural attraction way back in early 2008. In fact, I loved nearly every song off their eponymous debut. The majority of their album is unashamedly catchy -- a big positive in my book -- with anthemic sing-a-long choruses that makes you forget that this song is really a downer. Clocking in under 3 minutes, it is both radio-ready and refreshingly rosy in its faux optimism. Frontman Dave Ryan has, in my opinion, one of the best rock vocals in the scene. I listened to many, many pop, rock, and pop-punk singles this year. Some were more played out than others, but after eight months, I have yet to get tired of this. "Think Of You Later..." was recently released (Nov) as their second official single, so I sure hope it'll be a hit with others as it is with me. Ladies and gentlemen, "Think Of You Later (Empty Room)" is my song of 2008.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Take a bow and float away, 2008...it's The Top 80 of 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
The Cab's Whisper War in stores!
Hey everyone! Blogging to let you know that I received my pre-order of The Cab's Whisper War (debut album on Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen) and it is awesome. This was one of the albums I was highly anticipating and am not disappointed. I previously saw them open for Cobra Starship earlier in the spring and was surprised to find the lead singer Alex DeLeon had really soulful vocals that go well with their rock sound. The Las Vegas-based band has been working on the CD for the past year and now it is finally out for fan consumption. I pre-ordered mine and got this autographed poster by the members of the band with it.
I must say, all the twelve songs are catchy, radio worthy, and ready for repeat plays on iTunes. "Take My Hand" and "I'll Run" sound more enhanced than their more stripped-down demo versions. Other standout tracks include: "Zzzzz" (formerly known as "Singing Myself To Sleep), "High Hopes In Velvet Ropes", "That 70s Song", "Vegas Skies" and "Risky Business".
You guys should get your copy when it hits stores tomorrow/Tuesday, April 29!
As a treat, listen to "Zzzzz" HERE. After listening to this song, you know you want to go BUY THE ALBUM!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Really, Really Ridiculously Good Looking Tour featuring Cobra Starship on 2.13.08
I've been planning on arriving early for the Cobra Starship headling show of the "Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking" tour at Slim's in San Francisco on February 13, 2008. However, one wrong bus later, I was in The Mission and figured I was pretty much going in the wrong direction. Fast forward twenty minutes later on the phone with my friend Maricel, I get to Slim's where I was greeted by a ridiculously long line that stretched over the corner. Trace Cyrus (half brother of "Hannah Montana"), the part-time vocalist and guitarist of emo-electro band Metro Station, was in front of their tour bus snapping photos with fans. Once I got in the doors, I took position about seven rows back on the floor, which was still farther back than I prefer. The show started at 7:30 p.m. with the latest band to join the Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance family, The Cab. Their set was the shortest out of the four bands, but the lead singer Alex DeLeon arguably had one of the better rock voices overall. He even sang a cover of Edwin McCain's "I'll Be" for the Valentine's Day lovers. The band has some really catchy songs, including "Singing Myself To Sleep" and "Take My Hand". I'm excited to see what these kids come up with when their yet unnamed debut album comes out in April. The ended their set with their current single and Friss Zene's current #1 "I'll Run". By then, I was somewhat squished -- but not to the extent I would experience later in the show. The intermissions are interesting at Slim's. Prior to each band's set, a projector screen is lowered in front of the stage area so the audience can't see the changes. In between performances, the most random stuff were played, like "The Pink Panther" cartoons and "?" singers from the early 1990s. What made it even more odd was the music played, which was inconsistent with the images on screen, since they were playing "Low" by Flo Rida and stuff from LCD Soundsystem. The third band was Metro Station led Mason Musso. They started off with "Disco", then "Wish We Were Older", "Seventeen Forever", "California", "Tell Me What To Do", "Kelsey", "Now That We're Done", and lastly "Control". I overheard someone saying "Seventeen Forever" is "so controversial" and another girl was spouting out how much she loves "Hannah Montana" in a sarcastic tone. Anyway, their set was really good and as I mentioned earlier, Mason is also one of the better lead vocalists. Taking the whole electro element away from their live performances, they work just as well as emo/punk rock songs. The last, but certainly not least, band of the night was headliner Cobra Starship. The wait for the band was longer than the other sets. The crowd grew restless. Heck, I grew restless. It that point, my throat was dry, my energy levels have been exhausted, and I was about ready to collapse. Then at 10 p.m., Cobra went on. Lead singer Gabe Saporta was in his signature violet purple hoodie but with his glasses for the opener "The City Is At War". He soon ditched the glasses for the remainder of the set, which was about a little less than an hour and a half. Among the songs Gabe sang were "Prostitution Is The World's Oldest Profession", "Send My Love To The Dancefloor", "The Church Of Hot Addiction", "Smile For the Paparazzi" -- which Gabe boasted of its use of Spanish words, "My Moves Are White (White Hot That Is)" (which is apparently about keytar player Victoria), and one of my favorite songs off of ¡Viva La Cobra!, "Kiss My Sass". Here's a clip: Immediately after "Kiss My Sass", Gabe went into "Damn, You Look Good And I'm Drunk". And for Valentine's Day, Gabe sang their "only love song", "The World Has Its Shine". Cobra came back for the encore to play "Guilty Pleasure". Post-concert, I met with Metro Station's drummer Anthony and got an autograph pic of him and the band. Travis of We The Kings was also there signing and meeting fans but there was a long queue I was unwilling to enter. Overall, it was a great show! I have the bruises and the interestingly intimate experiences with the fans as good souvenirs, but ultimately the music made it worthwhile. 
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Fresh Music - Top 40 for February 9, 2008
Friss Zene Top 40 TW= this week's position Bubbline Under:41 to 45 Falling Off ** Retired! ** Re-Entry Biggest Debut Biggest Jump Biggest Decline Friss Zene
Another Fueled By Ramen band grabs the top spot this week 
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart
TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 09 +08 01 04 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
02 03 +02 01 11 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
03 01 -02 01 04 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)
04 07 +03 04 29 Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music
05 DEBUT 05 01 The Midway State - Change For You
06 04 -02 01 10 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
07 06 -01 01 10 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
08 03 -05 03 03 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
09 18 +09 09 02 Sum 41 - With Me
10 DEBUT 10 01 Augustana - Sweet And Low
11 15 +04 11 02 The Starting Line - Island
12 02 -10 02 06 Jon McLaughlin - So Close
13 24 +11 13 18 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
14 12 -02 12 03 Josh Kelley - Unfair
15 08 -07 04 06 Janet Jackson - Feedback
16 10 -06 01 27 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You (1 week at #1)
17 13 -04 01 16 I Nine - Seven Days Of Lonely (1 week at #1)
18 11 -07 03 11 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
19 17 -02 03 11 John Mayer - Say
20 14 -06 08 05 Paramore - Let The Flames Begin
21 DEBUT 21 01 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You
22 34 +12 14 12 Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again
23 25 +02 14 09 NLT - She Said, I Said
24 16 -08 16 04 Buckchery - Sorry
25 21 -04 21 07 Nelly Furtado - In God's Hands
26 DEBUT 26 01 Simple Plan - When I'm Gone
27 19 -08 16 09 Linkin Park - Shadow Of The Day
28 20 -08 05 07 Finger Eleven - Paralyzer
29 22 -07 20 06 Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes
30 29 -01 16 08 David Guetta feat. Chris Willis - Love Is Gone
31 26 -05 15 05 Sean Kingston - Take You There
32 DEBUT 32 01 Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan
33 23 -10 11 08 Paramore - Crushcrushcrush
34 28 -06 28 04 Avril Lavigne - Runaway
35 32 -03 32 04 Kate Nash - Merry Happy
36 27 -09 14 05 Kelly Rowland feat. Travis McCoy - Daylight
37 33 -04 13 24 Fergie - Clumsy
38 DEBUT 38 01 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
39 37 -02 01 29 Matt Nathanson - Car Crash (1 week at #1)
40 -- R E 19 04 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
41 36 -05 01 22 36 26 -10 01 21 Rihanna feat. Ne-Yo - Hate That I Love You (1 week at #1)
42 38 -04 01 34 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster(3 weeks at #1)
43 DEBUT 43 01 Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl
44 45 +01 03 21 Motion City Soundtrack
45 DEBUT 45 01 Yael Naim - New Soul
Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
Good Charlotte - Dance Floor Anthem
Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful Of Sunshine
Rihanna - Rehab
Ashlee Simpson - Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)
Nicole Scherzinger - Puakenikeni
OneRepublic - Apologize: 18 weeks (1 week at #1)
Pink - Who Knew: 18 weeks (peak at #7)
Mat Kearney - Breathe In Breathe Out: 15 weeks (peak at #8)
We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet (this week at #40, since its last appearance on September 1, 2007)
The Midway State - Change For You (debut at #5)
Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again (#22, up 12 spots from #34 last week)
Paramore - Crushcrushcrush (#33, down 10 spots from #23 last week)
Vanessa Carlton - Hands On Me
The Spill Canvas - All Over You
