Songbird
Jan
12
Favorite Songs Of 2011
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It has been a while my friends… The holidays and the end of year just kind of flew right by me. I hate when the holidays come to an end. There is the calm after the storm feeling which is always a little depressing. There are also these few weeks where the music industry kind of comes to a slow crawl, and I am not really done digesting 2011 so it is a limbo. Which is exactly where I am at right now. Change is hard… The new year transition can make me cling to the past. Although I am working on looking forward with a positive outlook I definitely look forward to new music and concerts in the new year, but the rest is a little more difficult to accept…
Tonight I would like to share a small list of my favorite songs of 2011. I am sure I have forgotten at least a handful that I will later remember randomly and curse out loud, but that is the story of my life. The following tracks are in alphabetical order and you will notice that none of the tracks from my favorite albums list are present in order to highlight some of the many artists that have impacted me so greatly in 2011 with their amazing talent. Just a few for you to sample below the remaining have either been posted throughout the year or can be found by following the link to the album.
I hope everyone is having a great start to the new year, wishing you all lots of happiness in 2012.
Adele – Set Fire To The Rain (21)
Ane Brun- These Days (It All Starts With One)
Bon Iver – Holocene (Bon Iver)
Braids – Lammicken (Native Speaker)
CANT – Believe (Dreams Come True)
Coldplay – Paradise (Mylo Xyloto)
DeVotchKa – The Alley (100 Lovers)
Death Cab For Cutie – Codes and Keys (Codes And Keys)
Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out (Ceremonials)
Gillian Welch – The Way It Will Be (The Harrow & The Harvest)
Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know (Making Mirrors)
Ivan & Alyosha – Everything is Burning (Fathers Be Kind EP)
Lia Ices – Daphne (Grown Unknown)
Little Dragon -Â Ritual Union (Tensnake Remix) (Ritual Union)
Lykke Li – I Follow Rivers (Wounded Rhymes)
M83 – Midnight City (Hurry Up We’re Dreaming)
My Morning Jacket – Victory Dance (Circuital)
Noah and the Whale – Life is Life (Last Night On Earth)
Okkervil River – The Valley (I Am Very Far)
Phantogram – Don’t Move (Nightlife)
PJ Harvey – The Last Living Rose (Let England Shake)
Radiohead – Staircase (The Daily Mail & Staircase)
Sarabeth Tucek – The Fireman (Get Well Soon)
Thao & Mirah – Little Cup (Thao & Mirah)
The Antlers – No Widows (Burst Apart)
The Black Keys – Lonely Boy (El Camino)
The Civil Wars – I’ve Got This Friend (Barton Hallow)
The Generationals – Greenleaf (Actor-Caster)
The Head and The Heart – Rivers and Roads (The Head and the Heart)
The Naked and Famous – Young Blood (Passive Me, Aggressive You)
Tycho – A Walk (Dive)
TV On The Radio – You (Nine Types Of Light)
Vetiver – Worse For Wear (The Errant Charm)
Wilco – Black Moon (The Whole Love)
William Elliott Whitmore – Don’t Need It (Field Songs)
Wye Oak – Civilian (Civilian)
Yuck – Suck (Yuck)
Zee Avi – Swell Window (Ghostbird)
Zola Jesus – Skin (Conatus)
Don’t Move – Phantogram
Nightlife 2011 (Barsuk Records)
You – TV On The Radio
Nine Types of Light 2011 (Interscope Records)
These Days – Ane Brun
It All Starts With One import 2011 (Ais)
Dec
27
Eleven Favorite Albums Of 2011
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This list is a long time coming and a little later than I would have liked it to be, but I do not take lists lightly so I didn’t want to rush it. For me 2011 was a great year in music. I have opened myself up and listened to a lot of stuff that I don’t think I would have given a chance a couple of years ago. I also saw a fair amount of shows in 2011. Alexi Murdoch, The Decemberists, The Kills, James Vincent McMorrow and these are all albums I consider to have made up a large portion of my 2011 soundtrack. Thank you for listening and reading. I am going on my sixth year of this and I still love it. Thank you so much for sharing this joy of music with me. Happy Holidays!
 
When I first heard the album the only thing I was disappointed with was how short it was. I wanted more. The thing about Radiohead is that they always surprise me. Their music is ever evolving and King Of Limbs is a perfect example of that. I have said from the beginning it is a mix of old and new. It has the eclectic layered sound of Kid A mixed with a new electronic beat driven sound. With each listen new layers are revealed and kudos to them for continuing to expand their music and keeping their fans on their toes. I am waiting impatiently for word of a show in California… Waiting with baited breath.
 
This album took me by surprise. I was and still am obsessed with it which is a strange because I have never been this smitten with any of her previous albums. Metals however is different than any of her other albums. The sound is bigger and more refined. Her voice is complimented so well by the bold melodies. It has been on constant rotation and deserves this spot on my list.
This band exploded onto the scene a couple of years ago and took my breath away. I have a spiritual awakening when I hear their indie rock booming through my speakers. This album is filled with whirling melodies and layered arrangements that are simply stunning. Currently opening for some Radiohead shows… I am determined to see them live hopefully with Radiohead.
Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is An Animal
Oh man I went back and forth on whether I should include this album. But I decided I have it and I have been listening to it constantly and it has been a big part of my life in 2011. This Icelandic band has quickly become my favorite new band. I love their upbeat sing along indie rock and this debut album is a must! It is totally worth the import cost.
p.s. I forgot to mention that there is a hidden track on the last song, Yellow Light. So good.
 
Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince kick so much ass! Blood Pressures simply rocks. I saw them live and I fell in love with them and this album just that much more. It is gritty and dynamic. An absolute must have in your music collection.
 
Boy & Bear is another band I waited patiently for… Their debut album was well worth the wait. Colorful arrangements matched with Dave Hosking’s unique vocals. Their music just makes me feel good which is why it was a definite favorite of 2011.
 
Alexi Murdoch – Towards The Sun
This album is a special one. I have actually been listening to it for about two years since I got a copy at his concert back in 2009 and I have been listening to it ever since. I finally got it on vinyl last night for Christmas thanks to my dear friend. If you are an avid reader or even just a casual reader of Untitled Records you know my undying love for Alexi Murdoch. Seeing him live this year at the intimate Bootleg theater really made me realize he is my favorite singer-songwriter of all time.
 
I wasn’t really expecting this album to make it onto the year end list honestly but here it is. It took me by surprise, I have always enjoyed their music, but on We Are The Tide I can put it on and let it play and play. Their music is infectious and this sophomore album is absolutely fantastic.
 
James Vincent McMorrow – Early In The Morning
Another singer-songwriter I saw live this year. He took me by storm with his delicate singer-songwriter arrangements with his unique vocals that will remind you of Bon Iver, but I feel James Vincent McMorrow has fuller arrangements that compliment his fragile vocals. His debut album, Early In The Morning has been on constant repeat throughout the year and he was such a treat to see live in a fantastically intimate setting which was just perfection.
 
I don’t think there is an album that Zach Condon creates that is not on my end of year list. The Rip Tide is one of my favorite albums since Gulag Orkestar. Trumpet galore mixed with that French Chanson style along with a modern twist that only Zach Condon can bring to the table. Light and beautiful. His prettiest album to date.
 
The Decemberists – The King Is Dead
Oh Decemberists… How I love thee. How I loved seeing them live this year and being in their presence felt like coming home. Their music, their style, their spirit, their lyrics. Everything. This is one of my favorite albums since The Crane Wife but I feel The King Is Dead has taken the top spot hands down. So well done.
Dec
14
Of Monsters And Men
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It has almost been a year since I first discovered Of Monsters and Men and I waited very patiently for word of an album or EP. Well they are finally releasing an EP, Into The Woods on 12/20 and they will be releasing their debut full length album, My Head Is An Animal in 2012. I have fallen head over heels in love with this six piece band hailing from Iceland. It is a mix of Sigur Rós and Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros. Toe-tapping, dancing folk. Of Monsters and Men has become my new favorite band and I guarantee you will be hearing a lot about them in the next few months as they explode onto the music scene.
p.s. Thanks to a very nice reader their full length album is available through shopicelandic.com
Six Weeks – Of Monsters and Men
Into The Woods EP 2011
Dec
6
Black Moon
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Tonight… I just want to sit back and listen to Black Moon on repeat until I fall asleep.
The Whole Love 2011
I was always right
About the morning
Okay, I’m an old shoeDanced above the blaze
Never stopped crawling
Over the black dunesAnd I’m waiting for you
Waiting forever
Are you awake now, too?I’m always one
Without a warning
Old days re-appearLift away, past the gate
Desert keeps forming
Underneath The black moonAnd I’m waiting for you
Waiting forever
Are you awake now, too?
Nov
30
By Your Hand
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I like this song a lot… Not the most profound lyrics but there is something about their young indie pop style that just puts a smile on my face when listening. By Your Hand has been on repeat since the albums release. A definite favorite song of 2011.
By Your Hand – Los Campesinos!
Hello Sadness 2011 (Arts & Crafts)
Nov
24
Dive
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I have been struggling ever since I have returned from Vegas. Struggling with my reality and the monotonous grind of the day to day. When I got back it really hit me, I actually have to go back to work and school… It didn’t all just disappear. My best friend got married which was exciting, but also scary. She is not single anymore, she has more obligations than I and being an only child I am insanely possessive over my friendships it is hard for me to let go a little and share. So I have done a lot of wallowing in self pity over here but I am slowly coming out of it. I am simply trying to remain focused on the here and now, which as we all know is so much easier said than done.
Lately I have been listening to a lot of music on Spotify. Mostly Hip-Hop and “radio” music that I never listen to and certainly never purchase but feel it is important to hear what is current in all genres of music. Must keep up with popular culture. I have been listening to a lot of Jay-Z and Kanye West, Watch the Throne. As well as Eminem, Recovery.
Tonight I want to share the music of Tycho (aka Scott Hansen), a San Francisco based gentlemen (well…I hope he is a gentlemen) that creates swirling electronic melodies that just make me sit back and smile. I believe this is his full length debut however he released an EP back in 2002, The Science of Things. Scott Hansen will be performing at the Echoplex in Los Angeles on 12/08/2011.
p.s. I want to wish a very happy Thanksgiving to everyone. To me Thanksgiving is about great friends, family and good wine. Cheers to the people in your life that you love, tell them how important they are to you. Cheers! xx
Dive 2011 (Ghostly International)
Nov
16
Lay Myself Down
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Oh, Hope Sandoval how I have yearned for new music from you. Beautiful as always.
Common Burn/Lay Myself Down Single 2011
Nov
6
Shake It Out
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Speechless.
Shake It Out – Florence + The Machine
Ceremonials 2011 (Universal Republic)
Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to playAnd every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues strong
It’s always darkest before the dawnAnd I’ve been a fool and I’ve been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I’m always dragging that horse aroundAll of these questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I’m gonna bury that horse in the ground
So I like to keep my issues strong
But it’s always darkest before the dawnShake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaaahAnd it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woahI am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I’m gonna cut it out and then restart
Cause I like to keep my issues strong
It’s always darkest before the dawnShake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaahAnd it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woahAnd it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
And given half the chance would I take any of it back
It’s a fine romance but it’s left me so undone
It’s always darkest before the dawnOh woah, oh woah…
And I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t
So here’s to drinks in the dark at the end of my rope
And I’m ready to suffer and I’m ready to hope
It’s a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat
Cause looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Well what the hell I’m gonna let it happen to meShake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaahAnd it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woahShake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaahAnd it’s hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah
Oct
28
Somebody I Used To Know
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When I first heard the new third full length album from Wally De Backer I hated it. Literally turned it off and moved on. I didn’t think I would come back to it at the time but I did. It has grown on me so much from the first listen. A dark and mysterious pop album that is quite unique. There are a few songs that I know will make my end of year list for sure, Eyes Wide Open, Somebody That I Used To Know and Smoke and Mirrors are amazing. The there are some tracks that just get off course like, I Feel Better and In Your Light. Overall I am happy that I gave it another chance and if you haven’t yet heard some of this Belgian-Aussie’s music I urge you to check him out and dive right in.
Happy Friday! xX
Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye
Making Mirrors 2011 (Ais)
Oct
20
Cannons
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Tonight a song from Youth Lagoon to take us into the weekend. The verdict is still out on this debut pop album from Trevor Powers. I think it is still growing on me and I am giving it some well deserved time. Trevor Powers is currently on a 29 state tour that is coming to an end at the beginning of November, catch him while you can.
It has been quiet around here… Right now I feel like I am being pulled into so many different directions and any down time I do have is dedicated to decompressing from it all. So at this moment I am just trying to find a healthy balance. So if you feel distance know that I am here just not as often right now.
The Year Of Hibernation 2011 (Fat Possum)
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