I really like songs, and I really like lists, but trying to list my favorite songs in order of greatness just didn't feel right. These are the songs I heard this year that accompanied my ups and downs, made me dance carelessly around my living room, helped me fall asleep and wake up, and gave me reasons to love music all over again. How could I choose one great song over another (besides "Postcards From Italy, of course)? So without further adue, I present to you my "best and the most" of 2006, highlighting what I love about each of my favorite songs. Download links courtesy of several blogs via The Hype Machine.
The Best
My precious, the best song of the year: Beirut - Postcards From Italy. But you already knew that.
Best bassline: Tapes 'n Tapes - Cowbell
Best falsetto: Muse - Supermassive Black Hole
Best drums: Final Fantasy - Song Song Song
Best late-night driving through the city song: Junior Boys - In The Morning
Best song to shake it to: Hot Chip - Boy From School
Best guilty pleasure: The Rapture - Get Myself Into It. Totally infectious. Totally lame lyrics.
The Most
Most blog-hype worthy: Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry & Hospital Beds. I love both songs equally.
Most gorgeous musical moment: (Stream) Grizzly Bear - Central and Remote. From 3:22 - 4:02
Most awesomely quirky: Danielson - Did I Step On Your Trumpet?. Ridiculously fun call-and response.
Most addictive song: The Knife - We Share Our Mothers' Health.
Most annoying song that I couldn't get enough of: Man Man - Push the Eagle's Stomach. This could rival the most annoying sound in the world.
Most hauntingly beautiful: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Strange Form of Life
Most unexpectedly sweet song: Liars - The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack. A calm, soothing ending to an otherwise challenging album.
Better Than Most - Bonus Tracks
Band of Horses - Funeral Cat Power - The Greatest Ratatat - Wildcat Tom Waits - Lie To Me Midlake - Roscoe Sufjan Stevens - The Henney Buggy Band Under the Influence of Giants - In The Clouds Chad VanGaalen - Flower Gardens Herbert - The Movers and the Shakers
I'm sure there's some I missed, but I had to stop somewhere. Thanks for reading and listening, and a special thanks to all of you in MOG - land for making this the best year ever for the internet!
My Trusted MOGs
Groovy list Tyler! :)
My Trusted MOGs
Just wanted to post a quick thanks. Although I don't imagine that your post was really meant to pimp The Hype Machine, it was what I immediately latched onto. It's been a great source for music that I could not find through other legitimate sources. Some day I'm going to have to get over my hangup on torrents. Thanks again. My morning has been filled with Peter, Bjorn and John and some Midlake too.
My Trusted MOGs
Thanks AJ, and you're quite welcome zeroskilz. I wasn't trying to pimp the machine but wanted to give at leats some credit where it was due. Torrents are quite lovely if I know that I want an entire record, otherwise I use the machine to get an idea if I'll like a record or not, and avoid a lot of wasted time/disappointment. Sometimes I've gotten almost an entire record just from the mp3 blogs, and I don't have to worry about getting sued!
My Trusted MOGs
I think if I was still in college (or slightly poorer), I would be a bit more into the torrents. I happen to be fortunate enough that I can afford my music habit. That is to say, of course, my music habit pre-Mog. Things have gotten a bit more expensive since Mog. And, I like the idea that the artist is actually getting some money (however much/little it really is) for creating the music I love. Not preaching here; just explaining why I'm thankful for The Hype Machine link. Cheers!
My Trusted MOGs
Oh I completely agree with the artist getting paid. I buy albums that I like after I've gotten them from free sources. This is why I love eMusic - their subscription rates turn out to be about $3 an album.
My Trusted MOGs
a year's end list i actually agree with...well done. postcards from italy is incredible
My Trusted MOGs
Sweet. A concurrer :)
My Trusted MOGs
Super comprehensive, Tyler...good job! I have a ton of new music to check out now...
Happy New Year!!
vinson valega new york city Consilience Productions Just Jazz
My Trusted MOGs
A lovely person with a lovely list. I hope you have a great year, Ty! :)
My Trusted MOGs
Awww, thanks Anna :) Same to you darling.
My Trusted MOGs
Cool. I hardly know any of this stuff, and I am totally psyched that now I can just listen to it by clicking on it. That happens automatically, yes? Or do you have to do something?
My Trusted MOGs
Errr, maybe I didn't understand the question!
My Trusted MOGs
This rocks.