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)