You know those Civil War documentaries and movies with montages of battles that end with a wide shot of dead bodies strewn out along an open field? Bon Iver’s “Perth” - the last of three Bon Iver tracks to appear on this Top 50 list and the opening track off the self-titled second album – is perfectly suited for the occasion of evoking such a sense of loss and isolation through its militaristic drumming solemn guitar work. While the song is actually inspired by Justin Vernon’s acquaintance’s reaction to the death of his friend Heath Ledger, it’s evident that although the song isn’t about a particular battle from the Civil War or any war for that matter, it’s fits the notion of the personal battle and struggle people encounter to cope with the passing of someone close.
Monday, December 26, 2011
#22 – “Lotus Flower” by Radiohead: The Top 50 Songs of 2011 (I Heard)
Radiohead is an interesting band in regards to the fact that they’re almost always the group people namedrop as a means of getting a sense of “cred” (David Bowie – as incredible as he is – is another perfect example of this). They’re the “weird”, “experimental”, almost “indie” band for the masses. When anyone who expresses disliking towards a Radiohead song or album, Radiohead fans often feel compelled to suggest that such listeners “just don’t get it” and urge them to go back and listen to their Nickelback albums. As the follow-up to 2007’s incredible “In Rainbows”, “The King of Limbs” has proven to be a huge disappointment. While I understand that the group would have a desire to record an album dedicated to subtle atmospheric sounds, there is virtually nothing on it that truly catch this listener’s attention throughout 37 minutes. The lone exception is “Lotus Flower.” Through a forceful yet calculated bassline and percussion, the song hearkens back to the title track of “Kid A” (but you can actually understand Thom Yorke’s falsetto vocals here) and somehow proves to be extremely danceable (you’re going to have to watch the clip to see what I mean).
#23 – “Rolling In The Deep” by Adele: The Top 50 Songs of 2011 (I Heard)
If you were given the opportunity to put money on the upcoming Grammy Awards and for some reason bet against Adele, you’d be a fool as she’s going to win just about every single award she’s nominated for. But is Adele – one of the few artists who’s selling tons of albums and records in 2011 – and her “21” album really the “GREATEST THING EVER!!!!!111” like so many people are proclaiming? The first half of “21” and last track (“Someone Like You”) are absolutely stunning songs with the underlying theme of a failed relationship. Opening track “Rolling in the Deep” is certainly one of these examples. But what kills the album as a whole is the fact that songs six through ten on this eleven track album just feel so derivative. Everyone knows that Adele can sing, but she deserves better songs than the some of the generic mid-tempo ballads that she’s singing on the second half.
#24 – “Need You Now” by Cut Copy: The Top 50 Songs of 2011 (I Heard)
No, this isn’t a cover of the Lady Antebellum song that somehow won Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 2011 Grammy Awards. Cut Copy’s “Need You Now” is the perfect way to open this year’s “Zonoscope” album. It slowly builds chorus after chorus until the dance song hits an utmost satisfying climax where singer Dan Whitford longingly proclaims, “I know where going crazy, but I need you now.” The song then erupts into a state of synth ecstasy full of pure emotion.
#25 – “MoneyGrabber” by Fitz & The Tantrums: The Top 50 Songs of 2011 (I Heard)
With a sound influenced by soul music and the era of Motown and a lead singer who’s voice could easily be mistaken for Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates if you didn’t already know), Fitz & The Tantrums certainly have a sound that doesn’t feel like it is from 2011. But that doesn’t mean it’s not welcome. Although the lyrics are drawn from the standard I-Hate-You-Bitch-For-Only-Wanting-Me-For-My-Money-So-Now-I’m-Going-To-Write-A-Song-About-You-As-Revenge bin, you will definitely be singing along to the biting sendoff after a listen or two.
#26 – “Say It Out Loud” by Nicola Roberts: The Top 50 Songs of 2011 (I Heard)
When cutting edge UK girl group Girls Aloud (picture a 2000s version of the Spice Girls – only a million billion times better) went on hiatus back in 2009, many of the act’s members unsurprisingly decided that they’d pursue solo careers during their time off to varying degrees of success on a commercial and critical level. Deemed the “Ugly Duckling” of Girls Aloud, Nicola Roberts’ (the fact that she’s heavily criticized for her looks is quite pathetic as she is better looking than most people out there) debut album may have generated only modest success commercially, but that sales aren’t always indicative of quality as “Cinderella’s Eyes” features some excellent pop songwriting and production. “Say It Out Loud” is the perfect example of that – a sugary track just takes off during the final 90 seconds, where chopped up vocals are fighting against beeps and blips.
#27 – “My Eyes” by Nero: The Top 50 Songs of 2011 (I Heard)
For Nero’s debut album “Welcome Reality”, the UK dubstep group decided that they’d try writing a soundtrack to a movie… a movie that doesn’t actually exist (other artists have also attempted this as well). The album’s high note is the Nine Inch Nails-esque “My Eyes”, which features vocals from unofficial member Alana Watson. For a song like this, they definitely nailed the soundtrack concept down correctly. It’s like you’re listening to a futuristic James Bond theme from 2060, where going to space wouldn’t be as absurd as it was in “Moonraker”.
#28 – “Only If For A Night” by Florence + The Machine: The Top 50 Songs of 2011 (I Heard)
If you’ve ever heard or seen Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine perform before, there’s a certain sense of mysticism and supernatural essence that she evokes. Thus, as the opening track on her new album, “Only If For A Night” immediately sets the tone for the “Ceremonials” album. This is a song that would nicely fit the death march scene at the end of Igmar Bergman’s film “The Seventh Seal” or a Salem Witch Trials re-enactment (if the witches actually did exist).
#29 – “Behold The Hurricane” by The Horrible Crowes: The Top 50 Songs of 2011 (I Heard)
In another era or dimension, New Jersey’s the Gaslight Anthem would be the greatest American rock band alive. Owing a great deal of debt to Bruce Springsteen, which they proudly recognize and Springsteen humbly accepts, the Gaslight Anthem has the songs and pure emotion that could easily fill up the largest stadiums in the world… if only people would give them the chance. With three albums and an EP in the can since 2007 and their fourth album expected in 2012, Gaslight’s lead singer Brian Fallon formed the Horrible Crowes side project with his friend/guitar tech Ian Perkins. While this project may sound like the Gaslight Anthem minus the punk edge, “Behold The Hurricane” demonstrates Fallon’s songwriting skills and ability to handle a song as he never walks down the path to the Bullshit Department. When Fallon says, “Be still my heart. I age by years at the mention of your name,” the listener envisions him getting older every time he hears the name of his lost lover. The listener believes every word he says.
#30 – “Lonely Star” by The Weeknd: The Top 50 Songs of 2011 (I Heard)
Toronto’s The Weeknd has generated some of the biggest buzz in the music industry throughout 2011. In addition to dropping two huge mixtapes (with a third coming very shortly) and completing remixes for artists like GaGa and Florence + The Machine, he has received the backing of Drake and unsurprisingly found himself receiving a guest appearance on Drake’s new album and writing credits on several songs. While the Weeknd does seem to have more misses than actual hits throughout his first two mixtapes, it’s evident in a song like “Lonely Star” that he is extremely talented in generating an atmospheric sound that can only be classified as “contemporary R&B nighttime music” with a touch of Prince.
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