SLAG PATROL

2007 Top 20: 1-5 

1. Beyonce and Shakira – Beautiful Liar (Freemasons Radio Vox)

The top track for dancing (and slagging) in 2007. The Freemasons are so good at fixing Beyonce songs–they turn the lame original into something angry and unforgiving. The name calling is great.

2. Girls Aloud – Call the Shots

Love love love this. It’s sounds like having the wind swept through your hair on a yacht in the tropics. It’s a bit pensive, a bit gramatically incorrect, and has a hauntingly perfect beat.

3. Sugababes – About You Now

Popjustice called it “a barnstorming pop-electro-rock masterpiece.” I completely agree.

4. Britney Spears – Break the Ice

The ‘Ooh, looks like we’re alone now’ chorus is certainly the best bit of any Britney song to date. So slick.

5. Groove Armada – Song 4 Mutya

The top-down, perfect summer in the sunshine song. Great synth.

2007 Top 20: 6-10

6. Kanye West – Stronger

Daft Punk enjoyed a great renaissance this year, with this track, a bunch of mash-ups, and an amazing live version of Around the World combined with Harder Better Faster Stronger. One of the poppiest hip hop tracks ever, Kanye’s Stronger is perhaps the best workout song that came out in 2007. I don’t think it really meshes well with the rest of Kayne’s Graduation album (which is great, btw), but it was definitely one of my favorites to run to.

7. Kylie Minogue – Sensitized

Kylie’s album X is about an 8.5 out of ten. Some great tracks and only one or two meh ones. This is my favorite track (along with Stars)–the pulsing, slinky 8-bar beat that holds the track together is great.

8. Kylie Minogue – Stars

This song feels like the happy ending of a movie you really like. To me, anyway. It just makes me happy.

9. Timbaland feat. Kerri Hilson & D.O.E (vs. Daft Punk) – Way I Are

Loved the original–especially the ‘I ain’t got no visa’ line (for obvious reasons). This mash up, by Loo & Placido, adds some needed bulk to the song.

10. Justin Timberlake – What Goes Around Comes Around (Sebastien Leger Radio Edit)

Last time I post this song! Promise! The best of all the What Goes Around remixes, I love the bouncy 8-bit beat; Sebastien Leger is now one to watch for remixes.

2007 Top 20: 11-15

11. Rihanna – Umbrella (The Lindbergh Palace Radio Edit)

One of my favorite moments out of 2007 was when we were at Trash Palace and someone opened up an umbrella to dance under during this song. Amazing. This mix is pretty good, a bit camp, about on par with Jody den Broeder’s mixes. Not particularly better than the original, but you might not have heard it.

12. Fall Out Boy – Thnks Fr Th Mmrs (The Lindbergh Palace Radio Edit)

Loved the original. Love this mix even more. It’s much more dramatic; the yearning is palpable (and the strings are amazing!).

13. Britney Spears – Piece of Me

Oh sigh. Blackout is actually, surprisingly, shockingly excellent, but no one is going to notice because Britney has gone batshit insane. This song’s chorus is brilliant.

14. Hilary Duff – Stranger (Albert Castillo Radio Edit)

Another sinister Duff mix.

15. Good Charlotte – Dance Floor Anthem

Carolyn told me about this album, Good Morning Revival, and how surprised she was that she liked it so much. This song is emblematic, with a catchy, irrepressible chorus.

2007 Top 20: 16-20

Welcome back y’all! Slag Patrol rides again, starting with my top 20 songs from 2007. Let’s get to it.

16. The Killers – Read My Mind (Pet Shop Boys Radio Edit)

Great remix of the best track on Sam’s Town. I like the feedback bit at 2:52; Anthony thinks it’s too harsh.

17. Aly & AJ – Like It Or Leave It

Saw these girls when they opened for Sugababes at the Astoria. The crowd, very anxious to see the ‘babes, didn’t really take. But this song’s sweeping chorus is great.

18. Hilary Duff – With Love (Big Woody Radio Edit)

This remix is so sinister! And angry!

19. Leona Lewis – Bleeding Love

This one grew on me. It’s a little slow, and apparently the rest of the album isn’t great, but it’s powerful (melodramatic?) and the chorus is very catchy.

20. Girls Aloud – Girl Overboard

Track 4 off Tangled Up–maybe it’ll become a single. The chorus is amazing, and fortunately it’s most of the song (repeated again and again), however the verses don’t quite fit. Thankfully they’re short.