Fromdahood's 40 Best Songs
I'm not making an album list because that would mislead people into
thinking that I listened to a lot of albums this year. Instead, I'm
taking up Bulldog's mantle and making a songs list. |
| 1 | Jack's Mannequin
Amy, I
As an unabashed fan of piano-pop, this song is right up my alley. Andrew
McMahon's heartfelt tale of longing in the wintertime is all too relevant; and
it's one of the few songs on People and Things that can hold a candle to
something from Everything in Transit. |
| 2 | La Dispute
King Park
I kind of feel guilty not slotting this at number one because it's so good.
Based on true events, King Park is about a drive-by gone wrong and the
subsequent events. Jordan Dreyer's performance is almost overwhelming,
especially the last 30 seconds. By far La Dispute's best song. |
| 3 | Jay-Z and Kanye West
Niggas in Paris
A miserable disjointed mess that just happened to work. The fact that "that
shit cray" is a catchphrase blows my mine on a daily basis. |
| 4 | Tune-Yards
Gangsta
From the police siren yells to the spacey drum loop, Merrill Garbus'
production on this song is excellent. The real highlight is, as always, her
vocal elasticity, as well as one of the catchiest choruses of the year. |
| 5 | Lights
Timing is Everything
Kitschy dubstep-pop as an anthem for unrequited love? Sounds like a good
time to me. |
| 6 | Manchester Orchestra
Pensacola
Honestly, this could have been just about any song from Simple Math, but
the gang vocals just hit a chord for me. |
| 7 | Taking Back Sunday
Best Places to Be a Mom
The one song on the album that actually sounds like a Tell All Your Friends
reunion song. |
| 8 | Los Campesinos!
By Your Hand
Gareth Campesinos! combines clever lyrics with a brilliant vocal performance
to show that he doesn't need Aleksandra to make a good song. A rollicking
opener to an unusually subdued album. |
| 9 | Das Racist
Michael Jackson
Best non-sequiters. You feel me? Holla. |
| 10 | Judas
Lady Gaga
As much as I hate how preachy and steeped in religious symbolism Lady
Gaga has become, this song still owns. Gaga owns the fuck out of the hook. |
| 11 | Skrillex
First of the Year (Equinox)
I don't know if this came out in 2011, so I'll say it did. This is dubstep for
people that don't get dubstep, and I'm totally ok with that. It's also
mercifully devoid of Skrillex wobbles. |
| 12 | Atmosphere
My Notes
Best closer since 'Shrapnel' |
| 13 | Jay-Z and Kanye West
Gotta Have It
Great samples, great bragging- the song that you would expect would be
on Watch the Throne |
| 14 | The Antlers
I Don't Want Love
Blissfully out-there instrumentals with Pete Silbermann's heart-stopping
falsetto. This song commands attention through its minimalism. |
| 15 | Defeater
White Knuckles
2 minutes of getting punched in the balls by Derek Archambault |
| 16 | Childish Gambino
Freaks and Geeks
Plenty of Donald Glover puns before they got annoying. Probably the best
example of his flow. |
| 17 | Raekwon
Chop Chop Ninja
Just when you thought the Wu couldn't possibly make more references to
karate, Raekwon and Inspectah Deck (!) make a song about being ninjas.
Credit Estelle for killing the hook. |
| 18 | Armistice
Mission Bells
The girl's voice gets me every time. |
| 19 | Laura Stevenson and the Cans
Master of Art
I could write a thousand words about how good this song is, so I'll instead
tell you that I feel hollow after I listen to it, so I can't rank it higher. |
| 20 | Bon Iver
Holocene
The most touching song from Bon Iver, Bon Iver; and frankly, why else
would you listen to Bon Iver? |
| 21 | Jack's Mannequin
Platform Fire
McMahon strikes again with his best vocal performance since, well, ever. |
| 22 | Adele
Rolling in the Deep
The only song I heard ad nauseum all year and didn't get sick of. |
| 23 | ASAP Rocky
Palace
Not sure this guy would be anywhere with Clams Casino, but this song still
rules. |
| 24 | Lights
Cactus in the Valley
The anti-Lights song. There's no poppy bass, there's no dubstep interlude,
it's just Lights and her heartbreaking lyrics. She's at the top of her game
vocally, but it's just a little too slow for its own good. |
| 25 | Dance Gavin Dance
Spooks
I often give too much credit to innovation, and this song has Will Swan
rapping. That's innovative. |
| 26 | The Mountain Goats
Estate Sale Sign
John Darnielle and his acoustic guitar put on a really fun show. |
| 27 | James Blake
I Never Learnt to Share
MY BROTHER AND MY SISTER DON'T SPEAK TO ME |
| 28 | Pianos Become the Teeth
Good Times
It sounds like every PBtT song |
| 29 | Crash of Rhinos
Lifewood
Doing Mike Kinsella proud |
| 30 | Tyler, the Creator
Yonkers
The song that more-or-less started it all for Odd Future. Doesn't have much
staying power but damn if "stab Bruno Mars in his god damn
esophagus/and don't stop until the cops come in" isn't still powerful. |
| 31 | Kendrick Lamar
Fuck Your Ethnicity
Section 80 didn't live up to the hype, but this song sure did. |
| 32 | Andrew Jackson Jihad
Back Pack
The song that made me believe I could like this band |
| 33 | Fleet Foxes
Lorelai
Boring in the best possible way |
| 34 | Lil Wayne
John
Because Ricky Ross's verses are so good and Wayne doesn't have any
ridiculously dumb ones. |
| 35 | Love American
Where's my Cash, Johnny?
Adam Thomas getting some love for that riff. |
| 36 | Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame
Ferrari Boyz
Southern rap titans talking fast cars. brrrrr. |
| 37 | Thursday
The Weeknd
I can't really describe this in any way other than "this sounds like The
Weeknd doing his thing well." |
| 38 | Lil B
Rolling Thunder Eternal Slumber
Lil B disappointed me on a daily basis after killing the game in 2010. This
song is one of the few that has his trademark swagger. |
| 39 | Drake
Headlines
Drake finally proves why he's signed to Young Money with a grandiose
display of braggadocio. |
| 40 | LMFAO
Party Rock Anthem
People who don't like this song don't like having fun. |
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