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2011 Sounds Roundup

by Matthew Kato on Jan 26, 2012 at 06:00 AM

Recently Bertz collected and shared a bunch of the staff's favorite songs from 2011 on a Spotify playlist. I didn't think that I had heard a lot of good new music last year to make much of a contribution, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Although I love music, I don't keep tabs on a lot of new music beyond a new release here and there from a band I already like. It's not that I refuse to listen to new music, I just don't make it a priority to keep track of everything that's going on out there because most music these days simply doesn't move me enough. Thankfully, 2011 was a pretty good year by those standards.

Here are the songs I contributed to the list:

Fitz and the Tantrums – "MoneyGrabber" Pickin' Up the Pieces
I actually heard this first, believe it or not, watching HBO's 24/7 Flyers/Rangers: The Road to the Winter Classic documentary. It was during a Flyers practice segment, so I wondered if it was some kind of Philly soul song from back in the day (minus the drenched strings, though, I guess). I was pretty happy to learn they're a current-day outfit out of L.A. of all places. Hot soul-pop outfit with two great singers. Yes, the Daryl Hall comparison is there, and that's a good thing.

Arctic Monkeys – "She's Thunderstorms" Suck It and See
I initially resisted the Arctic Monkeys when their early singles came out in 2005, but it wasn't long before Alex Turner's singing style and lyrics – reminiscent of Morrissey's damning idolization of regular British youth – had me hooked. I prefer the more twisted musical moments in Humbug to Suck It and See as a whole, but song-for-song I rate the Arctic Monkeys as one of the few current bands that consistently excites me.

Ringo Deathstarr – "Imagine Hearts" Colour Trip
It's hard not to guffaw when you hear these guys due to their trained proximity to My Bloody Valentine and Jesus & Mary Chain, but it's also hard not to simply enjoy what you're hearing – begged, borrowed, and stolen or otherwise. It makes me wonder what the '90s music revival is going to sound/is sounding like, since that decade was formative for me.

Booker T. Jones – "Everything is Everything" The Road From Memphis
I'd like to own and learn how to play a Hammond B3 or C3 (with a Leslie) sometime before I die, and my absolute love of the Hammond sound is represented in this song (a cover of a Lauryn Hill tune). Of course, Booker T. is the same from the seminal Stax band Booker T. & the MGs, and he's still grooving after all these years. Forever Mod!

Brave Irene – "Tangled Line" Brave Irene
The latest from Rose Melberg, who I have loved since Tiger Trap way back in the day. I like her solo stuff that she's put out through the years, but it's cool to see her back with a full band.

Deep Cut – "Something's Got to Give" Disorientation
Speaking of the '90s… This is a new band put together by Mat Flint from Revolver. I remember when they were around back then, but I never investigated them for no real reason. I wish I had, because Flint can write some tunes, and Deep Cut has a nice dense sound that anyone in love with that era will recognize. You should also check out "Dead Inside Your Heart," which is a great tune.

Jessica Lea Mayfield – "I'll Be The One You Want Someday" Tell Me
Matt introduced this record to me, and although it has some moments where it tries a little too hard to be indie, I think it's great. I love the cymbal-crashing accents in the chorus for this song, as well as the accented monotone drawl in her voice that makes a difference.