Top 10 Tracks of 2011

figure 1. Wye Oak

2011 - another year of looking back? At first glance it appears that way. Amazing reissues from Archers of Loaf (Icky Mettle), Superchunk (Foolish), R.E.M. (Life's Rich Pageant - p.s. their best album) and Dinosaur jr. (the first three records). Despite all the old material out there, there was some fantastic new music. What follows is my top ten. All links to music are free and legal.








10. Kurt Vile - "Jesus Fever" (mp3)







9. The Cave Singers - "Black Leaf" (mp3)








8. The Get Up Kids - "Regent's Court"







7. Buffalo Tom - "The Big Light"








6. We Are Augustines - "Chapel Song" - link to free download of song








5. Office of Future Plans - "FEMA Coffins"








4. Dum Dum Girls - "Bedroom Eyes" (mp3)







3. Des Ark - "My Saddle is Waitin' (C'mon, Jump On It)"









2. Fucked Up - "Queen of Hearts" (mp3)







1. Wye Oak - "Civilian" - stream it here

Dum Dum Girls

God Bless America, it's been a while since I've updated this thing. So for the seven of you out there that actually read this blog, my sincerest apologies.

With all due respect to the groups in recent years attempting to take on the torch passed down by The Rondelles and The Supremes (e.g. Vivian Girls, Pipettes, etc), none can touch the Dum Dum Girls. Informed not only by the aforementioned 60's girl groups, there is a touch of shoegaze and a healthy dose of Hope Sandoval-esque (Mazzy Star) vocals. All of these influences come together to make some dreamy pop music. Check out these free and legal tracks below and search out their cover of The Smiths' "There is a light that never goes out".

Bedroom Eyes (mp3)
Coming Down (mp3)
Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout (mp3)
He Gets Me High (mp3)
D.A.L. (mp3)
Jail La La (mp3)

Also check out their cover of Big Star's September Gurls on the AV Club's Undercover 2011 here

New Kristin Hersh/50 Foot Wave

In the last ten years Kristin Hersh, the 44-year-old mother of four boys, has released four solo albums, one album with her beloved Throwing Muses, a memoir entitled Rat Girl (Penguin Books) and a whole bunch of material (one LP, four EPs, and a bunch of singles) with her post-punk outfit 50 Foot Wave, which also includes Throwing Muses' bassist, Bernard Georges. To say that she has kept herself busy is an understatement. So busy that filmmaker Jackie Weissman chose Hersh to focus on for her documentary Rock and Roll Mamas (set for a Fall 2011 release). Now word today from Hersh's twitter feed of some new (FREE!) 50 Foot Wave music to check out. Please enjoy.

Free Fall (mp3)
Grey (mp3)
Radiant Addict (mp3)

Despite The Mix Vol. 14

Greg Dulli of the Twilight Singers

Check out the new Twilight Singers track plus a few other newbies and a 2009 track from Monahans. -mike

The Twilight Singers - On The Corner

Parts & Labor - Constant Future

Papercuts - Do What You Will

Obits - You Gotta Lose

The Cave Singers - Swim Club

Wolf People - Silbury Sands

Monahans - It's Enough To Leave You

Top 20 Tracks of 2010: 10 - 1

the countdown continues

fig 1. Marvelous Darlings


10. Marvelous Darlings - I'll Stand By Her






fig 2. Against Me!



9. Against Me! - I Was A Teenage Anarchist






fig 3. Arcade Fire



8. Arcade Fire - Empty Room





fig 4. Black Wolf of Kings Go Forth




7. Kings Go Forth - One Day







fig 5. Rocky Votolato



6. Rocky Votolato - Red River






fig 6. The New Pornographers


5. The New Pornographers - We End Up Together






fig 7. The National



4. The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio






fig 8. Craig Finn of The Hold Steady


3. The Hold Steady - The Weekenders






fig 9. Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man On Earth


2. The Tallest Man On Earth - King Of Spain







fig 10. Superchunk


1. Superchunk - My Gap Feels Weird

Top 20 Tracks of 2010: 20-11

End of the year list time. My favorite time of year. Yes, there are plenty of the usual suspects, but I'm pushing 40 and that's what we old people do...hang onto the past. So with further ado, Song 20 - 11 of my top 20 tracks of 2010. Enjoy.







fig 1. Lissie


20. Lissie - Bad Romance

A few years back I heard Ted Leo perform a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone". Friends called bullshit when I told them it was the first time I had ever heard the song, but it was the honest truth. I'm comfortable enough with myself to report that I absolutely love the Clarkson version, I just needed Leo to introduce me. Which brings me to Lissie whose 2009 song Little Lovin' was one of my favorite of the year. So apparently, this is a Lady GaGa cover. Who knew? Apparently, all of the western world. Thanks to my wife for cluing me in.





fig 2. The New Pornographers


19. The New Pornographers - Your Hands (Together)






fig 3. The National



18. The National - England





fig 4. Phantogram



17. Phantogram - Mouthful of Diamonds
Reminds me of the Cardigans...and I'm mean that in a really good way.




fig 5. The Morning Benders



16. The Morning Benders - Excuses




fig 6. Jaill



15. Jaill - Everyone's Hip






fig 7. Versus


14. Versus - Saturday Saints/Cicada/Scientists
OK, so I am cheating by picking three songs for this entry, but these three songs encompass in a nutshell why Versus was arguably the best indie rock band of the 90's. Stream the whole album here






fig 8. Ted Leo/Pharmacists' The Brutalist Bricks



13. Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Gimme The Wire




fig 9. Retribution Gospel Choir



12. Retribution Gospel Choir - Hide It Away






fig 10. Surfer Blood



11. Surfer Blood - Swim (To Reach The End)

Despite The Mix, Vol. 13

The Corin Tucker Band

Just a few new tracks and an oldie but goodie from Milemarker. Enjoy.

The Corin Tucker Band - Doubt (mp3)
The Thermals - I Don't Believe You (mp3)
Ra Ra Riot - Boy (mp3)
No Age - Fever Dreaming (mp3)
The Gutter Twins - Idle Hands (mp3)
Club 8 - Closer Now (mp3)
Black Mountain - Old Fangs (mp3)
Milemarker - Frigid Forms Sells You Warmth (mp3)