My favorite songs of 2009:
Kevin Blechdom – Running Away
Beautiful, simple, and catchy. While the whole record is great, this is the song that feels the most honest, least silly to me. I always appreciate it when an artist is able to insert something so heartfelt in the middle of tongue & cheek surroundings and get away with it.
Tim Exile – A Little Bit More (Jamie Lidell cover)
Who knew this song needed a cover? I thought it was perfect before because of its simplicity. I should have realized that when complexity is well-crafted and tasteful, sometimes more is indeed more.
Attack Attack! – Stick Stickly
I revel in sounds and ideas that were once extreme and challenging becoming mediocre and safe. Proving time and time again that it’s not so much the sound you make that’s important, it’s the context you make it in. Skip to 2:46 & you’ll see why I love this. I’m a sucker for recontextualization.
Elite Drug Dealers – I’ll Kill My Kids If They Want To Listen To Shit Like Gothic-Doom
Love these vocals, and as Kyle Mabson is fond of pointing out, this is the best snare drum sound in any music ever.
Das Racist – Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell (wallpaper remix)
Ah, a novelty song that isn’t overtly jokey, but just generally goofy, and also catchy as hell. The original track has none of these qualities. Cheers to Wallpaper for making this listenable.
Bring Me The Horizon – The Sadness Will Never End (Sonny Moore)
First we saw techno invade hip hop, now techno is invading metal. This is something I’ve been quietly wanting to happen for years. Of course, I wish this wasn’t a remix. I want a band to sound like this on its own.
LMFAO – Shots
This is a brutal song to be on the radio. Shotgun beats & screaming? Baltimore club invades the mainstream. How can I object? Plus I love songs that list things.
Black Point Ft. Del Patio – Watagatapitusberry
I don’t speak a word of Spanish, but supposedly it doesn’t matter since I’ve read that this is all neighborhood-specific Puerto Rican slang. Still, catchy as hell, and totally goofy. How can you fault the line, “Baby, you spaghetti”?
Rammstein – Pussy
I’ve always been a bigger fan of Rammstein’s ideas than their music. So I was thrilled when the two collided so perfectly here. Simple, direct, and totally stupid. Slam dunk.
The Lonely Island – Space Olympics
While “I’m on a boat” may be a better song, technically, this one’s about holding the Olympics in outer space. I love songs about really banal activities that are delivered with so much importance. The story arc of this song is particularly satisfying.
Powerman 5000 – V is For Vampire
I’m putting this song at the end, as I just discovered it and I’m still not sure if it warrants being on this list. But I can’t get it out of my head. Simple, direct concept – totally catchy & dumb. Obviously trying to cash in on the vampire craze, which I approve of. Makes me think of the Future Bible Heroes song I’m a Vampire which is much better, of course, but didn’t come out in 2009.
Favorite albums list forthcoming …
A excellent and unusual list. Glad to see some Tim Exile made it on there, he has been exploding my brain a lot recently…
[tlr]
woah…….!!
http://therumpus.net/2009/01/mainstream-k-a-new-rumpus-blog-about-pop-culture/
Howdy,
I’m putting together my June26th Radium show at 2nd Street Jazz and was wondering if you would like to play? Please let me know ASAP. I would love to have you guys on the bill. So far I have Tek Support and [tlr]. I may have a slot for another Deathbomb Arc artist as well. tik///tik has played a couple of my shows and I’m a fan of his. Foot Village would be great. Lemme know.
MB
Saw your blog bookmarked on Digg.
I just wanted to thank you for this post.