Where I indulge in the overrated phenomenon of a year-end list and discover my bias for sullen songs over happy ones; 20 most-loved songs of the year, with a self-imposed rule of one song per artist so as to not make it entirely pointless.
Download Doubt / Hope” | Sweden’s Wildbirds & Peacedrums proceeds its stage activities by unclothing its music of whatever coat, and letting it dance in its bare glory with tortured singing over telling drums. If the percussion is the peace drums, the singing here is the wild bird without a doubt. Except, the percussion here has nothing to do with peace – it goes right into rolling the drama out of each calamity. The blues in the band’s music is how the blues must’ve been in its beginnings: a metaphysical crisis sprung not just from any heartache, but the acceptance of living and its myriad of gems, despite the inevitable downfalls it must put you through, which by the way is what they mean by “selling the soul to the devil”. Unfortunately, “I Can’t Tell in His Eyes” (posted above) isn’t the best example, despite the great lyrics, but that’s what’s available for free right now.
More photos, and the amazing Sharon Van Etten, after the jump.
hooves on the turf is a mostly-music blog based out of brooklyn. i can be reached at hoovesontheturf [at] gmail [dot] com - please send me your lovely music as an attached mp3 or an mp3 link. if i like what you send, i'll be sure to ask for more.
