Manhattan – Bobby Short – The late great cabaret singer loved the Great American Songbook and for what felt like sang the Great American Songbook at the Cafe Carlyle. There is an Ella Fitzgerald version and otherwise no better one than Short’s take on on this song. “Manhattan” is to “New York, New York” what “God Bless America” is to the “The Star Spangled Banner” -a simply better anthemn but still playing second fiddle (“Empire State Of Mind”? Yeah, right.) Shorts rush through the swerves and turns of the opening of this song should be taught to nascent pop singers at Junior High.
One Time – Justin Berbier
Turn the Page – Metallica
Step – Kid Sister And Estelle
Cousins – Vanpire Weekend
Bitch – Plastiscine – Oui, oui, vrainment je suis une rock star, salaud.
Alahoo – Hundras Mann
Pity Party – Saint Motel – the model of a rock song pending the big break
Sunlight – Tune-yards
Lust For Life – Girls – I wrote months ago in Rock NYC Girls needed to have their songs released before they hit big. So now they’ve had their songs released and they are hitting big. This is a great song, all pzizaz, pizza and hand clap codas
Horchata – Vampire Weekends- As good as anything on the first album and I’ve got my tix so let’s hope they’ve improved live.
Sandcastle Disco – Solange Knowles – She could save Brooklyn by herself. No, really she could.
Hills And Valleys – The Rocket Summer
Felt Tipped-Pen Pictures Of UFOs – the Brian Jonestown Massacre – Anton Newcolmb’s masterpiece is waiting in the wings. It is gonna knock the alternative rock world off its complacent ass once he releases it.
Stillness Is The Move – Solange Knowles – One of the top five singles of the year. It saves Dave from himself and secures his future.
IRM – Charlotte Gainsborg – An acquired taste… but an acquirable taste.
Butterflies – Juliana Hatfield
Lord Please – Spider Bag – I’m working up a post in which I toast em as the band of the decade.Just waiting to see em live before I confirm my opinion.
Kathy With A K’s Song – Bright Eyes
Do Better – Say Anything
Memories (Featuring Kid Cudi) – David Guetta
Rock ‘N’ Roll With Me – David Bowie – A ridiculously romantic ode to the powers of dance and pop music.
It’s Only Rock N Roll – Juliana Hatfield – A ridiculously romantic ode to the powers of singing on stage and pop music.