Playlist 06
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
The last of my family have left for the night. I'm wired. And I have a half bottle of some semi-decent Chardonnay to finish off. So, as I marinate, I'll do my annual end-of-year track dump. Here's what I've listened to the most this year. That doesn't necessarily mean it's what I think is the best music of the year, just what stuck in my earballs.
In no particular order, and with scattered, intermittent commentary:
"Gotta Get Out" • The Bicycles
The fact that I found a song that I love on MySpace just shames me to no end.
Listening to a Prefab Sprout cassette tape while riding in the car with my Dad, circa 1984. My Dad says, "It sounds like they're going to break into a song at any moment." Yep. Same here.
What a jaunty little number about killing your in-laws.
Fanfic set to music.
Dumb, demo-style guitars. Great, self-affirming lyrics. And shout-outs to vitamins. What more could you want?
You and I are a Gang of Losers • The Dears
Ticket to Immortality • The Dears
Big, U2-style production. Self-effacing, warm, and sweet lyrics. Beautiful melodies. The Dears have seemed like genre artists in the past. A bit cold and clinical. Not so much, here.
Sunday Afternoon at Tamagawa River • Guitar
I'm a sucker for both droning guitar songs (think Mogwai) and clean, Japanese production (Cornelius, Ryuchi Sakamoto). This one sounds like a Japanese version of Yo La Tengos's "I Heard You Looking".
Boys of Melody • Hidden Cameras
Tits McGee is atwitter with anticipation for John Cameron Mitchell's "Shortbus". Me? I like the score.
We're from Barcelona • I'm from Barcelona
One of the best five songs this year about being from a Spanish city.
Lillian, Egypt • Josh Ritter
Sadie • M Ward
I loathe Joanna Newsom. Hearing her sing makes me want to drill my own teeth. But I love me some M Ward. Halfway between Paul Westerburg and Tom Waits.
Take a Chance • The Magic Numbers
Goodnight • The Magic Numbers
The Mamas and the Papas. The Fifth Dimension. Fleetwood Mac. I love the sound of men and women singing together. The Magic Numbers are two sets of brother/sister siblings. And these are from their second CD. The arrangements and playing are pristine. Of course, there's no market for well-written, well played pop anymore. It's a shame.
Are You Sensation • Tigercity
The faux David Byrne fronting Franz Ferdinand doesn't bode well. Very NYC. Very insular. But somehow, about four minutes in, the song switches from distant and cool to warm and inviting. The last two minutes feel like you're intruding into the intimacy of a wake. Weird shit. But affecting.
You Needed More • The Sleepy Jackson
Don't Ever Change • Pink Nasty
I've listened to this over 200 times this year.
Nightingales • Sondre Lerche
Strangely enough, a Prefab Sprout cover. See, Dad, they write standards. Listen to 'em.
They Thought I Was Asleep • Paul Kelly and the Stormwater Boys
Black Barry • Swimming Pool
Photo Booth • Ola Podrida
Not getting the fact that the other person is pulling away, when all the signs are there.
Kick Out the Chairs (Who Made Who remix) • Munk (featuring James Murphy)
James Murphy sounds like the one person who can help you get over the motherfucker.
Work on You • Mstrkrft
Inside of Me • The Starlight Mints
Now that is a serious riff.
Pull Shapes • the Pipettes
Loved the video. Reverend Jack pointed out that it was a takeoff of a scene from "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." I finally saw BVD this week. And all I can say is, "This is my happening and it freaks me out!"
The Mistress Witch From McClure (Or The Mind That Knows Itself) • Sufjan Stevens
"Dad tried to kill us when we caught him fooling around with his accounts payable clerk."
If you're so inclined, you can grab all of these songs here.
Ticket to Immortality • The Dears
Big, U2-style production. Self-effacing, warm, and sweet lyrics. Beautiful melodies. The Dears have seemed like genre artists in the past. A bit cold and clinical. Not so much, here.
Sunday Afternoon at Tamagawa River • Guitar
I'm a sucker for both droning guitar songs (think Mogwai) and clean, Japanese production (Cornelius, Ryuchi Sakamoto). This one sounds like a Japanese version of Yo La Tengos's "I Heard You Looking".
Boys of Melody • Hidden Cameras
Tits McGee is atwitter with anticipation for John Cameron Mitchell's "Shortbus". Me? I like the score.
We're from Barcelona • I'm from Barcelona
One of the best five songs this year about being from a Spanish city.
Lillian, Egypt • Josh Ritter
Sadie • M Ward
I loathe Joanna Newsom. Hearing her sing makes me want to drill my own teeth. But I love me some M Ward. Halfway between Paul Westerburg and Tom Waits.
Take a Chance • The Magic Numbers
Goodnight • The Magic Numbers
The Mamas and the Papas. The Fifth Dimension. Fleetwood Mac. I love the sound of men and women singing together. The Magic Numbers are two sets of brother/sister siblings. And these are from their second CD. The arrangements and playing are pristine. Of course, there's no market for well-written, well played pop anymore. It's a shame.
Are You Sensation • Tigercity
The faux David Byrne fronting Franz Ferdinand doesn't bode well. Very NYC. Very insular. But somehow, about four minutes in, the song switches from distant and cool to warm and inviting. The last two minutes feel like you're intruding into the intimacy of a wake. Weird shit. But affecting.
You Needed More • The Sleepy Jackson
Don't Ever Change • Pink Nasty
I've listened to this over 200 times this year.
Nightingales • Sondre Lerche
Strangely enough, a Prefab Sprout cover. See, Dad, they write standards. Listen to 'em.
They Thought I Was Asleep • Paul Kelly and the Stormwater Boys
Black Barry • Swimming Pool
Photo Booth • Ola Podrida
Not getting the fact that the other person is pulling away, when all the signs are there.
Kick Out the Chairs (Who Made Who remix) • Munk (featuring James Murphy)
James Murphy sounds like the one person who can help you get over the motherfucker.
Work on You • Mstrkrft
Inside of Me • The Starlight Mints
Now that is a serious riff.
Pull Shapes • the Pipettes
Loved the video. Reverend Jack pointed out that it was a takeoff of a scene from "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." I finally saw BVD this week. And all I can say is, "This is my happening and it freaks me out!"
The Mistress Witch From McClure (Or The Mind That Knows Itself) • Sufjan Stevens
"Dad tried to kill us when we caught him fooling around with his accounts payable clerk."
If you're so inclined, you can grab all of these songs here.
Labels: hating both the playa and the game, narcissism, onanism
