Ramblings

It’s nearly the end of 2011, so of course it’s time for all of those year-end lists. Some are new tracks, most are old favorites, but all are fantastic listens. Here’s my list of most played tracks of 2011:

1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – The Death of You and Me

2011 marked the return of my absolute favorite musician to the limelight, Noel Gallagher. As the chief songwriting force behind Britpop mega-band, Oasis, he coined masterpieces like: Live Forever, Wonderwall, Slide Away, Don’t Look Back In Anger, Acquiesce, Champagne Supernova, Stop Crying Your Heart Out and many more.

This past summer, he announced that he’d be releasing not one, but two solo albums in the coming year. “The Death of You and Me” is the first solo single & I think you’ll agree that it’s pretty freaking awesome.  

 2. Belle and Sebastian – Funny Little Frog

Not quite sure exactly what it was about this song to make me latch on to it so much this year. It’s damn catchy, peppy, puts you in a good mood & plus, it’s just about the coolest song about the Virgin Mary. It’ll make you want to dance…while cleaning. 

3. Kula Shaker – Winter’s Call

No song is complete without an organ, and if you can’t have that, then you at least need a gospel choir of some sort. Kula Shaker has long been one of my favorites in regard to adding an organ in a way it seems only the Doors have truly been successful at doing. “Winter’s Call” is so hauntingly beautiful. It’s a dirge that sucks you in and pulls you back out again slowly. And you want out, you’ll find yourself rocking slowly, like you can make it through even the darkest of nights. March on!

4. The Stone Roses – Made Of Stone

It’s official, this is my favorite song. No idea why it’s taken me this long.

Don’t these times, fill your eyes?

5. Pulp – Mis-Shapes

We want your homes,
We want your lives,
We want the things you won’t allow us.
We won’t use guns,
We won’t use bombs,
We’ll use the one thing we’ve got more of - that’s our minds. 

I think that’s pretty fitting for a year filled with revolutions, occupy movements and all sorts of general protest.

6. Chrome Pony – Everything All the Time (Feat. Crystal Vision)

By far, my favorite local act. A friend of mine & I saw Chrome Pony with Crystal Vision at a show in Norman over a year ago. We had no idea who/what they were, but when the music started & we were subject to the incredible stage presence of the Chrome Pony, we knew we’d found something. Truly amazing and damn catchy music, plus, he’s a damn rockstar on stage!

7. Hey Rosetta! – New Goodbye

I can’t remember where I heard this group first (probably from The Spy), but this song has latched on to my soul. The end of this song, with the chorus singing & overwhelming layers of sound envelopes your being and leaves you with a warm fuzzy.

8. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – If I Had a gun

Did I mention that Noel Gallagher released his first solo album this year? Oh, yeah, I did. Well, here’s another single from that album, and my favorite from it, “If I Had a Gun”.

I’m waiting for the moment for my heart to be unbroken by the sea.

9. Born Ruffians – I Need a Life

First heard this song when Born Ruffians opened for Franz Ferdinand at the House of Blue in Dallas. This quirky bunch gave life to one of my favorite albums, Red, Yellow or Blue. It’s definitely a fun song to do a lil dance to.

10. New Order – Age of Consent

I do love me some New Order. Not sure if it’s possible to have too much New Order in your record collection. Joy Division, maybe…I mean there are really only so many versions of “Transmission” one can handle. But New Order always seems to get it right in terms of balance. The right amount of angst and contentment always seems to be present in their recordings.

Now, just to note that I’m being entirely realistic in my dreaming here. So, of course George Harrison can’t join the supergroup, because, sadly, he’ll have been gone 10 years from us this year (*wipes tear*). And I’m not trying to create some sort of fantasy Britpop revival group, because lord knows what’d happen if we threw Noel, Liam & Damon in the same room.

This, my friends, is my dream for 2011. A realistic dream. A dream that might actually come true.

I give you the lineup of the Greatest Supergroup Ever:

Vocals - Ian Brown

In case you don’t know who he is:
The Stone Roses 

Mr. Brown has always been my pick for a lead singer. He was fantastic in the Stone Roses, and his solo stuff is amazing too - plus he’s worked with some of the other members of the supergroup. I don’t think he’s too hot-headed to cause too much drama with the others.

Lead Guitar - Johnny Marr

In case you don’t know who he is:
You Should Be Beaten With a Stick
The Smiths
Modest Mouse
The The
The Cribs

Besides being one of the greatest guitarists to ever live and the fact that he is an amazing songwriter, Mr. Marr is just a genuinely cool guy.  

He obviously gets along with all sorts of groups & has worked with some of the other members in the Supergroup lineup. So I have high hopes for him. I actually think that he should be the one to instigate this whole thing…Do it Johnny. Do it.

Plus, look! He’s all buddy-buddy with Ian Brown (and Noel Gallagher). Mmhmm.

Rhythm Guitar - Noel Gallagher

In case you don’t know who he is:
You should be beaten with a stick again…
Oasis 

Well, if you know me at all, you knew that Noel was bound to be on this list. He’s one of my absolute favorite people, ever. I learned how to play guitar to his (and the Beatles too of course) songs. Noel is to me as what Johnny Marr is to Noel. 

And yes, we’re on a first name basis.

One great thing about Noel is that he’s worked with or is friends with nearly everyone in this lineup. There’s even a picture floating around out there somewhere with him & Johnny getting some cheap greasy breakfast. 

The other plus to having Noel in the group is that he makes the 3rd Mancunian of the bunch. This will help them all bond even more, and give them a more uniform sound. But I think they’re all old enough now not to cause too much of a fuss in case the others feel left out. 

Bass - Paul Simonon

In case you don’t know who he is:
The Clash
 The Good, the Bad and the Queen
Gorillaz

Now Mr. Simonon was not part of my original lineup. I was stuck on the bassist role until my MCD (Music Crack Dealer) suggested him. I think it might work. If he causes problems though, blame my MCD.

However, I’m completely confident in his musical abilities. Not to mention that he not only created but is also the subject of one of the most iconic album covers of all-time - London Calling.

Drums - Zack Starkey

In case you don’t know who he is:
The Who
Oasis
The Icicle Works
The Waterboys
ASAP
The Lightning Seeds
Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band
Johnny Marr and the Healers 

Now, Mr. Starkey doesn’t normally formally join bands. The Who have asked him several times to become an official member, but he refuses. He just likes to keep his options open I suppose. Of course, he won’t be able to deny the true awesome power of this Supergroup, so he’ll hopefully stay put this time & sign on officially.

Occasional Organist - Jay Darlington (Oasis, Kula Shaker)

Occasional Guest Musician - Paul Weller (’The Jam’)

So there you have it. My dream for 2011.

Make it happen.

1. Weezer - 26 plays
2. The Vaselines - 16 plays
3. Camera Obscura - 12 plays
4. The Stone Roses - 8 plays
5. The Black Keys - 6 plays
6. Oasis - 5 plays
7. The Flaming Lips - 5 plays
8. Rufus Wainwright - 5 plays
9. Blur - 4 plays
10. Coldplay - 3 plays

1. Florence & the Machine - 24 plays
2. Radiohead - 23 plays
3. Kula Shaker - 19 plays
4. Blur - 15 plays
5. Devendra Banhart - 15 plays
6. Gorillaz - 14 plays
7. The Stone Roses - 14 plays
8. The Black Keys - 14 plays
9. Weezer - 13 plays
10. Oasis - 12 plays

1. The Stone Roses - 27 plays
2. The Black Keys - 7 plays
3. Fleet Foxes - 7 plays
4. Oasis - 6 plays
5. The Beatles - 6 plays
6. The Flaming Lips - 5 plays
7. Franz Ferdinand - 5 plays
8. The Rolling Stones - 4 plays
9. Coldplay - 4 plays
10. Iron & Wine - 4 plays