There. That's what a top 25 list looks like.
Here we are, on the verge of 2012 and pretty much everyone has already posted their top picks for 2011. I’m a little late to the party, but as long as they get out before the clock strikes midnight on Saturday evening, I figure I’m in on time. As usual, these are really in no particular order after the top 6 or 7, and only one song from an album can be on this list. Do I think “Calgary” from [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Bon Iver[/lastfm] is one of the 25 best songs of 2011? Yes. But “Holocene” is already on the list, and if I allowed multiples from the best albums this list would be nothing but [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Cut Copy[/lastfm], Bon Iver, and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]M83[/lastfm], so for the sake of having more artists represented, only one song per release is allowed. Now that we have that out of the way…
If there’s a download of the song posted somewhere, I’ll link to it. If not, it’s good ol’ YouTube or Soundcloud links.
25. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Teddybears[/lastfm] – “Crystal Meth Christian (feat. The Flaming Lips)”
Just a catchy tune that features a band that wears giant bear heads on stage, and for an added bonus [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Flaming Lips[/lastfm] are in there too.
24. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Black Lips[/lastfm] – “New Direction”
It’s short, it rocks, I’m in.
23. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Pains of Being Pure At Heart[/lastfm] – “Belong”
Big-time Siamese Dream thing going on here from a band I’ve had a soft spot for since the beginning.
22. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Alpines[/lastfm] – “Cocoon (Nocturnal Sunshine Remix)“
Alpines are a UK duo and Nocturnal Sunshine is actually Maya Jane Coles. Nice work, MJC.
21. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Antlers[/lastfm] – “I Don’t Want Love”
We played this band on XRT a bit in 2011. Try singing along and you’re going to have a tough time keeping up with Peter Silberman.
20. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Friendly Fires[/lastfm] – “Hurting”
Will there be more pop records in this countdown? Yeah. You’ve been warned.
19. Blood Diamonds – “Move The Stars“
One of the many tracks I fell in love with this year that was posted on the excellent XLR8R downloads page.
18. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Battles[/lastfm] – “Futura”
Vocals? Who needs ‘em?
17. Flume – “Sleepless (feat. Anthony For Cleopatra)“
Not bad for a 19 year old, huh?
16. WIN WIN – “Victim”
Gotta thank the good folks at Terrorbird for sending this record my way in early 2011.
15. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The War on Drugs[/lastfm] – “Baby Missiles”
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Kurt Vile[/lastfm] used to play in this band. He’s doing well, they’re doing well, everything is good.
14. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Washed Out[/lastfm] – “Amor Fati”
The music video for this song featured the beautiful landscapes of Iceland. More on Iceland later in the countdown…
13. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Junior Boys[/lastfm] – “You’ll Improve Me”
Remember in the beginning when I said that only one song from an album was allowed on this list because if I allowed multiples the list would be just 5 or 6 bands? This is from one of the albums that could’ve had 3 or 4 songs on the list, but if I have to pick one, it’s this one.
12. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]John Maus[/lastfm] – “Quantum Leap”
Is this track a little [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Joy Division[/lastfm]-y? Yes, and it rules. So does the album, which you’ll be reading about later this week…
11. [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Pinemarten[/lastfm] – “Why (Does Your Love)”
Because we totally needed a re-working of a Carly Simon song on the list. If you like what you hear, you can download the “3 track album” for absolutely free.
#10 thru #1 will be posted tomorrow. Yay for that.
