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This list represents 10 of my favorite songs of the year thus far. A final list will be issued by the end of the year. 1. Generationals – Nobody Could Change Your Mind http://generationals.bandcamp.com/track/nobody-could-change-your-mind This duo from New Orleans starts out their debut album with a powerful, soulful romp filled with horns, upbeat rhythm, catchy lyrics, well-built, albeit meek vocals, and unassailable melodies. The song sets the vibe for the entire album, which, for me, has become one of those quintessential summer albums. 2. Mew – Introducing Palace Players http://stereogum.com/archives/new-mew-introducing-palace-players_071582.html “Introducing Palace Players” was the first track released on the band’s Myspace page months before the album’s actual release, and while it reflected a more off-beat dance-driven Mew, it still held the deep, heavy rhythm of the band, the intricate guitar melodies, and the ethereal, yet strange vocal arrangements of lead singer Jonas Bjerre. This Danish band left their fans with a taste, which caused intense cravings only to be satisfied by the ridiculously long-titled release of their supposed fifth studio album, “No More Stories Are Told Today, I’m Sorry, They Washed Away, No More Stories, The World Is Grey, I’m Tired, Let’s Wash Away.” 3. Animal Collective – My Girls “Merriweather Post Pavilion” is Animal Collective’s self-proclaimed best-produced album recorded to date. While I have enjoyed the band on a somewhat non-emotional level, this album brought the band into the ranks of the great, highly-respected musicians in my proverbial mental musical hierarchy. To top it off, the lyrics strum my heart chords as the song is about providing for a wife and daughter. This is a beguiling, dreamy, poignant track. 4. The Dirty Projectors with David Byrne – Knotty Pine http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new-david-byrne-dirty-projectors-knotty-pine_045941.html “Dark Was the Night” is probably one of the most talked about indie compilations to date. This compilation was put together to help raise money and awareness for AIDS and HIV. What came about is an amazing double disc compilation with a tracklist/artist list not to be reckoned with. This collaborative track takes the off-the-beaten-path experimental sound of the Dirty Projectors and mixes them up with Talking Heads singer, David Byrne. What comes out is an artsy, edge-of-your-seat musical equation. 5. Grizzly Bear – While You Wait for the Others http://www.spinner.com/2009/09/11/grizzly-bear-while-you-wait-for-the-others-video-premiere Picking this song, was very hard for me as the masterpiece “Veckatimest” consisted of one gem after another. It came down to “Two Weeks” and this one, and ultimately I elected to pick this song, as they debuted this very early, and I immediately fell in love with the tune. As far as I’m concerned, for reasons I can write pages about, this is the perfect song. Just listen to the playful vocals of the bridge and try not be wowed. 6. Bonnie “Prince” Billie – You Don’t Love Me http://www.last.fm/music/Bonnie+'Prince'+Billy/_/You+Don't+Love+Me This is an all around great song that is stupidly romantic with that layered country folk feel. Reminds me a lot of an Arlo Guthrie song from “Hobo’s Lullaby”, but it’s new and fresh. Complete with hand claps and simple, yet bewildering lyrics. The song (as Sondra says) continues to dance around in your head for days. 7. Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – Carries On http://www.earsofthebeholder.com/post/146383266/edward-sharpe-and-the-magnetic-zeros-carries-on “Carries On,” as much of Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros’ songs, focuses on love and the joys of life. That alone is enough to catch my attention, but furthermore, the tune is masterfully crafted. At first, it plays much like a Chris Isaak song, or even an Elvis reminiscent song to start, and works its way into shape and form of layered vocals and joyous explosiveness. Love carries on is the message; it’s that simple. 8. God Help the Girl – God Help the Girl http://www.matadorrecords.com/matablog/2009/06/19/stream-the-god-help-the-girl-record-early/ I am an enormous Stuart Murdoch and Belle & Sebastian fan, so when I heard this was coming out, I was more than ecstatic. Stuart found novice vocalists to sing much of the album, and this title track is a prime example. This concept album is to be made into a film as well. Did Murdoch bite of more than he can chew? Musically, no. As far as the motion picture is concerned? We’ll see. But enjoy this song, this album. Enjoy this feel good music! 9. The Lewis Duckworth Method – The Age of Revolution What is this? An entire album devoted to the game of Cricket? Yes, precisely, and it is spearheaded by Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy) and Thomas Walsh. This track sticks out to me because it is framed by these old-time style trumpets what sounds like it’s playing off a victrola in the background, heavy keys providing bass what sounds like Stevie Wonder stepped in during his recording session of “Very Superstitious” for a guest appearance, and we are forced to learn about a revolutionary age of cricket. The lyrics may not be profound, but the song is fun and borrows strongly from fundamental sounds that span the last 80 years. 10. Zee Avi – First of the Gang http://www.ilike.com/artist/Zee+Avi/track/First+of+the+Gang Although this sounds like a less soulful Adele, this Malaysian singer/songwriter took Morrissey’s tragic song about idiotic kids in gangs killing each other, and turned it into a romantic story of the same lyrics simply by stripping down the song, making it her own, and enchanting its listeners’ ears. I hesitated putting a cover on this list, but I couldn’t hold back. This is one of my favorite songs of this year so far and thus it made the list.
When I heard Dan Auerbach was playing Morning Becomes Eclectic on Monday morning -- at the very same time my flight to Austin was departing from LAX -- I nearly cried. His new solo debut “Keep It Hid” is among my favorites of the year so I decided to catch his sold out show at the El Rey last night. Let me tell you, do not miss tomorrow’s performance because if it is even half as good as what I saw, your jaw will hit the floor.
He offered up soulful, bluesy guitar rock with unstoppable riffs that somehow still feels intimate. And every time he thanked the audience last night, I believed him. He was truly thankful and he poured himself out into every song. With his band the Black Keys, Dan and drummer Patrick Carney are masterful in the amount of noise they can cook up as a duo, but his solo songs are more accessible. My showmate Danny thought he sounded like Van Morrison at times while Nic Harcourt has mentioned Neil Young as a comparison.
Last night, Dan had Texas natives Hacienda as his backing band, along with Patrick Hallahan from My Morning Jacket, who felt a bit underused but that’s probably because I know what he is really capable of. He added another layer of percussion while Hacienda’s Jaime Villanueva pounded out the beat. Dan produced Hacienda’s album “Loud is the Night” and it is definitely worth checking out.
In the meantime, tune in at 11am PST to MBE on air and online to check out Dan’s live set or check it out in our archives after the show. Dan will be playing a few shows at SXSW and I’ll try to catch some photo next time around!
RR
Good luck everybody! I hope it`ll be interesting!
Watch Sia right now as she performs live from the Malibu Arts performing Center! http://www.kcrw.com
Check out the first exclusive interview by Nic Harcourt with Jesca Hoop from our showcase in Austin!
Also, Austin music scribe Michael Corcoran sums up her appeal very well in this post
RR
