My Favourite Songs of 2012 #11-20

Top 20 say whaaaaat?

20. Tallest Man on Earth - 1904
Either you love him or hate him. Me? I love him. Another great track from a little guy with a big guitar. I found some of his earlier work a little too whiny...his vocal control is way better here; therefore, much more enjoyment for my eardrums.

19. Bat For Lashes - Laura
I wasn't sure of this song the first time I heard it. I found it a little too dramatic for my simple lifestyle. Day after...whistling it in the shower. Day after that...whistling it in the shower. Day after that...whistling it in the shower. And so on. Now I appreciate it. A lot.

18. Lee Fields & The Expressions - You're the Kind of Girl
This year's Charles Bradley? You bet. I'm loving this whole album...start to finish. Just buy it. Lee Fields released his first record back in 1969. That's insanity.

17. Beach House - Myth
I looooooove this song. It's soooo dreamy and soooo poppy. It's dream pop. Put this song on next time you stroll around in the rain. Give your life a little ponder.

16. Father John Misty - Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings
Father John Misty is awesome. How can you just disband from Fleet Foxes and then give birth to 'Fear Fun'? Joshua Tillman, boom.

15. Alabama Shakes - You Ain't Alone
This one still rubs me the wrong way a little. I saw Alabama Shakes' songs pop up all over the 'Best of 2011' lists last year (even mine). Now, twelve months later they are again topping a ton of lists with the exact same songs. Loopholes...

14. Japandroids - The House that Heaven Built
Yesssss. This song just pumps me right up. I want more. Please, give me more. A nice tip of the hat to a Vancouver gem.

13. The Lumineers - Big Parade ('Hear Ya' Live Session)
I vividly remember standing at the urinal during a Yellow Ostrich show back in March at the Media Club. I looked up and saw that a band called The Lumineers were playing the next night for $8 a ticket. I thought to myself, "I've heard a few of their songs and I like them...but man, a double header mid-week? You're not 20 anymore Ryan". Fast-forward 10 months and The Lumineers are selling out the Commodore at $35 a pop. Idiot.

12. Grimes - Oblivion
Oh hey Vancouver...what's up? I swear I'm not being biased here. I was pretty pumped to see her top out the Pitchfork 'Top Songs of the Year' recently. I'm not much of a musician but I can't imagine that being an easy task at all. You go girl.

11. Pacific Air - Float
I hate it when bands change their name...especially in the middle of a break-out season. Most people may know a similar song that was released by a band called KO KO earlier this year. Don't be fooled, same band. It might take me a year to get over this one. Just make sure your next release is as good as Long Live KOKO and we should have no issues going forward.