In Ear Park- Department of Eagles
The intro to this song is a beautiful weave of guitars and pianos going in and out like waves crashing into the shores that leads into an ethereal vocal and beautiful backing instrumentation, a lament on loss, the beauty of this song just speaks volumes
So Far Around the Bend- The National
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Boxer nor did I see the big attraction to the National until this song came out. The lyrics are perfectly understated and performed, with a creative arrangement and a sentiment that everyone can identify with, it doesn’t hurt that the melody is so damn catchy as well
Fine For Now- Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest, the latest album by Grizzly Bear is full of songs that range from the sweet to the bizarre, Fine for Now starts off with a strangely beautiful vocal arrangement before turning into an otherworldly meld of guitar and drums and vocals, truly a song worth multiple listens
Chinese Translation- M. Ward
M. Ward has a knack for great studio production and melody, and this has a great chorus, and no theres no chinese in a single second of the recording, just a great overall song
Lost Coastlines- Okkervil River
I love the vocalist in this band, his range is affecting and his lyrics are well written, and i can hear glimmers of Paul Simons Graceland and the Jam’s Town Called Malice woven in
We Were Sick- The Thermals
Like Blink 182, fun upbeat and catchy, but better because you don’t get tired of the nasal voice and the chord progression is classic
Race You- Elizabeth and the Catapults
Little known bands often provide the most happiness to the listener when they make great catchy songs, because you feel like you’re the one discovering them, it’s a little feistish and happy and just puts you in a good mood
Wilco (The Song)- Wilco
Love this song, a little weezerish but with less pop culture reliant lyrics
Take A Walk Around the Table- White Rabbits
This song is so delightfully weird that you can’t help but listen to it over and over again
Metal Detektor- Spoon
Of all the great Spoon songs there are to choose from, this is one of, if not their finest songs ever put to record
Golden- My Morning Jacket
Beautiful acoustic guitar, beautiful singing, beautiful lyrics, need i even say more
The Golden Age- Beck
Great progression and arrangement, both of which Beck has an undeniable knack for and this is one of his finer songs
Songs for the Fireflies- Josh Ritter
This is one of those songs that feels as if the performer is right in front of you not in some far off studio and the buildup is wonderful
The Honeymoon Song- The Beatles
It’s hard to find a Beatles song that the whole world hasn’t heard millions of times. This one comes from Live at the BBC and the arrangment lets Paul McCartneys voice take front and center, and how sweet and young he sounds, the only bad thing is the song ends so soon
Honeymoon- Phoenix
Love every part about this song, the bass, the guitar, the singing, the build up, it works perfectly
Everything Hits At Once- Spoon
Another early Spoon song, undeniably their own, from the arrangment to the melody and the buildup as well the great guitar and piano hooks
Fernando Pando- The Virgins
this son builds from intimate guitar and vocals to a great energetic arrangement. Terrific vocal performance throughout
Changes- David Bowie
Because this song is undeniable in its classic status, love the progression and the lyrics
A Day in the Life- The Beatles
Arguably the greatest song Lennon and McCartney put together from the arrangement to the lyrics to the orchestra build up and McCartneys part. Also the interplay between the musicians is great, McCartney’s piano and Lennon’s guitar and Ringo’s drums couldn’t have fit any better
You Got the Silver- The Rolling Stones
this song goes a long way in saying that Keith Richards was as underrated a singer and songwriter as Harrison was in The Beatles.
The Art of the Mixtape 