Sticking with the new theme around here…this is a playlist with choice songs from a mixed cd I just put in my mom’s PT Cruiser. It’s pretty fast (the car, not the music).

1.  Yellow Ostrich – Marathon Runner

There just isn’t enough time in my days right now. Here’s the new formula around here while I am finishing up my training at the restaurant…instead of trying to do a small posting here and there, my new goal will be to put out a playlist every week. Hopefully that works for you over the next few months until life settles down a bit.

I was pretty excited about some of the live shows that have been announced in Vancouver over the next while. Here are some songs from must-see shows coming to town. Enjoy.

The Pack AD – Gold Rush  Jan 28 @ Rickshaw Theatre 

Alabama Shakes - On Your Way Jan 29 @ The Media Club 

Wilco – California Stars (w/ Billy Bragg) Feb 5 @ Orpheum Theatre 

The Growlers – Feelin Good Mar 3 @ Biltmore Cabaret 

Islands – Creeper Mar 8 @ RIO Theatre 

Plants & Animals – Bye Bye Bye Mar 21 @ Rickshaw Theatre 

Sharon van Etten – Peace Signs Mar 24 @ Biltmore Cabaret 

Yellow Ostrich – Libraries Mar 27 @ Media Club 

Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know Apr 8 @ Vogue 

Yukon Blonde – Rather Be With You Apr 27 @ Commodore 

Brian Jonestown Massacre – Wisdom May 3 @ TBD 

Beirut – Nantes July 28 @ Orpheum Theatre 

And a happy Sunday to you.  Here are a few songs I am listening to this morning.

Free mp3:  The Last Names – The Dirt

Free mp3:  Pogo – Jaaam

Again, sorry for the slacking lately.  My ambition comes and goes…right now it is somewhere in Eastern Europe eating perogies.  Here are a couple of new Brother Ali songs I am listening to this morning.

Free mp3:  Brother Ali – Writer’s Block

Ahh yes, the very first Friday of 2012 is here. I am still getting caught up on all the Top Songs of 2011 from all over the internet BUT this handful of songs have found a way to make it into my eardrums this morning. Hope you enjoy them.

Free mp3:  Conveyor – Mukraker

and just because it is and will always be amazing…

Free mp3:  John Prine & Iris Dement – In Spite of Ourselves

Alright, so here we are at the very first hump day of 2012. I was looking around for some tunes to put a little shuffle in your step today but didn’t find too many. Here is what is playing on my speakers this morning around the house. Enjoy.

Free mp3:  Generationals – Ten-Twenty-Ten

Happy New Year everyone!  I didn’t do much over the holidays except eat too much food. I should have been listening to more music but instead I gained 40 pounds and now I’m fat.  Here are a few newish songs that made their way onto my iPod over the past week or so.  Enjoy!

Free mp3:  The xx – Open Eyes (demo)

Well, you have seen my top 60 songs of 2011 posted on here over the past couple of weeks.  There were a few that I reluctantly left off the list but still think they deserved some credit.  Here are some of the stragglers that just missed out.  Enjoy.

Free mp3:  The Black Keys – Sister

Free mp3:  Say Hi – Bruises To Prove It

Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived.  I am sure you will have your opinions to placing certain songs so highly on my list…just remember, I am a loser with terrible taste in music.

10.  You Won’t – Who Knew

These guys sort of burst onto the scene with a handful of really great songs.  Straight out of Boston, if you get the chance to get your grubby nubbies any of their released tunes then do it.  Here’s hoping that their first full-length album is just as impressive.  Welcome to the Top 10!

9.  Say Hi – Dots On Maps

If you have read this blog in the past then you know I am a rather large Say Hi fan.  Their newest album Um, Uh Oh is great from start to finish.  If you aren’t really familiar with Say Hi but you like any combination of well-written, simple, catchy music then definitely pick up a few of their albums.  ’Dots On Maps’ is one of my favourite songs off the new album.

8.  Oregon Bike Trails – High School Lover

It seems like there are a lot of new artists on this list and Oregon Bike Trails is certainly one of them.  Again, I was sent a link to this song via email from Father/Daughter Records.  After listening to it I immediately emailed them back and bought every record from every artist they released to date.  As with most songs on the Top 10 list, this song has been a staple on almost every playlist that I made throughout 2011 and again…I freaking hope their first full length is as solid as the single.

7.  Phantogram – Don’t Move

This song is so awesome.  I seriously can’t get enough of it.  When Sarah Barthel tells the listener at one point to “keep your body still”, I just don’t see how that’s possible.

6.  M83 –  Midnight City

I’ve seen this song near or at the top of a lot of people’s lists this year.  How can it not be though?  Crazy wild synths, a sexy sax solo, and awesome vocals…it’s the perfect way to start a night out on the town.

5.  Pickwick – Blackout 

Who doesn’t like a little soul in their music? It’s tough to find information on the interweb about Seattle-based Pickwick.  From the band’s Facebook page, I can tell that they are six guys, they have a basement and like vintage gear, vinyl, tape machines, tambourines, shakers, reverb, samplers, wood blocks, falsetto, call & response, vibraphone, sputnik.  After listening to a few of their newly released songs, I can confirm that this sounds about right. My favourite song is Blackout, it is located above, and it kicks all sort of bum bum.

4.  tUnE-yArDs – Powa

It’s been a while since I was this pumped about a new style/genre of music…and to be honest, I don’t really know how to describe the tUnE-yArDs sound.  The first time I saw Merrill Garbus play ‘Gangsta’ live on Jimmy Fallon I was blown away.  Lots of looping, face paint, snarling vocals and a big sound is evident in every song from the tUnE-yArDs 2011 release, w h o k i l l.  Lots of other musical-blogger-type-people included ‘Bizness’ on their top of the year lists, my favourite song is ‘Powa’…hands down.

3.  Charles Bradley – The World (Is Going Up In Flames) 

Speaking of soul, Charles Bradley burst onto the scene (and a lot of ‘Top Song’ lists) this year at the ripe age of 63.  It’s hard to believe that his new album No Time For Dreaming was only released this past year…it has the funk and soul found mainly in recordings from the 1960′s and 70′s.  I dare you to try and not put this song on your next playlist.

2.  Alabama Shakes – I Found You

This was a no-brainer.  I could have put any number of Alabama Shakes songs in this very spot but after long deliberation, went with I Found You.  Along with a few others on this list, I hope that the first full releases from Alabama Shakes is mind blowing.  I love their retro sound and humble internet presence.  Please come to western Canada soon so we can be friends.

AAAAAND drum roll please….

1.  Beirut – East Harlem

I loved Beirut‘s new album, The Rip Tide.  Start to finish. Enough said.  Seeing as ‘East Harlem’ was my favourite song on the record then it should be no surprise that it landed in my #1 spot for the year.  Who doesn’t like a rolling beat, some horns, rim shots and the famous Zach Condon effortlessly amazing vocals?  If winter ever gets you down, just toss on this track, stoke the fire and have a bottle of spiced rum at your hip side.

That everyone, was my top 60 songs of 2011!  I hope you enjoyed it.

You know the drill.  Here are my favourite songs from the past year…#11-20.

20.  San Cisco – Golden Revolver

Another band that came to me in an email.  As soon as I say they were from Australia I was instantly hovering over the trash button but I must have been in a good mood because instead of clicking on the garbage can, I clicked on their bandcamp link.  What I found was this beauty.  Golden Revolver has been a staple of every mix tape from 2011.  Welcome to the top 20 San Cisco!

19.  The Decemberists – Don’t Carry It All

I would love to sit down with The Decemberists in an irish pub and have a few pints, share some stories and have them serenade me.  It was tough to pick my favourite song off their new album ‘The King Is Dead’ but this song is a stand out.  Not much else to say.

18.  AgesandAges – So So Freely

I hadn’t heard much from the Agesandages camp before they nailed a live performance on Daytrotter.  There is so much flow to every song they put out it is ridiculous.  My favourite song off their newest album is So So Freely BUT if you are in the mood for a double dose of awesome tune age then also get out and grab No Nostalgia as well.

17.  Cults – Oh My God

I am pretty sure if you write about music on the World Wide Web then it is mandatory to put a Cults song in your top 20.  Here you go…internet bullies.

16.  Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out

I can’t get enough of this song.  Even though I have very little knowledge of any Florence + The Machine‘s other work, this song just makes me want to cook breakfast for a lot of people.  Not sure why.

15.  41st and Home – Wilderness Eyes

41st and Home came to the table with a pretty solid hand this year…great album, great sound, humble.  Wilderness Eyes starts off really slow and cruisey but then becomes a real sing-along towards the middle.  This might be a little crazy but as of December 18 of 2011, I would consider this one of my favourite road trip songs of all time.  If you are reading this, please let me know when you want to come in for some pizza!  We are hoping to be open at the end of February March.

14.  The Black Keys – Little Black Submarine

I was really close to putting Lonely Boy on this list but opted at the last minute for this track.  I heard someone refer to Little Black Submarine as a modern day Stairway to Heaven…I might not go that far but it still follows the same magical formula.

13.  Fleet Foxes – Grown Ocean

These guys are just straight up jam-makers.  Along with about 55 other artists on this list, it was tough to pick just one song to include from the Fleet Foxes…their newest album, ‘Helplessness Blues’, is just THAT good.

12.  Bon Iver – Calgary

Wow, not in the top 10…I know what you are thinking.  I am just as surprised myself.  It can only mean that I have some real bangers in my next post.  That being said, I love this song and you should too.

11.  Stone Darling – Can You Get To That

I hate to say it but I know very little about Stone Darling.  This song first came onto my radar in May of this year and has been on heavy rotation since then.  It has this twangy, country, garage sound that just hits every sort of spot to perfection.  It’s not too long, not too short…again, basically it is perfect.