I realize I only post about once a year. This is the only time I get excited about blogging. The other timez, I'm not. But I will say, that in the five years I've been doing this, 2014 was the toughest to narrow it down to 25 fave songs. Let's put it this way ... Jack White, Foo Fighters and Spoon all had new albums this year, and none of their tracks made the list. I tried, but I can't find one song I would replace on my 25. That's a strong list, and it's been done for about a month. I was just juxtaposing the songs, tweaking my love, if you will. What we have is, without a doubt, my favorite songs of the year in perfect order. And there was history made this year, but we'll talk about that in a little bit. For now, on with the countdown!
25. "Luv, Hold Me Down" - Drowners
I gotta admit, I thought this was the Kooks the first time I heard it. That's probably why it made the list. But it is catchy, and it kind of reminds me of the Pretenders as well. Yet, because there's no Chrissie Hynde, it only comes in at 25.
24. "How Can You Really" - Foxygen
For the record, I don't want to like Foxygen. I really don't listen to them, except when this song came on the radio, and I accidentally heard it, I liked it. And it got stuck in my head and I couldn't stop singing it, and finally had to admit I liked it. And I kinda like Foxygen, although I wouldn't pay to go see them, because the lead singer could get disgusted and walk off stage in the middle of a set. But that would probably never happen and be plastered on YouTube.
23. "Seasons (Waiting On You)" - Future Islands
Also for the record, there are more bands on the countdown this year that I don't listen to on a regular basis. That will probably change after buying some of these albums. This is one of those cases. I bought their album "Singles" and I loved it almost immediately. And I asked myself why I had never listened to them before, and I can't think of any reason. They're good, though they do sound a little bit like Temper Trap and Snow Patrol had a baby, but I won't hold that against them. Smooth song.
22. "Cardiac Arrest" - Bad Suns
I don't know about Bad Suns. They sound like a "new wave" Brit band. This album seriously could have come out in the 80s and they could have changed their name to Soft Cell and it would have fit right in. Good song, though. Prolly cause it sounds 80s.
21. "Class Historian" - BRONCHO
I know nothing about this band or whatever they/he are/is. Heard this song on the radio one day and the girls hated it, so I left it on. Then I was singing it the rest of the day. It's so incredibly catchy. I have nothing to compare it to, but it's fun.
20. "I'm Not Part of Me" - Cloud Nothings
I don't like Cloud Nothings as much as some folks do, but I have never heard anything by them I don't love. Good album and a great song off it. They came to Houston this year and I didn't see them. This is a recurring theme throughout 2014. It won't be in 2015.
19. "Happy Idiot" - TV on the Radio
I have never found this band appealing. I do like this song, and maybe I'm missing something. Maybe I'll try again, but there is just so much music out there, you don't have time to buy into everyone. I'm not a huge fan, but it is a great song I couldn't stop singing.
18. "Eurydice" - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Had an album out this year. I bought it and listened to it for three straight weeks. Great album. Great song. Great album full of great songs.
17. "Voodoo Doll" - 5 Seconds of Summer
Don't judge me.
16. "Gotta Get Away" - Black Keys
Am I the only person who liked "Turn Blue"? I'm beginning to think so. This is my favorite song off what I thought was their best album yet. Sure it's different, but ... ok, it's not "El Camino", but at least you're not hearing all the songs on every commercial on TV ... yet.
15. "Greens and Blues" - Pixies
I love the Pixies. Always have. Always will. Frank Black is incredibly eclectic, and "Indie Cindy" proves that. There wasn't a better album this year. And this song shows they can still bring it down when they want to. Seriously, the Pixies have inspired every good band that has come out since 1995. Wish I could have seen them when they came to Houston. Oh wait ... it's still 2014.
14. "You're Not Good Enough" - Blood Orange
This is one of those songs that I think came out too late last year to get on the list for 2013. So I cheated and put it on this year's. But I couldn't leave it off. I love it so much, even though it's mean.
13. "Got To My Head" - Waters
Listen to the song. Try not to sing it the rest of the day. Fail. Repeat.
12. "Dove Season" - Into the Valley Below
I think this is one of those guy/girl singer/songwriter teams I hate. But I listened to this song before I knew that. And then I bought the album after I knew that. So sue me.
11. "Top Notch" - Manchester Orchestra
I have loved Manchester Orchestra since I saw them at ACL a few years ago, and I realized Andy Hull looks just like Zach Galifianakis. Seriously love his voice and their raw energy they bring to every track on the album "Cope."
10. "Shooting From the Bell Tower" - Emperors
One of these days, they are coming to the States and I am going to see them. They rock so hard, even though they're Australian. A couple years ago, I had three Aussie bands make the 25. They're the only ones with sustainable power, because they are so awesome and they replied to me on Twitter like 5 times.
9. "Rollercoaster" - Bleachers
Liked this song a lot more before I realized this was one of the guys from Fun. It's way catchy, and I thank my friend Sam Greer for hooking me up. This is seriously a catchy song.
8. "Flashed Junk Mind" - Milky Chance
This should be higher. Can't. Stop. Singing. Although ... Don't. Know. What. They're. Saying.
7. "From Eden" - Hozier
Yes, I've heard "Take Me To Church" ... a year ago. Sorry, but he didn't just show up when that LeBron commercial hit. I know I'm trying to be a hipster, but I had to get that out there. This song is better anyway.
6. "Tall Man Skinny Lady" - Ty Segall
"Manipulator" is the album. Buy it. Listen to it. So good. It's garage rock at it's best. I promise you they were jamming one night after practice and he just made up lyrics as they went along. They recorded it, and here it is, the number 6 single of the year. Awesome for jamming in the car.
5. "All the Rage Back Home" - Interpol
Another band I didn't fully appreciate. I didn't know they had been around so long. Sure, I had "Antics", but only because I love the song "Evil." And, judging by how people went nuts at the show, everyone did. But I absolutely love Paul Banks voice. And this is also a catchy song. And "El Pintor" was one of the 5 best albums to come out this year.
4. "Out of Mind" - Magic Man
I really thought this was going to be number one. Then it dropped to 2. Then 3. And that's what you get for coming out so early in the year. I jammed to this song all the way back from Uplift this summer and kept it on every playlist. Maybe that's why it dropped. Or maybe it's just an awesome song that should be flattered they're in the top 4.
3. "Broken Bones and Pocket Change" - St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Best show I saw all year. I loved them already and then they brought the house down with a live show that brought so much energy, I didn't sleep for a week. And they are nice to their fans. I got to hang out afterward and meet them and get pictures and all that good stuff. Nicest guys, and they're coming to Fitzgerald's in February. See you there.
2. "Shake It Off" - Taylor Swift
Again, don't judge me. I don't like "pop" music, but I'm going to admit something. I love Taylor Swift. There, I said it and I don't see why people don't like her. She's cute as a bug. Her music is catchy. She stopped singing about jerks dumping her. This song makes me feel good about life. I don't care what anyone says. See? I'm shaking it off. Thank you, Taylor.
1. "Go Quietly" - Cold War Kids
And here is history. Last year, CWK released an album around February. "Miracle Mile" was the number one song last year. And this year, in October, they released "Hold My Home." So this is the first time in the history of the countdown that a band has had the number one song two years in a row. Of course, I have my own rulez about putting more than one song from a single artist on here, or the top seven would have all been CWK. Seriously. They're the best thing going right now. I love them so much. I once told the girls Nathan Willett could sing the phone book and I'd buy it. Of course Lily asked me what a phone book was, but I was proud, because she already knew that Nathan Willett is the smooth voice behind CWK. They can seriously do no wrong right now, and they are coming to HOB in March. See you there. But seriously. Get this album. Listen to it over and over and over. Then get their entire back catalog and listen to it over and over. This is one of the few bands with 5 or more albums that have gotten better with each record. Check them out on YouTube. Just give them a listen. And if you don't like it, I'll give you the money you paid to read this list back.
So there it is. And as always, my advice to you is to make lists. It's fun. Make your own list and use your own rulez. And then let other people see it, because I love that people share music with me constantly. I love that I have a group of friends who will text or message me every once in a while and say, "Hey, you should check out (so and so) if you haven't already." You never know, but you might have a new favorite band from something like this.
So ... Merry Christmas and I guess I will post again this time next year.
AMENDMENT!
I am an idiot. I can't believe I left this song off the list. I should be ashamed. So you get a bonus song this year.
4A. "Shut Up and Dance" - Walk the Moon
I think WTM has always been a chick band, but I just didn't notice because there weren't a lot of teen girls at their first (or second) show in Houston. This album proves they are ... and I still don't care. This song is catchy and I will dance to it no matter how many teen girls I have to punch to get to the front of the stage.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
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