My Top Songs of 2011 That Aren't Necessarily From 2011

Since everyone has their year end lists coming out, I've decided to put my own list together. But, since I don't have labels telling me what to do, and since the site's "indie cred" isn't riding on how high I rate certain songs or albums of the year, I've come up with my own list that has nothing to do with a release date. Some are from 2011 and some are from 30 years ago, but they all have the underlying factor of awesomeness that I've enjoyed thoroughly this year.

Air France_Collapsing At Your Door
"Sort of like a dream, isn't it? No, Better."


Animal Collective_Mr. Fingers
The opening song/scene from the film Oddsac. This song needs more credit than it gets as it's one of their best. Layered upon layered vocals that build, and the last three minutes are pure gold.

Atlas Sound_Criminals
Sure Atlas Sound came out with a new album this year, but I find myself going back to this one fairly often.

The Beatles_I'm Only Sleeping

Black Lips_Mad Dog
Adding to the saxophone craze of 2011, Black Lips style.

Broadcast_Come On Let's Go
RIP Trish.


Cam'ron_Pass Da Dutchie
This YouTube comment says it all: "i listen to this song once a day and shake my big fat ass too cuz i got real kim kakes killa"

Caribou_Odessa
Not dancing to this song is impossible, plus that sample is undeniably almost too catchy. Pretty much made me appreciate dancey music as well (as you'll see in my next two choices).

Cut Copy_Saturdays

David Lynch_Good Day Today

Deerhunter_Helicopter
Always a sucker for a good outro.

Devo_Be Stiff

Destroyer_Bay of Pigs
There's a 7 minute foreplay of a journey to get to the meat of this song, but if you just turn it loud and wait for it, it's well worth it. And only Dan Bejar can get away with admitting he "was 20 years old in 1992" and still be the shit.


Eddie Murphy_Party All The Time
The driving motivation behind wanting to DJ at bars is the slim possibility that I'll be able to play this jam at some point.

El Guincho_Bombay
Can't not get into this song when it comes on. Amazing video as well.

Harry Nilsson_Jump Into The Fire
Woke up to this song every day for a good two months.

The Hollies_Bus Stop

John Maus_Do Your Best
Making the big city seem small and lonely.

Juelz Santana_Oh Yes
Didn't see this one coming, did you? Neither did I.

Memory Tapes_Stop Talking
Such a jam, but what made me really appreciate it was seeing it live. Believe it or not, it's very reminiscent of Modest Mouse when there's live drums and that guitar comes in.


Nico_60/40
So simple, so good.

Nurses_Fever Dreams
File this one under "Stuff to listen to until Animal Collective release a new album." Great song though.

Paul McCartney_Check My Machine
Speaking of jams--holy crap. This will undoubtedly make my list every year. You crazy for this one, Paul.

The Psychadelic Furs_Love My Way


Talking Heads_Girlfriend Is Better
Although this whole list was alphabetical, this is actually my top song of the year as well. Whattyaknow.

DR005: The 19 Curses/Smolder SPLIT

Chris and I finally finished our split and we're pretty happy about it! Check it out and don't forget to like Visivo and Smolder on the fbook for updates on shows. Thanks!

Currently Listening: Starfawn

In an electronic mode. Digging it.

Currently Listening: Eric Copeland and David Lynch

Some odd 1950s-esque weirdness from Black Dice's Eric Copeland. From the aptly titled "Whorehouse Blues" 7"


And a track from David Lynch's upcoming weird experimental electro-pop album. Older artists still staying relevant and killing it is one of my favorite things and gets me so psyched for some reason. Play it loud.

Currently Listening: Memoryhouse

I've never been a huge fan of remixes of songs, but this one is pretty great. Million Young came through with a great one and I've been playing it almost every time when I DJ. Both are beautiful in their own right.

Original:

Remix:

DR004: Smolder, A Glance A Word

Here are the first two songs from the full-length I'm planning on putting out later in the month. It was time to just put them out there instead of changing them every week like I've been doing. I'm pretty happy with them though and I hope you enjoy them as well. Originally I felt like they had a winter feel to them, but now that I finished them in the early summer, listening to them at night with the AC going just sounds right for them. Have a listen below and you can also download it here.

Tracklist:

1. A Glance, A Word

2. You're Mine

Remember, They Never Got You

I'm not saying that this is a rip-off, but I just wanted to give some food for thought regarding these two songs--"Remember" by John Lennon and "They Never Got You" by Spoon. I love both of these songs and the albums they appear on are major favorites of mine. You could always hear a little Beatles influence in a lot of Spoon songs, but it's most apparent here. The chorus and tempo aren't alike, but in the verses, chord progression and style of singing you can really hear it. Who knows if the similarities are intentional, but I like thinking about things like this. Have a listen:

Currently Listening: Destroyer

Listening to the new Destroyer album a lot. One word: sexy.

Tears In The Typing Pool

Very saddened to hear that Trish from Broadcast died from pneumonia this morning. While a lot of girl indie acts tend to sound cutesy and playful, Trish had such a full, amazing voice that sounded like it could've been pulled from a 1960s psychedelic basement party. Truly a sad day.
Some favorites:




Read our previous post about Broadcast here.

Currently Listening: Ducktails

DR003: Smolder, The Cup Of Kindness

Happy New Year, pals. Here's a new song I recorded recently. It has a definite structure and is more of a straight forward song than previous stuff. Picture it more of a goodbye to 2010 than a downer way to start 2011. It doesn't really fit with whatever else I've been doing so I figured this was the best way to do it. I have a full release I've been working on titled "Circadian Rhythm" that Mike and I have been collaborating on the artwork for. No release date yet, but more info soon. We're excited for this one.

Currently Listening: Monade

Listen to more from Latetia Sadier here.

Forever November Until December: Visivo Fall/Winter Mixtape

We're proud to announce that our newest mixtape is now available to stream and download! Mixed by John Madden Sex Tape, this mixtape features some colder song selections that we've been listening to a lot this fall, and either remind us of the cold or just plain sound like they're cold. There's new indie, classic indie, some 80s jams, dancey stuff, and even some Beatles in there. I'm really psyched to be able to meld this group of songs together. Check out the set list below and have a listen, it's our best one yet.


Forever November Until December
Running Time_39:53

The Walkmen_New Year's Eve
Cults_Go Outside
Avey Tare_Oliver Twist
Pinback_Penelope
Caribou_Odessa
Yaz_Situation
The Beatles_Michelle
Pet Shop Boys_What Have I Done To Deserve This?
Tacks the Boy Disaster_Frozen Feet
Memory Tapes_Bicycle
Modest Mouse_Tiny Cities Made Of Ashes
Bear In Heaven_Wholehearted Mess
Fops_Solid Copper Huntress

Enjoy and stay warm!

Forever November Until December (fall/winter mix) by John Madden Sex Tape

(If you'd like to remember the warmer times, our midsummer mixtape is still available to download here)

Currently Listening: Jane, Agg Report

Side project from Animal Collective's Panda Bear and Scott Mou from 2005.

Sore Eros "Giraffe's Kiss" from Lizzie Boredom on Vimeo.

Great song. Sore Eros is playing Saturday night at Shea Stadium and Saturday Nov. 27th at Johnny Brenda's in Philly.

DR002: Smolder, Wind Collar

Here's a short instrumental track I recorded a while back that I sort of put on the back burner. Figured I'd just post it up instead of letting it collect digital dust. It has more of a steady beat and I've considered dabbling with this style for future songs but we'll see. It's also a good excuse to use this photo I shot of my friend Deandra one hazy morning.

Strange Powers

Really looking forward to this Magnetic Fields documentary:


Two favorites of mine:

Currently Listening: FOPS

Yellow Jacket Corpse - by Fops from monotreme records on Vimeo.

FINALLY. It may not be new Thee More Shallows, but it's close enough. Frontman, Dee Kesler has a new project called FOPS and it's awesome. He still has the ability to sound joyous but also creepy as hell at the same time...not really sure how else to describe it. You can also download a free track here.

Via Fecal Face.

Recently Purchased: New Order "Ceremony" 7"

Recently picked this up at a small record store for the mere price of $8, which is a steal. I love the type and how it being stamped makes it very reminiscent of a tombstone. Joy Division always had this sort of look to their album covers, but this seems even more fitting being that the song was written by Ian Curtis for Joy Division prior to his death, and then later released as New Order's first single after he died. Also a creepy, but cool addition, it has the words "Watching Forever" etched on the Ceremony side, and "How I Wish You Were Here With Me Now" on side two. The classic Factory Records logo is also present on both sides of the record which is a nice touch.

You can read more about it on the Wiki page.

Currently Listening: Department of Eagles

Was never much of a Grizzly Bear fan, but this song by Department of Eagles has really been doing it for me lately. The tune is too catchy, plus this video is great. I'm guessing it's the same people who did the video for "Knife"?