All "End of Year" lists are, as a rule, self-indulgent, and well, when have we here at FSD ever shied away from such endeavors? After all, why do you think this blog exists? And continuing along with our Points(s) of Attack, we just went ahead and created a 50 item selection of the best "soft spots" of the year. Whether or not pursuing these artists any further is of worth, well proceed at your own risk.And so, with any further delay, our top 50 singles (finishing up with 25-1), are as follows...
25. Rivertown
The Greencards
While Fascination was primarily in exercise in Carol Young's poppier songwriting and delicate vocals, The Greencards had to return to their roots at some point, delivering an explosion of high-wire, foot-stomping bluegrass. Loaded with virtuosic mandolin and fiddle-playing, check your pulse if this one doesn't put you in motion. 24. Lizstomania
Phoenix
From the start of the album, Sounds emerge as from a sonic kaleidoscope, dividing and multiplying at every second. Sporting a faux classical-style that emerges fulfilling the namesake of the album, Lizstomania is the perfect opener for a whirlwind pop powder keg that explodes on contact.23. Bear
The Antlers
Oscillating between twisted bed-time nursery rhyme and rancorous pop explosion, Bear tells the tale of an ill loved one, whose carrying a burden, as if impregnated cub that will all too soon become an unmanageable problem in the form of a terminal condition. Sighting their growing alienation as a couple, the track reflects an early frustration that has not yet dashed the hopes of a young couple... But will in time.22. Substitution
Silversun Pickups
By and large, marred by severe intonations and awkward song structures, Swoon did feature one of the best pop track release all year in Substitution. Not even Brian Aubert's creepy, throaty vocals can hide spoil the brilliant hooks that button up this tight little piece. If only the Pickups understood that this is what they're best at. 21. Sleepyhead
Passion Pit
Ladies and gentlemen, the most intoxicating song of the year. An all out assault of sparkling keys and gliding synth, one can practically imagine the blistering light show that would follow such a display. Funny, considering that the lights were probably off when the song was originally conceived.(It looks as if Lala will not allow the embedding of Passion Pit tracks. Apologies everyone).
20. Percussion Gun
White Rabbits
Right from the start of It's Frightening, White Rabbits demonstrate their desire to break out like gangbusters, but also show their talent by keeping the heavy, syncopated rhythm and the impassioned vocal roar well within the lines of restraint. It's this foresight and vision that make Percussion Gun so striking.19. Had to Go
Heartless Bastards
Reminiscent of a Civil War era tale from Cold Mountain, the Heartless Bastards break from their so-called Garage Rock tendencies and head for the hills of the Appalachians. And Wennerstrom's voice has never sounded so at home. Flowing like a raw, rainy day, the Bastards are all too aware that it takes all kinds of weather to extract the lasting spice out of life.18. The Last Baron
Mastodon
From the get go, this 13-minute epic wastes no time in getting started. Mastodon has every intention saturating this song with as many notes and wailing lyrics as possible. Whatever they're singing about sounds painful, but not nearly as painful as it must be to pull this song off in a live setting. A darkly imaginative narrative, Mastodon lives by the code "go big and loud, or go home."17. Prison Girls
Neko Case
Perhaps the most atmospheric track on Middle Cyclone, guitars droan on as if hard at work, while Neko's voice sings a sustained lament, sapping every last syllable from each word uttered. It's the best example of vocal and insturmental interplay on the album, and just so happens to be the moodiest track as well. It's the expression that Neko is so often accused of being detached from.16. Comets
Fanfarlo
Crafting a gentle opening scene, painting the image of a child fully comprehending the shear enormity of existence, Fanarlo sets a wondrous tone from the on set. Simon Balthazar’s lyrics proceed as if carefully seeking to preserve the reverence inspired by the intergalactic phenomenon at hand. In time, awe becomes celebration, as a chorus of voices flanked by a jovial trumpet section enters the scene. And by the time the synthesizer joins the fray, revelry has set in culminating in one of the most joyous songs of the year.15. I Know What I Am
Band of Skulls
From the opening note of I Know What I Am, it’s clear that Band of Skulls has decided to rock as hard as absolutely possible. And even though you know what’s coming, the impact is no worse for wear. It’s modern Muddy Waters with a sped up pace and a sharpened edge, for the Skulls are a band whose grit somehow shines rather than muddles.14. 1901
Phoenix
Continuing on with the kaleidoscopic assault initiated by Lisztomania, comes a song so fuel-injected that not even Cadillac could resist its charm. Performed at the same speed with which a doomed relationship disintegrates, revved up guitars charge through an ethereal collection of glittering keys, as if clearly unimpressed and with some place else to get to. What Phoenix has engineered with 1901, is a hard-charging sports car. One that the cops should probably just let speed on by.13. Lions of the Kalahari
Sam Roberts
Rolling out like one long epiphany, Lions is a song that has a frightening ability to get stuck in your head for an extended period of time, even to the point where the obviously outlandish notion begins to sound like a logical action. And while the lyrics may garner the most attention, it is the rhythm section’s ability to undercut the guitars and support the spiritual essence of the song which demonstrates that Sam isn’t the only member of this vastly under-appreciated outfit.12. Pull My Heart Away
Jack Penate
Disco ball guitar, straightforward but sharp rhythm, Jack Penate drops a stunning, soul opener to kick off his breakthrough album. This is close your eyes and dance music, and it should make us all want for more of this European club pop. And it's just the aesthetics that makes the track special, but it is the abandon with with Jack belts out the lyrics that adds a real emotion to the song, rather than the glib attempts that we so often receive from ghost-written radio pop.11. Crazy/Forever
Japandroids
Well, we had to have something dirty on the list didn't we? Japandroids sound familiar, actually they sound like a mixute of several familiar things; oscillating and mixing grunge, punk, and krautrock all into a volatile, yet organized presentation. And while the instrumentation may come off as careless, the minimalistic lyrics demonstrated in Crazy/Forever clearly show off the heart present behind the performance.10. Animal
Miike Snow
Sure, it all sounds familiar, but then again there is something so foreign about Miike Snow's synth assault. Perhaps it is that the same sound is never made for very long. Animal is constantly in flux from Andrew Wyatt's muffled-vibrato vocals on down to the natural-artificial percussion, yet the whole thing melds together creating a tightly knit pulsating potpourri.(See #21 for information on absence of listening option)
9. The Reeling
Passion Pit
The song is actually a meditation on life's ability to desensitize and utlimately imprison our emotions, yet the lyrics clash with the bumping syntheized bass and crashing drum machine cymbals, and out of this contradiction we get one of the best dance tracks of the year. If you can't dance to this track, then you ain't got no business being at the party.(See #21 for information on absence of listening option)
8. Airstream Driver
Gomez
Using their Pro Tools, paint by numbers approach, Gomez produces a driving head bopper reminiscent of their earlier fuzzed out works off of Bring It On/Liquid Skin. Growling guitars and springing rhythms gliding over buzzing synthesizers upon which Ian Ball's driving vocals are able to fly in the same manner as the subject being discussed in the lyrics.7. Slight Figure of Speech
Avett Brothers
In what's is perhaps the best demonstration of quirk pop since Violent Femmes' Blister in the Sun, the Avett Brothers once again prove that they are more than mere banjo-pickers from the western North Carolina. Using a simple acoustic guitar and bass combination, along with some bubble gum drums and a Dylan-style dip into hip hop, the Avett Brothers perfectly utilize the pop platform to turn the absurd into perfection. 6. Zero
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
A slowly-building synth-pop romp, Zero offers the perfect jumping point for Sandra Oh to demonstrate her range: sliding on a scale from smoky and cool to high-pitched and powerful. Zero not only sets the table for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs new artistic direction, but also provides the perfect introduction and ice breaker for the remainder of It's Blitz.5. Mantis
Umphrey's McGee
The epic centerpiece and title track of the album, Mantis is the best piece of writing that the band has pulled off in years. Part in your face prog stomp, part 80's van halen tribute, and part moody ballad, the track changes directions faster than a spring day in Chicago. Featuring some of the most blistering guitar and percussion work witnessed all year, Mantis is a technical masterpiece.4. The Longest Day
Megafaun
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to fall in love with a southern bell somewhere in the smoky mountains, then this song will surely try to take you there. With male and female vocals combined in perfect harmony, riding upon a foundation of steady banjo and sliding guitar, Megafaun have crafted the most beautifully nostalgic of songs in the canon of Americana.3. Gimme Sympathy
Metric
Normally any song that uses two of the most legendary rock band name, and even one of their most famous songs, as lyrics would be written off as a cheesy gimmick. But given the commanding hooks displayed in this track, these indiscretions are forgiven because it all works so well together. Gimme Sympathy might be the best pure pop song released all year.2. Bull Black Nova
Wilco
It is the first song that really strikes you on the new album and with good reason. Its the heavily distorted guitars and punchy percussion demand attention, all cracking around a contradictory clean piano with contrasts all the more with Jeff Tweedy's disturbing vocal delivery.1. Anonanimal
Andrew Bird
Combining an intricate interplay of plucked as well as soaring bowed violin, riff-heavy electric guitar, strummed acoustic guitar serving as the best for a dizzying array of lyrical consonance, alliteration, and anaphora, Anonanimal also features a grand chord shift sending the song in a completely different direction before returning to its original form. And far from a cold exhibition of lyrical and instrumental viruosity, Andrew Bird also spouts some of his most passionate vocals on the entire album. All of it combines to make Anonanimal not only the most complex, but also the most inspiring song of 2009.
Hey buddy, you've obviously put a lot of time into this, and I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteNow would ya feckin post the Sheet results and say something funny dickface?
B.Lee....I'd like to listen to each of these tracks....but I can't listen to any of them withouth signing up for LALA...WTF.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of shitty blogstrabation is this.
Just a friendly advertising trap courtesy of your capitalistic wolf in commie's clothing.
ReplyDeleteAnd you should definitely be able to listen to each track. Just make sure to listen to them all the way through before moving on.
had i seen this before you left the midwest, i would have smacked you for putting both gomez AND umphrees in your top 10. ugh.
ReplyDelete