The alpha version of the Loudcrowd website launched almost two years ago, in August of 2008. We’re very proud of it, this online community for people who love music and want to do more than just listen. Our users have sent millions of dances and listened to thousands of tracks while discovering the best new music from around the world. In the meantime our other games, Music Pets and Super Dance, have grown rapidly on Facebook. Because we want to make sure that all our active projects receive the attention they deserve, we have decided to focus our effort on our other games. Loudcrowd will deliver its last dance this week, on July 29, 2010.

As the last blog post I’ll write, I’d like to look at some of the very best bow-outs in music history. I asked myself, what are the very best last tracks on final albums? Which songs kick your ass so hard and make you sit down on the ground and cry because that group will never be around again (forgetting for one moment the simple fact that unless an artist is dead all bands seem to get back together for reunion shows these days)?

With links to YouTube videos of these songs, here’s a top ten of the most bad-ass finales in music history. And yeah, it’s a pretty “rockist” list — one that favors melancholic type tunes. If you don’t like it, feel free to post your own suggestions in the comments!

Hope you are having a great summer and be sure that the Conduit Labs team has many rad surprises in store for you. Later — DJ Yeti

1. Nick Drake, “From the Morning”

2. Minor Threat, “Salad Days”

3. Nirvana, “All Apologies”

4. ABBA, “Like an Angel Passing Through My Room”

5. Joy Division, “Decades”

6. The Zombies, “Time of the Season”

7. Led Zeppelin, “I’m Gonna Crawl”

8. Sleater-Kinney, “Night Light”

9. Neutral Milk Hotel, “Two Headed Boy Pt.2”

10. My Bloody Valentine, “Soon”