The Fifty: The final countdown

Top Ten:

10.

Detroit Waves, by Matt Nathanson

This is from a live performance (Paradise in Boston) I was only able to hear half of (John got kicked out halfway through the show). I can't wait for the next studio album from Nathanson. It can't help but be great.

09.

Home Of The Blues, by Johnny Cash

I've heard too many people (dumb people at work) say they prefer Joaquin Phoenix to Johny Cash. That's just ridiculous. Definitely grab some of the "Essential Johnny Cash."

08.

Ten Men, by Morcheeba

Man these guys are trippy! I love 'em. This is stuff you can listen to for hours at a time. Hours. And I wouldn't know from personal experience, but I'd guess it only gets better with a little panama red...

07.

All For Swinging You Around by The New Pornographers

Now these guys are high-energy. They've got a killer sound, killer vocals, killer energy (did I say that already?) Also, they're Canadian. (Vancouver, if you're wondering).

06.

Nicotine Bomb, by Mission of Burma

Hometown: Boston
Level of greatness: High
Best place to read more about them: Here
Or just listen to their music.

05.

Gay Cowboy, by Jude

This song is hilarious. Go ahead, make Brokeback jokes if you want, but Jude's been singing this for years. He's way ahead of his time. (and btw, that links to the full song - no clips for Jude)

04.

Tailspin Theme, Disney

Tailspin's a great show, and guess what? It's available on DVD now! Woo! Go get it.

I'm not giving you a link. You can find it on your own.

03.

The Office Theme from The Office

If they played this at the start of every day at my job I might not hate it as much. Right. Well, I can certainly use it to escape for almost a full minute at a time.

02.

Garbage Day, by The Ike Reilly Assassination

Whoa. I love these guys. This song's a blast, all their others are a blast, upbeat, catchy. I guess you could call them "radio friendly," but I don't care. They're regular friendly too.

01.

Ghosts, by Gary Jules

There. The last one. I told you Jules was making another appearance on the countdown, and I know there are some of you out there that have been eagerly eliminating numbered spots on your play-at-home scorecards. Well, here it is. Number one. I'll allow the position may be influenced a bit by my recent discovery of the music of Gary Jules, but I'll wager it won't fall any lower than sixth on the ultimate 2006 countdown even after a lot of time has passed.

The fifty. Maybe next year it'll only be twenty. What do you think.

-t