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2007 Muse's Muse Half Decade Awards - Best Songs
By Gian Fiero - 12/27/2007 - 07:48 PM EST
Congratulations to Alice Peacock! Her song "Time" is the Muse's Muse Award Half Decade award winner for the BEST SONG in any category
from 2002 - 2007
 
While Alice may have learned the craft of songwriting through studying proper song structure and emulating the melodic tendencies of her legendary influences, she joins their ranks with this song. It's a sparse, deeply introspective ballad comprised of piano and a plush string arrangement that is so beautiful in lyric, message, performance, production, and musicianship, that it is easily the best song that I have ever reviewed.
2. "Vibes Up Strong" - Big Mountain
This insipirational, reggae and pop flavored commercial masterpiece was potent enough to compel me to drive to the nearerst record store and search for it within fifteen minutes of hearing it. When's the last time a song affected you like that?
3. "Fits So Well" - Keahi Wai
I first heard this duo on the radio while driving in Hawaii, which is where they are from. This tender, melodic, mid-tempo single blew into my car as gently and pleasantly as the mixture of warmth and wind from the island breeze.
4. "We Need We" - Brandon Hines
This track finds Brandon singing melodically during the verses and employs a pre-chorus that's just as effective (if not more effective) than the chorus itself. It's also engergized with a featured rap performance from Prafit that adds a punctuation mark to a song that should be used as an industry calling card.
5. "Under" - Dasha
This one of Dasha's most commercial singles. It bares faint similarities to Fiona Apple's 1996 hit, "Sleep To Dream," and is undeniably, unmistakably a "hit."
6. "The Ground" - Shaan Sharma
This track has one of the best hooks that I've heard. It is one of those rare songs that contains an inseperable bridge and chorus that you eagerly anticipate with each listen while building tension with driving guitar lines that breathe life and add dimension to the track.
7. "I Can't Get Over You" - IBU
Their most commercial song can be easily be a radio favorite with its smooth harmonies and instantly memorable chorus.
8. "Just A Lil Bit" - Ebony Burks
This slam dunk hit was an instant contender for my 2005 Muse's Muse Award for best r&b song of the year.
9. "In This Moment" - Preeta
This amorously enthusiastic track has the potential to be a radio favorite because it accurately recalls the moment of bliss that we all feel when we first realize (or think) we are falling in love.
10. "Gone Shine" - Jay Scott
Sparked by a sizzling vocal performance that Cab Calloway would be proud of and a roaring 20s hip-hop beat that prominently features live horns, this track is poised for heavy activity in the radio, advertising, and licensing arenas.
11. "Hush" - Jason Derulo
Never mind that this song hi-jacks the music to Mim’s “This Is Why I’m Hot.” What’s more important is how Jason Derulo made you forget (or in my case not even care) that it was a former number one rap song. In this incarnation, Jason’s vocal arrangements and delivery are supreme.
12. "Not Myself" - Jen Woodhouse
This is a clever, thought-provoking song that can be interpreted in many different ways; I happened to interpret it as a song about losing one's identity in a relationship while settling for someone or (some life) that is not appropriate for you.
13. "Straight Up" - Wayna
This is a highly commercial Neo-Soul gem which has undeniable break-out radio potential.
14. "Sweet" - South Border
This feel-good dance track recalls memories of the monster radio hit, "Too Close" by defunct R&B group Next. It has the potential to be a monster radio hit.
15. "Give Me What You Got" - Dr. Zhivegas
Lyrically, musically, and vocally, this is a scorching, pulsating party jam on every level and it shines as a song and a radio-friendly recording.
16. "Wake Up" - Broken Stone
This is a powerful break-out single for them that is sure to resonate at the college and commercial radio level.
17. "One Sweet Love" - Sara Bareilles
This is one of Sara's most commercial/radio friendly tracks. It displays her acute awareness of what publishers look for in a song, fans enjoy in a performance, and the industry looks for in a recording.
18. “Thinking You Over” – Melissa Forbes
This song proves that only a talented writer and former lawyer could poetically and correctly use the word "obfuscation" in a lyric.
19. "Never Be Lonely" - Eoin Harrington
This is a tender tender song about a man making a bid for the affections of his love interest. With lyrics like "I will respect you, love and protect you..." you can bet that he will have a devoted following of females fans not only place him on another level, but in another dimension - one that requires an elusive blend of magnetism, personality, and sex appeal. Eoin has all of those qualities and some to spare.
20. "The Best Thing That Never Happened To Me" - Kevin Wong
This ballad is reminiscent of a Dianne Warren classic. It was produced by Kevin Wong, Jason Chapman, and Warren Longe, and features a sparse piano arrangement that provides a poignant backdrop for a lyrical vignette of love lost that is both musically appealing and emotionally engaging.
Have a musical New Year!
Gian Fiero
Senior Music Reviewer
The Muse's Muse
Do you have what it takes to win one of Gian's Muse's Muse Awards?
Send material to: Gian Fiero c/o Muse's Muse Music Reviews 1714 Franklin St. Suite 100-119 Oakland, CA 94612 USA or email bio and Mp3s and links to: reviews (at) gianfiero.info (replace “at” with the @ sign)
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