D's Notebook

“Honey Do” – Beverly Sometimes the simplest songs have the biggest impact. Twenty words. Chugging guitars and pounding drums. Gorgeous harmonies. Combined, it turns into sheer beauty. Tell me your oldest memory Yes I will keep it Oh honey do Previously: 20 – “Black And White” – Parquet Courts 19 – “I Got Knocked Down (But I’ll Get Up)” –…

“Lazaretto” – Jack White White’s Lazaretto was perhaps the most disappointing album of the year. He seemed disinterested and unfocused. Thankfully, he was locked in on a few tracks, notably this absolute beast of a song that stands with the best things he’s ever done. When I say nothing, I say everything Previously: 20 – “Black And White” – Parquet…

“Goshen ’97” – Strand Of Oaks We’re getting closer to the music that defined my year, much of which harkened back to the music of my youth. While this song looks back to the ‘90s rather than ‘80s, I certainly appreciate the intent. Indiana native Timothy Showalter put together an amazing album, much of it focused on he and his…

Week #2 of the countdown means we’re on to the Top 10… “Teenage Wasteland” – Wussy Songs about falling in love with music will always be made. But are we at the end of the age of songs like this? Songs about living in rural America and having your life changed by amazing music that rolls in on the radio…

“Rent I Pay” – Spoon I’ll entertain arguments that all Spoon songs kind of sound the same. But the thing is, they’re almost always really freaking good. It’s good to hear them recapture their old swagger after a couple albums with slightly different sounds. And if that’s your answer no I ain’t your dancer Previously: 20 – “Black And White”…

“Christmas Medley” – Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra What happens when a couple of P-I-M-P-S get together over the holidays? Magic, that’s what happens.

“Spinners” – The Hold Steady http://youtu.be/3QHMsP4DkUA The Hold Steady will never again be as good as during their three-album run from 2005–2008. But they still write great songs, like this ode to getting out and trying to put heartbreak behind you. Or, put the ball in play, as some of us used to say. The nights go on forever now…

“Fall In Love” – Phantogram http://youtu.be/Aq_9-UpaJ_A Phantogram describes their music as “darkadelic,” which strikes me as perfect. Electro-rock with heavy psychedlic influences, their sound is dark and dense. Throw on lyrics that speak about the hopeless side of love, and their songs aren’t terribly uplifting. But damn do they sound great. Bonus points: If I had to have a crush…