Random 10 for Jan. 17, 2008

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1. LCD Soundsystem, “New York, I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down.” Of all the songs from Sound of Silver, “All My Friends” gets the most attention, and by all means, it’s one of the best songs written about real life and friends getting away from you while you were busy building yourself up. But “New York, I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down” is a ballad, which would appear to be something definitely outside James Murphy’s wheelhouse, except that he shows himself to be a master. The lyrics are some of the best I’ve heard in years, not just in content but in their meter. This is Cole Porter level stuff, or at least Randy Newman in his Sail Away prime. (Sven, that’s your cue.)

2. The Field, “Everyday.”

3. Kings of Leon, “Ragoo.”

4. Echo & the Bunnymen, “The Yo Yo Man.”

5. The Flaming Lips, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” An early highlight during the New Year’s Eve show at the Cox Center, “Bohemian Rhapsody” was done perfectly, with karaoke sing-a-longs on the half-moon video screen. Magnificent. (Photo by Matt Strasen, The Oklahoman)