The Top 31 Songs of 2011: 31-21

It's hard to believe another year is nearly gone, and yet here we are on the brink of 2012. There was so much good music this year, even if I found myself wishing chillwave would go away (it's time). And to celebrate, I'll be hosting my very own YEAR IN REVIEW show tonight (Monday) from 6 to 8 on XPN2, where I'll be counting down my 31 favorite songs of the year. (Why 31 you ask? Because that's how many fit in a 2-hour show.) Check out the first installment of the list here, then listen in tonight to catch the whole thing live.

Piranhas Club member

31. Garden & Villa, “Black Hills”
The opening to G&V’s self-titled record, “Black Hills” is a perfect introduction to the band…which is to say, space-y, atmospheric, and a little bit chilling. But what really drove it home for me was hearing this tune in Gossip Girl (yes, I’m serious) where it proved an elegant and seductive backdrop to the Masked Ball scene, where Blaire stalks Chuck and Elizabeth Hurley plots. (You know the one.)

30. Girls, “Honey Bunny”
Ok, so it’s not as unique and thrilling as last year’s “Lust for Life” (my fave song of 2010!) but there is something breezy and charming about this tune, which resonates with ‘60s pop-cheeriness. That and the line about girls hating Christopher Owens’ “bony body” and “greasy hair” is SO self-deprecating (except not really, since he still [ostensibly] gets laid)—and might just be this year’s “I wanna pizza and a bottle of wine.”

29. Boat, “When Frank Black Says (No. 14 Baby)”
Frank Black, Pixies front man, is certainly an icon for some of my bearded, plaid-claid intellectual friends and this tune—from sloppy Seattle punks Boat—both pays tribute to and pokes fun at that fact. Plus I can never resist an awesome jangle. This is a tune to get drunk to and nod your head really fast. “In time you will become a cynic!”

When Frank Black Says (No. 14 Baby)

(No video for this one, but click to listen!)

28. tUnE-yArDs, “Bizness”
I’m pretty sure there’s no one out there making music quite like tUnE-yArDs, the bizarre, percussive project of ukulele master Merrill Garbus. “Bizness” rules because it’s creative without being jarring, with a structure that seems like it’s threatening to fall apart at any moment, only to press on with increasing power. The video is equally thrilling and bizarre. (Also check out this video I shot of her live during the 2nd Street Festival!)

27. WILD FLAG, “Romance”
The raging debut single from ‘90s supergroup WILD FLAG, “Romance” is awesome for many reasons: it’s catchy, rocking, and shows off the mad skillz of each member, from Carrie Brownstein’s empowered vocals to Mary Timony’s guitar shredding to Rebecca Cole’s lively organ bounce to Janet Weiss’s turbo drumming. Plus how awesome is the music video? This song makes me want to rage. “We dance to free ourselves from the room!” sing the ladies. Damn straight!

26. Lykke Li, “Youth Knows No Pain”
Another tune prominently featured in Gossip Girl (god they do such a good job choosing music); Lykke Li’s “Youth Knows No Pain” encapsulates the fearless determination of young people who are not afraid to put themselves out there; who go out dancing and drinking and partying and experiencing heartbreak over and over again because they are young, and the world is their oyster. The dark, shuffling beat and organ glitches lend this tune an almost seedy, urban feel—the type of music you’d expect to hear blaring from speakers at 2 a.m. at some hipster dive under the Brooklyn Bridge.

25. Sonny and the Sunsets, “She Plays Yo-Yo With My Mind”
The great thing about Sonny and the Sunset’s “She Plays Yo-Yo With My Mind” is how effortless it feels. This totally sounds like a ‘60s garage rock single, recorded in someone’s basement and released on 45. And knowing front man Sonny Smith’s DIY background and penchant for lo-fi—perhaps it was. Plus, how can you NOT dig that guitar line? Positively skulking.

24. Man Man, “Piranha’s Club”
I adore the video for this jangly gem, which features children going crazy and generally getting into mischief. And that’s kinda what this song is about—releasing stress and getting into trouble—smashing plates and punching your dad in the face. (“Think about it,” chirps Honus Honus.) It’s a welcome respite on an album that mostly deals with death and dying, with a circus bounce that you can’t help but bob along to. And it has a surprisingly sweet ending, when Honus admits—plates smashed around him, no doubt—“I don’t want to be the stranger in your rearview mirror; I just want to be the man you bring home to dinner.” Even piranhas need love you know.

23. Yuck, “Georgia”
British rockers Yuck craft hazy, fuzzy, ‘90s-influenced guitar rock that feels instantly familiar and warm and “Georgia” is the warmest and most familiar of all. Major chords, boy-girl harmonies, and a swing-y, sing-along beat make this tune an easy-going favorite that doesn’t have to try too hard.

22. The Rosebuds, “Woods”
2 years ago, The Rosebuds were another married couple, making cute, upbeat, indie poppers that were actually great. Then they broke up, and I worried their tunes would become dark and mope-y. And they sorta did…but I didn’t mind, because the result was songs like “Woods” which is twittering and uneasy and cathartic and striking. Kelly Crisp’s keyboards are skitterish like the soundtrack to a horror movie while Ivan Howard wails like a man heart-broken. This is a song about dealing with emotions by running away and getting high, which is about as un-cute and un-romantic as you can get.

21. Dominant Legs, “Hoop of Love”
San Francisco’s Dominant Legs write sunny, summery exuberant pop and “Hoop of Love” is perhaps their most sunny and shimmering. Combining a ‘60s pop influence with just the right amount of ‘80s bounce, this is song for blasting from the car stereo, windows down, much like the video suggests. This will be on the soundtrack for every party I host for the next 5 years (maybe).

Stream songs 31-21 for free right here -- then check back here later this week as I break down songs 20-11 and 10-1.

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