The Definitive 2005 iPod Mix, or the Best Songs of the Year

With the advent of the i-Pod, singles have become more ubiquitous and accessible than albums. The following is an array of songs that helped make 2005 a great year in music. There are songs for every genre: the bittersweet orchestrations of Sufjan Stevens, the rock orientated British invasion, the electropop of Aussie's Cut Copy and the pensive folk of presario Aimee Mann. All the songs on the list were picked on the criteria on being so good they required pressing repeat more than once and were entertaining enough to endure the entire year. These are the tracks to relish as the year comes to an end and the tracks to take with us into the burgeoning new year.

1. "Chicago," Sufjan Stevens (Illinois)

Sufjan Stevens has come full circle this year with his brilliant breakthrough album Illinois. The entire album wavers between poignant portraits of the working class to more boisterous songs like "Chicago." Most of the song has bold and mellifluous orchestrations with dizzying horns creating a sense of optimism, but there's still an underlying feeling of remorse with the repetitive lyric: "I've made a lot of mistakes." This humanizes the city and the life Stevens so proudly sings about.

2. "Apply Some Pressure," Maximo Park (A Certain Trigger)

Brit pop made a huge comeback this year and Maximo Park contributed to the deluge with a rocking track off their debut, A Certain Trigger. Loud and unbridled in the beginning, the song plateaus at the chorus as lead singer Paul Smith offers advice: "What happens when you lose everything/you just start again/you start all over again." A valid recommendation for the impending new year.

3. "I Summon You," Spoon (Gimme Fiction)

Spoon made a much needed return this year with their impeccableGimme Fiction release. Half way through the album, this song appears with its simplistic strumming guitar and drum beats that pace the chords. The lyrics discuss: "Got the weight of the world/I summon you here my love" and instantly a feeling of calm and comfort is felt as Britt Daniel lets us know we are not alone. And it’ll have you humming for days on end.

4. "Publish My Love," Rogue Wave (Descended Like Vultures)

Up and comers Rogue Wave interlace 80s homage synths and sweeping grandeur on the first single off their sophomore album. Zack Rogue repeats: "You could never publish my love" and girls everywhere swoon to his proclamation. The best parts are the synth/drum combinations that sonically explode in the ear.

5. "Bleeding Heart Show," New Pornographers (Twin Cinema)

These power poppers are a rare band whose albums improve with each release. A.C Newman and aggregate finally hit their stride with their best effort yet. Epic and triumphant, "Bleeding Heart Show" begins slowly then subtlety shapes and soars with histrionics and infectious "ohhs" and "hey la's." Neko Case and Newman purge their hearts to effectively convey all is not lost.

6. "Munich," Editors (The Back Room)

Dubbed the "British version of Interpol " these four blokes create powerful and passionate songs on their debut album. "Munich" stands out with its darkly atmospheric, alt-rock sensibilities, unstoppable propelling guitars and commanding vocals. Lead singer Tom Smith conjectures: "People are fragile things you should know by now/you should be careful what you put them through." Well said.

7. "Saturdays," Cut Copy (Bright Like Neon Love)

Riding the wave of the popularity of electro/dance, this Australian trio of 20-somethings re-define the genre with their mix of disco and Daft Punk inspired beep and bleeps. "Saturdays'" funk brings out the dance and breakdancing potential to become the perfect song to ring out the old year. Check out Cut Copy's other worthy tracks: "Going Nowhere" and "Future."

8. "America's Boy," Broadcast (Tender Buttons)

What's better than a timely track on current events? Trish Keenan of the UK electropop outfit satirizes about being a Yankee American soldier in wartime using distorted synth melodies that fade in and out to sound antiquated. At times it sounds celestial and is especially memorable with the blend of drum machine and keyboard instrumentals and feedback drenched solos.

9. “This Sporting Life,” The Decembrists (Picaresque)

One of the finest narrative songs of the year, "This Sporting Life" is told in detail from the perspective of an injured athlete who remarks on his girlfriend getting friendly with the other team and how he just wasn't meant to be a player. The song has a Big Band/Swing ambience with fast pounding-toe stomping snare drums and horns accenting the unfolding spectacle.

10. “Feel Good Inc.,” Gorillaz (Demon Days)

Featured in one of those dancing I-Pod commercials, this rock/hip hop fused track is quite the listening experience. Damon Albarn provides the main vocals as the venerable De La Soul bring the rap. There are dreamy, electro interludes and insightful lyrics: “love forever/love is free/let’s turn forever you and me.” Gorillaz is the best cartoon band around (sorry Josie and the Pussycats) and recorded the feel good song of the year (pun intended).

11. "Your Ex-Lover's Dead," Stars (Set Yourself on Fire)

Probably one of the saddest songs on the list, it entails moving on from a broken relationship. Stars' singers Amy Millan and Evan Cranley duet to give a sort of he-said-she-said punch to the equation. The heartfelt strings expand with emotional depth especially on the wistful line: "I gave what I gave/I'm not sorry I met you I'm not sorry it's over/I'm not sorry there's nothing to say." Cue the teardrops.

12. "Abel," The National (Alligator)

Lead vocalist Matt Berninger sure knows how to put on a show. In concert he grips the mike so tight he looks as if he'll combust. His and the band's intensity is evident on "Abel," a charged rock track with Berninger stridently spewing crazy talk: "My mind's not right!" while guitars churn in the background. With solemn ruminations on people and places, Alligator is the their best album yet.

13. "Clinically Dead," Chad VanGaalen (Infiniheart)

The lyrics mention being brain dead and plugged into a machine, but it's more than a song about Man vs. Machine. It starts off slow with an acoustic guitar and some twinkling sounds and crests to an electric guitar filled chorus. The two-minute song is both melodic and rocking, balanced between loud and soft, and is one of those songs you wish was just a little bit longer.

14. "Black Cab," Jens Lekman (Oh You're So Silent Jens)

"Black Cab" was taken from a previous EP, but appears on this new compilation disc. Known as the Swedish Stephin Merrit, Lekman has a profound sense of melody integrating strings, the dulcimer and church bells. It's a beautifully composed and executed track full of self-flagellating lyrics and talk of "psycho killer cabbies." This could be Lekman's "There's a Light That Never Goes Out."

15. "Talk," Coldplay (X&Y)

Anthemic U2 inspired rock songs are what Coldplay does best, which isn’t exactly novel. Although it's become trendy to hate Coldplay, I have to give them credit for this song. It works because of the Kraftwerk sample combined with melodramatic lyrics played over it. The rest of X&Y is disappointing, but “Talk” almost makes up for the dearth of quality songs. If Chris Martin could write more songs like this, his career could be salvaged. Maybe.

16. "7/4 Shoreline," Broken Social Scene (Broken Social Scene)

This year, Canadian rock mob BSS released an ecstatic follow up to 2002's You Forgot it in People with their self-titled disc. Several of the songs contain an amalgam of instrumentations, including this one that is an exhilarating and hyper-kinetic track with a whirlwind of sounds. Frequent collaborator Feist sings along with Kevin Drew adding the right amount of spark

17. "For Real," Okkervil River (Black Sheep Boy)

Beginning with a strumming acoustic guitar, there is immediate talk of thirsting for blood and knives. Soon, pangs of drums and a jarring electric guitar burst take over. The track ascends with Will Sheff's jagged guitar patterns and screaming vocals that refer to those all too familiar dark stretches of the night.

18. "Unconditional," The Bravery (The Bravery)

Pounding synths and drums, desperate vocals and a yearning chorus of "I just want love/ I just want something for nothing" comprise this New Wave inspired track. New Yorkers Sam Endicott and the rest of the Bravery contributed to this year's 80s revival and did it with danceable results.

19. "Outsiders," Franz Ferdinand (You Could Have It So Much Better)

To pick the best single from this Scottish group’s latest album is a daunting task, but they saved the best for last. "Outsiders" closes the album with oscillating synths, pounding basslines, and a slightly psychedelic undertone to envelope post-punk disco at its best. It’s fast, furious and catchy enough to land in the same league as “Take Me Out.”

20. "Little Bombs," Aimee Mann (The Forgotten Arm)

Aimee Mann's concept album on boxing proved she still has the magic touch. A folky and pensive track, "Little Bombs" is a symbol for the trees as viewed from the 22nd floor of the Lenox hotel. Themes of loneliness, loss and nostalgia penetrate the track that fits into the puzzle of a crumpling relationship. These are the kinds of stories Mann tells best.

21. "Two More Years," Bloc Party(Silent Alarm)

With one of the best albums of the year, it's difficult to pick out a favorite from Silent Alarm, so I've decided on this non-album single. Lead singer Kele Okereke emotes: "I've become crueler in your presence." Ouch. Propulsive guitars and drums guide the track to become a thoughtful yet rocking meditation on heartache. Also worthy: the incendiary "Banquet" and the political "Helicopter" from their debut.

22. "Losing My Edge," LCD Soundsystem (LCD Soundsystem)

James Murphy (aka LCD Soundsystem) finally released his debut album this year. "Losing My Edge" was originally released in 2002, but appears on the album. It's a lengthy tune about the roots of electro/No Wave music with blurbs on seminal artists from the 1960s Can to present day Black Dice. The perpetuating drum beats and occasional exclamation of "I was there!" complements this well-rounded musical history lesson.

23. "Tendency," Battle

Akin to “Munich,” “Tendency” falls into the brooding British rock category with chaotic surf-rock guitars and thumping drums. The intensity factor increases with singer Jason Bavanandan pontificating on strained family relations, growing up, drinking, and love gone wrong. Battle hasn’t recorded a full-length yet, but it will surely be an anticipated project.

24. "I Ain't Saying my Goodbyes,” Tom Vek (We Have Sound)

Vek combines garage-rock, dance and electro drum machines to create a cogent track. He recorded the album in his parents' garage giving new meaning to lo-fi, but the production helps bring out the edge. Vek's falsetto voice pleads against death, hence, "I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes." And we hope he'll stick around for a while, too.

25. "Hide and Seek," Imogen Heap (Speak for Yourself)

Imogen Heap may be best known as the singer from the group Frou Frou who contributed to the Garden State soundtrack, but on her solo debut, she proves she can do it alone. The song is an exercise in minimalism as she takes only a vox and her beautiful voice to generate an incredibly poignant and naked performance.

BONUS: Best Song Released This Year but Appearing on a 2006 Release:

"The Greatest," Cat Power (The Greatest)

Another song about a boxer (see Aimee Mann), Chan Marshall's prominent voice enhances the track along with cordial "Moon River" strings, taut piano harmonies and echoing vocals. "The Greatest" is the first track from the titular album, and if her seething emotion is any indication, 2006 will be Marshall's year.

15 Honorable Mentions:

"My Own Face Through the Trees"/The Clientele

"This Year"/Mountain Goats

"Hard to Beat"/Hard-Fi

"Precious"/Depeche Mode

"Japanese Girls"/Robbers on High Street

"Mind Blindness"/Dirty on Purpose

"This Home on Ice"/Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

"Open Book"/The Rakes

"Starts Off with a Bang"/Mobius Band

"Shine a Light"/Wolf Parade

"Test Transmission"/Kasabian

"Galang"/M.I.A

"Leaves Do Fall"/the Rosebuds

"Venosa"/Amusement Parks on Fire

“Initiate”/Calla