#5 Top 10 3 A.M. Nightbiking Songs

topic chosen by Chris

Voting ends Friday, April 25th at midnight

Ever since last summer I (Chris) have grown a great appreciation for the expansion of my excessive biking adventures to include late late late expeditions. The calming darkness is unsurpassed along with the isolation and quaint aspired lonesome puts music to a whole new experience as it becomes almost more than the full attention without bothersome distractions. My own iPod claims an admittingly ridiculous 461 song playlist specifically for nightbiking. So narrowing it down to 10 has been the most draining list construction of C.vs.C yet and also explains the almost week overdue deadline mishap. And although Connor already leads with the advantage of his Chicago setting, the lesser Champaign, Urbana backdrop doesn't suffice too much as long you can avoid the occasional bumbling college drunkard giggling excessively shouting at you from across the quad.

It is highly encouraged that the voting participators download each set of tracks, do field research and actually engage in what has become a time-honored tradition for Connor and myself.

Also, I apologize for the font inconsistency, Blogger doesn't seem to be cooperating nicely these days.

---------- C o n n o r ----------
"No suburb love on this one"

10. - "Satellite" by Guster [mp3]
The jangle pop trio is normally known for their poppy bubble gum ballads, but "Satellite" is the perfect computerized attempt at 00s prog-rock to be listened to when you're cruising through the forests to West Chicago on the east side bike trail.

09. - "Young at Heart" by Frank Sinatra [mp3]
No list with "night" in the title would be complete without Frank. The crooner lends the perfect tune for those rides through a deserted downtown Geneva on a late summer night.

08. - "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young [mp3]
Neil's most famous ballad lends a voice to all bikes rides west of Randall Road: Hello Elburn!

07. - "Vincent" by Don McLean [mp3]
There's something about McLean's somber tale of Vincent Van Gogh's life that makes it perfect for a ride along Lake Michigan on any "starry starry night."

06. - "Stars of Track and Field" by Belle and Sebastian [mp3]
So many B&S songs are perfect for this category, but this one is unique in the sense that it's about track and field, but it's not fast enough to run to...but it's perfect for biking!

05. - "Boy With a Coin" by Iron and Wine [mp3]
This eerie tune works perfectly for Chi-Town, sorry...no suburb love on this one.

04. - "Don't Panic" by Coldplay [mp3]
Don't panic that your ride to Naperville is 18 miles! This song will get you through it.

03. - "Sun King" by The Beatles [mp3]
Sycamore, farm fields, one 50s style gas station for 20 miles, "Sun King"....(drooling)

02. - "To Be Alone With You" by Sufjan Stevens [mp3]
If you could rig a way to make your bike float with some form of helium filled wheels (and perhaps an oxygenated tube if it fails), this song would take you all the way across Lake Michigan.

01. - "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" by The Postal Service [mp3]
I'm saving this one for DC, but it's perfect for any sleeping city at 3 am. Just don't go to New York or Vegas.

---------- C h r i s ----------
"Canceling out any notion of time or troubles"

10. - "Farewell To The Pressure Kids" by Kevin Drew [mp3]
Quite a way to kick it off the ride with the opening Spirit If... track as it counters between the bombastic paranoid introduction and eventually calms down after Kevin Drew (the ringleader of Broken Social Scene) catches his breath and lingers on with a smooth atmospheric clarinet closing.

09. - "Alone, Jealous & Stoned" by Secret Machines [mp3]
Pink Floyd mockeries, Secret Machines have since pretty much disbanded but left behind an onslaught of angst-riden ballads. For the nightbiking category, "Alone, Jealous & Stoned" works wonderfully even if you're not under any of the mentioned physical or mental conditions.

08. - "Next Exit" by Interpol [mp3]
If you were to make a playlist of this list, might I suggest that this song initiate the tracks. Interpol basically spawned from the night making really anything they do fit for situations like this with brooding, dark linings and bored, yet haunting vocals.

07. - "Vittorio E." by Spoon [mp3]
Once again Spoon proves their unique ability to turn sheer simplicity into undisputed greatness. This repetitive, yet gaining song gives off like a far-off echo perfect for riding in a deserted metropolis.

06. - "Biomusicology" by Ted Leo & the Pharmacists [mp3]
If only this was an actual course taught by Prof. Leo would it work ever more than a monumental nightbiking soundtrack with its rolling drums and the climactic bended guitar that sounds more like a sweeping cello (not to be confused with the actual cello in the song).

05. - "The Light Before We Land" by The Delgados [mp3]
Probably the least popular track on my list, this little gem from the little Scottish dream pop band, The Delgados, churns a mixture of placid chaos with wisping vocals, yearning strings and all broken up by thunderous interludes of brash strikings. Got that?

04. - "All My Friends" by LCD Soundsystem [mp3]
An obvious choice if you're familiar with the absolute infectious workings of LCD Soundsystem. "All My Friends" is a 7+ minute marathon of jaunted rhythmic piano intricately placing additions of guitar and bass here and there all comforted with snare-tastic drum attack that makes the whole track downright reflective.

03. - "Backyards" by Broken Social Scene [mp3]
Collected on the You Forget It In People b-sides comp, Beehives, "Backyards" hasn't even gained nowhere near a tenth of the respect and recognition it deserves. With Amy Millan's playfully smooth vocals caressing over bumbling banjo (that surprisingly fits perfectly) and wavering tones of carelessness to garner one the most chilling yet comforting BSS tracks composed, which is saying a whole damn lot.

02. - "Vito's Ordination Song" by Sufjan Stevens [mp3]
The most mellow song of the list, Sufjan's Michigan closer makes melting seem like an understatement as the song drifts along like a fluffy night cloud of intimacy canceling out any notion of time or troubles.

01. - "Gideon" by My Morning Jacket [mp3]
With each bombastic corresponding inclusion, "Gideon" triumphs as the best nightbiking song for too many reasons to mention. Just ride and listen to it really, really loudly and you'll get it with a little help from Jim James' canyon carving vocals.

NOW GO VOTE!