www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrQRS40OKNE

“Brian” (not his real name) is a business contact in search of new music. He has a history of being in bands and chilling in dorm rooms and what not, but life’s path has led him down the more conventional route, where wives and kids lie, with mortgages and real stuff like that. Musos like me stay single. But Brian loves music all the same and I am happy if I can help enrich his life.

I have little to go on but I know Brian loves a good melody, a Beatle-ish (or better, Wilsonian) “hard” melody and a solid song structure (he like Fountains of Wayne). He also likes a tinge of Americana in the mix (he likes Wilco and R.E.M.). I would say the primary emotion driving Brian’s music would be glee, or better stated, just “feeling good.” He likes a little aggro, provided it’s couched in a glorious, giddy cacophony (he likes the ‘Mats and the Pixies). These are all things I like, and Brian is a blank slate these days, so this post was easy. (Gentle reader, please keep in mind Brian has not kept abreast of the deluge of indie buzz and nonsense that you so undoubtedly have been immersed in, so forgive us for treading the ad nauseum waters here, and hey, maybe we can both back up and listen with fresh ears.)

First, three songs from last year, one a critical landslide, one a sleeper, and one in between. Fleet Foxes topped almost every critic’s best-of list last year, and with good reason. It’s stunning stuff. The Annuals flew a bit more under the radar. No Age might give you some of the grit and gravel you’re looking for.

Fleet Foxes: Ragged Wood
The Annuals: Confessor
No Age: Teen Creeps

Then we have two songs from this year. First, a corker from an old stand-by, the Apples In Stereo. They’ve been around for years now but never misstep when it comes to a melody. Finally, there’s this year’s can’t-miss (the usual review reads “It can’t be as good as everyone says, but… it’s as good as everyone says.”), Animal Collective. I resisted at first, but then I got over myself.

The Apples In Stereo: Go
Animal Collective: Summertime Clothes