20 Favorite Songs of 2010, #11-20
11 Real Estate – “Out Of Tune” (7”)
“Rebel Rebel” for the first 7 seconds, the inside of a moving car in which “Rebel Rebel” plays for the remaining 283.
12 Beach House – “Zebra” (from Teen Dream)
Guitarists astound me. Who composes such an unlikely melody across so many measures and knows it’s going to work?
13 The Radio Dept. – “David” (from Clinging To A Scheme)
Head-turning, bed-staining David is one of pop music’s great unattainables, I hope he resolves like the chorus.
14 Shout Out Louds – “Walls” (from Work)
A full year ago, this was my favorite song of 2010, and I predicted it would become a breakout hit on a car commercial. I can’t say I regret that it hasn’t.
15 Robyn – “Cry When You Get Older” (from Body Talk Pt. 1)
It didn’t even make the cut for the compiled Body Talk? Guess I’ll keep… dancing on my own!
16 Harlem – “Prairie My Heart” (from Hippies)
The only song I’ve ever heard that takes place in George Herriman’s Coconino County.
17 Perfume Genius – “Mr. Peterson” (from Learning)
(partial lyrics) My work my body his truck I him I him enough he me Joy Division he me jumped above below
18 Panda Bear – “Slow Motion” (from “Tomboy” 7”)
Certainly the year’s saddest song, lacking even the redemptive narrative features of #17.
19 Big Boi – “Shutterbugg” (from Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty)
And I must also stipulate: The sub-baritone verse that ends “Follow Us” is a necessary prelude to this song’s deep purpleness.
20 Atlas Sound – “Mona Lisa” (from Bedroom Databank Vol. 3)
The loveliest song yet posted on the Deerhunter blog? Bradford Cox ought to hold on to it for the next (inevitably folky) Atlas Sound proper LP.
