Weekly Top 5: Songs To End An Album (2000s)

I've decided to start a new weekly column inspired by one of my favorite books/films, High Fidelity. In the book/film, the lead character and his music snob buddies are obsessed with making top 5 lists. I am similarly afflicted by a fondness for lists and will thus be doing a weekly top 5. If you have any ideas for lists you'd like to see, I'd love to hear about them.

The inaugural top 5 list will deal with my favorite tracks to end an album. I've found that far too many great albums drag out and end with a whimper. This list is dedicated to the albums that keep you hooked until the very last chord.

Honorable Mention:
The Bending by Hopesfall, from the album The Satellite Years (2002)
Foreground by Grizzly Bear, from the album Veckatimest (2009)


5. Strobe by Deadmau5, from the album For Lack of A Better Name (2009)
Canadian producer Deadmau5 is at the top of his game on this epic 10 minute closer and I dare to say he will never be able top this track. The song is one big, beautiful build up that finally pays off around the 6:50 mark when, for lack of a better phrase, shit gets nutty.

4. Admit It!!! by Say Anything, from the album ...Is a Real Boy (2004)
This diatribe against the independent music scene and the artists and fans that make it up is drenched in sarcasm, wit and angst. Its the perfect ending to a perfect album. I miss the old Max Bemis!

3. This Ain't a Surfin' Movie by Minus the Bear, from the album Menos El Oso (2005)
This album was the indie rock supergroup's masterpiece and this song was the finest of them all. Dave Knusdon's beautiful guitar work is the perfect accent to Jake Snider's love story: "I hope the weather holds, but you don't need the sun to make you shine." Simply marvelous!

2. Your Hand in Mine by Explosions in the Sky, from the album The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place (2003)
Almost disqualified this for its involvement with Friday Night Lights but even the mediocrity of that movie couldn't spoil this song. It leaves me speechless every time.

1. The Battle of Hampton Roads by Titus Andronicus, from the album The Monitor (2010)
An epic 14 minute closer to an absolutely massive album featuring two guitar solos, a brass section, bag pipes and some of the most honest lyrics you'll ever hear. To call this song ambitious would be a massive understatement but Patrick Stickles and co. pull it off with ease.