"o what am i waiting for
a spell to be cast or for it to be broken?
at the very last
some wild ghost from my past come to split me wide open?
no. if i hold out my hand there is nothing at all because nothing's the token
i will be good though my body be broken."
Typhoon's Young Fathers topped last year's list, but I hadn't really had the time to appreciate the whole White Lighter album until this year. I listened to it front-to-back more than any other cd in 2014, and this is my second favorite song on it. And it sounds great live as I learned at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, NC in March.
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| Kyle Morton and some of Typhoon's band members. |
12. Start Again by Bishop Allen.
"Summer, summer and the sun is settin' later than late.
I try to stop you, but you say it isn't worth the wait.
If I could give away the keys to the kingdom I would.
I'm sorry sorry but I think you may have misunderstood."
A break-up song, sounds like to me. But of a romance, or a friendship?
13. Simple and Sure by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.
"I know we live in complicated times;
and it's so difficult to decide:
Who should be our king and how low we should bow
to lick the boots of the sacred cow."
One of those songs that sounds like a simple, poppy love song. But isn't.
14. Say Goodbye by Beck.
"See the sleet that rests upon
the quiet street we're standing on.
Is it time to go away,
and try again some other day?"
A song of love lost by one of the most influential artists of his generation. And still going strong.
15. Teenage Wasteland by Wussy.
"Yeah, we heard you, Pete.
Real loud and clear on the last one.
And we were pullin' for you a thousand times a day.
It don't take much
to sound like a sleeping prophet.
When your misery sounds so much like ours
so far away."
An ode to The Who and Baba O'Riley (according to an article that I read in Spin).
16. Someone to Love You by Andrew Ripp.
"Oh now I'm tryin'
Fightin'
To be the one I know you need.
I'm gettin' closer every day."
Just a straightforward pop love song. And that's just fine by me. And, with apologies, the first song on this year's list without a complete video.
17. Even the Darkness Has Arms by The Barr Brothers.
"People will raise a whole lotta hell.
About the water and the windmill.
And although I stab chaotically,
it hurts no one but me.
Even the darkness has arms,
but it ain't got you.
Baby I have it,
and I have you too."
Another beautiful, slightly mysterious song from the Brothers, adopted Montrealers like Arcade Fire.
18. Gimme Something Good by Ryan Adams.
"I was playing dead. Didn't make a sound.
Holding my breath, going underground.
So I can't talk. I got nothing to say.
It's like there's no tomorrow.
Barely yesterday."
This album is on many "best of" lists for 2014. Again, coincidence.
19. Scream (Funk My Life Up) by Paolo Nutini.
"Unload, reload, eyes back swinging.
Sweet thing, knows things, Jeff Beck sings.
Roundhouse, going down … Let's go!
And the girl's so fine makes you wanna scream Hallelujah.
Hallelujah!"
A little Scottish brown-eyed soul for y'all. This one's kinda R rated kiddies. Make sure mom and dad say it's okay to listen. If it is, turn it up, get up, and dance around. Now!
20. Rent I Pay by Spoon.
"Everybody knows just where you been going.
Everybody knows the faces you been showing.
And if that's your answer no I ain't your dancer.
And if that's your answer no I ain't your dancer."
