Rage Against the Machine

I like their new British campaign to stop the winner of the "X Factor" from being the number 1 song in the UK for like the 7th year in a row.  From my understanding which is limited, the "X Factor" is the British version of American Idol or something along those lines.  Apparently, a guy on facebook organized everybody to vote for "Killing in the Name Of" by RATM to be the number one hit of the land, and are getting the support of the band, who I previously thought shunned the limelight like Nirvana.  Those political wingnuts give a great interview followed by a great performance recently on BBC.  Its close to 9 minutes long, I would recommend the whole tape, but if you want to get to the good stuff jump into it around the 8:52 minute mark where things get serious and there is a serious freak out.  On a positive note, RATM is donating the earning from this sudden popularity boost to charity.

Jersey Shore

By now, the cultural phenomena known as the Jersey Shore has taken over the United States and boosted the sales of DVRs to unheard of heights.  And now we learn how it was done...

Alyssa Milano's Evolution: Jersey Shore from Alyssa Milano

End of the Year Countdown Part 6

The moment you all have been waiting for! Zeus' favorite four songs of the year 2009.  Hopefully next week, I will have my top ten albums of the year for you to digest.  And if you are in the Christmas spirit, feel free to click a ad or two, then x it out immediately, NBD.  Much love to Magic Mike for multiple clicks, making the Z Files reach new heights and achieve staggering stats.

If you missed any part or feel the need to read or listen to a song again....
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

4. Passion Pit - Little Secrets

	Passion Pit - Little Secrets .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I thought after "Sleepyhead" Passion Pit's best days were behind them.  A blog band one hit wonder. A flash in the pan.  But they thoroughly surprised me for the better with the album Manners.  This is clearly the stand-out track of it.  And within the past month, I have started to hear "Sleepyhead" in a commercial, similar to another song on this list......Again, little kids and helium voice.

3. Miike Snow - Animal

	Miike Snow - Animal .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

The producers of "Toxic" by Britney Spears really outdid themselves with this track.  A building beat with sounds coming from all directions and get stuck in your head vocals.

2. Major Lazer - Keep It Going Louder

	Major Lazer - Keep it goin' louder feat. Nina Sky & Ricky Blaze .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I still cannot figure out for the life of me how this song is not on top 40 radio? It would fit in right next to Ke$ha or Lady Gaga perfectly, I dont think Diplo & Switch have figured out payola.

1. Phoenix - 1901

	Phoenix - 1901 .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

You could not escape this song or Phoenix this year. Even my mom probably knows this track because I would always turn the TV up loud when the Cadillac commercial would come on. All that being said, I have not once gotten sick of it. Every listen is a rush of blood to various body parts.

End of the Year Countdown Part 5

9. Kid Sister - Right Hand Hi

	Kid Sister - Right Hand Hi .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I don't really know how to classify Kid Sister, maybe club-hop? But whatever you call it, it sounds good to my ears.

8. Amanda Blank - Love Song

	amanda blank - a love song .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I have loved this song since an earlier version appeared on Diplo/Santogold's Top Ranking Mixtape (probably my all-time favorite mixtape) Download here.  Surely enjoy the LL Cool J  cover verse.

7. Soulja Boy - Turn My Swag On

	Soulja Boy - Turn My Swag On .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I hear this song everywhere and everytime I hear it the place goes bonkers.  A fun song.

6. La Roux - Bulletproof

	La Roux - Bulletproof .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

This time baby......La Roux has been my diamond in the rough of the year. The whole album is great but this is definitely the highlight.

5. Ida Maria - Oh My God

	Ida Maria - Oh My God .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Ida Maria is a dirty Swedish girl, yet suprisingly not super hot. Nevertheless, she even puts in lip dip on stage, don't know how she sings while doing that. Also apparently she is a lush on stage and even quit in the middle of a show in Boston. Her biggest downfall this year was signing on to do Perez Hilton's tour, which had horrendous ticket sales. The whole Ida Maria album is good, but more on that next week with my top 10 albums of the year.

End of the Year Countdown Part 4

14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll

	Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

So many remixes of this track. The fact that every Yeah Yeah Yeah's album sounds differently yet you can easily distinguish it, if that makes any sense, makes me appreciate it more for the fact that people change tastes especially as artists and do not feel like putting out the same album 5 times in a row. (Hold Steady your the exception)

13. Shakira - She Wolf

	Shakira - She Wolf .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Such a different pop song, haven't really heard anything like it on pop radio before.  I feel this song has some long lasting radio potential when other people jump on this new bandwagon.

12. Silversun Pickups - There's No Secrets This Year

	Silversun Pickups - There's No Secrets This Year .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Silversun Pickups previously album, Carnavas, is definitely on my top 10 albums of the last 5 years, so obviously I was excited for this new release.  The album overall was a let down, but this lead-off track definitely gave me good first impressions.

11. Donnis - The Beginning

What hasn't been said about this guy.  His style is so smooth and delivery so quick and efficient yet not obnoxious.

10. Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried

	Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I spent a week up in Maine over this summer and this was the jam that I heard every day and fell in love with. It is confusing to me what radio stations decide to play what song because this is definitely a cross-over song and could hit the adult-contemporary radio stations, yet many are still scared to play it. (which I don't understand after the crossover appeal of Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.)