It's that time of year again - the monthlong food coma between Thanksgiving and New Years, full contact holiday shopping and, most importantly, the obligatory best-of lists. As I am, if anything, a staunch traditionalist, here are some of my favorite songs of 2011 (or thereabouts).
The Top 10:
1. "Whirring" - The Joy Formidable: Who'd ever thought that a band could mix early 90's shoegaze with metal style blast beats and get away with it. Not only did The Joy Formidable accomplish it, but they managed to make one of the most infectious songs this year. A six minute joy ride.
2. "Killer Crane" - TV on the Radio: On their latest album, Nine Types of Light, Brooklyn's finest took a decidedly mellower approach in comparison to their past efforts - and this new style suits them very, very well. Killer Crane is the lush, hypnotic centerpiece of the album that adds a new wrinkle to their arsenal - a banjo.
3. "Monster" - Kanye West: OK, so came out at the end of 2010 but I didn't buy it until January so it makes my list. Pound for pound this may be Kanye's wildest record and this track is the wildest of them all. A bruising track where the star power of Jay-Z and Rick Ross are eclipsed by Nicki Minaj who gets uber-nasty on this one.
4. "Fight Em' Till They Can't" - Anthrax: Thrash legends Anthrax have had a very interesting 8 years since their last studio album, the most excellent We've Come For You All. Despite the long wait, their latest album, Worship Music captures the band at peak form. "Fight Em' Till They Can't is a throwback to the classic albums of the early 90's. Here's one against growing old gracefully.
5. "No Blues" - The Miles Davis Quintet: While it's been 20 years since the trailblazing jazz musician passed away and over 40 since his classic quintet went their separate ways, it's shocking that they still find archival material that has any value. This track from this year's Live in Europe 1967 is a roller-coaster of a song that gives each member the opportunity to stretch out.
6. "It's Real" - Real Estate: Just a great, dreamy little tune from Brooklyn's Real Estate. The perfect mix of a light but driving beat, loose guitars, and harmonies that just seem to drift throughout the song. All this and a monster hook to pull you in.
7. "Carburetor" - The Sweet Ones: Sometimes you come by really cool bands when you least expect it. In the case of the Sweet Ones they were one of my first Twitter followers. Carburetor is a down and dirty little rocker that features, of all things, a Morphine-style sax part.
8. "Abandon" - Office of Future Plans: Indie legend J Robbins came back in a major way with his latest project. While OFP does feature a number of Robbin's trademarks, it also ventures into new territory and the soft, rolling Abandon is one of those songs. Featuring lush harmonies and exotic rhythms, the MVP on this song is OFP's secret weapon - cellist Gordon Withers.
9. "Pay for the Piano" - The Dismemberment Plan: While I realize this song is over 10 years old but, for some reason, I found myself listening to this album daily all summer long - especially after I wasn't able to see them at Pitchfork. "Pay For The Piano" is a super quirky power pop tune from the DC area bands swan song Change.
10. "I Am Hell" - Machine Head: When your last album is regarded by many as a classic, the follow-up is always bound to disappoint. Fortunately, Bay Area thrashers Machine Head held their own with their latest Unto The Locust. The kick-off track on the album, I Am Hell picks you up, throws you against the wall, and continues to do so for the next 8 minutes and you keep asking for more. In short, everything you could ask for from a thrash metal song.
And now for the honorable mentions:
"Don't Move" - Phantogram
"Shine On You My Crazy Diamond (Live at Wembley 1974)" - Pink Floyd
"Andro" - Oneohtrix Point Never
"Foresaken at the Gates" - Forbidden
"Nowhere To Wait" - Wugazi
"Glass Jar" - Gang Gang Dance
"Generation" - Liturgy
"Midnight City" - M83
"My Machines" - Battles
"Yonkers" - Tyler The Creator
"Tadlock's Glasses" - Beastie Boys
"She Was Stolen" - Twilight Singers
Sneak preview: as find I like myself liking what I've heard so far from the new albums by the Roots and Black Keys, don't be shocked if you see posts on both soon. Also, just heard a great new song by the New York band Chairlift that I'll probably talking about next year.
Love the list, enjoyed Phantogram- I'll have to check out the others. What about Grimes- Vanessa? I can't get the song out of my head, not unlike the similarly titled Kylie song. She made it on to my top 10 most promising acts for 2012. Also Zola Jesus, St. Vincent.....
ReplyDeleteI like the ....well I heard it for the first time this yr so it's this yr, that's the way to do it.
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