So, I’ve been blogging for a few years now and every year I’ve put out a best of list IMO for the music of the year. And, to be honest, I almost forgot until a kind old soul I just don’t talk to enough reminded me that he was waiting to see what I thought the best songs were this year. It was a nice way to end such a pathetic year for me…xLerate and work has been fine, but those who know me understand that this year was one I wish to wrap up, bury and never relive for a long, long time. However, the friendship and love of those around me and within my community (both locally and in Salesforceland), the love of my family (especially Steph!) and a perverse hope and belief that the kickback effect will occur in 2012 helped me get me through.
But, enough whining! Let’s get this going… the songs that have rattled around me noggin’ for the year!
10. Grouplove – Colours: One of the joys of having XM Radio is that you get to hear a many a song you won’t hear on Ottawa radio, for a myriad of (CRTC) reasons. Grouplove is one of those bands that I wish Live 88.5 could play, but they just haven’t had them on the playlist as of yet.
9. Death Cab For Cutie – You Are A Tourist: So, DCFC was the band that was to close up Bluesfest…that was until the stage collapsed (the first in a series of horrible collapses…luckily no one in Ottawa was killed). They still haven’t found their way back for the Codes and Keys tour, and have given up hope that I’ll see them this tour. The first single had an awesome, Cure-esque bass line, great lyrics (even with some sadder lyrics, which are not easily found on this album), and an amazing video that was cut in one take!
8. Pack AD – Sirens: A great Canadian duo that got some airplay on I believe every single show that played on the CW, or whatever that station with Gossip Vampire Cirle, 90210 show. Great rocking song!
7. Foo Fighters – Back and Forth: Dave Grohl seemed to be everywhere in the last few years…and Wasting Light is a great way to come back with the Foos. Six grammy nominations for this album…I won’t hold that against the band, are all culminated to me in the song Back and Forth. A mix of old Foos and new, this is the one song to me that could fit on The Color and the Shape as easily as it did on Wasting. The video that won the This Video Sucks contest should be used as the official video as well!
6. Skrillex – Kill Everybody: Skrillex absolutely blew apart Bluesfest with a chain-smoking awesome set that I honestly don’t think anyone expected. Hopefully the powers that be (yes, that’s you Mark Monohan) bring some more electro acts to Bluesfest (and if you put them all on one night, and put them on the front stage, that’d be awesome too…could you imagine if Girl Talk had been before Skrillex???).
5. Joy Formidable – Whirring: What is it about the UK pumping out amazing bands that only get 3 seconds of air? The weird fact about this band? They have had 2 top 40 hits on the US and CA Alternative charts, but have yet to get on the UK charts…
4. 311 – Sunset in July: 311 is one of the most under-appreciated bands in my opinion…kind of like Sloan in Canada. This song was the summer song of the year!
3. LMFAO – Sexy and I Know It: Did you really think this wouldn’t make the list? Yes, it’s ridiculous, and if you haven’t seen the video, you know you have to (and what rock have you lived under???). They’re having fun with it, and living it up…you gotta give them points for that.
2. Karen O, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – The Immigrant Song: OK, so I may lose points from some of you, but I am not that big on Zeppelin. Whether it be mass burnout from hearing it on Chez/Bear radio stations every 15 minutes, but I just am not that big. They have a place in rock history, but King Crimson had more to do with the music of today that I listen to…however, this redux, done for the Americanification of the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, has gotten played over and over and over in my head ever since being in the trailer six months ago.
1. Cage The Elephant – Shake Me Down: This song came out in January, and was played nightly in my head while visiting my mum until her passing in March. I hope my mother left this life in this way mentally. And even on a cloudy day, I keep my eyes fixed on the sun.
So, there it is – my list. As always, feel free to suggest any songs I have forgotten, or should mention! And here’s to a kick-ass 2012!
2 Comments
I see a lot of things I’d agree with here. Grouplove’s Colors EP ended up in pretty heavy rotation for me this year – tons of fun. Death Cab, Foos, Trent & Atticus, all somewhere in my list for the year too.
I know you tend to stray from the mainstream in your yearly list, but I’d have to sneak Pumped Up Kicks and Sail in my list for ’11 – even though they eventually were played to death on the radio, I’m still not tired of them when I can control at least the frequency and had them ear-wormed most of the year, truth be told.
I’d also need to add a track from the new Puscifer disc we saw this year. Great album, IMHO. Another honorable mention for the lead track from Metallica’s recent EP. Lyrically it’s a little weak, but musically, I think it’s probably some of the best stuff they’ve done in 20 or so years, and the opening minute or so of Hate Train just feels like something that should have been on an earlier disc, circa 87-91.
Thanks for the response, Scott. As always, your musical opinion is welcomed. I would have possibly added Sail, but I just couldn’t get into it that much. As for Pumped Up Kicks, which must now own the record for longest lifespan EVER, I first heard this song back in July of 2010….as such, I can’t add it. Puscifier’s new disc is good, but good lord I can’t stop picturing Maynard in that Colonel Sanders outfit he wore for the live performances; I know he’s eclectic…but there are limits! Haven’t yet checked out Beyond Magnetic yet….mostly as Lulu is still leaving a taste for them I can’t get out. I truly believe that Robert Trujilllo has given them a foundation that let’s them rock again (can’t we just put all the albums between the Black album and Death Magnetic and not speak of them ever again…) – I hear the same bass lines in that album as he had on Suicidal Tendencies LPs and it is awesome!