Ready to read about 20 more songs? You can also listen to them, if you want to. It's entirely up to you. Here's part deux.
Showing posts with label favorite tracks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label favorite tracks. Show all posts
January 14, 2015
Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2014 (Pt. II)
Ready to read about 20 more songs? You can also listen to them, if you want to. It's entirely up to you. Here's part deux.
December 31, 2012
Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2012 (Pt. II)
The year is almost over, so there's no point in wasting any more of your precious time. Here is the second half of my 40 favorite tracks of 2012:
December 19, 2012
Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2012 (Pt. I)
December 26, 2011
Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2011 (Part II)
I hope you caught the first part of my favorite 40 tracks of 2011, because we're on to the second half of the list. If you'd like to listen along, check out my Spotify playlists which contain all but a few of the tracks from both the first and second parts of the list. Let's finish this off— here are the rest of the songs from the past year that caught my ear and didn't let go.
December 20, 2011
Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2011 (Part I)
Every year when I sit down to write these lists, I find myself enjoying the process of compiling my favorite tracks more and more. Originally I started making this list as a sort of consolation for my inability to include each and every record I enjoyed on my favorite albums list. Now, I almost feel as if it's the more important and rewarding list—the outlet for my inner DJ, intent on sequencing hour after hour of exemplary music. These are the songs that serenaded a year of intense upheaval, as I left my home state for the bustling city. Each of them are something more that the sum of their chords, melodies and lyrics. They are the 40 songs that accompanied cross-country drives, late night train rides and walks through the neighborhood. In the year 2011, these are the tracks that meant the most to me.
December 20, 2010
Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2010 (Part II)
Not content to merely list off my favorite records of 2010 and risk overlooking some really great music that didn't quite make the cut, I'm once again running through my favorite tracks of the year. You're about to embark into part two of my 36-song list—if you missed part one, you can find it right here. So, let's wrap this up—here's the second half of my list of my favorite tracks released this year, arranged alphabetically by artist.
Kings Go Forth - "Now We're Gone"
This Milwaukee-based neo-soul band was one of my favorite musical discoveries of 2010, cemented by their killer live show at the Double Door this past summer. Lead singer Black Wolf howls his way through this joyfully forlorn track, backed by a formidably tight horn section. Record store owner and band leader Andy Noble has undoubtedly done his crate-digging homework, arranging one of the most stirring nods to the classic soul sound without a Daptone logo on the spine.
Buy: The Outsiders Are Back
Maps & Atlases - "Living Decorations"
The topography-obsessed group's latest record strips away some of the overtly technical finger-tapping fret-play of their earlier work in favor of a more rootsy, percussion-based sound. "Living Decorations" is the most rousing demonstration of this new direction, replete with ample rapid-fire rhythms and melodies. It's a reminder of the unique musical territory this band occupies—bringing a heaping dose of musicianship to the realm of pop-rock.
Buy: Perch Patchwork
Marco Benevento - "Greenpoint"
Keyboard extraordinaire Marco Benevento showcases all his toys on this track from his latest release, seamlessly shifting from piano to organ to circuit-bent electronics over the course of six minutes. It's not a showy piece, but rather a calculated, atmospheric arrangement—a veritable symphony created by way of fingertips on keys. It can be difficult to take in all at once, but it makes for an immensely rewarding list from an artist clearly testing his own limits.
Buy: Between the Needles and Nightfall
Mimicking Birds - "Pixels"
I'm still not exactly sure if lead singer Nate Lacy is trying to sound exactly like Issac Brock, but if his intention is to provide the antidote to Modest Mouse's current overtly-pop tendencies, he's succeeding. This track in particular evokes the headier, less hook-ridden days of Brock's de facto outfit—that the trio still manages to find a voice of their own is an even greater accomplishment. It'll take some serious effort to come out from under their mentor's shadow, but a song like this proves they just might have the chops to pull it off.
Buy: Mimicking Birds
The Mynabirds - "Numbers Don't Lie"
Over the course of this track—as well as the record from which it originates—frontwoman Laura Burhenn joins the likes of Neko Case and Lætitia Sadier on my list of favorite female vocalists. Beginning with its wavering organ intro, the song quickly settles into a Motown-tinged groove, anchored by a jangling piano and some great back-up singers. To cap it off, production work from the amazing Richard Swift makes it all leap from the tape straight to your ears in the most pleasing way possible.
Buy: What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood
The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio"
If you ask me, "Bloodbuzz Ohio" is a song about growing up and coming back to its titular state—something I've been doing quite a bit of myself as of late. As usual, Matt Berninger's wonderful baritone is carried on top of the Dessner brothers' atmospheric instrumentation, creating the moody sound for which this group is known. It's a track with an epic tone derived from sweeping moments of grandeur and a relentless sense of purpose.
Buy: High Violet
The Nels Cline Singers - "Red Line to Greenland"
The Singers have always been an outlet for Cline's incessant noodling, and as such, I can forgive the three minutes of effervescent noise that preface this track. When the main riff kicks in, Cline quickly proves why he's one of the best guitarists around, building a shifting post-rock melody with help from his able-bodied rhythm section of Devin Hoff and Scott Amendola. No one can do a six-string freakout quite the way Cline does, and as a showcase of that talent, "Red Line to Greenland" is a rousing success.
Buy: Initiate
Percolator - "Deduction"
Discounting the fact that I'm friends with the good folks of Percolator and even helped with the creation of the music video for this track, my love of this song transcends my association with it. The band's polyrhythmic, math-rock riffage is in full effect here, presided over by an oblique set of lyrics that would make Stephen Malkmus proud. It's something I would be listening to even if I didn't have a personal connection to it—is that high enough praise?
Buy: None of These Are Words
Pomegranates - "Anywhere You Go"
If there's one thing that really brightened the end of my year, it was the Pomegranates' particular brand of psychedelic space-rock, as exemplified on this track. "I like you / I really like you" screams Issac Karns, vocalizing a yearning which permeates this song, informing its ever-shifting dynamics and moods. It's the kind of finessed angst and hopeless romanticism that actually serves a purpose, coalescing in a song that is at once weird and beautiful.
Buy: One of Us
Quasi - "Repulsion"
Between Sam Coomes' gut-punching guitar-line and Janet Weiss' pummeling turn on the skins, fuzzed-out Portland rock and roll from a pair of former lovers doesn't get much better than this. Top that off with one of the best choruses to grace a song this year and you get an album-opening track that doesn't make any effort to hold back out of the gate. Vehemence, thy name is Quasi.
Buy: American Gong
Retribution Gospel Choir - "White Wolf"
You might never suspect it, given Alan Sparhawk's better-known day job as frontman of slowcore superstars Low, but the man can pen one hell of a rocker. Such is the case here, on the pick of the litter from Retribution Gospel Choir's second LP—a track dominated by '80s-style drums, a pulsating banjo line and beefy guitar chords. It's a rollicking good time that is as genuinely enjoyable as it is out of character.
Buy: 2
Santah - "Chips of Paint"
"How am I gonna be normal?" exclaims Stanton McConnell over this track's earnest opening strains—a question answered only by a song that transcends mere normalcy. With it's serpentine guitar leads and an exceptionally harmonious solo, the Illinois quintet create a phenomenally varied sonic composition with palpable emotional heft. Even its subdued last minute makes perfect sense, providing a sensible cool down after three-and-a-half minutes of meticulous intensity.
Buy: White Noise Bed
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - "I Learned the Hard Way"
When a voice with the commanding presence of Sharon Jones' talks to you about love and loss, you listen up. Backed by the indomitable Dap-Kings, Jones' message is all the more powerful, riding atop the big brass sound of one of the most seasoned groups of players around. By the track's end, its abundantly clear that Sharon learned the hard way so we don't have to—she puts the 'soul' in resolution.
Buy: I Learned the Hard Way
Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin - "All Hail Dracula"
Over the summer a colleague of mine proposed that this track was about the record industry's blood-sucking tendencies. Singer Jonathan James shrugged that theory off and said the song was merely based off of a cool-sounding headline he read. That's an indicator of the fun-loving attitude that permeates the group's latest, Chris Walla-helmed effort. SSLYBY don't take themselves too seriously—the perfect attitude for a pop-rock treasure such as this.
Buy: Let It Sway
Stornoway - "Zorbing"
There's something about Brian Briggs' voice and the minimalist arrangement present on this track that evokes the pastoral English landscape that undoubtedly served as inspiration. Fleshed out with rumbling baritone harmonies and a jubilant horn section, "Zorbing" quickly takes on all the trappings of a left-of-center pop hit. It's no small feat for such a young group, but on a record full of similarly wonderful songsmanship, it's almost assuredly not a flash in the pan.
Buy: Beachcomber's Windowsill
Superchunk - "Digging For Something"
As the punk rock riffs and Mac McCaughan's nasally drawl come into sharp focus on this track, it's refreshing to hear just how little Superchunk has changed in the nine years since their last record. Age hasn't slowed down these pop-punksters—they sound as raucous and raw as ever, with years of experience to back it all up. It may have taken a bit of digging, but this track proves that these guys can still muster that magical sound.
Buy: Majesty Shredding
The Walkmen - "Angela Surf City"
It takes about a minute for this track to hit its stride, transitioning abruptly from a cursory ballad to a boisterous rocker. "Life goes on all around you" belts frontman Hamilton Leithauser, propelling this song forward with some of the most powerful pipes in the biz. For a group that have quickly become regarded as elder statesmen of indie rock, the Walkmen firing on all cylinders are still a beautiful sound to behold.
Buy: Libson
White Mystery - "Take A Walk"
The latest project from Alex White (who formerly headed up the Detroit-based Red Orchestra) finds the red-headed guitar-slinger teaming up with her similarly coiffed brother Francis to create heavy-hitting garage rock. On this track, White takes some simple lyrics about walking around Chicago and turns them into a blistering two-and-a-half minute showcase of joyous musical energy.
Buy: White Mystery
Keep an eye out for my Favorite Albums of 2010 list—guaranteed to be up before year's end!
Kings Go Forth - "Now We're Gone"
This Milwaukee-based neo-soul band was one of my favorite musical discoveries of 2010, cemented by their killer live show at the Double Door this past summer. Lead singer Black Wolf howls his way through this joyfully forlorn track, backed by a formidably tight horn section. Record store owner and band leader Andy Noble has undoubtedly done his crate-digging homework, arranging one of the most stirring nods to the classic soul sound without a Daptone logo on the spine.
Buy: The Outsiders Are Back
Maps & Atlases - "Living Decorations"
The topography-obsessed group's latest record strips away some of the overtly technical finger-tapping fret-play of their earlier work in favor of a more rootsy, percussion-based sound. "Living Decorations" is the most rousing demonstration of this new direction, replete with ample rapid-fire rhythms and melodies. It's a reminder of the unique musical territory this band occupies—bringing a heaping dose of musicianship to the realm of pop-rock.
Buy: Perch Patchwork
Marco Benevento - "Greenpoint"
Keyboard extraordinaire Marco Benevento showcases all his toys on this track from his latest release, seamlessly shifting from piano to organ to circuit-bent electronics over the course of six minutes. It's not a showy piece, but rather a calculated, atmospheric arrangement—a veritable symphony created by way of fingertips on keys. It can be difficult to take in all at once, but it makes for an immensely rewarding list from an artist clearly testing his own limits.
Buy: Between the Needles and Nightfall
Mimicking Birds - "Pixels"
I'm still not exactly sure if lead singer Nate Lacy is trying to sound exactly like Issac Brock, but if his intention is to provide the antidote to Modest Mouse's current overtly-pop tendencies, he's succeeding. This track in particular evokes the headier, less hook-ridden days of Brock's de facto outfit—that the trio still manages to find a voice of their own is an even greater accomplishment. It'll take some serious effort to come out from under their mentor's shadow, but a song like this proves they just might have the chops to pull it off.
Buy: Mimicking Birds
The Mynabirds - "Numbers Don't Lie"
Over the course of this track—as well as the record from which it originates—frontwoman Laura Burhenn joins the likes of Neko Case and Lætitia Sadier on my list of favorite female vocalists. Beginning with its wavering organ intro, the song quickly settles into a Motown-tinged groove, anchored by a jangling piano and some great back-up singers. To cap it off, production work from the amazing Richard Swift makes it all leap from the tape straight to your ears in the most pleasing way possible.
Buy: What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood
The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio"
If you ask me, "Bloodbuzz Ohio" is a song about growing up and coming back to its titular state—something I've been doing quite a bit of myself as of late. As usual, Matt Berninger's wonderful baritone is carried on top of the Dessner brothers' atmospheric instrumentation, creating the moody sound for which this group is known. It's a track with an epic tone derived from sweeping moments of grandeur and a relentless sense of purpose.
Buy: High Violet
The Nels Cline Singers - "Red Line to Greenland"
The Singers have always been an outlet for Cline's incessant noodling, and as such, I can forgive the three minutes of effervescent noise that preface this track. When the main riff kicks in, Cline quickly proves why he's one of the best guitarists around, building a shifting post-rock melody with help from his able-bodied rhythm section of Devin Hoff and Scott Amendola. No one can do a six-string freakout quite the way Cline does, and as a showcase of that talent, "Red Line to Greenland" is a rousing success.
Buy: Initiate
Percolator - "Deduction"
Discounting the fact that I'm friends with the good folks of Percolator and even helped with the creation of the music video for this track, my love of this song transcends my association with it. The band's polyrhythmic, math-rock riffage is in full effect here, presided over by an oblique set of lyrics that would make Stephen Malkmus proud. It's something I would be listening to even if I didn't have a personal connection to it—is that high enough praise?
Buy: None of These Are Words
Pomegranates - "Anywhere You Go"
If there's one thing that really brightened the end of my year, it was the Pomegranates' particular brand of psychedelic space-rock, as exemplified on this track. "I like you / I really like you" screams Issac Karns, vocalizing a yearning which permeates this song, informing its ever-shifting dynamics and moods. It's the kind of finessed angst and hopeless romanticism that actually serves a purpose, coalescing in a song that is at once weird and beautiful.
Buy: One of Us
Quasi - "Repulsion"
Between Sam Coomes' gut-punching guitar-line and Janet Weiss' pummeling turn on the skins, fuzzed-out Portland rock and roll from a pair of former lovers doesn't get much better than this. Top that off with one of the best choruses to grace a song this year and you get an album-opening track that doesn't make any effort to hold back out of the gate. Vehemence, thy name is Quasi.
Buy: American Gong
Retribution Gospel Choir - "White Wolf"
You might never suspect it, given Alan Sparhawk's better-known day job as frontman of slowcore superstars Low, but the man can pen one hell of a rocker. Such is the case here, on the pick of the litter from Retribution Gospel Choir's second LP—a track dominated by '80s-style drums, a pulsating banjo line and beefy guitar chords. It's a rollicking good time that is as genuinely enjoyable as it is out of character.
Buy: 2
Santah - "Chips of Paint"
"How am I gonna be normal?" exclaims Stanton McConnell over this track's earnest opening strains—a question answered only by a song that transcends mere normalcy. With it's serpentine guitar leads and an exceptionally harmonious solo, the Illinois quintet create a phenomenally varied sonic composition with palpable emotional heft. Even its subdued last minute makes perfect sense, providing a sensible cool down after three-and-a-half minutes of meticulous intensity.
Buy: White Noise Bed
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - "I Learned the Hard Way"
When a voice with the commanding presence of Sharon Jones' talks to you about love and loss, you listen up. Backed by the indomitable Dap-Kings, Jones' message is all the more powerful, riding atop the big brass sound of one of the most seasoned groups of players around. By the track's end, its abundantly clear that Sharon learned the hard way so we don't have to—she puts the 'soul' in resolution.
Buy: I Learned the Hard Way
Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin - "All Hail Dracula"
Over the summer a colleague of mine proposed that this track was about the record industry's blood-sucking tendencies. Singer Jonathan James shrugged that theory off and said the song was merely based off of a cool-sounding headline he read. That's an indicator of the fun-loving attitude that permeates the group's latest, Chris Walla-helmed effort. SSLYBY don't take themselves too seriously—the perfect attitude for a pop-rock treasure such as this.
Buy: Let It Sway
Stornoway - "Zorbing"
There's something about Brian Briggs' voice and the minimalist arrangement present on this track that evokes the pastoral English landscape that undoubtedly served as inspiration. Fleshed out with rumbling baritone harmonies and a jubilant horn section, "Zorbing" quickly takes on all the trappings of a left-of-center pop hit. It's no small feat for such a young group, but on a record full of similarly wonderful songsmanship, it's almost assuredly not a flash in the pan.
Buy: Beachcomber's Windowsill
Superchunk - "Digging For Something"
As the punk rock riffs and Mac McCaughan's nasally drawl come into sharp focus on this track, it's refreshing to hear just how little Superchunk has changed in the nine years since their last record. Age hasn't slowed down these pop-punksters—they sound as raucous and raw as ever, with years of experience to back it all up. It may have taken a bit of digging, but this track proves that these guys can still muster that magical sound.
Buy: Majesty Shredding
The Walkmen - "Angela Surf City"
It takes about a minute for this track to hit its stride, transitioning abruptly from a cursory ballad to a boisterous rocker. "Life goes on all around you" belts frontman Hamilton Leithauser, propelling this song forward with some of the most powerful pipes in the biz. For a group that have quickly become regarded as elder statesmen of indie rock, the Walkmen firing on all cylinders are still a beautiful sound to behold.
Buy: Libson
White Mystery - "Take A Walk"
The latest project from Alex White (who formerly headed up the Detroit-based Red Orchestra) finds the red-headed guitar-slinger teaming up with her similarly coiffed brother Francis to create heavy-hitting garage rock. On this track, White takes some simple lyrics about walking around Chicago and turns them into a blistering two-and-a-half minute showcase of joyous musical energy.
Buy: White Mystery
Keep an eye out for my Favorite Albums of 2010 list—guaranteed to be up before year's end!
December 14, 2010
Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2010 (Part I)
Yet again, we find ourselves at the year's end and as I did last year, I find myself blessed with far too much music to fit into a simple 'Favorite Records' list. To remedy this dilemma, and heap some recognition on records that didn't quite make the cut, I'll once again be running through my favorite tracks of the year. This one's going to be a two-parter, so bear with me as we dive into the first half of the year's best tunes, arranged (as usual) alphabetically by artist.
Arcade Fire - "The Suburbs"
The Canadian indie-superstars' latest record still hasn't entirely grown on me, but there's no denying the strength of its title track. Pairing a bouncing piano line with group's requisite string arrangements, Win Butler and company stretch a fairly simple arrangement to its most epic conclusion. Amidst an album chock full of shmaltz, this one hits home the most—and with a beautiful melody to boot.
Buy: The Suburbs
Baths - "Lovely Blood Flow"
Chopping beats is all well and good, but finding a way to layer some vocals on top always manages to impress me. Such is the case with this track from Baths, the latest artist to come from LA's beat scene. Amid the stuttering drum hits and atmospheric static, Will Wiesenfeld's admittedly odd voice joins the fray, bringing a strange sense of union to this offbeat gem.
Buy: Cerulean
Belle and Sebastian - "I Didn't See it Coming"
The first time I listened to this song—the opening track on Belle and Sebastian's latest album—it was like reconnecting with an old friend. Sarah Martin greets you gently, breathily intoning over gently swelling piano chords. By the time Stuart Murdoch joins in, it's as if these Scottish twee-pop giants never left our sides. "Money makes the wheels of the world go round" sings the pair—a fitting chorus for a priceless song.
Buy: Write About Love
The Besnard Lakes - "Albatross"
Shoegaze has been slipping in and out of vogue for years since its heyday in the late '80s and early '90s. Today, few do it better than Canadian post-rockers The Besnard Lakes—a fact which this track exemplifies. All the tropes are there, from the wailing, pitch-bending guitars to the ethereal vocals provided by Olga Goreas. "Things got weird for a bit" she croons, just before a surge of distortion takes hold—a sonic demonstration of the powerful feelings this group expertly harness.
Buy: The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night
The Black Keys - "Ohio"
Why this track wasn't included on the group's latest record is beyond me, but releasing it online, free-of-charge certainly doesn't elicit any complaints. The duo's ode to our shared home state is a straightforward, heartfelt song about coming back to the place you love, wherever that may be. Personally, it's my front-runner for replacing the woefully outdated "Hang on Sloopy" as our state rock song.
Buy: Brothers
Download: "Ohio"
Born Ruffians - "What To Say"
For a song about being unsure what to say, Luke LaLonde spouts off a fairly verbose set of lyrics that cleverly tackle the subject at hand. Backed by a stuttering beat and some minimalistic guitar and synth work, the trio effortlessly turn in what is easily one the year's catchiest tracks. I know it's one I found stuck in my head—oftentimes when I should have been planning my next sentence a bit more carefully.
Buy: Say It
Broken Bells - "October"
Every year I find a reason to sing my praises of Danger Mouse, and this year that reason was super-duo Broken Bells. Joined by James Mercer of the Shins, this track finds the pair drowning in a sea of string pads, Rhodes piano and flanged guitars. It's yet another demonstration of Brian Burton's immaculate pop-sensibilities, further heightened by Mercer's seasoned vocal work. Songs like this leave me hoping this will be more than a one-off.
Buy: Broken Bells
Broken Social Scene - "Forced to Love"
I think my favorite thing about this track is how clearly you can hear producer John McEntire's auditory fingerprints. Whether it's subtle synth drones or the relentless, prominent percussion—it's all the sound of one of America's foremost musical minds meeting with the art rock tendencies of this Canadian collective. Even for a song premised upon forced emotions, it's hard to come away from this one feeling anything but unbridled love.
Buy: Forgiveness Rock Record
The Clientele - "Jerry"
It seems as if Alasdair MacLean has been threatening to disband the Clientele for several years now, but it's songs like this one that make me glad he hasn't made good on that threat just yet. "Jerry" finds the group engaging in their usual water-tight arrangements, presided over by Alasdair's reverb-drenched voice. It's when the distortion pedal gets hit and the song's decidedly uncharacteristic bridge starts that things get really interesting. Never a dull moment with these blokes—here's hoping for more.
Buy: Minotaur
Deerhunter - "Revival"
For as long as I've been following his work, Bradford Cox has been a reliable source of dreamy, well-constructed nuggets of pop-rock. "Revival" continues the trend—a short, percussion-heavy number with dollops of fuzzed out bass guitar. It's over before you know it and if you're anything like me, you'll quickly find yourself skipping right back to the beginning (again).
Buy: Halcyon Digest
Dosh - "Call the Kettle"
For his latest record, Martin Dosh dug into his back catalog to refashion a three minute track from his Powder Horn EP into the dazzling five-and-a-half minute showpiece present on Tommy. Dosh lays his usual drums and Rhodes groundwork as saxophonist Mike Lewis twists his accompaniment around the underlying melody in strange and beautiful ways, adding facet upon facet to this instrumental wonder. Chalk this one up as another densely layered success for the Minneapolis loop wizard.
Buy: Tommy
Dr. Dog - "Where Did All the Time Go?"
It's a tall order to write a song that will undoubtedly be used as the soundtrack to a flashback montage in some sort of biopic in a couple of years. Luckily, psychadelic pop-rockers Dr. Dog are more than up to the task, delivering a track that revels in the group's timeless sound while being careful to not overindulge in nostalgia. Bolstered by production that accentuates the group's vocal harmonies and instrumentation, the Philly quintet make this little song sound appropriately gigantic.
Buy: Shame, Shame
Dreamend - "Magnesium Light"
The twangy weirdo-folk of Graveface Records owner and Black Moth Super Rainbow guitarist Ryan Graveface can admittedly be a tough pill to swallow. However on this dreamy, banjo-driven track, you can almost hear some of that initially off-putting strangeness melting away. Even as the noisier elements kick in part way through, there's an earnestness that makes this song (and the album its culled from) extremely listenable.
Buy: So I Ate Myself, Bite By Bite
Dungen - "Skit I Allt"
It's nice to know that somewhere in the cold expanses of Sweden, there's a group of guys celebrating the seemingly under-represented sound of '70s British prog. Many of the genre's usual devices are present on this track—from the wafting flute-line reminiscent of Ian Anderson's to guitar riffs that echo the likes of Andrew Latimer and Robert Fripp. Indebted as they may be, Dungen's modern sensibilities mesh with their influences to create a sound you won't hear elsewhere.
Buy: Skit I Allt
Elf Power - "Goldmine in the Sun"
The Elephant Six Collective mainstays' latest self-titled release came with no shortage of succinct indie pop statements—none better than this particular cut. "Goldmine in the Sun" finds the group laying down a wall of chords as Andrew Reiger spins one of his apocalyptic tales over top. The wonderfully simple guitar-work on the ending breakdown caps off a track that isn't so much a return to form as it is a reminder of this band's continuing prowess.
Buy: Elf Power
Girls - "Heartbreaker"
From time to time the buzz surrounding a group is well-deserved—such is the case with Girls, whose delicate, brilliantly-produced pop songs found their way to my ears despite the overwhelming wave of hype heaped upon them. Christopher Owens lyrics on this track get straight to the point, but the refined instrumentation surrounding them bring an authenticity to his bluntness. On an EP resplendent with heartbreak, this one lives up to its name.
Buy: Broken Dreams Club
Jaga Jazzist - "One-Armed Bandit"
Norway's premiere (and only?) nine-piece progressive jazz combo flex their musical muscle on this track, the best of the bunch from their LP of the same name. A constantly-shifting beast of a song, the group establishes a unifying theme and then take every opportunity to move away from it. The icing on the cake is the John McEntire superb mix which distills what could easily have been a mess of notes into a unified instrumental masterpiece.
Buy: One-Armed Bandit
Jonsi - "Tornado"
There were plenty of moments on Jonsi's inaugural solo release that were far removed from his work with Sigur Ros, but I think it's telling that the record's best song doesn't stray far from that group's sound. The simple piano melody, accompanied by a grandiose string arrangement and the otherworldly tones of Jonsi's unmistakable voice make for track with all the power of its titular whirlwind.
Buy: Go
Part II can be viewed here—Favorite Albums of 2010 coming soon!
Arcade Fire - "The Suburbs"
The Canadian indie-superstars' latest record still hasn't entirely grown on me, but there's no denying the strength of its title track. Pairing a bouncing piano line with group's requisite string arrangements, Win Butler and company stretch a fairly simple arrangement to its most epic conclusion. Amidst an album chock full of shmaltz, this one hits home the most—and with a beautiful melody to boot.
Buy: The Suburbs
Baths - "Lovely Blood Flow"
Chopping beats is all well and good, but finding a way to layer some vocals on top always manages to impress me. Such is the case with this track from Baths, the latest artist to come from LA's beat scene. Amid the stuttering drum hits and atmospheric static, Will Wiesenfeld's admittedly odd voice joins the fray, bringing a strange sense of union to this offbeat gem.
Buy: Cerulean
Belle and Sebastian - "I Didn't See it Coming"
The first time I listened to this song—the opening track on Belle and Sebastian's latest album—it was like reconnecting with an old friend. Sarah Martin greets you gently, breathily intoning over gently swelling piano chords. By the time Stuart Murdoch joins in, it's as if these Scottish twee-pop giants never left our sides. "Money makes the wheels of the world go round" sings the pair—a fitting chorus for a priceless song.
Buy: Write About Love
The Besnard Lakes - "Albatross"
Shoegaze has been slipping in and out of vogue for years since its heyday in the late '80s and early '90s. Today, few do it better than Canadian post-rockers The Besnard Lakes—a fact which this track exemplifies. All the tropes are there, from the wailing, pitch-bending guitars to the ethereal vocals provided by Olga Goreas. "Things got weird for a bit" she croons, just before a surge of distortion takes hold—a sonic demonstration of the powerful feelings this group expertly harness.
Buy: The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night
The Black Keys - "Ohio"
Why this track wasn't included on the group's latest record is beyond me, but releasing it online, free-of-charge certainly doesn't elicit any complaints. The duo's ode to our shared home state is a straightforward, heartfelt song about coming back to the place you love, wherever that may be. Personally, it's my front-runner for replacing the woefully outdated "Hang on Sloopy" as our state rock song.
Buy: Brothers
Download: "Ohio"
Born Ruffians - "What To Say"
For a song about being unsure what to say, Luke LaLonde spouts off a fairly verbose set of lyrics that cleverly tackle the subject at hand. Backed by a stuttering beat and some minimalistic guitar and synth work, the trio effortlessly turn in what is easily one the year's catchiest tracks. I know it's one I found stuck in my head—oftentimes when I should have been planning my next sentence a bit more carefully.
Buy: Say It
Broken Bells - "October"
Every year I find a reason to sing my praises of Danger Mouse, and this year that reason was super-duo Broken Bells. Joined by James Mercer of the Shins, this track finds the pair drowning in a sea of string pads, Rhodes piano and flanged guitars. It's yet another demonstration of Brian Burton's immaculate pop-sensibilities, further heightened by Mercer's seasoned vocal work. Songs like this leave me hoping this will be more than a one-off.
Buy: Broken Bells
Broken Social Scene - "Forced to Love"
I think my favorite thing about this track is how clearly you can hear producer John McEntire's auditory fingerprints. Whether it's subtle synth drones or the relentless, prominent percussion—it's all the sound of one of America's foremost musical minds meeting with the art rock tendencies of this Canadian collective. Even for a song premised upon forced emotions, it's hard to come away from this one feeling anything but unbridled love.
Buy: Forgiveness Rock Record
The Clientele - "Jerry"
It seems as if Alasdair MacLean has been threatening to disband the Clientele for several years now, but it's songs like this one that make me glad he hasn't made good on that threat just yet. "Jerry" finds the group engaging in their usual water-tight arrangements, presided over by Alasdair's reverb-drenched voice. It's when the distortion pedal gets hit and the song's decidedly uncharacteristic bridge starts that things get really interesting. Never a dull moment with these blokes—here's hoping for more.
Buy: Minotaur
Deerhunter - "Revival"
For as long as I've been following his work, Bradford Cox has been a reliable source of dreamy, well-constructed nuggets of pop-rock. "Revival" continues the trend—a short, percussion-heavy number with dollops of fuzzed out bass guitar. It's over before you know it and if you're anything like me, you'll quickly find yourself skipping right back to the beginning (again).
Buy: Halcyon Digest
Dosh - "Call the Kettle"
For his latest record, Martin Dosh dug into his back catalog to refashion a three minute track from his Powder Horn EP into the dazzling five-and-a-half minute showpiece present on Tommy. Dosh lays his usual drums and Rhodes groundwork as saxophonist Mike Lewis twists his accompaniment around the underlying melody in strange and beautiful ways, adding facet upon facet to this instrumental wonder. Chalk this one up as another densely layered success for the Minneapolis loop wizard.
Buy: Tommy
Dr. Dog - "Where Did All the Time Go?"
It's a tall order to write a song that will undoubtedly be used as the soundtrack to a flashback montage in some sort of biopic in a couple of years. Luckily, psychadelic pop-rockers Dr. Dog are more than up to the task, delivering a track that revels in the group's timeless sound while being careful to not overindulge in nostalgia. Bolstered by production that accentuates the group's vocal harmonies and instrumentation, the Philly quintet make this little song sound appropriately gigantic.
Buy: Shame, Shame
Dreamend - "Magnesium Light"
The twangy weirdo-folk of Graveface Records owner and Black Moth Super Rainbow guitarist Ryan Graveface can admittedly be a tough pill to swallow. However on this dreamy, banjo-driven track, you can almost hear some of that initially off-putting strangeness melting away. Even as the noisier elements kick in part way through, there's an earnestness that makes this song (and the album its culled from) extremely listenable.
Buy: So I Ate Myself, Bite By Bite
Dungen - "Skit I Allt"
It's nice to know that somewhere in the cold expanses of Sweden, there's a group of guys celebrating the seemingly under-represented sound of '70s British prog. Many of the genre's usual devices are present on this track—from the wafting flute-line reminiscent of Ian Anderson's to guitar riffs that echo the likes of Andrew Latimer and Robert Fripp. Indebted as they may be, Dungen's modern sensibilities mesh with their influences to create a sound you won't hear elsewhere.
Buy: Skit I Allt
Elf Power - "Goldmine in the Sun"
The Elephant Six Collective mainstays' latest self-titled release came with no shortage of succinct indie pop statements—none better than this particular cut. "Goldmine in the Sun" finds the group laying down a wall of chords as Andrew Reiger spins one of his apocalyptic tales over top. The wonderfully simple guitar-work on the ending breakdown caps off a track that isn't so much a return to form as it is a reminder of this band's continuing prowess.
Buy: Elf Power
Girls - "Heartbreaker"
From time to time the buzz surrounding a group is well-deserved—such is the case with Girls, whose delicate, brilliantly-produced pop songs found their way to my ears despite the overwhelming wave of hype heaped upon them. Christopher Owens lyrics on this track get straight to the point, but the refined instrumentation surrounding them bring an authenticity to his bluntness. On an EP resplendent with heartbreak, this one lives up to its name.
Buy: Broken Dreams Club
Jaga Jazzist - "One-Armed Bandit"
Norway's premiere (and only?) nine-piece progressive jazz combo flex their musical muscle on this track, the best of the bunch from their LP of the same name. A constantly-shifting beast of a song, the group establishes a unifying theme and then take every opportunity to move away from it. The icing on the cake is the John McEntire superb mix which distills what could easily have been a mess of notes into a unified instrumental masterpiece.
Buy: One-Armed Bandit
Jonsi - "Tornado"
There were plenty of moments on Jonsi's inaugural solo release that were far removed from his work with Sigur Ros, but I think it's telling that the record's best song doesn't stray far from that group's sound. The simple piano melody, accompanied by a grandiose string arrangement and the otherworldly tones of Jonsi's unmistakable voice make for track with all the power of its titular whirlwind.
Buy: Go
Part II can be viewed here—Favorite Albums of 2010 coming soon!
December 27, 2009
Tapes on the Floor's Favorite Tracks of 2009
This year we're doing our annual end-of-the-year listing a little bit differently here at Tapes on the Floor. While looking through albums from the past year, I actually had to impose a limit upon myself for the first time ever. Could have something to do with that Music Director position I took towards the beginning of this year, but I listened to and loved far more music in 2009 than ever before. So, in an attempt to rectify this situation, I'm going to be turning in not only a list of my favorite albums of the year, but also a list of my favorite tracks. This is my way of highlighting some records that didn't quite make my favorite albums list, but are still worthy of mention. So, without any further ado, here are my favorite tracks of 2009, presented alphabetically by artist.
Ah Holly Fam'ly - "All Unfolding"
This song is chamber pop in its most fragile and hauntingly beautiful state. Jeremy Faulkner's softly croaked vocals intertwine with the delicately picked guitar, as flourishes of woodwinds swell in the background. However, the most gut-wrenching part of it all is when the voice of Becky Dawson joins in. It's a match made somewhere in Idaho; one of the best vocal pairings of the year.
Air - "Sing Sang Sung (Black Moth Super Rainbow Remix)"
As much as I dig Air's original version, Black Moth Super Rainbow's remix takes this track to new heights. Gone are the mellow acoustic guitars and gentle synths of the original, replaced with a Casio drumset and BMSR signature wailing electronics. One of the unlikeliest yet coolest combos of the year.
Art Brut - "DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake"
Leave it to Art Brut to craft one of the best odes to being a man-child ever written. Eddie Argos takes his usual self-depreciating tone, expounding his love of the titular pleasures, in spite his 'old age'. It's another pop-rock gem churned out by a band that certainly knows how to play 'em.
Atlas Sound (w/ Laetitia Sadier) - "Quick Canal"
With Stereolab on an indefinite hiatus, it was a pleasant surprise to hear Laetitia Sadier's voice once again. Hell, this could pass for an honest to god Stereolab track. Props to Brandon Cox for crafting a song that is so perfectly suited to the talents of its guest artist.
Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar - "One Fast Move Or I'm Gone"
With an Uncle Tupelo reunion looking increasingly unlikely, and Son Volt's output growing increasingly stale, Jay Farrar fans have to look elsewhere to remind themselves why they still like this guy. Luckily, this collaboration with Ben Gibbard serves as a reminder that Farrar can still write compelling alt-country music. Gibbard's voice works surprisingly well here, to the point where I hope this isn't a one-off album.
Black Moth Super Rainbow - "Born on a Day the Sun Didn't Rise"
I don't pretend to understand anything this band does, but I do know that it sounds pretty cool. This particular song had me at the opening rhodes riff (I'm a sucker for that keyboard). Once the vocoder and synths kick in, the song turns into this weird kind of apocalyptic pop that this band does so well. It's the best Pennsylvania psychedelia you'll hear this year.
Camera Obscura - "French Navy"
There's something about Tracyanne Campbell's voice and choice of words that harkens back to a simpler time. Nowhere is that more apparent than on this track, a nod to the 60's pop song replete with string and brass sections. It's the kind of throwback that brings a certain sound into an entirely new context.
The Clientele - "I Wonder Who We Are"
Every Clientele record has a track that's a little off the beaten path from the band's usual sound, and oddly enough they're usually my favorites. "I Wonder Who We Are" is one of those songs, the sole upbeat number on an album full of slower songs. It's as if Alasdair MacLean is itching to embrace his pop-side, while still staying within the bounds of the Clientele's signature sound. Whatever they're doing, it's working.
Dan Auerbach - Heartbroken, In Disrepair
Auerbach knows how write a catchy modern blues number, and combined with some immaculate production work the brings to mind Danger Mouse's turn behind the boards of the last Black Key record, this track is yet another winner from the Akron native. Far be it from me to question why this was saved for his solo record, I'm just glad we didn't have to go a year without hearing his soulful voice.
Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse (w/ Julian Casablancas) - "Little Girl"
Things have really been looking up for Julian ever since he took a break from that garage band he used to be in. Backed by the killer duo of Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, Casablancas sounds just as laid back and cool-as-hell as ever. Shame this song never got a proper release, but this is a gem I'll be coming back to for years to come.
The Decemberists - "The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid"
Colin Meloy does an interesting thing on this track; he let's himself get totally upstaged by the vocal powerhouse that is Shara Worden. When the track drops into the prog-rock grind and Worden begins to wail, I get shivers up and down my spine. This is the kind of operatic rock that the Decemberists have been hinting at for years; undoubtedly the highlight of an album full of grandiose moments.
DOOM - "That's That"
In just over two minutes, DOOM solidifies himself as one of rap's most unique voices. Although the meaning behind his mis-matched words may be ambiguous, the feeling it creates most certainly isn't. "Can it be I stayed away too long?/Did you miss these rhymes when I was gone?" Yes, we missed you DOOM, don't ever make us wait like that again.
The Flaming Lips - "Silver Trembling Hands"
This track is a far cry from most of the songs on the Lips' previous, overtly-produced records. Gone is the studio-sheen, replaced with echoing vocals and giant swells of distortion. It's a simple song, but one that flirts with some of the embellishments of the past few Lips records. It epitomizes the chances the band is taking, and how great that experimentation can sound.
Grizzly Bear - "While You Wait for the Others"
There's been quite a bit of praise heaped on this track since it's release, so I'll suppose I can add my two cents. This is one of those pop arrangements that simply sounds timeless; mark my words, this song will be all over the oldies stations in a few decades.
Jim O'Rourke - "The Visitor"
I suppose picking this track gives away one of my favorite albums of the year, but given how much I gushed about this record that's really no surprise. This is O'Rourke's magnum opus, encompassing the entire breadth of his musical career in 38 minutes of intricately arranged and executed brilliance. The only bad part is that it's all over far too quickly.
Lake - "Don't Give Up"
This band came out of nowhere, thoroughly blowing me away with this song in particular. It's a bit of a stretch, but whenever I hear this track I can't help but think that this what an American version of the O'Rourke-produced Stereolab would sound like. It's a straight ahead rhodes driven track with vocals that play through my mind long after the song has ended. Hopefully the group has a few more as great as this in them.
The Low Anthem - "To Ohio"
This song got me through a particularly difficult drive home to it's titular state this past summer, so I may be a little biased. "To Ohio" demonstrates how this group excels at nuanced simplicity, from the breathy lyrics to the ever-present clarinet. It tugs at your heartstrings and sounds all the more beautiful because of it.
Neko Case - "People Got A Lotta Nerve"
It's no secret that I'm totally in love with the sounds that come out of Neko Case's mouth. She's got one of the best sets of pipes of any artist making music today. This track may be short, but the chorus gets me every time, wherein Neko admits that she's a man-eater. A woman scorned never sounded so good.
Phoenix - "Lisztomania"
These guys are one of the only bands that get synth-pop right; this song in particular oozes with the kind of laid-back feeling that only makes it sound cooler. It doesn't try too hard, it's not in your face, and anyway you cut it, it's undeniably catchy.
Richard Swift - "Atlantic Ocean"
This was the song that I found running through my head the most this year, a testament to what talented lyricist and arranger Swift truly is. A straight ahead piano and drums tune garnished with some of the choicest old-school synth flourishes and, to top it all off, recorded at Foxtrot Studios.
Tortoise - "Prepare Your Coffin"
I love how hard it is to pin down exactly what Tortoise sounds like. Sure, constants like Jeff Parkers meandering guitar solos and John McEntire's precise rhythms are almost always intact, but songs like this one defy expectations. This is Tortoise backed by harsh synths and crunchy guitars, out of which comes their own unique brand of post-rock.
Vetiver - "More of This"
Andy Cabic's delicate voice and immaculate arrangement firmly solidify this timeless-sounding pop rock number as one of my favorite songs of the year. Couple this with some of the warmest sounding production of any record I listened to this year and I find myself asking for exactly what the title suggests.
Wilco - "One Wing"
It was hard to narrow down my favorite song on Wilco's newest self-titled record, but I ultimately had to settle on this great pop anthem. It's one of the few songs on the record that truly encapsulates the full talent of the band's current line-up, from Nels Cline's soaring guitar solos to Glenn Kotche's minimalist drum beats. It sounds a little bit different than anything Wilco has done before; a forward looking song from a band who makes every song uniquely their own.
Yo La Tengo - "Here To Fall"
After some spacey keyboard noodling, Georgia Hubley's assertive drum cadence kicks this song into gear. The parts coalesce rhythmically as a string arrangement filters in. It's unlike any Yo La Tengo song to date, yet at the same time it sounds uniquely their own. It's great to hear a band that's been around for so long making music that is so adventurous and self-assured.
Ah Holly Fam'ly - "All Unfolding"
This song is chamber pop in its most fragile and hauntingly beautiful state. Jeremy Faulkner's softly croaked vocals intertwine with the delicately picked guitar, as flourishes of woodwinds swell in the background. However, the most gut-wrenching part of it all is when the voice of Becky Dawson joins in. It's a match made somewhere in Idaho; one of the best vocal pairings of the year.
Air - "Sing Sang Sung (Black Moth Super Rainbow Remix)"
As much as I dig Air's original version, Black Moth Super Rainbow's remix takes this track to new heights. Gone are the mellow acoustic guitars and gentle synths of the original, replaced with a Casio drumset and BMSR signature wailing electronics. One of the unlikeliest yet coolest combos of the year.
Art Brut - "DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake"
Leave it to Art Brut to craft one of the best odes to being a man-child ever written. Eddie Argos takes his usual self-depreciating tone, expounding his love of the titular pleasures, in spite his 'old age'. It's another pop-rock gem churned out by a band that certainly knows how to play 'em.
Atlas Sound (w/ Laetitia Sadier) - "Quick Canal"
With Stereolab on an indefinite hiatus, it was a pleasant surprise to hear Laetitia Sadier's voice once again. Hell, this could pass for an honest to god Stereolab track. Props to Brandon Cox for crafting a song that is so perfectly suited to the talents of its guest artist.
Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar - "One Fast Move Or I'm Gone"
With an Uncle Tupelo reunion looking increasingly unlikely, and Son Volt's output growing increasingly stale, Jay Farrar fans have to look elsewhere to remind themselves why they still like this guy. Luckily, this collaboration with Ben Gibbard serves as a reminder that Farrar can still write compelling alt-country music. Gibbard's voice works surprisingly well here, to the point where I hope this isn't a one-off album.
Black Moth Super Rainbow - "Born on a Day the Sun Didn't Rise"
I don't pretend to understand anything this band does, but I do know that it sounds pretty cool. This particular song had me at the opening rhodes riff (I'm a sucker for that keyboard). Once the vocoder and synths kick in, the song turns into this weird kind of apocalyptic pop that this band does so well. It's the best Pennsylvania psychedelia you'll hear this year.
Camera Obscura - "French Navy"
There's something about Tracyanne Campbell's voice and choice of words that harkens back to a simpler time. Nowhere is that more apparent than on this track, a nod to the 60's pop song replete with string and brass sections. It's the kind of throwback that brings a certain sound into an entirely new context.
The Clientele - "I Wonder Who We Are"
Every Clientele record has a track that's a little off the beaten path from the band's usual sound, and oddly enough they're usually my favorites. "I Wonder Who We Are" is one of those songs, the sole upbeat number on an album full of slower songs. It's as if Alasdair MacLean is itching to embrace his pop-side, while still staying within the bounds of the Clientele's signature sound. Whatever they're doing, it's working.
Dan Auerbach - Heartbroken, In Disrepair
Auerbach knows how write a catchy modern blues number, and combined with some immaculate production work the brings to mind Danger Mouse's turn behind the boards of the last Black Key record, this track is yet another winner from the Akron native. Far be it from me to question why this was saved for his solo record, I'm just glad we didn't have to go a year without hearing his soulful voice.
Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse (w/ Julian Casablancas) - "Little Girl"
Things have really been looking up for Julian ever since he took a break from that garage band he used to be in. Backed by the killer duo of Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, Casablancas sounds just as laid back and cool-as-hell as ever. Shame this song never got a proper release, but this is a gem I'll be coming back to for years to come.
The Decemberists - "The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid"
Colin Meloy does an interesting thing on this track; he let's himself get totally upstaged by the vocal powerhouse that is Shara Worden. When the track drops into the prog-rock grind and Worden begins to wail, I get shivers up and down my spine. This is the kind of operatic rock that the Decemberists have been hinting at for years; undoubtedly the highlight of an album full of grandiose moments.
DOOM - "That's That"
In just over two minutes, DOOM solidifies himself as one of rap's most unique voices. Although the meaning behind his mis-matched words may be ambiguous, the feeling it creates most certainly isn't. "Can it be I stayed away too long?/Did you miss these rhymes when I was gone?" Yes, we missed you DOOM, don't ever make us wait like that again.
The Flaming Lips - "Silver Trembling Hands"
This track is a far cry from most of the songs on the Lips' previous, overtly-produced records. Gone is the studio-sheen, replaced with echoing vocals and giant swells of distortion. It's a simple song, but one that flirts with some of the embellishments of the past few Lips records. It epitomizes the chances the band is taking, and how great that experimentation can sound.
Grizzly Bear - "While You Wait for the Others"
There's been quite a bit of praise heaped on this track since it's release, so I'll suppose I can add my two cents. This is one of those pop arrangements that simply sounds timeless; mark my words, this song will be all over the oldies stations in a few decades.
Jim O'Rourke - "The Visitor"
I suppose picking this track gives away one of my favorite albums of the year, but given how much I gushed about this record that's really no surprise. This is O'Rourke's magnum opus, encompassing the entire breadth of his musical career in 38 minutes of intricately arranged and executed brilliance. The only bad part is that it's all over far too quickly.
Lake - "Don't Give Up"
This band came out of nowhere, thoroughly blowing me away with this song in particular. It's a bit of a stretch, but whenever I hear this track I can't help but think that this what an American version of the O'Rourke-produced Stereolab would sound like. It's a straight ahead rhodes driven track with vocals that play through my mind long after the song has ended. Hopefully the group has a few more as great as this in them.
The Low Anthem - "To Ohio"
This song got me through a particularly difficult drive home to it's titular state this past summer, so I may be a little biased. "To Ohio" demonstrates how this group excels at nuanced simplicity, from the breathy lyrics to the ever-present clarinet. It tugs at your heartstrings and sounds all the more beautiful because of it.
Neko Case - "People Got A Lotta Nerve"
It's no secret that I'm totally in love with the sounds that come out of Neko Case's mouth. She's got one of the best sets of pipes of any artist making music today. This track may be short, but the chorus gets me every time, wherein Neko admits that she's a man-eater. A woman scorned never sounded so good.
Phoenix - "Lisztomania"
These guys are one of the only bands that get synth-pop right; this song in particular oozes with the kind of laid-back feeling that only makes it sound cooler. It doesn't try too hard, it's not in your face, and anyway you cut it, it's undeniably catchy.
Richard Swift - "Atlantic Ocean"
This was the song that I found running through my head the most this year, a testament to what talented lyricist and arranger Swift truly is. A straight ahead piano and drums tune garnished with some of the choicest old-school synth flourishes and, to top it all off, recorded at Foxtrot Studios.
Tortoise - "Prepare Your Coffin"
I love how hard it is to pin down exactly what Tortoise sounds like. Sure, constants like Jeff Parkers meandering guitar solos and John McEntire's precise rhythms are almost always intact, but songs like this one defy expectations. This is Tortoise backed by harsh synths and crunchy guitars, out of which comes their own unique brand of post-rock.
Vetiver - "More of This"
Andy Cabic's delicate voice and immaculate arrangement firmly solidify this timeless-sounding pop rock number as one of my favorite songs of the year. Couple this with some of the warmest sounding production of any record I listened to this year and I find myself asking for exactly what the title suggests.
Wilco - "One Wing"
It was hard to narrow down my favorite song on Wilco's newest self-titled record, but I ultimately had to settle on this great pop anthem. It's one of the few songs on the record that truly encapsulates the full talent of the band's current line-up, from Nels Cline's soaring guitar solos to Glenn Kotche's minimalist drum beats. It sounds a little bit different than anything Wilco has done before; a forward looking song from a band who makes every song uniquely their own.
Yo La Tengo - "Here To Fall"
After some spacey keyboard noodling, Georgia Hubley's assertive drum cadence kicks this song into gear. The parts coalesce rhythmically as a string arrangement filters in. It's unlike any Yo La Tengo song to date, yet at the same time it sounds uniquely their own. It's great to hear a band that's been around for so long making music that is so adventurous and self-assured.
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