2009: The Songs

As far as my favorite songs go, this seems to be the year for the grand epic. I don't know what it is, but the longer progressive numbers were the ones that seemed to have the biggest impact on me, which you'll notice as you start perusing through the following list. On top of that, if you want to get technical, the entire Decemberists album is basically arranged as one lengthy 55 minute song and should actually be my number one song of the year, but that would just be a little too redundant, what with it already sitting atop my Top Albums of '09 list. So, having said that, here is my annual list of the songs that have warranted necessary use of the repeat button on my iPod throughout the year. As per usual, the tunes are not listed in any particular order, since basically all of these songs are tied for first place, in the sense that I listened to them all with great repetition.

Bay Of Pigs by Destroyer (from Bay of Pigs EP)

At 13 minutes in length, this one is a moody little number that is as epic sounding as the plans for the attempted 1961 Cuban invasion upon which the title of the tune is based most likely was at the time, although unlike that CIA trained endeavor, the song is actually quite successful. Beginning as an ambient mix of controlled synths and opportunities for Bejar to share confounding lyrics such as "Magnolia's a girl. Her heart's made of wood. As apocalypses go, that's pretty good. Sha-la-la, wouldn't you say?" the song shifts partway through into an upbeat disco thump before culminating in two minutes of white noise that is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Stream: Bay of Pigs at Stereogum

And The Glitter Is Gone by Yo La Tengo (from Popular Songs)

Although by and large the latest release by everyone's favourite Hobokeners has them sounding more poppy than ever before, it's the album's closing 16 minute instrumental psychedelic rocker that had me begging for more. Though many might disagree, YLT are at their best when they just let loose on their improvisational selves.

Video: And The Glitter Is Gone Pt 1 on youtube
Video: And The Glitter Is Gone Pt 2 on youtube

Siren Song by Bat For Lashes (from Two Suns)

Natasha Khan's voice pierces right through me on this hauntingly beautiful number. I know that comparing her to Kate Bush is a little bit redundant at this point (of course, so is using the word 'redundant' twice in the same article) but the fact that the song would not be out of place on Bush's The Dreaming is part of its wonderful appeal for me.

Video: Siren Song (live at Morning Become Eclectic) on youtube

Lemons (aka Big Fish Little Pond) by Amos The Transparent
(from My What Big Teeth You Have)

Skilled songwriting matched with a simple yet unforgettable melody makes this song an infectious slice of perfection as Jonathan Chandler and company prove that even amidst a year of grand orchestral experimentation, there is a lot to be said for the charms of a subtle, acoustic pop song.

Download: Lemons (aka Big Fish Little Pond) mp3
Video: Lemons (aka Big Fish, Little Pond) on youtube

Little Secrets by Passion Pit (from Manners)

Overall, this has been a moderately successful year for me as far as listening to dancier music goes, with bands like Green Go, Handsome Furs, Friendly Fires and Woodhands receiving at least some minimal iPod airplay from me, although getting through an entire album in one sitting by any of those artists is a bit of a tall order for my anti-disco soul. Still, there was one number that achieved 'press, play, repeat' status for me, and it was this retrofied number by the Massachusetts five piece. The songs Sleepyhead and The Reeling may have received a little bit more blogger love but trust me, Little Secrets is by far the standout.

Video: Little Secrets (live on KCRW) on youtube

Doom by Hut (from Hut EP)

There are some songs that lend themselves to pristine production by nature of their incredible hooks and infectious melodies. However, when that's been done a million times before already then there's something refreshing about hearing that dynamic within the confines of a rough and delightfully real, lo-fi sound. Daniel Lee (of Hooded Fang) has coined a masterpiece with this song, and I hope that when he makes it rich in the future, he chooses to keep this song just the way it is, because it's the roughness that gives this song its charm.

Download: Doom mp3

It's Not Your Birthday Anymore by Morrissey (from Years of Refusal)

I figured that the days of Morrissey sitting in a personal year end list was gone forever, but lo and behold, here he is with a song that ranks among some of the best work of his entire career. This song is classic Moz, with that tongue in cheek misanthropic lyricism in full force and a chorus that is as large as it gets. A twisted anthem for sure, and the type of song that wannabe bombasts (like Snow Patrol) could only dream of penning.

Video: It's Not Your Birthday Anymore on youtube
(It's basically just the song streaming over a still of a half eaten piece of cake, but that's the only place where I could find the song streaming)

Synastry / New Beginning by Dog Day (from Elder Schoolhouse EP)

You knew that the combination of Halifax shoegazers Dog Day and prolific studio mastermind Rick White was going to be pretty spectacular, and the limited edition Elder Schoolhouse EP (vinyl only, and only 400 copies made) has produced the band's most expansive material so far. It may be cheating a bit to include all of side 2 as one song, but these two tracks should never be pulled apart for any reason whatsoever. The second part is a massive wall of psychedelic feedback that'll have you seeing double. I can only provide an mp3 of the first part of the song, but you really need to track down the whole thing for the full impact.

Download: Synastry mp3

Venus Rising by Blue Rodeo (from The Things We Left Behind)

Like the aforementioned Morrissey, I was pretty sure that the days of including Blue Rodeo on best of the year lists were long behind us, but the Keelor / Cuddy combo have proven that they still have the chops to pull it off when they want to. The new album still contains quite a bit of filler, but there is enough gold on it to make it their best album since Five Days In July, and this may be their best song since Diamond Mine. An epic slowburner with some blistering guitar work.

Stream: Venus Rising on youtube

Cat Tail Legs by Megan Hamilton
(from See Your Midnight Breath In The Shipyard)

The award for best vocal performance of the year goes to Megan Hamilton for the incendiary throat shred that she pulls of throughout the course of this barn busting number. Everything about this track is straightforward and immediate and although she pulls off abstract just fine at other points on the CD, this quality rocker gets the job done with perfection.

Download: Cat Tail Legs mp3

Honorable Mentions:
Drunkard's Prayer by The Schomberg Fair
Black Bull Nova by Wilco
I Can't Be Normal by Shelby Lamb
Grew Up On The Seeds by The Hoa Hoa's
Saturna by Son Volt
Love's On The Run by The Space Between Things
Come Saturday by The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
Dené Sled by Pick A Piper
Tightrope by Yeasayer
Faults by The Paint Movement

CONTEST! - Win tix to Megan Hamilton's CD Release Show and a Copy of Her New CD

MEGAN HAMILTON - SEE YOUR MIDNIGHT BREATH IN THE SHIPYARD

Megan Hamilton's sophomore release See Your Midnight Breath In The Shipyard is to be released on April 7th across Canada, and it really is a hauntingly beautiful piece of work. She continues to keep her feet firmly grounded in the world of ethereal folk rock, but the combination of experimental arrangements and her unique and slightly strange voice helps this one rise above your typical indie fare.

The album opens with a few strained plucks on the guitar before a song intriguingly titled Throw It Down The Drain With Your Morning Coffee Grinds kicks in. Megan's voice is impossible to ignore, and her lyrical whimsy is fully evident right from the get-go as this song addresses the topic of eventual hopelessness, but somehow manages to do so in a positive way. From Here To Vancouver shuffles along almost waltz-like, as the lyrics are sung in a Dylan-esque poetic fashion. Hamilton had a full band present with her for this album and this becomes really evident on the rockier tracks, such as Sprout Through the Load or the amazing Cat Tail Legs where the shredding guitar work is fuzzed out and insane. Lyrics like ,"I don't care if nobody wants me. You can take that however you feel" are delivered as plainly as they've been written, and the song is one of many where the build up really knocks you to your senses. There are bluesier numbers like One Day, where the vocals and subdued piano work together to evoke the feeling of being in the lounge of a dirty ship at 3am. Not sure if that's what they were going for but that's how it feels to me. There are also straight ahead country numbers like Why Do We Cry, hypnotic choral moments like We All Love You, and songs that are just bizarre and funny like I <3 Computers. The album is a triumph in that it remains very cohesive and fluid, while still displaying enough variety to keep things interesting. Hamilton mentioned in an interview that she had been listening to Big Star's Third during this time, and nowhere is this more evident than in Wherever You Are which is a song that under different circumstances would be very warm sounding, but in the hands of co-producer, engineer and creative partner Mark Vogelsang, quite the opposite is accomplished in that it's actually got a colder feel to it.

Combining the folksy earthiness of Buffy Sainte-Maire with the starry eclecticism of Joanna Newsom, See Your Midnight Breath In The Shipyard is connecting with me on a different level than I'm used to, and after I'd listened to it once, I found myself craving for it later.

Download: Cat Tail Legs mp3

Myspace: Megan Hamilton
Above photo by Corey Goodyear

CONTEST: Megan Hamilton is playing a CD Release show at The Rivoli on Thursday April 9th. The equally amazing Olenka and the Autumn Lovers will be opening for her, along with Toronto comedienne Kathleen Phillips.

Courtesy of Audio Blood Media, I've got two tickets to the show as well as a copy of her new CD, See Your Midnight Breath In the Shipyard, available for one special fan. To enter, send an e-mail to quadb2001 [at] gmail [dot] com with "I Want Megan Hamilton" in the subject line, and your full name in the body.

Contest is now closed and congrats to Melissa D. Thanks to all who entered.