Ten through six

All right. Here are songs ten through six. Breaking it up means less work for me tonight. There are plenty of honorable mentions for this list, but I don't think they are going to get much time on here.

10. See/Saw - Jay Reatard

This was a seriously late minute addition to the list and I have to say that I kicked off Bon Iver for it. But as I listened to the Bon Iver album one last time, I realized that I like song better. Sorry white guy with an acoustic guitar. You have been traded in for a white guy with an electric guitar and an ear for pop/punk hooks. My lists in past years would be comprised of too many sad bastard tracks and this year is just a totally reverse of that. My pick of this Jay Retard song is proof positive that my tastes are shifting. That and I just like screaming, "SHE CREEPS ME OUT! SHE CREPT ME IN AGAIN!" Most of you will probably find this one annoying, but it makes me want to chug a can of Bud Diesel and play air guitar.

9. Suffering Jukebox - Silver Jews

"You got Tennessee tendencies and chemical dependencies. You make the same old jokes and malaprops on cue." This is the type of line that only works when delivered in David Berman's perfect monotone. Admittedly, this album pretty much fell off the radar for me. The Silver Jews have made better albums in the past, but Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea was pretty solid in its own right. When I started thinking about my favorite songs from the year however, this one track jumped out at me. Oddly enough, this is the only song on my list that does not come from an album I actually own on vinyl. So I suppose that says something about its staying power. Anyway, this song is pretty much classic Jews for those of you that are familiar with them (probably not anyone who reads this). They are one of the few bands that can pull off the subtle dark humor so well within the context of the music. Not sure if that has more to do with Berman and his delivery than the music itself, but it just works. Probably just something about their sarcasm that attracts me. All in all though, I happen to think this has one of the more clever choruses that I have heard in years. "Suffering jukebox, such a sad machine. You're filled up with what other people need. And they never seem to turn you up loud. Gotta a lot of chatterboxes in this crowd." I am not sure I expect anyone else out there to actually like this song. Well, maybe Colin if he ever reads this.

8. Slapped Actress - The Hold Steady

There have been stretches of nights where this was absolutely my number one song for the year. But as I started thinking more rationally (and sobered up), I realized some things. While it is a good song, I think I get a little tricked by The Hold Steady some time. Their songs just tend to be so anthemic and suck you in so quickly that they can be deceiving. If you are a fan of the band, then you are a fan of this song. Not sure how else to really put it. But does that mean it is great by any means? Not really. The opening crunchy guitar line is really the best part of this song in particular. Lyrically, it is more of Craig Finn's usual, self-referential while stealing from pop culture, subject matter. The song is centered around a John Cassevetes film called Opening Night and the singer and his band become the cast of characters. I think what I initially liked about this song is what eventually led me to put it so low on my list. Listening to the song for pure enjoyment without paying attention to the words is great. But for whatever reason any time I listen to what is actually being said, I'm left thinking, "Why the hell can't this guy stop talking about himself?" In the end, it is the blessing and the curse for The Hold Steady as far as I'm concerned. They have a lot of great music, but Craig Finn ends up talking about them way too much. So much for trying to Stay Positive, eh?

7. All I Ever Wanted - Black Keys

Hammond B3 organ. That instrument alone pretty much put this song on my list over another Black Keys song from Attack & Release. To be totally honest, I know some of the words to a bunch of Black Keys songs. For a dude who admits to being all about words, I probably could not care less what they sing about. The wall of noise that envelops you when the organ wails on is just so viscerally impressive that I cannot help but crack a smile. This song encapsulates everything I love about their music: the dirty Delta sound, the rapid changes in dynamics and the fact that you can feel the songs in your chest under the right conditions. This song really deserves being heard out of some big speakers from about five feet away. It might make you a different person. Or it might make you deaf. Either way, you will be changed!

6. Unforgettable Season - Cut/Copy

Over the last few years, this genre has probably gained the most ground as far as my listening habits are concerned. I always had a little bit of what I guess could be called "electropop" or "dance punk" in my rotation, but these last few years have seen an increase in my interest, thanks to bands like Cut/Copy and The Avalanches. I can think of few better spring time albums than this year's In Ghost Colours. Cut/Copy has been a big favorite of mine since I was introduced to them a few years back with Bright Like Neon Love. Their albums just seem to have a feeling that either makes sense for you or does not. If that makes any sense. Ha. In other words, you get them or you do not. As far as I am concerned, they are not the sort of band you can really grow to love. You either like what they are doing or you hate it. Unforgettable Season is really them doing what they do best. The melodies are built so lavishly and in such an intricate manner. The layers of samples become the light blues, greens and yellows in the album cover. I have a really tough time putting this song above my favorite Cut/Copy song, Time Stands Still, but it is a really close second.


And to download the five track above, click on this and follow the instructions:
TenThroughSix

One through five will be up either tomorrow night or Friday night if I'm feeling particularly lazy tomorrow. Enjoy and give me your thoughts, good or bad.