That’s the stuff. We all took one to the eye this year. Natalie’s here to wrap up AudioVole’s favorite songs of the year and rub our collective temples with jams too cool for your radio or YouTube. You’re lucky to get one video in this bunch. It’s essentially the polar opposite of the songs Brandon threw down at the beginning of the week. But damn if these aren’t some great tracks. Be the first kid on your block to bump Doom Trumpet and more!
From: Natalie Snoyman
To: Brandon Hall, Chris Mollica, Jenn Lao, Chris Atto
Saved the best for last, eh? I guess we know where I stand in the grand scheme of things around here.
All kidding aside, I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s lists. I’ve gotta say, though… for me, “Montezuma” was the song to pick from Helplessness Blues. It was actually incredibly difficult for me to create this list given the fact that I put the final edit on my personal “Best of 2011” list just two evenings ago. Final count: 22 tracks. I briefly entertained the idea of writing one sentence for each of those tracks but quickly dismissed it. Five seemed like a good number, but narrowing it down to this small list was a little nerve-racking. After all, if I deem these five tracks my favorites from 2011, what does that say about the other seventeen!? For the sake of my sanity, I’ll just say this is a sneak peek. Yeah. I think I’m okay with that…
Key Losers, “Cheap Display.”
To learn more about my obsession with Katy Davidson, let me direct you to this convenient link. Overall, California Lite is a great album but “Cheap Display” is a real gem. I recently returned to my hometown of San Diego where I sat in the driver’s seat for the first time in months. After making my way through a few neighborhoods, I realized I had forgotten how many mini-malls there are in Southern California. They’re everywhere. To me, this song is an ode to those mini-malls. And how can you not love that robotic breakdown? It’s so great.
Himalayan Bear, “How Could Death Contend” (mp3)
My feelings for Himalayan Bear’s Ryan Beattie are akin to those for Katy Davidson. I just love everything he does. Whether he’s penning songs for Himalayan Bear or Chet, crooning on Gigi’s Maintenant (a personal favorite from 2010), or playing guitar in Frog Eyes, I think he’s simply wonderful. Oh, and don’t worry; I’ve told him all of this in person and believe me when I say my gushing made things just a little uncomfortable. The emotion in his voice — the man really does croon — and the amount of ingenuity in his songwriting floors me every time and this track exemplifies those sentiments. Just wait for the climax. God, it’s good.
Doom Trumpet, “Oregon and Again” (mp3)
I’ve got a soft spot for looping when it’s done well and David B. Smith does it oh so well on this track. “Oregon and Again” is stripped down and complex all at once and I credit Mr. Smith for pulling that off so flawlessly here.
Sean Nicholas Savage, “Can’t Get My Mind Off You”
If you’ve ever felt this way about someone (even just a little bit), you can’t help but love this song. It’s a pitch-perfect blend of 70’s “Ooh ooh ooh’s” and 80’s synths. This song is so good I’ve mentally choreographed a dance number for it.
LAKE, “Within/Without” [ed: top of page]
This song is catchy as heck. There is some great drumming going on here and Ashley and Eli’s harmonies are top-notch. As much as I love this track, the video is what really does it for me. Fun fact #1: This video was filmed at Calvin Johnson’s house! Fun fact #2: That snazzy red suit Eli’s wearing was found at an antique store in downtown Olympia, WA. The suit once belonged to the shop owner’s father who wore it during hunting trips to Alaska. Fun facts courtesy of the K Recs site.
“Not a care, not a care, not a care,”
Natalie
From: Jenn Lao
To: Natalie Snoyman
Don’t we all have an embarassing story about meeting someone in a band? It never ends well. Now I avoid them, for their sake – and it’s worked out. Of course, it required studying hipsters in Silverlake for 3 straight months for me to perfect the aloof look. Thankfully I got the expression down, it’s just the arm flailing that I’m still trying to control.
The solo guitar riff at 0:41 of “Cheap Display” is absolutely divine. That will officially be my Saturday morning song.
Natalie’s the relaxed listener who’s prone to songs reminiscent of longing. She also likes awesome videos that are eerily mesmerizing.
“an old building barely remembered”
Jenn
AudioVole 
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