Well here it finally is. The top 15 songs of last year. It’s what, March? Took me long enough – sorry. But this list just had to be finished, as it is still my go-to playlist on my iPod.
Look for some actual 2010 content coming soon (so many new albums to talk about!), and enjoy the excellent and long-awaited conclusion:
15. Owl City – “Fireflies”
Favorite radio song of the year
14. Discovery – “Orange Shirt” Ra Ra Riot + Vampire Weekend =
13. Julian Casablancas – “11th Dimension”
Makes me look forward to anything and everything by TheStrokes
12. Chiddy Bang – “The Opposite Of Adults (KIDS)”
Best sample of another song this year
11. Animal Collective – “My Girls”
An almost 6 minute sprawling epic. Like the Return of the King (of songs)
10. Owl City – “Hello Seattle” Postal Service ripoff? Maybe. Excellent song? Definitely
9. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – “Home”
Out of nowhere band/song that resonates with me for whatever reason and shot up the list
8. Swimming With Dolphins – “Everything’s A Miracle”
The type of song I would make if I had any talent
7. Kid Cudi – “Pursuit Of Happiness”
Best collaboration of the year with MGMT and Ratatat
6. Passion Pit – “Sleepyhead”
Song I’ve listened to the most this year…not surprising
5. Matt And Kim – “Daylight”
So infectious and catchy – even more so in person
4. Phoenix – “Lisztomania”
Best French import since the Statue of Liberty; Phoenix is legit
3. Grizzly Bear – “Two Weeks”
About as perfect a song as can be written
2. fun. – “At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)”
Best played live song I saw this year; fantastically sung by Nate
1. Passion Pit – “The Reeling”
Not the best song I’ve seen live or the best sung or the best from a purely musical standpoint. Feel like it has a little bit of everything making it stand out as my favorite song of the year
We all really want to finish this list out for a number of reasons (time to move on in earnest to 2010, several of you have told me need to find out what’s next, etc.), but I thought posting the final 55 songs all at once was too much. Look for the final posting later this week.
Enjoy the rest of the Top 115 list/playlist, and now you have more new stuff to listen to at work!
55. The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “Around The Bend”
Best song used in an Apple commercial
54. Regina Spektor – “The Calculation”
Distinct voice makes for refreshingly good songs
53. Karen O And The Kids – “All Is Love”
Sweetest song of the year
52. Kid Cudi – “Dat New New (Viking Remix)”
Random song not on the album, but found it on Hypem.com
51. Swimming With Dolphins – “Sunset, 1989”
Synthesizer? Check. Autotune? Check. Still awesome.
50. The Very Best – “Warm Heart Of Africa”
Basically a Vampire Weekend song on someone else’s album
49. Thao And The Get Down Stay Down – “Cool Yourself”
High school friend continues blow up – great live show
48. Miley Cyrus – “Party In The USA”
Guilty pleasure of the year. Don’t hate.
47. Cobra Starship – “Good Girls Go Bad”
Soft spot for both Gabe and Leighton
46. Chiddy Bang – “Truth”
Anything featuring Passion Pit is bound to be catchy
45. La Roux – “Bulletproof (Redial Remix)”
Excellent beat somehow improved by the remix makes this a fun listen
44. Camera Obscura – “French Navy”
Late on the bandwagon, but recently shot up my list. Lead singer’s voice reminds me of Zooey D.
43. Discovery – “Osaka Loop Line”
Best duo side project song of the year
42. Flight Of The Conchords – “Hurt Feelings”
Funny, yet sad…hence, sad clown song of the year
41. The Lonely Island – “Motherlovers”
Could not get enough of this song – Justin and Andy need their own album.
40. The Hood Internet – “Good Ol Fashion Rump Shaker”
Favorite mashup of the year….and I like my mashups
39. Florence And The Machine – “Kiss With A Fist”
Shortest song on the list, but sure does pack a punch (haha…get it?)
38. Ingrid Michaelson – “Everybody”
With respect to Karen O, Regina, and others – Ingrid is my indie sweetheart of the year
37. Metric – “Sick Muse”
Sound a little like Stars. They more than hold their own, however.
36. Passion Pit – “Little Secrets”
Could have put the entire Manners album on here (and I almost do – keep reading)
35. Snob Scrilla – “Chasing Ghosts”
Sweet drums, good rapping in this random one
34. Weezer – “I Want You To”
While Weezer has gone downhill, they’re still catchy and I still like this song
33. Matt And Kim – “Good Ol Fashion Nightmare”
Biggest, Longest Continuous Smile Award goes to…Kim
32. fun. – “All The Pretty Girls”
Ex-Format member, Nate Ruess, excels with his new band
31. Vampire Weekend – “Horchata”
If the new songs are any indication their sophomore effort coming out in January that came out in January will live up to the large expectations
30. Passion Pit – “Moth’s Wings”
Hello again Passion Pit. Sit down, stay awhile.
29. Chromeo – “Night By Night”
More Canadians on the list make some electrofunk magic with this one
28. Kid Cudi – “Day N Nite”
My most played rap song this year
27. Empire Of The Sun – “Standing On The Shore (Dirty Disco Youth Remix)”
Favorite remix of the year – which is saying something
26. Animal Collective – “Summertime Clothes”
Second best song on the album still beats most everything else
25. Phoenix – “1901”
Ditto
24. Thao And The Get Down Stay Down – “Know Better Learn Faster”
Maybe I’m biased, but song is undeniably good. Expect big things.
23. The Lonely Island – “I’m On A Boat”
Funniest song of the year. Hands down. Previously never thought I would want to own a nautical themed pashmina afghan
Why don’t we start the new decade by recapping 09? Here are the Weird Jim Top 10 Albums of 2009. You’ll see some stuff that I have talked about previously, as well as some new stuff that is just now making its way onto the site.
Additionally, keep an eye out over the next few weeks for some more top 2009 (and 2010!) lists from Galkin and Tripp, as well as some increased activity in 2010 as they help me keep WJM a little more active! Now without further adieu:
10) White Lies – To Lose My Life
Heard about these guys in a 2009 albums to watch, and they are awesome. They talk about death and emo-y stuff like that a little too much for my taste, but they usually keep it upbeat and fun – so it’s acceptable, right?
White Lies – To Lose My Life
9) Miike Snow – Miike Snow
Heard “Burial,” loved the song. Heard “Animal,” convinced of his talent. Great album – can’t wait until he comes to DC.
Miike Snow – Animal
8 ) Harlem Shakes – Technicolor Health
The upbeat and uplifting song “Strictly Game” got me through some tough times (at work haha) earlier in the year, and I’m so glad I got to see them live before they broke up…
Harlem Shakes – Strictly Game
7) Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
One of his best albums ever (that’s right, I said it), although sometimes gets a bit heavy on the electronic guitar for me. I tend to love Dave for the jazziness of the group, especially his live stuff, but this album is still just really great.
Dave Matthews Band – Shake Me Like a Monkey
6) Matt and Kim – Grand
The most exciting music I’ve ever heard made by just two people on a keyboard and drum set. Amazing. Seeing them live from 10 feet away was one of the most fun concerts I’ve been too. Julie, if you’re reading this, I still need those damn pictures.
Matt and Kim – Good Ol’ Fashioned Nightmare
5) Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
First album was good, second album is freaking great. Unfortunately missed seeing them when they came to DC, but apparently it was pretty awesome. I love this album, and I love how they’re on a Cadillac (I think that’s the right ad?) commercial now.
Phoenix – 1901
4) Discovery – LP
I routinely go to this album immediately upon turning on my iPod. Usually (as it’s an unfortunately-short 30 minutes long) I listen to the whole thing before finding something else. I especially love how their cover of Jackson 5 came out nearly-instantly after MJ died. Loved seeing this LP for sale at the Ra Ra Riot concert.
Discovery – Swing Tree
3) Passion Pit – Manners
If I don’t go to Discovery upon turning on my iPod, I usually end up on Passion Pit’s Manners. Almost every song on this album is amazing, and like Harlem Shakes they got me through some tough times earlier this year. And some tough commutes nowadays! Love how they’re now on a Palm ad. And I know that I’m sounding like a broken record at this point, but seeing them in DC from 20 feet away was simply incredible. Tripp saw them at ACL, but I’m sure it just didn’t compare to The Black Cat.
Passion Pit – Little Secrets
2) Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
I’m not bitter that Tripp bailed on our seeing the Dirty Projectors in DC. No really, I’m not, I promise. Even though we had tickets to the sold out show and everything. The music on this album is just incredible. The girls’ singing is amazing, the songs are new and different, and I can’t get enough.
Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is The Move
1) Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
This album came out a year ago (literally), and it was sort of the beginning of a musically-experimental trend for me. I listened to MPP, and I liked a couple of songs. After 5 or 10 more listens though, I was in love with this album. And that was in January 2009. Every time I put this on, I get giddy haha.
All that, and the amount of times I’ve listened to this…and I just noticed a few days ago that the album cover is an optical illusion. Fitting…I think every time I listen to this album I hear something new, and that’s why this is easily my album of the year.
Animal Collective – My Girls
Happy New Year everyone. Hopefully everyone had a great 2009, fun holidays, and here’s to a sweet 2010.
Yes Giantess is a new electro-synth-dance-pop band from Boston, MA. They are following right in the footsteps of bands like Passion Pit, Discovery, Ratatat, etc. The band members are Jan Rosenfeld (vocals/ synth), Chase Nicholl (synth), Karl Hohn (synth) and Joey Sulkowski (drums). Kind of funny listing them out like that, since 3/4 of the group plays “synth” haha. Trust me, if you like Passion Pit (which you probably know by now – I do), you’re going to love Yes Giantess.
Produced by Passion Pit’s own Ayad Al-Adhamy at his Bo Flex Music studio, they’re unleashing some of the biggest pop jams you’ll hear all year. “Tuff ‘n Stuff” is their masterwork, leading you in with a deceptively plaintive intro before dropkicking you in the jaw with a metric ton of Ratatat-sized synths and huge pop choruses. “You Were Young” stuns on the AA-side, all spiraling synths, infectious hooks and a seriously ill bridge that sounds like Daft Punk on a sugar high. Yeah, they’re pretty much the sonic equivalent of flying down the yellow brick road while its raining ecstasy and skittles, and yeah, you’re gonna want to taste this rainbow.
As it says above, “Tuff ‘n Stuff” is their leading single, but I personally prefer “You Were Young.” I think “Tuff ‘n Stuff” gets really good about 1/2 way through, at the 2-minute mark, but I could listen to “You Were Young” forever. I think I’ve already listened to it 10 times today haha. You can make your own judgment:
Yes Giantess – You Were Young (Approachability: Medium/High) Yes Giantess – Tuff ‘n Stuff (App: Medium)
Finally, here’s a bonus unrelated song! I heard this cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower” over the weekend, and it just blew me away. I’ve heard many versions of this oft-covered song, but this one definitely ranks up there. (If you’ve heard this before, just know: I will almost certainly plead the fifth if you ask me where I heard this song hahah) Enjoy:
BT4 – All Along The Watchtower (App: Very High)
-WJ
The band members are Jan Rosenfeld (vocals/ synth), Chase Nicholl (synth), Karl Hohn (synth) and Joey Sulkowski (drums).
I’m not sure why it was easier for me to post more frequently when I was more busy, but for some reason it was. There’s a ton to post about, so I’ll get right into it.
Discovery – LP
Approachability: High/Medium
So the Discovery (Ra Ra Riot’s Wed Miles and Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij side project) album LP is finally about to come out (July 7th). More importantly, this means that it has finally been leaked to the interwebs.Although clocking in at a disappointingly-short 30 minutes, those 30 minutes are almost certainly going to be in my top 10 albums of 2009. It’s like an indie-r&b-electo-remix-fest. At times they sound like Daft Punk, other times almost like Lil’ Wayne. Definitely a top this year. I can only dream of a Discovery, Ra Ra Riot, Vampire Weekend tour…
After RP3’s die hard search for Dirty Projector’s new Bitte Orca album, turns out we found another winner. My personal favorite track is “Stillness Is The Move,” but there’s also a great acoustic tune called “Two Doves,” and a more upbeat jam called “Useful Chamber.” And of course the opening track, “Cannibal Resource,” rocks out more classically.Find all these jams on hypem.com, and obviously the album on iTunes.
Finally, they’re coming to The Black Cat in DC later this year. Get ready.
Pony Pony Run Run
Approachability: Medium
RP3 also ran into this band when he found their blow-you-away single “Hey You.” If you like your typical electo-pop-rock band, then you’ll love Pony Pony Run Run. Their song “First Date Mullet,” besides having a hilarious name, is quite good.Since hypem is almost entirely remixes of Hey You, go check them out on their space: http://www.myspace.com/ponyponyrunrun
Ronald Jenkees
Approachability: High
This guy is totally insane, but he’s also so fun to listen to. He plays various keyboards to a pre-made beat in the background, and mixes it up and has fun. I personally think that his stuff on youtube is way better than the album itself, but you may disagree. My favorite song is definitely “Throwing Fire,”but you can hear him do everything from Led Zepplin to Canon in D.You can find all his stuff live on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ronaldjenkees?blend=1&ob=4
Passion Pit & Harlem Shakes Concert
Approachability: Medium
(Dance-ability: Super High)
RP3, Galkin, Julie, and I (among others) went to see Passion Pit last week at The Black Cat in DC. Wow what a show. Cale Parks opened it up – who we all decided would be the best drummer for a cool electro-pop-rock band ever. Pretty good, but kinda tough to watch alone. Amazing drummer though.Harlem Shakes (as you know, one of my favorites) was next in line, and were also great, as expected. They apparently had a bunch of gear stolen the night before in Richmond, so they had to improvise about half their set. I felt kinda bad for them, but they still put a great show – even though half of it was basically performed acoustic. And then finally: Passion Pit.
The audience was already pretty lively, and by the time they were 2 songs in the whole place was jumping. They played most of my favorites, even though the set was really only about 45 minutes long. My only issue with the whole thing was that the lead singer, Michael Angelakos’s mic was way too low. You could hardly hear most of his vocals. Otherwise, great show.
And Julie even showed us how to have a dance party when packed up against a bunch of hipsters. Turns out it’s not even that hard!
And finally, Ra Ra Riot has announced another tour, and they’re headlining at the 930 Club in DC on October 1. I guess I know where I’ll be on October 1st haha. http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1127572
I’m still trying to figure out how to get back to posting the actual songs so you can download without Blogger pulling my posts off. I might switch to wordpress or something, we’ll see.
So the DMCA and I are going to have to brawl. Can’t people read the disclaimer? I’m just trying to spread good music, there’s no need to get all mean about it. That damn law has made blogger take down two of my posts, and I honestly don’t get it. Every other blog out there/on hypem seems to be fine, and I don’t think I’m doing anything differently. But…in the meantime I’m going to change the format a little bit so I can keep spreading sweet music without pissing off record labels. Apparently it’s too hard to just email me and ask me to remove it (like apparently every other blog I read on hypem gets treated? wtf?)
I’m also going to move around the Song and Remix of the Moment a bit so it shows up on the RSS feeds. Future posts are probably also going to be shorter. I have a feeling anyone reading this cares much less about my life than they do learning about sweet new music. Well – hopefully?
Anyway, sorry, back to the music.
Discovery
Approachability: Low/Medium
This is a side project between Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot.
I do not own any of the music here, and I do not claim to. All music and images belong to their respective bands. All music here is for promotion and sampling use only.
If you are the owner of a song, or any other content posted here, and would like it removed, contact me and I will immediately remove it from the site.
Posted by Weird Jim 
