Best of 2011: Songs #50-41

Rules!

1. Each artist only gets one song per category. This song list would be very different otherwise.
2. Only songs on albums that were released in 2011 are eligible.

OK, those are boring. The following songs are not:

50. "Perth" - Bon Iver


It's true: I don't always appreciate Justin Vernon's soulful falsetto. I like it when vocals are strong and assertively make statements. However, in "Perth" the vocals are set against a full snare line and a beautifully layered orchestra in a way that the at-times-timid voice is juxtaposed with the strong musical swell perfectly. A really pretty song.

49. "Sydney (I'll Come Running)" - Brett Dennen


Brett Dennen preceded his 2011 release with an upbeat single in the form of "Sydney". Surprisingly, it lacks his usual socially-conscious lyrics, but it is no less fun.

48. "Mama's Broken Heart" - Miranda Lambert


Lambert keeps with her Angry-Ex persona on this track. She sings with so much ferocity her band can barely keep up. Things really go down when the Baptists hear your gossip.

47. "Words I Never Said" - Lupe Fiasco ft. Skylar Grey


Lupe sticks with his bold politics and blows up the bass here. I never worshiped Skylar Grey as a vocalist, because I seriously doubt her versatility but in the case of this one song, she really sets the tone. Bonus points for calling out Glenn Beck.

46. "Price Tag" - Jessie J ft. B.o.B


Speaking of well-matched duos. This song lit up the summer of 2011 and just wouldn't quit. It's a great sentiment and one we can especially be drawn to during the economic slump. The guitar sounds like really slow funk and Jessie J's vocals sound like a British Gwen Stefani - she belongs in front of a reggae band, but she's got the grit to be pursuing the pop career she is.

45. "Greed" - Patrick Stump
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His album was called Soul Punk and this was the perfect embodiment of that. Stump's vocals, in my opinion, have never really been given the praise it deserves. His passion is really fun to listen to, and the rhythmic claps and clicks don't hurt the drive of his song about crooked human beings.

44. "I Want My Mojo Back" - Scott H. Biram


Grungy Bluesman, Scott H. Biram, growls his way through the traditional blues chord progression in this track. Live bootleg versions of Biram playing this on his own (percussion, low guitar, lead and back up vocals) are really great, but the saxophone is a monster in this studio version.

43. "Sun of a Gun" - Oh Land


Oh Land has a lovely voice, so she doesn't need over the top beats to make a great dance song.

42. "Rope" - Foo Fighters


Dave Grohl and his crew keep us hanging on to what rock and roll is really about: Attacking vocals, animalistic drumming and a badass guitar.

41. "Two Against One" - Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi ft. Jack White


It's fitting that this song sounds like it was recorded in an open auditorium with Jack White standing in the middle alone. A really well-composed track from the bass to the background vocals to the guitar solo.

Stay tuned!