Top 10 Songs of the Week, Revised, June 3rd
Haven’t done a songs of the week for awhile. So, it’s that time again, but with two changes: one, I’m narrowing it back down to the original ten, and two, I might as well put in the reasons why I think the song is so flipping awesome.

1. Röyskopp – So Easy
electronica, ambient, norwegian
Using samples from the classic “Blue on Blue” by Bobby Vinton, it adds a touch of surreal to an otherwise relatively nondescript, average electro tune. It flows in and out in an almost dreamlike fashion, with only the beat to keep it in focus. I love the combination of oldies and electro, and I’m thinking I’m going to be doing a lot of hunting to find similar stuff.

2. Architecture in Helsinki – Heart it Races (As Played by Dr. Dog)
indie, australian, twee
A nice, easy, rolling beat, simple bassline and mellow vocals, this is the ultimate chillout song. The melody is contagious and I inevitably find myself closing my eyes and tapping my feet, and then trying to force Last.fm into playing it again. And again, and again.

3. The Black Keys – Set You Free
blues, rock, indie
Haven’t listened to much of the Keys in some time now, but they’re making a comeback in my most played lists. Something about the rough, uncontrived voice, uncompromising melodies and better-than-standard blues licks makes this combination an instant flashback to the better days of classic rock while still remaining fresh and original. The Black Keys are wholly underrated, and it’s a shame. Hopefully these two talented guys won’t stay that way, as I can see them headlining a new-age blues revolution with the right backing– and that’s something I would love to see.

4. tiptop – One More Song
deutsch, indie, electronic
There’s something to be said for simple music. tiptop may not be anything spectacular in terms of technical brilliance, but I’ll be damned if they don’t know how to make enjoyable music. Put together fun melodies, the German language and the beautiful man that is Peter S. Brugger and I’m a hopeless case. I will always love tiptop. Mmm, aha aha.

5. Kíla – Grand Hotel
as gaelige, irish trad, fusion
One of the few bands I’ve seen live, and it was some experience. Nobody does Irish-language trad quite like Kíla, and I don’t think I’ll ever see a crowd get that incredibly hyped over an Irish trad band ever again. This song will always remind me of my time in Ireland.

6. Roy Orbison – Leah
oldies, classics, rockabilly
Ah, the flashbacks. I remember being tiny and my gran would put an old tape of one of his concerts in to keep me busy while she did housework. Ever since then I’ve had an auditory love affair with Roy; his voice is one of the most amazing you’d ever hear, and in my opinion (not that my opinion matters) he had miles more talent than Elvis. Haven’t met a song of his I don’t like, and this one’s made all that much better by the fact that it’s my name he’s singing.

7. Caesars – Jerk it Out
swedish, indie, rock
Incredibly hard song not to like. Upbeat and positive, it instantly puts me in a good mood and, surprisingly, actually gives me motivation to go outside and get shit done. No easy feat. True, it’s one of those songs everyone knows and loves already, but fuck it, sometimes majority is right, and this is definitely the case with Jerk it Out.

8. Sigur Rós – All Alright
icelandic, shoegaze, post-rock
My heart breaks every time I hear this song. Jónsi is such a beautiful, emotional individual and his utter heartache over his mistakes is so raw in the beginning of this song. One of the few Sigur Rós songs to actually include English, it does so in such a surreal fashion that it still sounds like an utterly different language. The beauty of it is that does nothing to dampen the message conveyed. However, as with all Sigur Rós songs, alongside the element of despair there is always the element of hope, and it is just as uplifting as it is tragic. I want to hug him.

9. Cowboy Junkies – Sweet Jane
alt-country, canadian, alternative
I’ve kind of been “off” this song for awhile. I listened to it pretty much constantly after rediscovering it while watching Natural Born Killers awhile ago, and then just flat out stopped– til I heard it again in an episode of True Blood. The lead singer’s smooth, smouldering vocals lend this song an incredibly sexy, understated tone, and the rhythmic guitar in the background makes this song a fantastic one to smoke a joint and mellow out to.

10. Apollo 440 – Tears of the Gods
electronica, big beat, techno
Sex on radio. Repetitious, yes, but with that riff it’s definitely no crime. Powerful, sexy, and a little bit funky, this song does everything right, and it knows it.