Top 2010 albums are coming soon, I promise. But for now, these are the dames that have stolen my heart. Been running to this album lately and it works:
The Go! Team - Buy Nothing Day by thegoteam
Running With The Beat is a mostly retired blog by Brent Bridwell. Every once in a while, he dusts it off to write about something music-related.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Top 10 Songs of 2010 (with Notes!)
10. Jonsi-Go Do - Sigur Ros' lead singer unloaded this single at the beginning of springtime as the city thawed out, and everything started to come back alive. Running to this supplied that much needed breath of fresh air, as everything bustled back to life. "We should always know, that we can do anything" was the perfect line to carry me to the next level out of the winter doldrums.
9. Sleigh Bells-Kids - "Crown on the Ground was already taken by last year's list, but this one does not disappoint. Whether it's in the preshow mix, or in the middle of your run, this song (and most Sleigh Bells) is a kick starter. Forget kindling, let's go straight to the dynamite. Jay-Z beats,* Jack White guitar riffs, and Gwen Stefani chants come together for a powerful amalgamation of sound. (*Admittedly, these beats are probably nothing like Jay-Z's, I don't really even know what constitutes a "Jay-Z beat," but I do know that he is the coolest, and so are these guys, so there).
8. Kanye West-Power - This year was truly the "Rise of Rap" for me. Definitely not because it's better than in years past, but I finally cracked the mold with some really good artists who are crossing genres to create new masterpieces. This one falls into my favorite category of rap: the kind that could provide the soundtrack to an NBA highlight reel. Empowering, motivational, and inspiring. I want my rap to do what LeBron did to Cleveland in his return to Quicken Loans...blow the roof off the place in the face of adversity (Sorry for bringing up LBJ in Cleveland, Greg).
7. Titus Andronicus-A More Perfect Union - An American of an anthem as there ever was. Over the top with references from the Boss, the Pledge of Allegiance, and "Glory Glory Hallelujah," does it get more American than that? Well, maybe the video does...and maybe our annual July 3rd bash does too, but this will be a welcome addition to the U.S.A. mix in years to come.
6. Neil Young-Love and War - It's rare an artist lives long enough to look back on the predominant themes of their career and recap them. It's also rare that a 59 year old man survives a brain aneurysm and goes on to create some of the most relevant music of his 40+ year career. This is an honest reflection of the two themes that have dominated Neil's (and mankind's for that matter) existence. This all encompassing ballad cuts to the core of our existence over the last few thousand years.
5. Roots ft. John Legend-The Fire - At our annual July 3rd Bash, my friend Dave was playing some songs late night on my IPOD and I came back in the room and took the helm. He declared: "If you are going to change this, you had better play to the best song I have ever heard. So I put this song on, and no one was disappointed.
4. Sufjan Stevens-Impossible Soul - This one has an unfair advantage. Where "Flash Delirium" by MGMT seemed like 7 songs in one, this one ACTUALLY IS. Clocking in at over 25 minutes, it eats up an entire side of the two disc vinyl, and will easily carry you the distance on a 2-4 mile run. It runs the gamut of sounds, from folk, to space rock, to hip hop, it's all there, and in my mind, it all symbolizes what Stevens' was facing in making this album. After it's release, Stevens admitted that a neurological disorder all but shut him down in the time between Illinois and All Delighted People. Listening to this track, I feel it is a symbol for Sufjan's life before the disease ("Impossible soul..." part), the disease taking him over (the female vocals that creep in during part two), Sufjan being completely suppressed by the disease ("Stupid man..." autotuned section) and the triumphant overcoming at the climax ("Boy, we can do much more together...IT'S NOT SO IMPOSSIBLE!"). Excessive? Yes. Could ANYONE else pull this off? NO. Sufjan Stevens is a one man Radiohead.
3. LCD Soundsystem-Dance Yrself Clean - Just be patient with this one. The madman who hooked jumper cables up to your chest may lull you to sleep, but he will shock the shit out of you at the 3 minute and 10 second mark. A great track to ease your way into a run, then explode when you hit your stride (whether you're ready for it or not).
2. Black Keys-Tighten Up - I honestly could listen to this song on repeat for a week, and the breakdown in the middle would never get old. This as gnarly as when Jack White kicked the door open on the Raconteurs' "Consoler of the Lonely" with "IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN ACCOMPLICE..." There's a murky sounding breakdown, and in stomps a riff and tom-tom drums that just light up the room. My buddy Dan, who's a hip hop producer heard this song for the first time a week ago at a bar, and said "I don't even know this song, but I know THAT IS A SWEET RIFF." The title is ironic, because this song couldn't get much tighter. (Hilarious video too):
1. Arcade Fire-Sprawl Pt. II/Suburban War - Whew. Here we are. Just like last year, I couldn't pick just one. Luckily on the vinyl, due to time constraints on the sides of an album, this two songs ended up next to each other in the running order (unlike the CD or .mp3 version of the album), which made all of the difference. Arcade Fire are a double edged sword, with the pop synthesized aesthetics of Will Butler and Regina Chassagne, and the apocalyptic intensity of lead singer Win Butler. These two songs personify those elements of this epic band.
The Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) is a pop masterpiece, channeling Blondie's "Heart of Glass," it shimmers and shines as Regina twirls ("Of course she twirls!" my friend Katie exclaimed at their Lollapalooza performance). The song subtly builds through various points of restraint, and when the synths kick in full effect at it's climax, there's no way to stop going with a smile of bliss upon your face. While running, I am often tempted to give other runners high fives as I pass them, especially if they are out in extremely miserable conditions, just a small dose of positive reinforcement to help them push through a little more. I have never had the guts to do it, but in the new year, I hope to start. No song will make me want to high five more people out of excitement than this one.
Suburban War is the foil to Sprawl II, especially when lined up immediately after it. As the album closer (not counting the exhale of Suburbs pt. II), it takes on greater significance, and immediately resembles Radiohead's The Bends closer "Street Spirit (Fade Out)," as an eerie, minor-keyed, apocalyptic look toward the future. It threatens annihilation throughout, with various rises, and the truth pours out: "Now the music divides, us into tribes. You choose your side, I'll choose my side." I won't go into what happens after that, I would rather you go for a run and experience it yourself. I will tell you it involves 2 drum kits, 3 guitars, 1 organ, 2 violins, and your heart racing two feet in front of your body while your legs fight their hardest to catch up to it.
Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - UNSTAGED - Live @ MSG - 1080 HD from Théan Slabbert on Vimeo.
Time for a run.
9. Sleigh Bells-Kids - "Crown on the Ground was already taken by last year's list, but this one does not disappoint. Whether it's in the preshow mix, or in the middle of your run, this song (and most Sleigh Bells) is a kick starter. Forget kindling, let's go straight to the dynamite. Jay-Z beats,* Jack White guitar riffs, and Gwen Stefani chants come together for a powerful amalgamation of sound. (*Admittedly, these beats are probably nothing like Jay-Z's, I don't really even know what constitutes a "Jay-Z beat," but I do know that he is the coolest, and so are these guys, so there).
8. Kanye West-Power - This year was truly the "Rise of Rap" for me. Definitely not because it's better than in years past, but I finally cracked the mold with some really good artists who are crossing genres to create new masterpieces. This one falls into my favorite category of rap: the kind that could provide the soundtrack to an NBA highlight reel. Empowering, motivational, and inspiring. I want my rap to do what LeBron did to Cleveland in his return to Quicken Loans...blow the roof off the place in the face of adversity (Sorry for bringing up LBJ in Cleveland, Greg).
7. Titus Andronicus-A More Perfect Union - An American of an anthem as there ever was. Over the top with references from the Boss, the Pledge of Allegiance, and "Glory Glory Hallelujah," does it get more American than that? Well, maybe the video does...and maybe our annual July 3rd bash does too, but this will be a welcome addition to the U.S.A. mix in years to come.
6. Neil Young-Love and War - It's rare an artist lives long enough to look back on the predominant themes of their career and recap them. It's also rare that a 59 year old man survives a brain aneurysm and goes on to create some of the most relevant music of his 40+ year career. This is an honest reflection of the two themes that have dominated Neil's (and mankind's for that matter) existence. This all encompassing ballad cuts to the core of our existence over the last few thousand years.
5. Roots ft. John Legend-The Fire - At our annual July 3rd Bash, my friend Dave was playing some songs late night on my IPOD and I came back in the room and took the helm. He declared: "If you are going to change this, you had better play to the best song I have ever heard. So I put this song on, and no one was disappointed.
4. Sufjan Stevens-Impossible Soul - This one has an unfair advantage. Where "Flash Delirium" by MGMT seemed like 7 songs in one, this one ACTUALLY IS. Clocking in at over 25 minutes, it eats up an entire side of the two disc vinyl, and will easily carry you the distance on a 2-4 mile run. It runs the gamut of sounds, from folk, to space rock, to hip hop, it's all there, and in my mind, it all symbolizes what Stevens' was facing in making this album. After it's release, Stevens admitted that a neurological disorder all but shut him down in the time between Illinois and All Delighted People. Listening to this track, I feel it is a symbol for Sufjan's life before the disease ("Impossible soul..." part), the disease taking him over (the female vocals that creep in during part two), Sufjan being completely suppressed by the disease ("Stupid man..." autotuned section) and the triumphant overcoming at the climax ("Boy, we can do much more together...IT'S NOT SO IMPOSSIBLE!"). Excessive? Yes. Could ANYONE else pull this off? NO. Sufjan Stevens is a one man Radiohead.
3. LCD Soundsystem-Dance Yrself Clean - Just be patient with this one. The madman who hooked jumper cables up to your chest may lull you to sleep, but he will shock the shit out of you at the 3 minute and 10 second mark. A great track to ease your way into a run, then explode when you hit your stride (whether you're ready for it or not).
2. Black Keys-Tighten Up - I honestly could listen to this song on repeat for a week, and the breakdown in the middle would never get old. This as gnarly as when Jack White kicked the door open on the Raconteurs' "Consoler of the Lonely" with "IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN ACCOMPLICE..." There's a murky sounding breakdown, and in stomps a riff and tom-tom drums that just light up the room. My buddy Dan, who's a hip hop producer heard this song for the first time a week ago at a bar, and said "I don't even know this song, but I know THAT IS A SWEET RIFF." The title is ironic, because this song couldn't get much tighter. (Hilarious video too):
1. Arcade Fire-Sprawl Pt. II/Suburban War - Whew. Here we are. Just like last year, I couldn't pick just one. Luckily on the vinyl, due to time constraints on the sides of an album, this two songs ended up next to each other in the running order (unlike the CD or .mp3 version of the album), which made all of the difference. Arcade Fire are a double edged sword, with the pop synthesized aesthetics of Will Butler and Regina Chassagne, and the apocalyptic intensity of lead singer Win Butler. These two songs personify those elements of this epic band.
The Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) is a pop masterpiece, channeling Blondie's "Heart of Glass," it shimmers and shines as Regina twirls ("Of course she twirls!" my friend Katie exclaimed at their Lollapalooza performance). The song subtly builds through various points of restraint, and when the synths kick in full effect at it's climax, there's no way to stop going with a smile of bliss upon your face. While running, I am often tempted to give other runners high fives as I pass them, especially if they are out in extremely miserable conditions, just a small dose of positive reinforcement to help them push through a little more. I have never had the guts to do it, but in the new year, I hope to start. No song will make me want to high five more people out of excitement than this one.
Suburban War is the foil to Sprawl II, especially when lined up immediately after it. As the album closer (not counting the exhale of Suburbs pt. II), it takes on greater significance, and immediately resembles Radiohead's The Bends closer "Street Spirit (Fade Out)," as an eerie, minor-keyed, apocalyptic look toward the future. It threatens annihilation throughout, with various rises, and the truth pours out: "Now the music divides, us into tribes. You choose your side, I'll choose my side." I won't go into what happens after that, I would rather you go for a run and experience it yourself. I will tell you it involves 2 drum kits, 3 guitars, 1 organ, 2 violins, and your heart racing two feet in front of your body while your legs fight their hardest to catch up to it.
Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - UNSTAGED - Live @ MSG - 1080 HD from Théan Slabbert on Vimeo.
Time for a run.
Monday, December 20, 2010
2010 Top Songs #25-#11
Here's some songs that were good this year. Check out the songs on Grooveshark or YouTube them. Top 10 songs sometime tomorrow.
25. Mumford and Sons-Little Lion Man - Like an English Bright Eyes with an Irish folk band backing him up, this song is strong. The title is clever, too. It's like being a "lion man" for admitting your wrong, but you're still wrong, so what's the glory in that?
24. The Heavy-How You Like Me Now? - Channeling James Brown into a rock and roll give and take, until it finally explodes, this song should be in MORE commercials and playing at MORE bars.
23. Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs-Beg, Steal, or Borrow - This guy is just a great song writer with a haunting voice who, despite a lot of early idolatry, has remained true to the game. He's to the point where the listener can believe in the lessons his songs teach. Those pipes don't hurt anything either.
22. Florence+the Machine-Dog Days are Over - This one is a blast to run to, like right out of the door, hit play, and go. Good luck picking a next song in your mix though, because after the cannon this song shoots you out of, you may find yourself hoping for a red light to catch your breath.
21. OK Go-This Too Shall Pass - I didn't find a better track this year to come out and bow to after a show. It's just an anthem. And I dare you to watch the video and try not send it to all of your friends right after.
20. Everest-Let Go - The stomp of Spoon, meandering guitars of My Morning Jacket, and the vocals of someone familiar I just can't get my thumb on, this band (discovered by Neil Young) could slide into the niche of amazing roots-rock bands. Hopefully.
19. Jamey Johnson-Macon - I felt guilty liking this song, and album as much as I did at first. I grew up on country, loving REAL country, and although I was too young to understand Hank Williams' significance at the time, I loved Hank Jr.'s badass mentality, which Johnson brings on this track and the entire album. It starts off like an Elton John ballad, before settling into some slide guitar, then takes off down the highway straight through Georgia.
18. Mavis Staples-You are Not Alone - Jeff Tweedy penned this one for Staples, whose husky voice takes it to places of lament and soothing compassion that Tweedy's never could.
17. Dr. Dog-Shadow People - The Dog at their "ooh and ahh" best, it starts simple, passing down a desolate street taking in desolate scenes, and contemplating how we fit into it all, or better yet, overcome it. I'm a sucker for 2 things, bangs (like the hairstyle), and songs where the singer yells "Woo!" as the guitar solo really kick off. This song has one of those two things.
16. Robert Plant-House of Cards - Plant has taken an adult contemporary turn compared to the Zep days, but still has more hits than misses. This one, delving into that bluegrass sound that he nailed with Alison Krauss, with a stomp of a beat that is just quiet enough to make you not John Bonham's pounding behind the kit too much.
15. Sufjan Stevens-All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version) - From the opening banjo to the flourishes that follow, this is classic Sufjan: a lot of questions and doubt, answered with orchestration and melody.
14. MGMT-Flash Delirium - A manic response to the fame they achieved from the epic Oracular Spectacular, this is anything but a radio hit single, but for some reason, once it crawls inside you, you find yourself craving it. Maybe it's because it is like 7 songs in one, from Monster Mash to the Canned Heat "Goin to the Country"-esque anti-solo in the bridge, to the maniacal climax at the end, it was my most listened to song of the first half of 2010. If you're running to it, it will carry you faster and harder til the end before it leaves you hanging empty at its conclusion.
13. Roots ft. John Legend-I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free - Every once in awhile, someone covers a song and you just thank God that they brought it into your life. This is as creamy smooth dose of soul with as simple and insightful lyrics as the more famous "I Can See Clearly Now."
12. Free Energy-Bang Pop - Just a bubblegum, 70's pop song. It could play a hundred times straight and you'd still be smiling and shaking your head. The soundtrack to the montage of all the good times you have in a night.
11. Beck/Feist/Wilco/Jamie Lidell-Weighted Down - These Beck sessions (where he gets together with a group of musicians to cover an entire album of tunes in 24 hours) turned up many masterpieces, but nothing close to this masterpiece. Take Wilco's Nels Cline ripping out 1/64th notes over a Beck/Jamie Lidell synthesized beat and just butter on some Feist over it at her haunting, echo-ey best. Then the Wall-of-Sound harmonies of everyone joining in on the fun carry the song off into the heavens.
25. Mumford and Sons-Little Lion Man - Like an English Bright Eyes with an Irish folk band backing him up, this song is strong. The title is clever, too. It's like being a "lion man" for admitting your wrong, but you're still wrong, so what's the glory in that?
24. The Heavy-How You Like Me Now? - Channeling James Brown into a rock and roll give and take, until it finally explodes, this song should be in MORE commercials and playing at MORE bars.
23. Ray Lamontagne and the Pariah Dogs-Beg, Steal, or Borrow - This guy is just a great song writer with a haunting voice who, despite a lot of early idolatry, has remained true to the game. He's to the point where the listener can believe in the lessons his songs teach. Those pipes don't hurt anything either.
22. Florence+the Machine-Dog Days are Over - This one is a blast to run to, like right out of the door, hit play, and go. Good luck picking a next song in your mix though, because after the cannon this song shoots you out of, you may find yourself hoping for a red light to catch your breath.
21. OK Go-This Too Shall Pass - I didn't find a better track this year to come out and bow to after a show. It's just an anthem. And I dare you to watch the video and try not send it to all of your friends right after.
20. Everest-Let Go - The stomp of Spoon, meandering guitars of My Morning Jacket, and the vocals of someone familiar I just can't get my thumb on, this band (discovered by Neil Young) could slide into the niche of amazing roots-rock bands. Hopefully.
19. Jamey Johnson-Macon - I felt guilty liking this song, and album as much as I did at first. I grew up on country, loving REAL country, and although I was too young to understand Hank Williams' significance at the time, I loved Hank Jr.'s badass mentality, which Johnson brings on this track and the entire album. It starts off like an Elton John ballad, before settling into some slide guitar, then takes off down the highway straight through Georgia.
18. Mavis Staples-You are Not Alone - Jeff Tweedy penned this one for Staples, whose husky voice takes it to places of lament and soothing compassion that Tweedy's never could.
17. Dr. Dog-Shadow People - The Dog at their "ooh and ahh" best, it starts simple, passing down a desolate street taking in desolate scenes, and contemplating how we fit into it all, or better yet, overcome it. I'm a sucker for 2 things, bangs (like the hairstyle), and songs where the singer yells "Woo!" as the guitar solo really kick off. This song has one of those two things.
16. Robert Plant-House of Cards - Plant has taken an adult contemporary turn compared to the Zep days, but still has more hits than misses. This one, delving into that bluegrass sound that he nailed with Alison Krauss, with a stomp of a beat that is just quiet enough to make you not John Bonham's pounding behind the kit too much.
15. Sufjan Stevens-All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version) - From the opening banjo to the flourishes that follow, this is classic Sufjan: a lot of questions and doubt, answered with orchestration and melody.
14. MGMT-Flash Delirium - A manic response to the fame they achieved from the epic Oracular Spectacular, this is anything but a radio hit single, but for some reason, once it crawls inside you, you find yourself craving it. Maybe it's because it is like 7 songs in one, from Monster Mash to the Canned Heat "Goin to the Country"-esque anti-solo in the bridge, to the maniacal climax at the end, it was my most listened to song of the first half of 2010. If you're running to it, it will carry you faster and harder til the end before it leaves you hanging empty at its conclusion.
13. Roots ft. John Legend-I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free - Every once in awhile, someone covers a song and you just thank God that they brought it into your life. This is as creamy smooth dose of soul with as simple and insightful lyrics as the more famous "I Can See Clearly Now."
12. Free Energy-Bang Pop - Just a bubblegum, 70's pop song. It could play a hundred times straight and you'd still be smiling and shaking your head. The soundtrack to the montage of all the good times you have in a night.
11. Beck/Feist/Wilco/Jamie Lidell-Weighted Down - These Beck sessions (where he gets together with a group of musicians to cover an entire album of tunes in 24 hours) turned up many masterpieces, but nothing close to this masterpiece. Take Wilco's Nels Cline ripping out 1/64th notes over a Beck/Jamie Lidell synthesized beat and just butter on some Feist over it at her haunting, echo-ey best. Then the Wall-of-Sound harmonies of everyone joining in on the fun carry the song off into the heavens.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
RECAP: 2009 Top Albums
Albums
10. Julian Casablancas-Phrazes for the Young
9. Modest Mouse-No One’s First and You’re Last
8. Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadeus
7. Blakroc-Blakroc
6. Grizzly Bear-Veckatamist
5. Dirty Projectors-Bitte Orca
4. Dan Deacon-Bromst
3. Dan Auerbach-Keep It Hid
2. Flaming Lips-Embryonic
1. Animal Collective-Merriweather Post Pavilion
Others Receiving Votes: Wilco-Wilco (the Album) (40,197 votes), Dark Was the Night (32,568 votes), Pearl Jam-Backspacer (21,999 votes), M. Ward-Hold Time (21,998 votes), The Big Pink-A Brief History of Love, 20,761 votes), Volcano Choir-Unmap (18,823 votes), Yim Yames-Tribute To, Lady Gaga-The Fame (14, 325 votes), Nickleback-Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (1 votes), Kings of Leon-Only By the Night (0 votes)
10. Julian Casablancas-Phrazes for the Young
9. Modest Mouse-No One’s First and You’re Last
8. Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadeus
7. Blakroc-Blakroc
6. Grizzly Bear-Veckatamist
5. Dirty Projectors-Bitte Orca
4. Dan Deacon-Bromst
3. Dan Auerbach-Keep It Hid
2. Flaming Lips-Embryonic
1. Animal Collective-Merriweather Post Pavilion
Others Receiving Votes: Wilco-Wilco (the Album) (40,197 votes), Dark Was the Night (32,568 votes), Pearl Jam-Backspacer (21,999 votes), M. Ward-Hold Time (21,998 votes), The Big Pink-A Brief History of Love, 20,761 votes), Volcano Choir-Unmap (18,823 votes), Yim Yames-Tribute To, Lady Gaga-The Fame (14, 325 votes), Nickleback-Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (1 votes), Kings of Leon-Only By the Night (0 votes)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
RECAP: 2009 Top Songs
Here's a look back at 2009's top song list according to my biased opinion. Stay tuned for 2010's early next week:
2009 has come and gone.. Ups, downs, in betweens, and a BSE to boot. And as always, the music carried it all. I always tell people that music is my primary passion, but I suck at creating it, so I have to do comedy as a consolation. When asked what kind of music I like, I’ve never felt like I had a good answer, but recently, I’ve decided that “Music that moves people” is the best answer I can give.
Here is a list of songs that moved me in 2009 (albums to follow). Go to www.grooveshark.com and search a song and artist to hear it:
20. Cool Knowledge-Volcano Choir
A welcome respite nestled in a beautiful wintertime album, lasts about as long as you can hold your breath on a frigid winter day.
19. Brothersport-Animal Collective
The first taste of this amazing album only added to the intrigue. As I described AC to my mom: “It’s like the Beach Boys…on different drugs.”
18. Worm Mountain-Flaming Lips
A song weird and explosive enough that we marched into Pistol Party 3.0 to it with live drums. Distorted as though it was recorded from the bottom of a bucket.
17. Knotty Pine-Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
A brilliant track off of the brilliant compilation “Dark was the Night” was my introduction to DP and opened the door to David Byrne’s solo career (with a little help from Cappy)
16. Love Vigilantes-Iron & Wine
Heard this on the bus after I dropped the kids off one day, just sat there transfixed, and then the plot twist yanked the rug out from underneath me. I’ve always been a sucker for wartime folk music, but I got out of that bus a different person.
15. Heads Up-Karen O and the Kids
Great happy soundtrack that I can play for the kids. I love the end of this track when the percussion picks up and it ascends off to the heavens.
14. 1901-Phoenix
Made me want a Cadillac. Just smooth music with a beat that white people can move to and not feel too awkward.
13. Walk About-Atlas Sound feat. Noah Lennox
Another kid’s song. Just a simple happy sunshiny day frolic. ‘Walk About’ proves the perfect title.
12. Bull Black Nova-Wilco
Proving they still have an edge, this one is driven and dark. Great one to run to.
11. 11th Dimension-Julian Casablancas
Happy 80’s feel good groove. More stuff white people can get down to…although this one is more fun to get intentionally awkward to.
10. 2 Weeks-Grizzly Bear
From the opening pounding of the keys, just sophisticated pop brilliance. A lilting, head bobbing with your eyes closed, harmonized affair.
9. What You Do to Me-Blakroc
“In the mean time, in the mean time, they don’t bother me…” The perfect amalgamation from this album…Jim Jones is THE SHIT.
8. Gets Your Body Moving-Suckers
Another one Pistol Party marched into, a death march of a number that, after a sweet whistling solo-ed bridge, pounds out a climactic conclusion that demands repeat listens.
7. Crown on the Ground-Sleigh Bells
This is my secret weapon of 2010. We are gonna do big things with this song. Sure it sounds way to trebbed out like it’s gonna blow your speakers, but isn’t that what rock n roll is supposed to do? ###UPDATE###: We DID do big things with this song:
6. Temecula Sunrise-Dirty Projectors
Meandering guitars and competing rhythms with an exploding chorus and a truly dirty guitar solo make this the track that epitomizes this album.
5. Dominos-Big Pink
An anthem for hitting the town, similar to what MGMT’s “Time to Pretend” was last year, this is an epic wall of sound built for blasting through barriers.
4. What Would I Want? Sky-Animal Collective
Hypnotic. Soothing. A constant reminder of the sky above you, with a Grateful Dead sample! The first couple of minutes may be a bit abrasive, but it pays off. I promise.
3. Snookered-Dan Deacon
I run a lot to music, and this was one of 2 songs in 09 (more on the other one later), that made me stop my run, question my existence, and recognize that I had just heard something like I had never heard before. This song has an entire arc of a life, from its quiet inception, to its incredible peak, to its quiet escape, you could fit an entire biography into just over eight minutes. At the 4:48 mark when those vocal snippets of nonsense come together and make you want to jump out of your skin, the only thing that can top it is the 5:20 mark when the music decides to join in on the ruckus.
2. Watching the Planets-Flaming Lips
Another one we marched into with live drums for Pistol Party…another one that sounds like people marching to battle. Fuzzy, multilayered, multi-drum kits, just makes me want to dance around in a strobe light shaking glow in the dark maracas. This is the song those IPOD silhouette people should be dancing to all the time.
1. In the Flowers/My Girls-Animal Collective
Early in 2009, on a cold icy day, I received this album, and immediately put it on and went for a run. Based on the hype, I had high expectations, and from the get-go, “In the Flowers” carried me to new speeds. From its ominous inception to the cacophony (I told myself I could only use the word “cacophony” once for this entire project…so there it is) of sounds that build midway through it, it is sheer and utter pop brilliance. The pounding drums in the middle jumped inside my heart, sending it pounding and me running at a tremendous speed, then the vocals kicked in over the top in a beautiful melody that made sense of it all. At the conclusion, I stopped running, realizing I had no idea of the speed I was traveling, no perception of where I was, or the distance I had just traveled, and all I wanted to do was listen again….and then the shimmering “My Girls” started.
2009 has come and gone.. Ups, downs, in betweens, and a BSE to boot. And as always, the music carried it all. I always tell people that music is my primary passion, but I suck at creating it, so I have to do comedy as a consolation. When asked what kind of music I like, I’ve never felt like I had a good answer, but recently, I’ve decided that “Music that moves people” is the best answer I can give.
Here is a list of songs that moved me in 2009 (albums to follow). Go to www.grooveshark.com and search a song and artist to hear it:
20. Cool Knowledge-Volcano Choir
A welcome respite nestled in a beautiful wintertime album, lasts about as long as you can hold your breath on a frigid winter day.
19. Brothersport-Animal Collective
The first taste of this amazing album only added to the intrigue. As I described AC to my mom: “It’s like the Beach Boys…on different drugs.”
18. Worm Mountain-Flaming Lips
A song weird and explosive enough that we marched into Pistol Party 3.0 to it with live drums. Distorted as though it was recorded from the bottom of a bucket.
17. Knotty Pine-Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
A brilliant track off of the brilliant compilation “Dark was the Night” was my introduction to DP and opened the door to David Byrne’s solo career (with a little help from Cappy)
16. Love Vigilantes-Iron & Wine
Heard this on the bus after I dropped the kids off one day, just sat there transfixed, and then the plot twist yanked the rug out from underneath me. I’ve always been a sucker for wartime folk music, but I got out of that bus a different person.
15. Heads Up-Karen O and the Kids
Great happy soundtrack that I can play for the kids. I love the end of this track when the percussion picks up and it ascends off to the heavens.
14. 1901-Phoenix
Made me want a Cadillac. Just smooth music with a beat that white people can move to and not feel too awkward.
13. Walk About-Atlas Sound feat. Noah Lennox
Another kid’s song. Just a simple happy sunshiny day frolic. ‘Walk About’ proves the perfect title.
12. Bull Black Nova-Wilco
Proving they still have an edge, this one is driven and dark. Great one to run to.
11. 11th Dimension-Julian Casablancas
Happy 80’s feel good groove. More stuff white people can get down to…although this one is more fun to get intentionally awkward to.
10. 2 Weeks-Grizzly Bear
From the opening pounding of the keys, just sophisticated pop brilliance. A lilting, head bobbing with your eyes closed, harmonized affair.
9. What You Do to Me-Blakroc
“In the mean time, in the mean time, they don’t bother me…” The perfect amalgamation from this album…Jim Jones is THE SHIT.
8. Gets Your Body Moving-Suckers
Another one Pistol Party marched into, a death march of a number that, after a sweet whistling solo-ed bridge, pounds out a climactic conclusion that demands repeat listens.
7. Crown on the Ground-Sleigh Bells
This is my secret weapon of 2010. We are gonna do big things with this song. Sure it sounds way to trebbed out like it’s gonna blow your speakers, but isn’t that what rock n roll is supposed to do? ###UPDATE###: We DID do big things with this song:
Pistol Party MASH!!! from Think Tank on Vimeo.
6. Temecula Sunrise-Dirty Projectors
Meandering guitars and competing rhythms with an exploding chorus and a truly dirty guitar solo make this the track that epitomizes this album.
5. Dominos-Big Pink
An anthem for hitting the town, similar to what MGMT’s “Time to Pretend” was last year, this is an epic wall of sound built for blasting through barriers.
4. What Would I Want? Sky-Animal Collective
Hypnotic. Soothing. A constant reminder of the sky above you, with a Grateful Dead sample! The first couple of minutes may be a bit abrasive, but it pays off. I promise.
3. Snookered-Dan Deacon
I run a lot to music, and this was one of 2 songs in 09 (more on the other one later), that made me stop my run, question my existence, and recognize that I had just heard something like I had never heard before. This song has an entire arc of a life, from its quiet inception, to its incredible peak, to its quiet escape, you could fit an entire biography into just over eight minutes. At the 4:48 mark when those vocal snippets of nonsense come together and make you want to jump out of your skin, the only thing that can top it is the 5:20 mark when the music decides to join in on the ruckus.
2. Watching the Planets-Flaming Lips
Another one we marched into with live drums for Pistol Party…another one that sounds like people marching to battle. Fuzzy, multilayered, multi-drum kits, just makes me want to dance around in a strobe light shaking glow in the dark maracas. This is the song those IPOD silhouette people should be dancing to all the time.
1. In the Flowers/My Girls-Animal Collective
Early in 2009, on a cold icy day, I received this album, and immediately put it on and went for a run. Based on the hype, I had high expectations, and from the get-go, “In the Flowers” carried me to new speeds. From its ominous inception to the cacophony (I told myself I could only use the word “cacophony” once for this entire project…so there it is) of sounds that build midway through it, it is sheer and utter pop brilliance. The pounding drums in the middle jumped inside my heart, sending it pounding and me running at a tremendous speed, then the vocals kicked in over the top in a beautiful melody that made sense of it all. At the conclusion, I stopped running, realizing I had no idea of the speed I was traveling, no perception of where I was, or the distance I had just traveled, and all I wanted to do was listen again….and then the shimmering “My Girls” started.
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