The Best New Tracks Released in the Past 60 Days

1) “Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh” – Say Hi [3-3-09]. A clubby alt-pop song with an 80’s feel – think men without Hats in The new Millenium – but way hipper.

2) “37 Stitches Acoustic Demo” – Drowning Pool [3-3-09]. A kitty-cocktail dose of this alt-metal group’s usual butt-kicking, but a palatable, gritty acoustic rocker nonetheless.

3) “Panic Switch” – Silversun PickUps [4-14-09]. A heavy-rocker with a boomin’ bass line featuring Brian Aubert’s vocals from the Los Angeles-based rock quartet.

4) “Airstream Driver” – Gomez [3-2-09]. A highly-textured alt-rock single singing the praises of the big rig girl driver a la the Brit guitar band from North England.

5) “Help, I’m a Alive” – Metric [4-14-09]. A pop-rock, new-wave sounding lead track from the Canadian quartet’s latest album with new wave, Blondie-like vocals a la Emily Haines from Broken Social Scene.

6) Kid Cudi – “Day and Nite” (3-20-09) – Spooky R&B single from Midwestern hip-hopper whose melody you can’t shake once you’ve heard it.

7) “French Navy” – Camera Obscura [4-20-09]. A retro-sounding alternative track with a pop sensibility from the sextet from Glasgow, Scotland.

8) “Chillin’” – Wale featuring Lady Gaga [4-18-09]. From the self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Rap for The Capital” (pronounced Wall-ay) teams up with a very-M.I.A.-sounding Lady GaGa for a hip-hop track plastered over na,na,na,na, hey-hey, good-bye.

9) “I Get Off’—Halestorm [3-10-09]. The hit single from the band’s forthcoming album is a sexy hard-rocker dripping with big guitar riffs with The Hale Sisters working monster vocals and drums.

10) “Love, Etc.” – Pet Shop Boys [3-24-09]. A come-back single on recent E.P from the iconic post-modern 80’s British dance band who’ve been rockin’ the mic for over 25 years

…The Best of the Rest …

11) “Virtual Diva” (Urban Mambo Remix) – Don Omar [4-28-09]. On this cross-over smash hit, the Puerto Rican king of Urban Latino radio does it all, combining reggaeton, dance, hip hop and pop.

12) “Angel on My Shoulder” (EDX’s Belo Horizonte at Night Remix) – Kaskade [3-24-09]. A classic dance-club/house track featuring smooth pop female vocals over cleanly produced-synths produced and by re-mixed by DJ and San Fran transplant Ryan Raddon.

13) “The Hazards of Love 1” – The Decemberists [3-24-09]. The title track from the from Portland, Oregon alt-band features dramatic vocals with acoustic background for a sweeping “folk opera-like” narrative track

14) “Sugar” – Flo Rida feat.Wynter [3-17-09]. Like all of his tunes this one is danceable, upbeat, and this time around in duo on top of a ripped backbeat.

15) “You Can Get it All” – Bow Wow featuring Johnta Austin [3-31-09]. An easy R&B track, over a groovin’ backbeat with big vibrato background vocals.

16) “Goodbye” – Kristinia deBarge [4-7-09]. Her own mid-groove soul circles back to the all-too-familiar stadium chant of na,na,na,na – hey,hey,hey -- good-bye.

17) “Meddle” – Little Boots [3-24-09]. Electro up-and-comer from U.K. plays catchy futuristic pop-disco and will release her debut album this fall.

18) “Heartbreaker” – MSTRKRFT feat. John Legend [3-17-09]. John Legend’s classic R&B vocals are pasted up against the electronic duo’s signature synthetic sound and together make for a bold, post-modern sound.

19) “Aint No Rest for the Wicked” – Cage the Elephant [4-13-09]. With initial chart success in England, this indie-alt rock band is actually from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and this is the lead track from their self-titled debut album.

20) “California on My Mind” – Wild Light [3-3-09]. New Hampshire quartet offers up big harmonica exercising in the background and harmonious vocals declaring “fuck California!” – L.A., San Fran – fuck all of it.

21) “Lost” – Gorilla Zoe [3-17-09]. An eerie hip-hop track off the sophomore album by rich-voiced Atlanta rapper

22) “The Mission” – Puscifer [leaked]. An alt-punk track heavy on gritty vocals and rock guitar with a hint of noir – dark and stormy – led by former Tool member, Maynard James Keenan.

23) “Bang” – Rye Rye feat. M.I.A [3-31-09]. Spare percussion and vocal dissonance from M.I.A protégé.

24) “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas [3-30-09]. The lead single from their forthcoming album is eerily spare, clubby and synthed-R&B featuring Will.i.Am and Fergie vocals in ways you’ve never heard before.

25) “Falling Away” – Jupiter Rising [3-17-09]. A pop dance track that rides the scales of harmony from West Coast team featuring chick power 80 Bug and Spencer Nezey (REPLACE WITH FULL SONG).

26) “No Line on the Horizon” – U2 [3-3-09]. The lead track from the newest album from a la The Boys from Ireland is heavy on the arena-sounding guitar and Bono’s bigger-than-life vocals.

27) “Daniel” – Bat for Lashes [4-7-09]. Kate-Bush like female British singer-songwriter, Natasha Khan, applies lovely voice to streaming indie-rock track.

28) “Jetstream” – Doves [4-6-09]. Twin brothers churn out big, pumping guitar and drum beats that couple with rock band vocals to make for alt-rock track from epic pop trio out of Manchester, England.

29) “From the Hips” – Cursive [3-10-09]. Typical of this indie bands varying tempos, moods and style, this track swings from lilting opening to rocking meat-in-the-sandwich.

30) “All In” – Gift of Gab [3-31-09]. On this pop hip-hop lead track from their forthcoming album, it’s all about being all in – all or nothin’, baby -- with toe-tappin’ synth-background and a team effort at lyrics, especially on the harmonious refrain.

31) “Sea of Tears” – Eilen Jewell [4-21-09]. Rising Boston singer-songwriter blends rootsy folk rock and blues on the title track of her newest album.

32) “The Power of One (Change the World)” – Israel Houghton [3-24-09]. An inspiring contemporary Christian track from this southwest soul singer who’s gone solo from his group New Breed on his forthcoming album.

33) “Love is a First” – The Tragically Hip [4-7-09]. An alt-rocker iterating and re-iterating that “love is a curse” off latest album from Canadian indie group from Kingston, Ontario.

34) “Bl3nd” – Tonex [3-17-09]. A cool Christian R&B track with subtle good will message – don’t blend, you’re unique in God’s eyes -- accompanied by an irresistible R&B backbeat & gospel choir, all lead by rapper-singer-producer-Christian-activist lead singer.

35) “Worm’s Head” – Joker’s Daughter [4-7-09]. Fresh, youthful vocals by London’s Helena Costa ( -- a collaboration with Danger Mouse --) lead through dramatic backdrop of instruments for whimsical lead [ folk] track off debut album.

36) “Red Hot Gal” -- Mick Fleetwood Blues Band [3-3-09]. Big, fat blues sound – Clapton-like -- from classic rock and roll icon.

37) “59” – 1990’s [3-24-09]. A retro-pop-groover from Glasgow trio’s sophomore album.

38) Bare Bones” – Madeleine Peyroux [3-10-09]. The mellow title track to her cover-free newest album shows off this French-American singer’s rootsy, jazz-influenced adult pop skillz.

39) “How Your Heart is Wired” – Bell X1 [3-3-09]. Smooth and mellow vocals overlaid on electro-synth backdrop from indie Irish rock quartet.

40) “Digging for Your Dream” – Indigo Girls [3-24-09]. Pretty acoustic music by harmonious, modern folk singer-songwriter-duo.