Another December, another chance to look back at the best songs from the past year. And 2011 had some JAMS! Little tidbits, shout-outs and anecdotes sprinkled below with each track.
To save any of these songs either control+click (mac) or right-click (PC) on the link and save to your computer. If you’re into the sounds, be sure to support the artists and buy some of their stuff directly.
Also, click here to get *most* of these songs in a Spotify playlist!
And don’t forget to check out The Best Songs of 2011 - New to Me Edition! It’s a collection of songs from before this year that finally crossed my radar.
Enjoy!
Fela Soul - Stakes is High - First off, let’s just give an A+ for the name of this mashup album. Gummy Soul combines here the powerful African music of Fela Kuti, with the a capella rhymes of De La Soul. Tremendous. Word to Big Ranz for sending this over.
DJ Shadow - Scale It Back (feat. Yukimi Nagano) - DJ Shadow, once a mainstay of my music collection, has pulled some interesting moves in the last few years. Thankfully, his most recent album “The Less You Know, the Better” is pretty tight. This track, with vocals from Little Dragon’s lead singer, is a stand out.
Marques Toliver - Deep In My Heart - Don’t know much about this except I believe the guy is playing an autoharp and I think I like it.
Iron & Wine - Monkeys Uptown - I was lucky enough to see Iron & Wine when they toured for their first (!) record some 10 years ago. Back then it was just Sam Beam and a guitar on stage. How far he’s come! I’ll admit for a few records in the middle there it felt like the same old stuff, but on this year’s release, “Kiss Each Other Clean” he has reinvented his style while sticking with incredibly crafted songs - and it works. It was a real challenge picking a song to include here, which is a testament to the strength of the album.
The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness - Say what you will about The Strokes, and people do, but they still make great music. This lead single from their newest release is fun and true to their sound. And that riff!
The Belle Brigade - Losers - Beautiful arrangement, and a powerful message. Not even sure how this song crossed my radar, but I’m glad it did.
Mayer Hawthorne - No Strings (DJ Jazzy Jeff Roller Boogie Remix) - Mayer Hawthorne has the distinction of showing up twice on this year’s list - he’s just that good! “No Strings” was released between records, and the Jazzy Jeff treatment here is just a great groove to compliment Mayer’s smooth vocals.
The Beastie Boys - Funky Donkey - “Put this out on zip disk - send it to your lawyer!” If you think a line like that wouldn’t appeal to me, then hello - my name is Matt. The new Beastie’s album was a win for the boys, bringing it back toward their earlier sound (helped by production by The Dust Brothers). Maybe not a 10 out of 10, but some really great moments on there, including this one. [Side note: Deifinitely check out Z-Trip’s 30 minute mega-mix that spans the Beastie’s career.]
Tune-Yards - You Yes You - I fell in love with Tune-Yards (also spelled tUnE-YarDs) this year. Sure, it’s not perfect music, and it’s certainly not for everyone, but something about it spoke to me. There’s something very Soul Coughing in her phrasing that puts a sahd of hip-hop sensibility into her indie songs.
Bon Iver - I Can’t Make You Love Me - In addition to making sweet and haunting songs of his own, Bon Iver is also known for covering other people’s songs and putting his own touch on them. This rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” is gorgeous, and highlights the strength of the song writing.
Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart (Gigamesh Remix) - A new take on an old friend. Turn it up LOUD.
TV On the Radio - Will Do (Mylo Remix) - I’ve been including TVoTR tracks on these lists whenever they put out new music. This year’s release was amazing (natch), but the Mylo remix here of their lead single “Will Do” adds a new canvas behind an already stellar song.
James Blake - Limit to Your Love - Talk about intensity! James Blake had a huge year, finally getting his props stateside. “Limit to Your Love” is a powerful, slow-burning song that gets you in the mood (what mood? take your pick). Thanks to D-Rock and Bex for the head’s up on this track.
My Brightest Diamond - I Have Never Loved Someone (Live on A Take Away Show) - Ripped this from the video of the stunning performance done on La Blogotheque’s Take Away Show (go watch the video of this performance now!). The performer and filmmakers all breakdown in tears after she finishes this stunning soliloquy to her son. Possibly the most powerful song I’ve heard all year - hope you agree.
Nas - Nasty [Explicit] - While I can normally do without the typical rap-mogul braggart stupidity, Nas’s flow here is undeniable, and you have to respect how long he’s been in the game. The stripped down beat is absurd! Originally got hooked on this via the video (artists still make videos????)
Maroon 5 Feat. Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger (Radio Edit) - OK, sure. This is pure pop-candy. And it’s stupid. But, it’s also fun, funky, dance-floor-friendly and tasty. Haters gonna hate.
Mayer Hawthorne - Dreaming Big year for Stones Throw’s own Mayer Hawthorne as he made the jump to a major-label release. Mayer keeps bringing it here, channeling lots of different influences from Motown, to Steely Dan, to this E.L.O. style arrangement here on “Dreaming”.
[Image courtesy of Marcele Augustine from Mobile Artbox]
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, then chances are you already know the big news: 
Here’s a batch of songs, all released before 2011, that didn’t find their way to me (or I to them) until this year. As usual, it’s a mixed bag here so try some on and see how they fit.
