Finally!
OK, a quick run-down of the 40 songs we've already been through:
50. "Perth" - Bon Iver
49. "Sydney (I'll Come Running)" - Brett Dennen
48. "Mama's Broken Heart" - Miranda Lambert
47. "Words I Never Said" - Lupe Fiasco ft. Skylar Grey
46. "Price Tag" - Jessie J ft. B.o.B
45. "Greed" - Patrick Stump
44. "I Want My Mojo Back" - Scott H. Biram
43. "Sun of a Gun" - Oh Land
42. "Rope" - Foo Fighters
41. "Two Against One" - Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi ft. Jack White
40. "You Make Me Feel..." - Cobra Starship ft. Sabi
39. "CocknBullKid" - CocknBullKid
38. "Montreal" - Red Kite
37. "Kmag Yoyo" - Hayes Carll
36. "Party Rock Anthem" - LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett and GoonRock
35. "Stronger" - Kelly Clarkson
34. "Midnight City" - M83
33. "Cough Syrup" - Young the Giant
32. "Up Up Up" - GIVERS
31. "Dance With the Devil" - The Sounds
30. "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" - Arctic Monkeys
29. "Bloody Poetry" - Grieves
28. "Under Cover of Darkness" - The Strokes
27. "Dear Professor" - The Dean's List (ft. The Band Perry)
26. "Cry Baby" - Lady Linn and Her Magnificent Seven
25. "Go!" - Santigold ft. Karen O
24. "Up" - James Morrison ft. Jessie J
23. "Need You Now" - Cut Copy
22. "Without You" - David Guetta ft. Usher
21. "A Long Time" - Mayer Hawthorne
20. "We Found Love" - Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
19. "Civilization" - Justice
18. "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" - Coldplay
17. "Hello" - Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette
16. "Second Chance" - Peter Bjorn and John
15. "Countdown" - Beyoncé
14. "Heart Attack" - Raphael Saadiq
13. "Somebody That I Used to Know" - Gotye ft. Kimbra
12. "If I Die Young" - The Band Perry
11. "Stare Into the Sun" - Graffiti6
10. "Little Black Submarines" - The Black Keys
Two feels, two tempos, but seamlessly tied together with simple lyrics. The Black Keys are able to show their Who-esque balladry and still be completely badass with their blues roots.
9. "Settle Down" - Kimbra
The intro is so clever and fun and when Kimbra starts the first verse, her voice is so smooth, it's perfect. The beat sounds open and fresh. Makes me want to name my daughter Nebraska Jones.
8. "Get Some" - Lykke Li
Dirtiest song of 2011. Those tribal drums are sick , but seriously those lyrics....
7. "The Edge of Glory" - Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga's musical ability is overshadowed always, but true to the roots of her stage name, she taps into her classic rock vocal chords and defines pop. Or, what pop should be.
6. "Barton Hollow" - The Civil Wars
Download
Folk artists Joy Williams and John Paul White delve into their Deep South influences and churn out this beautiful piece.
THE ELITE
5. "The Weight of Love" - Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol has really mastered The Build-Up, as evidenced by "The Weight of Love". The chant-like back-up vocals and the wailing guitar that pops up during the chorus is a lovely hearken to Fleetwood make, I think.
4. "Lover to Lover" - Florence + the Machine
Florence Welch's brand of "Chamber Soul" is an exciting ride. Her voice is always nuanced and entertaining, but Florence also has this uncanny ability to go from tremulous and delicate to stormy and powerful at the drop of a hat. This is the most soul-infused track on her album, so it's no mistake it is the one that made this list.
3. "N***as in Paris" - Kanye West and Jay-Z
Kanye and Jay-Z have a tradition of making awesome music. Minimal, but effective background beat (even that dubstep break), but this song is all about the lyrics. "Provocative," yes, and seriously, both Kanye and Jay break it down. Genius.
2. "Call It What You Want" - Foster the People
Mark Foster and his boys have the funnest song in 2011 with "Call It What You Want." Supremely underrated (it was a REALLY good album, so that's somewhat understandable), this song is just amazing. The disco synth rhythm, only, like, two verses of lyrics and the rest is just them rocking out (seriously, the second and last verse ends with ~1:45 left on the track). Also, what an awesome feeling to just sit back and say, I'm gonna do me, have fun and not care what you label it.
1. "Rolling in the Deep" - Adele
While #3 is all about the lyrics and #2 is mostly about the music, #1 really puts them both together. Adele's passion and voice are irresistible. One of the best breakup songs EVER. So often Adele effortlessly belts out insane notes with power, but she never seems to let the animal within out of the cage. There are glimpses of that in this song. The clapping, stomping and background singers are great touches. It was a bit tired due to mainstream radio getting a hold of this track and not letting it go, but you can't deny her this spot.
1.15.2012
Best of 2011: Songs #20-11
Confession: I'm pretty excited about these 20 songs...
20. "We Found Love" - Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
I normally can't stand Rihanna, but the soaring beat sets this one apart. Let's credit Calvin Harris for this one.
19. "Civilization" - Justice
Biblical allusions aside, this French duo tossed out this bombastic single in 2011. Even with all the electronica, nothing ever sounds artificial. Maybe I should explain that more...
18. "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" - Coldplay
These guys just have the magic touch where everything they touch turns into a stadium anthem. Consists of: hyperbolism, their trademark catchy melody, and Chris Martin's surprisingly strong voice.
17. "Hello" - Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette
Yes, it was featured on its share of commercials this past year, but seriously, they had good reason with this one. Light and happy; like, if I were the dude Dragonette was rejecting, I'd probably still walk away with a smile on my face.
16. "Second Chance" - Peter Bjorn and John
That unified instrumental hit and those oooooo-ooo-ooooo oo-oo's.
15. "Countdown" - Beyoncé
Yeah, the lyrics are a little crazy and dirty, but it's Beyoncé at her best - sans the Major Lazer bloops and beeps. You can't deny that she's a fierce lady.
14. "Heart Attack" - Raphael Saadiq
The running guitars in this one are an excellent start, and then Raphael Saadiq screams his vocal entrance. Not once does it stop to let you catch your breath.
13. "Somebody That I Used to Know" - Gotye ft. Kimbra
The contrasts in this song are incredible. Gotye starts off level headed, and then has an emotional peak. Kimbra starts in, open to explain herself, but she too gets frustrated and sings out. The contrast between their voices and each side of the story is awesome as well. Terrific!
12. "If I Die Young" - The Band Perry
Written from the perspective of a teenager, every thing about this song is touching. The delicate vocal chords strike just the right amount of melancholy and innocence. The chorus makes it sound ceremonial and the rest of the lyrics are strangely personal.
11. "Stare Into the Sun" - Graffiti6
The distorted voices and the and the ting-ing notes are so 2011, but the soul and lyrics "I got a fever baby" are from a different, better decade.
20. "We Found Love" - Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
I normally can't stand Rihanna, but the soaring beat sets this one apart. Let's credit Calvin Harris for this one.
19. "Civilization" - Justice
Biblical allusions aside, this French duo tossed out this bombastic single in 2011. Even with all the electronica, nothing ever sounds artificial. Maybe I should explain that more...
18. "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" - Coldplay
These guys just have the magic touch where everything they touch turns into a stadium anthem. Consists of: hyperbolism, their trademark catchy melody, and Chris Martin's surprisingly strong voice.
17. "Hello" - Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette
Yes, it was featured on its share of commercials this past year, but seriously, they had good reason with this one. Light and happy; like, if I were the dude Dragonette was rejecting, I'd probably still walk away with a smile on my face.
16. "Second Chance" - Peter Bjorn and John
That unified instrumental hit and those oooooo-ooo-ooooo oo-oo's.
15. "Countdown" - Beyoncé
Yeah, the lyrics are a little crazy and dirty, but it's Beyoncé at her best - sans the Major Lazer bloops and beeps. You can't deny that she's a fierce lady.
14. "Heart Attack" - Raphael Saadiq
The running guitars in this one are an excellent start, and then Raphael Saadiq screams his vocal entrance. Not once does it stop to let you catch your breath.
13. "Somebody That I Used to Know" - Gotye ft. Kimbra
The contrasts in this song are incredible. Gotye starts off level headed, and then has an emotional peak. Kimbra starts in, open to explain herself, but she too gets frustrated and sings out. The contrast between their voices and each side of the story is awesome as well. Terrific!
12. "If I Die Young" - The Band Perry
Written from the perspective of a teenager, every thing about this song is touching. The delicate vocal chords strike just the right amount of melancholy and innocence. The chorus makes it sound ceremonial and the rest of the lyrics are strangely personal.
11. "Stare Into the Sun" - Graffiti6
The distorted voices and the and the ting-ing notes are so 2011, but the soul and lyrics "I got a fever baby" are from a different, better decade.
1.14.2012
Best of 2011: Songs #30-21
30. "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" - Arctic Monkeys
This song signifies exactly where the Arctic Monkeys needed to go: a darker, harder route while still maintaining their clever and youthfully rebellious streak. Alex Turner's vocals show real versatility and it's just solid rock.
29. "Bloody Poetry" - Grieves
The imagery in this song is amazing. It's uncommon for me to say this about contemporary lyrics in hip hop songs, but this is beautiful poetry.
28. "Under Cover of Darkness" - The Strokes
It's the same Strokes brand of attitude with the distorted guitar and imperfect Julian Casablancas vocals. Glorious!
27. "Dear Professor" - The Dean's List
I'm always impressed when rappers can think beyond their R&B/Hip Hop box. It's what made Chiddy Bang initially appealing when they used alternative artists like Passion Pit and MGMT, and it's what really impresses me with the Dean's List as they use a country song to inspire this "Go out and Get It" mixtape feature.
26. "Cry Baby" - Lady Linn and Her Magnificent Seven
Lady Linn hails from Belgium with a super smooth, extra classy, jazz voice. Awesome horn line backing her up.
25. "Go!" - Santigold ft. Karen O
Power women with a kick ass beat. People want their power.
24. "Up" - James Morrison ft. Jessie J
James Morrison has the ability to make any duet partner sound fantastic, but Jessie J pulls her own weight. Achingly good lyrics.
23. "Without You" - David Guetta ft. Usher
I love that the lyrical parts of this song match the dance breaks. David Guetta produces the best beat on his album by simply not going over the top.
22. "Need You Now" - Cut Copy
The beat is reminiscent of the eighties and it took me forever, but I finally realized that I hear Pulp ALL during this song.
21. "A Long Time" - Mayer Hawthorne
Mayer Hawthorne's story about Henry Ford and Barry Goldy bringing the Motor City, his hometown, into its Golden Age only to have it fall into this slump. I mean, the 2010 census showed a 25% decrease in population in Detroit since 2000. In any case, the story isn't over, not for Detroit and not for the country. It just might take a long time to get back to where we once were.
Wooohoooo! Down to the Top 20!
This song signifies exactly where the Arctic Monkeys needed to go: a darker, harder route while still maintaining their clever and youthfully rebellious streak. Alex Turner's vocals show real versatility and it's just solid rock.
29. "Bloody Poetry" - Grieves
The imagery in this song is amazing. It's uncommon for me to say this about contemporary lyrics in hip hop songs, but this is beautiful poetry.
28. "Under Cover of Darkness" - The Strokes
It's the same Strokes brand of attitude with the distorted guitar and imperfect Julian Casablancas vocals. Glorious!
27. "Dear Professor" - The Dean's List
I'm always impressed when rappers can think beyond their R&B/Hip Hop box. It's what made Chiddy Bang initially appealing when they used alternative artists like Passion Pit and MGMT, and it's what really impresses me with the Dean's List as they use a country song to inspire this "Go out and Get It" mixtape feature.
26. "Cry Baby" - Lady Linn and Her Magnificent Seven
Lady Linn hails from Belgium with a super smooth, extra classy, jazz voice. Awesome horn line backing her up.
25. "Go!" - Santigold ft. Karen O
Power women with a kick ass beat. People want their power.
24. "Up" - James Morrison ft. Jessie J
James Morrison has the ability to make any duet partner sound fantastic, but Jessie J pulls her own weight. Achingly good lyrics.
23. "Without You" - David Guetta ft. Usher
I love that the lyrical parts of this song match the dance breaks. David Guetta produces the best beat on his album by simply not going over the top.
22. "Need You Now" - Cut Copy
The beat is reminiscent of the eighties and it took me forever, but I finally realized that I hear Pulp ALL during this song.
21. "A Long Time" - Mayer Hawthorne
Mayer Hawthorne's story about Henry Ford and Barry Goldy bringing the Motor City, his hometown, into its Golden Age only to have it fall into this slump. I mean, the 2010 census showed a 25% decrease in population in Detroit since 2000. In any case, the story isn't over, not for Detroit and not for the country. It just might take a long time to get back to where we once were.
Wooohoooo! Down to the Top 20!
1.13.2012
Best of 2011: Songs #40-31
Picking up where we left off!
40. "You Make Me Feel..." - Cobra Starship ft. Sabi
Gabe Saporta and Cobra Starship have completed their conversion to all out attention-grabbing dance. Electrified and autotuned chords and chock-full of energy.
39. "CocknBullKid" - CocknBullKid
Anita Blay, who wrote with Plan B as a teen, offers a steady but solid track on her second album. She doesn't wish for a person to want her, she wishes for a person to want to want her. I think it's a great exercise in restraint well-done.
38. "Montreal" - Red Kite
The first and only release from the British band (though no solid plans to release an album in 2012, hence why they are included in this list), "Montreal" admittedly takes a little while to warm up, but by the time you hit the chorus, it's simply unstoppable.
37. "Kmag Yoyo" - Hayes Carll
An awesomely fun blues spoof piece about joining the army, getting "kicked out" for dealing heroin to the Taliban, taking LSD and uppers for government studies, being sent out into space for NORAD and finally getting the fuck out to join the Peace Corps. Good fun!
36. "Party Rock Anthem" - LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett and GoonRock
Infectious. Simply, from bottom to top including the Shuffling dance.
35. "Stronger" - Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson knows where her niche is in the music industry; she knows she can make a song about a break up and coming out a stronger, better woman. Guess what this song is about!
34. "Midnight City" - M83
M83, aka Anthony Gonzalez, creates a huge single with "Midnight City". It has this uncanny ability to change the pace of whatever you're doing. As a saxophone player, I'd like to direct your attention to near the end of the song as well...
33. "Cough Syrup" - Young the Giant
Young the Giant is an alternative band that wants to be a rock band. The guitar lines in this are melodic most of the time, but assertive when they have to be. The vocals are always genuine and you never feel overwhelmed by the drums.
32. "Up Up Up" - GIVERS
The rhythmic hook in this disgustingly happy track is everywhere. The female and male voices blend with and distinguish from each other perfectly.
31. "Dance With the Devil" - The Sounds
The Sounds were awesome in 2011, but they were the best in "Dance With the Devil". The band is tight and Maja Ivarsson is Un. Stoppable. They seriously could conquer the planet with this one.
40. "You Make Me Feel..." - Cobra Starship ft. Sabi
Gabe Saporta and Cobra Starship have completed their conversion to all out attention-grabbing dance. Electrified and autotuned chords and chock-full of energy.
39. "CocknBullKid" - CocknBullKid
Anita Blay, who wrote with Plan B as a teen, offers a steady but solid track on her second album. She doesn't wish for a person to want her, she wishes for a person to want to want her. I think it's a great exercise in restraint well-done.
38. "Montreal" - Red Kite
The first and only release from the British band (though no solid plans to release an album in 2012, hence why they are included in this list), "Montreal" admittedly takes a little while to warm up, but by the time you hit the chorus, it's simply unstoppable.
37. "Kmag Yoyo" - Hayes Carll
An awesomely fun blues spoof piece about joining the army, getting "kicked out" for dealing heroin to the Taliban, taking LSD and uppers for government studies, being sent out into space for NORAD and finally getting the fuck out to join the Peace Corps. Good fun!
36. "Party Rock Anthem" - LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett and GoonRock
Infectious. Simply, from bottom to top including the Shuffling dance.
35. "Stronger" - Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson knows where her niche is in the music industry; she knows she can make a song about a break up and coming out a stronger, better woman. Guess what this song is about!
34. "Midnight City" - M83
M83, aka Anthony Gonzalez, creates a huge single with "Midnight City". It has this uncanny ability to change the pace of whatever you're doing. As a saxophone player, I'd like to direct your attention to near the end of the song as well...
33. "Cough Syrup" - Young the Giant
Young the Giant is an alternative band that wants to be a rock band. The guitar lines in this are melodic most of the time, but assertive when they have to be. The vocals are always genuine and you never feel overwhelmed by the drums.
32. "Up Up Up" - GIVERS
The rhythmic hook in this disgustingly happy track is everywhere. The female and male voices blend with and distinguish from each other perfectly.
31. "Dance With the Devil" - The Sounds
The Sounds were awesome in 2011, but they were the best in "Dance With the Devil". The band is tight and Maja Ivarsson is Un. Stoppable. They seriously could conquer the planet with this one.
1.11.2012
Best of 2011: Songs #50-41
Rules!
1. Each artist only gets one song per category. This song list would be very different otherwise.
2. Only songs on albums that were released in 2011 are eligible.
OK, those are boring. The following songs are not:
50. "Perth" - Bon Iver
It's true: I don't always appreciate Justin Vernon's soulful falsetto. I like it when vocals are strong and assertively make statements. However, in "Perth" the vocals are set against a full snare line and a beautifully layered orchestra in a way that the at-times-timid voice is juxtaposed with the strong musical swell perfectly. A really pretty song.
49. "Sydney (I'll Come Running)" - Brett Dennen
Brett Dennen preceded his 2011 release with an upbeat single in the form of "Sydney". Surprisingly, it lacks his usual socially-conscious lyrics, but it is no less fun.
48. "Mama's Broken Heart" - Miranda Lambert
Lambert keeps with her Angry-Ex persona on this track. She sings with so much ferocity her band can barely keep up. Things really go down when the Baptists hear your gossip.
47. "Words I Never Said" - Lupe Fiasco ft. Skylar Grey
Lupe sticks with his bold politics and blows up the bass here. I never worshiped Skylar Grey as a vocalist, because I seriously doubt her versatility but in the case of this one song, she really sets the tone. Bonus points for calling out Glenn Beck.
46. "Price Tag" - Jessie J ft. B.o.B
Speaking of well-matched duos. This song lit up the summer of 2011 and just wouldn't quit. It's a great sentiment and one we can especially be drawn to during the economic slump. The guitar sounds like really slow funk and Jessie J's vocals sound like a British Gwen Stefani - she belongs in front of a reggae band, but she's got the grit to be pursuing the pop career she is.
45. "Greed" - Patrick Stump
Download
His album was called Soul Punk and this was the perfect embodiment of that. Stump's vocals, in my opinion, have never really been given the praise it deserves. His passion is really fun to listen to, and the rhythmic claps and clicks don't hurt the drive of his song about crooked human beings.
44. "I Want My Mojo Back" - Scott H. Biram
Grungy Bluesman, Scott H. Biram, growls his way through the traditional blues chord progression in this track. Live bootleg versions of Biram playing this on his own (percussion, low guitar, lead and back up vocals) are really great, but the saxophone is a monster in this studio version.
43. "Sun of a Gun" - Oh Land
Oh Land has a lovely voice, so she doesn't need over the top beats to make a great dance song.
42. "Rope" - Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl and his crew keep us hanging on to what rock and roll is really about: Attacking vocals, animalistic drumming and a badass guitar.
41. "Two Against One" - Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi ft. Jack White
It's fitting that this song sounds like it was recorded in an open auditorium with Jack White standing in the middle alone. A really well-composed track from the bass to the background vocals to the guitar solo.
Stay tuned!
1. Each artist only gets one song per category. This song list would be very different otherwise.
2. Only songs on albums that were released in 2011 are eligible.
OK, those are boring. The following songs are not:
50. "Perth" - Bon Iver
It's true: I don't always appreciate Justin Vernon's soulful falsetto. I like it when vocals are strong and assertively make statements. However, in "Perth" the vocals are set against a full snare line and a beautifully layered orchestra in a way that the at-times-timid voice is juxtaposed with the strong musical swell perfectly. A really pretty song.
49. "Sydney (I'll Come Running)" - Brett Dennen
Brett Dennen preceded his 2011 release with an upbeat single in the form of "Sydney". Surprisingly, it lacks his usual socially-conscious lyrics, but it is no less fun.
48. "Mama's Broken Heart" - Miranda Lambert
Lambert keeps with her Angry-Ex persona on this track. She sings with so much ferocity her band can barely keep up. Things really go down when the Baptists hear your gossip.
47. "Words I Never Said" - Lupe Fiasco ft. Skylar Grey
Lupe sticks with his bold politics and blows up the bass here. I never worshiped Skylar Grey as a vocalist, because I seriously doubt her versatility but in the case of this one song, she really sets the tone. Bonus points for calling out Glenn Beck.
46. "Price Tag" - Jessie J ft. B.o.B
Speaking of well-matched duos. This song lit up the summer of 2011 and just wouldn't quit. It's a great sentiment and one we can especially be drawn to during the economic slump. The guitar sounds like really slow funk and Jessie J's vocals sound like a British Gwen Stefani - she belongs in front of a reggae band, but she's got the grit to be pursuing the pop career she is.
45. "Greed" - Patrick Stump
Download
His album was called Soul Punk and this was the perfect embodiment of that. Stump's vocals, in my opinion, have never really been given the praise it deserves. His passion is really fun to listen to, and the rhythmic claps and clicks don't hurt the drive of his song about crooked human beings.
44. "I Want My Mojo Back" - Scott H. Biram
Grungy Bluesman, Scott H. Biram, growls his way through the traditional blues chord progression in this track. Live bootleg versions of Biram playing this on his own (percussion, low guitar, lead and back up vocals) are really great, but the saxophone is a monster in this studio version.
43. "Sun of a Gun" - Oh Land
Oh Land has a lovely voice, so she doesn't need over the top beats to make a great dance song.
42. "Rope" - Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl and his crew keep us hanging on to what rock and roll is really about: Attacking vocals, animalistic drumming and a badass guitar.
41. "Two Against One" - Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi ft. Jack White
It's fitting that this song sounds like it was recorded in an open auditorium with Jack White standing in the middle alone. A really well-composed track from the bass to the background vocals to the guitar solo.
Stay tuned!
Best of 2011: Songs: Honorable Mentions
Quick refresher:
1. Each artist only gets one song per category. This song list would be very different otherwise.
2. Only songs on albums that were released in 2011 are eligible.
This past year's music was incredibly hard to rank. There was SO MUCH good music that was released this past year and it's so hard to leave some artists out of the actual ranking. To make myself feel better about doing so, 've decied to add songs 70-51 as the honorable mentions.
70. "The Bad in Each Other" - Feist
69. "Santa Fe" - Beirut
68. "We Will All Be Changed" - Seryn
67. "The Other Side" - The Roots ft. Bilal Oliver and Greg Porn
66. "You Need Me, I Don't Need You" - Ed Sheeran
65. "Magic" - The Sound of Arrows
64. "T.O.R.N.A.D.O." - The Go! Team
63. "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
62. "Changing" - Airborne Toxic Event
61. "Down By the Water" - The Decemberists
60. "Get It Daddy" - Sleeper Agent
59. "Climbing Walls" - Strange Talk
58. "Whirring" - The Joy Formidable
57. "Love is Real" - Theophilus London ft. Holly Miranda
56. "Jericho" - Jamaica
55. "Hey Baby (Drop It To the Floor)" - Pitbull ft. T-Pain
54. "Cinema" - Benny Benassi ft. Gary Go
53. "Feel So Close" - Calvin Harris
52. "Love in America" - JTX
51. "Free" - Twin Atlantic
1. Each artist only gets one song per category. This song list would be very different otherwise.
2. Only songs on albums that were released in 2011 are eligible.
This past year's music was incredibly hard to rank. There was SO MUCH good music that was released this past year and it's so hard to leave some artists out of the actual ranking. To make myself feel better about doing so, 've decied to add songs 70-51 as the honorable mentions.
70. "The Bad in Each Other" - Feist
69. "Santa Fe" - Beirut
68. "We Will All Be Changed" - Seryn
67. "The Other Side" - The Roots ft. Bilal Oliver and Greg Porn
66. "You Need Me, I Don't Need You" - Ed Sheeran
65. "Magic" - The Sound of Arrows
64. "T.O.R.N.A.D.O." - The Go! Team
63. "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
62. "Changing" - Airborne Toxic Event
61. "Down By the Water" - The Decemberists
60. "Get It Daddy" - Sleeper Agent
59. "Climbing Walls" - Strange Talk
58. "Whirring" - The Joy Formidable
57. "Love is Real" - Theophilus London ft. Holly Miranda
56. "Jericho" - Jamaica
55. "Hey Baby (Drop It To the Floor)" - Pitbull ft. T-Pain
54. "Cinema" - Benny Benassi ft. Gary Go
53. "Feel So Close" - Calvin Harris
52. "Love in America" - JTX
51. "Free" - Twin Atlantic
1.02.2012
Best of 2011: Superlatives Pt. 1
It's that time of year again! You know, that month when I suddenly remember I have a music blog and then post a flood of really awesome stuff.
Let's review the rules for my Best Of lists!
1. Songs will not be repeated on lists. For example, if a song is listed under best remix here in the Superlatives post, they will not appear on the list for Best Songs.
2. If an artist releases an EP and a full-length album in the same year, only the full-length album will be considered. For instance, Foster the People released their sef-titled EP in January 2011 and then their full-length Torches in May. For this reason, the EP will not be considered for the Best EP category.
3. Artists only get one song per category, including Best Songs.
4. For the Songs list, only those that are released on an album in 2011 are considered. Take fun.'s new single "We Are Young" for example: the song itself was released in 2011, but it won't be released on a full album until 2012, so it will be considered for next year's zeitgeist.
OK, let's play.
2011 Superlatives
Best Mixtape - Peanut Butter and Swelly - Chiddy Bang This duo is ridiculously prolific. Xaphoon Jones has yet to run out of clever beats and Chiddy keeps it coming with his playful lyrics. It's just fun. Also, extra points for freestyling to Flux Pavillion's "I Can't Stop" before Kanye and Jay-Z.
"Heatwave" - Chiddy Bang ft. Mac Miller, Casey Veggies and Trae Tha Truth
Best EP - Dispatch EP - Dispatch After more than a year away from the studio, the folk trio is back with a new zest. It's edgier, but undeniably Dispatch.
"Broken American" - Dispatch
Best Mash-Up - "Crazy in the Deep" - Divide & Kreate Just the idea to put Gnarls Barkley's (I always just want to say "Cee-Lo") "Crazy" and Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" together is a really great catch, but this mash-up brings new color to already fantastic songs. It should be said that there were very few Adele mash-ups and remixes that I hated in 2011.
"Crazy in the Deep" - Divide & Kreate (Adele vs. Gnarls Barkley)
Best Remix - "Walking Away (Cosmonaut Grechko Remix)" - Druma Kina Russian Cosmonaut Grehko takes Brazilian Druma Kina's funky ditty and transforms it into this seriously smooth track. There was a lot of competition for this category, but this is a deserved title. (BTW, you can get Druma Kina's EP for free at this page. :) )
"Walking Away (Cosmonaut Grechko Remix)" - Druma Kina
MUCH, much more to come!
Let's review the rules for my Best Of lists!
1. Songs will not be repeated on lists. For example, if a song is listed under best remix here in the Superlatives post, they will not appear on the list for Best Songs.
2. If an artist releases an EP and a full-length album in the same year, only the full-length album will be considered. For instance, Foster the People released their sef-titled EP in January 2011 and then their full-length Torches in May. For this reason, the EP will not be considered for the Best EP category.
3. Artists only get one song per category, including Best Songs.
4. For the Songs list, only those that are released on an album in 2011 are considered. Take fun.'s new single "We Are Young" for example: the song itself was released in 2011, but it won't be released on a full album until 2012, so it will be considered for next year's zeitgeist.
OK, let's play.
2011 Superlatives
Best Mixtape - Peanut Butter and Swelly - Chiddy Bang This duo is ridiculously prolific. Xaphoon Jones has yet to run out of clever beats and Chiddy keeps it coming with his playful lyrics. It's just fun. Also, extra points for freestyling to Flux Pavillion's "I Can't Stop" before Kanye and Jay-Z.
"Heatwave" - Chiddy Bang ft. Mac Miller, Casey Veggies and Trae Tha Truth
Best EP - Dispatch EP - Dispatch After more than a year away from the studio, the folk trio is back with a new zest. It's edgier, but undeniably Dispatch.
"Broken American" - Dispatch
Best Mash-Up - "Crazy in the Deep" - Divide & Kreate Just the idea to put Gnarls Barkley's (I always just want to say "Cee-Lo") "Crazy" and Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" together is a really great catch, but this mash-up brings new color to already fantastic songs. It should be said that there were very few Adele mash-ups and remixes that I hated in 2011.
"Crazy in the Deep" - Divide & Kreate (Adele vs. Gnarls Barkley)
Best Remix - "Walking Away (Cosmonaut Grechko Remix)" - Druma Kina Russian Cosmonaut Grehko takes Brazilian Druma Kina's funky ditty and transforms it into this seriously smooth track. There was a lot of competition for this category, but this is a deserved title. (BTW, you can get Druma Kina's EP for free at this page. :) )
"Walking Away (Cosmonaut Grechko Remix)" - Druma Kina
MUCH, much more to come!
11.28.2011
Playlist Nov. 28th, 2011
Mostly new, upbeat, happy stuff with lots of horns and a couple of throwbacks.
“Ray Charles” - Chiddy Bang
“I Feel Better” - Gotye
“Barton Hollow” - The Civil Wars
“Get ‘Em High” - Kanye West
“New Lands” - Justice
“God Put a Smile Upon Your Face” - Mark Ronson (ft. The Daptone Horns)
“We Found Love” - Rihanna (ft. Calvin Harris)
“Settle Down” - Kimbra
“The Weight of Love” - Snow Patrol
“Low Road” - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
“Don’t Gotta Work it Out” - Fitz and the Tantrums
“Shake it Out” - Florence + the Machine
“Weathervanes and Chemicals” - Team Me
“I Want You Back” - Jackson 5
11.27.2011
Cover Music - James Vincent McMorrow
Irish indie artist James Vincent McMorrow experienced modest notoriety with the 2010 release of his first full length album Early in the Morning (which is great - I think I like it more than the comparable 2011 Bon Iver).
Check out his beautifully mellow cover of Steve Winwood's "Higher Love".
10.25.2011
New Track: Foster the People
Yes, yes, yes. Everyone is still drooling over Foster the People's May release of Torches, and it definitely deserves props, but I think it's time to shift a little attention to FtP's new stuff. Like "Love".
The best way to describe this song and WHY I love it is by comparing it to songs from the masterpiece album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The song is typical FtP in its catchy melodies and lyrics, but also in that there's this overall creepy undercurrent. Think about it - how many times did you listen to "Pumped Up Kicks" before you realized it was a commentary on gun violence? Sgt. Pepper's is that way too. Everything seems so whimsical and happy, but at the same time, the entire album it feels like bad news is approaching. For me, the closest parallel is "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite".
The first similarity you'll notice when listening is the jaunty boom-tsssh line from the drumset in "Mr. Kite" and the synth (probably) in "Love". These beats shape each song.
The second thing that tugged on my ear was the echo-quality to the word "Love" in the chorus. Doesn't it sound eerily similar to the line "I'd love to turn you on" from the Sgt's Pepper's closing song "A Day in the Life"? Pardon me if I'm wrong, but I believe they also hit the same notes: "turn you on" and "love love love".
Lastly, Mark Foster's vocals stylings (not the timbre as much) are reminiscent of Paul McCartney: "I've got the fever/Got the fever/Got the fever yeah".
Generally, if a band reminds me of the Beatles at all, that's a good sign, and "Love" is no exception.
"Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - the Beatles
Download
Or watch:
"A Day in the Life" - The Beatles
Download
Or Watch:
"Love" - Foster the People
PS - This is what happens when I go so long without updating.
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