As I assemble a Best Albums of 2010 list, here is the first installment of individual tunes from the past year that I really enjoyed. Most, not all, are from CDs that are NOT on my list of top albums, or are culled from an EP, or simply represent the occasional one-off download. So supplement your listening of full-length releases with these nuggets.
And look, Ma…no links!
Consider it a small service: Just click the media player on most songs and rock out without the aggravating and impossible distraction of opening a new window. Actually there’s still a couple of links but for the most part I’ve done the work on your behalf because I love you.
“Odessa” by Caribou – from Swim. Whereas 2007’s Andorra was total psychedelia, “Odessa,” Caribou’s first release from the April LP Swim is a minimalist freakout more akin to Hot chip.
“The Hundredth Time” by Gigi – from Maintenant. Canadians who oddly…and sweetly…interpret (pervert?) 60’s pop with a teary male chorus that just seems more appropriate for Mary Wells.
“Icarus” by White Hinterland – from Kairos. Enchanting number that seems to belong more to Iceland more than Oregon.
“Girls FM” by Happy Birthday – from Happy Birthday. Who’d have ever thought there would be a Sub Pop band from Vermont?
“Someone’s Missing” by MGMT – from Congratulations. An otherwise unnotable sophomore album highlighted by a straight-up brilliant Jackson 5 payoff at 1:45 into the song.
“My Chariot” by The Depreciation Guild – from Spirit Youth. Kind of digging The Depreciation Guild more than The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, if truth be told.
“Constellations” by Darwin Deez – from Darwin Deez. Plays Kilby Court January 21 and you are mighty encouraged to attend!
“21@12” by Hot Hot Heat – from Future Breeds. Don’t know that HHH will ever return to the fighting strength of 2002’s Makeup the Breakdown but this song has crazy noodling synths I love.
“Them That Do Nothing” by Field Music – from Measure. I have Prog issues. I don’t like most of it, gives me bad dreams of junior high school. But “Them That Do Nothing” is a snappy little song that richochets between your ears.
“The Fight” by Sia – from We are Born. Yes the annoying girl who insists on painting her face and formerly trafficked in unremarkable loungey R&B also writes pretty dancy bubblegum pop.
“Rocket” by Goldfrapp – from Head First. Having already impugned my list of favorite songs with Sia, why not add this tasty number from Goldfrapp? ELO spaceship atmospherics included at absolutely no charge. #1 song of the year by far for my 6-year-old daughter Rose.
“On the Beat” by Jaill – from That’s How We Burn. Milwaukee’s Jaill turns out an entire album of angular guitar pop. Vinnie Kircher sounds a lot like the Hoodoo Guru’s Dave Faulkner here, which is fabulous.