1. Anna Calvi - Desire
Calvi meets the Devil, God, and Roy Orbison in a heavenly fire. Swaggery, confident and the biggest and best key change of the year at 2:32.
2. The Streets - Soldiers
A killer chorus and nod to Dame Judi "rhymes with fence" Dench. Result!
3. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
Idyllic summertime folk rock, rife with images of working yourself sore in an orchard and waiting tables. Features my least-favorite word "unique" and the best harmonies of the year at :46. How about dem apples?
4. New York Dolls - Fool For You Baby
Like he did as Buster Poindexter in Oh Me Oh My (don't click on the link, I beg you), David Johansen salutes idiots in love. Like all true-idiot love, the song fades out too soon.
5. Mates of State - Palomino
Lord help me, but I love a good round song. As long as Mates of States keeps writing them, I'll keep singin' along in the shower, Palomino.
Runners-up:
The Sounds - Something to Die For
Battles - Ice Cream
Art Brut - Clever Clever Jazz
Blancmange - The Western
Book of Mormon Cast - I Believe
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Same Mistake
The Go! Team - Buy Nothing Day
PJ Harvey - Written on the Forehead
The Unthanks - My Laddie Sits Ower Late Up (Not online? Huh?!)
Limousines - Internet Killed the Video Star
Patti Smith - Words of Love
Patrick Wolf - The City
Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness
British Sea Power - Who's in Control?
Raveonettes - Forget That You're Young
Buffalo Tom - Guilty Girls
Steve Martin/Paul McCartney - Best Love
Grouplove - Colours
Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Heart in Your Heartbreak
Deer Tick - Main Street
Jim Jones Revue - High Horse
Funeral Party - Finale
Manchester Orchestra - Virgin
Thomas Dolby - Spice Train
Lindsey Buckingham - That's the Way That Love Goes
Fleet Foxes are solid. They remind me of Simon and Garfunkel. New York Dolls are still making music? Guh?
ReplyDeleteOnly two original Dolls. I still love David Johansen...but, yeah, I concur.
ReplyDelete