Bull Roar!

This year has been both an emotional roller-coaster and a top-down drive through the night! Those songs that resonated with me, the ones that brought out the personal epiphanies, and the ones that just wouldn't leave are what I am listing here for you all to soak in. Requirements to get onto this year's compendium are just like the other years': the song pretty much had to be unheard by me before. I like to think I am still a little hip, although I probably never was in the first place, so I do have a percentage of songs that actually came out in 2010. If you are one of those nit-pickers who is going to have a stroke because I listed a song from 1973 here, you have been dutifully warned and you will have to read this post at your own discretion (I have since added asterisks to the songs I think came out this year). The rest of you will hopefully discover a song or two here that will change or define your life as it has done mine. Thanks for reading!

Annie
*My Love is Better
From last year's Don't Stop album, Norwegian pop genius delivers again with this stand-up single!

Antoine Dodson
*Bed Intruder Song (Autotune)
"He's climbin' in your windows!"

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
*Bright Lit Blue Skies
A groovy, surfy cover of the 1966 RamRod's classic! A summer feel-good gem!

Belinda Carlisle
Runaway Horses
This song is one of two on this list that I have heard before, but I haven't listened to it for years. I was getting pretty sentimental about love and stuff sometime this year and this kept getting stuck in my head. If I were ever to drive off a cliff, this pulse-pounding driving pop song would be my final anthem.

Benoît Pioulard
Ash Into the Sky
A late addition to the list- a friend of mine, Jenn B. recently posted it on facebook and I was instantly enthralled!

Best Coast
Best Coast is certainly one of my favorite bands of the year. Beth Cosentino has the voice of a summer sunset. "Crazy For You" is arguably one of the best albums of the year.
*Boyfriend

*Crazy For You

*When I'm With You

Sun Was High (So Was I)

Beyonce
*Why Don't You Love Me
Beyonce's association with Lady Gaga was nothing short of brilliant. After their pairing Beyonce dropped this single, one I don't think got enough accolades.

The Bird and the Bee
*I Can't Go For That
A ridiculously effective cover of the great Hall and Oates song! Quite indicative of the entire album. A joy to listen (and sing along) to.

Brigitte Bardot
Moi Je Joue
Never heard this until it was used in some dumb tv commercial this year.

Camera Obscura
*My Maudlin Career
Title track to last year's amazing album. I couldn't stop listening to this song, nor stop watching the self-professed, self-indulgent video which featured various clips of the band on tour. I saw Camera Obscura play in concert twice this year! "This maudlin career has come to an end, I don't want to be sad again." I have a total crush on one of the band members in this video, big-time.

Caribou
*Odessa
A nightmarish-sounding song that is impossible to not want to dance to! I'm a big Caribou fan!

Carstairs
It Really Hurts Me Girl
Ohmygosh, I really, really buried myself into songs that made up the Northern Soul movement this year! Incredibly infectious, well-crafted Mo-town style tunes that ended up becoming huge hits in England in the late 1960's and into the seventies. This is one of my favorites!

Charlie Ash
I Wanna Sex You Up (Colour Me Badd Cover) (BL Rewind 2)
Amazing, catchy right-to-the-point cover of the laaaaame early 90's hit. In my honest opinion, this reworking raises the bar for all other cover songs!

Chris Montez
Call Me
I first heard "Call Me" listening and watching Frankie Valli at Summerfest this year. I went home and found this original version by Mr. Montez who's best known for his early rock hit "Let's Dance." After that hit he was influenced by Sergio Mendes and Herb Alpert and did a cover of Petula Clark's "Call Me." When this song first came out everyone thought it was a girl singing. Anyway, this song affable as it is catchy.

Christina Aguilera
*Not Myself Tonight
I think Christina Aquilera is a real ass-hat sex clown. But this song is too damn stupid to not get down to!

The Clientele
*I Wonder Who We Are
Modern, wispy 1960's Mersey-sounding dream-cats!

Cliff Richard
We Don't Talk Anymore
A big hit that I haven't heard in decades. Cliff was and is a HUGE star in Britain. Since the 1950's he's been putting out hit after hit- he's pretty much the British Elvis. In America, he's probably best known for his unforgettable duet with Olivia Newton-John on "Suddenly." Thanks, Matt for bringing this back to my attention!

Cloetta Paris
Did We Collide?
Oh wow! This song is a few years old, but I just heard it a couple weeks ago. Easily, it begs comparison to any of the Sally Shapiro discography. Swedish, wispy dream Italo-disco pop with a hint of mystery and fragility.

Coldplay
Don't Panic
Never really listened to Coldplay before, this chillout tune reminds me of two separate things. One, it reminds me of the public policy projects I worked on this last fall semester: the flooding in Whitefish Bay, the phosphorus levels in the MMSD wastewater effluent, and the disaster planning problems. Then it reminds me, on an entirely non-kitchy level, of an old friend who's back in my life.

Crystal Castles
*Celestica
Dreamy elf-disco with a lot of synth probably produced on a Mac.

Cults
*Go Outside
When I hear this song I like to think I'm hearing it waft out the door of an old church or auditorium. Full of life and breathing soul into you on a cold day.

Cut Copy
*Where I'm Going
This will be sacrilegious to some readers, but this is what you would get if the Beatles and the Beach Boys were one group and started making music now instead of the sixties.

Dar Williams
I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono
One of my favorite driving songs this year, I'm sure many people saw me singing along to this little gem! I've included an interview session with Dar here. Fast-forward to the 5:40 mark to listen to Dar sing this song.

David Archuleta
*Something 'Bout Love
I know I'll get crucified for this, but I really like this guy- he has a great voice and a sincere personality. Guess, I'm addicted to songs about virgins singing wise songs about love! Little Archie needs a hug, and I do too.

David Lynch
*Good Day Today
I've been a fan of most of Lynch's films: Blue Velvet, Straight Story, Mullholland Dr.,as well as the soundtracks to those movies that featured old-time hits by Roy Orbison and Linda Scott, and new songs by Angelo Badelementi and Julee Cruise. Now the director has ventured into the music world to create his own stuff. Right before I listened I had a pre-conceived notion of what I was going to hear, maybe some old dark moody jazz, but what I heard was a blessing. Synths and distortion with a melody.

Dev
*Booty Bounce
I joked earlier on facebook that this song is the ultimate hipster jazzercise song, and I still stand by that. This song is most famous for being the skeleton of that stupid G6 song that's being played about 17 million times on the radio at this very moment.

The Divine Comedy
*At The Indie Disco
This British singer gets it right, singing a love song to all my favorite indie hits! "Give us some Pixies, and some Roses, and some Valentines!" and "She makes my heart beat the same way as at the start of 'Blue Monday...'" Wow!

Don Ray
Born a Loser
Whenever I'm down in the dumps, I can think of this Northern Soul classic and see how being born a loser can make you want to reach such soaring heights!

Dragonette
*Pick Up The Phone
Due to blah blah blah, this song really hit me real bad this summer. It distills what was perfect about 80s dream power pop and 70's glam and rolls it into a emotional electro-disco pick-me up.

The Drums
Another one of my favorite albums of year, every song is a classic indie new-wave surfer hit!
*Best Friend

*Let's Go Surfing

*It Will All End In Tears

Dum Dum Girls
*Baby Don't Go
Sounds like the Concretes taking on the Sonny and Cher classic.

Edith Piaf
Non Je Ne Regrette Rien
From that horrible Inception movie, the only thing I took away was the music. Hans Zimmer worked his magic, and the use of this Edith Piaf song stuck with me much longer than any of the rest of the macho movie masturbation.

Enrique Iglesias
I have a love/hate relationship with Enrique Iglesias' music. Half of it pure crap, but then he elevates the rest of it to the pinnacles of pop heaven. Real good to listen to when you are crushing on someone! The fact that he sounds like he's crying his songs really works my emotions to the bone.
*I Like It

*Heartbeat

*No Me Digas Que No

Erykah Badu
*Window Seat
The video was pure spectacle as Badu slowly disrobed until she was nude as she walked along Dealey Plaza in front of all, but the song is a modern soul classic. Real groovy.

The Flaming Lips & Stardeath and White Dwarfs
Oh wow!!!! From the awesome, awesome cover of Madonna's "Borderline" to this! These three groups with the help of Henry Rollins and Peaches create one of the most "did they really do that???" moments in music history. They effing covered the entire "Dark Side of the Moon." And Holy Balls is it great! It's been a great year for covers- The Bird and the Bee doing Hall and Oates, Flaming Lips covering Floyd, and then there's Charlie Ash, the Dum Dum Girls and a bunch of others coming up!
*The Great Gig In the Sky (feat. Peaches & Henry Rollins)

*Speak to Me / Breathe (feat. Henry Rollins & Peaches)

Fleet Foxes
English House
This song is sooo beautiful! I got my hands on soo much music this year and the last, that some of the stuff that came my way last year is still filtering in. I'm elevated when they are singing "My love, oooooh my love" acapella. So powerful and beautiful.

Francois & The Atlas Mountains
I became obsessed with Francois and the Atlas Mountains after months of trying to figure out who the mystery member of Camera Obscura was in their "Maudlin Career" video. Lots of internet snooping and detective work led me to the fact that Francois is a brilliant artist who has a mind for music and all types of art. Real friendly, he helped out TraceyAnne's band during a tour. What a guy! He did a lot of the artwork for these videos by hand!
I'm So Glad I Met You

Be Water (Je suis de l’eau)

Tracey Emin

The Generationals
*Trust
I love the guitar in this song! Oh, and the drums! "That you're living in a way out world!"

Gitte Henning
Every Little Star
I've been a huuuuge fan of the Linda Scott version ever since I was a little kid, and even more so after it was included in a scene of David Lynch's Mullholland Drive. This year I discovered that there was a version done by early 1960's German chanteuse Gitte Henning! I love that far-out and simple sound!

Goldfrapp
*Rocket
Although I enjoyed Goldfrapp's last album, Seventh Tree- a lot of fans were disappointed it was a quiet album without a focus on driving electro-rhythms. But then Goldfrapp returned with "Rocket!" Wow! "You're never coming back!" A break-up song that breaks the disco seal.

Horace Heidt
I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire
I can not for the life of me figure out how this particular song came into my life, but this super golden oldie from 1941 had me singing along for days-

Janelle Monáe
Nothing but genius!!! I am convinced Janelle should be named the new Queen of Music. Holy shiz! Every song is devastatingly right-on as she covers all bases and styles- Michael Jackson here, Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder there, classical, pop, rock, everything!. In concert, she is a power-house. You will hear more from her, she's just getting started!
*Dance Or Die (Feat. Saul Williams)

*Locked Inside

*Wondaland

Jay Electronica
*Exhibit C (Main)
I'm in love with his use of samples, reminiscent of the Avalanches, but with a coooool nostalgic hip-hop flavor.

Jay-Z
Empire State Of Mind (Featuring Alicia Keys)
I'm sure all of you and your great-grandmas have heard this song but somehow I didn't hear it until this year! Was a nice back-drop song when I returned to NYC this fall!

Jo Lemaire And Flouze
Je Suis Venue Te Dire Que Je M'en Vais
I heard of cover version of this song which in itself is a breathy 80's synth cover of the famous Serge Gainsbourg song!

Josh Rouse
*Valencia
Rouse has been soaking up the culture of Spain after moving there a few years ago. As you all probably know, he's one of my favorite musicians out there right now and I can't see him doing any wrong! Although, he likes to take down and block any videos of his music on youtube. This video isn't the album version, but a live street rendition. I want to move to Spain. I also included a song I haven't heard before way back in the day when Josh worked with Kurt Wagner.

Josh Rouse/Kurt Wagner
That's What I Know
click here to listen

Katy Perry
*Teenage Dream
Pop-sludge that won't come off no matter how much I scrub!

Ke$ha
*We R Who We R
I caught an incurable STD from listening to this song and now I'm passing it off to you.

Kelis
*22nd Century
Ms. Milkshake hits us hard with a futuristic new dance album where "We are the Stars, We are Stars, and Everybody's Dancing!"

Kings Go Forth
*One Day
Wow! Milwaukee's own Kings channeling the souls of Curtis Mayfield and other great dance-soul groups!

Kylie Minogue
More from Kylie- not sure if she took over America yet, but it's a good try! I included an inspiring video where she's singing with the PS22 school class!
*Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)

*Cupid Boy

La Roux
Reminiscent of Yaz, very 1980's new wave. She scares me.
*Bulletproof
click here for youtube video

Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce
*Telephone
Just because I'm a fan of prison bitches.

Leslie & The LY's
"Yo Grandma! Yo Grandpa!" "I'm like an Expiration Date, I'm so Tight!"
"Watch out for my Body Rolls!" "Activate your Dance-floor Kitty!"
"Don't blame me, Blame my booty- It's such a cutie!" "Corn-fed Unwed Drop-Dead Girl. Just a Bootilicious Booty Breaking Your Heart!"
Ring A Ding-Ding

*Tight Pants/Body Rolls

Blame the Booty (NSL's bottom-heavy remix)

Lily Allen
*F*** You
I could happily sing this to a few choice people this year!

Linda Griner
Goodbye Cruel Love
A favorite Northern Soul shaker of mine! "Now I'm leaving you behind...I've got to move on!" Love the horn section!

Loveninjas
Keep Your Love
A favorite little ditty from a Swedish pop-rock band featured on the Labrador label.
click here to listen

M.I.A.
Zealous political commentary. The video sticks in your mind for awhile- but its the music I'm into.
*Born Free

The Magnectic Fields
*We Are Having A Hootenanny
The Magnetic Fields came out with a stripped down album after releasing "Distortion" last year. I picked this song because they say the word "Hootenanny" and they buzzzzzzzz!(Well, not in this live version that I posted, shucks!)

Major Lazer
The most effed up videos in a long time. I wonder if the women in Keep it Going know what was being done to their faces. Incredible!
Keep It Goin' Louder feat. Nina Sky & Ricky Blaze

Pon De Floor' feat. VYBZ Kartel
click here for youtube video

Mary J. Blige
*Whole Lotta Love
Wow! I've gotten soooo into Zeppelin this year and then to find out Blige covered them- and sooo incredibly!

The Mary Onettes
*Puzzles
This band has risen above being a Swedish Echo and the Bunnymen wannabe group. Haunting pop.

Mastgrr
Cooking by the Book (lil' Bigger Mix)
"You gotta do the cookin' by the book!" Amazing mashup of the kids' show Lazy Town with Lil John!

Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA has been a joy to listen to as I drive home to Beaver Dam from school. I've been putting his songs on mix cds. Very American music.
Halloween

Snow Day

Minnie Riperton
Les Fleur
Most famous for singing the oft-sung and parodied "Loving You," Minnie put out an astounding collection of music in her short life. I discovered her discography this year and this is by far one of my favorites!

Monie Love
I found this late 80's forgotten Afrocentric favorite on a mix-tape from a thrift shop!!!
Grandpa's Party

The Morning Benders
These guys make me want to be like twenty years younger- I think they are pure genius and their enthusiasm for music is dangerously infectious. Probably my favorite new band of the year.
*Excuses

Lovefool (Cardigans Cover)

Nancy Sinatra
Call Me
Her version of Petula Clark's hit. Yeah, I know I have this song on the list three times!

The New Pornographers
*Your Hands (Together)
This song is a total self-confidence booster!

Oh No Ono
*Swim
Part Passion Pit and part Knife. Dreamy in a disturbed after-school special way.

Olivia Newton-John
I can't believe I am still discovering ONJ songs. "Winterwood" is a cover of a Don MacLean song. Became a favorite of mine after I put it on a special winter-driving mix cd I made a couple weeks ago. I'm still trying to figure out if its about breaking up or meeting a new love. "Twist of Fate" is a song I have heard before but never resonated with me until this year. :^)
Winterwood

Twist Of Fate

Pat Lundi
Party Music
Another Norther Soul booty shaker!

Petula Clark
Call Me
The original Call Me. Love it (well except for what I think is an awkward ending)! Warm, upbeat, and hopeful!

Phoenix
Girlfriend
When I hear this song I feel like my blood flows in synch. Pure pop deliciousness!

The Radio Dept.
This band has been one of those where any song of them helps reflect upon what I've been feeling. I had a big heartbreak earlier this year, a couple of family pets passed away, meeting new loves and wow, so much! Life's incredible and music is a gateway to the feelings to what's going on, blah blah blah, I just really like the band!
*Heaven's on Fire

Pet Grief

Reparata & The Delrons
It's like Leslie Gore wannabe got a hold of the Sapphires incredible hit (which btw, was one of my absolute faves of 2009!)
Who Do You Love?

Rihanna
*Only Girl
I can't help love this song (and video)! The production on this song is out of this world.

Robyn
I think Robyn (haha, of course from Sweden) is probably the best pop powerhouse act out there right now. If you haven't checked her out, you'll have your choice of records. She's coming out with three all within a year!
*Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do

*Dancing On My Own

Röyksopp
*The Drug
Last year the Norwegian act put out part one of a dual album project, the upbeat and dancey "Junior." Then this year they released "Senior." It's a bit more chill!

The Runaways
Wasted
I saw the movie and thought, "eh.."- but it was a chance to discover old Runaways music I haven't heard before. This one is a definite favorite.

Sally Shapiro
*Save Your Love
I featured a bunch of Swedish electro-synth disco star Sally Shapiro in past years' lists, but this one song stood out this year from its inclusion on some roadtrip mixes I made. I can't wait for a new album!

The Sapphires
Evil One
It's been a difficult chore trying to find the 1960's girl-group The Sapphires discography, but with a tremendous amount of effort, I now own quite a collection of them. These girls could outsing the lot of them!

She & Him
*Gonna Get Along Without You Now
Surprising cover of an arcane 1950's song made kind of famous by sister act Patience and Prudence, a sweet little group that bring up malt-shake memories of classic American youth. Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward do good here.

Sheena Easton
Telephone
Another song that somehow escaped me all my life until now! Reminds me of some people in life who would rather avoid situations rather than face them, making them needlessly worse. Sheena sing it!

Siouxsie & The Banshees
Halloween
Featured on a Halloween mix I made this year, I kept this on rotation well into December! Whenever I hear this powerful song I picture the perfect "rock as art" lifestyle that Siouxsie helped create.

Speidells
Crystal Blue Persausion
I had to include it because it is such a bizarre rendition of one of my favorite songs of all time. Is that a cowbell I hear?

Spoon
*Who Makes Your Money

Squarepusher
Tommib
I've heard this before, but the song came to mind as I was walking around one of those cricket-chirping summer nights discussing life issues with a friend. So beautiful I made a video for it, thanks Squarepusher!

Taio Cruz
*Dynamite
I only include this dumb song because it reminds me of one of the best nights I've had in a long time!

Tame Impala
*Solitude is Bliss

Toro Y Moi
*Blessa
One of the most beautiful songs of the year!
click here for youtube video

Underworld
*Always Loved A Film

Vampire Weekend
*Horchata

Wanda Jackson
*You Know That I'm No Good (Amy Winehouse Cover)
Rock legend Wanda Jackson returns with the help of Jack White to turn out this wicked version of Amy Winehouse's famous song.