In anticipation of the annual year-end review, here is a collection of five favorite overlooked songs that were not included in last year’s list. This is a recognition of some tracks released in 2009 that either got a raw deal last December or simply weren’t discovered until after the calendar changed…
Foreign Born
There’s no second of wasted energy in “Vacationing People.” The song is performed like Foreign Born have only so much gas to get them to where they’re going — but they’ve got a long way to go. As a result, every drum beat and guitar strum is carefully plotted so as to not waste their strength. And when they start running on fumes just before the three minute mark, they throw it all on the fire: drums become more excited, horns lift the song, and even the strum of the guitar gets more lively. But then we putter slowly to a stop… right on top of the bullseye.
-Matt Jordan
Freelance Whales
If Sufjan Stevens had decided to give the Pacific Northwest a nod instead of two states in the Midwest, the result would have sounded a lot like “The Great Estates.” Banjo and organ permeate this song chock-full of nature imagery, making it feel like a beautiful walk in winter woods.
-Claire Tiller
The Middle East
“Did you know the word karaoke is Japanese for empty orchestra? Isn’t that hauntingly beautiful?” – How I Met Your Mother
Though this band sits comfortably with seven members, their recordings come off as if they are a somewhat empty orchestra. The sound is not overbearing for what you’d expect from such a large group or the multiple instruments they each play; instead this song comes off sparse and intimate. Their music is not ground-breaking or unique, yet they capture your attention. Maybe it is the Aussie accents, but it certainly is “hauntingly beautiful.”
-Lindsay Juley
The Rural Alberta Advantage
Things start out quiet in “Frank, AB” — much as they did on the night of the deadly rockslide that inspired the tune — an innocuous thrum of guitar and kick drum with the occasional skitter of hi-hat like pebbles down a mountain. The tap of the hi-hat quickly intensifies and washes over the song, howls and wails snaking up over the crash. A momentary sense of calm takes over; then there is chaos. When the dust settles, there are just two voices left, intertwined and fading. The kick drum carries us out, a heartbeat slipping away as “Frank, AB” lays itself to rest.
-Stacey Lansing
The Temper Trap
There is a reason you hear this song being whored out on movie soundtracks and TV commercials everywhere you turn. It demands your attention from the get-go and sticks in your head immediately. Not only is lead singer Dougy Mandagi’s falsetto voice bearable unlike some other musicians’ high pitch squeals (*ahem*Mika*ahem*), but there is also a gradual build up in the song to the epic chorus which is the perfect complement to any climactic/tv moment. Cue the on-screen kiss!
-Lindsay Juley
"Sweet Disposition" – AGREED.
I didn't get hipped to Freelance Whales until spring 2010 (then got to see 'em at Lollapalooza 2010)…but I dig them quite a bit, too. Will check out the others you posted.