30. It Ain’t Gonna Save Me - Jay Reatard
Nothing like a little teen fueled angst to kick off this list. In this first single from Jay Reatard, he is upset, but doesn’t pretend to be pissed off about anything in particular. If I had to guess he is upset about his parent’s suburban lifestyle and two car garage. Luckily for us he uses this angst to create a punk jem called “It Ain’t Gonna Save Me.”
29. Who Says - John Mayer
It was going to happen at some point, I’d put a guilty pleasure on here. I find myself defending John Mayer often. People’s arguments against Mr. Mayer are usually apt, but there is a maturity in his newer music that can’t be ignored. In “Who Says” Mayer exhibits an independent streak that for me is easily relatable. I don’t smoke, never have, but no one is telling me I can’t. I like being me, but I reserve the right to change it up every now and then.
28. Sleepy Head - Passion Pit
This song possibly came out in 2008, but I’m going to ignore that fact since it was reissued in 2009 on Passion Pit’s album Manners. There is something dizzying and refreshing about this song. Its sound is very innocent.
27. Percussion Gun - White Rabbits
This song came on a couple of different samplers I got throughout the year. After it hit me I couldn’t help, but imagine it being played in some sort of big band swing setting. All you swing dancers out there will know what I’m talkin about when you hear the drums and bass on this number.
26. Make Her Say - Kid Cudi
Unless you lived in a cave this year (which I tend to do from time to time) it was extremely hard to get away from Lady Gaga. While this will be the only Lady Gaga related song on this list I have to tip my hat to her for inspiring music that I wouldn’t mind being seen listening to. Oh yea Kid Cudi, Kanye, and Common are good on this song too.
25. 15 to 20 - Phenomenal Hand Clap Band
This is an odd song from a band with an unnecessarily long name. The lead singer on this track is so hypnotic. After she rattles off “We got the local operation of the local police, they are more than pleased I just spoke to the chief” with such ease, I’m hooked. The swagger in lines “All the money still ridin’ the bus” make you feel like the coolest person … on the bus at least.
24. Brother Sport - Animal Collective
This song should be higher on my list. It really should. I love this song. There is nothing I would love more than to be at a party where everyone knows this song (maybe Coachella ‘10). Especially for the chant comes in the second half of the song “Keep it real! Keep it real! Shout out!” Animal Collective has a cool way of making words flow that might not otherwise flow in normal conversation. Brother Sport loses points only based on the fact that I’ve played it for people and have gotten mostly salty looks. For now I’m content with dancing alone in my room to this amazing song.
23. ABCs - Knaan
I had the privilege of seeing Knaan preform at Coachella 2009. The depth of his lyrics remind me of Lupe Fiasco. I’ve seen both in concert, and Knaan blows Lupe out of the water. In Knaan’s show he shares a piece of himself with the crowd that you can’t get off of the record. Now that is not saying his debut album Troubadour disappoints in any way. On tracks like ABCs Knaan… well I’ll let him tell you… “I don’t mean to sound like a showboat, but its true my persona’s no joke, I stepped into some kind of portal, I’m legend and sometimes I’m noble.” In a couple of years time Knaan has the potential to be the next big thing in rap.
22. Two Weeks -Grizzly Bear
I’m a huge fan of the Beach Boys - Pet sounds. It seemed like that kind of sound was locked in 60s nostalgia. Grizzly Bear breathed new life into the melodic sounds and harmonies of that era. Two Weeks is kind of repetitive, but each time the sound gets larger.
21. Marrow - St. Vincent
I just found about St. Vincent is year, and the first thing I thought was… where has this woman been all my life. Marrow is a prime example of St. Vincent’s style it sounds so whimsical, then come in some ugly yet beautifully sung lyrics, and then you are hit with the gritty guitar and horns. By the end of the song you aren’t sure if she’s the one or your the one asking for “H-E-L-P.”
20. Zero - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
When I first got It’s Blitz! I played this song non-stop. This song is good to dance to, and go for when you weaving in and out of traffic on the freeways in a suburban jungle. “Was it the cure? SHELL SHOCK! Was it cure? HOPE NOT!” Play this songs and have fun getting lost in the synths.
19. Thank You - Jay-Z
Its like Jay-Z is thanking us for starting up converstations like “is Jay-Z better than Biggie and Tupac?” Play this song and try not to feel cool. It’s Jay-Z songs like this where I don’t think he is going for the Biggie or Tupac mantle but the Sinatra mantle instead. Now Jigga’s voice is no where near Old Blue Eyes, but both can make you feel like you are in a glitzy Hollywood production.
18. You’ve Got the Love (XX Remix) - Florence and the Machine
The XX are arguably the most hyped up band this year, at least in the non radio world. I did my best to resist them, but that wall started tumbling down with this Florence and the Machine Remix. The song is evenly paced in a very XX way, and then it is injected with some glam from Florence. Slow but it is still very dancable.
17. Lisztomania - Phoenix
http://bit.ly/OWdo6 or http://bit.ly/ADBkP
“From the mess to the masses!” One of my favorite bands of the year Phoenix. If you hear this and don’t feel the urge to dance then you might want to check your pulse, because you might already be dead. If listening to this song is the most fun you had all year, then I say it was a good year. If you check out this song I suggest checking out both videos links posted. Then submit yourself to 80’s vibe.
16. Watching the Planets feat. Karen O. - The Flaming Lips
It takes you until the end of the Flaming Lips’ latest LP Embryonic to witness the supernova of sound that is “Watching the Planets.” This album feels like The Flaming Lips are going for that Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon/ The Wall mantle and succeeding. At the end of this violent mess of a song The Lips leave you feeling battered, bruise, and to find that “there ain’t no answer to find.”
