Ok, here it is, the big one. But first, some ground rules. Only songs that were released as singles in 2011 or on Albums in 2011 count. If a song was released as a Single in 2011, but the Album came out in 2010, it doesn't count. If a song was released as a Single in 2011, but the Album is yet to be released, it does count. Also, when reading this keep in mind that this is MY Top 10, not yours or somebody's, mine. I'm not saying that these are the best 10 songs of 2011, only that they are my personal favorites. If You don't agree, great! I want to know what other people listen to and how tastes vary. Life would be boring if we all listened to the same music, all I'm asking is that you give these 10 songs a try.
So anyway, on with it;
10. Smells Like Teen Spirit - The Muppet Barbershop Quartet (The Muppets OST)
No this does not break my "No Parody Songs" rule, and here's why: if you're a Nirvana fan, you have a love/hate relationship with Smells Like Teen Spirit. It's a classic song that encapsulates the Grunge movement and the power that Nirvana had, however, it has been killed by overplay and thousands of sub-par covers. Because of this, any version of 'Teen Spirit that makes the song tolerable again is well worth my time. This Barbershop version featuring Sam the Eagle and Beaker is both hilarious and a great departure from the original. The Muppets presented a series of great songs in the new film, this being the pinnacle of comedic reinterpretation. This being something of a parody though, it would never make any higher than 10 on this list, but still well worth checking out.
9. Words I Never Said - Lupe Fiasco Feat. Skylar Grey (Lasers)
I came home after a party one night, and as is my habit, turned on Rage for a few minutes before I went to bed. What came on was this song. I was blown away by the rapid-fire blasting of American Imperialism, Israeli Foreign Policy and Jihadist Terror groups by a young Muslim-American MC full of bile and possessed of fantastic flow. The rage flying around in the lyrics of this song is simply amazing, but sadly unfocused. It seems that Lupe hates a lot of things that he can't really keep his mind on and this has a detrimental effect on the song as a whole. Whilst Words I Never Said blew my mind the first time I heard it, replay has amplified the flaws and made it slip down this list a bit. I do, however, look forward to what Lupe Fiasco puts out in the future.
8. Arlandria - Foo Fighters (Wasting Light)
Before I really got into Punk Music, I was a Rocker from way back. Sadly, a solid Rock album is a rare thing these days, and when one does come along it always seems to involve Dave Grohl, not that this is a bad thing. Wasting Ling is probably one of the better Foo Fighters albums, it certainly was an unexpected musical gem in 2011, getting a heck of a lot of play on the work CD player. As is usual, the best song, Arlandria, is buried on the b-side of the album and has received almost no air-play. It's songs like this one that have made Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters a cornerstone of Rock for over a decade.
7. Blinded By Love - Jack Ladder (HURTSVILLE)
Jack Ladder has been a fixture of the Melbourne indy music scene for years, but finally broke through in 2011, enjoying some bigger live gigs and having a few of his songs featured on television. For those not in the know, Jack Ladder is the "less creepy" version of Nick Cave; deep voice, haunting vocals and clear Blues/Country influence. Blinded By Love is an epic of a love song, a winding ballad of loss, redemption and a deep and binding love. Every now and then you need something a little melancholy, and this song is a perfect catharsis when you're just a bit down.
6. Speed of Darkness - Flogging Molly (Speed of Darkness)
I was disappointed with Flogging Molly's latest album, it lacked the bile and rage of their previous releases, continuing the band's downward spiral into being just another Irish folk band. However, every cloud has a silver lining and Speed of Darkness has a gangbusters title track. Angry, loud and ready to punch you in the eardrum, Speed of Darkness is the kind of song to smash up a bar to, and it's good to hear that Flogging Molly has retained some of their zeal since the epic album Drunken Lullabies.
5. Ghost on the Dance Floor - Blink-182 (Neighborhoods)
What year is it? 1998? No, but for some reason I'm listening to Blink-182 and I love it. This song is the perfect blend of Cheshire Cat-era Blink-182 and Angels and Airwaves, talking about young, desperate love with soaring vocals and guitar. I was apprehensive about this album when it came out, but I was sold after the first track. Not much more to say about this one, just a really solid song.
4. Rum and Coca-Cola - Wanda Jackson (The Party Ain't Over)
Wanda Jackson has been know by many names over her career, The Female Elvis, the Queen of Rockabilly, she deserves them all. She is one of the greatest female vocalists of all time and this album was a ray of hope in sea of party anthems and hip-pop. Rum and Coca-Cola is a great Caribbean- inspired Rock and Roll number with themes of exploitation and American Imperialism thrown in for good measure. This is one of the best albums of the year, it was really hard to pick just one track to demonstrate why it's so good, but I think this one does it justice. A great album from an artist that has been great for decades, get it today.
3. Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win - The Beastie Boys Feat. Santigold (Hot Sauce Committee Part II)
In 2010, Devo released an album in the midst of hordes of pretenders attempting to emulate what they had done decades ago; with this Devo proved that they always have been and always will be the masters of their genre. In 2011 history repeated itself with the Beastie Boys coming back to lay the smack into the mountain of so-called "Rappers" clogging up the charts. I chose this song over Too Many Rappers because it truly demonstrates what made the Beasties great in the first place, their willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of the genre. This song is peppered with references to Bob Dylan, Public Enemy and other influential artists as well as blending the Beasties' unique flow with exotic horns. This is where Rap should be going, rather than stagnating.
2. Mind Your Manners - Chiddy Bang (Breakfast)
Last year I did Chiddy Bang a disservice by putting their Breakout single, Opposite of Adults, as number 10 on my list, it should have been much higher. It continually amazes me that Flo Rida and Soljahboy have huge rap careers, but Chiddy Bang remain unheard of. Chiddy Bang break the mold of current rap, focusing on success through merit, respecting one's peers and critics and never resorting to violence. This is my number 2 simply because I keep listening to it, it's a great song and I can't wait to get my hands on the album.
1. Tomahawk - Pour Habit (Got Your Back)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzweeW--MsY (freaking video wouldn't work for some reason)
At my core, I'm a Punk Rocker, and no song Punk Rocked harder in 2011 than Tomahawk. Pour Habit are a unique voice in the Punk Landscape, using two vocalists, a double kick drum and metal-inspired guitar riffs. If this song doesn't get your blood pumping and inspire you to tear down the establishment, nothing will. Catch these guys live for an experience you'll never forget.
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