#mattgross

[dontforgettodance]

DFTD’s FAVORITE SONGS OF 2012:

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "I Don't Wanna Pray"

Say what you want about Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. It's a little gimmicky, a little over the top, even a little too theatrical at times; but goddammit they make some catchy music!

Where some artist often lose momentum on their sophomore albums, Edward Sharpe seems to have found their sweet spot. Pulling back a little on theatrics and drawing influences from Paul Simon, Paul and Linda, and Johnny Cash; Here comes off a little more genuine. "I Don't Wanna Pray" is a foot-stomping down-home folk-explosion that could rival any Woody Guthrie track... with lyrics in tow.

"But I don't want to pray to my maker, I just want to be feeling free, Not like in a book, or the leaves and trees that shook, From a word that means only not a thing

Pardon pardon mom, What I'm saying isn't fair, See I'm looking to become not the pray-er but the prayer"

[dontforgettodance]

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DFTD’s FAVORITE SONGS OF 2012:

The Memories - "Clueless"

The Memories, a side project for White Fang members Erik Gage and Kyle Handley, comes off as a little shocking upon first listen. Whereas White Fang lays down a trashing in-your-face brand of rock, The Memories take a much subtler 60s soulful approach.

Ringing in at just 19 mins, The Memories debut album is definitely no-frills but don't let that dissuade you. Every song seems just about perfect in what it's trying to accomplish; no ridiculously long intros or drum solos here.

[dontforgettodance]

DFTD’s FAVORITE SONGS OF 2012:

The Babies - "Mess Me Around"

If you were able to chemically combine the sugary effervescence of Pop Rocks and the addictive nature of crack, you may come close to approximating The Babies' "Mess Me Around."

What's not to love when you have the 80s pop sensibilities of the Pixies, a spring reverb solo that could stir the Dead Kennedys in their graves, and the Brooklyn lofi perfection of Cassie Ramone (Vivian Girls) and Kevin Morby (Woods)?

If that doesn't do it then the final verse may be directed right at you.

"You're a dumb f*ck, you f*cking idiot Yeah, you're a dumb f*ck, you f*cking piece of sh*t.

You're a dumb f*ck, you f*cking loser Yeah, you're a dumb f*ck, you stupid f*cking kid"

[dontforgettodance]

"Expectations" by Tame Impala

Most of the psychedelic music that has come out over the last few years has teetered a little too precariously on revivalism. Tame Impala's InnerSpeaker is not one of those albums.  Despite the heavy 60s British pop/American psychedelia/Detroit hard rock influences and the eerie vocal similarities between front-man Kevin Parker and John Lennon, Tame Impala still manages to produce a uniquely modern sound.

Bonus: Tame Impala's second album, Lonerism, was released Oct. 9.

[dontforgettodance]

M. Ward is kinda hit or miss for me.  Covers of classic songs usually end up pissing me off.  M. Ward covers this classic song and gets a hit.  I should also point out that I'm anything but pissed off.

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The Western States Motel - A Moment in the Sun

Some time ago, The Western States Motel popped up on some Pandora station I was listening to.  I noted their name on a post-it and took it home to remind me to download it later.  That didn't happen until last Friday when Pandora again reminded me of who they were.

With Summer pretty much here, it only seems appropriate to play these guys on loop during my morning/evening commute. Slightly reminiscent of Grandaddy and early Beck, kinda makes you wanna lay on the grass and stare at the clouds.

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Simon & Garfunkel - America

Maybe it's too obvious a choice, but it's a classic so get off my back.  OK?  Anyway, since we're taking a little road trip upstate to the catskills I figured "why not post a song about traveling this great land of ours?"  I mean we all come to look for America, right?  Also, any song that puts the words "Michigan" and "dream" together in the same sentence gets bonus points.

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Supertramp - Breakfast in America

This song is exactly why those damn Brits fought so hard to keep us.  Written by Roger Hodgson when he was a British teen dreaming of America, it stereotypes and exemplifies everything we're proud of.  That's right world, I AM rich enough to wake up to a sexy Californian lady serving me "kippers for breakfast" every morning.  I mean c'mon just listen to this poor guy when he compares his hag of a girlfriend to the infestation of sexy mama's we have to deal with over here!

"Don't you look at my girlfriend She's the only one I got Not much of a girlfriend Never seem to get a lot Take a jumbo cross the water Like to see America See the girls in California I'm hoping it's going to come true But there's not a lot I can do"