5 songs I loved this year

By Jason Diamond » Delighted people, songs about girls jumping off buildings, and of course, Antony.

Yes, every song on the new Kanye album was really good. The new Swans album was pretty spot on, and just like every other year, Will Oldham wrote at least three songs that I really liked. But the five listed below are the ones I loved.

Parenthetical Girls, “Eveyln McHale”

An update of Neutral Milk Hotel’s dead girl obsession, this time as a Marc Bolanesque wet dream with Wall of Sound production. A song about a real girl that jumped off a tall building only to find herself posthumously famous, the model for the saddest photograph ever taken. This song is a true masterpiece; Zac Pennington’s glitter serenade is the most gorgeous and haunting thing you’ve heard this side of the millennium.

Sufjan Stevens, “All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version)”

In 2010 the boy genius got over his fascination with statehood only to lay his head on a pillow and spout off an album full of Freudian slips and far-out sounds that were neither Michigan nor Illinois. A little bit before that, Sufjan Stevens gave us an eight song, nearly hour long "homage to the Apocalypse, existential ennui, and Paul Simon’s 'Sounds of Silence.’” It was his version of an EP.

While the original title track was lovely in it’s own weird, knob twisting way, it was the “Classic Rock” version--more subdued and somewhat restrained--that really made me thank god once again for Sufan Stevens.

Owen Pallett, “Lewis Takes Action”

There is a good chance that any song that starts off with a drumbeat inspired by “Be My Baby” will inevitably be something fabulous. When it’s followed by Owen Pallett doing “Rites of Spring” inspired chamber pop, you end up with one of the most unforgettable songs of the year.

Antony and the Johnstons featuring Bjork, "Flétta"

I truly believe there are moments of beauty in this world that need no explanation, and to attempt to break down why Antony and Bjork sound like a Steve Reich composition is the musical equivalent to biting into a piece of chocolate is one of those moments. What I'm trying to say is that the song is incredible, but I can't say why without sounding really silly.

The Wailing Wall, “Speak Not It’s Name”

This hymn to the Grim Reaper will leave you breathless. Young Jesse Rifkin’s driving war whoop, urging us into the great void, is equal parts sad and gorgeous; this one leaves you wanting to examine everything you hold dear.

Posted on December 30, 2010. More on: sufjan stevens, antony, bjork, owen pallett, parenthetical girls