2011 Faves

A new list of favorites for 2011. But no downloads this time (downloading and posting MP3s seems so 2010). It amazes me how much music - and its delivery - continues to change. After mothballing the CD collection in favor of MP3s a few years back, I thought I had settled into a routine that would last a good while. But 2011 brought another complete overhaul to my music world: Spotify. If you haven't signed-up, I recommend it - as far as I've found, it's just about everything in music you might want at your fingertips. It's an easy way to make playlists (the new mix tape?) and share music. And, for now at least, it's the only way I've managed to make my 2011 list available. There's a fee for the full Spotify service (which took me 6 months to get to), but you can sign up for the free version here. Once you're signed-up, the list below should be hyperlinked and easy to access.

Regarding the music, its another hard-to-explain collection. No reason for the 33 songs (strangely, it's still a number that instantly reminds me of Tony Dorsett). Some artists on the list are old favorites that are consistent with my listening history [Ryan Adams, Iron & Wine, Shabazz Palaces (Digable Planets alum)], but others surprise even me (Lady GaGa, Beyonce). And I didn't think I'd EVER put a Britney Spears song on a best-of list. But I think it's safe to say that my daughers' influence is shining through. And testament, I think, to the fact that enjoying music is not just about the music, but how you experience the music. Listening by myself to Born This Way, for example, is completely different thing altogether from dancing around to the song with my girls. Really, how can you help but develop a fondness for the music that you enjoy with loved ones, right? Anyway, I look forward to enjoying (and sharing!) more of their musical influences down the road.

Until then ... Happy New Year. Here's to a great 2012!

(Oh, I usually stay away from covers ... but I couldn't resist James Blake doing Joni Mitchell!)

Shabazz Palaces – Swerve... the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)
Real Estate – It's Real
The Belle Brigade – Losers
The Decemberists – Calamity Song
Vetiver – Wonder Why
Beyoncé – Countdown
Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – FFunny FFriends
Beirut – Santa Fe
Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Ryan Adams – Lucky Now
Grouplove – Colours
Noah And The Whale – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.
J Mascis – Several Shades Of Why
The War On Drugs – I Was There
Amos Lee – Windows Are Rolled Down
The Head And The Heart – Lost In My Mind
Hayes Carll – Another Like You
Hollie Cook – Cry ft. Horseman (Disco Mix)
Adele – Rolling In The Deep
Kurt Vile – Jesus Fever
Britney Spears feat. Nicki Minaj & Ke$ha – Till The World Ends (the Femme Fatale Remix)
James Blake – A Case Of You
Molotov Jukebox – Double Dare
Caveman – Old Friend
Lana Del Rey – Video Games
Givers – Up Up Up
The Be Good Tanyas – The Littlest Birds
Alexander – A Million Years
Laura Marling – Sophia
Theophilus London – Flying Overseas - feat. Devonte Hynes And Solange Knowles
Middle Brother – Portland
Iron & Wine – Me And Lazarus