Top Rock Songs of 2008

The Epoch Times picks the very best rock tunes of the past year.
Top Rock Songs of 2008
12/30/2008
Updated:
12/31/2008
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/coldplay83144594_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/coldplay83144594_medium.jpg" alt="COLDPAY:(L-R) Jonny Buckland, Chris Martin, Will Champion, and Guy Berryman.   (Dave Hogan/Getty Images)" title="COLDPAY:(L-R) Jonny Buckland, Chris Martin, Will Champion, and Guy Berryman.   (Dave Hogan/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-78646"/></a>
COLDPAY:(L-R) Jonny Buckland, Chris Martin, Will Champion, and Guy Berryman.   (Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

‘Better’—Guns N' Roses

Well equipped with an engaging spirit, lyrically catchy hooks, and a bone-crunching bridge that rolls up like an M1 Abrams tank, this detached past-love reflection is the kind of rock song that will set your inner rhythm on fire.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/JohnMellencamp82017748_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/JohnMellencamp82017748_medium-350x450.jpg" alt="THE COUGAR: Rocker John Mellencamp.   (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)" title="THE COUGAR: Rocker John Mellencamp.   (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-78647"/></a>
THE COUGAR: Rocker John Mellencamp.   (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

‘Orphans’—Beck

What do you get when you take Beck’s cool, psychedelic, funky flare and team him with production wizard and groove giant Danger Mouse? A mirage-induced vision journeying across a beat-filled ocean, filled to the brim with volcanic flavor.
If you’re not grooving by the 1:36 mark, you might want to check your pulse.

‘42’—Coldplay

Three delicious pop sections in one that dynamically enjoy a hypnotic werewolf-like transformation unveiled in a beautifully cast, molded, and triumphant four minutes.

‘Longest Days’—John Mellencamp

Mellencamp’s full-circle tale of life’s hopefuls descends into harsher realities when “you know you got no flame.” He opens up his soul to a new level of craftsmanship through a worn guitar and his raspy, twang-laden voice.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Portishead80991759_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Portishead80991759_medium.jpg" alt="PORTISHEAD: Beth Gibbons, a trip-hop innovator.   (Stephane De Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images)" title="PORTISHEAD: Beth Gibbons, a trip-hop innovator.   (Stephane De Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-78648"/></a>
PORTISHEAD: Beth Gibbons, a trip-hop innovator.   (Stephane De Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images)

‘The Rip’—Portishead

Singer Beth Gibbons croons from a mystical hideaway like a goddess immortal, imprisoned by fairy tale guitars and a rain shower of majestic crescendos.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/roots81489388_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/roots81489388_medium.jpg" alt="THE ROOTS: Black Thought of the pioneering hip-hop group The Roots.  (Jeff Fusco/Getty Image)" title="THE ROOTS: Black Thought of the pioneering hip-hop group The Roots.  (Jeff Fusco/Getty Image)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-78649"/></a>
THE ROOTS: Black Thought of the pioneering hip-hop group The Roots.  (Jeff Fusco/Getty Image)

‘Birthday Girl’—The Roots

The best bonus track of the decade with bright guitars, a Rootstastic signature beat, and an under-age, incognito fan’s plot to seduce rapper Black Thought and “see them Roots boys fall out live.”

‘Pork and Beans’—Weezer

It figures that Rivers Cuomo’s most angst-driven track in years is a kissoff to the constraints of his record label and pulled from a 1998 songbook. A sing-songy, guitar-saturated, smooth time machine ride back to the heartfelt cries of the early ‘90s. We need more of these, boys.

‘Toes’—Zac Brown Band

Where did these bluegrassy, Margarita sippin', Georgia gunslingers come from? An island-bound jam with all the girls, guitars, and party favors to fill an end of summer trip “a long way from GA.” Zac keeps it positive, ever reminding the listener that “Life is good today.”

‘Strange Times’—The Black Keys

Put down that White Stripes record and check out some sweeter noise from this Akron, Ohio, two piece. Like a manic Zeppelin riff’s haunted past life, these guys trip the alarm with an addictive, vintage fuzz.

 

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