Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Best songs of '09

Here are my top 30 songs of the year. My liking for songs tends to shift, so if you asked me in a month or so, the order of this list would undoubtedly be different, but I think this does accurately reflect my favorite 30 songs. Enjoy.


30. Pursuit of Happiness (Feat. Ratatat and MGMT) - Kid Cudi
Very very catchy, and I absolutely love the backing stuff that Ratatat did. I'm a fan of Kid Cudi's voice as well.


29. New Moon Rising – Wolfmother
Wolfmother, the kings of making classic rock in the modern age. Amazing guitar riffs combined with a voice that sounds like a cross between Ozzy and Robert Plant. This was by far the best song off their ’09 release, Cosmic Egg.


28. Come Alive (War of the Roses) - Janelle Monae
One of my favorite voices, and a fantastic, creepy song.


27. Cousins - Vampire Weekend (Link is to youtube, Web Sherrif is out making people take down this mp3)
Sneak peek single off of the upcoming Vampire Weekend album. Not much to say about it other than very very solid, and I'm excited for the album.


26. Bricks Part 1 - Fishboy
I love Fishboy. Their brand of pop and their singers voice just absolutely get me every time. This 1:26 long nugget is extremely catchy and enjoyable. For earlier stuff, check out "Parachute" and "Taqueria Girl" of of their 2007 album, Albatross: How We Failed To Save The Lone Star State With The Power Of Rock And Roll.


25. Hold the Line (feat. Mr. Lex and Santigold) - Major Lazer
Horse noises, crazy surf guitars and cell phones ringing. Most high energy song of '09, and so damn catchy.


24. Quiet Dog - Mos Def
One of the best song from the album that got me in to Hip-Hop, Mos Def's "The Ecstatic". The beat is nothing more than some sparse percussion, really bringing out Mos Def's voice and rhymes.


23. Zero - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Fantastic dance type track. Love the vocals.


22. Julia - The Very Best
The Very Best is Radioclit, British producer, and Esau Mwamwaya, singer from Malawi. Julia is the highlight of their album, Warm Heart of Africa. One of my songs of the summer.


21. Auditorium (feat. Slick Rick) - Mos Def
The best track from The Ecstatic. Features a really cool middle eastern beat, and a guest verse from Slick Rick.


20. Trash - The Whip
My favorite dance song of all time, hands down. I love the way it builds, the dark atmosphere, and the killer guitar.


19. Revenge (feat. Flaming Lips) - Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse
An album which was never actually released, due to an issue with the label. It's got a good backstory, if you're interested in checking it out. The album is called Dark Night of the Soul. I wasn't a huge fan of the album, but this song is absolutely fantastic. The first line, "Pain...I guess it's a matter of sensation" always sticks in my head forever.


18. Nitro - Cool Catz
I said that Trash was my favorite dance song ever, but this song makes me want to dance more than any other song. The little synth riff that comes in a little ways in and goes throughout the song is the catchiest thing ever. Party hip-hop at its best (and the only rap song my Dad loves).


17. Friday XIII - Deer Tick
Smith Hill - Deer Tick
I couldn't decide between these two fantastic songs to represent Deer Tick's 2nd release, Easy. Americana/folk ballads, and all sung in a voice that you either love or you hate. I love it.


16. Treat Me Like Your Mother - The Dead Weather
I worship Jack White, that is fact. A lot of people didn't really like The Dead Weather, but I really like it. Horehound is definitely one of my top albums of the year, and this is one of the many standout tracks (it was a tough call. Also check out 60 Feet Tall. Hell, just listen to the whole album). Oh, and they were superb live.


15. Ain't No Rest For the Wicked - Cage the Elephant
I first heard this song on the radio, and wound up buying (and loving) the album. Then I went to Outside Lands and saw them live. Damn. They put on a hell of a show, their lead singer is a complete maniac on stage. And they sound really good. Love the slide guitar.


14. Nightingale / December Song - Sunset Rubdown
A stellar track on a largely disappointing album. Sunset Rubdown is the side project of Spencer Krug, of Wolf Parade. They have a very unique sound, and I love it. I purchased some old material of theirs, and was very excited when this song and one further up the list came out. Unfortunately, the rest of the album was a letdown, but this song and the other one are no worse for it. Love the lyrics in this one.


13. Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) (Feat. Mos Def and Jim Jones) - Blakroc
Blakroc is the collaboration between The Black Keys and a bunch of rappers. On the whole, it wasn't as good as it sounded like it could have been, but this song is awesome. The riff is rock solid, and the "la la la"s stick in your head for hours. Mos Def's singing is great, and Jim Jones' rapping is damn good. All around solid blues/rap track.


12. My Girls - Animal Collective
I'll talk a lot more about this album in my albums of the year list. The call and response singing on this song is really cool, and I just love the soundscape they assemble underneath it. For a heightened listening experience, I would suggest this fan video which may very well be the coolest music video ever.


11. Got Nuffin' - Spoon
Not much to say about this one, other than fantastic. Just listen and hear it for yourself.


10. Bull Black Nova - Wilco
I love the way the piano chords drive the song. And the noise-rock jam at the end is killer. Great song. Oh yeah, and its about a dude who murdered his girlfriend.


9. Never Had Nobody Like You (feat. Zooey Deschanel) - M. Ward
The only M. Ward song I own. I don't know what it is, but there is something about it that makes it incredibly enjoyable to listen to. My appreciation of music is very mood based, but this is one of the rare songs that is always good, regardless of what I'm in the mood for.


8. Living Thing - Peter Bjorn & John
There's something about this song, and the whole album, that just makes me want to move. I dunno. I guess you could call it groove. Or something. Just listen.


7. Generator ^ Second Floor - Freelance Whales
One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, it really just boils down to that. Amazing folk song with some really cool instrumentation.


6. In the Flowers - Animal Collective
My favorite song from Merriweather Post Pavilion. I can never get enough of the way the song just explodes at 2:30. This is more than a song, its an experience. Best enjoyed at high volume.


5. Swimming in the Flood - Passion Pit
My favorite song from Manners, a fantastic album. This song always gives me the very strong feeling of floating underwater in a cold pool on a hot day. It's a good feeling.


4. I Start to Run - White Denim
This song definitely wins best bass line of '09. Look for this in my Albums of the Year.


3. Idiot Heart - Sunset Rubdown
Modern day guitar gods. The song starts intense and never lets up.


2. Laundry Room - The Avett Brothers
Thats the MP3, but this is the best version of the song (its the first song on that video). This is the most beautiful song I've ever heard. Perfect melody, and the vocal harmonies take it to a whole nother level.


1. All We Want, Baby, Is Everything - Handsome Furs
I don't know what it is, but this song has it. Something about the vocals, the ringing guitars... It's just perfect.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Blakroc

Blakroc is the epic collaboration of The Black Keys, a fantastic indie-rock/blues band, and many of today's best rappers. It's a blues/hip hop thing that ends up coming off very well. Here's a video of my favorite track and a few good mp3s.
PS: Ain't Nothing Like You is instantly awesome, but the other tracks are definitely growers. If you're into hip-hop at all, give the rest of them a couple listens before you dismiss them.
PPS: Mos Def is a beast.



Ain't Nothing Like you (Hoochie Coo) (feat. Jim Jones and Mos Def) - Blakroc (without a doubt the best song on the album)

Hope You're Happy (Feat. Billy Danze, Nicole Wray & Q-Tip) - Blakroc

On the Vista (feat. Mos Def) - Blakroc

Thursday, November 19, 2009

A nice, mellow acoustic post

The Rural Alberta Advantage have gotten a ton of hype, and seem to be universally loved by indie bloggers everywhere. I don't really like them that much. However, this song is absolutely beautiful.
In the Summertime (live) - The Rural Alberta Advantage

Freelance Whales. Are. Amazing. No other way to describe them. They create a really cool, mellow atmosphere, the vocals are beautiful, and the melodies are awesome. Listen.
Generator ^ Second Floor - Freelance Whales (my personal favorite)
Broken Horse - Freelance Whales
(I have a few other songs of theirs, let me know if you want any)

Discovered a really cool album,"We Shall Overcome-The Seeger Sessions". It's Bruce Springsteen and a huge group of musicians playing classic folk songs. Huge range of instrumentation, really cool recorded live feel. Definitely worth a listen. Check out the rest of the album if you like these songs.
Eyes on the Prize - Bruce Springsteen
O Mary Don't You Weep - Bruce Springsteen

Anyone who knows Bon Iver should be familiar with his song "Woods" from the Blood Bank EP. In it he sings a 4 line verse over and over (with autotune), each time adding another layer, until he has a giant chorus of himself (no other instruments). It is really really cool. Well now he is playing with a band called the Volcano Choir, and they have re-recorded it, with some really cool instrumentation. It is now named "Still". It really adds another level to the song. Can't decide which version I like better, so I'll just go with both, and I would highly advise you do the same.
Woods - Bon Iver
Still - Volcano Choir

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Two More Awesome videos, concert this saturday

Coolest video I've seen in a long time, its "Spacious Thoughts", by N.A.S.A. feat. Kook Keith and Tom Waits



Guy named Pogo, he makes songs out of clips from Disney movies. This one is the best. It's called Expialidocious, and as you may have guessed, it is made of clips from Mary Poppins. The song is cool, but it's the video that makes it, a great combination of all different scenes from the movie, and they tie in to the music very well.



Finally, awesome concert this saturday.
Two Sheds, who I have seen before, are a Sacramento band that absolutely kick ass live. Unmissable. Also playing is Buildings Breeding, another Sac band. From their Myspace, they seem really good, so it should be a great show. Click on either band to listen to them. It's free, 8pm this Saturday at Delta of Venus in Downtown Davis. Hope to see you there.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Cool beatles covers

Found 2 good Beatles covers in 2 days, so I figured I should post them.
The first is Tina Turner doing "Come Together". Very good cover of a fantastic song, her voice really does the song justice (and vice versa)



Next, White Rabbits and Britt Daniels (of Spoon) cover John Lennon's "Instant Karma". This may very well be my favorite version of this song.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

classic rock remix

not words you usually see together.
yep, somebody remixed a classic rock song, and it works damn well. keeps the same feel as the original song, even with all the techno-beats, and really adds something to the song. Love it.
Gimme Shelter (The Illuminoids Remix) - The Rolling Stones

They have some other remixes and mash-ups available for download Here

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Misc. good music

First up, The Cool Catz.
This is good party hip-hop, the dances would be awesome if they played this kind of music. Great beat, good lyrics, and i love the vocal style. Seriously, dont listen to this and try to stand still.
Nitro - The Cool Catz
This one is a bit slower, but just as good for dancing. Damn catchy.
Take It (feat. Ty Talor) - The Cool Catz

Completely different style and direction. This is a perfect morning song, I use it to get myself going all the time. Awesome percussion, and I just love the vocals on the chorus.
Marching Off to War - Morningbell

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Good band playing in davis alert!!

The Islands will be playing at the Oddfellow's Lounge on 415 2nd st. on Thursday October 22 at 7:30pm (it may be 8, pretty sure its 730 though)with . It's all ages, and tickets are $10 for non-UCD students. These guys are really good, and its a great chance to see a band play in Davis.
Switched On - Islands
No You Don't - Islands
Their Myspace
The Myspaces of the 2 other bands playing that night:
Jemina Pearl
Toro y Moi

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The Antlers - Two

This is an amazingly fantastic song that i have had and played for quite some time, but I just found the video for it, which is equally amazing.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

the hip-hop post

i found good rap. intense, i know. I will now share.
First, Mos Def. Actor/rapper. Apparently his last couple albums have been really bad, so everyone is very excited that his latest is so fantastic. Enjoy:
First, my favorite. Fantastic beat, very very good. And love the appearence by Slick Rick (rapper from the late 80s early 90s)
Auditorium (feat. Slick Rick) - Mos Def

I like to listen to this one right after Auditorium, good contrast, and they flow together well.
Life In Marvelous Times - Mos Def

Cool one, very simple beat, but very good.
Quiet Dog (Bite Hard) - Mos Def

History (feat. Talib Kweli) - Mos Def


Next, Brother Ali. From New York. Damned good.

This song is awesome, lyrics are all anti-US government, check out the lyrics. Love the beat, good blues feel.
Uncle Sam Goddamn - Brother Ali

Another good one with a good video
Us - Brother Ali



And last, Jaydiohead. Awesome mash-up of Jay-Z vocals with Radiohead instrumentals by DJ Mintyfreshbeats. This man is a genius. I don't even like Jay-Z or Radiohead that much, but this is amazing.
My two favorites, both fantastic:
Reckoner's Encore - Jaydiohead
Song and Cry - Jaydiohead

Head here to download the album and encore EP (i like the EP better, but its all good). All free.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

listen, now

Weirdness isn't always nessecarily good in music.
Really catchy weirdness is.
Anticoagulant - Cogwheel Dogs

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Dead Weather live videos

this is gonna be such an amazing show

Will There Be Enough Water (one of 2 songs where jack white straps on the guitar and steps up to the mic, and damn am i glad he did, as amazing a drummer as he is)


No Hassle Night


Treat Me Like Your Mother A much better live version from Jimmy Fallon, just skip to the last segment of the video


Bone House


Hang You Up From the Heavens

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

extremely eclectic mix of all the good stuff ive found lately (minus the avett brothers, who get their own post)

First, my obsession at the moment, a song called Long Live the Fallen World. Don't really have anything to say other than listen, it is amazing.
Long Live the Fallen World - Young Galaxy

Pure catchieness, my favorite part is what i spose is the pre-chorus ("it seemed alright the first time..."). Another fantastic song.
Name Tossers - Boat

Awesome noise rock, can't really take more than one song of these guys, but in small doses, very good, love the chaotic feel. Awesome band name too.
Young Hearts Spark Fire - Japandroids

Kind of cheesey, almost carnival music feeling, but I just love the backing vocals on the chorus, takes it to a whole new level. And once again, awesome name, cuz Tom Bombadil may be the awesomest book character ever.
Oto the Bear - Bombadil

Deer Tick are probably my favorite straight up Americana band, and the singer (forget his name, too lazy to look it up) has a crazy cool voice, love the rasp. Their second album came out a couple weeks ago, i finally listened and loved. The emotion is just so powerful in all of the songs, and the melodies are very pleasing to my ears.
Friday XIII - Deer Tick (not sure who the other singer on this one is, but i like her voice)
Song About a Man - Deer Tick
Smith Hill - Deer Tick

Bob Dylan cover (always good, and it happens to be my personal favorite Bob Dylan song), by Metric (who are good). The dude who sings at one point can't really sing, but it still sounds really good somehow. Gives me hope.
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright (Bob Dylan cover) - Metric
Don't Think Twice It's Alright - Bob Dylan (stream on Imeem)

And finish with some dancehall. Really weird dancehall. That is ridiculously catchy.
Hold the Line - Major Lazer (feat. Santigold, Mr. Lex)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

very interesting remix

Hmmm, can't decide if I like it, I am definatly very intrigued though.
1901 (Pete Herrs Symphonic Remix) - Phoenix
And for comparison, the original, which is a phenomenal song.
1901 - Phoenix

Friday, July 10, 2009

The very best

That's their name, the very best. They are Radioclit, a british producer, and Esau Mwamwaya, a singer from Malawi. The music that results is amazing, a combination of reggae, island, african rythms, and electronic music. They had a free mixtape that came out in 2008, and there are a few great tracks off of that.
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - The Very Best
Get It Up - The Very Best
Dinosaur on the Ark - The Very Best
Download the whole mixtape here (i would highly suggest that you do so)

Now they've got their debut album, "Warm Heart of Africa", coming out soon, and its leaked. The two songs I've listened too are amazing, with a bit more of an electronic slant than the mixtape, but still with Esau's amazing voice, and some high profile guests. I really enjoyed the mixtape a lot, but they have one-upped themselves with this new album.
Julia - The Very Best
Rain Dance (Feat. MIA) - The Very Best
(both songs removed from the internets, guess you'll have to wait till the album comes out)

bunch of good stuff

Really really good folk-rock song, really like the singer's voice. He is a woman to man transgender, but his voice on this kinda sounds like a 13 year old boy, so maybe he'd jsut started hormone treatments. Either way, its an awesome song.
Come On Forest Fire Burn the Disco Down - Rae Spoon

Imogen Heap (dont know who that is, but i've heard the name before, whoever she is, she has a very good voice) and Jeff Beck team up for an awesome blues rock song. The guitar is awesome, love the bass line, and the vocals kick ass as well. All in all amazing.
Rolling and Tumbling - Imogen Heap (Feat. Jeff Beck)
Update: Rollin' and Tumblin' is an old blues standard, recorded many many times by various artists over the years. This is a version from the '50s
Rollin' and Tumblin' - Muddy Waters

The Dead Weather are composed of: Alison Mossheart (The Kills) on vocals, Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) on guitar, Patrick Lawrence (The Raconteurs, best hair and glasses of any bassist ever) on bass, and Jack White (of badassness) on drums (wtf?). Judging from this one song, I'd say their sound is largely the heavy Queens of the Stone Age rock, but with some Kills style groove thrown in. And I can definatly hear some White Stripes type guitar sound in there. I like it a lot, but I'm kinda sad, I was really liking the direction The Raconteurs were starting to take. Oh well. The album is out now. Yeah, the rest of the album is pretty different from that song, very bluesy, but still very heavy. I absolutely love it. Right now I'd say its my favorite thing Jack White has done, and I am a big fan of the White Stripes and the Raconteurs. Who knows if that will still be the case when the novelty wears off though.
Treat Me Like Your Mother - The Dead Weather

I know literally nothing about these guys, but the Springsteen cover is awesome, and their other stuff is pretty good too.
The River (Springsteen Cover) - Crooked Fingers
New Drink For the Old Drunk - Crooked Fingers

The two songs I like by Wave Machines are fairly different. Punk Spirit is a kind of mellow, fairly pop song, very enjoyable. Dead Houses is repetitive, but not in a boring way, it creates a really cool synth atmosphere. Listen for yourself.
Punk Spirit - Wave Machines
Dead Houses - Wave Machines

And lastly, I don't really have anything to say about this one, other than its a great piece of Americana, good lyrics too.
Gunslinger - The Medders

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Monday, July 6, 2009

today's finds

No idea what to call this song, but it is truly amazing. I'll have to check out more from them. Love the "hey hey hey"s. They guy's voice really reminds me of Deer Tick.
Write It All Down For You - Elliot Brood

Generally good stuff
Take It In - Wye Oak

Very very interesting instrumental rock. Nice soundscape they get going
Looking for God - Fucked Up

On a sorta similar note, found this guy the other day. Creates synth/electronic soundscapes (not dancey at all). I am usually quite bored with this kind of music, but Tim Hecker's music is amazing.
100 Years Ago - Tim Hecker
Currents of Electrostasy - Tim Hecker
Sea of Pulses - Tim Hecker

very very catchy song


cant get this song out of my head
very upbeat and catchy
lot of profanity though, so be warned if others are in the room
California on My Mind - Wild Light

Sunday, July 5, 2009

I was thinking about doing a post on streetlight manifesto, becuase ive been listening to them a lot lately...

and then i realized you all either listen to them already or don't like them, so it would be kinda pointless.

extremely sad, but extremely powerful

Hurt - Nine Inch Nails



I still can't decide which is better.





If thats got you really down, heres a pick up:
When Life Gives Me Lemons I Make Lemonade - The Boy Least Likely Too

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Had i been there, this quite possibly would have been the greatest moment of my life

Even more good music out today


Spoon released a new 3 track EP today, first new music since their 2007 album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.
If you are unfamilier with Spoon, we have a problem.
The Underdog - Spoon From their above mentioned 2007 album, my personal favorite Spoon song (with stiff competition from the title track of the new EP).
The Way We Get By - Spoon From the 2002 album Kill the Moonlight.

And now, the new stuff. The EP is called Got Nuffin, and the title track is phenomenal.
Got Nuffin - Spoon I'm thinking I like it even more than The Underdog. I'm not sure.

New Wilco Album


The new Wilco album, Wilco (The Album), is their 9th. I have not beena huge fan of their past stuff, but this album is amazing. I tried to narrow it down to my 2 favorite songs to post, but I ended up with 4.
Wilco (The Song) - Wilco
One Wing - Wilco
You Never Know - Wilco
Even though I posted it before: Bull Black Nova - Wilco
Stream the rest of the album here
I highly recommend "Deeper Down" as well, but I was unable to find an MP3 floating around online. Buy the whole album, it is very worth it.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

There just aren't enough indie bands that jam like this

These guys are amazing, out of Canada. Their new album just came out, its not as good as their previous couple on the whole, but there are 2 really phenomenal tracks.
Idiot Heart - Sunset Rubdown
Nightingale/December Song - Sunset Rubdowm

If you like those, check out their old albums, "Shut Up I Am Dreaming of a Place Where Lovers Have Wings" is a particular favorite song of mine. Stream it

Whether you liked those or not, check out Wolf Parade, its Spencer Krug, the frontman from Sunset Rubdown, and Dan Boekner, the frontman of Handsome Furs (song of theirs below). Its not quite as good as Sunset Rubdown or Handsome Furs in my opinion, but there are a couple of great songs.
Call it a Ritual - Wolf Parade
Fine Young Cannibals - Wolf Parade

To listen to the Handsome Furs song, refer to the link down below.

Awesome mash-ups

A bunch of really good mashups i found.

Over the Confluence of Giants - Under the Influence of Giants vs. David Bowie vs. Steely Dan vs. Queen vs. Steve Miller Band vs. Common
Policy of Sweet Dreams - Depeche Mode vs. Eurythmics
Hey Ya Will Rock You - Queen vs. Outcast
With or Without Glycerine - Bush vs. U2
Take Another Brick Out - Pink Flyod vs. The Doors vs. Franz Ferdinand
You Spin Me Right Round Like a Crazy Train - Dead or Alive vs. Ozzie Osbourne
The Man Comes Around in Blue Jeans - Johnny Cash vs. Ladytron
New Year's Vagueness - Utah Saints vs. U2
Let It Be Under the Bridge - Beatles vs. Bob Marley vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers
Somebody Told Me to Feel Good - The Killers vs. Gorillaz
Thund99r Struck - Jay-Z vs. AC/DC

Friday, June 26, 2009

Music from the places that arent the US

From England:
I'm a Pilot - Fanfarlo
The whole album is awesome, and you can buy it for a dollar here. But only till July 4th, so get on it.

From Mexico:
Pure awesomeness. Sorta like Animal Collective.
Por Medio De La Lectura - Los Amparito

From Portugal:
A Secret Search - :papercutz

First songs for you to listen to

Ha Ha Tonka are awesome, kinda southern rockish, love the dudes voice. They're playing in Sacramento in August, only $8 for a ticket. This one is from their first album, and their second album just came out, it is really really good.
Caney Mountain - Ha Ha Tonka

I got nothing against a little pop, if its good. And this is damn good. Love the horns.
Sincerely, Jane - Janelle Monae

I've been obsessed with this song, but the MP3 is not on the internet, so you'll have to make do with streaming it from Myspace. (its the first song on the player)
Handsome Furs Myspace

Song from the new Wilco album, it comes out June 30th. Haven't listened to Wilco much before, but this song is really good. The song "What Light", from one of their earlier albums, is also very good.
Bull Black Nova - Wilco

I did it!

I figured out how to put songs on here so you can listen on the website and then download them!