Songs of 2009 part 2

The aim: a manageable list of my favourite songs of 2009

The criteria: released in 2009, and only one per artist (this was hard!)

Presenting part 2 (of 7), in alphabetical order by artist:

## Good Girls Go Bad by Cobra Starship
from Hot Mess

I don't think Leighton Meester should be encouraged in her music career, but you can't deny that this is one catchy fun song and video. Cobra Starship are courting commercial success with collaborations such as this on their shinier and glossier third album. While it doesn't have the heart and consistency of their great first album I'm just glad to see this long time fave (they do great live shows!) getting some recognition.

Watch: Good Girls Go Bad (HQ video)


## Nikorette by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
from Outer South

Sure, it's lighter in tone and meaning than anything Oberst was able to churn out as Bright Eyes. But how can you not love a rollicking, toe-tapping song that restlessly drives towards a great acoustic guitar solo breakdown in the middle? (If you're still jonesing for the old stuff, check out Ahead of the Curve, one of Oberst's contributions to the Monsters of Folk album also released this year.)

Download:
Nikorette


## From the Hips by Cursive
from Mama, I'm Swollen

I've seen this described (derisively) as emo for grown ups. Whatever it is, I love the dark, slow-build towards the furious, howling conclusion.

I'm in my worst when I'm at my best
I'm at my best when I'm trying to look and think and talk
And sing and read and write like all the rest
We're all just trying to play our roles
In a play that runs ad nauseum
I hate this damn enlightenment
We were better off as animals

Download:
From the Hips


## Little Bribes by Death Cab for Cutie
from The Open Door EP

The cheeriest song about love between two problem gamblers in Vegas. Also, one of my favourite lines of the year: Pretend every slot machine is a robot amputee waving hello.

Watch:

Death Cab for Cutie - Little Bribes from Ross Ching on Vimeo.

## Every Time You Lie by Demi Lovato
from Here We Go Again

I know, Disney Spawn. But this is a really good album! She has a great, husky voice beyond her years, and an arsenal of unashamedly pop songs that touch on all kinds of styles and genres. This track has a nice swing feel and is great for belting out loud in the privacy of your car. :)

Watch:



Songs of 2009 part 1

Death Cab for Cutie - 19 Aug 2008 - Oxford Art Factory

They started with Champagne from a Paper Cup, and from there played a short set of rather obscure song choices. One for the diehard fans, with barely any singles (and not the well known ones), reaching back to their second album (of six), barely a nod to their best known albums, and and two non-single, slower songs from their latest.

It seemed to make sense - an intimate gig in an intimate venue for the hardcore fans - BUT the problem was the gig didn't feel intimate at all. Because it was recorded and broadcast live for myspaceTV, the focus seemed to be on reaching the audience out there, watching on their screens, and not those who were crowded at the band's feet.

Ben Gibbard's banter was for those watching online; all the live audience got was a passive aggressive telling-off for talking (you, in the front row!). Though Chris Walla got in a terrible pun that I liked at the end, when they were talking about the possibility of this gig being watched on the space station, and suddenly this voice pipes up from the side, "Myspace station, heh heh heh!"

I enjoyed this gig anyway - it was free, I got to see Death Cab live again, I got to hear songs I wouldn't normally expect to hear live.

Champagne from a Paper Cup
A Movie Script Ending
405
Talking Bird
Grapevine Fires
Photobooth
Title and Registration (video)

Death Cab for Cutie - 16 Jul 2006 - Home

A strange choice of venue, sparse with minimal security, but that said, it was such a small space that the concert felt really intimate.

The support band was Belles Will Ring, who I've never heard of before. All through their set, I had this niggling feeling that they sounded like some other band, and that was the problem with them - while they were a perfectly competent and decent rock band, they sounded so generic as to be unmemorable while inoffensive.

Death Cab came on with minimum fuss, just four unassuming guys on a small stage. But they played awesomely, the rhythm section loud and strong and great, the band sounded tight and together, and Ben Gibbard's voice sounded excellent over it all. Even with the softer songs, they have the ability to build this wall of sound, warm and enveloping and strong.

Marching Bands of Manhattan
The New Year
We Laugh Indoors
Title and Registration
President of What
Soul Meets Body
Summer Skin
Crooked Teeth
Company Calls
Company Calls Epilogue
Photobooth
A Movie Script Ending
Styrofoam Plates
Blacking Out the Friction
All Is Full of Love
Expo 86
The Sound of Settling

I Will Follow You Into the Dark
Tiny Vessels
Transatlanticism