Tas's music picks of '07... (now with embedded clips!)
So it's that time of year again, folks. I've just come to the realization that I still have a LiveJournal page, and because of that, I'm doing another Best Of list. People always seem to get a kick out of it. And this time around, I'm going to embed the associated videos from YouTube. I've been linking to them in the past, and I'll still do that (in case the Facebook feed doesn't like the embedding,) but now you can just stay here and watch them all. Once again, these are not in any official order (well, alphabetical by band, I guess, but not quality-based,) and I don't have a set number, because things that are messy are more fun. It's a fact. Just accept it. Now here's the music:
Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
I'm sure you've heard this already from tons of other people already, but here it is again, for the 3,194th time: check out Neon Bible. It's an amazing album, at times haunting, at times just a blast. This song's pulsing beat and peppiness makes it, ironically, great driving music.
Battles - Atlas
Just to warn you, this song's a weird one. No, seriously, it's really out there. Hell, the first time you hear it, you might even hate it. But just give it three listens. That's how it worked for me. The first time, I was confused. The second time, intrigued. And by the third time I heard it, I had to hear it at least once a day for two weeks. It just digs itself into your brain, and you have no chance to resist. SO GOOD...
Bloc Party - The Prayer
An incredibly relentless beat pushes this song over the top, making it the ultimate battle hymn of the dance floor. I can't decide if this song makes me want to dancefight someone or just straight out fight them... :P
Feist - My Moon My Man
You've heard of Feist. She's the one from the iPod Nano ad, singing "1, 2, 3, 4." This song's even better, and I think the video is, too, partially because I could see myself doing that. I'll admit it - I'm more likely to groove out on a moving sidewalk that round up 100 of my closest friends, dress 'em up in rainbow-colored outfits and crank out an old-school Busby Berkeley routine.
The Hives - Fall Is Just Something That Grownups Invented
God, I do so love the Hives. Just a barrage of frantic, mindless, and most importantly, incredibly fun songs. And their latest album is just more of the same. I know that sounds bad, but I'm okay with the Hives never evolving their sound. And here's great proof - Cartoon Network ended up picking up this song and making it the theme to their back-to-school campaign, and it's just a blast. If your foot's not tapping along, you need help, friend.
Locksley - Let Me Know
The best early Beatles song never written by either John Lennon or Paul McCartney. Just some fun, classic pop. Also, bonus credit to this clip (from their performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live) for a random Patrick Warburton appearance. Brock Samson should open everything...
Mastodon - Cut You Up With A Linoleum Knife
It blew my mind that one of the best soundtracks of the year turned out to be for Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters. Lots of good hard and indie rock, with obligatory randomness all around (including a Killer Mike track, an Andrew WK track, and an amazing Superchunk song that survived the potential drag of featuring Meatwad on vocals.) This song appeared at the opening of the film, and just blew me away with its manic pace and ridiculous lyrics. Those of you that are sensitive may wanna dodge this one - it's violent and a tad profane... (By the way, sorry if the clip isn't there by the time you read this - Cartoon Network seems to hunt down and rub out all YouTube postings of the opening scene.)
The National - Mistaken For Strangers
Simply put, this is what Interpol's new album should've sounded like. Disconnected vocals and a jangly, slightly off-key guitar line suck you in early and keep you swaying throughout.
Radiohead - Bodysnatchers
Radiohead is back. Let us rejoice and be glad. This is their best work since Kid A. And Thom Yorke and the boys have finally gone back to high-tempo, rocking music, not strictly mood pieces. In Rainbows is fantastic, and if you didn't get it for free, then you should go out and buy the hard copy already. Hell, I might have to, and I already have the damn thing. They've definitely earned it.
The Rentals - Sweetness and Tenderness
Damn, talk about a band being back. The Rentals took eight years to get back together and put together The Last Little Life EP. It's got three fun tracks on it, but it closes out with this remake of the final track from Return of the Rentals, making it a much warmer song altogether. I missed my regular dose of Moog synthesizers and violin.
The Shins - Australia
Just a fun, peppy song from everyone's favorite indie darlings. I dare you to not smile.
Spoon - Don't You Evah
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Gotta be among my top 5 album titles ever. I really dig the walking bassline here, and the conversational chatter adds to the coolness factor.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - C.I.A.
*sorry, no videos found - how lame is that?*
This is just classic power pop here. It's a long song - times out at 6:34 - but it's so good you won't notice. Ted's Elvis Costello-like voice and driving guitar keep this song moving. Go find it and thank me later.
Alright, folks, you know the drill. Tell me what you think, toss me some of your fave songs, or just call me names. As long as you had fun reading, it's worth it. Take it easy. :)
Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
Click to viewI'm sure you've heard this already from tons of other people already, but here it is again, for the 3,194th time: check out Neon Bible. It's an amazing album, at times haunting, at times just a blast. This song's pulsing beat and peppiness makes it, ironically, great driving music.
Battles - Atlas
Just to warn you, this song's a weird one. No, seriously, it's really out there. Hell, the first time you hear it, you might even hate it. But just give it three listens. That's how it worked for me. The first time, I was confused. The second time, intrigued. And by the third time I heard it, I had to hear it at least once a day for two weeks. It just digs itself into your brain, and you have no chance to resist. SO GOOD...
Bloc Party - The Prayer
An incredibly relentless beat pushes this song over the top, making it the ultimate battle hymn of the dance floor. I can't decide if this song makes me want to dancefight someone or just straight out fight them... :P
Feist - My Moon My Man
You've heard of Feist. She's the one from the iPod Nano ad, singing "1, 2, 3, 4." This song's even better, and I think the video is, too, partially because I could see myself doing that. I'll admit it - I'm more likely to groove out on a moving sidewalk that round up 100 of my closest friends, dress 'em up in rainbow-colored outfits and crank out an old-school Busby Berkeley routine.
The Hives - Fall Is Just Something That Grownups Invented
God, I do so love the Hives. Just a barrage of frantic, mindless, and most importantly, incredibly fun songs. And their latest album is just more of the same. I know that sounds bad, but I'm okay with the Hives never evolving their sound. And here's great proof - Cartoon Network ended up picking up this song and making it the theme to their back-to-school campaign, and it's just a blast. If your foot's not tapping along, you need help, friend.
Locksley - Let Me Know
The best early Beatles song never written by either John Lennon or Paul McCartney. Just some fun, classic pop. Also, bonus credit to this clip (from their performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live) for a random Patrick Warburton appearance. Brock Samson should open everything...
Mastodon - Cut You Up With A Linoleum Knife
It blew my mind that one of the best soundtracks of the year turned out to be for Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters. Lots of good hard and indie rock, with obligatory randomness all around (including a Killer Mike track, an Andrew WK track, and an amazing Superchunk song that survived the potential drag of featuring Meatwad on vocals.) This song appeared at the opening of the film, and just blew me away with its manic pace and ridiculous lyrics. Those of you that are sensitive may wanna dodge this one - it's violent and a tad profane... (By the way, sorry if the clip isn't there by the time you read this - Cartoon Network seems to hunt down and rub out all YouTube postings of the opening scene.)
The National - Mistaken For Strangers
Simply put, this is what Interpol's new album should've sounded like. Disconnected vocals and a jangly, slightly off-key guitar line suck you in early and keep you swaying throughout.
Radiohead - Bodysnatchers
Radiohead is back. Let us rejoice and be glad. This is their best work since Kid A. And Thom Yorke and the boys have finally gone back to high-tempo, rocking music, not strictly mood pieces. In Rainbows is fantastic, and if you didn't get it for free, then you should go out and buy the hard copy already. Hell, I might have to, and I already have the damn thing. They've definitely earned it.
The Rentals - Sweetness and Tenderness
Damn, talk about a band being back. The Rentals took eight years to get back together and put together The Last Little Life EP. It's got three fun tracks on it, but it closes out with this remake of the final track from Return of the Rentals, making it a much warmer song altogether. I missed my regular dose of Moog synthesizers and violin.
The Shins - Australia
Just a fun, peppy song from everyone's favorite indie darlings. I dare you to not smile.
Spoon - Don't You Evah
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Gotta be among my top 5 album titles ever. I really dig the walking bassline here, and the conversational chatter adds to the coolness factor.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - C.I.A.
*sorry, no videos found - how lame is that?*
This is just classic power pop here. It's a long song - times out at 6:34 - but it's so good you won't notice. Ted's Elvis Costello-like voice and driving guitar keep this song moving. Go find it and thank me later.
Alright, folks, you know the drill. Tell me what you think, toss me some of your fave songs, or just call me names. As long as you had fun reading, it's worth it. Take it easy. :)