Snakes + Ladders

OK, so once a year I’ll stop talking about myself and my friends, and post up all the songs I’ve really been listening to the most over the past year … which apparently consists mostly of over-produced, hyperactive pop hits … ’tis a markedly different list from last year, which was filled with really dark + intense songs … sorry to get all inward-eye for a second, but perhaps it’s a reflection of my year, which was honestly a helluva lot more fun than 2010. thanx to you, dear reader + friend, for making this year a little lighter for me.

again, this is not a list of songs from 2011 … in fact I think a lot of them are from 2010 … but whatever … oh and if you’re a giant nerd, download all these songs here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/nd0tit

Farley Jackmaster Funk ft Darryl Pandy – “Love Can’t Turn Around”

one of the weirdest experiences of the year was discovering this smash hit from 1986 and then having the singer die just a few weeks later … it is so important that you watch this video, Darryl Pandy is one of a kind, makes you want to laugh and cry and scream all at once
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Britney Spears – “Till The World Ends”

also: “I Wanna Go” and “Inside Out”

OK, real talk people – three or four songs from Britney Spears’ last album were some of my favourite songs of 2011. this shit is the most subversive mainstream music has been for ages, completely psychotic and paranoid and dehumanized and mechanical and futuristic and post-apocalyptic (especially the video of course) – the same feeling I get from plenty of “DIY”-styled shit but blown up to a million-dollar budget. I liked this for the same reason I liked Transformers 2. except Transformers 2 doesn’t make me want to squirm like a sex-crazed honey bee.
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Purity Ring – “Lofticries”

this sets the bar so incredibly high. the most chills-inducing music I’ve heard all year. and a really fucking cool and elaborate live show too…

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Katy Perry – “Teenage Dream”

no matter how vapid and shitty you may think Katy Perry, the lyrics to this song dumb down some pretty heavy stuff::: “let’s go all the way tonight, no regrets, just love … this is real, now take a chance and don’t ever look back!”
sounds like rave logic to me
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David Lynch – “Good Day Today”

I definitely HAD to include this… the theme song of the Grimes/Doldrums tour in march, documented by Marilis Cardinal HERE… one of the best experiences I’ve had with friends, on tour, in the sun, driving across america, evvvvah … really set the tone for the rest of the year I think
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Robyn – “Indestructible”

also: “Call Your Girlfriend” and “Time Machine”
Robyn is killin it right now, enough said
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Tears For Fears – “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”

also: “Head Over Heels” and “Mad World”
is it just me or was 2011 the year that everyone seemed to randomly re-discover Tears For Fears???? I met so many different people who seemed to be super-excited about them… like they are some “cool new band from Brooklyn”… just one of those things I guess…
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Aphex Twin – “Ageispolis”

also: “Xtal” and“Pulsewidth” … the whole album really… I think I listened to that record more than any other in 2011. I was never really into Aphex Twin beyond those crazy Chris Cunningham videos, then my friend Sebastian put on this record while we drove into the sunset in Texas on the Grimes/Doldrums tour… extraterrestrial peace and tranquility and warmth!!
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Fucked Up – “Queen of Hearts”

ok, ain’t gonna lie, I could not make it through David Comes To Life even once… it’s just too damn long!
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Braids – “In Kind”

my brother played me a recording of this new Braids song they did at Hillside he had on his Zoom … this song is just scarily beautiful, makes my hair stand on end and my skin feel cold… the version from the Polaris awards is amazing too, watch it HERE
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Marnie Stern – “Don’t Stop Believin’”

so triumphant!! ebullient, even!! I won’t stop believing, Marnie I won’t!!!
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Madonna – “Get Into The Groove”

some of my favourite moments from Doldrums sets over the past year have been when Airick just stops the music and plays “Get Into The Groove” in it’s entirety

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Cyndi Lauper – “Money Changes Everything”

look who it is!! that last high note ahhhhh!!!
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Bjork – “Possibly Maybe” (Lucy Mix)

I watched all these videos again after writing about them, and this one … just WOW … people do NOT make vids like this anymore … also when she sings “electric shocks” it sounds like she just got zapped by an eel and it gives me chills
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Cocteau Twins – “Heaven Or Las Vegas”

also: “Sugar Hiccup”
I’ve loved this band for awhile, but really got into them this year … originally cuz they sounded a bit like Jane Siberry
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Jay-Z and Kanye West – “Why I Love You”

yah, I know, it’s that other song … but have you LISTENED to that other song?? it is not as good.
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Fleetwood Mac – “Dreams”

another song that people will always love … but this year it seemed to be EVERYWHERE…
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Oneonitrix Point Never – “Returnal”

it’s really blowing my mind that this guy is somehow becoming a household name by making freaky ambient music … why does it stand out so much??? I dunno, but this track certainly does
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Pixies – “Trompe Le Monde”

there is just no reason why the Pixies SHOULDN’T be on this list. this is a really cool vid.
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a good way to cap off this list I think … another track often played in the middle of Doldrums sets, an incredible climax, and an amazing voice