Top of My Pops

I have a list as long as my arm on topics I want to write about (and a couple I really need to get cracking on, for fear of having them stolen from right under me--not deliberately, mind you, at least not that I can tell). However, I am in a bit of a food coma right now and am not smart or witty enough for anything other than a year in review type of post.

This was both a great and not so great year for me where music was concerned. On the not so great hand, I think I didn't discover as much new music as I usually do in a given year, but obviously there were extenuating circumstances, which had me listening more to tried and true favorites. But I also found (or, more precisely, came to recognize more closely) an awesome new ally who loves and understands music in the same, strangely innate way that I do, and while I am too prickly and weird to ever say so directly, it was possibly one of the very best things about this past year. Overall, a fair year where music was concerned.

Even though I didn't get to hear as much new music as I would have liked to, there was still a fair amount and, looking back, I definitely discovered some winners this year. So, here are the top ten new [to me] songs of 2008, based on number of repeat plays, appearances on various playlists on my various MP3 players, and just my general affinity for them. Most of them have appeared here before, though there are a couple, I think, that haven't. Where possible, I've tried to present a version different than the previous appearance, and I'll come back to add extra backstory where applicable.

10- Sidedish Friend - Rachel Yamagata
(Previously posted as part of an imeem playlist.)

9- I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You - Black Kids
(First time posting.)



8- Something is Not Right with Me - Cold War Kids
(First time posting.)

Here.

7- Pumpkins and Paisley - The Spinto Band / Ginger Sobs - Perkasie (tied)
(Previously posted as part of an imeem playlist. The Perkasie song doesn't exist on youtube, but you can find it on their MySpace page.)



6- Back in Your Head - Tegan and Sara
(Previously posted an acoustic version. I believe this started one of the best earworm wars of the year.)


5- Ghosts - Laura Marling
(Previously posted the acoustic version. This was my go to song when I just wanted something to quiet me down.)




4- This Piece of Poetry is Meant to Do Harm - The Ark
(First time posting. I have someone else to thank for this song. I drove my household crazy playing this about 20 times in a row for a couple of days. I stopped that, by the way. I just hum it now at least every other few days!)



3- Dreaming of You - The Coral
(Previously posted the album version/official video. There are a LOT of great live and acoustic versions of this song (which I think is an indication of how good a song it is, not to mention how good these guys are); for now this is my favorite one because, even without the bass (which is such a key part of the song), it still sounds awesome (and do check out the various versions). I also greatly enjoy reenacting the video using the various musical instruments the kid has. Heh.)




2- Flathead - The Fratellis
(Previously posted the album version/official video. Love, love, love, love this song. I first caught it around 3AM on some channel and I swear, I almost started dancing right then and there. I had to miss their show at the TLA due to circumstances beyond my control, but I've promised myself if they come and have a show within 150 miles of me next year, I am going.)




1- Ottoman - Vampire Weekend
(Previously posted album version. I think I've talked enough about this before. The live versions have too much feedback, so back to the official version. Okay, okay, it offends my ear to hear a less than perfect recording of this song. Satisfied?!)