Our Top 50 Favorite Tracks Countdown - 50 - 46

Yessir, it has started, the countdown of the 50 best tracks of 2011! Everyday I’ll post one track in the Daily Clip section, but if you missed one don’t worry, after each batch of five I’ll be sure to post those songs with links on the site (you’ll find it in the main post). So for the next 50 days, nothing but the best, here we go!

Nr.50 – ‘Think You Can Wait’ by The National

The National, in album years, have always been pretty high up the list, but for a non-album year and really a non-EP year cracking the top 50 is not too shabby on its own I reckon. The song is one that appeared on the soundtrack for the film Win Win, which I have yet to see but I don’t think it actually got a cinema release here. Guess I have to hunt the DVD bins for this one. They leaves the more orchestrated, the bigger sound of their last album High violet behind them, and they go for a very understated sound here. Though in the background, the instrumental sound still feels very complex. The background vocals complement Berninger nicely. Just a lovely tune when you are travelling and looking out the train window somewhere.

Nr. 49- ‘Every Minute Alone’ by WhoMadeWho

Though I like the band live more than on album (live the were killer), this track of WhoMadeWho’s album Knee Deep does show they can deliver on album. Those vocals are amazing, and the drums really keep this one propelling forward. Especially in combination with the beat, which sometimes takes over. The vocals add some emotional punch to it. It is really no wonder that this one was picked as a single, because it really punches quite some lights out in a decent running time. Nearing the end they make it a bit more grainy, but it never loses its pace. Wonderful song, and wonderful live band.

Nr. 48 – ‘Adelaide’ by Destin

Nice and catchy song this is, and I love the French vocals even though I have no idea what they are going on about. But there is something in the delivery and the tone of those vocals that have me hooked. And believe it or not, it is not even the only song in this list with French vocals! Mental. I love how this one so smoothly goes on, that it has this bit of melancholic atmosphere, and I like all these little elements they manage to squeeze in there like those background vocals. Such a nice song.

Nr. 47 – ‘Today is Our Life’ by Memory Tapes

Though I have to admit that, being forced to pick one, I’d probably take the debut album over this year’s Piano Player, that doesn’t quite mean there aren’t some great tracks on there. This one starts slow, but it does pick up the pace soon enough, mixing the dreamy aesthetic of Memory Tapes with a slice of surf pop I reckon. It shows both Dayve Hawk’s vocal skills as well as his guitar prowess in a nifty little solo, and if you can fault the debut for anything it is not having quite the confidence that is apparent in this song, for example. And as ever, Memory Tapes sure knows how to keep things rolling without having to give in on aesthetic.

Nr. 46 – ‘The Freaks’ by Cortex (The Drop Out Orchestra remix)

Lets go and boogie on this The Drop Out Orchestra remix of ‘The Freaks’ by Cortex. It just as spunk, something you don’t get too often. It has so much spunk it just makes you want to get on the dancefloor and be arrogant ot something. Also, any song with the line “a dinosaur is lying in my elevator” certainly deserves a spot on this list. “We are te freaks’ the song proclaims, and I’m sure the house would get freaky when this one drops. Nice bit of funk here that will allow you to get saucy, and surely, what more do you want from a song?