20 Favorite Songs of 2010, #1-10
The Besnard Lakes – “Albatross” (from The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night)
First I said: “…a different kind of worship music, and the coda … is the moment of oneness.” Then I said: “…supremely lifting, tossing your body aloft with all the abandon you would expect from a band that can turn the rockin’ into the reverential.” And finally I tweeted: “…I abandon scientific inquiry and surrender to the holy spirit.” You get the idea.
Joanna Newsom – “On A Good Day” (from Have One On Me)
I hate to use tears as proof of greatness, but… I can’t even play the climactic line in my head without crying.
Teenage Fanclub – “Sometimes I Don’t Need To Believe In Anything” (from Shadows)
I want to be Gerard Love when I grow up. He’s figured it out, as much as possible.
Laura Veirs – “July Flame” (from July Flame)
The year’s most necessary chord progression. There’s room for a life in this womb.
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – “Lost Saint” (from “Say No To Love” 7”)
Let them emigrate to the UK and repair our strained post-Brit pop musical relations with that country.
Janelle Monáe – “Oh, Maker” (from The ArchAndroid)
That impossible vocal! The maker of Metropolis must be a greater god than any we have.
Deerhunter – “Helicopter” (from Halcyon Digest)
The manliest band I know. I can’t even imagine hearing a woman’s voice in one of their songs.
Surfer Blood – “Harmonix” (from Astro Coast)
Cool as kibble. Best is the crotch-zone fretwork (ring ring) and then when they go all Last Splash track 3.
Owen Pallett – “Keep The Dog Quiet” (from Heartland)
Seduction is a melody so low you can barely distinguish when it goes even lower.
Arcade Fire – “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)” (from The Suburbs)
Tantrums at the end of the world. Those city lights might be fooling, but I know how Regine feels.
