2009 - Favorite Songs
Well, it seems that all around my chosen blogging and socializing forums, people are posting year-end retrospectives, 2009 surveys and such. Well, I lead a rather dull existence, and I honestly can't think of more than 3-4 events of 2009 that really stand out in my mind. that said, I love music, and 2009 was actually a great year for me in terms of expanding my music library. Sure, all of what I found was released before 2009 (some of it decades ago), but as far as I'm concerned, it still counts. So, here are my 10 favorite songs discovered in 2009, more or less in order. In seems like it could be enlightening looking back on these at the end of 2010. And if this list actually entertains someone on my friendslist... bonus! : D
#1
Secret Chiefs 3 - The 4 (Great Ishraqi Sun)
Rock inspired by traditional middle-eastern and Indian music. Despite the fact that I've listened to it hundreds of times, this song never fails to energize me. Its so perfectly symmetrical, yet it doesn't bore me. I saw this band live in June too, whee!
#2
Coil - Fire of the Mind
This band is usually classified as industrial/avant-garde electronica, and they were personal friends of Clive Barker... Yet this song plays like a beautiful hymn or a lament. Its haunting, and I believe I actually cried the first time I heard it.
#3
Moondog - Bird's Lament
Classical/jazz composed by a blind man who lived on the streets of New York in the 50s/60s, dressed in Viking clothes, had a big white beard, and thought he was a reincarnation of Thor. This song was written for Charlie Parker, and I wish it were longer.
#4
Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue - Where the Wild Roses Grow
I'm really not a fan of Kylie Minogue, but her voice gives this song a lot of dimension, and I already adore Nick Cave. Although it has been pointed out to me that this video looks like a series of Harlequin romance covers, roffle.
#5
Tomahawk - Red Fox
A whole album of rock/metal songs incorporating traditional Native American melodies? Yes please! This makes me think of Werewolf: The Apocalypse, in a way. Apparently the man behind it was once in the same band the leader of Secret Chiefs 3 was too. Coincidence?
#6
Miles Davis - Freddie Freeloader
I'm not a jazz fan, but this song is soothing and reassuring to me. I discovered it by accident because of my dead cat Freddie the Freeloader. I knew Freddie the Freeloader was a TV character from the 40s, but had no idea there was a song with the same name.
#7
La Bottine Souriante - La Montagne du Loup
French Canadian folk. Why? Maybe its because of my ancestry, or maybe I just like songs you can really stomp your feet to. Now if only I understood the lyrics. All I know is that the title means "Mountain of the Wolf," and it has something to do with marriage? Damn babelfish.
#8
Popol Vuh - Bruder des Schattens
This one is from the soundtrack to Werner Herzog's remake of Nosferatu, and its fantastic. It has the grandiose, creepy, pseudo-religious quality that I think any good vampire-related music should have.
#9
Orbital - Illuminate
Pop/dance/electronica isn't necessarily my scene, but I love this band, and this song just makes me happy, much in the same way a cup of overly sweetened coffee does.
#10
The Legendary Pink Dots - Belladonna
Alternative, somewhat psychedelic rock. Reminds me of Pink Floyd in a way, though this band is all over the place and I can't pin them down. I don't get the lyrics, but I find the song quite beautiful anyway. Introspective, soothing, and thoughtful.
#1
Secret Chiefs 3 - The 4 (Great Ishraqi Sun)
Rock inspired by traditional middle-eastern and Indian music. Despite the fact that I've listened to it hundreds of times, this song never fails to energize me. Its so perfectly symmetrical, yet it doesn't bore me. I saw this band live in June too, whee!
#2
Coil - Fire of the Mind
This band is usually classified as industrial/avant-garde electronica, and they were personal friends of Clive Barker... Yet this song plays like a beautiful hymn or a lament. Its haunting, and I believe I actually cried the first time I heard it.
#3
Moondog - Bird's Lament
Classical/jazz composed by a blind man who lived on the streets of New York in the 50s/60s, dressed in Viking clothes, had a big white beard, and thought he was a reincarnation of Thor. This song was written for Charlie Parker, and I wish it were longer.
#4
Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue - Where the Wild Roses Grow
I'm really not a fan of Kylie Minogue, but her voice gives this song a lot of dimension, and I already adore Nick Cave. Although it has been pointed out to me that this video looks like a series of Harlequin romance covers, roffle.
#5
Tomahawk - Red Fox
A whole album of rock/metal songs incorporating traditional Native American melodies? Yes please! This makes me think of Werewolf: The Apocalypse, in a way. Apparently the man behind it was once in the same band the leader of Secret Chiefs 3 was too. Coincidence?
#6
Miles Davis - Freddie Freeloader
I'm not a jazz fan, but this song is soothing and reassuring to me. I discovered it by accident because of my dead cat Freddie the Freeloader. I knew Freddie the Freeloader was a TV character from the 40s, but had no idea there was a song with the same name.
#7
La Bottine Souriante - La Montagne du Loup
French Canadian folk. Why? Maybe its because of my ancestry, or maybe I just like songs you can really stomp your feet to. Now if only I understood the lyrics. All I know is that the title means "Mountain of the Wolf," and it has something to do with marriage? Damn babelfish.
#8
Popol Vuh - Bruder des Schattens
This one is from the soundtrack to Werner Herzog's remake of Nosferatu, and its fantastic. It has the grandiose, creepy, pseudo-religious quality that I think any good vampire-related music should have.
#9
Orbital - Illuminate
Pop/dance/electronica isn't necessarily my scene, but I love this band, and this song just makes me happy, much in the same way a cup of overly sweetened coffee does.
#10
The Legendary Pink Dots - Belladonna
Alternative, somewhat psychedelic rock. Reminds me of Pink Floyd in a way, though this band is all over the place and I can't pin them down. I don't get the lyrics, but I find the song quite beautiful anyway. Introspective, soothing, and thoughtful.