Top Five of December...

The top five for December. Enjoy.


1. Portions for Foxes- Rilo Kiley















I don't remember when it was that I heard Rilo Kiley for the very first time, but I do remember being compelled by a singer that I felt understood what it was like to be a girl like me. I had long grown tired of the whisper-y, throat-y, delicate sounding vocals of female pop stars. And imagine my additional delight when I saw Rilo Kiley play for the first time and I discovered Jenny Lewis could actually play instruments. My love affair with Rilo Kiley began then. I only met both Jenny and Blake once at a Bright Eyes show in New York. It was at the beginning of their climb and I talked with Blake about how endearing he found the whole Saddle Creek crew.

This album in particular will always be one of my favorite Rilo Kiley releases. The reasons are far too complicated, but I enjoy it, from track to track- still to this day. One night, I remember three friends blasting it out of car radio on a dead-end street while dancing around the car.

"I keep on talking trash, but I never say anything."


2. You Get Yours- Bright Eyes and Britt Daniel & Spoon















The picture is undoubtedly not from the Oberst and Daniel version that recorded this particular song. The four track ep that this song comes from is beautiful for its immaturity on the part of both artists. What feels like many, many years ago, I made a trip to Wilmington to see Bright Eyes, Sorry about Dresden, and Britt Daniel perform. Britt Daniel at the time was performing solo with only a boom box of his recorded music as accompaniment. It was beautiful. And there is nothing better than "vintage" Oberst where he screams like a young man in pain into the microphone in the background.


3. Don't Misunderstand- Nancy Wilson










It was in this last year that Nancy Wilson entered my world. No, not that Nancy Wilson, but Nancy Wilson, the jazz songstress. I desperately wanted Wilson to end up on the holiday mix, but with numerous cuts and editing, she didn't make the cut. I could only make it up to her by putting her on the next top of ____ list following the holiday.


4. Wonderwall- Oasis



















Every now and then I like to revisit songs from the past, songs that I can vividly remember listening to when the stereo turned up all the way on some long Sunday drive back to school. I imagine these are the types of songs that I'll be listening to as "oldies" when I'm many years from now. And honestly, I don't care what anyone says, I adore this song.


5. New Year's Resolution- Otis Redding















It's true. I'm in love with Otis Redding right now. I can't help myself. And what better way to round out the end of the year of music, but with a thematic tune to help think about what will happen in the next 12 months. You can listen to the song below.