In a year saturated with songs, these ten stuck out as ones that we will be listening to for years and slipping onto mixes for friends and loves alike:
10) "Just One Of The Guys"- Jenny Lewis: A song, thanks to a video filled with all-star female cameos, is nearly as much fun to watch as it is to sing. Miss Lewis delivers chorus and verse perfect for a circle at a girl scout campfire or a coed college dorm room. Either way, it delivers words that are both fun and philosophical, filling the four minutes perfectly and going well with simple strumming led instrumentation.
9) "Rainbow"- Robert Plant: The old lion roars once more, this time accompanied by a relaxed, full band led by a calm bongo beat. Tender and sweet are two words not newly attributed to a song by Plant but it is both reassuring and entertaining to hear him do it once more in 2014. If only the same could be said for leading Led Zeppelin.
8) "Heavenly Father"- Bon Iver: You have got to be a mover and shaker to inspire Justin Vernon to get the boys of Bon Iver back together and record a song. And that is exactly what Zach Braff is. Coincidentally, that is exactly what this song makes you do: move and shake, in a familiar way, just as "Wish I Was Here" undoubtedly felt familiar to "Garden State." In just over four minutes, and through a loop, the moniker meaning "Happy Winter" makes you smile, wonder, ponder, and feel a little happy. Now go make another album!
7) "Scarecrow"- Counting Crows: No Mr. Jones this time for Adam and the gang, but instead an all American rocker in every sense of that cliche phrase. In all seriousness, it is beyond nice to hear a band from a decade now sometimes classified as classic rock still able fire on all cylinders and provide the perfect backdrop for lyrics as mystically pop as one of their first hits (Mr. Jones). A native species ear worm that slows down, speeds up, and equals a lot fun.
6) "A Sky Full of Stars"- Coldplay: With an assist from Avicii, Chris and the crew add another single to their solar system of hits. More catchy than contemplative, it works nicely as a bookend to "Yellow" when Martin first invoked the Heavens. Say what you will about the album, this one belongs right up there with Coldplay's best and definitely goes on any serious Coldplay mix.
5) "Rather Be"- Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne: A perfectly smooth around the edges piece of synth pop that is a pleasure no one needs to feel guilty for turning it up loud when it comes on the radio or downloading it onto your computer to enjoy in quiet moments. I deem there to be enough integrity, both musically and lyrically, for it to serve as part of the soundtrack to any romance.
4) "Zigzagging Toward The Light"- Conor Oberst: No longer needing to be known by a moniker referring to his optical light, Oberst brings it all back home in some sorts in this opening to track to his Americana meets today's alternative album released back in May. Fun to both tap and sing along to, it showcases craftsmanship defined by full band involvement and earnest, reflective lyrics. A great introduction to new fans and a reward to those who have been along for the full journey, it is nice to know Orberst has an idea of where he is going.
3) "Lost In The Dream"- The War On Drugs: The lush title-track from album filled with ambient anthems, this one offers a sentiment on an experience we all strive for while moving at a medium pace and bringing in all the instruments that serve as the ingredients for the album's effort. Together they all play, taking turns, and working together to, along with some contemplative lines, provide four minutes of contentment. In effect, the listener gets a little lost.
2) "Gotta Get Away"- The Black Keys: A catchy throwback tune that serves to close out to the album, it also works nicely as a piece of radio gold. It doesn't have the bite of "Tighten Up", but instead captures the release of a man letting go. Dan Auerbach, having shared it all on the preceding tracks, has some fun with his drummer/best friend Pat. As accessible as "Tighten Up" it draws the listener in for less shifts in tempo, but just as much fun. Plus any chorus that can name drop Kalamazoo is just a good time.
1) "Happy Idiot"- TV On The Radio: If you choose to carry on after the death of a band member, it should be with a dance beat and lyrics about love lost. Blending them together, TV On The Radio deliver a song that encapsulates the struggle between joy and knowledge, mirroring the tension between indie and pop found in this song. I hear purposeful instrumentation paired with lyrics written from dipping into the well of pop's cannon. Similar to #4, this very well can serve as the introduction to an act that has for years made critically acclaimed music. With this track, they just happened to make the year's best song.
