Favorite Songs Of 2012: #15
“Answering Machine” – Scout The most controversial song in the countdown. But only because of my silly music rules. Should a cover, a song both written and made famous by someone else, get consideration as one of my favorites for a given year? Often I would say no. But when it is as exceptional as this one, I say yes.…
Favorite Songs Of 2012: #16
“Lafaye” – School Of Seven Bells (Administrative note: the countdown will continue over the weekend, so check back Saturday and Sunday for songs #15 and #14.) I’ve always enjoyed sub-genres like Dream Pop and Shoegaze. Noisy, atmospheric realms where lyrics are often difficult to discern, but where you can close your eyes and completely disappear inside the soundscape. School Of…
The Perfect Shot
Many of my regular readers are on our Christmas card list. Thus, they know that we generally go with the obvious option and just slap a picture of the girls on it. Over the years, that process has become problematic. I have no idea why, but there’s something about lining up for a picture in Christmas pajamas or other holiday…
Favorite Songs Of 2012: #17
“Groundhog Day” – Corin Tucker Band The second 1990s indie rock hero to make the list, Tucker was one of the founding women of the Riot Grrrl movement. With Carrie Brownstein she formed Sleater-Kinney, a band that helped to set the standard for women who wanted to make intelligent, socially-conscious music that also rocked hard. She hits all those points…
Favorite Songs Of 2012: #18
“Peacemaker” – Jesca Hoop Massive. That’s the word that pops into my head each time I listen to this song. It is huge, punching you in the mouth and demanding your attention. Even if you wanted to, you couldn’t turn it off or skip to the next track. But why would you? It’s freaking brilliant. Hoop’s genius is combing vaguely…
Favorite Songs Of 2012: #19
“October” – The Helio Sequence Echoing early U2, this Portland duo offered a gorgeous set of atmospheric pop on their Negotiations album. This track fits the month it is named after perfectly. Warm, with a hint of a chill in the background. A reminder that no matter how perfect things may seem, there is always something just below the surface…
Sporty Weekend
Lots of sports, and sports-related things, from the weekend. Friday I had my first boys basketball game of the season. It was a 20-point loss, which is about what I expected. My team actually got as close as seven in the second half, which was not expected. Thanks to a double overtime JV game, I only had time to file…
Favorite Songs Of 2012: #20
“Star Machine” – Bob Mould Last summer was was the summer of Mould. In July, all three Sugar albums got the remaster/rerelease treatment and I spent a couple weeks wallowing in Mould’s epic, mid-90s pop. It came as a surprise six weeks later when he dropped a new solo album, a nifty recreation of the classic Sugar sound. Like another…