Vultures/John Mayer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywcLJNEXQTs

I recently obtained John Mayer's 2008 concert film "Where the light is" and was amazed at how good a musician he is. "Vultures" is all about his peculiar, almost deliberate style of rock. This style is also quite apparent in "Slow dancing in a burning room", another beautiful song. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osvs429_2Zk

On My Mind/Futureshock feat. Ben Onono

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itX2HrukuD0

Some brilliant keyboard sampling. One of my all-time favourite house tracks. Listen to it real loud.

Rat Race/Billy Idol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI_90eCrW3E

An opening progression that seems to suggest impending doom, followed by an explosive chorus. Idol's 'old man' voice trudges along with an instrumental track that is clinically tight.

Moon Run/Trapezoid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBfvOAFRPoI

When in doubt, go with a mixture of guitar, violin and clarinet, i always say.

Autobahn (remix)/Kraftwerk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gChOifUJZMc

A song for the road. After a few listens, you'll find yourself singing along in a lame German accent. Trust me.

Mammagamma/Alan Parsons Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2tCxlCkrAw

Look up Alan Parsons' credentials on Wikipedia and you'll find enough reasons to become a devoted fan of this musician/engineer/producer. I recommend turning the bass all the way up when listening to this track. 

48 Crash/Suzi Quatro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk6kvVGPURA&feature=related

Such a catchy chorus! When the glam queen screams, your intestines listen.

Machine Gun/Jimi Hendrix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj50-2yiTzM

Words can hardly describe the musical journey that is this song. Chunky guitars, a collar-grabbing bassline and some excellent drumming all add up to one of the greatest experimental compositions of rock history, right up there with Pink Floyd's "Echoes".

At My Most Beautiful/REM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE0NlYPYlsE

Stipe's voice with Beach Boys-esque backing, set against a mellow instrumental backdrop makes this the perfect soft song.

Why Worry/Dire Straits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_03uXQiz6eY

As with most of their compositions, the band's instrumental virtuosity is revealed towards the end of the song. A friend of mine once described Mark Knopfler as (and I completely agree) one of the most underrated guitarists in rock history.

Still/Foo Fighters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dLXZOe3mek

The progression from verse to chorus, to verse again, with brief instrumental wedges filling in the parts where Dave Grohl chooses silence. Bliss.

Music For A Found Harmonium/Penguin Cafe Orchestra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z8hXv-g4fQ

Beautiful piece, composed on a harmonium!

Pride & Glory (El Train/Waterline)/Mark Isham & Sage Francis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK-nCcqF9RY

This song plays towards the end of the movie and continues into the end credits. Isham's music rises and falls with Sage's lyrics, accompanied by a single guitar that plays in the background.

Milan/Karsh Kale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2NcrNxzkPg

A lesson in electro/classical fusion, by one of its greatest exponents. 

Peter Pan (Flying)/James Newton Howard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8O0tIJRu28

James Newton Howard is a wiz at strings arrangement (Shyamalan's 'The Village'). I saw the movie a long time ago. This instrumental has been in my playlist ever since.

Darker/Doves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1JWPzDJj04

Interesting bass groove and a great guitar riff. The part from 4:00 to 5:06 is one of the best variations i've ever heard in any song.

Sail To The Moon/Radiohead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFn7sGqaRWg

The greatest vocalist ever. This album did Thom Yorke justice the way no other Radiohead album has ever done.

Hold Tight London/Chemical Brothers Feat. Anna Lynne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft7dJMH3OM0

This song always reminds me of a night train I once took. Blackness, occasionally interrupted by a railway platform.

Sun Hands/Local Natives

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7IYhP35rSQ

The rhythm and bass arrangement, and of course, the vocals. The band is known for its three-part harmonies.

It's Alright/Black Sabbath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkqGwM8PgkI

A notable departure from their signature sound. The song sees drummer Bill Ward lending vocal duties in place of Ozzy Osbourne.

It became quite a gig favourite with Guns n Roses. Listen to Axl Rose perform it live-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVoje6oASZ0

What it's all about..

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20028655-47.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=TheAudiophiliac

Great article. I strongly recommend the blog.

Tron Legacy (Endtitles)/Daft Punk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY5-33ZycVg

The French know their electronica. Daft Punk have composed a gem of a soundtrack for the film, proving once and for all that nerd is the new chic.

Futile Devices/Sufjan Stevens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmbUEKFqxDk

A recent favourite. What really sets it apart for me is the deliberately off-key muting of the guitar in between verses. A great album opener from the indie veteran.