The Best Songs I Heard in 2011

The Decemberists-January Hymn

A perfect acoustic song that mixes nostalgia, regret, and promise in 3 minutes.  Collin Meloy had to know he had one of his most inspired songs ever when he came up with this one.

Glasvegas-Flowers and Football Tops

Great yearning vocals, Phil Spector drums, and apparently a sound that pays homage to the Jesus and Mary Chain (makes me want to hear more from that band).

 

Foo Fighters-White Limo

So great to hear this blast of aggression from the Foo Fighters.  Reminds me of “Wattershed” off their first album.

 

My Morning Jacket-The Day is Coming

Sonically, this is a mix of soulfulness, shuffling drums, yearning strings, and optimism.  Also gotta love the falsetto and background vocals.

 

Astrud Gilberto, Joao Gilberto, Stan Getz-The Girl from Ipanema

I’m sure I heard this song before last year, but it never really registered with me. I don’t even remember why it did this past year-maybe it was in a commercial or tv show I saw.  But I love the smooth, laid back bossanova style.  Made me instantly realize the Foo Fighters were coping this style with their song “Virginia Moon”, which I also love.

 

Incubus-Friends and Lovers

Bittersweet and building up steam in slow motion, this song captures a perfect mood of wanting what you really know you probably can’t have, yet trying to enjoy it anyway.  Great line: “What’s wrong with you is good for what’s wrong with me”.

 

Mastodon-Dry Bone Valley

On first listen, I loved this song and instantly thought of two bands: Queens of the Stone Age and Alice in Chains.  The vocals sound like some mixture of Josh Homme, Jerry Cantrell, and Layne Staley, backed by a pummeling song that gallops along until the chorus blows it wide open.

 

Coldplay-Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

For a band that has so many great songs, I’m still amazed how I wouldn’t change a thing to this one. An immaculate snapshot of feeling like anything is possible, and that it is yours for the taking.  Also perhaps their most epic song, adding layer upon layer until exploding into an exultant last minute (which is probably my favorite minute of music from the entire year).

 

The Black Keys-Gold on the Ceiling

My new favorite song this band has ever done.  A glammy pre-chorus breakdown segues into a chorus complete with handclaps and a blazing guitar line.  Great stuff.

 

Feist-The Limit to Your Love

Hushed, lilting, and seemingly about a beautifully doomed relationship, this song seems cinematic in a way.  Wouldn’t be surprised to see it in a movie someday.