Dana's Mixed Bag

For the past few years I’ve put together discs or playlists of my favorite songs of the year. Today I’ll feature 2003.

2004: one of the biggest artistic letdown years in memory. So many new bands came to the forefront, but few had a decent singer. The title is based on the grossly overrated Modest Mouse CD “Good News for People Who Love Bad News”. It took a while to think of a whole CD of decent songs for 2004, and I couldn’t do it. I filled in the rest with a few great oversights from 2003. The Best CD this year: Keane – “Hopes and Fears”. Honorable mentions: Phantom Planet, Incubus, The Cardigans, and Juliana Hatfield. Other CDs you’re likely to enjoy are by U2, Green Day, Maroon 5, Joss Stone, and Tift Merritt.

Songs:

1. Everything I’ve Got In My Pocket (Minnie Driver) Yes, THAT Minnie Driver. Perfect on a foggy day.
2. You’re The Storm (The Cardigans) From a super-mellow CD. This song is simply gorgeous, though.
3. Bend and Break (Keane) Even more gorgeous! Sounds like Freddie Mercury sitting in with Coldplay.
4. So Alive (Ryan Adams) Actually a 2003 song. A big departure for the alt-country former Raleighite.
5. Worn Me Down (Rachael Yamagata) This one stuck in my head all year.
6. Vertigo (U2) The whole iPod thing made me sick of it…still stands as one of the best ‘04 rock songs.
7. Call Me Mellow (Tears For Fears) Yes, THAT Tears For Fears is back with their best song ever.
8. Another White Dash (Butterfly Boucher) Opened for Sarah McLachlan captured the crowd’s hearts.
9. Breakin’ (The Music) ESPN is using this one for Winter X Games ads. Very Jane’s Addiction-ish.
10. Suspended (Matt Nathanson) Nice little song. Don’t know much about him.
11. Somebody Told Me (The Killers) Great album cover. Great, funny lyrics in the chorus.
12. Mona Lisa (Jesse Malin) This one grew on me at the office this year.
13. Beautiful Ways (Pat McGee Band) VA roots rock band with nobody named Pat McGee in the band.
14. C’Mon C’Mon (The Von Bondies) Featured in a Chevy ad.
15. Long Time Coming (Delays) Featured in a diamond ad around Christmas.
16. Almost (Sarah Harmer) Sarah is a heavy-rotation darling of Rochester’s great WBER radio station.
17. Daughters (John Mayer) This song never really hit me until we saw him do it live.
18. Take Your Mama (Scissor Sisters) Fun little throwback to the old Elton John. Great showing on SNL.
19. Talk Shows On Mute (Incubus) Brandon Boyd can flat out sing.
20. The First Single (The Format) Officially a 2003 release, but couldn’t be ignored. Can you say “The Outfield”?

Play This List In Rhapsody

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