Lists! Best songs of 2014

First off, sad to hear of Joe Cocker’s death. Sleep easy.

Second. I have to make a break. I won’t be writing reviews in the near future. Instead – to get distracted, to fuck things up, to gain this site a few more cheap hits, I will be writing lists. LISTS. All kinds. Ridiculous, useless, masturbatory lists.

Starting with now.

2014. Songs.

25. STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS – “Lariat”

The feel good song of the year. The video is good, too. Malkmus hasn’t lost it.

24. MORRISSEY – “Art Hounds”

His best song this year, and it’s a goddamned bonus track. Lighten up, Morrissey!

23. KING DUDE – “Watching Over You”

If you are romantic but have a devil in you.

22. HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT – “This One’s For Now”

Sarcasm and wit. As ever.

21. BEN WATT – “Hendra”

Listened to this while walking home late at night. The vibe, the tune.

20. COMET GAIN – “Long After Tonite’s Candles Are Blown”

This year, I entered Vatican City to this song. I’m a despicable man.

19. WHITE LUNG – “Down It Goes”

Fuck yes.

18. MARIANNE FAITHFULL – “True Lies”

Smoked out, concise and powerful.

17. EMA – “When She Comes”

Still raw, but already more mature. Underrated.

16. THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS – “Champions Of Red Wine”

Effortless pop genius. Neko Case on vocals.

15. THE MENZINGERS – “I Don’t Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore”

As good as anything off On The Impossible Past. Enough said.

14. COLD SPECKS – “A Broken Memory”

All you need to know about artistic growth.

13. ROBYN HITCHCOCK – “San Francisco Patrol”

Just a classic ballad from Robyn Hitchcock.

12. GUIDED BY VOICES – “All American Boy”

Another gem from Tobin Sprout. He should just dump that Pollard guy.

11. THEE SILVER MT. ZION MEMORIAL ORCHESTRA – “Fuck Off Get Free (For The Island Of Montreal)"

The wall of handsome noise hitting you full on the face and you want more.

10. DAMON ALBARN – “The Selfish Giant”

Best thing he’s done since 13. Never cared for Gorillaz.

9. TOM VEK – “You’ll Stay”

“Everything’s okay. You’ll stay”.

8. DELINES – “I Won’t Slip Up”

The sound of the warmest night when you are reasonably tired and in love.

7. GALLON DRUNK – “The Soul Of The Hour”

Ecstatic. I wish the groove would go on for another seven minutes. 

6. LEONARD COHEN – “Did I Ever Love You”

Someone told me Tom Waits could do this song so well. Yes, but…

5. MIREL WAGNER – “Oak Tree”

Simple, disarming and magical.

4. LUKE HAINES – “Alan Vega Says”

Luke did not record a great album this year. But did record a great song.

3. JOHN MOORE – “Almost Optimistic”

God help you if you can relate to John’s lyrics here. And what a melody.

2. EINSTURZENDE NEUBAUTEN – “Lament 3. Pater Peccavi”

No comment.

1. SUN KIL MOON – “Richard Ramirez Died Today Of Natural Causes”

Mark Kozelek is on such a songwriting roll it’s scary. This song is scary.

(Real number one, though, is “Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)” by U2.)