Tuesday, December 29, 2009
I Have Great Taste
Compiling my favorite songs of the year is always my most time consuming top 10. I LOVE music and I have way more than ten songs to list. So below ARE my top 10 (with any accompanying vidoes (seven of the ten were singles somewhere in the world this year) and links to hear the other three as well. Then, below that, is a list of other songs that turned my crank over the last twelve months. I can't say it's an exhaustive list (I'm sure there are tons of awesome songs I simply never heard and maybe I'll add to it when I hear them or remember more). I'll also say, it's "guilty pleasure" free since I'm not embarrassed to list any of them. That would imply that I care about the opinions of snooty people who only decide to like music because it's cool. And as much as I dislike Miley Cyrus, have never cared for Colbie Caillet, and find Allison Iraheti to be a sad, wannabe Pink hack they recorded at least one damn fine song. And I'm not gonna deny that. So here you go: 
I'm just listing songs, not full albums, but I will tell you that, hands down, my favorite album of the year was Fantasies from Toronto-based Metric. They've been a favorite of mine for years and 2009 found them recording their most cohesive and most thrilling album yet! There isn't a stinker on the CD. Emily Haines has such an engaging voice and her smart lyrics send already insidiously catchy songs over the top. From start to finish, it's amazing.
My Top 10 Songs Of 2009:
1. Röyksopp & Robyn "Girl & The Robot"
Pairing one of the best electronic acts with the best pure pop artist around was a match made in heaven. I was already a huge fan of both acts separately and together they crafted a dance pop gem: galloping Eurodisco bass, squiggly synths, choral whooshes and an aching symphonic close ride lyrics of wounded-lover reproach. Absolute perfection.
2. Metric "Gimme Sympathy"
I could make a case for just about any song from Metric's CD landing in my Top 10 but "Gimme" is simply rock at it's very best. Every element of this song melds seamlessly. Pulsing synths, a driving beat, a deliriously catchy melody and a soaring chorus: the song is classic Emily Haines. When she asks “Who would you rather be, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones?” as the driving rhythm reaches its climax, you don't care to even answer the question... you'd rather just be Metric.
3. Grizzly Bear "Two Weeks"
I first heard this song when the band performed it live on Letterman months before it's release. I've loved it ever since. A forward piano plink marks out the chords and the insistent "Whoa-oh-oh" harmonies carry the song to new heights of pop gloriousness. It's probably Grizzly Bear's most blatantly accessible song and it succeeds on every level.
4. Alphabeat "The Spell"
No one seems to do pop quite like Scandanavians. “The Spell” trades out the Eighties worship of Alphabeat's first album for a much slicker, more ’90s, almost boy band-sounding approach. Loads of icy synths, a pounding almost-New Jack drumbeat, and a brassy vocal performance from Stine Bramsen. I have rarely listened to this song only once.
5. Alphabeat "DJ"
I had a terrible time deciding which of these two Alphabeat songs I like more. "DJ" is every bit as good as "The Spell." From the speaker bouncing opening, to the synth-drenched verses, to the spine-tingling chorus, this ode to the DJ that has you dancing all night is three and half minutes of pure pop bliss.
6. Lady Gaga "Bad Romance"
Anyone who wondered if Gaga would be a one album flash in the pan had their fears squashed with the room filling beats and melodies of "Bad Romance." The song is an intense litany of nearly pathological romantic entanglements all set to bombastic beats. Gaga's vocals soar and the dancefloor chant "Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah / Ro-mah-ro-mah-mah / GaGa-ooh-la-la" will not soon be forgotten.
7. Woodpigeon “Thoughts On The One Who Got Away By The One He Left Behind”
The fact that this song is part of a bonus CD added to the proper release of the band's first record speaks to the breadth and depth of the band's talent. The melancholy beauty of this little stripped down acoustic gem is overwhelming. I almost cried the first time I heard it. Mark Hamilton's voice is filled with longing and heartbreak as he sings about the one that got away and the extra voices that fill the chorus make it even more haunting.
8. Metric "Blindness"
I am in love with Emily Haine's voice. There is just something about it I find so engaging. And it's on full display on "Blindness," a simmering, ominous song that unfolds with a fuzzy guitar riff, buzzing synths and Emily's smart lyrics. About halfway through a drum beat blasts in and Emily snears powerfully, "Where it is and where it stops nobody knows, you gave me a life I never chose. I wanna leave but the world won't let me go." I could listen to her sing that for hours. Songs that create a distinct mood while retaining their hook always get to me. And this song has that in spades.
9. The Temper Trap "Sweet Disposition"
"Sweet Disposition" is an ethereal, soaring, explosive love song. The introduction, with its plucky, echo-ey electric strat, is straight out of the 80s, and Dougy Mandagi’s delicate, rich falsetto floating over the top creates such a warm feeling. No wonder the producers of "500 Days Of Summer" used it for the happy love scenes in the movie. And once the propulsive beat kicks up a notch, it's shear pop nirvava. When I saw these guys perform this song live I could not stop smiling, beaming in fact. It's mind-boggling how good this is.
10. Phoenix "1901"
After years of toiling away in relative obscurity, it's somewhat ironic that Phoenix's move to an indie label for their fourth release is what broke them through to the masses. "1901" is not a departure from the sound they have made their own. But it is Phoenix at it's absolute best: clean, rave-like stop-go guitars, the percussive marble-down-the-drain echo of the synths, the driving drum beat and a hook the size of the grand canyon.
And The Rest:
Metric “Help, I’m Alive” “Stadium Love” “Twilight Galaxy” “Gold Guns Girls” “Collect Call” “Front Row” “Sick Muse”
Phoenix “Lisztomania” “Armistice” “Lasso” “Girlfriend"
Lady Gaga “Alejandro” “Monster” “Poker Face” All the silly outfits and posturing wouldn't mean much if she didn't write the catchiest damn songs imaginable. Madonna for the next generation.
Röyksopp “Happy Up Here” f/Anneli Drecker “Vision One”
The Temper Trap “Fader” “Science Of Fear” I saw these guys live a couple times this year and they are epic. Epic!
Raveonettes “Last Dance” “Bang!” “Gone Forever”
Passion Pitt “Little Secrets” “The Reeling” “Eyes As Candles” Sometimes buzz bands live up to the hype.
Washed Out “Feel It All Around” “New Theory” “Belong”
Sissy Wish “Float” “Dwts” “Milk” “Book” This CD was finally released here after two long years. It was worth the wait!
Dot Dot Dot “Edge Of The World” “Let It Go” “Home” “How Long”
Late Of The Pier “Space And The Woods” “Random Firl” “Focker”
Boat “Tough Talkin’ The Tulips” “We Want It, We Want It”
Hello Seahorse! “OK!...Lobster” “Won’t Say Anything” “Universo 2”
Envy Corps “Screen Test” “Kid Gloves” Brit pop perfection from an Iowa-based band? Yes.
the boy least likely to “A Fairytale Ending” “Every Goliath Has Its David”
The Depreciation Guild “Dream About Me” “Butterfly Kisses”
Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Heads Will Roll” “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”
Whitney Houston “Million Dollar Bill” “Nothin’ But Love"
Agnes “Release Me” “How Do You Know” I guess she gets comparisons to Leona Lewis... maybe if Leona Lewis ever sang an uptempo song... and didn't sound like a harpooned seal, I'd agree. lol.
Annie “Bad Times” “Songs Remind Me Of You”
Peaches “Lose You” “Search & Destroy” Peaches scares me. Like 'gross' scares me. But whatever, I don't have to look at her to hear these songs, haha.
Sally Shapiro “Love In July” “My Fantasy”
Cascada “Why You Had To Leave” “Everytime I Hear Your Name”
Wyclef Jean f/Eve “Suicide Love” f/Lil’ Kim “Gangsta Girl”
Grizzly Bear “While You Wait For Others”
Muse “Guiding Light” Oh Muse! Nobody does arena rock better.
Timbaland & Brandy “Meet In The Middle” Damn! Who knew Brandy could rap?
The Sound Of Arrows “Into The Clouds”
La Roux “Bulletproof”
Dragonette “Easy” (Buffetlibre Remix)
Mini Viva “I Wish” (Cahill Radio Edit)
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys “Empire State”
Miley Cyrus “Party In The USA” Miley you little bitch, you soooo don't deserve to sing a song this good. The best kiddie pop song of the year, hands down.
The Big Pink “Dominos” I first heard this one on BBC America during a 'Kids' marathon and I couldn't get it out of my head!
Katherine McPhee “Say Goodbye”
Iron & Wine “The Trapeze Swinger”
Alicia Keys "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart"
Beck “Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat”
Reverie Sound Revue “An Anniversary Away”
The Ettes “No Home”
T.I. f/Rihanna “Live Your Life”
Owl City "Hello Seattle" (Remix) I find his lyrics a bit precious but heck, take the lyrics out and you have one hell of a song!
The Melismatics “Modern Machines”
White Lies “Death” Mmmm, chunky bass. Reminds me of Longwave and Interpol.
Colbie Caillet “Falling For You” This song sounds like she channeled Fleetwood Mac... and I LOVE me some Fleetwood Mac.
OneRepublic “All The Right Moves” The lead singer is making money hand over fist writing songs for other artists (that are all starting to sound the same) but he kept a good one for himself.
Bat For Lashes “Daniel” Is Kate Bush getting any royalties on this one? haha. Love the chorus.
The Dream “Rockin’ That Shit” Not a fan of The Dream but this song is cool.
Basement Jaxx “Raindrops”
Allison Iraheti “Beat Me Up” She will fade into obscurity at lightning speed as there are way too many ladies making music like this already, but this is a fun song. Domestic violence never sounded so good, haha.
Foo Fighters “Wheels” Does Dave Grohl like Tom Petty much? Well I do too. This totally reminds me of "Learnin' To Fly."
Katy Perry “Waking Up In Vegas” Katy Perry can't sing for shit live but this song is wickedly catchy.
The Gossip “Heavy Cross”
Keri Hilson f/Ne-Yo & Kanye West “Knock You Down” As much as it hurts to have Kanye West associated with something I like, it's here.
Matt & Kim “Lessons Learned" The video puts this one right over the top.
ohbijou "Intro To Season"
We Shot The Moon "The Brightside"
