Thinking back about all the music I’ve featured around here, I’ve found that I have never done a top 10 list. Oh the travesty. I mean really, having featured thousands of artists over the years and I’ve yet to say hey, lets look back and pick a top 10. Wow. How lame.
Well, today I’m going to break that trend. I’m letting loose with a top 10 of 2011 list. So, let’s see whom I go with and whether or not you actually agree with me on it…
10. Squeaking into the number 10 spot of my countdown is a comedy music group known as Steel Panther. Originally the boys were known as Metal Skool, but had a name change when they became too popular for their own good. For perfection of throwback to 80’s hair metal, it doesn’t get any better than the tongue in cheek nature of these spandex wearing lads. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
9. Squeezing in at the number nine spot is Seth&Zakk. Their track Metaphor from Snakk Pakk is swinging duet from a couple of guys. Yes, I’m man enough to say it and they’re men enough to do it. The simple quality of the instrumentation is offset by their well woven lyrics between them as they harmonize. I won’t say less is more cause that’s not true – less is less, and more is more. What matters is, does it work. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
8. Seeping into the 8th spot is Daniel Levi Goans with Gates of Heaven. It’s a powerful little ditty with a backwoods feel that ebbs into your soul in very strange way. There’s a haunting to this song that really grabs you by the ankles and turns you upside down. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
7. Nate Hall lands firmly at 7th for year with his song Keep Moving On. Solid pop rock in this pulsating track with a vocal that swims like a shark over the music. It’s pointed and stealthy as it lodges in your ear hole. A sneak attack that you wish you would have seen coming. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
6. Planting firmly at spot 6 is Tim Blane with his song No Vacation. Opening with a really smooth syncopated vibe this song really has a smart groove. Tim’s vocal grows out of the ground of this organic flowing movement. The 16th note pulses are very cool. It doesn’t hurt that the melody has a sing songy quality to it. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
5. Pulling into spot 5 is Cee Lo Green with is super hilarious Fuck You. While I’m not sure it was released in 2011, it was featured here on Single of the Day in February of 2011. So there it is. I really love the old Motown vibe to the song. While it’s not the first song called Fuck You I’ve heard. No, actually I’ve probably heard about eight songs titled this. However Cee Lo and his writers have come up with the most amazing one yet. It’s one of those songs I wish I had written. That doesn’t happen often. But I love it and I’m sure a whole lot of people can relate to it. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
4. Striding into the fourth spot is Nik West. Her super funky Wait A Minute is a bundle of fun that can not be overlooked. She’s got a voice that is a perfect fit for the brand of funk she’s pouring out. It’s a awesome. It’s fun and I’m still able to groove with it even when the song is over. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
3. Rolling in at spot three is Little Anchor. I’m a sucker for bouncy music with a power pop flavor to it. Imagine with all the hard core rock that I’ve written and purchased, this is still a style I can love. I’m especially enjoying the electric piano and soft vocals on Don’t Be Scared To Move. It’s juicy. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
2. At the number two spot I have to go with Carey Ott with his track Be Honest from the album Human Heart. Very cool free floating with U2-esque drive to it. Carey has a perfect lilt to his voice going on here and it settles well over the top of the music bed. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
1. While I’m all about helping those musicians/bands who don’t have a huge machine behind them (like myself), I really have to go out on a limb and say that Yoü and I by Lady Ga Ga is my top pick of 2011. It’s a fantastic song that is heavily decorated with ear candy ala Mutt Lange & Brian May. When in doubt go with a classic sound and feature some classic playing. Click here to read the post and hear the song.
That’s my picks and I’m sticking to them. How do you feel about them? What were your favorites? Feel free to start the name calling in the comment section.