2005 - "Suicidewinder" - Ridley Bent

2005 top track: Ridley Bent's debut album Blam! is a 'hick-hop' masterpiece, the improbable fusion of country and hip-hop. 

Halifax's genre-bending, guitar-slingin' demon takes us along on his benders with the wrong side of the law. "Suicidewinder" is a tour de force of gritty story-telling with a badass singalong chorus. 

Shout-out to Johnny M in North Van (not on FB) for this find. 

Other favourites from 2005: 

"Dayvan Cowboy" – Boards of Canada

"Tribulations" – LCD Soundsystem

"Feel Good Inc." – Gorillaz

"Here It Goes Again" – OK Go

"Another Nite Another Love" - Jay Jay Johanson

2004 - "Somebody Told Me" - The Killers

New wave came back, baby! The most British band that never was, these lads from Las Vegas are the reincarnation of their 80s influences, a veritable blender of Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, New Order and The Cure. 

The urgent "Somebody Told Me" is a juggernaut, a shot of adrenaline with relentless hooks and an unstoppable, runaway chorus.

Other favourites from 2004: 

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" – Green Day 

"Alert Status Red" - Matthew Good Band

"Smile Like You Mean It" - The Killers

"Sunrise" – Duran Duran 

"She Will Be Loved" – Maroon 5 

2003 - "Clocks" - Coldplay

A dazzling piano riff circles and crests. A short and wistful chorus follows reflective verses. I often sing the lyric: "Am I a...part of The Cure, or am I a part of The Police..."

Soon after I started running in 2002, the mid-tempo and rhythmic "Clocks" became an instant fave. The epic key change in the bridge always gave me an extra gear. A magnificent track. 

Other favourites from 2003:

"Mr. Brightside" – The Killers 

"Weapon" – Matthew Good 

"Seven Nation Army" - The White Stripes

"We Used to be Friends" – The Dandy Warhols 

"The Truth Is No Words" – The Music 

"The Sound of Muzak" - Porcupine Tree

2002 - "Love At First Sight" - Kylie Minogue

Guilty pleasure alert! Even us new wavers slash old ravers need a piece of bubble gum every now and then. This track is so nostalgic yet futuristic; it's Daft Punk meets the disco. 

After the 9-11 hangover, a lot of us needed a bit of optimism. Despite the throwaway lyrics, "Love at First Sight" tosses a little magic in the air and binges on a pulsating groove. A cozy brand of infectious pop perfection.

The video reinforced my love for excel spreadsheets. Kylie, I can't get you out of my head.  

Other favourites from 2002: 

"Brother Down" – Sam Roberts 

"Here Is Gone" - Goo Goo Dolls

"Easy" - Groove Armada 

"Trains" – Porcupine Tree 

"Hella Good" – No Doubt 

2001 - "Wish You Were Here" - Incubus

The atmospheric intro grabs my attention, the acoustic and electric guitar interplay create texture, the sprinkling of old school scratching a little razzle-dazzle. Add dreamy verses and a dramatic singalong chorus and voilà, repeated plays.

A relaxed drum arrangement helps express complete contentment, and the alternating mellow verses provide the yin to the more intense yang that is the yearning in the chorus. 

Other favourites from 2001: 

"Lady" – Modjo

"Imitation of Life" - R.E.M.

"Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" – Daft Punk 

"Short Skirt/Long Jacket" – Cake 

"The Other Man" - Sloan