1. Ed Harcourt – A Storm is Coming – A (mostly) coincidental choice for the opener on a Year of the Hurricane compilation. The real reason is the swirling, somewhat ominous guitar part. From Harcourt’s Strangers release.

2. New Pornographers – The Bleeding Heart Show – “Bleeding Heart” is the best example of how this Canadian supergroup toned down the bubblegum on Twin Cinema without losing any of the joy from their previous releases.

3. Detroit Cobras – I Wanna Holler (But the Town’s Too Small) – Although technically released overseas in 2003, the Cobras’ 3rd album was finally released on Bloodshot in 2005, and what a great fit. These miscreants and misfits breathe dirty new life into slightly sanitized and obscure 50’s R&B tunes. Dig that opening bass line!

4. Bloc Party – Like Eating Glass – The year’s best breakup song comes courtesy of a band I should hate but don’t. England’s Bloc Party ought to sound like the rest of the trendy Britpop I’ve shunned for years, but there’s enough different about this band’s approach to keep things interesting. “Like Eating Glass” combines smart lyrics, angular guitars and jaw-dropping drumming in a catchy package.

5. Wilco – Handshake Drugs (Live) –This gem, from Wilco’s first live album, is the best example of how much more urgency Jeff Tweedy’s songs have live. The studio version on A Ghost is Born just doesn’t elicit them same reaction.