In alphabetical order only, these are 20 of the best songs that came out in 2004.

• Ambulance Ltd – “Primitive (The Way I Treat You)”
• The Arcade Fire – “The Crown Of Love” (although, really, “Neighbourhood #1” or “Rebellion(Lies)” could just as easily make the list
• DJ Danger Mouse – “99 Problems”
• Falconhawk – “Olympia”
• The Fiery Furnaces – “Single Again”
• The Hidden Cameras – “Mississauga Goddam”
• Mark Lanegan – “Sideways In Reverse”
• Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – “Me And Mia”
• Les Savy Fav – “The Sweat Descends”
• Marah – “Freedom Park”
• Modest Mouse – “Float On”
• Alanis Morissette – “Eight Easy Steps”
• A.C. Newman – “On The Table”
• Raising The Fawn – “Drownded”
• Sahara Hotnights – “Stupid Tricks”
• Stars – “Ageless Beauty”
• The Streets – “Fit But You Know It”
• Thermals – “How We Know”
• The Von Bondies – “C’mon C’mon”
• The Walkmen – “The Rat”