Chris DeLine

#1) Bat For Lashes “Daniel”
The most beautiful song on an album that made Bat For Lashes a household name this year. Well, in some households.

#2) The Prodigy “Invaders Must Die”
With all three original members of the group together again for the first time in over a decade, the Prodigy never sounded so fierce; even if only for a song or two on their otherwise forgettable comeback album.

#3) Fever Ray “Triangle Walks”
This pick could have been any song from Karin Dreijer Andersson’s now-defunct solo project. Each song is remarkably unique and stunning in their own right.

#4) Pearl Jam “Just Breathe”
The most delicate and touching track on a rugged rock album, “Just Breathe” showcases how brilliant Eddie Vedder’s much scoffed at songwriting can truly be.

#5) Yeasayer “Tightrope”
Though it has long-since in the band’s live repertoire, “Tightrope” has a lasting sound that acted as a fantastic gateway song between All Hours Symbols and Odd Blood.

#6) P.O.S “Purexed”
Again, this pick could have been a handful of tracks from the stunning Never Better. The bi-polar nature of “Purexed” makes it stand out however, and that’s saying something when considering how unique the entire record is.

#7) PJ Harvey & John Parish “Black Hearted Love”
The best rock riff of the year.

#8) Matt and Kim “Daylight”
It’s hard not to be happy for the Brooklyn-based duo’s success this year. Matt and Kim’s live performances do well to accurately reflect the overwhelmingly positive feeling of their songs; “Daylight” just happens to be one of the most enjoyable of which to listen to either live or on record.

#9) Dead Man’s Bones “In The Room Where You Sleep (original version)”
The Anti- version which made it onto Dead Man’s Bones’ debut album lacks the eerie grit that the original (pre-label) version had. The song is only topped by its music video.

#10) Raekwon feat. Method Man & Ghostface Killah “New Wu”
Method Man’s chorus on “New Wu” is an earworm that just won’t die; the entire track has me anxious waiting for the trio’s forthcoming collaboration. Wu-Tang forever.

[This post was first published by Culture Bully.]