Wow – just noticed that it has been over six months since I have posted. I am sorry for anyone who checks this out every once in a while…I do have four or five posts around my usual conversation point – salesforce.com – but as of right now, I think I will kick it off with my usual point of talk at the beginning of each year…what is my top 10 songs of the year prior. So, without further ado, here we go…
10. Sleigh Bells – Infinity Guitars
So, I am sure if you know anyone (such as my daughter) who likes to shop in Abercrombie or American Eagle or one of them shoppes, you’ve likely heard this song. Typically, I bore easily of the emo-goofball altern-pop they like to play, but this song I first heard thanks to now having XM in the car, and then in my last trip to San Francisco. It caught me, and still does. Just fun to dance around to just for the hell of it.
9. Mumford and Sons – Winter Winds
Mumford and Sons have been taking over the airwaves, and for good reason. In a year where many of the bands we’ve grown with over the past decade seem to grow further from me (see: Foo Fighters, U2) and a plethora of boy-pop, it was refreshing to hear an English folk band to turn the ears of friends and family. I heard Winter Winds while listening to BBC online, and I still think it’s the strongest of their singles so far (and thanks to Steph for getting me the CD for Xmas …. yup, we still buy CDs every once in a while!). If it hasn’t been released as a single in Canada yet, I am sure it will be soon after the strength of Little Lion Man and The Cave.
I was lucky enough to see Hollerado when they won the Live 88.5 battle of the bands early last year. They were fun – a Drummer who reminded me of Russell Brand, and catchy rock tunes that were fun! Americanarama is one of those songs I heard, and then they put out an absolutely fantastic video for it as well…I don’t want to know how many takes it took to get that single shot video goodness right!
7. My Chemical Romance – Na Na Na Na
Nope – I am not a 14 year old (although I act this way), and I am not going through some strange phase. I’ve actually liked MCR since I bought 3 Cheers way back when (2004, actually….). This song is exactly what I expect from them…not too hard, not too brazen – just one hell of a back beat, catchy riffs, and silly lyric lines (Shut up and let me see your jazz hands…) that just get into your head and get you smiling and singing along. If you saw a car with a bald dude and 2 kids in the car screaming “NA NA NA NA” on the way to Orleans, I apologize though – we did get looked at quite often when me and the kids would drive home car dancing and yelling along to this one.
6. Them Crooked Vultures – New Fang
I saw these guys when they stopped in Ottawa. I have seen Dave Grohl and my wife’s favourite Josh Homme different times, both with Queens, Foos and for me, one time with Nirvana. Both together seems awesome (as was proven with Songs for The Deaf from Queens of the Stone Age). But, then they met this old guy named John Paul Jones (for those under 30, he was the bassist for this small band called Led Zepplin). I was amazed with the whole show, and completely blown away by the fact that it was the elder statesman of the band that made it work. This was their first single, and is an awesome driving song!
5. Stone Temple Pilots – Between The Lines
Am I the only one who wonders what Stone Temple Pilots could have been if Scott Weiland wasn’t such as big of a drug user as he was? They’ve gotten back together, and they still sound like the band they were back in the age of grunge, but it still works. I am sure this song, which came out just as the summer weather hit, helped Ottawa’s finest meet their speeding quote on a many a sunny day.
I have absolutely loved Interpol’s first three albums. Which is why their self-titled album this year was so anticipated by me, and unfortunately, was my largest musical disappointment for 2010. The album, especially the second half, just seemed to fade like a sunset on a cloudy day. However, the first single, released a couple of months prior to the album’s release, stands out to me as one of their best ever (the diamond in the crap pile). The video was way out there (sure you can find it on youtube) which is why I have pointed you to a POV recording of the song, which just impresses me to watch.
3. Billy Talent – Saint Veronika
Billy Talent III came out at the end of 2009, with Saint Veronika being released in March. The song struck me when I first heard it, and it is what we’ve learned to love from Talent – good hard rock, with even harder hitting lyrics. This song tackles the unfortunate issue of suicide. I can’t listen to the song without getting slightly teary, angry and hopeful all at the same time. Songs that can do that to you have done all music can – touch you deeply.
What is there to say…it’s Metric at their strange, poppy, crazy best. My daughter (who absolutely loves this song…I am thinking she should go as Emily Haines on Halloween – she could completely pull it off) asked me what this song was about. After about five minutes of me using the “I’m going to ask you a question so you can answer it yourself, and you’ll still think Daddy knows all” method, she caught on…yup – not a freaking clue of what Stadium love is, or why I am trading a cougar for a snake (stop laughing…it’s a line in the song) – I just know it is awesome!
1. How To Destroy Angels – Spaces In Between
I am still in shock that this EP and singles didn’t get more love from radio stations and sat radio. HTDA is Trent Reznor (Sir Nine Inch Nails to most), his wife…yes, I said wife, Mariqueen Maandig and Atticus Ross. It does sound quite like NIN; But adding a new voice in Maandig, and Ross’ love of soft noise (he was a producer on NIN’s last four albums) gave it something fresh and new. The EP, only five songs, and available at the website likely would have worn out if it was a cassette tape for me. Be warned – video is a CSI clip on acid. Many I have spoke to got squeemish when watching.
So, there you have it. Likely could’ve been many more in there – but it is my top 10. As usual, the title’s above are links to the video (all on youtube).
‘Til next time (hopefully soon!)
Nik