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

Best Of 2007: The Songs

My best of 2007 album list has been giving me ulcers since the day I posted it. Should I have included Of Montreal? What about Múm; that was a great album? Steve Earle's latest wasn't as good as his previous work, but I'm thinking maybe I still like it better than numbers 39 and 40 on the original list. Lists are hard. That's why, instead of doing a list of my top 10 favorite songs, that will most surely expand until I end up with something weird like a top 53, I'm simply going to limit this post to an orderless list of 10 songs that completely blew my mind this past year. So here goes:

I Am John by Loney, Dear

The only song on my order list that I will give a ranking to is this indisputable (in my mind) number one. What makes this song so great for me is simply the way it makes me feel. It starts off so delicate and sweet sounding. But the mid song build up is always money in the bank as far as I'm concerned, and when the voices are layered and layered beyond belief, what may sound cheesy in a Def Leppard song, is total euphoria in this case. It simply touches on every emotional nerve in my over sensitive synapses. This is more than a song, it's a celebration of life.

Download: I Am John mp3
Video: I Am John youtube

You! Me! Dancing! by Los Campesinos!

While staying in 'celebration of life' mode, Cardiff's Los Campesinos! has crafted an infectious danceable ditty that has reached a certain level of popularity thanks to the phenomenon / aggravation that is myspace. I like this song because it makes me dance. 'Nuff said.

Video: You! Me! Dancing! youtube
Photo by Grace deVille

Walk Tall; Talk Sweet [Breathe Deep] by Reily

There's a lot to be said about simplicity, but there's also a lot to be said for a song with a whole bunch of everything going on. This song falls in the latter category, being a huge cage match battle of voices that caused me to fall in love with the band earlier this year. Sadly, Reily is no more, but keep your eyes and ears out for their first offspring, Bass Lions. Rumor has it that there are more children to follow as well.

Video: Walk Tall; Talk Sweet [Breathe Deep] youtube
Photo by Brian Emmanuel

Fake Empire by The National

Some of my hoity toity friends would rather choose one of Boxer's deep album cuts, but at the risk of being captain obvious, Fake Empire has to be the choice for me. In the words of a friend, the horns on this one will make you rethink the purpose of life. Haha!

Video: Fake Empire on David Letterman youtube

Girl In Port by Okkervil River

Choosing just one song from The Stage Names is no easy task but Girl In Port simply encapsulates all that I love about this band and Will Scheff in particular. The literary prose in the song lyrics coupled with Will's emotive singing makes this the indie song for the thinking man (or woman.)

Video: Girl In Port (Will Scheff solo acoustic version) youtube

Rag And Bone by The White Stripes

Some things cannot be faked and Jack White's bluesy old time vocal spoken word riffing is the real deal. When I first heard this song I must've put it on repeat about 70 times. It had me shaking my head in disbelief at just how authentic the guy sounds. Mainstream or not, I'd like to welcome you back, Meg and Jack.

Video (sort of...): Rag And Bone youtube (This is actually just a still picture of the band while the song is playing but it's the only place to hear it online without getting in trouble.)
Photo by Patrick Pantano

Backed Out On The... by Kevin Drew

Sorry Kev, you're all well and good but what makes this song an indie rock assault to the senses is the presence of J. Mascis' instantly recognizable guitar work. The video is what every music snob wishes their house party would look like.

Video: Backed Out On The... youtube

My Hands, My Plans by Fox Jaws

Carleigh Atkins' voice possesses a raspy heart that has the ability to take an average song and make it cataclysmic. She does this with several 'ordinary' songs on the album, but when she does it to pop music gold like this, it's even better.

Video: My Hands, My Plans live at the Talk Is Free Theatre youtube
Photo by Sarah Hobson

You Vs Them by The Hero Cycle

Honestly, choosing only one song by this amazing band was really hard to do. I've sort of created a personal rule for my album's list that EP's don't count. But the truth is, that Lakes and Ponds is one of the most solid releases of the year. All five songs are perfect, and subconsciously, I may have chosen You Vs Them simply because it's the song that lasts the longest. I'm really really hoping that we see a full length in the near future and that the full length makes them big enough that we see them coming to Toronto. I just gots ta see 'em!

Listen to You Vs. Them on their myspace page.

I Was A Daughter by Basia Bulat

Piano. Strings. Pounding drums. A flawless voice. And the most hyperactive handclaps I've ever heard in my life. Need I say more?

Video: I Was A Daughter live at Schuba's youtube
Photo by A. Von Seckendorf