aboylikeroger's Last.fm Journal

en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices aboylikeroger's Last.fm Journal http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal The Last.fm journal for aboylikeroger. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. Top 50 Tracks of 2005 http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2009/01/26/2fjtqg_top_50_tracks_of_2005 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:31:36 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2009/01/26/2fjtqg_top_50_tracks_of_2005 50.

"God Bless Our Dead Marines" by A Silver Mt. Zion

Overall, Horses In The Sky is a pretty disappointing album. This song warmed up to me as the rest of the album was pretty much just there. It builds up to a very nice track as the orchestra, band, and choir try something new.

49.

"Do the Whirlwind" by Architecture in Helsinki

Oh, the use of the sitar! I never fully went on the Architecture in Helsinki bus, but they chose well with the single.

48.

"Start Wearing Purple" by Gogol Bordello

This will go down as their most popular track to date... I used to not be a fan of this song, but when they started playing this when I saw them... It was too much fun singing along.

47.

"Light" by Menomena

An all instrumental album by Menomena is inspired. Under an Hour contains just three songs, all together clocking in, well, under an hour. "Light" closes off and is the best on here and one of their best tracks in general.

46.

"Sleeping With a Gun Under My Pillow" by The Boy Least Likely To

This album was very, very cute. For me, very few tracks stood out for me like this one did. "Sleeping with a gun, sleeping with a gun..." building up to sleeping with a gun under my pillow. It begs for repeated listens.

45.

"The Mariner's Revenge Song" by The Decemberists

This song is epic. I always joke about these guys releasing the same song over and over again, but at least it's a good song. This one sounds little like their others and is a great song.

44.

"Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" by Stars

This album is full of songs that I either love, like, hate to love, hate to like... well, most of them are this. We open [album artist=Stars]Set Yourself On Fire[/album with this one. I don't listens to them for their great lyrics, but, lyrically, this is their best song:
God, that was strange to see you again
Introduced by a friend of a friend
Smiled and said, "Yes, I think we've met before"
In that instant it started to pour

The strings... the sound... it's uplifting and a perfect opener.

43.

"Handjobs for the Holidays" by Broken Social Scene

This song managed to stay on repeat for sometime one holiday season. Without question, the best song title of the year--very calm, very relaxed... an excellent track.

42.

"Day Six" by Explosions in the Sky

If you haven't already heard it, this EP is a must for fans of the band. Every day on it is very good... "Day Six" is its most beautiful.

41.

"Seven Silver Curses" by The Fiery Furnaces

I understand that most people either think [album artist=The Fiery Furnaces]Rehearsing My Choir[/album] is the worst thing they've ever endured or a stunning masterpiece, mostly the former. Well, I'm leaning towards that it is, dare I say it, great. It's nothing like I've or anyone has ever heard. The Friedberger siblings are the most creative band to come from this decade and adding their now late grandmother was a real treat.

On "Seven Silver Curses", Eleanor and Olga interact at their best, telling its most interesting story.

40.

"Bridges and Balloons" by The Decemberists

Will Joanna Newsom always sneak on my lists? Evidently so. In a year where she released nothing because she was too busy making this decade's best album... we have a cover of one of [album artist=Joanna Newsom]The Milk-Eyed Mender[/album]'s best songs. A lovely guitar version of "Bridges and Balloons" by The Decemberists from their little EP. While some people (you know... bad people) find Ms. Newsom's voice difficult, people can listen to how fucking incredible her lyrics are.

39.

"Daft Punk Is Playing at My House" by LCD Soundsystem

Can you imagine it? Daft Punk playing at your house? Jesus fuck... my house isn't very big, so it would be a huge fucking deal.

38.

"Don't Save Us From the Flames" by M83

Mmmhmm.

37.

"Single Again" by The Fiery Furnaces

The Fiery Furnaces are so good at opening up their albums. [album artist=The Fiery Furnaces]EP[/album] begins with this full-on opener with sounds very familiar to the band. Eleanor sings about her abusive husband, with humour, and how she wishes she was still single.

36.

"Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games" by of Montreal

"Let's pretend we don't exist... let's pretend we're in Antarctica" Why? Never mind, I won't question it.

35.

"Hazy SF" by Six Organs of Admittance

Devendra Banhart released a compilation that was made of awesome. (Excluding you know... CocoRose. Ugh) He, himself, along with the likes of Vashti Bunyan, Antony and the Johnsons, Iron & Wine. and, you know, that harpist I like so much. It's with great pleasure that it introduced me to this song. It's so good!

34.

"The CN Tower Belongs to the Dead" by [arist]Final Fantasy

It's everything that I could have wanted in a Myspace song.

33.

"Banshee Beat" by Animal Collective

This song starts off slow and steadily builds up to the most beautiful song from [album artist=Animal Collective]Feels[/album].

32.

"i saw her at the anti war demonstration" by Jens Lekman

It's not easy limiting songs to choose from such a good record. This song exemplifies all of the things I love about Mr. Lekman: that voice, his inability to pronounce "th", and his song writing. This one contains my very favourite line he's ever written: "But I just want to feed Emily lukewarm English beer and vegan pancakes.

31.

"Pox" by Xiu Xiu

"You look so ready to kill me".

30.

"What I'm Trying to Say" by Stars

Oh jesus... this song is so addictive. I don't know why I consider Stars such a guilty pleasure; they're good! I just don't know. I don't know how I feel about this song. I am trying to say, what I want to say, without having to say... I fucking love this song.

29.

"This Is the Dream of Win & Regine" by Final Fantasy

Oooh. This song is just wonderful. With its catchy strings and one pluck, Owen's boys' choir vocals, and the overall feel... it's one of his best.

28.

"Chatterboxes" by Deerhoof

[album artist=Deerhoof]The Runners Four[/album] definitely took time to grow on me, but once it did... I am always excited to start it off with its opening track.

27.

"Here Comes the Summer" by The Fiery Furnaces

Here they are again... deal with it--it was a fantastic year for them, in my opinion. We reminice a summer romance and the months leading up to June.

"The twenty-ninth of March it rained
Remember
You'd look so sad that I explain
Remember"

26.

"Feet of Clay" by Vashti Bunyan

I fell madly in love with [album artist=Vashti Bunyan]Just Another Diamond Day[/album] before hearing [album artist=Vashti Bunyan]Lookaftering[/album]--I was disappointed. I no longer am and I don't know why I was before. It's gorgeous. It's here, before she modestly closes off her return with just humming, where she expresses all of the talent she has--it's majestic.

25.

"La Rock 01" by Vitalic

It just builds and builds and builds. It's intense.

24.

"Souvenirs"/"Godrevy Point" by Patrick Wolf

Yes... both are included. If you like my husband, the physical single with its B-sides and everything are perfection. Truly, these two songs could easily have been included on the album, living up to the others. On "Souvenirs", he sings, beautifully, playing his ukulele, using some of his best poetry with allusions to a lover (possibly a man). Where "Godrevy Point" is just so uplifting, it brings tears to my eyes everytime he sings to a climax, "But today was the day I first said I belong"

23.

"Grass" by Animal Collective

It's fun, it's chaotic, it's superb!

22.

"This Year" by The Mountain Goats

[album artist=The Mountain Goats]The Sunset Tree[/album] is extremely underrated. I'd say its both my favourite and their best. A piano primarily brings us into this album best--"I am going to make it through this year, if it kills me."

21.

"A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left" by Andrew Bird

I used to irrationally hate Mr. Bird. This album was made me like him. I'll be honest... I pretty much only listen to this song and with good reason. It's one of 2005's catchiest.

20.

"A Stone" by Okkervil River

Oh "A Stone"... oh "A Stone". It's... a crier to say the least.

19.

"Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts" by Wolf Parade

"La la la la la la"... I evidently like these lyrics in songs. It's a fantastic song that transitions into a song that will, no doubt, appear higher on my list.

18.

"The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!" by Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan's voice is just tremendous on this track.
"Oh, how I meant to tease him
Oh, how I meant no harm
Touching his back with my hand, I kiss him
I see the wasp on the length of my arm"

It's just beautiful.

17.

"Prospect Hummer" by Animal Collective & Vashti Bunyan

Animal Collective + Vashti Bunyan = PERFECTION

16.

"The Libertine" by Patrick Wolf

Here he is again.

15.

"For Today I Am a Boy" by Antony and the Johnsons

[album artist=Antony and the Johnsons]I Am A Bird Now[/album] is tear-soaked. Lyrically, musically, but mostly through the expressiveness of Antony's powerful voice. It's proven here, as he sings through the perspective of a transwoman as a little boy. The lyrics don't change much... but it builds and builds with his voice and his piano... *sobs*

14.

"Casimir Pulaski Day" by Sufjan Stevens

The album, as a whole, is clearly a remarkable achievement. I don't need to really stroke Sufjan's ego anymore... but I suppose I could just one last time. While it features plenty of epics with full use of the orchestra, it's here where he's at his best: guitar, banjo, vocals, and little else. It's stunning.

13.

"A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill" by Jens Lekman

It was a night full of countless great memories when I saw Mr. Lekman last year. While virtually every song he performed was special... incorporating the audience on this one was just spectacular. A chorus of "Bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom Can you feel the beat of my heart?" Ahh!!

12.

"10 Dollar" by M.I.A.

I certainly could have mentioned more from her, but I built up momentum.

11.

"It's All Gonna Break" by Broken Social Scene

It's so powerful. I understand that many would be disappointed with this album after the masterful [album artist=Broken Social Scene]You Forgot It In People[/album]... but it's excellent! And it closes off perfectly and just so triumphantly. Triumphant, best word to describe it.

10.

"Wind in the Wires" by Patrick Wolf

The title track. It's gorgeous and much can be said about it. It features what is likely my favourite music video of all time (go watch it), It's beautiful.

9.

"Chinese Children" by Devendra Banhart

Endlessly listenable. So simple, but definitely his best track.

8.

"Gemini (Birthday Song)" by Why?

The favourite of two of my best friends. I learned to recognise how fucking amazing it is. It's, obviously, the best from this album and Yoni's voice is very expressive here:
"Today I fell asleep in a bath of hair.
Hair that once sprouted from my own
white wet chalk follicles."

The second time he says hair is just too much.

7.

"The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

This song is perfect.

6.

"The Purple Bottle" by Animal Collective

Many times, this song has become the song that starts playing and you're trying to choose something else to listen to and it's playing and it's laughing at you. "Haha! Try to pick something better than this! Bet you can't!" Then you end up listening to the whole song. Mmmhmm. "The Purple Bottle" is fantastic.

5.

"Tropical Iceland" by The Fiery Furnaces

I promise this is their last appearance. While the original version of this song is good and the highlight of [album artist=The Fiery Furances]Gallowsbird's Bark[/album], they PERFECTED this track and, out of the 81 songs of theirs I hold, my very favourite. It's addictive and really difficult not to love.

4.

"Please Please Please" by Final Fantasy

No song has ever been so closely accurate to my life possibly ever. Owen plays his best arrangement bringing in the song and later sings a chorus of "Your head is shouting please please please, please please please. Don't let your cock do all the work, all the work." This song means the world to me.

3.

"Tristan" by Patrick Wolf

Of course! Without question, the highlight of my life was Patrick performing this song, holding my hand, looking into my eyes and singing: ["My name is Tristan and YOU are alive". (There are two videos of this on Youtube, just so you know.)

All of his songs leading up to this have been personal to him and from his perspective... it's here for the first time he introduces a new character... a new side of Patrick---Tristan.

Tristan contradicts and experiences everything in this 2+ minute jingle where Patrick demonstrates how versatile his voice is. (Compare his voice here to any other song by him.)

It stands out on the incredible album.. unlike any other song on it. And unlike any other song from 2005.

2.

"Hope There's Someone" by Antony and the Johnsons

I want this song played at my funeral. So much can be said about it. It's shameful to think it took so many tries just to finish it for the first time. It is revolutionary.

1.

"I'll Believe in Anything" by Wolf Parade

"Your blood, your bones
Your voice, and your ghost"

Without question, the best track of the year. Where to begin?

There is no flaw to this song. There are times where it just gets all too good:

"And I could take another hit for you
And I could take away your trips from you
And I could take away the salt from your eyes
And take away the spitting salt in you
And I could give you my apologies
By handing over my neologies
And I could take away the shaking knees
And I could give you all the olive trees
Oh look at the trees and look at my face
And look at a place far away from here"

Bringing us up and up, and moving us in unspeakable ways.

It was originally a Sunset Rubdown song, but that is long gone and doesn't matter. This is Wolf Parade's most important song and, frankly, just one of the most important songs in general.]]> Top 50 Tracks of 2008 http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2009/01/13/2e87c9_top_50_tracks_of_2008 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:43:02 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2009/01/13/2e87c9_top_50_tracks_of_2008 50.

"No Excuses" by Air France

From the best EP of the year, two songs from it are just pitch-perfect. With samples of French dialogue and other little gems, this song deserves more attention and is a great opener for my list.

49.

"Hands in the Air" by Girl Talk

It's very difficult to choose a favourite song from an album with so much from which to choose. Hands in the Air just feels right. Sampling "Whoomp! There It Is!" is probably the most effective thing Greg Gillis has done... at least since My Neck, My Back (Lick It).

48.

"Calvary Scars II / Aux. Out" by Deerhunter

A glorious 10+ minute closer to Weird Era Cont. Perfectly ending two of the best discs of the year.

47.

"Red and Purple" by The Dodos

Do you know how difficult it was to limit myself to how many songs I used from these guys? Quite! The percussion, the baby piano, and, arguably, the catchiest chorus of the year. Well-done.

46.

"Majesty" by The Music Tapes

From an album that I really enjoyed, but one that lacks variety, this song stands out.

45.

"Good Friday" by Why?

Within the first line of the song, a smile emerges. On Alopecia, this might be their best in terms of their songwriting, especially in terms of hip hop-style.

44.

"Lights and Music" by Cut Copy

Almost every song on In Ghost Colours is just as good as any song on the album. It's what makes it such a great album. "Lights and music... is on my mind... be my baby... one more time." This is one of the more important songs on the album.

43.

"Wedding Bell" by Beach House

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. A harpsichord bringing in one of the best chords of year, the song opens and sets the theme for Devotion--"Oh, but your wish is my command!"

42.

"He Doesn't Know Why" by Fleet Foxes

I was disappointed slightly the first time I saw Fleet Foxes and they didn't play this song. I understood... they had a short setlist opening for the most blah concert I saw this year (Wilco). When I saw them a second time, I slipped the mandolin player a note that said "Could you play "He Doesn't Know Why"? They didn't play it. You might conclude that I have a personal vendetta against the band now, but I don't. I just wanted to see them play this song for a reason.

41.

"Hercule's Theme" by Hercules and Love Affair

One of the stronger tracks... I express disappoint that it hasn't become a single yet.

40.

"These Few Presidents" by Why?

"Even though I haven't seen you in years, yours is a funeral I'd fly to from anywhere. Arguably my favourite line of the year. Before I had the tracks to memory, I'd refer to it as that one song with that line. When it comes down to it, it might be my favourite from the album.

39.

"Soldier's Grin" by Wolf Parade

Rather than narrowing down the stand-out tracks from At Mount Zoomer, I'll point out that there are no stand-out tracks. Each song works perfectly together to create the most shamefully underrated album of the year. Why I include this track of all tracks is that it lived up to why I love this band so much. After a masterpiece like Apologies to the Queen Mary, expectations must be lowered. While I lowered mine substantially, I was able to love this album. Soldier's Grin is a promise that you should keep listening.

38.

"Courtship Dating" by Crystal Castles

The opening seconds of the song is enough to mention this track from the self-titled. *nods* It's made of awesome.

37.

"German Love" by Starfucker

I'll admit, I haven't exactly finished listening to the debut by the Portland band. I only listened to them because someone particularly handsome recommended them to a group of friends. This song is ultimately very listenable and very, very cute.

36.

"On Tour With Zykos" by Okkervil River

If you ask me, these are the best lyrics on either of these past two OR albums. I'm not so sure why sometimes, but this song is a crier for me... it is among the most devasting songs I've heard from them. Excellent.

35.

"Eraser" by No Age

Divided between an outstanding instrumental and followed by Dean's singing... this demonstrates what I love so much about this album.

34.

"Here Should Be My Home" by No Age

Yeah, they're right next to each other. Cool, huh? While the former will be acknowledged as their best, this one is left unmentioned for reasons I can't explain. I proudly rocked out and shouted the lyrics when I saw them at the end of July. This one will fall down as my favourite song by them.

33.

"Gallery Piece" by of Montreal

Georgie Fruit laying down everything he wants to do to someone. By the time he confesses, "I want to turn you on | I want to make you cum | 200 times a day" it makes me want to forgive any issues I have with the album as a whole.

32.

"Antillas" by El Guincho

I cannot listen to this song and sit still. My body has no control... the best I can do is not stand up and full-on dance the fuck out of this song.

31.

"Graveyard Girl" by M83

With this and the song that will, no doubt, appear higher on my list... I actually prefer this one. Not because it is better, the other one is higher for a reason. Interrupting M83 is a monologue from the graveyard girl, while arguably pretentious and even more arguably unnecessary, at the right moment, it evokes more emotion than most songs on this list.

30.

"J'aime Vous Voir Quitter" by Islands

While Arm's Way is disappointing and loses charm after multiple listens, this song does not. It's pure fun to rock-out to and out of nowhere, as listeners, are sent to Mexico and involved in some party on the beach and later brought back to a conclusion to the song and a chance to relax.

29.

"Street Flash" by Animal Collective

At one point, I deemed this Animal Collective's laziest song ever. Since then, I have grown to really love and appreciate it, as well as the EP as a whole. Yes, it is much more subtle than probably any other song by them... but it shows them experimenting with new sounds in a less chaotic way. While not why I find myself listening to the band, it is an admirable and enjoyable addition.

28.

"Id Engager" by of Montreal

The first single from the album ends the album. Odd, yes... but rightfully a single. Kevin Barnes, I'd also like to play with you.

27.

"White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes

Okay, okay... so I already deemed a song the catchiest song of the year and forgot about this one. While I am unbelieveably annoyed with its fans, this song is pretty fucking great and one of the things that will remind me most of 2008.

26.

"D.A.R.L.I.N.G." by Beach House

Upon first listening of the album, this was my initial favourite. I want to shout from roof tops of how glad I am that it plays on the album at the exact moment it does. Seldom mentioned, this song is just gorgeous and brings together the whole concept of Devotion.

25.

"The Vowels Pt. 2" by Why?

Full-on opener to Alopecia, it is incredible. A E I O U!

24.

"Lost Coastlines" by Okkervil River

It's slightly alarming when Will Sheff's vocals disappear and reappear throughout the song. It had to be that way. When they reappear with nothing but a string of "la-la-la-la"'s... Okkervil River have made their perfect pop song.

23.

"The Rip" by Portishead

Beth Gibbons's vocals, easily, sound best on this song from the album. To be eloquent, the review I gave the album after I listened to it was "cool". I'm sorry... but it is. On this song, the transition from guitar plucking and not much else to an upbeat masterpiece is, well... really cool.

22.

"Golden Age" by TV on the Radio

Thank fuck I typically refrain from playing this song for others. I find it odd that I enjoy the band as much as I do enough as it is. However, when this song plays... expect the song scale that is "Comin' round, comin'round, comin' round!" to be sung.

21.

"Untrust Us" by Crystal Castles

I really don't give a fuck what is being said on this track. I now know that it is something about cocaine is "no bueno para la salud" or something to that extent. Not necessary. This song opens the self-titled album wonderfully and I'm glad it doesn't have the screaming vocals here.

20.

"Where Do You Run To" by Vivian Girls

While I loved the album as a whole and realise that it is only 22-minutes long, I find myself mostly listening to this track. It is definitely their strongest on an album full of great little lo-fi tracks.

19.

"Black Rice" by Women

What makes this song so good? I don't know. I just don't know. From their debut album, while as a whole is also great, it's admirable they've already made a song this good.

18.

"Creeper" by Islands

Again, I will remind everyone--Islands did release an album this year. It actually is pretty good and deserves some recognition. Surrounding the album's release, I can't say how often this song was left on repeat. Like some others, this is a song that will remind me of 2008.

17.

"Kim & Jessie" by M83

This song was pretty boring live. A great way to explain why its the 17th best song of the year. Essentially, this song is Saturdays = Youth and very important to 2008 in general. With an almost too-cute video of two girls rollerskating and music that could have easily come directly from the 80s... I will regard this as M83's best.

16.

"The Nun's Litany" by The Magnetic Fields

No contest--lyrically, this is the best song of the year. Our narrator, a nun as the title suggests, confesses her secret desires and suppressed dreams.

15.

"Nothing Ever Happened to Me" by Deerhunter

By the time this song starts on Microcastle, we're already well aware that we've been listening to one of the best albums of 2008. By the time it's over, we're now aware that we've listened to its best song.

14.

"Hearts on Fire" by Cut Copy

When I saw Cut Copy live, I was sitting down in my seat. Unfortunately, all of the floor space was taken. Plus, I was too tired from all of the other bands I had seen earlier and walking around the festival. I tried my best to stay seated and just enjoy some of my favourite songs of the year being performed. I couldn't sit down. I had to get up and dance. By the time this song came on, I couldn't deal... Cut Copy are fucking amazing.

13.

"Ready For The Floor" by Hot Chip

Where do I begin on talking about this song? While, as a whole, Made In The Dark is a very good electro-dance album... no song on it lives up to this one. It's endlessly listenable. Yes, it sometimes borders guilty pleasure, but I don't give a fuck.

12.

"Palmitos Park" by El Guincho

Panda Bear took a trip to Spain, did a lot of acid, and then went to a carnival... then he made Palmitos Park. Try your best not to dance... but do expect to fail.

11.

"Machine Gun" by Portishead

It's puzzling how a song as simple as this has not been made before and is this good. I have ruined and will continue to ruin my ears blasting this on my iPod.

10.

"Blue Ridge Mountains" by Fleet Foxes

When they closed their set opening for Wilco, a few tears rolled down my face. Immediately after it, I would call it the track of the year. While it may not be as high on my list anymore, it still is, in my opinion, the most powerful and emotional song released this year.

9.

"The Butcher" by Final Fantasy

After discovering that his third LP would not be released this year, I did not expect Mr. Pallett to be mentioned at the end of the year at all. Well, look at that! Releasing two good EPs at the same time, we fans are kept busy while we previously were impatiently anticipating Heartland. On one of those EPs is The Butcher--one of his strongest tracks to date and clearly influenced by his friends from Beirut. While we may be kept busy, it makes me want to hear that third album even more.

8.

"Blind" by Hercules and Love Affair

Antony had a fantastic year: finishing up The Crying Light, doing some art bullshit, touring with an orchestra (fuck my life, I missed him in Portland), and providing vocals for Hercules and Love Affair. This song can be on chronic repeat and not get old.

7.

"Jodi" by The Dodos

How the fuck is this song going unmentioned? Seriously?! It's my favourite song of the year and I can't find one bad thing to say about it. The climax of Visiter, we experience musically and lyrically their best song:
"But this won't stay, yeah I confess
That I am not what you have guessed
I'm just a whore and nothing less
And I won't stop until I rest"

6.

"Crimewave (Crystal Castles vs Health)" by HEALTH/Crystal Castles

Technically, this was released in 2007. Well, I didn't hear it untill 2008 and it appears on two albums from 2008... in my book and my list, it is from 2008. I can't even imagine not listing it--141 plays.

5.

"Shake That Devil" by Antony and the Johnsons

Apparently, everyone either loves or hates this song. I am definitely on the fan bus for this one. While every other song on the Another World EP was just there for me... this song was perfect and holds a place as one of his best songs.

4.

"The Hollows" by Why?

Why?'s masterpiece. Perfect... start to finish! There's even a Joanna Newsom reference! I am puzzled how, at the end of the year, this song was almost not mentioned at all. It seems like only myself, my friend Matthew, Tiny Mix Tapes, and the band themselves (Hello! They released it as a single!) love this song.

3.

"Collapsing At Your Doorstep" by Air France

That one website stole what I wanted to say about this song. Whatever. I will say it anyway. Sort of like a dream? Isn't it? No. Better.

2.

"Gila" by Beach House

What else? This is their best and rightfully a single. When it comes down to it, I was very, very close to giving it the #1 spot. It could very well deserve it. It's that good and the defining song for dream pop.

1.

"Water Curses" by Animal Collective

While they may be my favourite band currently making music, they've yet to receive a number spot on any of my lists. (Unless you count Mr. Noah Lennox, taking both top track and top album last year.) While this may not be their best song they've released, it does come close and calling it the top track of the year just feels natural. At 109 plays, it came close to being my most listened to track of the year and I know that it will receive many more plays over the years. Water Curses shows that Animal Collective are likely the most accomplished band from this decade.]]> Devastating experience... a must read http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2008/08/18/24d83y_devastating_experience..._a_must_read Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:44:04 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2008/08/18/24d83y_devastating_experience..._a_must_read Well, I am and have been on a pretty fucked up sleeping schedule this summer. At around 8:30am I finally decided to hit the sack for some good old quality zzz's. (If anyone gets this reference, I love you. Anyone.)

I am not entirely ready to fall asleep, so I go through my physical CD's to find something to fall asleep to. An obvious choice is made. I take You Forgot It in People out from my CD player from when I put it on when Nicole was over and replaced it with Joanna Newsom's Ys.

I lay down and listen to the gorgeous masterpiece that is Emily. Following along, I know all of the lyrics and was probably mouthing along.

I've already gone through most of the song and am anticipating one of the lines that most frequently finds its way stuck in my head (a situation that is most welcomed for this song): "Let us go! Though we know it's a hopeless endeavour!"

Next thing I know, rather than playing smoothly, Joanna Newsom now finds herself incapable of singing anything but: "LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET LET".

What is this? My CD is skipping?! Impossible! I take brilliant care of my CDs and this one, especially, I happen to worship. I stop my CD player. View the CD. Clean it off a little. Place it back. Push play.

I am reliving Emily for the second time in a row. Not that I mind; it happens to be my most played track on here. However, I was getting a bit tired... but sleep could wait. Ys is simply more importantly.

Despite my efforts, Emily is plagued by the same infection as before. I am truly devastated.

I put in Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville and try to fall asleep. (Hey. If anyone gives me shit for listening to her... listen to this album. It's incredible. I am well aware that castration is a better option than listening to anything she has released this decade. I've actually heard Liz Phair *shudders*)

Anyway, about 11 hours later... I find myself purchasing Ys for the second time, along with Animal Collective's Strawberry Jam. (It was there and it made me feel a bit uneasy that I don't own any of their actual albums on CD or vinyl... so there you have it.)

The guy selling it (Ys) to me says it's a masterpiece and I agree. We gush about it. Discuss her perfection, The Milk-Eyed Mender, other bands...

Anyway, I am now listening to Ys right now. (Surprise, surprise...) Just thought that I should share my traumatic experience.

I am now only saddened that Joanna Newsom's playing with a symphony in Chicago this month. UGH!!! If anyone wants to give me money to fly out and see her, I will do any (sexual) favour that you'd like. Seriously. Message me. Give me your requirements. Fly me there. I'll buy Joanna's ticket. My life will be more complete. I'll perform your favours. I return home.

It's a win-win situation!]]> 50 Questions for Top 50 Artists http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2008/08/16/249ein_50_questions_for_top_50_artists Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:13:33 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2008/08/16/249ein_50_questions_for_top_50_artists 01. How did you get into 29? (IAMX)
My friend was a big fan... listened out of curiosity... starting liking him.. saw him live... loved him.

02. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? (Casiotone for the Painfully Alone)
Etiqutte I.D.

03. What's your favorite lyric by 33? (El Guincho)
"tú eres mi luz y yo te cantaré todo lo que todo lo que todo lo que sé si tú eres mi luz yo te cantaré todo lo que todo lo que todo lo que sé"

04. How did you get into 49? (M83)
A friend gave me their CDs. I listened to Saturdays = Youth...

05. How many albums by 13 do you own? (Islands)
I own both of them.

06. What is your favorite song by 50? (Slint)
Probably Breadcrumb Trail

07. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? (Liz Phair)
Fuck and Run made me cry the first time I heard it because it was so accurate to my life a year ago.

08. What is your favorite song by 15? (Wolf Parade)
I'll Believe in Anything is one of the best songs. Period.

09. What is your favorite song by 5? (The Unicorns)
I really don't have a favourite by them. Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? is just perfect for me.

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? (Panda Bear)
Bro's is so fucking flawless. Ah... it's one of the best songs from this decade and definitely the best of its year.

11. What is the worst song by 40? (Stars)
I don't know. Stars are pretty limited sometimes... and a lot of the time they are pretty cheesy. I have to be in the right mood for them.

12. What is your favorite song by 10? (Radiohead)
Everything in Its Right Place, likely.

13. What is a good memory you have involving 30? (Fleet Foxes)
None yet... I have the possibility of seeing them up to 3 times this year, despite missing them in San Francisco when they sold out at my favourite venue.

14. What is your favorite song by 38? (The Microphones)
Probably I Want Wind to Blow.

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? (The Magnetic Fields)
Absolutely Cuckoo. Also, The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side because it's so fucking good.

16. Is there a song by 25 that makes you sad? (Gang of Four)
No.

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? (The Arcade Fire)
I don't remember. My friend was playing me songs by them ... later I asked who they were... then I got Funeral.

18. What's your favorite lyric by 11? (Final Fantasy)
Your head is shouting
Please please please,
please please please
Don't let your cock do all the work

19. Who is a favorite member of 1? (Patrick Wolf)
What a lame, lame, lame, lame fucking question for him. Obviously, it is Patrick. How anti-climactic.

20. Is there a song by 14 that makes you happy? (Elliott Smith)
Well, I typically listen to him when I'm feeling depressed, so yeah...

21. What is a good memory involving 27? (Okkervil River)
I don't' have any particular good memories. However, I intend to see them with Nicole. :)

22. What is your favorite song by 16? (The Dodos)
Probably Jodi.

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47? (Explosions in the Sky)
The first song that I remember hearing is Your Hand in Mine.

24. What is your favorite album by 18? (The Velvet Underground)
The Velvet Underground & Nico, easily.

25. What is your favorite song by 21? (Beach House)
Either Gila or D.A.R.L.I.N.G..

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26? (Joy Division)
Disorder.

27. What is your favorite album by 3? (Neutral Milk Hotel)
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.

28. What is you favorite song by 2? (Joanna Newsom)
For favourites... Peach, Plum, Pear.

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? (Xiu Xiu)
Crank Heart.

30. What is you favorite song by 8? (of Montreal)
Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse, probably.

31. How many times have you seen 17 live? (M.I.A.)
Once and she was fucking amazing.

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? (The Flaming Lips)
Honestly, I've only heard The Soft Bulletin.

33. How did you get into 12? (Why?)
I became addicted to the first four tracks of Alopecia and eventually the whole album.

34. What is the worst song by 45? (Beirut)
I don't know the songs well enough, especially their titles.

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34? (The Knife)
Heartbeats.

36. What is the first song you ever heard by 48? (Daft Punk)
I would assume that it was One More Time.

37. How many times have you seen 42 live? (Cut Copy)
Once and I danced like a mad man!

38. What is you favorite song by 36? (The Olivia Tremor Control)
Courtyard.

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? (Björk)
I have no fucking idea... I've been listening to her forever.

40. What is you favorite album by 7? (Broken Social Scene)
That would definitely be, without any hesitation, You Forgot It in People.

41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? (LCD Soundsystem)
New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down... it reminds me of Kermit the Frog.

42. What is your favorite album by 41? (Jeff Mangum)
Either. Yes, I've heard the one-track 30+ minute Bulgarian Folk music recording and it's WONDERFUL.

43. What is your favorite song by 24? (Sufjan Stevens)
Chicago.

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? (The Jesus and Mary Chain)
It definitely wasn't seeing them live; they were pretty lacklustre. It was definitely when I saw Lost in Translation in theatres for the first time when Just Like Honey plays at the end.

45. What is your favorite song by 35? (Battles)
Holy fuck, Atlas! Atlas! Atlas!

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? (Jens Lekman)
I smile during almost all of his songs. Jens is one of the cutest humans ever.

47. What is your favorite album by 4? (Animal Collective)
[album artist=Animal Collective]Strawberry Jam[/album or [album artist=Animal Collective]Feels[/album].

48. Who is a favorite member of 37? (Girl Talk)
He's solo...

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43? (Modest Mouse)
I have no idea. I definitely heard them before I started listening to them with knowing who they were. That would be 3rd Planet.

50. What is your favorite song by 20? (No Age)
Here Should Be My Home.]]> Top 10 quiz http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2008/08/12/240v7h_top_10_quiz Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:56:02 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2008/08/12/240v7h_top_10_quiz Name your top 10 artists on last.fm.

1. Patrick Wolf
2. Neutral Milk Hotel
3. Joanna Newsom
4. The Unicorns
5. Animal Collective
6. Panda Bear
7. Broken Social Scene
8. of Montreal
9. Jens Lekman
10. Radiohead

What was the first song you ever heard by 6?
Comfy in Nautica, I believe.

What is your favorite album of 2?
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

What is your favorite lyric that 5 has sung?
Meow (kitties!)
Meow (kitties!)
Meow (kittes!)
Meow

How many times have you seen 4 live?
Zero and I never will. The closest I've come to seeing them is seeing Islands and I've seen them three times.

What is your favorite song by 7?
Goddamn is that difficult to choose. I hate to be cliché, but my favourite is probably Anthems For A Seventeen-year-old Girl. For the longest time though, it was Shampoo Suicide.

What is a good memory you have involving the music of 10?
Refusing to reveal my opinions of OK Computer and Kid A to my best friend.

Is there a song of 3 that makes you sad?
Not really sad, but quite a few of her songs are criers for me.

What is your favorite lyric that 2 has sung?
Oh my god... that is fucking difficult to choose. And one day we will die and our ashes will fly from the aeroplane over the sea. But for now we are young, let us lay in sun and count every beautiful thing we can see...

What is your favourite song by 9?
Hmmm... probably A Postcard to Nina or A Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill. Or perhaps even Maple Leaves.

How did you get into 3?
Two people whose music taste I trust recommended her. I fell in love with her voice immediately after hearing Bridges and Balloons and my life was changed forever after hearing Ys.

What was the first song you heard by 1?
Either Tristan or Wind in the Wires.

What is your favourite song by 4?
Gah... why do I keep getting difficult questions for specific artists? Ugh. I don't have one.

How many time have you seen 9 live?
Once and I met him afterwards.

What is a good memory you have involving 2?
My life is significantly better upon any emotional connexion with the album already mentioned.

Is there a song of 8 that makes you sad?
No. I think I would think less of them if they had "sad" songs.

What is your favourite album of 5?
Probably Strawberry Jam, but it's more like a three way tie with that and Feels and Sung Tongs.

What is your favourite lyric that 3 has sung?
I can't really think of anything; her lyrics are too good. But here:
And, Emily - I saw you last night by the river
I dreamed you were skipping little stones across the surface of the water
Frowning at the angle where they were lost, and slipped under forever
In a mud-cloud, mica-spangled, like the sky'd been breathing on a mirror

What is your favourite song of 1?
If pressed, and I'd rather not be, I would say Wolf Song.

What is your favourite song of 10?
Everything in Its Right Place.

How many times have you seen 8 live?
Zero, but I will (probably) see them in November.

What is your favourite album of 1?
I really don't have a favourite and refuse to answer this one.

What is a great memory you have considering 7?
Everytime I get off of an aeroplane and go get my luggage, I listen to You Forgot It in People.

What is your favourite cover by 6?
I don't think that he's ever covered anything.]]> Top 50 Albums http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2008/07/11/22ayya_top_50_albums Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:08:35 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/aboylikeroger/journal/2008/07/11/22ayya_top_50_albums aboylikeroger's top albums
1. Patrick Wolf - Wind in the Wires (611)