Okay everybody. Follow along if you, like me, might still be stuck in a previous generation; after rock and roll, and when electropop from the UK ruled my cd player. I still have a penchant for the same sort of tunes: mostly upbeat, some danceable, most sing-able and all with a distinct similarity of style. And in a new attempt at accurate blogging, a link so you can actually listen to each of the tracks is included !
10. Capital Cities "Safe and Sound" Actually an upstart group from LA but with a sound unlike most music coming from America. This track is of note in that it is one of Chelsea Handler's favorite tunes as well (yes, I'm a namedropper) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWZr2F0qohA
9. Mirrors "Fear of Drowning" This is a new group from Brighton UK who's first full length cd 'Lights and Offerings' was released early in 2011. Several tracks are among my fav's, but this is the one I chose to put on the list. There is no official 'video', but here's a link so that you can listen to the track if you'd like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61YfAHvAZ1s
8. Underworld "Diamond Jigsaw" Of course another in the long list of UK acts posted here, tho this group shows a bit of age. They first came to some notoriety with a popular track from the soundtrack to the indie film 'Trainspotting'(1996), plus they've been contracted to produce the music for the opening ceremonies for the summer Olympics 2012 in London. Any song which includes lyrics involving a shot of tequila is worthy of my annual list! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f734DJk2kkg
7. Darren Hayes "Black out the Sun" For those of you unfamiliar, Darren was the lead singer for the group Savage Garden from Australia who hit the top of the charts several times at the end of the 90's. He remains one of the best pop singer/songwriters in the world, despite his lack of exposure and airplay as a solo artist. His new full length release is a bit downtempo and ballad-heavy for my liking, but here is one of the finest tracks on his latest release 'Secret Codes and Battleships'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJMNWTioW34
6. Moby "The Day" Another of the rare ballads on any playlist for me; this one borders on morose actually. But it is a very moving track, and one of the most beautiful songs of the year. Despite his quirky personality, Moby continues to make some music that almost always moves me in one way or another. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JSVaSpD9xo
5. Bright Light Bright Light "Disco Moment" Another new discovery for me this year, this chap from the UK (Rod Thomas) could become one of my all time favorites if his early work is any indicator of what he can do. He has still not made a full length release; this track is the second single to hit the airwaves. Ah, to be in your twenties and full of the future ...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs1VRlTbEO4
4. Dragonette featuring Martin Solveig "Hello" Well this one is certainly the guilty pleasure of the year. Dragonette is a indie label group from Canada, and Mr. Solveig is a producer/remixer in Paris, who is rumored to be working on some new tracks with Madonna as we speak. This song is cheesy to the max, but it's perfect for windows down in the car! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnET4RKXx5k
3. Adele "Set Fire to the Rain" Usually when somebody gets all this publicity and popularity I go running in the other direction. But you cannot deny this woman's multiple gifts. That voice, and the way she can emote while performing live is just beyond amazing. While her entire release '21' is worthy, I've chosen a live recording of this, my favorite track, which shows Adele in all her glory. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2j279pZxTY
2. Erasure "Be With You" Anytime my favorite group releases a new cd, you know there's at least one track showing up on my annual list. 'Tomorrow's World' contains several top-flight tracks, but I've decided upon this one. Despite the unusual choice of singing all those 'eeee-s', the romping nature of the song takes me to a very special place. And when Andy sings those repeated 'I'll come running' in the closing moments, I get chills at every turn. The video linked here is the winner of the fan-based creative contest sponsored by the band and youtube. It is very very well done ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF44_ntm2k4
drum roll, please .....
1. M83 "Midnight City" Creatively this is bang on! Never before have I heard a pop song where there is no lyric to the chorus, but you really try to sing along. How is that possible ?? Sing along with a wordless synthesizer ?? I feel like Phoebe in that old episode of friends where she tries to sing along to Ross's bad bagpipe ! And this French fellow, Anthony Gonzalez has managed to do all of that in a 4 minute pop song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX3k_QDnzHE
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