I always struggle with the idea of ranking music – I don't know how to decide that one song I love is better than another song I love. So I will list these in alphabetical order so as not to suggest that I like any one more or less than any other. A download link to a zip file with most of these songs follows this post, with permission granted by the artists themselves, so that you can hear them and fall in love too. Happy Christmas/Hanukkah/Holidad to you. (Where labels and such would not authorize downloads, I've provided video instead.)
OK! My favorite Boston songs of 2009!
"The Cuddle" by Ad Frank & the Fast Easy Women
Ad's vocals so perfectly combine vulnerability and ferocity, and then Sarah Rabdau comes in with that gorgeous chorus, and the whole thing builds so terrifically to the climax about fucking in hell, and afterwards I need a cigarette.
"My Delivery" by Andy Santospago
Formerly of The Vinyl Skyway, Andy has embarked on his own solo venture. This song is a demo from his upcoming sophomore solo release, and if it's any indication, that's gonna be a hell of a record.
"Happy" by Antiques
Timmy and Steve can do no wrong by me.
"Go To You" by Apple Betty
Hard to pick a favorite from this year's Streakin' Cross the Sky, especially when you consider it has kazoo solos(!!!), but in the end I picked "Go To You" for the lyrics: "You play with my heart when you play your guitar..." Yeah. You totally do. Sigh.
"Awesome Chariot Theme" by Awesome Chariot
Ok. It's 9pmish on August 29th 2009. This crazy idea of mine has come to fruition after months (years even!) of planning, and we're about to start hearing the results of One Night Band. OMG it's going to be such a shit show, total disaster, I'll be ruined, nobody will ever want to... Wait. What's this? The most awesome song ever, opening the night? AWESOME.
"All The Things You've Been Missing" by The Beatings
The things I said before about not being able to rank music? Hogwash. The Beatings have long been my favorite band in this town. There, I said it, so what.
"Left For Dead" by Bridget and the Squares
Laura Bridget Regan left us for Brooklyn this year, but this still makes my list for its contagious groove.
"Party All Nite" by The Bynars
I'm looking forward to hearing more from The Bynars. This song and the others I've heard from them display a keen ability to write hooks that infect the hell out of me. Party on, Wayne.
"Hannah, Please" by Drug Rug
Tommy and Sarah haven't let me down yet, and their 2009 sophomore release, Paint the Fence Invisible, delivered on the promise of their 2007 debut. Keep it up you two!
"All My Friends Are CFOs" by Father Abraham (feat. Grant Damon and The Young Dads)
Abe Kinkopf, aka Father Abraham, will have completed his über-ambitious 52 Pickup project in another two weeks. The entire collection is worthy and impressive, but this one is particularly awesome for its timeliness, killer rhymes and great melody.
"A Method to His Madness" by Gene Dante & the Future Starlets
OK! My favorite Boston songs of 2009!
"The Cuddle" by Ad Frank & the Fast Easy Women
Ad's vocals so perfectly combine vulnerability and ferocity, and then Sarah Rabdau comes in with that gorgeous chorus, and the whole thing builds so terrifically to the climax about fucking in hell, and afterwards I need a cigarette.
"My Delivery" by Andy Santospago
Formerly of The Vinyl Skyway, Andy has embarked on his own solo venture. This song is a demo from his upcoming sophomore solo release, and if it's any indication, that's gonna be a hell of a record.
"Happy" by Antiques
Timmy and Steve can do no wrong by me.
"Go To You" by Apple Betty
Hard to pick a favorite from this year's Streakin' Cross the Sky, especially when you consider it has kazoo solos(!!!), but in the end I picked "Go To You" for the lyrics: "You play with my heart when you play your guitar..." Yeah. You totally do. Sigh.
"Awesome Chariot Theme" by Awesome Chariot
Ok. It's 9pmish on August 29th 2009. This crazy idea of mine has come to fruition after months (years even!) of planning, and we're about to start hearing the results of One Night Band. OMG it's going to be such a shit show, total disaster, I'll be ruined, nobody will ever want to... Wait. What's this? The most awesome song ever, opening the night? AWESOME.
"All The Things You've Been Missing" by The Beatings
The things I said before about not being able to rank music? Hogwash. The Beatings have long been my favorite band in this town. There, I said it, so what.
"Left For Dead" by Bridget and the Squares
Laura Bridget Regan left us for Brooklyn this year, but this still makes my list for its contagious groove.
"Party All Nite" by The Bynars
I'm looking forward to hearing more from The Bynars. This song and the others I've heard from them display a keen ability to write hooks that infect the hell out of me. Party on, Wayne.
"Hannah, Please" by Drug Rug
Tommy and Sarah haven't let me down yet, and their 2009 sophomore release, Paint the Fence Invisible, delivered on the promise of their 2007 debut. Keep it up you two!
"All My Friends Are CFOs" by Father Abraham (feat. Grant Damon and The Young Dads)
Abe Kinkopf, aka Father Abraham, will have completed his über-ambitious 52 Pickup project in another two weeks. The entire collection is worthy and impressive, but this one is particularly awesome for its timeliness, killer rhymes and great melody.
"A Method to His Madness" by Gene Dante & the Future Starlets
Thanks to Gene & co.'s 2009 Rumble appearance this became an anthem of the Boston music landscape in 2009. My friend Glenn and I sing this while we get ready for a night out; this song and a nice scotch (and a killer suit, if you're Glenn) are the ingredients for the perfect kick start.
"Hot Little Item" by Hands and Knees
Et tu Fluffy? was one of my favorites of 2008 but I can sneak it in here because it was re-released on Midriff in 2009. This song is a masterful jangly-pop number where all the pieces perfectly fall into place.
"Fade Into Grey" by I, Pistol
I, Pistol somehow writes songs that I feel like I've always known. "Fade Into Grey" begins quietly and slowly and steadily butterflies into a satisfying, encompassing rocker that you'd have a hard time ignoring.
"Gottagetouttahere" by The Lights Out
Gotta gotta get out, gotta gotta get out, gotta get out, gotta get outta here. Rinse, repeat, catch the fever, dance. A perfect hit.
"Getaway Car" by The Luxury
This is the one that got stuck in my head at all the Rumble shows when our heroes showed us how it's done. Every time I see The Luxury play live I get goosebumps all over again.
"River Suck" by Marc Pinansky
You know Marc as the long-haired bearded rocker at the help of Township, but his solo songs show a softer side of Marc. One of the most gifted songwriters in Boston right now, and an all-around great guy.
"Strange Man" by Mean Creek
This song is just sublime. The dreamy harmonies, the dramatic buildup... exactly why Mean Creek is Boston's best new (hmm?) Americana (what?) act. (Or something like that.)
"Crime of the Century" by MEandJOANCOLLINS
The first time I saw M&JC live (and I believe one of their very first shows ever), Bo Barringer ended up on the PA's floor stripped down to his skivvies. We just knew these kids were going places.
"Bad Side" by Naked On Rollerskates
I didn't know what to expect from our gal Leesa & company, and color me fantastically impressed by this song. I predict big things for Naked On Rollerskates in 2010.
"Going Through the Motions" by The New Alibis
What a perfect punk rock album these guys made. Annnnd then they broke up. Bummer.
"Summer Song" by #1 Dad & DJ Fred Mertz
Get this one out of your head. Go ahead.
Uh huh.
"Hot Little Item" by Hands and Knees
Et tu Fluffy? was one of my favorites of 2008 but I can sneak it in here because it was re-released on Midriff in 2009. This song is a masterful jangly-pop number where all the pieces perfectly fall into place.
"Fade Into Grey" by I, Pistol
I, Pistol somehow writes songs that I feel like I've always known. "Fade Into Grey" begins quietly and slowly and steadily butterflies into a satisfying, encompassing rocker that you'd have a hard time ignoring.
"Gottagetouttahere" by The Lights Out
Gotta gotta get out, gotta gotta get out, gotta get out, gotta get outta here. Rinse, repeat, catch the fever, dance. A perfect hit.
"Getaway Car" by The Luxury
This is the one that got stuck in my head at all the Rumble shows when our heroes showed us how it's done. Every time I see The Luxury play live I get goosebumps all over again.
"River Suck" by Marc Pinansky
You know Marc as the long-haired bearded rocker at the help of Township, but his solo songs show a softer side of Marc. One of the most gifted songwriters in Boston right now, and an all-around great guy.
"Strange Man" by Mean Creek
This song is just sublime. The dreamy harmonies, the dramatic buildup... exactly why Mean Creek is Boston's best new (hmm?) Americana (what?) act. (Or something like that.)
"Crime of the Century" by MEandJOANCOLLINS
The first time I saw M&JC live (and I believe one of their very first shows ever), Bo Barringer ended up on the PA's floor stripped down to his skivvies. We just knew these kids were going places.
"Bad Side" by Naked On Rollerskates
I didn't know what to expect from our gal Leesa & company, and color me fantastically impressed by this song. I predict big things for Naked On Rollerskates in 2010.
"Going Through the Motions" by The New Alibis
What a perfect punk rock album these guys made. Annnnd then they broke up. Bummer.
"Summer Song" by #1 Dad & DJ Fred Mertz
Get this one out of your head. Go ahead.
Uh huh.
"Bonus" by OldJack
This is a late addition because I was trying to figure out if this song is actually called "Bonus" or if it's just a bonus track. According to Dan Nicklin it's a little of both – this is the band's Christmas song with an acoustic arrangement and some slight word changes to de-Christmatize it, and thus the title "Xmas Song" no longer worked so it got dubbed "Bonus." Well regardless, it's such a pretty little ballad. DOWNLOAD here.
"I Can't Find Your Head" by The Peppermint Patties
This band took One Night Band to an epic level by recording their newly written songs during the 8-ish hours they existed. That resulted in local radio airplay. MASSIVE success.
"Marlboro Lights Light My Way" by The Pink Meninos
Another One Night Band hit. Darron Burke's perfectly timed whistle takes the catchy reggae groove to the next level. Considering the star power in this band (Burke, Tony Savarino, Adam Richie, Pez, Sarah Guild), we shouldn't have expected anything but spectacular anyway. And we got it. (And I'm pretty sure I hear Phil Fleming singing louder than anyone else during the audience participation portion.)
"Dancing With Her Friends" by Sidewalk Driver
Oh Tad. Tad, Tad, Tad. How did they stuff so much awesome into just one man?
"Good For Nothing" by Televandals
You know from that first guitar lick that it's gonna be pretty sweet. A really accessible song done so very well.
"Georgia's Song" by The Tony the Bookie Orchestra
When I figure out how to write songs (a goal for 2010), they'll hopefully sound something like what Tony and his gang are doing. I'm so completely enamored with this album. Big heaping portions of both heart and soul.
"How Can I Make You Happy" by Will Dailey
What can I say? Will seems to have it all figured out. He brought the house down at the Paradise earlier this month. He's signed to CBS Records and has made the morning/late night talk show rounds. He hangs with Willie at Farm Aid. And he's one of the very nicest people I know. Will, don't fret, you already make me plenty happy darling.
Ashley's Top Hits of 2009
DOWNLOAD (right-click/control-click)
So what did I miss? What are YOUR favorite Boston songs of 2009? Fire away!
2 comments:
That Awesome Chariot theme song was rather awesome.
ALSO! We'll be releasing ALL of the One Night Band audio in the coming weeks leading up to the special One Night Band reunion shows in Jan/Feb, which we'll tell you more about soon! Keep a lookout.
Post a Comment