RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Best Songs of 2009

1) “Beggin’” – Madcon [1-13-09]. A previously released R&B track by hip-hop group that perfectly blends pop with rap for prime danceability.

2) “Young Forever” – Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson [9-11-09]. Jay-Z hits the rap and Brit Hudson holds the melody in this R&B track from Jay-Z’s newest star-studded album.

3) “That’s Not My Name” – The Ting Tings [5-20-09]. A sassy girl-tune by indie British pop duo insists on getting her name right. But what IS her name???

4) “Feel It” – DJ Felli Fel feat. T-Pain, Sean Paul, Flo Rida and Pitbull [2-10-09]. A monster line-up of hip-hop stars showcase their collaborative talent on this big-time club banger.

5) “Not Fair” – Lily Allen [2-10-09]. With big country strings strumming in the background, coupled with he trademark hackneyed trashing of her guy in the sack makes for amusing, tongue-in-cheek track.

6) “Whatever You Like” – [T.I.] -- Anya Marina [7-7-09]. The multi-talented and breathy songstress from Ann Arbor, Michigan, (Go Blue!) covers T.I. with requisite R&B aplomb.

7) “She Wolf” – Shakira [7-10-09]. A huffing, howling, dangerous, shameless pop tune, warning abuot the she-wolf in your closet! -- by Columbian-Lebanese siren. Yoowwwwwoooooooo -- You go, girl.

8) “Day Dreaming’” – DJ Drama feat. Akon and Snoop Dogg [1-12-09]. Akon and Snoop Dogg (-- one version includes T.I. as well! -- ) carry the tune for this underground hip-hop track that features a “g” who ponders his his fantasy girl, a go-go dancer.

9) “True No. Bo. 9 Blues (True Romance)” – Golden Silvers [7-7-09]. A big retro, grooving, organ-backed sound with jazzy percussions from Londoner’s debut album.

10) “Feel Like Taking You Home” – Brendan Benson [8-18-09]. The singer/songwriter from Nashville and member of the Raconteurs delivers an alt-rock solo set on Dave Matthews’ record label.

11) “She’s Got You High” – Mumm-Ra {7-10-09] Included on the “500 Days of Summer Soundtrack,” this well-formed alt-indie song gets you boppin’ your to the pop-hook, from now- defunct group of England.

12) “Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh” – Say Hi [3-3-09]. A clubby alt-pop song with an 80’s feel – think men without Hats in The new Millenium – but way hipper.

13) “First Train Home” – Imogen Heap [8-25-09]. The opening track/lead single from her new album is the best shot yet – lyrical, full, gliding like a train, pretty-- for the Lady Brit to achieve radio play.

14) “Jailer” -- Asa [1-27-09]. A smooth and modern fusion of R&B, soul and African jazz from a formidable new siren out of Nigeria.

15) “She Ain’t Got Shit on Me” – LeToya Luckett [8/4/09]. A girl-power R&B dance track, ruff on edge, just needing to know about this chick “who’s all that” from 1/3 of Destiny’s Child.

16) “Fences” – Phoenix [5-26-09]. Original alternative sound from French indie-rock band who recently gained pop cred a la SNL appearance.

17) “ABC’s” – K’naan [1-27-09]. Punchy and aware, this hip-hop track by rising Somalia-born star is filled with old school backbeat -- raps traded with Chubb Rock -- and a big back-up chorus.

18) “I Don’t Know” – Lisa Hannigan [2-3-09]. A spare, pretty and simple song featuring melt-your-heart vocals from former Damien Rice side-kick.

19) “Ride to California” – Paper Tongues [8-25-09]. Rock track with a pumping backbeat and gritty vocals as its core by new 7-member band out of Charlotte, North Carolina.

20) “37 Stitches Acoustic Demo” – Drowning Pool [3-3-09]. A kitty-cocktail dose of this alt-metal group’s usual butt-kicking, but a palatable, gritty acoustic rocker nonetheless.

21) “Johnny Got a Boom Boom” – Imelda May [8-18-09]. Lively, retro boogie-woogie by emerging Irish vocalist.

22) “Brothers” – Smashproof (lead single, yet to be released in US). Funky R&B single from New Zealand group, layering female vocals with hip-hop from debutalbum which refers to a recent controversial case in which a business man stabbed a teenage grafitti “tagger” to death.

23) “Heartless” -- The Fray [4-7-09]. Denver-based band churns out a more dramatic alt-indie cover of Kanye Wests’s pop hip-hop smash hit from last summer.

24) “Supplier” – Shawty Lo feat. Lil Wayne and Trey Songz. Loaded to the gills with upbeat cameos, you feel part of the bling-bling R&B party.

25) “The Best Revenge” – Fischerspooner [4-21-09]. A danceable track with driving beats and vocals from the innovative New York electronica duo’s latest album.

26) “Sun Come Up” -- Baby & Rick Ross Featuring Glasses Malone [5-12-09]. An easy hip-hop collaboration led by a gritty Ross with Malone carrying the harmonious hook.

27) “I Love College” – Asher Roth [1-13-09]. A white boy rap applauding the indulgences of sex, drug, drinking and rock and roll that goes down in college.

28) “Day and Nite” – Kid Cudi (3-20-09) – Spooky R&B single from Midwestern hip-hopper whose melody you can’t shake once you’ve heard it.

29) “All I Really Want” – Rick Ross feat. The-Dream [4-21-09]. Ross is still rough but here he’s got flow as his hip-hop flows over a re-synthed disco sample.

30) “The One” – Mary J. Blige feat. Drake [6-9-09]. The R&B Groove Goddess from The Bronx joins Drake’s rap to give it all she’s got, demanding that her man stop lookin’ elsewhere.

31) “Fight for You” – Morgan Page [9-9-09]. Electronica dance track with pop female vocals by Vermont native and UVM radio disc jockey.

32) “Love, Save the Empty” – Erin McCarley [1-6-09]. Rich-voiced singer-songwriter deals out an array of throaty, moody tracks.

33) “Million Bucks” – Maino featuring Swizz Beats [6-30-09]. A feel-good rap track from latest album – an I-wanna-give-away-a-million-bucks away – from Brooklyn rapper who’s made his name on the mix-tape circuit.

34) “Change” – Daniel Merriweather feat. Wale [1-30-09]. Roll finally stumbled upon this soulful, pop-R&B off debut album by rocker out of Australia, produced by Mark Ronson.

35) “Can’t Hardly Wait” – N’Dambi [9-15-09]. A phat, soulful groove to get the love monkey off her back by contemporary R&B singer from Dallas and her yummy soul-sister background singers.

36) “Sun is Shining” – Bebel Gilberto [9-29-09]. A sexy cover of Bob Marley’s classic – ½ Portuguese and ½ English -- by Brazilian beauty descended from fine musical bloodline.

37) “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” – Pitbull. [2-24-09]. Dance-able, hippity-hop backbeat, along with the sing-along “uno, dos, tres quarto”lyrics charges this track from Cuban-American-emcee rapper.

38) “One Night Stand” – Divide the Day [4-29-09]. A hard rocker from southern California quintet that mixes Sunset Strip attitude with cowboy swagger and gets to the heart of the bed matter.

39) “Dreamgirl” – Tay Dizm featuring Akon [1-9-09] Another clean R&B pop single with Akon carrying the fluffy melody and “Nappy Boy” making punctuating cameos.

40) “Lagerfeld Lady” – Fritz Helder and The Phantoms [7-6-09]. Part of the Dance Club tracks scene, this off-beat, quirky number from Canadian collective has been released on the new Best of Album and is sure get your groove on.

41) “Sanctuary” – Gabriella Cilmi [1-27-09]. 17-year old siren from Australia takes up a bluesy note in this appealing single track.

42) “Black Velvet” – Ferry Corsten [1-27-09]. One of the founding fathers of Dutch trance launches this clubby melodramatic electro-dance track with comic-strip-character female vocals.

43) “Wetter” – Twista [2-24-09]. A naughty slow jam with Chicago hip-hopper’s fast-rollin’ raps coupled with an encouraging female vocals hook.

44) “Love, Etc.” – Pet Shop Boys [3-24-09]. A come-back single on recent E.P from the iconic post-modern 80’s British dance band who’ve been rockin’ the mic for over 25 years.

45) “Looking for Paradise” – Alejandro Sanz featuring Alicia Keys [9-22-09]. SPAIN. The most commercially successful Spanish singer of all time pairs up with American R&B songstress to cue up an alternating acoustic duet sung in each performer’s native tongue.

46) “Celebration” – Madonna [7-21-09]. The Queen Diva of Pop comes out with guns loaded on this clubby track from her forthcoming Best of Album.

47) “Party in the USA” – Miley Cyrus [8-11-09]. The Queen of teen-pop belts out an irresistible, upbeat pop track stepping out in LA from Nashville.

48) “A Star is Born” – Jay-Z featuring J. Cole [9-11-09]. AT once melancholy and hopeful, a hip-hop track re-traces the history of rap – “clap for ‘em!” with commentary and a supporting melody.

49) “It Don’t Move Me” – Peter Bjorn and John [7-21-09]. A spare, electro- indie pop EP from Swedish trio.

50) “I’ve Got Friends” – Manchester Orchestra [4-21-09]. A harder indie-rock sound from young band out of Atlanta.

51) “Panic Switch” – Silversun PickUps [4-14-09]. A heavy-rocker with a boomin’ bass line featuring Brian Aubert’s vocals from the Los Angeles-based rock quartet.

52) “The Hazards of Love 1” – The Decemberists [3-24-09]. The title track from the from Portland, Oregon alt-band features dramatic vocals with acoustic background for a sweeping “folk opera-like” narrative track.

53) “Hold My Hand (I’ll Be There)” – Sean Paul featuring Keri Hilson [8-18-09]. An easy R&B duet featuring the dancehall king from Jamaica with streaming harmonies and an upbeat refrain.

54) “The Future’s Nothing New” – The Alternate Routes [2-10-09]. Heavy on the electric guitar and slightly repetitive, but a solid alt-rock number from this foursome out of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

55) “Mercy Angel” – Brian Blade [4-21-09]. Jazz musicina from Louisiana – drummer, singer-songwriter and bandleader – is behind beautiful, soulful mellow track from his latest album.

56) “Major Tom” – Shiny Toy Guns [5-5-09]. A contemporary, sythn-pop electro-clash version of the David Bowie original from alternative group out of California.

57) “Successful” – Drake feat. Yung Chris and Trey Songz (9-1-09). An experimental new rap sound from Weezy protégé, Drake – a Toronto-born MC -- that pairs Kanye West-sounding raps against harmonic Trey Songz, all with an avant garde dissonant backbeat with poetic vibe.

58) “Written on Her” – Birdman and Jay Sean [6-23-09}. A pop-pastiche hip-hop dance track laid out by rap duet claiming shawty’s got a naughty “shwag on lean” and who’s to argue?

59) “Outta Control” – Baby Bash featuring Pitbull [7-17-09]. A spunky R&B dance duet lead by rapper out of Cali who teamed up with emerging Latino rapper out of Miami.

60) “Wanted” – Jessie James [5-12-09]. A female pop-rocker – twangy, and on the verge of country – but holding her own with big guitar and a come-hither refrain.

61) “When I Grow Up” – Fever Ray [3-31-09]. An astonishing new experimental solo project debut by young Swedish artist filled with icy electronica atmosphere.

62) “Airstream Driver” – Gomez [3-2-09]. A highly-textured alt-rock single singing the praises of the big rig girl driver a la the Brit guitar band from North England.

63) “That Look you Give that Guy” – Eels [6-2-09]. A lot like the 70’s track “Alone Again, Naturally,” this pitiful ballad is jammed-packed with moping, irresistible lyrics.

64) “War/No More Trouble” – Playing for Change [4-28-09]. A cover of the great Bob Marley track, done with a combination of fluid voices, simple guitar scales, bongos and even violin.

65) “So Fine” – Sean Paul (5-26-09). Latest hit from Jamaican dancehall superstar features big, danceable beats and Paul’s signature vocals.

66) “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Shanade [8-11-09]. From the compilation album RHYTHMS DEL MUNDO, this cover of the Nirvana 90’s grunge-original is smooth and features sultry female vocals (you can actually understand the lyrics!) and cool background horns.

67) “Di Alma” – Sara Tavares [8-11-09]. CAPE VERDE. Peaceful, tropical percussions float in the background of this exotic and flowing vocal feast by native Cape Verdian-trasplanted-to -Portugal musician.

68) “Make Her Say” – Kid Cudi feat. Kanye West [6-9-09]. A star-packed, somewhat theatrical and typically off-tune hip-hop duet with Lady GaGa moving “Poker Face” as the background backbeat.

69) “Shining Down” – Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos [7-7-09]. The lead single from his forthcoming album is a slightly different sound for Chicago-based Muslim hip-hop MC which adds a twist of rock in with the R&B.

70) “First Time” -- Josh X-An-Tus [7-14-09]. Sweet, spare love ballad off forthcoming debut album from emerging, young R&B artist – native New Yorker, Julliard-trained – discover this fresh, new voice.

71) “Bonfire” – Third Eye Blind [8-18-09]. Latest alt-rock song from late-90’s pop post-grunge band out of San Francisco.

72) “Aint No Rest for the Wicked” – Cage the Elephant [4-13-09]. With initial chart success in England, this indie-alt rock band is actually from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and this is the lead track from their self-titled debut album.

73) “I and Love and You” – The Avett Brothers [7-7-09]. Reportedly Rick Rubin’s favorite new band, these North Carolina brothers play hard-to-resist old school in this mellow, alt-folk ballad, which is pretty and full of angst.

74) “Million Dollar Bill” – Whitney Houston [8-31-09]. In classic Whitney-diva fashion, the lady lays an easy dance groove down on this lead track from her latest comeback album.

75) “Listen to the Darkside” – Charlie Mars [6-9-09]. A pretty and simple song -- as the refrain suggests -- “if you want to come over, come over and get high, and listen to ‘The Dark Side of the Moon.’” And why not? With this handsome crooner who sings rock-soul (think Jason Mraz) from Oxford, Mississippi.

76) “Another John Doe” – TheNewNo2 [2-17-09]. A languid, atmospheric (and typical) track from debut album featuring Dhani Harrison, son of late Beatle George.

77) “59” – 1990’s [3-24-09]. A retro-pop-groover from Glasgow trio’s sophomore album.

78) “Revolver” – Madonna featuring Lil Wayne [9-18-09]. Hidden in her latest two CD set, nestled in among smash hits spanning her 25 year career, is this dance duet featuring your Queen of Pop and the King of pop hip-hop.

79) “Sugar” – Flo Rida feat.Wynter [3-17-09]. Like all of his tunes this one is danceable, upbeat, and this time around in duo on top of a ripped backbeat.

80) “Meet Me on The Equinox” – Death Cab for Cutie [9-14-09]. A typically haunting, alt-rock track with an eerie sensuality appropriate for a teen vampire love story (the track was produced for the New Moon (Twilight) soundtrack) by indie, Bellingham, Washington natives.

81) “Brandy of the Damned” – Nickel Eye [1-17-09]. Nikolai Fraiture, bassist from The Strokes, works his guitar through a repetitive pub rock refrain “Don’t Let Them Get you Down, They’ll Step on you to Get to Higher Ground.”

82) Gunpowder” – Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears [3-17-09]. A big, boomin’ blues jam – you’re right there in the front row, shaking your money-maker – jammin’ with the boys from Austin, TX, who are behind the vintage blues and old school R&B. Who’s ready??

83) “Diaraby Magni” – Vieux Farka Toure [5-26-09]. Enchanting contemporary dub reggae from distinctive Malian guitarist and rising West African star.

84) “Goodbye” – Kristinia deBarge [4-7-09]. Her own mid-groove soul circles back to the all-too-familiar stadium chant of na,na,na,na – hey,hey,hey -- good-bye.

85) “Ecstasy” – JJ [7-1-09]. Ripping addictive threads from Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” and Will Smith’s “Miami,” Swedish electronic act JJ extols the virtues of club drug scene in this haunting, atmospheric track.

86) “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris” – Morrissey [1-20-09]. More than anything, it’s good to hear from Morrissey again – on this hit single from his forthcoming album -- flinging and repetitive, but upbeat.

87) “You Can Get it All” – Bow Wow featuring Johnta Austin [unreleased]. An easy R&B track, over a groovin’ backbeat with big vibrato background vocals.

88) “Walking on a Dream” – Empire of the Sun [2-16-09]. Aussie duo pumps out an upbeat electro-charged pop dance tune.

89) “Wake Up” (Afro – Fantabulous Mix) – Beef Wellington with Eugene Snowden, Swamburger from OPEN Remix, benefiting IntraHealth OPEN (2009). Swirling with tropical percussion and horns and yummy guitars and alive with soulful vocals and lyrics from the Orlando native.

90) “The Power of One (Change the World)” – Israel Houghton [3-24-09]. An inspiring contemporary Christian track from this southwest soul singer who’s gone solo from his group New Breed on his forthcoming album.

91) “Birthday Sex’ – Jeremih [1-24-09]. A slow jam that gets right to the heart of the matter – that’s right -- G-Spot Birthday Sex.

92) “Alleye Need” – Tanya Morgan [5-12-09]. A smart, fringe indie hip-hop track from [all-male] hip-hop group that came from a Cincinnati-Brooklyn internet music connection.

93) “Bogota by Bus” – Jesse Cook [9-29-09]. Canadian musician lays out big percussive beats and rumba flamenco guitars that harken this instrumental track’s Spanish roots.

94) “Heads Will Roll” – Yeah, Yeah Yeahs [7-14-09]. A new favorite in the dance club scene (and therefore with a litter of re-mixes!) with a big, pulsing beat by garage rock revival band out of New York City urging dance, dance, dance til you’re dead.

95) “Lost” – Gorilla Zoe [3-17-09]. An eerie hip-hop track off the sophomore album by rich-voiced Atlanta rapper.

96) “Wake Up” -- Sliimy [9-8-09]. Wacky pop-club dance number off debut album by young frechman from Saint Etiene.

97) “Swing” – Zero 7 [9-7-09]. More pop-sounding than their usually downtempo mode, this track is lifted by steel drums and features two new, lilting female vocalists.

98) “Bl3nd” – Tonex [3-17-09]. A cool Christian R&B track with subtle good will message – don’t blend, you’re unique in God’s eyes -- accompanied by an irresistible R&B backbeat & gospel choir, all lead by rapper-singer-producer-Christian-activist lead singer.

99) “I Get Off’—Halestorm [3-10-09]. The hit single from the band’s forthcoming album is a sexy hard-rocker dripping with big guitar riffs with The Hale Sisters working monster vocals and drums.

100) “People Got a Lotta Nerve” – Neko Case [1-20-09]. An honest alt/indie rock tune, honking the “maneater” horn, a distinct move away from Case’s country roots.

101) “French Navy” – Camera Obscura [4-20-09]. A retro-sounding alternative track with a pop sensibility from the sextet from Glasgow, Scotland.

102) “The Heartbreak Rides” – A.C. Newman [1-20-09]. From the prolific musician of New Pornographers fame, this solo effort fully embraces the indie alternative genre with dueling guitars and shared harmonies.

103) “Slow Poison” – The Bravery [leaked 9-8-09]. Post-punk revivalist band out of New York City (and Vassar College) churns out 80’s, Cure-like sounding track.

104) “Bang” – Rye Rye feat. M.I.A [3-31-09]. Spare percussion and vocal dissonance from M.I.A protégé.

105) “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas [3-30-09]. The lead single from their forthcoming album is eerily spare, clubby and synthed-R&B featuring Will.i.Am and Fergie vocals in ways you’ve never heard before.

106) “Life is Good” – DJ Deckstream feat. Mos Def [MySpace] – A positive message from Japan’s infamous DJ featuring easy duet hip-hop harmonies on top of melancholy jazz piano.

107) “One Day” – Matisyahu [8-29-09]. Typically classic reggae sound from Hasidic Jew out of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

108) “Do You Dig U” – Q-Tip [9-15-09] A long, ephemeral and inventive hip-hop track off long-delayed album that combines jazz fusion with contemporary hip-hop.

109) “Angel on the DanceFloor” – Dave Matthias featuring Natalia Flores [9-15-09]. A good beat, ambient dance club track by DJ and constantly evolving dance media mogul.

110) “Uprising” -- Muse (9-11-09]. High drama mixed with a little Queen and Radiohead = this loud alt-rock track by three childhood friends from Devon, England.

111) “Bulletproof” – Raheem DeVaughn featuring Ludacris [9-1-09]. With a soulful, old-school, Motown sound, this R&B star sends out another banger that gets to the bottom of contemporary urban society.

112) “All Up to You” – Aventura [6-9-09]. A danceable rural Dominican sound mixed with pop and hip-hop from Bronnx-based bachata group.

113) “Shadows” – Au Revoir Simone [5-19-09]. Contemporary-sounding track from Brooklyn indie-pop outfit features dreamy-sweet, female vocals.

114) “Dancin’ On Me” – Jim Jones and Webstar [4-28-09]. Spare beast with simple synth, filled-in with a smattering of plain duo raps, ready for the grind.

115) “So Human” -- Lady Sovereign [2-3-09]. A rip on the cult classic alt-rock tune from the Cure by sassy Brit rapper.

116) “Angel on My Shoulder” (EDX’s Belo Horizonte at Night Remix) – Kaskade [3-24-09]. A classic dance-club/house track featuring smooth pop female vocals over cleanly produced-synths produced and by re-mixed by DJ and San Fran transplant Ryan Raddon.

117) “Hell” – Tegan & Sara [10-2-09]. Canadian indie-rock duo and twin sisters release pumping lead track with bouncy bassline and anthemic chorus.

118) “Let’s Go Surfing” – The Drums [leaked 9-21-09]. Upbeat, retro track off debut indie LP by Brooklyn quartet who sound a little like a new millennium Haircut 100.

119) “All In” – Gift of Gab [3-31-09]. On this pop hip-hop lead track from their forthcoming album, it’s all about being all in – all or nothin’, baby -- with toe-tappin’ synth-background and a team effort at lyrics, especially on the harmonious refrain.

120) “If I Know You” – The Presets [3-23-09]. Club dance track that mixes disco with electronica from avant garde Aussie duo.

121) “Mama Do” – Pixie Lott [6-8-09 in UK]. Keep an eye out for this emerging young siren out of the UK – forthcoming album called TURN IT UP -- in the vein of Amy Winehouse and Duffy, with a rich, bold, ballad-worthy voice. Of note: The Linus Love Mix of this song is particularly cool in a club-electronica way.

122) “Hey Soul Sister” – Train [8-11-09]. A friendly, upbeat pop rock track from indie band out of San Francisco (smiley-face).

123) “Craigslist” – Weird Al Yankovic [6-16-09]. Weird Al jumps on today’s sordid headlines and comes up with this track, an Ode to Craig’s List, done a la The Doors.

124) “Vanilla Twilight” – Owl City [7-28-09]. A sweet & sappy pop track with young, hopeful, idealistic vocals by Minnesota electronica project and one-man band.

125) “You’re Goin’ Down” – Sick Puppies [5-19-09]. Alternative rockers from Australia lay it on hard in this big sounding, riffing track.

126) “Whiskey Hangover” – Godsmack [6-30-09]. You’ve got to go in for the harder alt-metal rock, but if you can, then hold on to your socks! This guy is partying and you’d better get out of his way because he’s alright with his whiskey hangover.

127) “Dirty Robot” – The Lemonheads featuring Kate Moss [6-23-09]. An abstract, somewhat punk cover from post-Hukser Du rock band out of Boston.

128) “69 Faces of Love” – King Khan and the Shrines [4-21-09]. A retro-sounding band that rocks a psychedelic R&B sound.

129) “Black Wedding” – Meg and Dia [3-3-09]. Big pop sound from high energy five piece band but really driven by two sisters, all from Draper, Utah and all Warp Tour veterans.

130) “Heartbroken, in Disrepair” -- Dan Auerbach [2-10-09]. – Big electric bluesey-rocker; a solo effort from Black Keys frontman.

131) “Help, I’m a Alive” – Metric [4-14-09]. A pop-rock, new-wave sounding lead track from the Canadian quartet’s latest album with new wave, Blondie-like vocals a la Emily Haines from Broken Social Scene.

132) “Chillin’” – Wale featuring Lady Gaga [4-18-09]. From the self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Rap for The Capital” (pronounced Wall-ay) teams up with a very-M.I.A.-sounding Lady GaGa for a hip-hop track plastered over na,na,na,na, hey-hey, good-bye.

133) “Paradise Cove” – Pete Yorn [6-23-09]. With his most recent album produced by Rick Rubin, Pete Yorn’s got his game back, especially on this pretty, primarily-acoustic, bossa-nova-like track.

134) “Good Girls Go Bad” – Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester [5-8-09]. A shameless pop, shout-it-out bash of a song by hard-to-resist NY band with minimal lyrics beyond “good girls go bad” – but summer starbound -- and a shout-out to NY GG -- Blair Waldorf!

135) “Halleluja” -- The Killer and the Star [7-14-09]. An eerie track with electrified vocals from debut alt-rock band out of Jacksonville, Florida.

136) “Meddle” – Little Boots [3-24-09]. Electro up-and-comer from U.K. plays catchy futuristic pop-disco and will release her debut album this fall.

137) “California on My Mind” – Wild Light [3-3-09]. New Hampshire quartet offers up big harmonica exercising in the background and harmonious vocals declaring “fuck California!” – L.A., San Fran – fuck all of it.

138) “Light My Fire” – Mr. Capone-e featuring Snoop Dogg [5-12-09]. An easy hip-hop duet by Chicano rapper out of Southern Cali teaming up with Big Snoop who brings on the star power.

139) “Sugar Lee” – Damon Fowler [1-27-09]. The kind of song that fills up the dance floor and brims with electric blues jams.

140) “Back Again” – Reflection Eternal (unreleased). After a decade hiatus DJ Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli make spare, fringe poetry raps.

141) “Pale Horses” – Moby [6-30-09]. Also released as an EP in advance of his latest album, this lead track is a short, sulky, mellow number with farmed-out female vocals and familiar haunting repetition that is all Moby.

142) “No Other Love” – John Legend featuring Estelle [7-3-09]. Legend’s smooth groovin’ soul sound slides over a reggae-like background with Estelle’s backup.

143) “One Red Thread” – Blind Pilot [6-9-09]. An earnest, indie acoustic rocker from duo out of Portland, Oregon.

144) “Young” – Hollywood Undead [2-9-09]. A loud, agro mix of metal, rapcore and pop punk, this MySpace break -away group collectively demands to be heard because they’re “YOUNG!!!”

145) “Unreachable” – John Frusciante [1-20-09]. An almost-eerie, moody psychedelic indie track from Red Hot Chili Pepper rocker.

146) “Heartbreaker” – MSTRKRFT feat. John Legend [3-17-09]. John Legend’s classic R&B vocals are pasted up against the electronic duo’s signature synthetic sound and together make for a bold, post-modern sound.

147) “Blood Bank” – Bon Iver [1-20-09]. Wisconsin troubadour Justin Vernon’s easy vocals and mellow acoustic guitar mark his sophomore solitary effort.

148) “Daniel” – Bat for Lashes [4-7-09]. Kate-Bush like female British singer-songwriter, Natasha Khan, applies lovely voice to streaming indie-rock track.

149) “Houses” – Great Northern [4-14-09]. Lead single from alternative group’s newly-released sophomore album features electric guitar and rockin’ Liz-Pahir-like vocals by keyboardist Rachel Stolte.

150) “Hey You” -- 311 [4-12-09]. The first track off latest album extols virtue of music-as-friend from band out of Omaha, Nebraska, who traditionally mix reggae with rap-metal.

151) “What Do U Like” – Bad Boy Bill [7-28-09]. Contemporary dance track from hard-house DJ out of Chicago that mixes electronica with strong female vocals.

152) “Crawl Back In” – Dead by Sunrise [8-5-09]. A big, fat, heavily riffed, Linkin-Park-like rock track by emerging band formed as a side-project by Chester Bennington, vocalist for Linkin Park.

153) “Manos Al Aire” – Nelly Furtado [6-30-09]. The new, alt-rock-sounding (and less R&B) lead single by beautiful Canadian rock star from forthcoming all-Spanish language album.

154) “Dimestore Diamond” – The Gossip [6-23-09]. This alt-dance number – spare and gritty -- is a major label debut for this indie garage band.

155) “Champagne” – Cavo [3-17-09]. A mainstream rock jam, heavy on big-sounding riffing guitars by and up-and-coming modern rock band.

156) “Shark in the Water” – V.V. Brown [7-13-09 in UK]. The modelesque English singer-songwriter releases upbeat, pop lead single off debut set by on Island Records label.

157) “Falling Away” – Jupiter Rising [3-17-09]. A pop dance track that rides the scales of harmony from West Coast team featuring chick power 80 Bug and Spencer Nezey (REPLACE WITH FULL SONG).

158) “Moonlight” – Rebelation [8-4-09]. A slow, romantic pop-reggae love song from laid-back, beach groovers out of Santa Barbara, California.

159) “Don’t Upset the Rhythm (Go Baby Go)” – Noisettes (un-released). A disco-flavored track by UK pop-rock band from their forthcoming sophomore album to be released this summer.

160) “Say It” – Blue October [3-24-09]. An honest, hard-rocker that gets to the heart of pride and a relationship gone sour from alt-rock Texas quintet.

161) “Quitter” – NOFX [4-28-09]. A short and stabbing punk track pointing the finger at The Quitter – no one likes you! -- by the outfit that formed out of Berkeley, CA, back in 1983.

162) “When She’s Near” – Fiction Family [1-20-09]. A short and sweet vocal-acoustic debut from Switchfoot singer Jon Foreman and Nickelcreek guitarist Sean Watkins.

163) “The Mission” – Puscifer [leaked]. An alt-punk track heavy on gritty vocals and rock guitar with a hint of noir – dark and stormy – led by former Tool member, Maynard James Keenan.

164) “The One” – Slaughterhouse [8-11-09]. A mix between rough rap and rock with female vocal melody moving the track along.

165) “Pressure” – Company of Thieves [1-6-09]. An alt—indie track featuring sweet, slightly off-tune female vocals by Genevieve Schatz from this bass-free power trio.

166) “Virtual Diva” – Don Omar [4-28-09]. On this cross-over smash hit, the Puerto Rican king of Urban Latino radio does it all, combining reggaeton, dance, hip hop and pop.

167) “Girls Were Made to Love” – Sugar Ray [7-21-0-9]. Plain reggae set against a 50’s-sounding melody proclaiming that girls, girls, girls were made for love.

168) “Periodically Double or Triple” – Yo La Tengo [9-8-09]. Kooky and retro-sounding issue with groovy organs and smooth percussion from one of indie’s longest-running, most beloved acts.

169) “Fire” – Kasabian [6-5-09]. An alt-indie tune from Brit rock band who switches multiple gears in the course of just over 4 minutes.

170) “Now We Can See” – The Thermals [4-7-09]. An indie-rock track with a punk twist from rockers out of Portland.

171) “Jetstream” – Doves [4-6-09]. Twin brothers churn out big, pumping guitar and drum beats that couple with rock band vocals to make for alt-rock track from epic pop trio out of Manchester, England.

172) “Death” – White Lies [1-12-09]. With an 80’s indie alt/punk sound this is the lead track from the debut album from trio rock group out of London.

173) “Be the One” – Jack Penate [8-18-09]. With a Cure-like sound and full of Philly-soul, this British R&B rocker lays it on in this lead single from his latest album.

174) “No Line on the Horizon” – U2 [3-3-09]. The lead track from the newest album from a la The Boys from Ireland is heavy on the arena-sounding guitar and Bono’s bigger-than-life vocals.

175) “From the Hips” – Cursive [3-10-09]. Typical of this indie bands varying tempos, moods and style, this track swings from lilting opening to rocking meat-in-the-sandwich.

176) “Sinner” – Big B feat. Scott Russo [2-17-09]. An upbeat collaboration between Jack-Johnson-like island rock and hip-hop.