Photo from Mount Royal, Frisco, Colorado.

"That is happiness; to be disolved into something complete and great. When it comes to one, it comes as naturally as sleep." - Willa Cather

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Best music of 2010 that wasn't overplayed on the radio

Last year, as many of you probably recall, I offered two cds of my favorite songs. It was a sort of belated Christmas gift to anyone who was interested.

This year, I have compiled a list of songs, which you can download if you so choose.

If you don't know how to convert a YouTube video to an MP3, simply send an email to me at sealegsgirlblog@gmail.com and I will explain.

I will start with the song title and artist, then you will find either a video or link below that. Yep, some of them weren't even on YouTube. SR asked me if I had received my cool badge in the mail for finding such unknown songs. The answer is "no"; I have not received a cool badge yet.

Now, it's time to get started.




First, a trip to Iceland.

1. Par Avion by FM Belfast (a good running song for moderate speeds)





And a song for running fast...

2. Good Morning by Rogue Wave




3. Belly of June by Horse Feathers






Maybe the best song of the year, from a band from Athens, GA.

4. Dance Floor by Apples in Stereo (good for running fast or moderate)






A story about a guy named Lewis, which is perfect of a long run.

5. Lewis Takes off his Shirt by Owen Pallett





This next song is included because one just can't help running fast when it's playing. And A+ for the lyrics.

6. Collector by Here We Go Magic





A song from Sweden in Swedish

7. Skisser för sommaren by Kent




A song from Sweden in English
(If you don't understand what the lyrics mean, you are not alone. But I will add that when Swedes sing in Swedish it tends to make a lot more sense. I'm not sure what conclusion to draw from that.)

8. Meet a Bear by Britta Persson





Beautiful song by a Danish woman. In English.

9. Riverside by Agnes Obél





From the smallest state in the US:

10. 20 Miles by Deer Tick





And this is a sweet song, that is not crap, because... it's Scottish.

11. Baby Lee by Teenage Fanclub





And now, the first you can't find on YouTube:

12. Rebecca St. Claire by Modern Skirts. (I think they're from Athens, GA, too).

Hear it here!

And now, from the most obscure to, perhaps, the most popular (on this list). All the way from the city of Piccola Pinecone: Arcade Fire from Montreal. One could chose any song from their album; I chose this because it's fun watching them live. But for the purposes of running, I always avoid live recordings.

13. Ready to Start by Arcade Fire






Had enough yet?

14. Ivy & Gold by Bombay Bicycle Club




Whoops, actually this guy is probably the most obscure: Jon Lindsay - and check out how young he is (no music video yet).

15. Frequent Flyer by Jon Lindsay
http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/08/05/mp3-at-3pm-jon-lindsay/

16. Driving to LA by Household Names

Another great song without a video, from Larry & Olga's Austin, TX.

Now, this is not only a great song, but is played nearly flawlessly live here:

17. Ghost Inside by Broken Bells



(but if you get your hands on the recorded version, it's a little better).


18. Buttercups by Fran Healy



19. My Heart is a Drummer by Allo Darlin´



20. Famine Affair by Of Montreal (no, they're not from Montreal. They're also from Athens, GA.) - thanks, Steve Q for the song recommendation.



I received a few requests to make this list, but I'm not sure how many people will listen to ANY of these. Let me know!

7 comments:

amy said...

I saw both Horse Feathers and Broken Bells this year in Portland. Good stuff! Thanks--this is useful as I craft a HURT playlist.

SteveQ said...

Wow, your cool badge is in the mail! A lot of these I heard exactly once, liked, and promptly forgot. But now you've got me trying to remember (from #19) a song from last year or the year before with the repeated phrase "my heart beats like a drum." A couple of those songs got overplayed here (Broken Bells and Arcade Fire).

You can't explain to me how to rip a tune from YouTube until I learn how to use email...

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

There's something rotten in the state of Denmark and its yer musical tastes, sister! KERTWANG!1! Hahahahahaha!

Kidding! I'm a geezer and never heard of any of these foax, much less heard their music. So, much as I'd like to, I can't seriously get all judgey on you.

Except when it comes to the Brobdingnagian, Life-Sized Graphic you're still using at the top of your blog. Now THAT is rotten and Danish!

Mmmmmmm ... rotten Danissssssshhhh ...

My word verifcation word is "promati" which I almost refused to type because I'm anti-mati.

Actually, I just think how one feels about mati is a personal choice and nobody's business but one's own.

Look at me! "one" and "one's own"! Who am I? SteveQ?

In conclusion: my favorite group? A little-known combo named Wisconsin Is Cold. They're like Of Montreal, except less polite and with cheese-breath.

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

Fucking SteveQ just sneaked his stupid comment in before me!

What is wrong with one (<-- meaning "him")?

sea legs girl said...

Whoah - just corrected like 10 typos. It's not easy typing a blog post with a Lorax on your lap.

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

Wow! This blog loads SUPERFAST now!

Wonder why?

My word verification word is "perialla" ... isn't that the landing strip of flesh that connects the butthole to the junk?

Kirsten said...

Wow, this is so nice of you!!! I'm definitely going to get them to my Mp# or my Ipod - I have no idea how, but that's why I have kids.....
Thanks a lot and I'll let you know how it feels!!