Top 10 Beatles songs

After buying The Beatles' Love soundtrack on DVD audio, an excellent recording and a must listen for any Beatles fan, I felt inspired to list my favorite songs by the band. There's no question that this is the best band to ever exist, and without them, music today wouldn't be the same. Their work is truly timeless.

10. "Strawberry Fields Forever"

09. "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds"

08. "Hey Jude"

07. "In My Life"

06. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

05. "Yesterday"

04. "Something"

George Harrison's masterpiece.  A very underrated Beatle, if there is such a thing.

03. "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End Medley"

02. "A Day In The Life"

One of the best songs ever written and closing track on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, it's rock's first real epic. Lennon and McCartney pulled together a 40 piece orchestra to create the song and each sang verses with different themes.  

01. "Tomorrow Never Knows"

This is my favorite track by the band.  I can't imagine being alive in 1966 and hearing this for the first time.  It's way out there when compared to the rest of Revolver, but eerily relevant even today. Unbelievable track and way, way, way ahead of its time.

Airbag - Radiohead

"In a fast German (Japanese) car,
I'm amazed that I survived,
An airbag saved my life"


What a fitting song for my experience last night.  A head on collision from a Chevy Tahoe could have done me in.  A couple of paces to the right, and she would have smashed the driver's side door, likely causing life-threatening injuries.  Luckily, I walked with barely a scratch. At first, I thought of the other people involved and if they were okay.  Then, it was "shit, now I have to make car payments again." It's taken a little while to sink in, but it could have been much, much worse.   Glad to be alive today with the rest of the people I love and care about.

Bon Iver on SNL

Bon Iver took the stage on SNL last night and didn't disappoint.  Playing "Holocene" and "Beth/Rest" off their grammy-nominated, self-titled record, the guys looked the part and seemed really comfortable up there.  SNL's stage is notorious for watering down acoustics, but it was hardly noticeable last night.  Bravo Vernon and co. for nailing the performance.

"Holocene"

"Beth/Rest"

Spotlight: Delta Spirit

Delta Spirit hails from San Diego, CA and formed in 2005.  Their rock, northern soul sound is fairly unique, but their strengths lie in great song writing and well-developed instrumentalism.  With two good  albums, the band has gained a strong following and are known for performing well in a live setting.  Ode to Sunshine, their first effort, is the strongest of the two records, but History From Below holds their best track, "Devil Knows You're Dead".  The song was featured in the closing scene of the equally amazing show, Friday Night Lights.  Delta Spirit is back in the studio recording their third album, and I'm anxious to hear what they'll bring in 2012.

"Devil Knows You're Dead"

"People C'mon"

"Trashcan"

"People, Turn Around"

"Golden State"

Artist to watch in 2012: Frank Ocean

I know I've blogged about him earlier this year, but I keep listening to his fantastic mixtape Nostalgia.ULTRA.  He's set to release his debut album through Def Jam Record in the spring.  If the mixtape is any indication, the guy will be a star very soon.  He reminds me a lot of John Legend armed with an equally amazing voice.  He's a little rougher around the edges than Legend and doesn't have the same prowess on the keys.  Ocean has collaborated with many established artists including an appearance on two of the best tracks off Jay-z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne.  Watch out.  (and I know I said Lana Del Rey would be a star - I take that back)

"Thinking About You"

"Swim Good".... excuse the poor English

"We All Try"

"Dust"

"Made in America" - Watch the Throne

Legends: James Brown

This man needs no introduction.  The Godfather of Soul was instrumental in music history, influencing many genres and musicians alike.  Without this guy, there would be no Michael Jackson, Prince, or any other R&B, funk, disco, or rap artist.  Sam Cooke and Otis Redding might have been better singers, but they didn't have the complete package that James had.  A year ago at my friend's 30th birthday party, we played Mr. Brown's Greatest Hits straight through, and I can't remember a better time dancing to the soul great.  His music is truly timeless.

"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (Original)"

"Mother Popcorn"

"Get Up (I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine)"

"It's Man's World"

"I Got You (I Feel Good)"

Album Review: First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar

This is the second album of the Swedish sisters, Klara and Johanna Soderberg, who became an internet sensation in 2008 after covering Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song". In 2010, the duo recorded their debut album which was well-received but fell flat to some listeners given its one-dimensional and incomplete songwriting. However, this release shatters all doubts about the Soderbergs and is a big step in the right direction. Much like the Fleet Foxes, the hallmark of their folky sound is rich, well-developed harmonies akin to the past folk greats. The girls have also matured lyrically, and producer Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis) has layered this effort with more varied instrumentation and tighter song structures. Bright Eyes frontman and label-mate, Conor Oberst, appears on the closing track in fine form to end a fantastic album and early favorite of 2012.

"Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Fleet Foxes cover)"

"The Lion's Roar"

"Emmylou"

"King of the World (feat. Conor Oberst)"