2011 in review: Mansquatch’s favorite songs, Pt. I

Apparently 2011 was a good year for music, because I couldn’t whittle down my list of favorite songs below 50. Then again I’m not very good with that whole brevity thing (reference my personal mix post for proof), so what the hell do I know? The answer: A LOT.

50. Feist – The Bad In Each Other
Feist gets a lot of well-deserved praise for her trumpet-mimicking vocals, but her guitar skills always jump out at me when I watch her perform on TV. One of her subtle but ear-pleasing riffs introduces her masterpiece new album, giving way to horns and pounding percussion on this bittersweet folk gem.

49. The Cars – Blue Tip
After decades away, The Cars returned and sounded exactly like The Cars should sound. Though late bassist/singer Benjamin Orr left a big void, Ric Ocasek and Co. didn’t miss a beat after they dusted off their old instruments, picked up a few new ones, and affixed their sunglasses just so.

48. Neon Indian – Polish Girl
I’ve discovered that this chillwave stuff is kinda like a Totino’s Pizza Roll — if you stuff a whole bunch of processed crap inside a neat little package, it can be quite enjoyable. And yes, I am a fan of Totino’s Pizza Rolls. Them shits is delicious.

47. Foo Fighters – Arlandria
Dave Grohl revisited the old loud-quiet-loud pattern that grunge made famous, but also made sure to layer a few modern touches to distract the listener from some classically cliché lyrics. The crushing intro riff also sounds excellent as a follow-up to thrash-burner “White Limo,” the preceding track on Wasting Light (and, in most cases, on stage).

Feist’s ‘Graveyard’ Is A Place To Bury Sorrow

2011 is the year that just won’t let up. I was reminded of this last night when I was listening to Feist‘s latest album, Metals, for the first time, with the album’s second track “Graveyard.” It’s a somber song that fits with the mood of Metals perfectly, with a pleading refrain of “Bring ‘em all back to life.” When I heard it, I immediately wished the song had come out eight months earlier because I knew that I could’ve used a song like that when my dad died. I didn’t know that the next day, I’d find out my friend Glandorf had died in his sleep. Instantly, “Graveyard” took on a new meaning for me.

Death is a strange thing. When someone you love dies, the only thing you want to do is talk to that person. You pour over old text messages. You reread e-mails that you just got days before. You listen to sad songs and you want so desperately to hear that person’s voice again. Nothing cushions the initial shock of hearing the news that your friend is gone and it’s strange how you can still hear their voice in your head. I can’t stop thinking of drunk-dialing Glandorf on my friend’s back porch and hearing him scream “Valentine, you are drunk!” as I slurred nonsense at him.

Glandorf was a remarkable guy. I know everyone says that about someone when they die but honestly, Glandorf was great. He loved Rush and he went to high school with Matt Berninger, of The National. Just knowing that gives you an idea of what a cool motherfucker Glandorf was  but above that, Glandorf was smart, funny, and one of the nicest, kindest people I’d ever met. 2011 has taken a lot of things from me but losing someone I considered a peer so shockingly and unexpectedly has left me shaken, functioning on autopilot, wondering if I should be listening to Rush because that’s how Glandorf would want people to remember him. He’d want to be remembered as we all rocked out to some classic Rush. I don’t have any Rush records though. And it seems that the only thing that’s making me feel better is Feist.

Feist – Graveyard

Love: It’s Not Just For Suckers Anymore

Alright, guys, I’m going to level with you. I want to get married. I desperately want to get married. I deny that fact up and down 98 percent of the time, but sometimes things happen that make me realize that despite my aversion to dating, I totally do want to fall in love. Right now is one of those times that reminds me that somewhere, deep down inside, I am kind of a romantic.

My friend Mylynda, of Indie College fame, is preparing for her wedding later this month to a guy I’ve never met but I’ve heard great things about. Being the musically inclined pal that I am, I offered Mylynda a mix of songs that, were I to ever get married, I’d want played at my wedding. And being the overachiever that I am, I couldn’t just let it rest at one mix. Instead, I had to make two!

I doubt I’m going to get married. I’m 27 and I’ve yet to have a relationship I took seriously. I’ve treated guys so horribly that Tim Kasher would call me cold. Even so, I hope to get it right one day and when that day comes, it’ll all culminate with the hippest wedding of all time and as the guests walk into the dusty barn I’ll say my “I do’s” in, this is the mix of songs that’ll playing. Just in case that doesn’t happen though, I’d hate for such a great array of songs to go to waste. So here you go, Mylynda. Have my dream wedding. And just wait because the mix for the reception is gonna be killer!

Love: It’s Not Just For Suckers Anymore
Songs To Get Married To.

The Beatles – I Will
Love you forever and forever, love you with all my heart.

AA Bondy – Lovers’ Waltz
Do you wanna dance? Will you wear my ring?

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jr. – God Only Knows
You’ll never need to doubt it, I’ll make you so sure about it.