Song of the Day: "Wonderwall" by Oasis

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Every band has an end. Most bands just fade into obscurity, and just because the soundtracks to our memories, but some bands go out with a bang. This week every song of the day is going to be dedicated to my favorite bands that had outlandish/strange/out-no-where endings, because, it's more fun this way.

Ok, so "Oasis" is still technically making music, but from the time the below song was released, until today, they have like 4 different members, including replacing one of the Gallagher brothers, and now going under the moniker Beady Eye.

"Wonderwall" by Oasis

Best Songs Of The Decade, 10-1.

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How's that for follow through?!?! We started a list project and finished! Yay for us, but also yay for you. These are some of the 19 (1 repeat) best songs you can ever hear. Give them a listen. Again, to make it easy, I will color code selections for you. Addi's will be in Green, Stevie's will be in Purple.

After reading both lists, it is clear where we come together and veer apart, but over all, not a bad song in the bunch. For a proper intro to the lists, please see part one below. 

***Seeing how this is our final posting. We have each written our own intro. To keep with the format, I placed those intro's side by side. Color coded as well.

Part 1: 100-91

Part 2: 90-81

Part 3: 80-71

Part 4: 70-61

Part 5: 60-51

Part 6: 50-41

Part 7: 40-31

Part 8: 30-21

Part 9: 20-11

I think my whole list really has one thing in common- nostalgia. My top 10 specifically though are moments caught in time, put to music quite literally. These are the songs that I blast in my earphones and forget the world exists, the songs I've cried too and danced barefoot in my kitchen (and at my wedding) to. I was trying to find some continuity among my favorites here- many are singer-songwriters, all wrote their own songs but one (Heartbeats is a cover- the original is good too), and they all seem to be saying something about life, love and longing. Maybe that says something about me? Putting this out here is really like being naked, I feel like I'm baring a part of myself, stripping away the pretenses and letting it all out there. It feels good.

My top ten, when it comes down to it, unlike Stevie’s, is only about 5% nostalgia. My list is the personification of my journey. From being the naïve little boy I was for the first 24 years of my life, to the free thinking sardonic man I am today. I define myself by the sounds I surround myself with. I know that sounds shallow, and it might be, but its truth. I used to fall in line. I used to look back. I used to dwell. But somehow I stumbled forward and into myself. I found a collection of sounds that are distinctly mine, and I share them here with you.   Only one of these songs is from my dwelling days. Granted, it is a hell of a song, but most of these are from the last 3 years.

10. "Heartbeats" -- Jose Gonzalez/"Set Fire To The Third Bar" -- Snow Patrol


9. "Do You Remember" -- Jack Johnson/"It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful" -- Slow Club


8. "New Slang" -- The Shins/"Where You Don't Belong" -- One-Eyed Mule


7. "Sweet Disposition" -- The Temper Trap/"Covered In Rain" -- John Mayer


6. "Chocolate" -- Snow Patrol/"Let The Drummer Kick That" -- Citizen Cope


5. "Life On A Chain" -- Pete Yorn/"Christmas TV" -- Slow Club


4. "Three Rounds And A Sound" -- Blind Pilot/"I Know I Know I Know" -- Tegan and Sara


3. "Lack Of Color" -- Death Cab For Cutie/"Beach House" -- The Cave Singers


2. "When She Believes" -- Ben Harper/"Sweet Disposition" -- The Temper Trap


1. "Trapeze Swinger" -- Iron and Wine/"Skinny Love" -- Bon Iver

Stevie's Up and Coming Album List

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Inspired by Adam's Up and Coming 2011 Album Releases he's looking forward to, here's my own list- once again showing just how different we really are...

Adele

Rural Alberta Advantage

The Dodos

Boxer Rebellion

Florence and the Machine

The Kills

Death Cab for Cutie

Fiona Apple (rumored)

The Shins (rumored)

Seaweed (rumored)

Notice I didn't put Stevie Nicks on this list and yes indeed she is coming out with a new album. I'm afraid. It's my namesake so it better not suck.

My Up and Coming Music List. 2011.

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Inspired by Stevie's Up And Coming Book List, I am going to start the same thing with my music purchased for the year. I found this to be really useful in 2010, that I am starting even earlier for 2011.

My favorite blog to write is my year end music review. And it be honest, I start it in January of each year. I start collecting music as soon as possible, and use a smart playlist to amass them all in one place for easy listening and examining.
Below you will see a quick list of the albums I have picked up so far this year. I will try to update them every month or so. If I have an opinion of the record, will post a quick note, but keep in mind, I may change mine.

For now, just alphabetical order, until I collect enough and start forming concrete opinions, rather then the snap judgments I currently possess.

Adele - "21" ----- So far, easily one of my favorites. I am not sure how long it will stick with me. It is so emotionally ripe, that it wears me out to listen too it. For now, that is a great ride, but it might get tiresome.

Angus & Julia Stone - "Down The Way" ----- Yes, this was released in 2010. But I consider the last quarter of last year, a part of this one. It is too hard to fall in love with a record in 3 months, let alone, digest it enough to know if its crap or not. But, so far, this one is NOT crap. It is mellow and breezy and wonderful.

The Cave Singers - "No Witch" ----- I was so excited for this record release, a northwest band that I expect to do major things. I have not given it the listen it deserves yet (blame Adele), but form what I have heard, it is a stout record.

The Civil Wars - "Barton Hollow" ----- I love this band. This record, their first full length, is exactly as it should be. Is it for everyone? No, probably not. But, for a folk/blues/singersongwriter hound like me, it is wonderful.

Cold War Kids - "Mine Is Yours" ----- Easily the most disappointing record of the year. Still does not come within an iota of this bands debut. They lost their way. They went from sounding distinctly like COLD WAR KIDS, to trying to sound like a radio friendly, borderline KINGS OF LEON tribute band. I have nothing against the Kings, but they could not hold a candle to Kids "Robbers & Cowards."

Hercules & Love Affair - "Blue Songs" ----- Not memorable, but not forgettable. Some great tracks. Some awful ones.

Jessica Lea Mayfield - "Tell Me" ----- I didn't know apathetic could be sexy. But someone. Jessica Lea Mayfield makes it happen. Her voice has an "I have feelings, but I don't give a shit" vibe to it that is impossible to describe until you hear it. Now, does that voice make this a good record? I think it might.

Lulu & The Lampshades - "Cold Water EP" ----- Quirky and great. I wish there were more.

Lykee Li - "Wounded Rhymes" ----- Best of the year so far. But I have only listened to it twice.

Rural Alberta Advantage - "Departing" ----- This record makes me mad. Like I REALLY want to like it, but something is off. It's like a different voice all together from their previous release that I fell in love with. I am not saying it's out of the running, if I let go of my expectations, I may find a very nice record.

Best Songs Of The Decade, 20-11

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Ok. so we are now entering the final stretch. The top twenty. The cream of the crop. I would wager, there is not an unlikeable song the rest of the way. We are continuing our ten part series for the Best Songs of the Decade. Again, to make it easy, I will color code selections for you. Addi's will be in Green, Stevie's will be in Purple.

After reading both lists, it is clear where we come together and veer apart, but over all, not a bad song in the bunch. For a proper intro to the lists, please see part one below. 

***You will notice that there are two #13's listed below. It was an error in editing that, as the list poster, I am hanging my head for. However, rather then delete such a high ranking song, we decided just to expand the accompanying list to match. So, bonus for you.

Part 1: 100-91

Part 2: 90-81

Part 3: 80-71

Part 4: 70-61

Part 5: 60-51

Part 6: 50-41

Part 7: 40-31

Part 8: 30-21

20. "Blowers Daughter" -- Damian Rice/"I Made A Resolution" -- Sea Wolf


19. "Such Great Heights" -- The Postal Service/"This is the Thing" -- Fink


18. "Cartwheels" -- The Reindeer Section/"Collide" -- Howie Day


17. "To Be Alone with You" -- Sufjan Stevens/"Maybe Maybe" -- Nico Stai


16. "Follow You Into the Dark" -- Death Cab/"Flight 180" -- Bishop Allen


15. "I'm A Pilot" -- Fanfarlo/"Morning After" -- Howie Day


14. "Oviedo" -- Blind Pilot/"For You" -- The Format


13. "Collide" -- Howie Day/"La Cienga Just Smiled" -- Ryan Adams


13. "Thousand Ways" -- Tallest Man On Earth/"Blood" -- The Middle East


12. "Save Me" -- Aimee Mann/"Stan" -- Eminem ft. Dido


11. "The Funeral" -- Band Of Horses/"Giving Up On Love" -- Slow Club

Song of the Day: "Big Jet Plane" by Angus And Julia Stone

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So, if you read this blog, you will know that I count the last quarter of 2010 as part of 2011 when it comes to finding music to consider for inclusion in my best albums of the year. I have never been more grateful for that stupid rule, without it, I never would have given this duo much of a spin. Heart, meet plater.

"Big Jet Plane" by Angus And Julia Stone

Angus & Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane music video from The Silentlights on Vimeo.

Song of the Day: "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People

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So yea... I know they kind of look like douche bags. And they're video isn't exactly spectacular. And yet I am strangely addicted to this song. I love it. I mean lyrically its a hot mess and yet there I am singing along to it. I'm not saying I'm a full on fan until I hear their full album in May but until then...