I know that you have been salivating at the proposition of this posting coming out for a while. You have been following and subscribing to the blog, receiving and reading lots of posts only ‘because you have to’ just to get to this one…so without any further delay, here is this years Best of Music playlist.
This year features the smallest list yet. This is due to two complicating factors: a weaker than normal music accumulation system (some 115 less options than 2011), and several songs playing themselves out of contention by being overplayed everywhere. Like always, there are three rules that go into qualifying for the list, and the last two change annually: Rule #0 (because it applies every year): fit on a traditional CD and come to my library in the calendar year (even though the songs may be older than that). Rule #1 (becoming widely applied to all aspects of life): Don’t suck. Rule #2 (and most important): Be interesting. This year, for the first time, also featured a second judge who helped narrow down a few choices and danced his way through this collection to verify it’s standing: Ezra.
Also, the last two on the playlist are of the spoken word variety. The first one is Ezra and his sister’s heartbeat (previously featured on the blog), and the last one is a 30 minute stand up special by Tig Notaro. While it’s outside of the normal parameters of it being music, it is unequivocally the best, most personal, and most honest comedy that I have ever heard. At times it made me laugh, cry, and have difficulty listening – and I am not sure that I could ever watch a stand up act again without comparing it to what this set presented. It’s worth your few dollars to listen to the entire thing yourself.
Prepare your torrent. 384 pared down to 14:
1. State Trooper by Drop the Lime
2. Anna Sun by Walk the Moon
3. Amsterdam by Imagine Dragons
4. Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men
5. City of Refuge by Abigail Washburn
6. Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
7. Below My Feet by Mumford and Sons
8. We are Young by Fun
9. Immigrant Song by Trent Reznor
10. ICU by Pan Astral
11. Kill Your Heroes by AWOLNATION
12. Pennywise Tribute by Bassnectar
13. Heartbeat by Ezra and Elia
14. Live by Tig Notaro
My Favorite: ICU
The One Despite All Efforts I Couldn’t Keep Off: We are Young
Biggest Surprise: Live
Really Crank This One…No, Louder Than That: State Tropper
Band Not Making The List For The First Time In A Few Years: Laura Marling
Bands Continuing Their Run: Of Monsters and Men, AWOLNATION
Dammit If They Didn’t Show Up Again: Mumford and Sons
This Year’s Local Act (and an absolutely OUTSTANDING record): Pan Astral
Last Song Dropped From The Playlist: Run Right Back by The Black Keys
Previous Year’s Best Of Lists:
The Life of a Little Hippie 
Thanks!! Yes, actually, I have been waiting/hoping for this. 🙂