Yep. Title says it all. But since Shinji already did his list of stuff that came out this year, I’m going to try something different. I’m going to make a list of stuff that became a big part of my year. Yeah. Everything. From Geekdom to Music to Movies to Comics.
Top 20 Songs That Made My Year
1. Pele – Nighttime Stomach
Countless nights, I fell asleep to this wonderful piece of music. Calming… relaxing.
2. Phil Ochs – Tape From California
A bit old-timey, but a bit of retro folk doesn’t hurt.
3. The Smiths – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
I know it’s a fucking safe answer, but it’s a darned good song and I will put it.
4. The Smiths – Reel Around The Fountain
Yes. Good bass on this one. Listen to both versions. Both are pretty good.
5. The Smiths – Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
I started listening to this again after hearing a cover on the soundtrack of This Is England. This is Jon Cryer’s emo song in Pretty in Pink. LULZ
6. Braid – Baby Now That I’ve Found You
Probably my favorite cover of a song I liked in the first place. Their cover of The Smiths’ This Charming Man and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out kicks ass as well.
7. Third Eye Blind – Losing A Whole Year
It all started with a lulzy conversation between me and Tomi that ended in a nostalgia trip that lasted for a while.
8. Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees
A clear inspiration for i love you… in real life’s first song, Fossil Fuel
9. Belle And Sebastian – Is It Wicked Not Care
I don’t know why, but I don’t want to comment on it. It’s just a good song with a good video that I have seen a bunch of times this year.
10. Tears For Fears – Everybody Wants To Rule The World
One of the coolest, if not the coolest song ever made pretty much because it’s used in the closing credits of Real Genius, when everybody was playing around in the popcorn. VAL KILMER! YOU USED TO BE COOL!
11. Belle And Sebastian – Seymour Stein
Yes, I listen to old sad bastard music.
12. Jets To Brazil – Starry Configurations
It’s simple, but it’s got the hook.
13. The Polyphonic Spree – Running Away
This is, correct me if I’m wrong, the lead single from their new full length. More focused, more “rock oriented”, but still with that TPS charm and catchiness and ear for melody.
14. The Polyphonic Spree – Light And Day (Reach For The Sun)
What got me into them in the first place. FOLLOW THE DAY AND REACH FOR THE SUN!
15. The Polyphonic Spree – Love My Way
An amazing cover of an already good Psychedelic Furs song.
16. The Polyphonic Spree – Lithium
It sounds different when they sing it, angst-less.
17. Of Montreal – Erroneous Escape into Erik Eckles
LET’S GET RETRO! They sound like they came straight from the 70’s. Recommended for driving. Shame I forgot to put this in my “Top 5 Road Trip Records”.
18. Of Montreal – Eros’ Entropic Tundra
Have you ever heard a song that basically speaks to you, fits you, that it’s almost as if it was speaking your mind? This is my song.
19. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Pangea
Catchy, poppy, lo-fi. What more do you need?
20. Minus The Bear – El Torrente
My favorite Minus The Bear song by far. (yes, not Pachuca Sunrise) Great lyrics.
Records That Made My Year
1. Animal Collective – Feels
Yes. I listen to Animal Collective. I’m hip. It’s good. Weird crazy folky poppy stuff.
2. Devendra Banhart – Rejoicing In The Hands
Good stuff. Favorite track, “This Beard Is For Siobahn”. He has this weird annoying voice that doesn’t annoy me at all. He’s also a talented guitar player, even though he plays simple stuff. You could hear it in the way he finger-picks.
3. The Brother Kite – Waiting For The Time To Be Right
Probably my favorite “new musical discovery” this year. They sound like a cross between The Beach Boys and My Bloody Valentine. Good combination if you ask me.
4. Immortal Technique – Revolutionary Vol. 2
Most probably the best Hip-Hop album I have ever heard. Witty, smart, vulgar, and socially conscious. Immortal Technique has a way with words, and he speaks the truth.
5. Thrice – The Alchemy Index Vol. 1 and 2 (Fire and Water)
It’s like they listened to too much Isis and Radiohead. I sort of like this better than Vheissu. ZOMFGBLASPHEMER!
6. Tigers Are Out, Bears Are In – Groups Of Domesticated Kittens Are Referred To As Kindles EP
A bit biased. But it’s a damn good EP, and I am proud of being a part of it.
7. Radiohead – In Rainbows
Yes. The latest from Radiohead. Haven’t listened to disc 2 yet. But disc 1 was incredible. Awesome music. And I should also add, clever strategy on how they sold the record. But I know you’ve heard enough about it already.
8. Beulah – The Coast Is Never Clear
My absolute favorite Beulah record. All of the songs are amazing, but my favorite would be Gravity’s Bringing Us Down. I swear, if I could hear one song over and over again, that would be it. Then I again, it depends on my mood.
9. Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
A lot has already been said about this one, so I won’t add anymore since I will basically say the same thing… okay, here goes.. GENIUS.
10. Brand New – Fight Off Your Demons
The demos from their “Devil and God” sessions. Amazing songs indeed, even the songs not included in the final record. And the songs sound good. You would mistake it for an actual record.