20. Klute - Finger in the Hole
No One's Listening Anymore 2005

The only thing dirtier than the lyrics is the music.

19. Cut Copy - Out There on the Ice
In Ghost Colours 2007

"Yes, no, maybe." Yes, Cut Copy, yes. This is as anthemic as indie-electro-pop gets.

18. Radio 4 - Absolute Affirmation
Stealing of a Nation 2004

The basic snappy drumbeat always pulls me right in, and the song doesn't so much ramp up as keep chugging away high-energy until the end, when I feel like I should be dancing my ass off.

17. Feist - Mushaboom
Let It Die 2004

The lyrics are probably the sweetest, most wistful sentiments I've ever heard. Add to that a beautiful voice and beautiful music.

16. The Knife - One Hit
Silent Shout 2006

The chorus goes, "a how how how how, a who who who who" but it's still one of the most emotional songs by any band.

15. The Prodigy - Girls
Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned 2004
Ironically (?) his best song since Smack My Bitch Up. I wish I had written that synth line.

14. Aesop Rock - Nickel Plated Pockets
Daylight EP 2002

Aesop covers a lot of ground in this song—slavery, 9/11, racism, poverty—but it all sounds so smooth and it's stated with such authority that I have no choice but to agree with him yet again. Also, that's an amazing beat.

13. Roots Manuva - Witness (1 Hope)
Run Come Save Me 2001

Who made this beat?! Don't say "well well well" Roderick! Tell me on what planet you found this beat! The first ten seconds of this song should get a party started anywhere at any time.

12. The Radio Dept. - Keen on Boys
Lesser Matters 2003

My favorite Radio Dept song because I love the way it slowly ramps up verse by verse, slowly unlocking more and more of its reverb-washed drums.

11. The Knife - Na Na Na
Silent Shout 2006
Beautiful…

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