2019 in Music

Favorite songs


"Bloodless" -  Andrew Bird
Turn around and quote a well-known psalm

I have bits and pieces of a post entitled "The Case For The Perfect Song", and this song is among them. It begins with notes which remind me of gentle rain, gradually adding various instruments along with Bird's voice and signature whistle. The song is political, but in a subtle way. It's urging -  direct yet gentle. A captivating song for the melody alone, and a perfect one with the addition of the carefully crafted lyrics.
(I was able to see him perform live in a short, free performance as part of SXSW)


"Where I Come From" -  Patty Griffin
Where I come from is a land of many islands

Pensively sung with a bit of a wail, Griffin does what some of the best songs do; make the listener feel as though the singer's heart is being offered up to them in delicate clarity.
The rest of her self-title album is very good as well.


"Marrow"-  Jealous Of The Birds
You call me peninsula
An island no more

Every time I hear it, this song arrests me. The quiet cleverness of the lyrics coupled with the poetic melody overflow in me.
(live: short, free SXSW performance)


"Faraway Look" - Yola
You lit the candles on the cake
And threw the match down on the floor
Wish I knew what you were looking for

Yola chronicles a couple of normal events in a person's life; namely, their birthday with friends, and a trip to the grocery store. Ordinary enough, yet in the chorus she sings hauntingly of 'that faraway look in your eyes', and the listener can just picture it. Without her ever saying it, you know there's more, more longing or history wrapped up in her observances of this person, whomever they may be. The melody has a timeless feel, an instant classic which feels like something which has always been around.
(live: short, free SXSW performance)


"Fireworks" -  First Aid Kit
As the lights flickered and they failed
I had it all figured out

Sung to a waltz melody (which gets me every time), it's an introspective song which mourns what could have been, while admitting to the dreams they should simply let go.


"Shelter" -  Broken Bells 
All of those moments you gave me shelter
Out of the swelter, out of the sun

Broken Bells, I love you. Your music always sounds like it's from a slightly different era, as though it's been around forever. This song is a tender confession, apologetic in parts and grateful in others.



Other top songs:

"Patience" -  Tame Impala
"Father Mountain" -  Calexico and Iron & Wine
"Falling Down The Stairs Of Your Smile" -  The New Pornographers
"No Bullets Spent" -  Spoon  (was able to see them live)
"Someone You Loved" -  Lewis Capaldi
"Highway Of Diamonds" -  Shiny Ribs
"I Guess I Just Feel Like" - John Mayer
"Carry Me Away" - John Mayer
"Confetti To The Hurricane" - The Deer
"Hey Ma" - Bon Iver
"New Birth In New England" - Phosphorescent
"Summer's Song" - Villagers

Older ones I fell in love with this year:

"The Curse" -  Josh Ritter
"Soon We'll Be Found" -  Sia
"This Will Be Our Year" -  The Zombies
"Praise The Lord" - Crowder


Favorite Albums: 

"This Wild Willing" -  Glen Hansard  (my favorite concert of 2019, even one of my favorites ever)
"My Finest Work Yet" -  Andrew Bird
"Suck On Light" -  Boy & Bear
"I Am Easy To Find" -  The National
"Living Mirage" -  The Head And The Heart
"Father Of The Bride" - Vampire Weekend
"i, i" -  Bon Iver

Honorable Mentions:

"Fever Dream" -  Of Monsters And Men
"In Two" -  Moving Panoramas (short, free SXSW performance)
"Begin Again" -  Norah Jones
"Moonlight" -  Johnnyswim  (saw them in concert)
"Native Tongue" -  Switchfoot
"Social Cues" -  Cage The Elephant  (saw them in concert)
"Wisdom Teeth" -  Jealous Of The Birds
"Kiwanuka" -  Michael Kiwanuka
"Norman F****** Rockwell" -  Lana Del Rey
"Cuz I Love You" -  Lizzo
"Lover" -  Taylor Swift
"The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" -  Saint Motel
"Sweet Insomnia" -  Gallant
"Ghosteen" -  Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
"Cause and Effect" -  Keane
"Real Life" -  Emili Sande
"Little Women" -  Alexandre Desplat
"Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker" -  John Williams