TOP 10 [EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED]
10) *Brand New
Sowing Season (379 Points, Peak: 01[x23])*
"Was losing all my friends.
Was losing them to drinking and to driving.
But I got them back..."
This song easily could have topped this year's end chart, but sadly it didn't chart till the end of the year. It's currently number one on my daily chart and shows no signs of slowing down.
09) The All-American Rejects
Move Along (391 Points, Peak: 01[x15])
"When all you gotta keep is stong
just move along, move along
until the pain is gone"
I am definitely a fan of AAR and it seems year after year they score huge hits and this is the first time they cracked my top ten since the "Swing, Swing" era. I'm hoping for bigger and better things from the boys in the future.
[IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE go to
www.myspace.com/katiedillmusic
08) Katie Dill
Lightning (397 Points, Peak: 01[x6])
"And I'll always remember the words you said
in that moment we were both struck dead
and i'll always remember the words you said
and we danced, and we danced..."
Now here is someone...NONE of you have heard of. She is a personal friend of mine and is one of the fore-runners of the Delaware high school indie scene...sounds kinda silly but she's got a quite a groundswell for her. All her songs are home-recorded demos but you should give them a listen...I'm sure you'll be enamored.
07) Kelly Clarkson
Walk Away (452 Points, Peak: 01[x6])
"Are you gonna fight for me?
Die for me?
Live and breathe for me?
Do you care for me?
'Cause if you don't then just leave"
Alright, now Kelly is always high up on my year-ender even ending at no.1 two years ago with "Since U Been Gone". What can I say...I'm a huge fan. So this year, "Walk Away" was my pop guilty pleasure. And I'm highly anticipating new material from this pop princess.
06) The Early November
Decoration (517 Points, Peak: 01[x11])
"But you can kick it in the back, make it all go away
Take some pills for the pain and throw your voice away"
I bought the Early November album for "Hair" but it turns out this was the song I fell in love with. To be one of three songs this year that debuted on my countdown at number one, it was guaranteed to be a hit. From the catchiness of the upbeat version, to the haunting of the slowed down version, pure brilliance. Hopefully The Early November will be just as successful in 2007.
05) Rihanna
Unfaithful (546 Points, Peak: 01[x22])
"I don't wanna do this anymore
I don't wanna be the reason why
Everytime I walk out the door
I see him die a little more inside
I don't wanna hurt him anymore
I don't wanna take away his life
I don't wanna be...
A murderer"
Rihanna, wow, she really shocked me this year with this one. I loved "SOS" but this just blew anything else she's ever done right out of the water. Her other songs are infectious but this showed another side of the gorgeous R&B songstress. Undoubtedly, she is here to stay.
04) Taking Back Sunday
MakeDamnSure (555 Points, Peak: 01[x4])
"I just wanna break you down so badly
Well I trip over everything you say
I just wanna break you down so badly
In the worst way"
I am such a fan of TBS and this song confirmed everything I loved about the old them. I feel like they've gone a bit in the wrong direction with this album BUT they're still one of my favorites. Shockingly, this song only hit the top spot 4 times, due to battling the number one song and later in its run, Rihanna.
03) AFI
Love Like Winter (700 Points, Peak: 01[x44])
"Warn your warmth to turn away
Here it’s December, everyday"
This song is brilliant in every way, shape, and form. It debuted on my countdown at number one (seeing as the video was my favorite from this year) and spent 44 straight days atop the countdown. This isn't even my favorite track on the album, maybe next year AFI will take the number one spot!
02) Cute Is What We Aim For
There's A Class For This (1000 Points, Peak: 01[x31])
"Drama doesn't follow me it rides on my back
I may be ugly but they sure love to stare"
Well, well. This is the first retired song to appear on my year-ending countdown (1000 Points). CIWWAF are one of my favorite bands if not my favorite. It's just upbeat power pop at its best and its so damn catchy. This was their first official single and since the albums release, I've seen them live twice and actually even met them. Expect any song they release in the future to hit number one on my countdown.
01) Cute Is What We Aim For
Teasing To Please (Demo) (1000 Points, Peak: 01[x56]
"And so typically
And so typically
Soft, set back and perfectly dropped
Tough and learn, and so perfectly taught
I am as he does
You are as she was
And that's because
And that's because
But you never try
But you never try
Cause conflict and make your top pick
Restitch my ripped jeans
And take the old ones
Take the old ones out back
Sew them tight at the seams please
I've got so many ripped knees, ripped knees
I'm selfish as selfish comes
You're giving me a run for my money
Honey
This is a hint that you take
And you pull and you find a way out of what you got yourself into
But when you try
But when you try to get out you'll never find
That most definitely I will be attracted to you
If you pick my left side
Because you know how we do, we do
I'm selfish as selfish comes
You're giving me a run for my money
Honey
Cause conflict and make your top pick
Restitch my ripped jeans
And take the old ones
Take the old ones out back
Sew them tight at the seams please
I've got so many ripped knees, ripped knees
I'm selfish as selfish comes
You're giving me a run for my money
I'm selfish as selfish comes
You're giving me a run for my money
Honey
I'm selfish as selfish comes
You're giving me a run for my money"
I promised myself that I wouldn't let the same artist occupy the top 2 spots on my countdown...but chartwise they had the best performing songs. Alright, so this song is clearly my favorite song of 2006...spending a MASSIVE 56 days at number one. This song was a countdown powerhouse. Maybe it was the catchy chorus, or seeing it live several times, or the ripped jeans reference, whatever it was about this song, I LOVE IT. And I bet you'll be seeing Shaant and the boys on next year's year-ender as well.
TOP ALBUM (but first the top albums of the past 2 years)
TOP ALBUM (2004)
Underoath They're Only Chasing Safety
TOP ALBUM (2005)
The Academy Is... Almost Here
TOP ALBUM 2006!!!
Brand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
Top Tracks:
01) Handcuffs
02) Jesus
03) Sowing Season (Yeah!)
04) Millstone
05) Limousine
06) Degauser
Everything about this album is perfect. I've grown up alongside Brand New. And don't get me wrong, I LOVE old Brand New. But right now they're definitely in the same place as me, emotionally. "Millstone" has got to be the most relevant song I've ever heard. Congratulations, Brand New, you are my number one.