25. “On Your Mind” - White Reaper
Don’t know anything about this band or how long they’ve been around or whatever. I listened to their album and I liked it. This is the track that I couldn’t get out of my head. They kind of remind me a little bit of early Surfer Blood. In fact, I have looked back through my lists through the years, and every year seems to have a particular sound that I really liked over the course of the year. This year, this seems to be the sound. Whatever that means. Kind of a Surfer-Rock vibe. Is that a thing? Because it should be a thing.
24. “Stitches” - Shawn Mendes
Don’t judge me. This happens to me every year. The girls like some song that I make fun of for a week and then find myself singing it when they’re not around. Trust me, I tried hating this song. It’s actually pretty stupid, but it’s just so darn catchy and … you know what? No. I apologize for nothing.
23. “Oh My Love” - The Score
I have to thank my compadre Reni Filbrun for this gem. She actually said, “I think this sounds like something you’d like.” Now, I don’t know what that means, but she was right. And it didn’t take me ten listens. I was hooked at the first. And I discovered something about myself. I am a sucker for “Oh Oh” songs. Think about it. “Spaceman”, “Sweetness”, “Poker Face”? What do these songs have in common? They all have “oh oh” parts. And I love them all. Add this one to the list.
22. “Dorian” - Surfer Blood
Seriously, I love Surfer Blood so much and apparently none of my “friends” do, because no one will go to their show that I have an extra ticket to on January 3. Come on, folks. It’s a FREE TICKET! I’ll drive. Listen to their new album and then tell me you wouldn’t see these guys for free. Or maybe it’s me. Well, well, well … how the turntables …
21. “Empty Nesters” - Toro Y Moi
Is this one of those vague names for a literal one man band? I think it is. Like I bet this guy’s name is Reggie Walton, and the record producers made him change it to something no one will understand. Fun Fact: Toro Y Moi actually means “Boys 2 Men” in Russian.
20. “Nightlight” - Silversun Pickups
I love this band. They’re prolly in my top ten I bet. And I understand that everything they put out sounds the same. I get the argument. But you know, maybe it’s Maybelline, but for some bands, that works. Maybe it’s just with bands I like. But you know what? I love Green Day and it’s all just one long song. SSPU may be the same way, but I will still like it. I like their stuff. I wonder if they’re coming to Houston soon? Not like anyone would go with me though.
19. “Hello” - Adele
What? I’m only human, folks. She’s ridiculous. I swear the first time I heard this song, I just started calling people and apologizing. Adele is just one of those artists that can make anything sound good. Like if she told you to eat poison, you wouldn’t. But then she would write a song about eating poison and sing it and then next thing you know you’re in the ER getting your stomach pumped. That’s the thing. If anyone else does this song, I’m ripping it for the juvenile lyrics. But it’s Adele. So I’m getting my stomach pumped rn.
18. “Water” - Ra Ra Riot
Not gonna lie, I liked them much more before Alexandra Lawn left. But we all have to move on, and one day I will. In the meantime, I hate to admit it, but these guys may not yet have peaked. New album is coming out in February, and I have to admit there has been no drop off since 2008’s The Rhumb Line, and I wore that album out. Anyway, this is a great song. Maybe this album won’t sound quite so much like Walk The Moon. *fingers crossed*
17. “Contagious” - Night Riots
I liked this song better before I knew anything about the band, and I realized I am way too old and far too male to go to any of their shows. This is apparently what happens when cute boys make “rock” music. You know, like Duran Duran. Amirite, y’all?
16. “Sunshine On My Back” - The National
This will be much higher after I see them live. Seriously, couple years ago I had tickets to see these guys in Austin. But I pretty much would have had to drive back after the show and gotten home at 2AM and had to get up for work the next day. And after listening to a 2 hour set from these guys, who knows how depressed I would have been. I love these guys so much, and I love Matt Berninger’s voice as much as anyone’s, but don’t listen to their stuff unless you want to reflect on EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER HURT YOU IN THE HISTORY OF YOUR LIFE. That being said, I have been clamoring for these guys to do a Taylor Swift tribute album. Can you imagine how melancholy you’d be after listening to their version of “22”. You’d probably eat poison.
15. “River” - The Vanity
Group of cool guys from Austin. They were the opening opening band for CWK at HOB this year. You know, that “local” band who opens for the opening band? But I will tell you this, I love Cold War Kids and maybe if it had been anyone else, The Vanity would have been the best band on the stage that night. I hope these guys do well. They’re super nice too. And the drummer is a beast. That pretty much sums up my idea of a perfect band. I think they have an EP out and it’s on iTunes. Check them out if you haven’t.
14. “The Noisy Days Are Over” - Field Music
Every year a band who has been around forever but I have never listened to comes into my life. This year, it’s Field Music. Don’t know what I was waiting on or what rock I was living under, because I absolutely dig everything I have heard from them so far. New album, great song. It has a 70s kind of vibe to it. One of those that you just kinda slow jam to. I don’t know. I like it. And it’s new to me, so it’s new music.
13. “Buzzkill(er)” - Dead Weather
Ok, so I admit that of all the projects Jack White has done, this is my least favorite. I am still waiting on something new from The Raconteurs, and I can’t tell you honestly that I’m over the 2008 ACL Incident™. I am, however, not bitter. So then this album comes out and this song drives my interest in it. And I am impressed, Jack. Very well done. Like I should expect any different from Jack White, who I love very much even though he still hasn’t played “Salute Your Solution.” Ok, I’m a little bitter.
12. “Talk To Me” - Kopecky
I’m sure you all know more about these guys than I do. I did find out that they went to Belmont University, which is kinda cool I guess. I mean, if you like Nashville. This album, Drug for the Modern Age, is actually quite great. So much so that I had a hard time deciding this was even my favorite track. And I’m still wondering if it is. “Quarterback” and the title track are both great options.
11. “Rosanna” - The Fratellis
Forget what everyone has told you. Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied is their best album. And I love all their stuff, but it’s not even close. It’s not like they changed their sound a ton, but it just feels like they took some chances on this one. And they nailed it. This is probably not the best song on the album, and maybe not even a good representation, but it’s the one I kept going back to. It’s just really smooth and easy to kinda slow groove to. Hope they come to Houston so I can go see them by myself.
10. “Savannah” - Moon Taxi
Again, this is one of those bands that I never really listened to until this new album. Turns out, they’re pretty good. And the whole album is grand. But this song is by far the best track. Or at least my favorite by a long shot. Sounds like one of those island jams. You know, the kind of song Jimmy Buffett would have done before he bought into the Dolphins and lost his will to live.
9. “Business of Emotion” - Big Data
All I know is this isn’t close to the kind of music I like. At least that’s what I keep trying to tell myself. This appears to be one of those odd duos where it’s an attractive, talented woman and a guy with a keyboard who still has to get permission from his parents to attend recording sessions (see: Sleigh Bells). I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong here. Just seems that way to me. Anyway, good song though.
8. “The World is Crowded” - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
UMO is underrated as a band and Ruban Nielson is a Diet Dr Pepper addict. So … everyone is winning so far. I really like the sound of the new album. It’s a little smoother than the last one, and apparently it’s quite personal, but it’s a good listen. And I just realized they're coming to Houston in February. I also just realized I talk a lot about going to/wanting to go to live shows. Makes me think I must be really hard to be around. My basic answer to "how are you?" must sound something like, "I'm good, but the Dolphins aren't. But it's ok, cause I spell Dook with two Os and Spider-Man and I are going to see Cold War Kids next month and I'm super pumped because Elliot Moss is opening for them and I love M&Ms. Go Heels!" I'm truly sorry, y'all. I guess it is me.
7. “Work It Out” - Knox Hamilton
I think these guys are from Russellville, AR. I don’t know why that’s important, except that they’d be the second band from Russellville that I have really liked. I’m almost 100% that Deas Vail is from there, yes? Can anyone confirm? Anyway, there may be more. I will say that I only know of one EP these guys have out rn. But I’m pretty sure they have staying power. This song is so stinking catchy. I guarantee you’ll be singing it all day. Also, they’re coming to Houston February 20. It’s ok. I understand.
6. “Way Too Much” - Wavves
This reminds me of the movie Avengers. I’m never going to look at that movie as my favorite all-time, but I can’t remember having more fun during a film. This is the musical equivalent of that in 2015. And it’s so my kind of jam. Crank it up to Ricky Williams, rock out for 2 and a half minutes and repeat. BTW, I don’t think I have mentioned that I refer to each setting on my volume control in terms of which Dolphin wore it, have I? And if I can’t think of anyone significant who wore it, we have to move to the next number until we get one? Have I also mentioned that I am not well? I promise you since I started my podcast, Stacy’s “praying for you” mail has quadrupled. Also, if the Fins don’t start showing signs of making the playoffs in the next couple years, we’re going to be cranking this song up to Antawn Jamison.
5. “Dreams Come True” - Brandon Flowers
You know, I remember standing there at Verizon, unable to take my eyes off this guy as fire dropped from the ceiling and he belted out “When You Were Young.” First time I ever saw The Killers, and I thought then that this guy is doing what he was created to do. Some people were just born to be rock stars. Brandon Flowers is everything you want in a front man. Great voice, good looking guy, tons of charisma. He owns the stage, doesn’t take himself seriously. He makes you feel like you’re sitting in his living room, perhaps sipping apple cider, listening to some songs he wrote for his kids. I mean, except his living room is a concert hall and the decibel level is cranked up to Brad Daugherty.
4. “Smooth Sailing” - Leon Bridges
And there he stood. Ten minutes after opening for Lord Huron, Leon Bridges is standing at his merch table at HOB. I’m looking right at him. He’s taking pictures with fans. Prolly signing stuff. I could go down there. But no! I don’t want to fight through the crowd and risk missing Lord Huron’s opener. So I missed out on my chance to meet probably the coolest man alive. Seriously, this guy is so smooth he’s like butter. Except not the kind of butter that when you try to spread it, it makes holes in your bread. It’s just melty enough to spread really easily but not so melty that it hits one spot on the bread and just stays there. It’s very spreadable and smooth. Like spreadable butter. You know what? If you need the address to send those “praying for you” cards to Stacy, just let me know.
3. “Big Winter Jacket” - Cayucas
So these guys were in Houston back in August and believe it or not, I actually had friends who went with me. But I would have gone by myself. One of the last shows at Fitzgerald’s, which is sad. I love that place. Great place to see a show. My favorite place in Houston to see a show. Funny thing is, I thought Cayucas was one of those “one guy with a band name” deals. Turns out, it’s twin brothers. Who knew? Well, the good news is they are both swell guys. They didn’t play this song in their show. It’s got quite a long intro and it’s a longer song than they usually play. But as my now good friend and frontman Zach told me, “We gotta figure out a way to get that song in the show.” So I think it’s obvious that there is a level of trust he’s given me, which is, well … just so Zach. I’m sure we will go on and on about it if he would ever unblock me on Twitter.
2. “Fool For Love” - Lord Huron
The battle for number one has been keeping me up at night, folks. In many ways, this was my favorite song of the year. It was definitely (maybe) the most surprising show I saw this past year. I just didn’t expect it to be so good. I mean, I knew it would be good, but it was seriously so good, guys. I don’t know how to describe LH’s music, but this whole album is ridiculously good. In fact, it’s better than the last one, and I wore that one out. And this song is so easy to love. The video is kinda funny. But also, when Ben Schneider sings “before I commence my ride, I’m asking Lily to be my bride” well, that kinda won me over. This song seriously is co-favorite for 2015, but I don’t believe in ties, so I had to go with one. And being number two is not bad when you’re talking about a whole year’s worth of music.
1. “Seeing Ghosts” - Emperors
I am sad that these guys hung it up this year. I love Emperors’ music so much. I have all their stuff, mainly because Greg mailed me all their CDs, a T-shirt, hand-written lyrics and a nice letter thanking me for my loyalty. So if nothing else, the fact that they are calling it quits and so awesome to mail that stuff from Australia, that puts them at number one. Seriously, though, if you asked me what kind of music is my favorite, I would just put these guys on for you. It’s a guitar, bass and drums. Kicking vocals, great lyrics, catchy hooks, rocking sound. Their last album Chupacabra is on iTunes. You can start there if you like, but you’ll soon be listening to all their stuff. My biggest regret is that I failed to get them to the States, specifically to ACL Music Festival. I tried, guys. I really did. And I could never convince Stacy that she should let me fly to Australia to see a concert. I only hope they will either reunite or start something new under a different name or whatever. I seriously went through about a two-week depression when I heard they were breaking up. But I choose to smile because they happened and not cry because they’re over. You know, knowing these guys, they’ll probably read this. You know why? Because they appreciate their fans. And I appreciate them. I have had many a car ride with this jam cranked up to Rashad McCants and just screaming my lungs out. Please guys, if any of you read this, let me know when/if you make a comeback. I bet flights to Australia aren’t that pricey.
So that’s it. These are my 25 favorite songs of 2015. No pressure, 2016. Happy New Year, errbody!
