THE DUKE

The Best Songs of 2012

This is a hard one as it seems during the year 2012 I listened really much stuff from 2011. But here it goes. Share the Spotify playlist from H E R E !

10. Muse – Survival
At first this was a pretty weird new song by Muse. Even Matt’s voice is time to time a bit odd. But in fact Survival reminds me how music can be fun and humorous without being a humour music.

9. Iiris – Mirage
I love ballads. Mirage has it all. Iiris has a beautiful little voice which works perfectly in this sensitive song.

8. Michael Kiwanuka – Tell Me a Tale
Retrosoul is a rare genre nowadays. After the decease of Amy Winehouse it seems all the old-school soul singers are vanished somewhere. Once in a while you’re still able to find artists like Michael Kiwanuka. As a whole his debut album is probably too soft but the opening track Tell Me a Tale does the magic. Fabulous sounds and what a melody!

7. Alabama Shakes – I Found You
Retrosoul mixed with a bites of garage(ish) rhytm and blues & rock. Already the definition makes you thirsty, doesn’t it? A simple arrangement and Brittany Howard’s voice is something you don’t hear that often.

6. Anna Puu – Pimeys peittää maan
I’m not much of a fan of finnish music. I could have a long and idiotic speech about it but I’ll spare you Anna Puu has a great old-school girlpop sound. The album has a nice bunch of amazing songs but Pimeys peittää maan is the tune which blew my mind and it still does. I remember listening to it on repeat three hours on a roll when I heard it the first time. Sweet melancholic tune.

5. Keane – Black Rain
I always thought Keane is a geeky and a bit boring britpop band. They stand as ”an average” for me but with their latest album Strangeland I totally falled for their music. And sure, Keane is a bit too ordinary but I think that’s it. They probably even know it and unlike Coldplay they don’t try to be so hip all the time. Keane does nice pop songs with great melodies. Black Rain is a simple ballad which most of all shows how talented singer Tom Chaplin is.

4. Patrick Watson – Lighthouse
I’ve loved Patrick Watson’s music ever since his legendary featuring in Cinematic Orchestra’s To Build a Home. His latest album is a fine and interesting ”adventure” through different kinds of songs. But the opening track Lighthouse is definitely the best one. It shows off his amazing bright voice and the composition/arrangement is pure awesomeness.

3. Birdy – Just a Game
It’s obvious that she’s a wonder child. Even her previous material is great but I think Just a Game is even more mature performance. I’m really looking forward what’s gonna happen next.

2. Keane – Disconnected
Like I said earlier Keane is a one hell of an ordinary pop band – but in a damn good way. It’s all here in this song. Classic based-on-a-piano arrangement with a memorable melody in all parts. Extra points for the cool music video.

1. Muse – Animals
This is an abvious pick for me. Even my roommate knows how much I love this song. Animals has gone through an endless repeat moments and still it doesn’t bore me at all. It’s a classic Muse song. Animals doesn’t have a clear and easy chorus but still it stucked on my brain after the first time I heard it. AND listen the spot: ”– C’mon and –” after the line ”Kill yourself” in 3:17 – that’s one loveable, breathtaking moment which shows us the spirit of rock. My faith on Muse came back after hearing Animals. Cheers!

Bubbling under: The Killers – Runaways, Solange – Losing You, Emeli Sandé – Next to Me, Justice – New Lands, Susanne Sundfor – When.

Posted in Music, Other