Late to the party but as always, the Said the Gramophone list of best songs of the year provides discovery and delight, both in the listening and the reading. Novelist Sean Michaels writes circles around most people who pretend to be music writers.

There was a certain amount of grumbling over Radiohead's domination but if it's not too late I'd like to speak up for the results. Personal taste aside, by many reasonable benchmarks, the band is artistically in a league pretty much of their own. Their success in the #XPNCountdown is well deserved.

I know it dates me but: no Elvis Costello in the 885, despite his dozen or so 21st-century albums. Couldn't help it, I had to put something on my list-- one of the truly great overlooked songs, "No Hiding Place," from Momofuku (2008), which I'm sure is a 'one-hit wonder.' #XPNCountdown

Thing is, there are plenty of songs that well deserve to be ranked among the 885 best that no one would be likely to place in a top 10. It’s kind of a weird way to gather a top 885 if you think about it. But entertaining! #XPNCountdown

I like Wilco a lot and will one day figure out why everyone likes Impossible Germany so much. #XPNCountdown

So many songs I forgot to vote for #XPNCountdown

Now here's a Bruce song worthy of strong consideration. A 21st century classic, if under-appreciated. #XPNCountdown

Erika Wennerstrom (Heartless Bastards) is an underrated rock'n'roll singer. Nice to see her band represented a couple of times. #XPNCountdown