People compile “best of” lists for one of three reasons:
1. To validate your musical tastes: not only to yourself but in direct relation with the rest of the hipster community.
2. To lord your perceived awesomeness over those decidedly less hip (which is essentially an extension of reason number 0ne).
3. Because someone asked you to…and it would be rude to deny such a request, especially considering that this is your one chance to one-up that person on the hipness scale.
For me it’s all three. Plus, I should multiply the pathetic factor it by ten since I’m actually re-posting my list that originally appeared on Sound As Language. Is that wrong?
In all seriousness, I’m proud of what I’ve been spinning in my stereo this year. Not only do these mostly DIY bands write amazing, creative songs, I would consider a few of them good friends…and it feels pretty good to be supporting your pals.
Over the next week or so I’ll be counting down my top ten records of 2006, in no particular order, mind you. If you simply can’t wait, go here and prepare to have your doors blown the fuck off. And while you’re at it, give Sound As Language a good once over. It’s run by my friend Will Miller and he does a terrific job. He updates it almost every day and there’s no one who listens to more music — and whose opinion I respect more — than Will.
So let’s kick it off with Tiny Hawks “People Without End.”
By the way, I kinda lied before because if I had to choose a number one, this would probably be it. Aggressive, chaotic DC-influenced post-whatever-core isn’t supposed to make you happy, is it? I should be smashing stuff and blaming my parents or the government for some injustice. Still, something about this Providence, RI duo’s propulsive, frenetic songwriting makes my heart feel like it’s trying to float its way through my chest almost every time. I don’t know the first thing about playing an instrument or how to make it ring out with just the right intonation or alacrity, but contained within Tiny Hawks’ songs are layers upon layers of joyous chords zigzagging, cresting and crashing around excited rhythms while passionate voices sing songs of hope and reflection.
I couldn’t find an mp3 for this new record but here’s a song titled “Whenzy” from their first relase — which is just as good – that you can check out here. Do yourself a favor and pick up both discs from Corleone Records.
