25 Songs for 2011
Time to get in on this list thing. Here’s the 25 songs that made 2011 for me. Enjoy, y’all.
25. The Horrible Crowes - ‘Sugar’
Oh Brian Fallon, I’d love you.
24. Iceage - ‘You’re Blessed’
They’re only 17, does that make you feel insignificant?
23. Veronica Falls - ‘Come On Over’
This is just a sweet song. Nothing smart to say here.
22. James Blake - ‘The Wilhelm Scream’
Break me off a piece of DAT BASS!
21. Persian - ‘Feel Da Vibe’
A chill song in 2011 or the CHILLEST song of 2011?
20. Das Racist - ‘Michael Jackson’
19. Nicki Minaj - ‘Super Bass’
Fuck you, it’s a good song.
18. Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx - ‘I’ll Take Care Of U’
Thnk U 4 this.
17. Atlas Sound - ‘Mona Lisa’
16. The Mountain Goats - ‘Real Estate Sign’
15. Tyler, The Creator - ‘Yonkers’
When he’s not obsessed with rape, Tyler can actually be a visceral, honest and brilliant emcee.
14. Jamie xx - ‘Far Nearer’
Jamie xx’s second appearance on the list and for good cause.
13. Fucked Up - ‘Queen Of Hearts’
Any song that turns the line “she placed it in his hands, well they must have seen the sparks. Neither understands, what just happened to their hearts” into a shout along deserves to be on this list.
12. Cults - ‘Go Outside’
11. Battles - ‘Ice Cream’
An experimental song that is actually fun!
10. SBTRKT - ‘Trials Of The Past’
9. Raekwon & Nas - ‘Rich & Black’
Raekwon’s line “I run with Generals that flash uzis in interviews” would be my pick for lyric of the year if Nas didn’t follow it up with “Timbs, yellow like the hair on a Malibu surfer. Yellow like my Harry Winston glistenin’ arm, B. Yellow like New York City piss stained concrete”
8. The Throne (a.k.a. Jay-Z & Kanye West) - ‘Murder To Excellence’
7. Kurt Vile - ‘Jesus Fever’
Vile uses that old trick of covering up an ode to isolation with the year’s catchiest guitar lick.
6. Nicolas Jaar - ‘Space Is Only Noise If You Can See’
There is something about the New Order-esque synth riffs that makes this the most hypnotising song of the year.
5. Toro Y Moi - ‘New Beat’
“Riding the chillwaves”.
4. St. Vincent - ‘Cruel’
3. Frank Ocean - ‘Swim Good’
Frank Ocean has a broken heart, he is hurdling towards the ocean and it is amazing!
2. tUnE-yArDs - ‘Bizness’
1. PJ Harvey - ‘The Colour Of The Earth’
Over 40 minutes, PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake intricately and boldy challenges the ideologies and myths that help perpetuate violent nationalism and war. With more depth and understanding then many essays on the subject, Harvey is able to walk a delicate tight rope; outraged at the effects war has on the innocent, occupied civilian populations, as well as sympathising with those who are tasked with carrying out hideous acts in the interests of the State.
The album closes with ‘The Colour Of The Earth’. It’s simple percussion and duel vocal (shared by PJ and former Birthday Partier/Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds-er, Mick Harvey) give the track a traditional folk feel. The nostalgic atmosphere plays into Harvey’s narrative, which is based around the experiences of ANZAC soldiers during the Gallipoli campaign. It tells the story of a soldier who can hear his best friend as he is killed in battle, all the while being powerless to stop it. The protagonist is ultimately forces to leave his friend’s body on a mountain, unable to give him a dignified send-off.
The power of the song lies in the stark contrast between it and the image that surrounds “our side” in war. That is, the image of the glorious and noble death of the soldier. This is particularly true during ANZAC commemorations which are drenched in jingoist militarism. In comparison, Harvey paints a far less mythical image; one where soldiers are killed in almost mechanical ways and are quickly forgotten by all except those who they were closest to. In the end the song is a tale of human fragility, a reminder that there is no glory in war, only suffering and death, and in a morbid way, my favourite song of 2011.
