Side One Track One

On the off-chance that you weren’t paying attention throughout any part of 2012, then know that I have you covered.  Below you’ll find the third part of my Top 50 Songs Of 2012.  In case you’re curious, I chose the songs from the 400+ tracks that I shared around here throughout the last 11 months.  Enjoy.

30)  :Lace Curtains – Bedroom Honesty:  For a song that sounds so wonderfully casual and inviting, it’s brutally upfront about quite a few things.  I love it.  From The Garden Of Joy And The Well Of Loneliness.

29)  :Three Mile Pilot – Long Way Up:  It doesn’t seem plausible for a band to take a decade-long break and then come back as good as ever, but 3MP are currently in the middle of doing just that.  For proof, give this indie rock effort a listen.  From the Maps EP.

28)  :Ceremony – Hysteria:  There isn’t anything about this punch to the soul that doesn’t make me want to set something on fire, and I appreciate that greatly.  From Zoo.

27)  :FIDLAR – Got No Money:  These guys have so many rad songs that make me want to thrash around, and yet it was this catchy little pop number that I couldn’t escape all year.  Variety is good, friends.  From the Don’t Try EP.

26)  :Yellow Ostrich – Marathon Runner:  Vocal loops, a good chorus, and just the right amount of rock – that’s the Yellow Ostrich formula, and in songs like this one, it works very well.  From Strange Land.

25)  :Rubblebucket – Oooh Wa:  This band’s name makes them sound like some sort of wild punk outfit, but as you’ll see in this shimmering track, they’re actually a really good indie pop act.  From the Oversaturated EP.

24)  :Felix – Oh Thee 73:  Listening to this duo snark their way through this intricate number has been one of my favorite parts of 2012.  From Oh Holy Motar.

23)  :How To Dress Well – & It Was U:  90s R&B isn’t something I can claim as my thing, but if it’s coming from How To Dress Well?  Well, then that is entirely me.  I wish I had a good dance move for whenever this comes on.  From Total Loss.

22)  :Reptar – Sebastian:  Reptar are a bizarre ray of sunshine for me.  The vocals live out in left field, but the music is gloriously upbeat.  I’ve been singing this one all year.  From Body Faucet.

21)  :Dan Deacon – Lots:  My favorite thing about Dan Deacon is that even if you can’t figure out what the hell he’s trying to do, he has songs like this one that you get into simply because they’re so kinetic.  If I ran, I’d totally run to this.  From America.

Today’s music was found while looking for music.  Enjoy.

:Cymbals Eat Guitars – Hawk Highway:  I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, Cymbals Eat Guitars are one of the best indie rock acts working right now.  They only churn out magic.  This track is part of a web series titled Masters Of Their Day, which follows a band and a producer as they try to record a single in 24 hours.

:Rubblebucket – Oooh Wa:  This band is really growing on me.  Kalmia Traver has a nice voice, and I especially dig how their songs feel like pop music with a purpose.  Their show with Reptar at Beauty Ballroom on September 26 can’t get here soon enough.  The Oversaturated EP is due out tomorrow.

:Tony Castles – One Tone Man:  If you like your pop music to be doused with a good amount of soul, then this slick Tony Castles track is for you.  Don’t leave it on repeat for too long.  The band will release the Sharon Stone EP on October 23, but you stream it now on their Bandcamp page.

:How To Dress Well – And It Was U:  I don’t know what it is about Tom Krell’s work as How To Dress Well, but I really like it.  Maybe I should listen to more R&B?  Seems unlikely.  Anyhow, HTDW will release Total Loss on September 18 via Acephale.

:The Calm Blue Sea – Mary Ann Nichols:  Austin’s list of great instrumental bands will always start with Explosions In The Sky, but don’t think for a second that The Calm Blue Sea aren’t prepared to give them a run for their money.  This absolutely epic track is off of Arrivals And Depatures, which is due out October 9 on Modern Outsider Records.  These guys will also be doing a Sound Samples soon, so keep watch for that.

Today’s music was discovered using a metal detector.  Enjoy.

:Com Truise – Chemical Legs:  I’m not usually a fan of vocals that sound like they’re coming from a robot, but the style works for me here.  I think it might be because the rest of the song is so stellar.  This Com Truise track is from the 2012 Adult Swim Singles Program, which has really been on a roll the last few weeks.

:GRMLN – Coral:  This pop number is such a warm and endearing listen that its two minute runtime is almost an annoyance.  I want more.  A 19 year old by the name of Yoodoo Park is the main brain behind GRMLN, and he will release the Explore EP on October 23 via Carpark Records.

:Rubblebucket – (Focus) Oversaturated:  The press release that came along with this track was packed with all sorts of press quotes.  Where the hell have I been?  In any case, this is one of those effortless pop songs that should instantly win you over.  The Oversaturated EP is due out September 11, and the band will play in Austin at the Beauty Ballroom on September 26 with Reptar.

:Deerhoof – Fete d’Adieu:  Deerhoof are one of the best experimental pop acts around, and that should be reason enough for you to give this song a shot.  If you disagree, you’re crazy.  The band will release Breakup Song on September 4 via Polyvinyl Records.

:Dunes – Vertical Walk:  I saw this band open for local favs the Sour Notes on Saturday, and I came away really impressed.  If you like your pop with a bit of haze and fuzz, then I think you’ll dig the LA-based Dunes.  Noctiluca is currently available for your love.