DRUM ROLLLLLLLL please. Oh, and Merry Christmas! I hope the next year of your lives is the best year ever. I also hope that many new albums are released by some amazing bands, groups, artists, robots…whatever. Many happy listens. These were my favourite 10 songs of 2013.
10. Cults - Keep Your Head Up
I have always been drawn to some of the older Cults songs BUT this song is just way better. It's starts off all "oh hey, we're Cults. We're so cool" then BOOM. Keep your head up!
9. Typhoon - Dreams of Cannibalism
I could have picked a handful of Typhoon songs to put on this list. Their 2013 release of 'White Lighter' was a late pick up for me but it is amazing from start to finish. We attended their homecoming show in Portland last month and it was one the best live experiences I have had in recent memory. Moral of the story…buy their album, go to their shows.
I have been loving Ages and Ages (or is it AgesandAges) since first hearing one of their Daytrotter Sessions back in the day. It was so good. Life was great back then. Fast-forward a handful of years and they come out of nowhere with this knockout punch. Oh my lord!
7. Frightened Rabbit - The Woodpile
There were a few Frightened Rabbit songs in the running this year. Great album but The Woodpile was my standout track. What the heck are they singing about? Is it an animal? A trapped human? I like how Scott Hutchison describes the meaning: The Woodpile' is about that night you felt utterly out of place, alone, awkward and cornered. All any of us want in those instances is for someone we care about to come and take us away from it all. It's escapist, but also claustrophobic in places. I like the idea of contrasting a big, confident piece of music with lyrics that express uncertainty and vulnerability.
6. Smith Westerns - 3AM Spiritual
This is a gem. Listening to '3AM Spiritual' is like being on the most incredible roller coaster ride of all time. It starts off with this incredible intro…throw in some whooooa-yeahs….add some synthesizer. It's basically how I want every dreamy song to sound.
5. Foxygen - No Destruction
I couldn't put my finger on it for the longest time. One day I was out for a walk with the pup when this song came on and it hit me about half way through. It's got this nostalgic Velvet Underground/Bob Dylan sound to it that I just love. I guess if you are going to sing about getting high then you might as well try and mimic a couple of the best!
4. Haim - The Wire
Well, my crush on Alana Haim aside…this song has been on repeat since first listening. Lots of other music sites had Falling on their short lists but I stuck with 'The Wire' after seeing them perform it recently. All 3 of the Haim sisters have standout influences to the make up of this track. I love it. HEY!
3. Local Natives - Heavy Feet
No secret here, I love everything about Local Natives. Like Charles Bradley, they make me excited in the same region. I also had the pleasure of being right up front for their show at the Commodore this past year. What a performance! To stick with the theme, I could have included any number of songs from their album 'Hummingbird' but ended up sticking with 'Heavy Feet'. Great song.
2. MØ - Pilgrim
Switching gears here a bit. I know there is a bit of a grey area for this song as some of you probably had your first listen to it in 2012. The official release was in 2013 so I am sticking it on my list this year. Either way, it has a catchy flow coupled with some big horns and cute vocals. Everything just works so well when packaged and delivered.
1. The Preatures - Is This How You Feel?
Surprised? You know when you hear a song and something just clicks? That's how I felt when I heard The Preatures for the first time. Admittedly, I don't know a bunch about them BUT I will tell you something...this song make me want to sing, dance, high-five, ski, work harder, be a better person, empty the dishwasher, take the dog for a longer walk, watch less TV, lose those last few pounds, read more books, invent something and maybe relax a little. It also makes me smile.
