2008: A Mixtape

Well it’s time for the end of the year. Yeah, it’s a little early for end-of-the-year awards, but I wanted to do them anyways, so deal with it on your own time. Besides, as far as music goes, December is extremely tame. Here are the songs I had on repeat and links to places to hear them:

Travel- Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
What a great song. I have to admit a bit of bias here because I went to college with the lead singer and drummer of this band, but that in no way effects how awesome this song is. It will be in your head for sure.

Weird Fishes/Arpeggi- Radiohead
Never was a big fan of Radiohead myself, but had my mind changed after hearing In Rainbows. And this is my favorite track, well it’s tied with House of Cards. Get both. They might change your mind if you’ve steered clear of Radiohead before.

I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You- Black Kids
This is probably the danciest tune on my list. It is absolutely infectious. Easily one of my most played singles of the year because it goes great on runs. And it’s about sweet dance moves.

Signs- Bloc Party
This is my fave from their new album, Intimacy, which I think is not getting enough love. Signs is a bit sad, the subject is seeings signs of a dearly departed, but it’s a beautiful tune and really showcases Bloc Party’s full songmanship. Which is not a word.

Atom- British Sea Power
Another album that is not adequately loved. This song is awesome, it has one of my favorite lyrics of the year, “I’ll be the first to admit, this is a bright but haunted age. . .” I’ll be honest, I have no clue what it’s about, but it’s a kicking rock anthem which you can shout along to, there aren’t enough of those these days.

Viva La Vida- Coldplay
They have their detractors, especially as it appears they may have copped this melody, which rocks, from some other folks. But, this song is still awesome. It’s pulse is alive and that’s what I love about it. I just feel good when I hear it. And it’s triumphant, it sounds like the trumpeting of victory.

Souled Out!!!- Conor Oberst
I promise that I won’t say this about every other album from which these singles come, but this is a great album and I love this song. In fact it’s one of my two ringtones. Great songwriter, chill tune about not worrying so much. Good words to live by, but they come with a warning at the end!

Cath…- Death Cab For Cutie
This is about being trapped in a relationship. It’s pretty. Put it in your ears.

The Ark- Dr. Dog
Fuzzy, lo-fi, pop rock about The Ark? Yes. I want more. This band has been one of the consistently good bands over the last few years. I’m pretty sure this song was sent from the past in a Delorean. Thank you Doc Brown and Marty.

Ragged Wood- Fleet Foxes
Sick, sick song. In a good way. I’ve written it before here, and it bears repeating, Fleet Foxes make you feel like you’re listening to a campfire singalong in the mountains. It is glorious and this is their best single in my opinion. It combines all the things they’re great at in one simple ditty. Complex harmonies really make it shine. Don’t be worried if listening makes you feel like you need some more kindling, it’s totally normal, at least that’s what I tell myself.

Constructive Summer- The Hold Steady
Put it on. Mix your favorite drink. Serve awesome and enjoy. This was the soundtrack for my summer.

Ready for the Floor- Hot Chip
Another dancy track. Sweet beats accompanying a slick rhyme about what else, breaking it down.

The Arm- Islands
I think this band needs to be famous and SOON. I love their songs. They are playful, old-school pop. And this one is a little psychedelic lyrically. But it’s really worth a listen or 12.

If I Had Eyes- Jack Johnson
I like it. It’s sweet. A song of longing. Jack Johnson is just good at writing and performing songs I like to hear.

Sex on Fire- Kings of Leon
Definitely the sexiest song of the year. Super sexy. Killer vocals. Put it on and feel your temperature rise, “Hot as a fever, rattling bones…..”

As Tall As Cliffs- Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s
I have a rule that I don’t repeat songs right after hearing them, I break that rule on occasion and no song has broken it more recently than this one. Probably in my top 5 singles for the year.

Kids- MGMT
Out of this world song. I really don’t know how to explain it. I like it a lot and I know a lot of people (my friends James and Simmons specifically) who feel exactly the same way. And it has little kids yelling cutely at the beginning mixed with seagulls I think. If that doesn’t make you wanna listen to it, what will?

Aluminum Park- My Morning Jacket
Southern rockers prove they are capable of just plain rocking. Aluminum Park sounds like it’s ripped off a Bruce Springsteen record. Good showcase of MMJ’s chops and a great rock song.

Lost Coastlines- Okkervil River
Using a nautical theme to explain life as a working band, Okkervil River crafted this little ditty. That should be enough to get you to listen to it.

That Green Gentleman- Panic at the Disco
I don’t really know why this song is called this. It’s just a good poppy rock song, with some super catchy riffs.

Ghost Under Rocks- Ra Ra Riot
Also in my top 5 somewhere, I violated my rule for a couple songs on this album. Powerful song, something about it seems immediate. It starts out kinda ominous and builds and falls and builds. It’s so good, I’m listening to it right now. Wow it’s good.

L.E.S. Artistes- Santogold
Great chilled beats and a cool song overall. Funky. Fun.

Glue Girls- Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
“Maybe if I lay low, love will fall around my door,” sung so that you believe it. I know I do. It’s got a good pace, it’s a sweet song about falling in love with a twin, I think. Strong guitar pop, just missing out on my top 5 although, it is an excellent tune. Melodious.

Family Tree- TV on the Radio
A quiet, slow simmering song with beautiful string accompaniment. It’s probably their prettiest song ever. And I love this verse
“Anda my love
Wake up to your window
The day calls in billows
It’s echoing moonlight onto the blue nightmare of your heart
In cozy red rainbow
It’s shaking off halos
And the memory of our sacred so and so”

A-Punk- Vampire Weekend
I could have chosen almost every song on this album. They are all pop gems. This one, however, had the most staying power for me. Definitely in my top 5. It’s their most uptempo song, which is saying something. But it’s about a broken relationship. Killer tune.

Red Moon- The Walkmen
I LOVE THIS SONG. I’ve said it before about the Walkmen, they make the music that I want to be the end of the night soundtrack. A song of great yearning. The final words ” I miss you, I miss you there’s no one else, I do, I do” they’re just great. I’m getting little chills just thinking about it. I LOVE THIS SONG.

Pork and Beans- Weezer
Old school Weezer at its best. Unfortunately not much of the rest of the album reflected this return to form. Also probably has the best video of the year. Rad song, need more like this from these guys.

Soldier’s Grin- Wolf Parade
“In my head, there’s a city at night.” An opening phrase which is super illustrative while not really meaning anything at first listen. I love the marriage of guitar, drums, synth, and lyrics on this tune. They seem to play off and with each other like kids in a sandbox. Good tune from an underrated album. See I didn’t say it about EVERY album.

That’s a quick hit list of the songs that topped my most played, most loved, most overlistened to songs this year. Hit some of ‘em up and blow .99 cents on a new favorite song. What were your favorite jams of the year?