speed of dark

This entire list (see 21-25 and 16-20) has been extremely difficult to put together. I spent quite a bit of time moving songs around, taking songs out and putting songs into the list, biting my fingernails and listening to music, trying to decide where it should be placed on this list. The final decision was made when I got tired of fiddling with the list and left it as it was right then. Since then, I've second guessed myself, thinking that some of the songs between 16 to 25 should have been higher. But I promised myself that I wouldn't make any more changes. So here goes.

15. editors: munich

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What I've heard of UK band Editors' album The Back Room has been excellent, but this song, the lyrics, and driving guitars really moved me. I have listened to this song I don't know how many times. The Editors have tided me over until Interpol gets off their asses and releases a new album.

14. phoenix: one time too many

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I am thankful that Phoenix, a French band, performs their music in English. While I enjoy the occasional jaunt into non-English music (see Nada Surf), I don't think I could listen to a whole album of it. When I first heard Phoenix, I wasn't really impressed with them - but now I think I just heard the wrong song. Everything I've heard since has been excellent.

13. the killers: for reasons unknown

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You don't have to like Brandon Flowers to appreciate The Killers' music. I've read so many things that crucify Brandon for being a pompous asshole, but aren't musicians entitled to be pompous jerks? That's why we love them - they strut, talk shit, and do what they want. I decided on this song over the obvious When You Were Young, a song that I love just for the ka-chunk sound at the very beginning, reminiscent of Jonny Greenwood's ka-chunk that launched Radiohead to mega-stardom in the song Creep. (I can't resist a Radiohead mention)

12. we are scientists: textbook

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After seriously rocking the Claremont Colleges and the general southern California area, releasing the truly outstanding album With Love and Squalor and winning the award for "Album Cover Most Likely to be Beloved by Alt-Gramma", We Are Scientists created one of the most hilarious and excellent official websites. It's definitely worth some of your precious time, especially the advice section. The whole album is awesome, and it was a tough choice. Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt is He Might Be Giants' favorite, but this was mine (and it's my list, so there).

11. hot chip: the warning

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Did I jump on the Hot Chip bandwagon? Yes, I did. Did I become one of those hardcore Hot Chip fans that post every single song Hot Chip ever remixed, listened to, or sang in the shower? No, I did not. I first heard Hot Chip's "Crap Kraft Dinner" from their 2004 release, Coming on Strong, and although I loved the title, I was not overly excited. But I love The Warning, and I have listened to it over and over again. I'm still not sure that Hot Chip can make the suggestion that they will break your legs or snap off your head. Have you seen these guys?