Yup. That picture right there is pretty much how I feel here at the end of 2011. Beaten, sweaty, in a shower somewhere, but still really, really sexy. Here, then, is a week long conversation with five contributors about the songs we haven’t been able to get out of our heads or our headphones this year.
Lykke Li – “Jerome”
From: Brandon Hall
To: Natalie Snoyman, Chris Mollica, Jenn Lao, Chris Atto
Woohoo! 2011 is almost in the books. And thank gawd. I don’t know about you guys but this has been a pretty hectic/stressful year. Turning the calendar, of course, is just an illusion of change, a ritual in the unfounded hope of a positive effect born of an absent or, at least, ineffable cause. Here’s an essay prompt for anyone interested: What does it say about our culture that we end every year with euphoric, celebratory inebriation, and start every year dehydrated, hung over, with a pounding headache, regretting last night’s mistake (whatever it was, I can’t quite remember, but I’m sure it was a mistake) and hiding our eyes from the light? Every year starts like shit.
Still, I like the illusion. Hope was the only thing that stuck by Pandora and we ought to value that loyalty. But before we can gaze wistfully at the breaking of new adventures in 2012, let’s have a look back at the songs that got stuck on repeat in 2011.
The advantage of going first is that I get to talk about all of the most obvious 2011 gems, and then let you all hash it out.
One of my first loves this year was Lykke Li’s Wounded Rhymes, and from that album, the first track that earned repeat status was her beautiful, stately, Ronnettes-percussion-aping “Sadness is a Blessing,” but it’s the epic, penultimate track, “Jerome” that still elicits a charge in me. The punishing, driving percussive track that belies what seems to secretly be a ballad, and fades into two minutes of industrial heartbeat by way of tympani and hand clap remains one of the finest syntheses of that “Eeeee” feeling of panic and euphoria you get when you first fall in love that I’ve heard in a long time. And the key change in the middle of the chorus when she sings “I’m screaming at nothing, Jerome. You got me for nothing, Jerome” gives me chills.
Katy B – Broken Record
Lost in the fray, this year, I fear will be Katy B. This is a shame, not only because her album was smart, and fun, and catchy as all git-out, but because it featured the song “Broken Record,” a club banger on par with anything Rihanna has ever made. If you put this on and don’t feel like dancing, you’ve obviously lost your soul and should be very very concerned. I’m listening to it as I write this, and it’s not fucking easy. Have you ever tried to dance and type at the same time? And, shit, the song just went to the coda with Katy singing “Like a Bro-ken-re-cooooord.” Hold on…let me dance this one out…Yeah. Automatic repeat status. You don’t listen to that coda and just move on to the next track.
Moving on.
Bon Iver’s “Holocene” is easily the best song on his sophomore album, Bon Iver, and, much like “Skinny Love,” holds down the number three track spot on the album. What is it about track threes? It seems like the third track on a lot of albums is often the best track. Is this true? I know it’s subjective, but could someone look into it? Let me glance at my iTunes:
…
I take it back. I started making a list but it seemed less prevalent once I actually made an effort to check. Still, “Holocene,” named after an historical epoch and a bar in Portland, Oregon is one of the most beautiful tracks of the year. Surprise, surprise – Bon Iver made something beautiful. But it’s the tragedy of his songs that has made Justin Vernon such a ubiquitous star, and the way he sings “And at once I knew I was not magnificent” before the bass and the percussion fill the icy landscape is enough to break the heart of anyone who’s had to come face to face with their own shortcomings. God damn.
Bon Iver – “Holocene”
Of course “Holocene” didn’t break hearts this year (mine, America’s, the world’s) the way Adele’s “Someone Like You” sparked a run on Haagen Dazs and Kleenex. I mean, good god. Where do you guys think this song fits on the pantheon of great break up songs? Top 10? Top 5? I feel like I’m doling out assignments – someone make a list of the top 10 breakup songs! Or find one already made. I will say, one of my greatest frustrations this year is Adele’s reticence to push the second stanza of that chorus up into the higher register like she does on the recording. I understand why – it’s obviously hard on her voice – you can hear it crack on the recording – and when you have to sing that damn song night after night, you gotta adjust the arrangement for your own survival, but it’s the crack in her voice when she fights through the pain and tears and feelings of failure to sing, “Don’t forget me, I beg…” that turns what would have been a great song into something special.
Also – OMG yes. And, FWIW, I played this song for my mom and her response was a shrug and “meh.” Really, Mom? Really?
Adele – “Someone Like You”
Obviously, I like to have my heart broken. I’m an emotional masochist, what can I say. But my favorite song of the year, and my favorite video*, are 100% celebratory. Beyonce’s “Countdown” is the most jaw-dropping, kick-ass, deliriously entertaining song of the year, without competition. Drum line snares, murderously stabbing horns, trunk-rattling bass, no less than five musical/arrangement shifts, growlingly hard, undeniably seductive vocals – “All up in the back ’cause the chicks keep blockin!” – and an epic chorus that rivals anything Beyoncé’s done to date, which, shit man. She’s been a one woman hit factory for a solid decade now and she’s only getting better!? Bow down.
Beyoncé – Countdown
“And at once I knew I was not magnificent,”
Brandon
*[It is highly likely my opinion of this song has been irrevocably influenced and inflated by the video. But so what? That video’s fucking awesome and I grew up on music videos. They’ve been influencing my taste in music my whole life.]
From: Chris Mollica
To: Brandon Hall
Sign me up with your mom. For some reason, the swell of Adele’s emotional purging sails right over my head. Can I appreciate it? Sure. Her music is good and she’s no doubt feeling it, but I’m not. The funniest thing is I’m usually a little bit of a Beyonce hater. With all her talent, she seems somewhat robotic and emotionless. But not this year. The joy in her voice in “Countdown” and have you caught this dressing room gem? Adele. Consider me backlashing.
From: Brandon Hall
To: Chris Mollica
Boooooo!
AudioVole 
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