Top 50 Singles of 2010: 40-36

40. Katy Perry - California Gurls



The song of the summer, no doubt. And even with all the hundreds of times I heard it on the radio, it never really got to the point of oversaturation. That’s quite a feat, especially for such a stupid song.

39. Yeasayer - Ambling Alp



In just one song, these guys transformed themselves from a band that I could appreciate to a band that I could really love.

38. The Hoosiers - Choices



A shockingly ace new sound from a band that I had only tolerated before. This was the stateliest electro-pop on the radio last August.

37. Staygold - Backseat



What a surprise it was to hear Salem Al Fakir letting loose and trying on a completely new style on this track. As far as I’m concerned, he should never go back to the old stuff.

36. Sweet Thing - Change Of Seasons



A sweet summer song from a sweet Canadian band. It didn’t surprise me at all that this became ubiquitous this Fall as the soundtrack to movie ads.

Sweet Thing - Change Of Seasons

"Where we're going I don't know"

I always like to see a good Canadian band break through. Living where I do, against the B.C. border, I feel very close to Canadians and the Canadian music scene. Sweet Thing are a very exciting new band from the country, a five-piece Toronto group that finds success in a combination of sounds. It's rock, for sure, but with a jagged dance edge, some Queen-style pomp and a great sense of melody. Change Of Seasons is their latest single, a tropical-infused singalong that uses Beach Boys-esque back-up vocals to great effect. The drums and chugging guitar on this are intense, sort of a mini Dog Days Are Over tethered to a light, breezy melody with a soaring, simple hook. I've yet to delve into the album as a whole, but I'm very excited about hearing it based on this and other singles.

Sweet Thing - Change Of Seasons by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.