Wednesday, December 26, 2007
And we fail to acknowledge the knots in our laces...
I know I'm missing something. I know there's one song out there that I would secretly love inside, that would take me to the precipice of dancing when I heard it in grocery store, but I would scorn as "the end of music as we know it" to anyone that would listen. Anyway, here are my Top 25 Songs of the Year - Girls, Girls, Girls style. The one ground rule: only one song per artist, or this list would be dominated by Okkervil River and Spoon.
1. Dr. Dog - Heart It Races
When it all shook out, my favorite song of the year turned out to be an Architecture In Helsinki cover. Only in New York!
2. The Killers - Read My Mind
3. The Shins - Girl Sailor
4. Spoon - Finer Feelings
My first tought choice. I mean, you have heard the album, right? In the end, this one hit the spot.
5. Okkervil River - A Girl in Port
Another tough choice. Could have gone with "Unless It's Kicks" or "Plus Ones."
6. Bruce Springsteen - Girls in Their Summer Clothes
Six songs in and three songs with "Girl" in the title.
7. The National - Mistaken for Strangers
8. Jason Isbell - Dress Blues
9. The New Pornographers - Adventures in Solitude:
"We thought we lost you. Welcome back." On an album full of subtle charms, this one takes the cake for the way it takes off at the end.
10. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - The Lost Brigade
Fantastic song; impossible to put on a mix tape.
11. The Twilight Singer - The Lure Would Prove Too Much
I think this came out at the end of 2006, but whatever. Greg Dulli takes his knocks, and as great as this song is, it's fuel for the detractors. The coda is a bunch of phone messages, ending with what I think is Dulli's mom, asking how he is and why he hasn't called. Haunting, sure; but when he sang "the vampire only wants a little love," this proves he was singing about himself. Trying to suss out the psychology behind not calling his mom, then using a worried phone message to end a song about loss? It's like walking into a hall of mirrors. Anyway...
12. Georgie James - More Lights
You know, I bitch about settling down and marriage, but I'll let you in on a secret: I'm kinda jealous. And songs like this, well... If Superchunk came out with a song called "Poopy Diapers," I may actually think about having kids.
13. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
People really like this song, huh? Well, it's undeniable.
14. Rihanna - Umbrella
Anyone else heard this one? A little under-the-radar gem. The "ella ella" hook bumps this up about 20 spots.
15. Bat for Lashes - What's A Girl To Do?
Maybe it's the video, but this makes me think of Donnie Darko. Fantastically creepy, they should play this in haunted houses.
16. Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost?
So many questions. I could have gone with "No One's Gonna Love You" because it sticks with me like a hangover, but you really can't deny this one.
17. Immaculate Machine - Dear Confessor
As much as I like the song, I am terrified of buying this album.
18. The Thermals - A Pillar of Salt
The nuh nuh nuh song. You know that one, right?
19. Miranda Lambert - Famous in a Small Town
Hey, look at me! I like country! I am varied in my tastes!
20. The Twilight Sad - Cold Days from the Birdhouse
21. Tegan and Sara - The Con
Such a sucker. I can't help it. I really can't.
22. Foo Fighters - Long Road to Ruin
State's exhibit #2, proving that yes, I am a sucker.
23. Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own
24. Maximo Park - Girls Who Play Guitar
And with that, we have our last entry with "girl" in the title. Ta da.
25. The Avett Brothers - Die Die Die
Honorable Mention
Bad Company - Feel Like Making Love
For some reason it's always on the radio when I'm in the car in Baltimore. I pump my fist. I sing along. The roommate gets uncomfortable. A good time is had by all.
My Most Secret Shame
Faith Hill - Stealing Kisses
I fucking said it. And I am now liberated. Kind of.
1. Dr. Dog - Heart It Races
When it all shook out, my favorite song of the year turned out to be an Architecture In Helsinki cover. Only in New York!
2. The Killers - Read My Mind
3. The Shins - Girl Sailor
4. Spoon - Finer Feelings
My first tought choice. I mean, you have heard the album, right? In the end, this one hit the spot.
5. Okkervil River - A Girl in Port
Another tough choice. Could have gone with "Unless It's Kicks" or "Plus Ones."
6. Bruce Springsteen - Girls in Their Summer Clothes
Six songs in and three songs with "Girl" in the title.
7. The National - Mistaken for Strangers
8. Jason Isbell - Dress Blues
9. The New Pornographers - Adventures in Solitude:
"We thought we lost you. Welcome back." On an album full of subtle charms, this one takes the cake for the way it takes off at the end.
10. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - The Lost Brigade
Fantastic song; impossible to put on a mix tape.
11. The Twilight Singer - The Lure Would Prove Too Much
I think this came out at the end of 2006, but whatever. Greg Dulli takes his knocks, and as great as this song is, it's fuel for the detractors. The coda is a bunch of phone messages, ending with what I think is Dulli's mom, asking how he is and why he hasn't called. Haunting, sure; but when he sang "the vampire only wants a little love," this proves he was singing about himself. Trying to suss out the psychology behind not calling his mom, then using a worried phone message to end a song about loss? It's like walking into a hall of mirrors. Anyway...
12. Georgie James - More Lights
You know, I bitch about settling down and marriage, but I'll let you in on a secret: I'm kinda jealous. And songs like this, well... If Superchunk came out with a song called "Poopy Diapers," I may actually think about having kids.
13. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
People really like this song, huh? Well, it's undeniable.
14. Rihanna - Umbrella
Anyone else heard this one? A little under-the-radar gem. The "ella ella" hook bumps this up about 20 spots.
15. Bat for Lashes - What's A Girl To Do?
Maybe it's the video, but this makes me think of Donnie Darko. Fantastically creepy, they should play this in haunted houses.
16. Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost?
So many questions. I could have gone with "No One's Gonna Love You" because it sticks with me like a hangover, but you really can't deny this one.
17. Immaculate Machine - Dear Confessor
As much as I like the song, I am terrified of buying this album.
18. The Thermals - A Pillar of Salt
The nuh nuh nuh song. You know that one, right?
19. Miranda Lambert - Famous in a Small Town
Hey, look at me! I like country! I am varied in my tastes!
20. The Twilight Sad - Cold Days from the Birdhouse
21. Tegan and Sara - The Con
Such a sucker. I can't help it. I really can't.
22. Foo Fighters - Long Road to Ruin
State's exhibit #2, proving that yes, I am a sucker.
23. Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own
24. Maximo Park - Girls Who Play Guitar
And with that, we have our last entry with "girl" in the title. Ta da.
25. The Avett Brothers - Die Die Die
Honorable Mention
Bad Company - Feel Like Making Love
For some reason it's always on the radio when I'm in the car in Baltimore. I pump my fist. I sing along. The roommate gets uncomfortable. A good time is had by all.
My Most Secret Shame
Faith Hill - Stealing Kisses
I fucking said it. And I am now liberated. Kind of.
