I myself entered and tried to get a nomination for Best New Blog at the 2008 Weblogawards but unfortunatly we didn’t get picked. However a great bog, and a friend of ours MOSSIP did get a nomination, and it would be great if all you guys helped him out and gave him a vote!
All you have to do is click here to vote, and you can vote once every 24 hours. We should help a fellow music blogger out and help one of our own take home the prize!!
[mp3] : Sunset Rubdown – They Took A Vote and Said No
I haven’t found too much interesting to post about for today, so unless that changes all I will leave you with on this Monday is a mixtape of a random assortment of songs:
[mp3] : Sigur Rós – Inní mér syngur vitleysingur
[mp3] : Fleet Foxes – Your Protector
[mp3] : Shearwater – Rooks
[mp3] : Horse Feathers – Curs In The Weeds
[mp3] : Frightened Rabbit – Head Rolls Off
[mp3] : The Shins – Caring Is Creepy
People have already claimed that Animal Collectives highly very highly anticipated new album Merriweather Post Pavilion is the best album of 2009. It was a pretty bold prediction considering it is only one album in January. However the album is mind-blowingly awesome. We have all heard the leak and can all agree that this is an album for the ages. The next question that floated around the message boards is what the critical music review site pitchfork wold give the album. Well it is 5 AM and I can’t sleep. I checked the site and BAM there is MPP and it is sitting with a fucking 9.6. Holy shit.
I have not seen that number for quite some time. Most of the time I believe pitchfork’s reviews are quite pretentious and never actually review the MUISC, but rather anything that irks them. This review however was quite spot on and it was a very good read. This quote is a good summary:
What they’ve constructed here is a new kind of electronic pop– one which is machine-generated and revels in technology but is also deeply human, never drawing too much attention to its digital nature. It’s of the moment and feels new, but it’s also striking in its immediacy and comes across as friendly and welcoming. Animal Collective have spent the decade following their own path, figuring out what their music is capable of while also working to bring more listeners into their world. On Merriweather Post Pavilion, their commitment has paid off tremendously.
Read the whole review here, and take a look at that 9.6. This may just be the album to beat in 2009. Do you hear that Grizzly Bear?
[mp3] : Animal Collective – Brother Sport
(live at NPR) – so easy down now mr. web sheriff!
Luis from Pretty Much Amazing was kind enough to invite me to take part in his blog war for best genius playlist. He told me that all I had to do is put Radiohead’s Bodysnatchers in the genius playlist feature in itunes and then email him the list of the 25 songs that resulted. My list went against the fantastic blog The Music Slut. Pretty Much Amazings loyal readers are the one’s who decide the vote.
However feel free to vote here, and you know…help out your old pal Will!
[mp3] : Radiohead – Bodysnatchers
Here we go, the cream of the crop! My top 10 songs of the year. These are songs that really really stood out this year. These are songs that got constant plays from me and were truly memorable. These may not be the “best” songs of the year as I said before, but they are my favorite one’s and maybe I gave the wrong title to the post. Oh well, these songs rock. Click play, enjoy. Leave a comment if you like it. Also leave a comment if you hate them. I want to hear your thoughts! Top albums coming tomorrow!!!
- DLZ didn’t jump out at me right away. After I was done obsessing with the first half tracks of “Dear Science” I dove in deeper to it’s second half and discovered the gem ‘DLZ’. The song has lots of restraint, with a calm bassline that builds up allowing Tunde Adebimpe to apply his powerful vocals. The song doesn’t over stay it’s welcome getting too loud or too fast. The music is powerful enough to sound bigger itself. TVOTR know how to write a proper song, and this is just one example of their genius.
9. The Walkmen – In The New Year
- Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. The Walkmen are all too good at creating a vivid setting or image through their music. First single ‘In The New Year’ is already a Walkmen classic. The Walken give us a repetitive guitar over a organ that lead way into Hamilton’s storytelling. The lyrics are fantastic, but what draws me in everytime is his vocal delivery, there is so much passion in his voice. The Walkmen are seasoned musicians who know how to craft masterpieces. Put this alongside ‘The Rat’ and ‘We’ve Been Had’.
- First off, there is only a bit of Bob Dylan influence. This is what alt-country is all about. Good lyrics, storyteling (about werewolfs!), and a good acoustic guitar strumming. Furr has a fresh appeal to it that doesn’t ever seem to get worn down. The vocals are restraint but effective. The drums and guitars stay along with the beat and keep the song where it belongs. This song got plenty of playtime from me during all my moods, and therefore it is one of my top 10 of the year.
- Bon Iver is magical. The genius of this man is shown through this track. Justin Vernon wrote one of the best songs of the year (I count it for 2008). The song has so much passion. It is folk music at it’s finest. His lyrics resonate of heartbreak. This is a song that does seem better suited for the winter. This song is a beauty, if you can’t appreciate it that I will ask you where your soul is.
6. Okkervil River – Lost Coastlines
- This is hands down my favorite Okkervil River song. The tempo is set too perfectly with the acoustic guitar and bassline, once Jonathan Meiburg steps in the song reaches true glory. Jon’s vocals shine here, using the metaphor of sailing ships to describe how he is leaving Will and the rest of Okkervil River to focus on Shearwater. The lyrics are moving, and the song is quite epic. Those la la la’s do the trick each and every time.
- I really do love Cut Copy. It is amazing how this song sounds 100x better and fresher every time that I blast it from my speakers. Everything going on in the song combines into 4:53 of perfection. It is a rush of all things right with dance-rock music, and once the sax comes in the song transfers into a state of pure bliss and it is amazing to hear. The atmosphere from this song is like another world. One that we all wouldn’t mind escaping for the night. “With heart on fire I reach out for you tonight”
4. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
- This is harmonies done at full force. The moment the instuments kick in is one to hold, it is breathtaking. The vocals harmonize so effortlessly it is scary. The song is just a clear standout in music. Robin Pecknold delivers some great moments on Fleet Foxes’s debut but ‘White Winter Hymnal’ is by far the best indication of what Fleet Foxes are capable of, and what good music sounds like in 2008.
3. MGMT – Kids
- This is by far the true standout on MGM’s debut album. This song is so catchy, it is hard to deny those those keyboards. Andrew’s vocals kick in and you are just amazed at how perfectly it all unfolds. I don’t know why MGMT didn’t ruin with ‘Kids’ a lot more. At my college, me and my friends fucking love this song, no matter how many times we hear it we literally go nuts whenever it is on. It’s just a rush of energy with a big chorus that translates to immidiate gratification. This is a truly great song out of an album full of great songs.
2. Hot Chip – Ready For The Floor
- Back in January this is all that me and my friends would play at parties and in the car. The song was Hot Chip at full force blasting out incredible beats, big hooks, and even sincere at points. This song works because it is immidiate, accesable, fun, witty, has a great beat, and sounds like heaven. This song is as fresh as they came in 2008, and it is a dance floor masterpiece. “We are ready, we are ready for the floor.”
- This is my #1 song of the whole year. It is also my most played song of the year. I remember the first time I heard A-Punk. The song was so catchy, I just played it over and over. It was amazing live, the music video garnered tons and tons of attention on youtube and even a little biy of play on mtv (bleh?). It became their biggest crowd pleaser, and rightfully so. The song just sounds so god damn good, you can’t help but like it. From the ‘Johanna drove slowly’ to those enthusiastic ‘hey hey heys’ you want to sing along. The beat is one part ska, one park punk, one part afro-pop. The guitars are so simple but effective, Rostam’s keyboards are as lush as ever, and Ezra’s voice is the only one I could ever picture singing this song properly. This is my anthem of 2008, this is what my friends, family, and concert goings LOVED to hear. It will never get old, and this song will continue to go up on my top 25 most played.
‘Look outside at the raincoats coming, say OH’
Welcome to WAWSTSF’s #20-11 best songs of the year. These are tracks that were pretty much the best of the best of 2008. These are songs that got my attention all year round and got plenty of play count raises even during the intense album listening period that is winter in order to get an album list ready. Give them a go, and I promise you should find something that you like, or hate. Either way give it a go:
- This first single from the Icelandic band received comparisons to Animal Collective. I can see that. With some tribal influenced drums that give the majestic band a new sound. The la la la’s are playful but also add up to a great harmony. Sigur Rós proves here they can write all kinds of songs.
19. British Sea Power – No Lucifer
- British Sea Power continues to aim for stadium anthems and they hit gold here. The strings, along with the uplifting vocals, soaring guitars, football chant create one hell of a feeling. This song builds and doesn’t lose it’s stream anytime soon. This is some good stadium rock that isn’t full of itself. Cheers to British Sea Power!
18. The Last Shadow Puppets – The Age Of The Understatement
- I was anxious to hear what Alex Turner’s side project would sound like, and after hearing this first single I knew Turner did it again. It sounded like a 60’s western rock opera. The lyrics were unique but familiarly Turner’s. This is what the Last Shadow Puppets are all about. If someone asks what they sound like, show them this song.
17. Beach House – D.A.R.L.I.N.G.
- Originally Gila was the song to beat off of “Beach House” but after repeated listens ‘D.A.R.L.I.N.G.’ stood out. The haunting organs give it a dark atmosphere that plays perfectly with the moving lyrics sung by Victoria Legrand. This is a beautiful track that sounds “that much” better at nighttime…and at a beach if you can find one.
16. Little Joy – Don’t Watch Me Dancing
- This song is a gem by this little joy of a band. The sincere singing from Binki Shapiro, the mellow plucking of the acoustic guitar are so relaxing. The song makes you ache for summertime again. This will put you in a very tranquil state, and put a smile on your face.
-When I downloaded Vampire Weekend’s Blue-CDR Walcott stood out to me. It was such a great song. The keyboard line is so memorable and is only the beginning of a song full of hooks, melodies, clever lyrics and sweet strings. The song should continue to be the song they finish their set lists with forever. It is the only proper way. I always wonder why they didn’t finish the album with this instead of Kids.
14. Wolf Parade – Fine Young Cannibals
- It was hard for me to decide which Wolf Parade song to put on my list. I knew one had to make it, but they are all quality. Well I remembered how epic and well constructed this song sounded live. There is something about Dan’s singing that gives the tune a special trait. This is good song writing. Please just download the mp3, and let the music impress you already.
13. Cut Copy – Lights & Music
- This is the music DJ’s should be blasting at parties. The song is everything about dance music done right. They throw in guitars and drums and create one hell of a song. This song still sounds fresh no matter how many times I blast it. Everyone that I have shown this song/band to has said it is quite good. Hit play and dance. Right now! NOW!
- How did this song, or this band not get more attention?? Coffee is a song written way ahead of these musicians time. It has elements of Americana in it that you rarely see in young bands. The singer’s voice has a strange appeal but it is what drew me in initially. It still gives me goose bumps. This songs something special. Hopefully people will hear this and get their name out.
- Santogold crafted one of the best pop songs of the year with Lights Out. Right away this song stuck out to me, and its appeal gets better every time. That bass line kills, the chorus too. Lights out, let the song play!
Here We are going into the top 20. These songs I couldn’t get enough of during 2008, but just fell short of making the top 20. No worries though, these songs are all still pretty different genres, but all of the same quality. To me at least! I hope you guys enjoy numbers 30-21, and to look for the rest of my list soon:
30. Kings Of Leon – Sex On Fire
- The first time I heard this song was when KOL played it live (for the first time EVER) at All Points West. The song had one hell of a rhythm going for it, and the chorus was massive. I knew the song was something special right away. It hasn’t lost any of it’s replay value since.
- MGMT put a smile on my face every single time that I listen to them. The songs are so fresh and different. The synths create a wall of sound trapping you inside MGMT mind of ridiculously catchy psych-pop music. This has been on repeat since I first heard it. It never gets old, and it shouldn’t.
28. Deerhunter – Nothing Ever Happened
- This is the first Deerhunter song that I can say is truly accessible. This is their most straightforward song yet, but there is still enough of the shoe-gaze/re-verb guitar elements that define Deerhunter. All the instrumentation adds up to something special. The last 2 minutes of this song are a beauty.
27. The Dodos – Red and Purple
- While Fools seems to be every one’s favorite choice of song from The Dod’s “Visiter”, the true standout for me was Red and Purple. It features the fast tapping of the drums alongside the quick guitar strumming that The Dodos are all too good at. The lyrics fit so well, and the song stays with you. The energy of this song is just the cherry on top. This is well constructed folk-rock.
26. Hercules And Love Affair – Blind
- This was pitchfork’s #1 song of the year. I wouldn’t put it that high, but there is no doubt this is some fantastic disco-dance music. Anthony’s vocals only make it that much better. I mean..a hell of a lot better. It’s groovy baby.
25. The Last Shadow Puppets – Standing Next To Me
- The Last Shadow Puppets did a wonderful job filling the void 2008 left with the Arctic Monkeys. This song caught my attention right away . Clean guitar strums, clever lyrics, beautiful string arrangements. The song is a callback to all things ’60′s. I swear Alex Turner is a songwriting genius.
- This is the best thing the Kooks have ever done. There is a higher quality in the structure and songwriting of this song that really made an impression on me from the first time I played it. It still impresses me every time. Hugh Harris’s guitars really make the track. He’s an underrated guitarist in my opinion.
23. Dead Confederate – The Rat
- This song has a very ominious tone that hangs above the song throughout. It is what draws you in though, the raw energy and passion that makes your jaw drop.
- Honestly was there truly a bigger song in 2008? I am a Coldplay fan, and am so used to being made fun of for it that I enjoy it at this point. This song is just the way music used to be. Massive. A wonderful verse, haunting strings leading way into that chorus that we all know too well. My favorite part of the song is when the entire band joins in with the “oooooohs”. It reminds us this isn’t the Coldplay we used to know. That is not a bad thing either!
21. TV On The Radio – Dancing Choose
-This TVOTR song bursts out with energy right away with Tunde Adebimpe pretty much rapping over hand claps, fuzzy bass, crisp guitars. The chorus gives some time for a breath but it dives right back into the action. Horns come into play, along with a few strums from the guitar that sound all too good. All of this diversity, all of it works all too well. This is only one of the many standout’s from their classic Dear Science.
- Infectious psych-pop/rock jam that helps provide some insight towards why they were one of 2008′s biggest bands.
39. Beck – Gamma Ray
- Beck gives us one hell of a groovy rocker. It that starts off with a bang and doesn’t let off at any point. One of the most enjoyable recent Beck songs.
38. Tokyo Police Club – In A Cave
- I absolutely love this song. All aspects of the band come together to show why we all fell in love with them in the first place. This song is just good.
- This bass line is just ridiculous. The EP version was better, but the song is just pop perfection. So much fun to listen to. Who cares if they were on Gossip Girl, this song rocked way way way before that show!
36. We Are Scientists – After Hours
- This is the big sound that We Are Scientists nail. They need more big anthem’s like this! I’m pretty sure I saw this song in a camera commercial too….cool?
35. The Morning Benders – Waiting For A War
- Pop/Rock done loud and proud. This is enjoyable music, that deserves to be heard. Sincere lyrics that most of us can relate to.
34. Ra Ra Riot – Dying Is Fine
- The lyrics are quite emotional since they are referring to the death of their good friend and former drummer John. The song is fast paced, but also beautiful. Highly recommended.
33. Cloud Cult – No One Said It Would Be Easy
- Haunting keys, tons of voices singing in unison, a big big soaring song. This is special stuff. Words can hardly describe it properly.
32. Los Campesinos! – You! Me! Dancing!
- It starts of with a slow guitar building up, only to lead into an absolute mega tune. The difference in the vocals between the male/female singers works so well. This is a relentless tune!
31. Kanye West – Love Lockdown
- This song was the first one that we heard from the ‘new’ Kanye and it has stayed with me the most. The lyrics are relevant to me right now so maybe that is why I really appreciate it.
Here we go. These are more of my favorite songs than the “best”. Since best is an objective term to me these are the songs that I enjoyed the most of 2008 and to me they are songs that I will keep on playing as the years go on. Here is numbers 50-41 with mp3′s and a few quick thoughts on them:
50. The Rural Alberta Advantage – The Ballad of The RAA
-Constant pounding bass drum, lush synths, Jeff Mangum like vocals, beautiful strings. Everything gets together and the result is haunting. This band is one of the best surprises of 2008. Check out the rest of their album. Fantastic stuff!
49. Frightened Rabbitt – the Modern Leper
- I love the singers voice, the accent works so damn well. When playing this song I am just waiting for the big build up along with the singers anxious voice. This is a anxious song that is constructed to perfection. This is what music is about right.
- Shoe gaze synth rock at it’s top form. Jose is a master at the art and this song shows he is at his prime. Dance music is dying, but M83 continues to re-invent the game. This song is just gorgeous.
47. No Age – Eraser
- The silent opening is just the bands way of giving you some time to breath before they kick into a few minutes of pop/rock over some dirty fuzz that showcases their talents all too well. It sounds even better in context with the rest of the album “Nouns”.
- I love the cracking of the vinyl opening of this song it is a lead way into one of the greatest songs of the year. The song is just good rock and roll that gets better whenever you come back to it. His vocal delivery along with that undeniable guitar riff can do that to ya.
- Where the fuck is the love for this bands album? Please click the above mp3, listen to the pounding of the drums & infectious guitar riff that develops into an absolute massive tune with an overload of raw energy. Just hit repeat, and it will make your day THAT much better. I promise.
44. The Mae Shi – Run To Your Grave
- It starts off with an enormasly catchy keyboards and then goes into a huge chorus full of yelps, claps, and big hooks. I wish I was as happy as The Mae Shi sound.
43. Department Of Eagles – No One Does It Like You
- Daniel Rossen is the man. This is just how you right a song. This is songwriting at it’s finest. Pop perfection.
42. Friendly Fires – Jump In The Pool
- A big big dance/rock song. This is addictive as hell and needs to blasting on the biggest baddest sound system you can get your hands on. Thank me later. Dance the night away!
41. British Sea Power – Waving Flags
- Fuck pitchfork U2 claim. This is anthematic rock done right. A huge sense of urgency. I really dig the atmosphere resonating from this song. Can I please go to the UK already?
-Thats it for now, #40-31 in a bit!
I always wanted to make a best list and see if I actually had the patience and motivation to do one. It never came but now since I have this blog I finally stopped being lazy and tried to put some form of list together. I didn’t start my blog until late July and didn’t realize I would need to track my songs. I didn’t do it by play count since I usually tend to overplay songs when they first come out, before concerts, with friends etc. If I based it on play count it would basically be Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Cut Copy, and The Last Shadow Puppets…That is not 2008. I limited the list to top 50. I felt some songs were quite excellent but just fell short of making the top 50. Here are songs that didn’t make it but deserve a mention.
Honorable Mentions (not in any particular order):
[mp3] : Born Ruffians – Barnacle Goose
[mp3] : Kings Of Leon – Manhattan
[mp3] : Ra Ra Riot – Too Too Too Fast
[mp3] : Tokyo Police Club – Your English Is Good
[mp3] : Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Possess Your Heart
[mp3] : Weezer – Pork and Beans
[mp3] : Little Joy – The Next Time Around
[mp3] : Cut Copy – Out There On The Ice
[mp3] : Lil Wayne – A Milli
[mp3] : T.I. – Whatever You Like
[mp3] : TV On The Radio – Golden Age
[mp3] : Bloc Party – Mercury
[mp3] : MGMT – Pieces of What
[mp3] : Kanye West – Heartless
[mp3] : The Killers – Spaceman
[mp3] : Air France – Collapsing At Your Doorstep
[mp3] : Amadou & Mariam – Sabali
[mp3] : Gang Gang Dance – House Jam
[mp3] : Elbow – Grounds for Divorce
[mp3] : Crystal Castles – Vanished
[mp3] : My Morning Jacket – I’m Amazed
[mp3] : The Raconteurs – Salute Your Solution
