Several years ago, I used to send out a list of my Top 6 albums of the year every New Year's Eve. I don't really buy enough albums anymore to make a credible list of the bests albums of the year, so I am just going to limit this my favorite songs. It is remarkable to me how dominated this list is by female singers, considering how averse I used to be bands fronted by women. This is even true of the songs that just missed the list (Sprawl II by Arcade Fire would probably have been #7, while I only excluded Crown on the Ground by Sleigh Bells and Bad Romance by Lady Gaga because they were actually released in 2009).
6.) Beach House - "Zebra"
I actually think the band is a bit overrated given what indie critical darlings they were....many of their songs put me to sleep. But the chromatic ascension to start the chorus on this one really hooked me in.
5.) Vampire Weekend - "Giving Up the Gun"
"Contra" would have definitely been my album of the year if it weren't so damn consistent.
4.) Sleigh Bells - "Rill Rill"
"Treats" would have definitely been my album of the year if it weren't so damn inconsistent.
3.) Klaxons - "Echoes"
This song was all the rage in England when I was there in August....and you know I had to have some Britpop represented!
My top two picks are both from relatively new bands still obscure enough not to have wikipedia entries, one a single-woman project and the other a husband and wife duo. But they were my two musical obsessions this year...one the perfect winter song with Bjork-inspired vocals and beats, icy electronics, and cathedral harmonies that evoke finally waking up from a long hibernation; the other, the perfect summer song with lo-fi guitar and keyboard backed by retro girl-group vocals singing of sailing at night off the coast of Florida. I've probably spoiled the suspense now, but here they are...
2.) Glasser - "Apply"
(It seems like many of the videos for this song online are from an earlier version that I don't like nearly as much. This is the (IMO superior) album version.)
1.) Tennis - "Marathon"
(I don't think the song has a music video, and all the live performances I can find are terrible quality.)
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Sing Off Update
I got caught up on The Sing Off tonight between Atlantic City trips. There are five groups left as of when I am writing this; the fourth (and penultimate) episode airs tomorrow, but I probably won't be able to watch it until Sunday. I think overall, the judges have generally made good decisions....the eliminations of Men of Note on the first episode and Eleventh Hour the second were easy choices; the other groups knocked off in the first two episodes (Pitch Slapped and the Whiffenpoofs), could have defensibly made it through, but I don't miss them. Groove for Thought, eliminated last night, was a talented group, but they didn't really have the range to be a serious contender to win.
At this point, one group has clearly emerged as the clear favorite in my mind: Street Corner Symphony. They have been by far the most consistent performers, and they have shown a wide range without pandering to the judges. I haven't heard a lot of Radiohead acapella, and I thought their rendition was the highlight of last night's episode. If this year parallels last year's vote, SCS's superior blend and arrangements will pull off the victory over pure showmanship of On the Rocks, with The Backbeats finishing third.....but I am inclined to believe this year will go a little differently and Committed will make the finals over OTR. I almost think The Backbeats are the most likely of all to make the finals, simply because they are the last group remaining the any female members (the competition started with 6 male groups and 4 coed).
At this point, one group has clearly emerged as the clear favorite in my mind: Street Corner Symphony. They have been by far the most consistent performers, and they have shown a wide range without pandering to the judges. I haven't heard a lot of Radiohead acapella, and I thought their rendition was the highlight of last night's episode. If this year parallels last year's vote, SCS's superior blend and arrangements will pull off the victory over pure showmanship of On the Rocks, with The Backbeats finishing third.....but I am inclined to believe this year will go a little differently and Committed will make the finals over OTR. I almost think The Backbeats are the most likely of all to make the finals, simply because they are the last group remaining the any female members (the competition started with 6 male groups and 4 coed).
Monday, December 6, 2010
"The Sing Off" starts tonight
The a cappella competition The Sing Off starts its second season right now on NBC, and continues on Dec. 8th, 13th, and 15th from from 8-10 pm ET, with the finale on Dec. 20th. A cappella was a very important part of my life from ages 14 through 21, so it's great to see it on TV from time to time.
I was a founding member and musical director of my high school group, InToneNation, which still exists! It looks like they even have a high school group competing this year, although that nice touch is offset by the shameful inclusion of the Yale Whiffenpoofs!
I thought the show was a nicely done last year, and a very worthy team won. I probably won't be able to watch much of it live, but I will definitely be recording it, and I'll post more of my thoughts a little later in the competition.
I was a founding member and musical director of my high school group, InToneNation, which still exists! It looks like they even have a high school group competing this year, although that nice touch is offset by the shameful inclusion of the Yale Whiffenpoofs!
I thought the show was a nicely done last year, and a very worthy team won. I probably won't be able to watch much of it live, but I will definitely be recording it, and I'll post more of my thoughts a little later in the competition.
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