Best of 2011 - A Second Look

As I looked back on 2011, I was a little underwhelmed.  Many of these songs might not have made the list in previous years.  Funny thing is: I probably listened to more music this year than I have in previous years.  I embraced Spotify & used Grooveshark.  I downloaded from itunes, and my SIRIUS radio played non-stop.  I just couldn't get a great feel for what the year was.  Here is the collection I archived.  Every time I heard a song I liked, I tried to add it to the list for the year.  Here is what I came up with:

"Machine Gun Blues" - Social Distortion

These guys are the greatest least-known band in America.  Some 30+ years, and still cranking out that 50's retro/punk sound. A great chorus makes this song fly.  I was glad to see they got a little push by opening for the Foo Fighters on their world tour.  Hopefully they earned a few new fans.

"Make Some Noise" - Beastie Boys

Yes, my second old-timer band makes the list.  I so anticipated this record, and was a bit disappointed.  The first single and the video did not disappoint, though.  Yauch still is the greatest MC to rock the mike.  Plus, a great cowbell solo - how can you go wrong?

"Around My Head" - Cage the Elephant

This is one of my favorite newer bands.  This is the second time I have included them on a "Best of" list.  Their sophomore record, Thank You, Happy Birthday was a critical success.  This was my favorite song off it. The video is a bit of a gory Weekend at Bernie's. 

"Pumped Up Kicks" - Foster the People

Ok, so I think Court selected this song last year, but it was only released online then.  The album, Torches,  was released May 23, 2011, so I will count it for this year.  This anti-hit, was super catchy.  It was one of the songs that would be on when my kids were in the car that I liked.  The band even chuckled that lyrically this should never have been a hit, but, damn that whistling gets to me!

"Jesus Fever" - Kurt Vile

I really liked Philly's own Kurt Vile.  I was exposed to him via SIRIUS.  I followed up listening to his record, Smoke Ring for My Halo on Spotify and really enjoyed the relaxed nature of it.  He gets compared to Springsteen, which I find interesting.  I'm still listening for it. 

"Knuckle Down" - Man Man

Score another point for Philadelphia!  Man Man is one of the bands I NEED to see live.  Crazy stuff.  The video is only 14 seconds of the song, showing the crazy process of being Man Man.  Love the xylophone & vocals.  Big fan!  Look up the entire song.

"Get Away" - Yuck

It was the guitar solo that originally peaked my interest.  When I heard that it, I swore it was J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. Even though it has that guitar, it is so British Indie.  Catchy.  I love hearing it while driving on a cold fall day.  Reminds me a little of the Cribs.

"Lotus Flower" - Radiohead

I, admittedly, am not the biggest Radiohead fan, but I like this one.  I downloaded it from their site almost immediately after hearing it.  It's tight & sophisticated sounding.  My question is: will I hear it in a Banana Republic within a year?

"If I Had a Gun" - Noel Gallagher & the High Flying Birds

Take away my love for Oasis, and this still is a pretty great song.  Noel shows a much softer, dreamier side here, that Oasis lacked.  They (Oasis) could get sappy, but this doesn't feel it (except the title line.)  Much to my Oasis loving friend's chagrin, I think the talent for the band lies here.

"Lonely Boy" - The Black Keys

I feel they are the "it" band at the moment.  They are in magazines, on TV, all over the radio, and yesterday, I found out this song is in my son's video game.  El Camino is probably not as good as their previous record, but they showed they have staying power.  The video alone, warrants recognition.  I got a good chuckle at the single shot video.

"Never Tear Us Apart" - Me First & the Gimme Gimmes

I think the Gimmes do a great job taking pop songs and giving them an edge.  This year's covers are either from Australia or Japan.  Who better than INXS to cover at full speed in 2:05 seconds? 

"Sad Song" - The Cars

No, it's not 1978, but listening to this song, you might think it was.  The song sounds like it should have been an outtake from Candy-O, but it's all new with all original members except the late Benjamin Orr.  With the hand clapping, and synth sound, you've heard from previous Cars records, you'd be shocked that it was written in 2011.  Funny thing, the song doesn't sound sad at all. 

"Little Talks" - Of Monsters & Men

Truth be told, this was not my pick, but my wife's.  It was her favorite song of 2011.  I included it for I found her fascination with this six piece Icelandic band surprising.  Looking it up, it has only gotten heavy play in Seattle, Columbus, and 104.5 out of Philadelphia. 

"Hello" - Martin Solveig

Once again, a late 201 release, but had it's success in 2011.  I downloaded a bunch of junk for my kids, but this one was catchy.  A French DJ & a Canadian electro-pop act with a catchy bubbly dance track.  I am already starting to regret this pick knowing it was covered by Alvin & the Chipmunks in the movie Chipwrecked!

My 15 for 15 (based off of NME's selections.)

Sorry for the delay on this.  I have been swamped, but called Court to talk about this.  I was extremely disappointed in the selections that NME came up with for the best songs over the past 15 years.  I KNOW I can come up with 15 great songs that were not even considered.  So, based off of their list, here is what I came up with.

#15 - Smile, Lily Allen (NME's rank - 104)

A cute little song about bad boyfriends and revenge.  Pretty "poppy," but I think it earned its stripes.

#14 - Bloc Party, Banquet (20)

Court turned me on to this.  I think we will never hear from them again, but pretty cool song.

#13 - Pumping Up Your Stereo - Supergrass (124)

Such an upbeat, moving song.  I think if I were cleaning the house, this would keep me motivated.

#12 - Young Folks, Peter, Bjorn, & John (93)

I don't know if I would really want to listen to this song at this very moment due to overplay, but it doesn't take away from the fact that it's a great song, that YOU KNOW you were whistling along too!

#11 - Take Me Out, Franz Ferdinand (27)

I am not one who loves to dance, but I find myself tapping my feet to this one.  It's that driving beat!  I love the way the song changes ala Paul McCartney (1971-1979).  Terrific.

#10 - Paper Planes, MIA (15)

This song took a long time to warm up to.  My kids like it.  They would play it, and it grew on me.  I know they have no clue what the song is about. 

#9 Paranoid Android, Radiohead (1)

I must admit, I am not crazy about Radiohead like others are.  I respect them.  This song and video intrigued me.  I bought OK Computer and enjoyed it.  I am not as warm on Kid A, or others like so many others are. 

#8 - A Punk, Vampire Weekend (62)

Probably the most exciting new thing that I bought into when it came out.  I just felt they were so fresh.  I can still enjoy this song now. 

#7 - Song 2, Blur (79)

It's a shame Blur is best know for this 2:00+ "grunge" song, when they are so talented.  Many great songs to chose from, but man this song gets you pumped up!

#6 - Ms. Jackson, Outkast (81)

Next to the B-Boys, I feel these guys are it in the hip-hop world.  Andre 3000 is the thinking man's wrapper.  Here he promises to be a good father to his child with Erikah Badu, even if they aren't together.  "I am for real!"

#5 - Clint Eastwod, Gorillaz (141)

141, really?  A weird concept, but works in all dimensions.  Plus, it revived the career of Del, the Funk Homosapien!



#4 - Reptillia, The Strokes (129)

I love the Strokes.  It may not be their best song, but ti gets stuck in my head anythime I hear it. 

#3 - Maps, Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. (55)

Man this song is moving.  Such emotions when listening to this song.  I love how, much like the Velvet Underground, the song goes form soft to hard.  Terrifc song.

#2 - Jesus Walks, Kanye West (69)

I'm sure it might be shocking that Kanye makes my list, especially this high.  The College Dropout is a fantstic album before West cracked and let stardom get to his head.  A very heartfelt and honest song about religon in pop culure with the dramatic strings and chanting.  I would say it is in constant rotation on my iphone. 

#1 - Where It's At?, Beck

One of the most creative and innovative musicians out there today.  Has tried (and succeeded) with many different styles and genres, but is at his best with the non-sensical rhymes and the Dust Brothers sampling.  I don't think there was a record like thsis ever made again.

Well, that's my list.  "I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor," by the Artic Monkeys, "Hate to Say I Told You So," by the Hives, "Firestarter" by Prodigy, "The Hindu Times" by Oasis, and "The Scientist" by Coldpay all got consideration.  Once again, the list left off soem great songs & heavy hitters. 

Brand New Radiohead

Radiohead bumped up the release of its new album "The King of Limbs". The guys from Oxford were originally set to release the album tomorrow as a download but pushed it up a day. Radiohead said in a statement that "with everything ready on their website, the band decided to bring forward the release rather than wait until the previously announced date."

There's also a video for the first single, "Lotus Flower." Bottom line, Thom Yorke's quite the dancer, but he's no Napoleon Dynamite.