100 Songs for 2014: Outtakes, Day Two

100 Songs for 2014 will be released on Monday, December 8. In the meantime, we're taking a look at some great songs that didn't make the cut.

I don't know if this is actually true, but it certainly seems like there were more victims of the Two Song Rule this year than in years past.

The War on Drugs - "Red Eyes"

"I can see it in the darkness coming my way." I don't know if Lost in the Dream was my favorite album of 2014, but it was definitely the one I listened to the most. It's a history of classic rock (easy-to-spot influences include Springsteen, Petty, and Dire Straits) filtered through a dreamy haze that makes it appropriate background music for almost any occasion. Also, part of the Great Philadelphia Takeover of 2014.

Generationals - "Gold Silver Diamond"

"Because you know it's only fate that can hold you." I never understand the lyrics to Generationals songs, but I see that as a feature, not a bug. Every lyrics site on the internet believes that the first line of this song is "Love is not a hug, you don't say it back." So, first of all, that doesn't sound right. Second, I think I was happier not knowing.

Bishop Allen - "Black Hole"

"Time goes so slow, but never slow enough." I mean, I think the titular black hole is a metaphor for a failed relationship, but ... it's at least possible they're talking about a real black hole here. There's a lot of talk about time dilation and gravity. Every breakup tears the sky to pieces.

Bleachers - "You're Still a Mystery"

"Man I was feeling like I never was young." Everyone knows that Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff is also in Fun., and that he's dating Lena Dunham, but if you really want to out-hipster your friends and co-workers, tell them you've always loved his first band, Steel Train.  Seriously, "Firecraker" is a great, great song.

Modern Baseball - "Fine, Great"

"I'm so tired or maybe just bored / I can't really tell the difference whenever I'm talking to you." I appreciate when songs written by college sophomores sound like songs written by college sophomores.  Modern Baseball are dickish and self-obsessed, but so was I at that age, and I wasn't writing killer songs about it. Also, part of the Great Philadelphia Takeover of 2014.