The Walkmen (songs of the year)

Like Sandy, I'll have to revert to an earlier post for my 2008 song of the year (In The New Year). I listened to their latest album, You and Me, more than any other last year. I enjoyed earlier Walkmen albums to a certain extent, but this one blew me away. They also put on the best live show that I saw in 2008. I posted a live version of this song last November, so instead I'll give you the video here.


They also just put out a video for Four Provinces. This song makes me think more about dark bars than Nepal, but who doesn't like watching little kids dance around?

Fleet Foxes - "White Winter Hymnal"

This is my pick for song of the year. Marty posted this song back in November and I have been listening to it and other Fleet Floxes songs and have to say that it really stands out from much of what was released this year. While it harkens back to earlier pop arrangements from the 60s, it still comes off as fesh and new. Also in selecting song of the year I think one has to be mindful of the popularity factor and this clearly matches that bill. So there you go, that is my selection. Marty are you up next?

Bottomless Pit (The R.A.V.E. rap)

This is a late 90s social commentary piece that bridges the racial divide while depicting the grim reality of the thug life. Little did we know that two students from Chapel Hill could speak truth to power in such a way. Some of you may recognize #27 as a friend of mine. Sadly, he has given up the free wheeling lifestyle, settling instead for family life. Who knows where he could have gone? Hopefully Rich can answer some of the burning questions we all will have. Like, who was the fly girl? and who scouted the location? and did Kriss Kross sue you for copy right infringement?

Animal Collective - My Girls

This is what all of the cool kids are listening to. I've heard it in between bands at the Green Bean, on Sirius-XM's indie rock station, on NPR's All Songs Considered and have read the glowing review on Pitchfork. So is it any good? Electronic music is not something I warm to easily, but the vocals are what make the difference here. Maybe this is what we would've gotten out of Brian Wilson had he done ecstasy instead of acid.

RIP Lux Interior

Like all true Americans, I was saddened to learn that The Cramps' Lux Interior passed away last week. The Cramps made punk culturally aware, blending Memphis rockabilly with Appalachian Old Time and NYC 42nd Street gender-bending. Guitarist/co-founder/wife Poison Ivy is a great musician and an intimidating butch while Lux was a leather banshee femme, howling sex into punk, which had previously been celibate by circumstance (The Ramones were ugly) or politics (Johnny Rotten says, "sex is boring dirty hippie shit").

The Cramps. I miss 'em.

Pitchfork posted a bunch of videos. Here are a few more.

"What's Inside A Girl?" Live:


"Can Your Pussy Do the Dog" Live:

Coldplay - Viva la Vida

Did this really just win song of the year? Surely there were better ones out there. This is just like every other Coldplay song out there. If you don't watch it all the way, through, I don't blame you. In fact, I challenge you to put up the real song of the year.

R.E.M. - South Central Rain

This is archival footage at this point. By the way, when did Letterman stop talking with the musicians on his show? Notice the introverted Stipe in the background. I still think it was a little over dramatized on his part, but I can't chide him too much because at this time (1983), they were doing some unique things. They ended up being the band that launched a 1,000 bands. They gave ever college kid hope.