Top 25 Songs of 2011... thus far

1. Smith Westerns -- "Weekend"
2. James Blake -- "The Wilhelm Scream"
3. Yuck -- "The Wall"
4. Childish Gambino -- "Freaks And Geeks"
5. Julianna Barwick -- "Keep Up The Good Work"
6. Radiohead -- "Codex"
7. The Streets -- "Trust Me"
8. Fleet Foxes -- "Helplessness Blues"
9. Destroyer -- "Chinatown"
10. The Weekend -- "House Of Balloons / Glass Tabel Girls"
11. Tim Hecker -- "In The Fog" (Parts 1 - 3)
12. Kurt Vile -- "Jesus Fever"
13. The Strokes -- "Under Cover Of Darkness"
14. Radiohead -- "Lotus Flower"
15. Destroyer -- "Downtown"
16. Smith Westerns -- "Dance Away"
17. James Blake -- "Limit To Your Love"
18. J Mascis -- "Several Shades Of Why"
19. Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie xx -- "Running"
20. The Mountain Goats -- "Damn These Vampires"
21. The Weekend -- "The Morning"
22. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart -- "Heart In Your Heartbreak"
23. Siriusmo -- "High Together (Album Version)"
24. TV On The Radio -- "Caffeinated Consciousness"
25. Cloud Nothings -- "Forget You All The Time"

-- Greg

The Weeknd -- "House Of Balloons / Glass Table Girls"

The Weeknd (Toronto-based R&B singer Abel Tesfaye) released a mixtape entitled House Of Balloons last Monday to respected critical acclaim. However, being associated with Drake, I was a little hesitant to give The Weeknd's mixtape a listen, but man was I wrong. Put best by a youtube commenter, after hearing this mixtape "my ear wants a cigarette." House Of Balloons doesn't make the ear want a cigarette in a bad way (i.e. to look cool), but rather a cigarette break for the ear. House Of Balloons and this song in particular, is just amazingly euphoric, but yet pulsing. Imagine snorting coke and then partying for what feels like an eternity at the most amazing club in the world. That's kinda the image I conjured in my head. The point in the middle of "House Of Balloons / Glass Table Girls" when the beat switches to a darker, more ominous atmosphere, really hits the mark on what I am talking about. I highly suggest House Of Balloons not just because it's good, but also because it is just so unique and fresh. I have read a few people compare this to the XX's debut album in how distinct this record sounds. Given this mixtape gains more exposure, I think it may possibly become one of the most discussed albums of the year (bold, I know).

-- Greg

Childish Gambino -- "Freaks And Geeks"

Where did this come from?! I was first introduced to Donald Glover in Derrick Comedy's classic Bro Rape. He then went on to play Troy Barnes on the NBC comedy series Community... and now he is exploding in the rap game? I was at a party the other night and heard this song to a mass appeal of drunkards who totally dug it. When I asked how the person who played it got into Donald Glover he said, "who the fuck is Donald Glover?" I have realized that this song is good beyond the fact that it is a very talented actor and comedian attempting to rap, it is just good rap... great in fact. Even after hearing "Freaks And Geeks" at least 20 times, I go nuts every time I hear lines like, "e.e. cummin’ on her face, now that's poetry is motion" or "my dick is too big, there's a big bang theory." While many bloggers have been going nuts over albums like Raekwon's Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang or Saigon's The Greatest Story Never Told, Donald Glover's EP under the name Childish Gambino is easily the best rap record I have heard all year.


-- Greg

YOUTUBE: Sexy Sax Man (Careless Whisper Saxophone Prank!!)

It has been confirmed... this is the funniest youtube video...ever!

Siriusmo -- "High Together"

I must admit that I have never been a huge fan of electronic based music. Perhaps this lack of appreciation for the genre as a whole stems from my love of the album over the single; it is as if I feel as though most music today, especially electronic music, is based around the single rather than the album. This notion coming from the idea that music is often "born of the internet" today (electronic music more so than most genres). People today have shorter attention spans and house/grime/dubstep (whichever you prefer) is like a shot of adrenaline to the heart and soul of many music fans. This is something that I totally respect; however it is often tough for me because I rather listen to an album, which in electronic music isn't always the focus. An hour plus of dubstep by the same DJ gets a little boring after a while. Sorry. However, last year brought some serious treats from the world of electronic music to my "nerdcore" world (and no I don't mean the "nerdcore hiphop" genre) i.e. James Blake's EPs, Gold Panda's Lucky Shiner, and Mount Kimbie's Crooks and Lovers.

Fortunately, this year has been no different than our last in terms of really superb electronic based albums. In particular, Siriusmo's Mosaik is an album that I feel that serious lovers of electronica, along with newcomers (like me) can really enjoy. Siriusmo, for those who don't know of his work, is a Berlin-based electronic producer who has been in the game for over a decade gaining exposure putting out singles for labels like Mokeytown. Mosaik, his debut LP, never truly sticks to one style or genre, which is most likely why I really like this record. There are hints of dubstep and house, but you are always guessing what's going to come next. The album is also unbelievably cohesive, which isn't always something I hear and get from many albums that fall under the grand genre of electronica. Their are many songs that I really like on Mosaik, but the one I want my readers to hear is the first, "High Together (Album Version)." When I put this album on while walking to class I didn't know what to expect and I was truthfully kinda hesitant to listen to it. The first forty-five seconds didn't quite intrigue me either (in hindsight, the begining of this song is awesome), but once the song kicks off you just go. Go where?... that's up to you. Enjoy!

-- Greg

Siriusmo -- "High Together"