I couldn’t get a few songs by the Tallest Man on Earth out of my head in 2009

I’m not going to make a best-of 2009 list (thought I did post one other best of 2009 list). I have about 2/3 of the year covered well but the rest of the year’s releases I haven’t covered as well. I still listen to music obsessively, though and so I can make this list without fear of inadequate preparation. As always with song obsessions, I don’t really choose the songs, they choose me. I wish I always knew why a song sticks in my head, but it doesn’t happen that way.

If you’re interested in this, check out my 2008 and 2007 lists.

I know that this is much later than many year-end lists, but as a semi-retired music blogger, I have the luxury of setting my own schedule. It’s pretty nice.

1. the Tallest Man on Earth – the Gardener (mp3) (buy)
   
   Nearly every track on Shallow Grave was among my top listened songs according to last.fm, but this one stood out a bit more than the rest. It has that incessant, but interesting strumming, and beautifully melodic and poignant vocals.
2. Adele – Hometown Glory (mp3) (buy)
   
   I initially wrote Adele off. I thought she was just another manufactured British retro-soul artist. Then I saw her perform “Chasing Pavements” on a few late night shows and my opinion started to turn. But it was when I saw her perform this song on Conan’s show (I can’t find a video, but here’s a similar performance of the song on Letterman) that I realize she was for real. This really is a stunning song. She’s got a great voice and the simple and subdued orchestration works well.
3. David Ruffin – Anything You Ask For (mp3) (buy)
   
   Definitely not a 2009 song but one that I was obsessed with during the year. From the stutter-start drums to the funky guitar to the lush strings to Ruffin’s gravely-but-sweat voice, there’s nothing about this song I don’t like.
4. the Gaslight Anthem – the ‘59 Sound (mp3) (buy)
   
   Another band that I initially wrote off but I came around on. I actually like this whole album, but this song is definitely a stand-out. It’s just so catchy and sincere.
5. Shirley Ann Lee – There’s a Light (mp3) (buy)
   
   This is the song that made me want to get yet another of Numero Group’s fantastic releases, Downriver Revival (which I did get and later reviewed). It’s so simple: straight forward guitar work and absolutely burning vocals. One couldn’t ask for more from a soul gospel number.
6. Henry Lumpkin – Don’t Leave Me (mp3) (buy)
   
   I got a lot of Motown in a hurry so some of it slipped by the wayside. In particularly the early stuff didn’t get a full listen. With this year being the 50th anniversary of Motown’s founding, I went back to listen to some of it and found some true gems, like this anguished soul number from someone I’d never heard of. It quickly went into heavy rotation.
7. Tallest Man on Earth – I Want You (mp3) (free at Daytrotter)
   
   If the beginning if the year was dominated by songs from Tallest Man’s Shallow Grave, the latter bit was dominated by this song, a Dylan cover, and others from the Daytrotter session. I’m a sucker for good banjo work and this song is nothing if not a display of great banjo work–it’s also a lovely tune.
8. Dawes – When My Time Comes (mp3) (free at daytrotter, buy original)
   
   This is a good tune with a great and very endearing chorus. It’s that simple. It’s also noteworthy that this is essentially a live-to-tape track—I don’t think there are any overdubs on Daytrotter sessions—so it’s impressive that they just nail the harmonies throughout without any dubs.
9. Alberta Cross – Low Man (mp3) (buy)
   
   Hearya and others have been talking about Alberta Cross for a while so when his new album came out I decided to check out a few tracks. This one played on repeat for much of my time in rural South Africa and later when I was getting settled again in Cape Town.
10. Jonsi + Alex – Happiness (mp3) (buy)
    
    This is another situation where I was really obsessed with an entire album and this song just has a slight lead over the others. Even before I knew this was Sigur Ros-related—it was released on the Dark was the Night comp as a Riceboy Sleeps track—I loved it. Ambiant, long, moving, gorgeous, and slowly developing, it reminds me both of what I like best about Sigur Ros and modern, melody-driven composers like Aaron Copland.
11. Mayer Hawthorne – Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’ Nothin’ (mp3) (buy)
    
    Retro-soul like any genre has its hits and its misses and I really think Hawthorne’s A Strange Arrangement is a hit. Great production, interesting songs, good beats. This is one of the first songs I heard from it and I really enjoyed its breezy oldies vibe enough that it kept me coming back.
12. J. Tillman – When I light Your Darkened Door (mp3) (buy)
    
    Sometimes I have a problem where if I decide [x] is my favorite album by an artist, I’ll listen to that to the exclusion of their other albums. Trying to fix that (my favorite Tillman album is Minor Works), I went back to some of his other work and this song really struck me. Crushingly beautiful is one way to put it.
13. Jay Z and Santogold – Brooklyn Go Hard (mp3) (buy)
    
    I’m not from Brooklyn and I’m not a big fan of either Jay Z or Santogold, but something about this song had me coming back for it again and again. I think it may be how incessant and intriguing the phrase “we go hard” is to me.
14. Kid Cudi – Alive (mp3) (buy)
    
    It’s pretty easy to pinpoint what had me hooked to this song: the weird swooping synth sounds in the verses. I also like the flow of Common’s verses a lot; they fit the beat well.
15. John Vanderslice – Too Much Time (demo) (mp3) (buy original)
    
    I was obsessed with at least three different versions of this song this year, including the beautiful version with the Magik*Magik orchestra which I first heard at the Tiny Telephone 10th Anniversary Show and later in the linked video above. It’s a good song with a great chorus. I love the demo’s subdued collection of synth sounds under JV’s plaintive vocals.
16. Fanfarlo – I’m a Pilot (mp3) (buy)
    
    I’ve long been a Fanfarlo fan and so when the first hints of their new album came out, I was listening with keen interest. With keen interest over and over and over.
17. the Welcome Wagon – But for You Who Fear My Name (mp3) (buy)
    
    It’s funny that I have two stomp-clap songs in a row. I like this rousing Sufjan-produced campfire song.
18. Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (the One AM Radio remix) (mp3) (from tour only b-sides compilation)
    
    My most recent obsession on the list[1]. It’s an obsession entirely because it’s so ridiculous. And that it’s on the makes-me-smile side of the ridiculous line.
19. The Swinging Tigers – Snake Walk, Part 1 (mp3) (buy)
    
    If you’ve paid attention to my mixes or when I used to do soul sets on my radio show, you know I’m a sucker for hard swinging soul instrumentals. I found this one listening back to some early Motown stuff early on in the year. Every time I heard this one, I want to do an anachronistic and over-the-top dance to it.
20. the National – Wasp Nest (mp3) (buy)
    
    I don’t know who or what pointed me this song midway through the year, but I quickly got the rest of the Cherry Tree EP and found myself wondering why didn’t anyone tell me this EP was so good?. I really like the interplay between the vocals and the shimmery instrumentation on this one.

[1] But not my last obsession of 2009. That would be “Prarie Night (Card Game at Night” from Aaron Copland’s Billy the Kid

Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
John Vanderslice – Dead Slate Pacific (mp3) (buy)

I’ve had various versions of this song running through my head for the last week. I’m not sure what has kept it stuck in my head–the Pacific isn’t even the ocean I’m flying over in a few days–other than it is a gorgeous song.

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Keith:
A Girl Called Eddy – The Long Goodbye (mp3) (buy)

For my money no female singer in recent memory does pain, longing and regret like Erin Moran of A Girl Called Eddy. We’ll miss you Adrian!

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Yup, this blog is going on hold very shortly, so this will be the last song obsession post.

Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
Bookmiller Shannon – Buffalo Gals (mp3) (buy)

My head is so skittish with all the things related to my upcoming move going through it that nothing stays in it very long. But the other side to the move is finally ripping a lot of stuff I’d let fall by the wayside, including this excellent (really truly excellent, not just some blogger hyperbole) volume of the Alan Lomax Southern Journey series. I was listening through it the other day and this 57 second gem of a banjo track really stuck out. It’s so compelling in its combination of frantic playing and beautiful melody.

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Keith:
Lilofee – Lock & Key (mp3) (free with purchase @ insound)

Well if you enjoy electro-pop songs with narrators that overtly taunt the listener we’ve got a discovery here. I especially enjoy how the singer layers on a few extra unsettling details after the “watcha gonna do?” line, yet leaves the eventual conclusion of the scenario to our imagination. Considering the balance of the lyrics are a dissertation on the sexual mores of today’s youth I have a feeling plenty of research was done before positing their findings in song form.

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Dave:
Chad Vangaalen – Clinically Dead (mp3) (buy)

It’s catchy. I mean, it starts off with a great hook and a nice beat. The chorus is the kicker though, I love the fuzzed out keys (or whatever it is). It’s also short, which always adds to obsessibility(sp?).

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My dad only listens to classical music. And even Stravinsky or Ives are too modern for him. He likes the old stuff. So I got a fair dose of classical music growing up.

At some point when I was in elementary I heard the March of the Toreadors from the Carmen Suite and I wanted to hear it again. The next Sunday, when WQED had an all-request program, I requested it. My dad sat by the radio all afternoon–knowing him he probably didn’t even go to the bathroom–until it came on and he taped it for me.

I listened to that tape a lot.

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra – Bizet: Carmen Suite 1: The Toreadors (mp3)

This is the first song I can remember being obsessed with.

You can buy the track at amazon.

Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
Riceboy Sleeps – Happiness (mp3) (pre-order)

Time for me to shut up about this album already, right? Well, I have listened to this album half a dozen or more times in its entirety this week. With this being the lead-off track, I probably listened to it a little bit more. Just gorgeous stuff here.

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Keith:
Kleerup – Thank You for Nothing (mp3) (buy)

I’m highly anticipating the debut Kleerup release which bows stateside on 7/28 – more great Swedish electronic music with stellar guest vocalists galore. This particular tune is a little repetitive but gives you an idea of the glittering prize which awaits your ears.

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Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
Jonsi & Alex – Boy 1904 (mp3) (buy)

I loved the Riceboy Sleeps track from the Dark was the Night comp before I knew it was a Sigur Ros side project. When this track surfaced this week, I knew who it was and got it pretty quickly.

I think I have a soft spot for ambient-but-melodic music in general but lately with lots going on, this sort of track is a perfect balm to what’s going on.

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Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
Octopus Project – Wet Gold (mp3) (pre-order)

Weezer – I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams (mp3) (buy)

Definitely my most listened to track this week was “Wet Gold” which I talked about on Tuesday. It’s a catchy track, nicely arranged and witha compelling melody.

However the track that sneakily worked it’s way into my brain was this Weezer b-side. Out of nowhere, falling asleep one night this week I heard the title line to this song in my head. Waking up the next morning I still needed to listen to it. An odd track for Weezer–with guest vocals by Rachel Haden–it’s one of their catchiest, too.

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Keith:
Silver Scooter – Goodbye (mp3) (buy)

A bit premature thematically, but while Silver Scooter are worth waiting for – why would you want to delay the immediate pleasure of this sublime indie-pop tune. It’s about as smooth and indie or power pop yet, and has that favorable dichotomy of jaunty pace with cloudy lyrics. I do miss Silver Scooter quite a bit, just like I’ll miss this blog.

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Rob:
Stan Freberg – Declaration of Independence / A Man Can’t Be Too Careful What He Signs These Days (mp3) (buy)

Hope it’s not too late to slip this in. My iTunes library, in its shuffled wisdom, chose the USA Vol. 1 for my last day at work before the holiday weekend. The man does have a knack for the obsessively catchy showtune.

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Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
Madvillian – Money Folder (Four Tet Remix) (mp3) (buy)

This start out as a friend’s obsession and ended up on my year-end most-obsessed list for 2007.

I’ll be honest: this wasn’t a full-on obsession this time, but I was listening through some hip hop and needed to hear this a few times before that kick was up. The dark and somewhat-incessant production goes well with the lyrics here.

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Keith:
the Cascades – Rhythm of the Rain (mp3) (buy)

Death Cab for Cutie – Photobooth (mp3) (buy)

Actually the song running through my head is The Cascades “Rhythm of the Rain” but I don’t have that on mp3 [ed: mp3 added] so this Death Cab for Cutie song will do. There are some similarities, both have a sing-songy vocal style and clip-clopy rhythm (though the Cascades make do with chimes instead of DCfC’s simple Casio beat) and both deal with a relationship gone south. (Actually the word relationship is a bit too harsh – each song provides evidence that there was little to no engagement by the female in the coupling.) Beyond that … um, they’re both crush-worthy?

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Rob:
Bruce Cockburn – Soul of a Man (mp3) (buy)

I’ve recently discovered how much fun it is to play along to Bruce Cockburn songs – something about them is just too inviting. The “Dancing In The Dragon’s Jaws” / “Humans” era tunes are the best, but I particularly like the (very unique) percussion on this later song.

Worth noting that this is a cover of a 1930 tune by Blind Willie Johnson.

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Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
the National – Wasp Nest (mp3) (buy)

Basically the question of the week is why didn’t anyone tell me the Cherry Tree EP was so good? I’ve been listening to the whole thing a lot but the lead off track has been my favorite and most listened to.

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Keith:
Heat East – Love Me Tonight (mp3) (buy)

For the drive down to NJ last weekend I scoured the Billboard Top 40 book of the 70’s looking for hits that I did not recall at all. One such song I came across was Head East’s “Love Me Tonight” – and considering my guilty pleasure meter is high for their power pop meets AOR rock hit “Never Been Any Reason” I decided to do the dl. Despite that previous exposure I was unprepared for what awaited – the most callous one-night-affair style 70’s love song I’ve ever been inflicted with. It’s difficult to paint a lyrical picture so reprehensible that I’m offended by a casual lay-me-and-leave staple. Yet here it is. But – damn it’s catchy!

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Natalie:
Iron & Wine – Trapeze Swinger (mp3) (buy)

This is all Adrian’s fault for putting it on his May mixtape. It’s gorgeous, and even though it’s over 9 minutes long, I keep putting it on repeat because I simply can’t get enough of it.

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I’ve always been a bit of a weird music instrument nerd. Hardanger fiddle? Love them. Mridangam? I want one. Bouzouki? I have one.

Near the beginning of this odd obsession, I was interested in musical saws. This was before In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, before Laura Gibson toured with a saw player. The sort of people that played musical saws–at least the ones I could find–were mostly people who attempted to play classical music or popular songs on them. Then a friend told me about a band called the Coctails, so I ordered one of their albums.

What really hooked me off the album, Peel, though was not one with musical saw was “Even Time”, a pretty subdued song with a catchy guitar part and barely-understandable lyrics at parts. I’m not sure why exactly I liked it then or now, but I still like it.

the Coctails – Even Time (mp3)

Insound has the Coctails’ Peel.

Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
John Vanderslice – Too Much Time (original) (mp3) (buy original)

John Vanderslice “Too Much Time” from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

While I’m still listening to that Adele song a lot, this video–or really the audio from the video, as I rarely actually stare at the video while it’s playing–has caught my attention big time. (And it’s caught at least one other panelist’s attention; see below). I loved when he did a version of “Too Much Time” like this in January but with the studio version more prominent in my head, the magic of the orchestral version had faded in my mind.

I’m so glad this captures something like what that concert felt like.

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Keith:
Beastie Boys – Sure Shot (mp3) (buy)

So many fantastic lines in this loopy lead-off to their most sublime pleasure, Ill Communication. Don’t know if the Rod Carew or grey hairs references are my favorite, but with the new Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3 movie coming I definitely recommend resisting the Tony Scott urge and seeing the original.

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Oz:
Other Lives – Paper Cities (mp3) (hearya session, buy original)

I’ve been obsessed with Other Lives and their self-titled album for a few months now, but their trip into the studio for our recent live session took me to stalker level. “Paper Cities” is one of my favorite tracks from the session and the album. I’m a little shocked we’re not seeing more buzz about them on the blogs.

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Dave:
John Vanderslice – Too Much Time (original) (mp3) (buy original)

[see video above]

I had heard the album version (above) before and really liked it, but there’s just something about this that really grabbed me. The string arrangement, drum, and even JV’s delivery add so much energy that it feels like a completely different song, it’s almost cinematic. I’ve definitely been walking around humming this one.

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Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
Dawes – When My Time Comes (mp3) (from daytrotter; band website)

Adele – Hometown Glory (mp3) (buy)

I’ve had a weird few weeks for song obsessions. This week I again had two but both were pretty prominent on my mind. Both this week are pretty poppy.

I first heard this song a couple weeks ago when someone pointed me to the Daytrotter session. It’s pretty straight-forward, but what really ropes me is the chorus, which is just plain great. It’s also really impressive that they did this live-in-studio; the vocals and playing are spot on. That’s not an easy thing to do with a song with demanding vocals and harmonies like this.

I feel the need to defend Adele every time I bring her up….Well, I’ll stop. Whether or not it’s “okay” to like her, I do. This song is a blue-eyed soul ballad. It’s got a way of working itself into your head with her mournful voice and the piano and strings. It’s a little sappy, but what’re you gonna do? (Note: I’ve also been listening to her song “Best for Last” quite a bit.)

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Scott:
Alabama Sacred Harp Singers – Last Words of Copernicus (mp3) (buy)

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Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
David Ruffin – Anything You Ask For (mp3) (buy)

Wintersleep – Weighty Ghost (mp3) (buy)

I had a funny week of music listening. Almost none for four days while helping a friend with preparations for his wedding and then a few days driving around alone with six CDs, including two past mixtapes each with one of these songs on it and two more random mixes, each with one of these on it. Beautiful, foggy vistas and these songs sort of went together for whatever reason and I found myself hitting repeat on these past song obsessions.

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Keith:
Margot & the Nuclear So Sos – Bookworm (mp3) (buy)

Ever come across a song you find obsesso-worthy, then find out it’s by an artist you had previously dismissed as dreck? That’s the case with this live track by Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s. It’s tough enough getting past the terrible name, but their studio albums seem to smother whatever flavor they might have under a whole bottle of caramel topping. After hearing this crisply engaging performance I even went back to sample the original and could find none its inherent charms. Hopefully they’ll ditch the desire to be the next Animal Collective and stop drowning their sound.

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Funny, all of the songs this week are repeats. How about that?

“Hey, you’re doing a great show tonight.” I’ve never had such a call on my radio show cause such panic, before or since, even if it was momentary.

One of the easiest ways to get staffing hours at KZSU–required for doing a show–was to review CDs. Overworked and without lots of time, I tended to maximize on efficiency on these, often picking and reviewing EPs, because reviews of any release, no matter the length got the same staffing hours. Sometimes I’d find great stuff in random reviews–Jens Lekman’s first album, for instance–but most of it was decent but forgettable.

When I reviewed Detachment Kit’s As If You Weren’t Cold, I didn’t forget it. One track immediately caught my attention particularly–I played it on my show right away. This was about two in the morning at the time–I was doing the Thursday midnight-3am slot that quarter. I did a mic break and the whole time, the song was still running through my head–the repetitive echoing guitar, the plaintive voice, the way the he goes up instead of down on “b-line this token toward some revenue” (whatever that means). So, thinking no one was listening at such an hour, I cued it up and played it again. I wanted to hear it again.

Then the phone rang. It was another DJ calling to compliment my show. Though he didn’t call me on it, I knew he’d caught me.

Detachment Kit – Ricochet (mp3)

This remains the only song I’ve played twice in a row on the radio in almost seven years on the air.

I can’t seem to find where you can buy the EP version, but a slightly different version appears on Of This Blood, available from amazon.

Song obsessions are those songs that we listen to on repeat. I noticed that my obsessions are often a week long. I also thought that other people might have similar obsessions. I’ve collected a panel of a few like-minded individuals and gotten their “song obsessions of the week.” Quite often it’s easy to explain why the song is good; it’s much hard to explain why we’re obsessed. Maybe you’ll become obsessed with one of these.

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Adrian (me):
mk ultra – the Dream is Over (mp3) (free mp3s or buy the CD)

Iron & Wine – Waitin’ for Superman (mp3) (buy)

I didn’t have any ridiculously obsessive songs this week, but a couple stood out from the pack.

John Vanderslice reminded me earlier in the week that you can get the entire mk ultra catalog for free. I got stuck on this one. It a lot of ways, it’s classic Vanderslice: disonance mixed with a incredibly melodic and catchy chorus.

I was reviewing the Around the Well for KZSU this weekend and when this song came on, it really struck me how much I’ve always loved it. When you hear it, it’s absurd to think that I could forget for a minute how great it is.

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Keith:
Pop Levi – Love You Straight (mp3) (buy)

So I’m trying to whittle down my 60,000 song mp3 collection for a transfer to a portable device. I’m still questioning the wisdom of this move, especially as I’ve spent the last three days painstakingly going through every song and am on artist name Po right now. But theoretically by the end of the week my random shuffles will get a heck of a lot better. So here’s the song I’m on as sweet Adrian’s note popped in the inbox. No need to ask if it’s a keeper or not!

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Natalie:
White Rabbits – Percussion Gun (mp3) (buy)

I finally got around to listening to this single this week, right before the album came out on Tuesday. It’s got Britt Daniel’s production written all over it, which is never a bad thing.