playlist
December 31, 2005
Top 31 Songs of 2005
If you thought my Top Albums list was eclectic, just check out this wildly diverse two-cd set of my 31 (13 inverted, of course) favorite singles, b-sides and album cuts of the great year for music that was 2005. I had only one rule for this playlist: no repeat artists (this made it quite hard to pick my favorite song from Sufjan's Illinois, which featured 5 of my favorite tracks of the year). More on that later. For now, the list, in order of appearance:
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Disc One
- Gamble Everything for Love Ben Lee
I got this track in advance of the album Awake is the New Sleep, but didn't fall in love with it until much later. It's a message that clearly others heard this year, and you should hear it too. - Always Love Nada Surf
And by others I mean Matthew Caws singer/songwriter of Nada Surf. If you don't like unabashed songs about love saving us all, these two great pop songs are not for you. - The Bleeding Heart Show The New Pornographers
Just when I thought I'd never get into them, the New Pornographers slowed it down a bit on Twin Cinema, and I finally jumped on the bandwagon. This slow-builder finishes with the most uplifting wordless chorus of the year. - Mushaboom Feist
Impossible to resist, "Mushaboom" was one of 2004's best songs (for those of you in Canada). I am not a Canuck, so it's on my 2005 list instead. - Better Version of Me (Jon Brion Version) Fiona Apple (Download MP3)
While the merits of bootleg vs. official Extraordinary Machine are debated ad infinitum, I'll be listening to the only track that truly stands out from either album (though both are excellent). - Earthquake Weather Beck
The best sunny day Beck song since "Deadweight," this one makes me yearn for days that go slow and voids filled with dust and noise. - Best of You Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl knows how to write a rock song you can sing along to. Always mainstream, but never pandering, Foo Fighters make rock that both dumb and smart people can like. (I'm one of the latter, by the way). - Slow Night, So Long Kings of Leon
Eddie Vedder's favorite KOL song is the same as mine. The perfect opener to my favorite album of the year, the Followill boys beat Kanye to the punch by calling out all the "gold digger mothers too good to tangle with a poor, poor boy." - For Real Okkervil River
Literate alternative folk is now a genre thanks to Okkervil River. Gothic, epic and mysterious, "For Real" pulls you in deeper and deeper with every listen. - Shadowland Youth Group
Who knew a James sound-alike would be so appealing? Australia's Youth Group may not be original, but they sure are catchy. - Shine a Light Wolf Parade
I could never really get into the Wolf Parade album, but this song stuck in my head and kept me coming back, hoping I'd crack the code. I still don't get it, but at least I have this song to enjoy in the meantime. - Hardcore Days & Softcore Nights Aqueduct
The best song from a car commercial this year is also the best electro/bedroom pop song of 2005. Rest assured there was plenty of competition for both titles. - Ladyflash The Go! Team
By far the most ebullient party song (and band) of the year barely ekes out "Get it Together" from the same album. Soudning like the spawn of The Avalanches and Junior Senior, with some cheerleaders thrown in for good measure, The Go! Team make dance music fun again. - Feel Good, Inc. Gorillaz
Featuring the best "featuring..." cameo of 2005, Gorillaz and de la Soul made "Feel Good, Inc." (with the help of Apple) the biggest hit by a cartoon band since The Chipmunks sang their Christmas song. - The Corner Common
My favorite rap album of 2005 was produced by Kanye West. Kanye's killer hooks and subtle grooves (with a touch of defiance) suit Common well. - Touch the Sky Kanye West
With all due respect to Gold Digger, Diamonds From Sierra Leone and Heard 'Em Say, this is the best track on Late Registration. A happy Kanye and a fantastic sample take this one to the top. - Ordinary People John Legend
The final piece of the Kanye triple threat in 2005 (ignoring of course the fact this came out the last week of '04). Another slow grower, this one stays strong for its classicism. The neo-soul movement never sounded more honest or personal.
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Disc Two
- A Message Coldplay
On an album filled with over-produced, over-reaching stadium anthems, this song stands out. Sure it gets big and kind of preachy, but it does so with ease and charm. - Walk in Fire Doves
Doves always remind me of a Danny Boyle film, for some reason. This one would've worked well as a soudntrack to this year's family drama Millions. - Running, Returning Akron/Family
A churning organic sample combines with a haunting vocal performance in my favorite "weird" song of the year. It captured me on first listen—a rarity for challenging music. - As Day is Long Chris Whitley
A somewhat disappointing send-off for the late, great Whitley, Soft Dangerous Shores is redeemed by this beautifully clangy piece of scrapyard electro-blues. - Holding Back the Year Lou Barlow
Lou Barlow, of Sebadoh/Folk Implosion/Dinosaur Jr. fame managed to stick with one style (singer-songwriter alt-pop) for a whole album, and this is Emoh's high point. - Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole Martha Wainwright
Not since Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" has a kiss-off song sounded so good. You can hear the pain in Martha's voice grow with every word. - Fill Me With Your Light Clem Snide
A jaunty, instantly memorable pop gem from Eef Barzelay. The rest of the album couldn't quite live up to the promise of this song, but that's okay. - Saturday Josh Rouse
Josh Rouse specializes in these late-afternoon/early-evening melancholy pop songs. For some reason, instead of making me sad, they make me happy. - Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight Amos Lee
I saw Amos perform this song on Conan earlier this year and was mesmerized. I'm sure you will be too. - I Will Follow You Into the Dark Death Cab for Cutie
The best song on an already excellent album, this Ben Gibbard solo number stands out for its simplicity: a man, his guitar and his words. - Salesman at the Day of the Parade Rogue Wave
Zach Rogue & Co capture a hint of sadness with subtle strings, yearning vocals and an unforgettable acoustic guitar melody. From second listen, this became my favorite Rogue Wave song. - Fake What You Need Tim Seely (Download AAC)
Strange audio samples add an air of oddity to this beautiful tune bolstered (again) by melancholy vocals and a production layered atop a moving piano/acoustic guitar combo. - Cripple Crow Devendra Banhart
The sad, quiet songs just keep getting better! I used to think "At the Hop" was my favorite Devendra Banhart song. Now I'm not so sure. - Casimir Pulaski Day Sufjan Stevens
This is the song that got me to buy this album (not all the crazy blogger raves). Possibly the saddest of all the songs here (it's about his friend's bone cancer), its also my favorite, beating out the other 5-star tracks on Illinois: "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!," "Jacksonville," "Decatur," "Chicago," and "The Man of Metropolis Steals our Hearts."
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Posted by Queuetipp at December 31, 2005 01:17 PM
playlist
November 23, 2005
RIP Chris Whitley
Blues/Rock/Americana singer-songwriter Chris Whitley was one of my favorite musicians of the past 15 years. I saw him live many times, and he never failed to amaze me for his brilliant guitar playing, striking honesty and heartbreakingly beautiful songs. He died November 20 of lung cancer, but his music lives on. And though their lives ended of their own accord, it is my hope that one day Chris's music will be embraced much like that of Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley, who are sadly more beloved now in death than they were in life.
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ChrisWhitley.com
- Dirt Floor (Dirt Floor, 1998)
- Perfect Day (Perfect Day, 2000)
- Firefighter (Live at Martyrs', 2000)
- Serve You (Rocket House, 2001)
- Automatic (Live) (Wouldn't It Be Beautiful?, 1999)
- Living With The Law (Weed, 2004)
- Dead Cowboy Song (War Crime Blues, 2004)
- Chain (Rocket House, 2001)
- Breaking Your Fall (Hotel Vast Horizon, 2003)
- Phone Call From Leavenworth (Weed, 2004)
- Big Sky Country (Living With The Law, 1991)
- Accordingly (Dirt Floor, 1998)
- I Forget You Every Day (Weed, 2004)
- A Day Is Long (Soft Dangerous Shores, 2005)
- War Crime Blues (War Crime Blues, 2004)
- Spoonful (Perfect Day, 2000)
- Dust Radio (Weed, 2004)
- Narcotic Prayer (Live at Martyrs', 2000)
- Weightless (Weed, 2004)
- Wild Country (Dirt Floor, 1998)
iTunes unfortunatley does not carry Chris's three Columbia releases: his achingly perfect 1991 debut Living With the Law, the Hendrix-inspired noise of 1993's Din of Ecstacy and the pop-blues of 1995's Terra Incognita. Hopefully they will be added sooner than later. For now, I hope this will do.
Posted by Queuetipp at November 23, 2005 08:52 AM
April 09, 2005
Best Songs of 2004
2005 is already three months old, but I'm going to post this anyway. Here are the 20 "best" songs of 2004, according to me. More accurately, these are my 20 favorite. But enough about semantics, let's get to the list.
Here they are, ordered for your listening pleasure. A wild, eclectic mix that encompasses pop, hip hip, folk, soul, indie, rock and dance music. There's something here for everyone (though the songs work particularly well together).
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Modest Mouse - Float On (from Good New for People Who Love Bad News) // An instant classic. From the moment I first heard this, I knew it would be huge. Some say Isaac Brock & co. sold out...I say the world finally woke up.
Elbow - Snooks (Cast of Thousands) // I know, I know. This album came out in 2003 in Europe. It was worth the wait we had to endure here in the USA. This is the standout track from a great album; a driving beat and creepy, loud, clashing guitars break up the quiet beauty of the keyboard and vocals. It's like nothing I've heard since OK Computer.
Travis Morrison - Song for the Orca (Travistan) // Songs with a sense of humor are hit-or-miss. But this song from the former frontman of the venerable Dismemberment Plan has some weight behind its cutesy lyrics, resulting in a song of hope for justice and happiness.
Jem - Finally Woken (Finally Woken) // "Discovered" by KCRW's Nic Harcourt, Jem evokes Dido and Beth Orton, yet stands as a unique talent. Hip hop beats join acoustic guitar for this catchy dance-pop gem (no pun intended, I swear).
The Bens - Bruised (The Bens EP) // This forlorn love song from Bens Folds, Lee and Kweller is (much like the entire EP) a hidden treasure. Featuring Folds on keys and lead vocals, the harmonies ("Ba ba ba ba ba!") from the other two Bens are pure pop bliss.
Ray LaMontagne - Hold You In My Arms (Trouble) // One of the best debut albums in recent years, and it was hard to pick just one track from this new Van Morrison. This won out for its subtle textures (including strings and cowbell) and plaintive vocals.
Iron & Wine - Sinning Hands (iTunes exclusive) // I think you can get this on vinyl, but if you want a digital copy you'll have to go to iTunes. Do it now. I'm not sure how this didn't make it onto the already fantastic Our Endless Numbered Days, because this is a near-perfect bit of southern pop-folk porch music from Sam Beam.
Devendra Banhart - At the Hop (Niño Rojo) // For a different kind of folk, neo-hippie Devendra Banhart certainly does the trick. Listen to this song just once and you'll be hooked. At two and a half minutes, it's almost too short, but I think that's part of its charm.
Grant Lee Phillips - Calamity Jane (Virginia Creeper) // As the mix transitions to traditional Americana, we come upon Grant Lee Phillips. I was never that big into the whole Grant Lee Buffalo thing, and I don't have any of Phillips' previous solo work. But this album and song are a wonderful addition to my alt-country/folk/americana library.
Loretta Lynn - Portland, OR (Van Lear Rose) // Jack White joins the legendary Loretta Lynn for some old fashioned southern blues. While I don't fawn over the album like most critics did last year, I do think this song is worth any and all praise it receives.
Citizen Cope - My Way Home (The Clarence Greenwood Recordings) // New York troubadour Citizen Cope (aka Clarence Greenwood) had a minor hit a few years back with "Contact," but this album takes his music to new heights. Perfect for a late-day summer outing, this track coasts on an infinitely catchy instrumental.
Ben Harper & The Blind Boys of Alabama - Well Well Well (There Will Be a Light) // The most raw recording Ben Harper has done in years features the inimitable Blind Boys of Alabama. Together they create gospel music with a bluish hue.
The Presidents of the United States of America - Munky River (Love Everybody) // The blues come in all shades. A little southern grit from an unexpected source, this was my favorite from the surprisingly strong (second) comeback album from the once unstoppable PUSA.
Sondre Lerche - Two Way Monologue (Two Way Monologue) // When Bacharach and Costello got together, they had a child and his name was Sondre. Seriously though, this is the most memorable song the young Norwegian has written to date. If you can see him perform it live, it's even better.
The Shins - When I Goosestep (Wicker Park soundtrack) // While everyone else was listening to the Garden State soundtrack last year, I was cruising to the slightly less mix-tapeyness of this album. Can these guys do no wrong? Everything that comes from this Albuquerque/Portland quartet is sheer Brian Wilson-like genius.
The Postal Service - Against All Odds (Wicker Park soundtrack) // Who woulda thunk it...a lame Josh Hartnett flick produces a soundtrack filled with exclusive tracks from all your favorite indie pop stars. Who woulda thunk it too...The Postal Service covers Phil Collins and it's neither cheesy nor cheeky but really good!
Beastie Boys - Ch-ch-check It Out (To the Five Boroughs) // The classic Beastie Boys single on an otherwise forgettable album. This one's up there with Sabotage, So Whatcha Want and Intergalactic.
Kanye West - All Falls Down (The College Dropout) // I'll admit, I got sucked into this song by watching Stacy Dash and her podonka-donk booty in that sweet video. But the song's just as good as that jiggle, and Kanye is now on the short list of hip pop stars I can actually stomach.
Beck, Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams - Frontin' on Debra (iTunes exclusive DJ Reset Mashup) // An unexpected commercial release for a mashup? It must be good. The best song from Beck's Midnite Vultures removes the tongue from its cheek with the help of Pharrell and Jigga.
Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama (Scissor Sisters) // Possibly the best song of the year, and certainly the one I thought would be a much bigger hit. Maybe it was the overalls and bandanas, or maybe people aren't ready for another Elton John. Whatever it is, they're missing out on a dance-pop sensation that will have you showing your mama what it's all about (if you know what I mean).
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Posted by Queuetipp at April 9, 2005 03:50 PM
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