[Rob In Stereo] Digging Through the Ruins

by Rob Hamilton
January 2, 2008

With former “American Idol” contestants—and bands fronted by former “American Idol” contestants—dominating Top 40 radio in 2007, it can be a depressing task to sort through the year that was pop. Digging through the ruins, though, we do find a few songs that were willing to fight the banality of what radio offered us. These are all five.

Future Classic Masquerading as Disposable Pop Award: “Umbrella” by Rihanna
Every year it’s easy to disregard the most played songs on radio as garbage because, by and large, they are. “Umbrella” was the exception that disproved the rule this year. Few songs were played deeper into the ground than “Umbrella,” but unlike those other overplayed songs, this one is destined to be a fixture at weddings in 20 years in a non-ironic fashion. It is an intelligently written song featuring the hook of the year and great production. Final evidence of this song’s greatness: Any song that can make Jay-Z’s verse the weakest aspect is bound for great things.

P. Diddy Production Award: “Stronger” by Kanye West
In his heyday, Diddy made a name for himself by taking mediocre pop songs from years past and not only turning them into classic hip-hip songs, but also elevating the source material to greatness in the process. “Stronger” was one of the best songs of the year and at the same time spurred a whole lot of people to dust off their old Daft Punk records and claim they never stopped liking them.

Best Song Introduced by a Commercial: “1,2,3,4” by Feist
We could have a discussion here about how sad it is that many indie artists have to rely on iPod ads to make a commercial breakthrough nowadays. However, using this space for that would overshadow the fact that “1,2,3,4” is a song that makes you want to listen to the rest of it after the 30-second commercial is over.

Best Song Prominently Featured on a Mixtape to Your Girlfriend: “No One” by Alicia Keys
With no release from Mary J. Blige in 2007, Keys was already winner of this award by default. But “No One” is a great song that convinces you to not give up on mainstream R&B just yet. In 10 years, when you think of your girlfriend at the end of 2007, for better or for worse, this is the song you’ll think of.

Best Throwback Song: “Pull Shapes” by The Pipettes
My vote for best pop song of the year, this song dwarfs anything commercial-throwback-darling Amy Winehouse has put out. It is a reinvention of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production for three British girls fashioned to look like a 1950s girl group. The sound is updated and modern, yet so right-on with the strings, powerful instruments and vocal harmonies, that they should have paid Spector royalties, which he certainly could have used this year.

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