"And the award for best use of the term 'poker face' in a song for 2oo9 goes to... Kid Cudi." Despite a(nother) wack verse from Common and a sometimes clever/sometimes corny one from 'Ye, Cudi the Kid whipped up one of the best songs of the year with catchy vocal samples and hard-hitting drums.
19. Heartless Bastards - The Mountain
The Heartless Bastards strip rock back to basics on this lumbering jam. Distorted powerchords are complimented perfectly by the backing slide guitar and Erika Wennerstrom's quivering vocals just holding on. With support of Spoon and The Black Keys, they're definetly a band worth checking out.
18. Beirut - My Wife, Lost in the Wild
Bar far, the better (if less interesting, conceptually) half of Beirut's double EP, Realpeople Holland produced a suite of warmly crafted electronic compositions. A steady synth line accompanied with an equally steady beat and soaring strings help to mask Zach Condon's already warbly lyrics, making them hard to decipher, but the longing in his voice conveys everything it needs to.
17. Little Dragon - A New
I discovered and quickly fell in love with Little Dragon last year. Their self-titled debut from late 2007 was a bit raw, but undeniably full of potential. Their sound can best be described as loungy jazz/electronica which may sound trite, but they pull it off masterfully. 'A New' is a great intro to the band's sound. The sound is so tight that you could be forgiven for thinking it was composed electronically, but its all band.
16. The Thermals - Now We Can See
Most people would agree that over the past decade or so, indie music has moved in a more complicated and avant garde direction. The Thermals, with songs like 'Now We Can See,' provide a refreshing reminder that getting back to the basics is not a bad thing. Clear vocals and a traditional drum, bass and guitar format, coupled with catchy hooks and verses, provide a refreshing reminder the roots of rock 'n' roll without being sophomoric.
15. Vetiver - On The Other Side
This ambling, folksy little tune has all of the urgency of sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch of a remote mountain house. Lyrics like "You know those who need to win/ Keep pushing til the very end/I go easy, I step light/ I'm on the other side" equal the mood of the song. If you're ready to relax, then take a listen.
14. Little Comets - One Night In October
With an almost non-existant track record, it's hard to say much about Little Comets. Fortunately for them, 'One Night In October' is about all we have to judge them by. If they can come close to replicating how good this extremely uplifting and danceable song for a whole album they will certainly be a band to watch. With a similar energy and whimsy, this song reminds me of Architecture in Helsinki.
13. Discovery - Orange Shirt
If you were making a cd mixtape around the already listed 'Chrome's On It', you'd almost have to put this thunderous song from the Vampire Weekend/Ra Ra Riot collabo Discovery on it. Crashing cymbals, pulsating base, and stuttering synths all conspire to make a monster out of this r&b experiment.
12. St. Vincent - Save Me From What I Want
Dichotomy is an element I find to be a great, if overlooked, tool in creating good music. The hazy atmospherics of 'Save Me From What I Want' would not have nearly the same effect that they do when coupled with the martial drum beat. (Sorry, only live versions with poor audio were available)
11. Delorean - Seasun
A dreamy dance number number that builds itself up big, but is never in a rush to do so; it knows when to step back, then bring it back up until the two line chorus kicks in and its all out joy. You can almost see the dance floor full of rapturous people when this song is playing.
10. M. Ward - Shangri-La
In case you didn't know it, M. Ward likes old-timey music. On an album full of pleasant little ditties, this acoustic one is a veritable train hoppin' hobo's journey across the country. The simplicity and beauty of this song seem to represent a romantic modern notion of the past as a simpler and more pleasant time.
09. Bag Raiders - Shooting Stars
Long ago they falsely proclaimed disco to be dead. Lucky for us, the Bag Raiders didn't get the notice, as they ended up crafting eminently danceable tracks like 'Shooting Stars.' It's almost a 21st century update on the millennial dance hit "Music Sounds Better With You" but tighter and with more energy. Brilliant craftsmanship allows the beat to fall out and the synths to build, then bam! they take it to an even higher level that you didn't see coming, but happily accept.
08. Bat For Lashes - Siren Song
This piano driven ballad sounds like Leonard Cohen inhabiting Sarah McLachlan's body. It drips with emotion and artistry and manages to be dark, sad, haunting, beautiful and grand all at once.
07. K'naan - Somalia
Somalian-born rapper K'naan delivers his backstory on this re-invented rap-cliche of an ode to the hometown. An amazing life story and artist, I'll let him summarize it in his own words:
Do you see why it’s amazing
When someone comes out of such a dire situation
And learns the English language just to share his observation
When someone comes out of such a dire situation
And learns the English language just to share his observation
06. Metric - Stadium Love
This song is BIG. Like stadium big. Huge guitar riffs and soaring synths coupled with Emily Haines singing about the bands 'Stadium Love' should have you holding up your lighters and pumping your fists. (I find this video to be completely mesmerizing.)
05. Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes
If you're not familiar with this ode to sleepless and sweaty summer nights, you're probably reading the wrong blog. But don't leave yet; Rather, have a listen to the experimental Animal Collective's most pop-like song to date. The bouncing beat and vocal harmonies recall a hyper version of member Panda Bear's
04. Camera Obscura - The Sweetest Thing
This years version of the throwback sounds of She & Him, 'The Sweetest Thing' combines peppy strings and an even peppier beat to counterbalance the forlorn lyrics of Tracyanne Campbell. Bjorn Yttling, producer of one of my favorite albums last year did the string and horn arrangements for the whole album, but never as effectively as on this sweet track.
03. Islands - Switched On
With a drum riff sounding like a construction site in rhythm, the rest of the song doesn't need much. Some sparse guitar work and even lighter synths add just enough to create a bouncy, pop tune that would be at home on an island beach.
02. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero
The opening salvo from the Yeah Yeah Yeah's It's Blitz!, 'Zero' is all dance-punk, in your face attitude. If this song can't get you up and moving, it's time to check your pulse because its probably at zero.
01. Your Choice Here!
Have a song you're dying for others to hear? Link it in the comments section below.
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