On Our Way To Crazy

As part of our Christmas gifts to our families Aaron and I have started making a mix CD every year. I don’t think I ever posted about last year’s offering, which is sad for you because it completely ruled. This year we decided to make a “Best of 2009″ album with fifteen of our favorite tracks from the year. As Aaron and I have fairly divergent tastes in music, it was a bit difficult, but I am happy with the result. As with any “best of” list, as soon we finalized it we thought of about ten more songs we’d have liked to add. Here is what we came up with:

1. 1901 – Phoenix (from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix)
I know it’s obvious to choose this song off this album, but it was everywhere for a reason. Super high energy, really catchy, totally fun.
2. Your Love Is a Song – Switchfoot (from Hello Hurricane)
A lot of great albums came out in 2009, but this one is my favorite, and this is my favorite track. I love everything about it – the feel, the sound, the line ‘I’ve been keeping my hopes unbroken’. It’s beautiful. (We argued about which track to include from this record. I barely won out, Aaron wanted to use one of the rockier songs. Which are also great. Seriously. Buy this record.)
3. Chasing Pirates – Norah Jones (from The Fall)
I wrote about this record earlier this year, and while this isn’t one of my favorite tracks (it’s an Aaron pick), it’s a great example of the turn her music took with this album.
4. Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Will Hoge (from The Wreckage)
Another Aaron pick, and a great one. We’ve been Will Hoge fans for a while now, and this album has that Americana rootsy feel we totally agree on. This song would not be out of place on a Tom Petty record.
5. Stars – Barcelona (from Absolutes)
Another one I wrote about earlier this year. This album fits into that atmospheric piano-driven style that I love, and while this is my absolute favorite song of theirs the whole album is strong. They also make a great Pandora station.
6. Honey, Let Me Sing You a Song – Matt Hires (from Take Us To the Start)
I first heard this one on the acoustic XM station we play pretty much 24 hours a day in our house. I didn’t realize when I downloaded it that the studio version would have a lot more going on (being, you know, not acoustic at all). Aaron love the studio version, I miss the stripped down version I heard originally. And there you have our fundamental musical difference.
7. Mr. Pitiful – Matt Costa (from Unfamiliar Faces)
This is a record I bought because it was $2.99 on AmazonMp3 one day. I am such a sucker, but I was right on with this one. This song in particular is really fun – it sounds a lot like “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”.
8. (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To), I Want You To – Weezer (from Ratitude)
I will love Weezer until the day I die, but this record was a pretty big disappointment. One big exception – this track. Kind of quirky, really upbeat, a big chorus you can yell along with. All the best things about Weezer.
9. This Tornado Loves You – Neko Case (from Middle Cyclone)
Neko Case is so freaking cool, y’all. Her voice is amazing – sexy and tough at the same time. I love listening to her records, and this new one is really great. (This was definitely a Brandi pick.)
10. The Nerve – MuteMath (from Armistice)
Aaron again. The verses feel like U2 to me, and the chorus is really cool. I never really got on the MuteMath train, but this is a pretty awesome song.
11. Greyhound Station – Ben Kweller (from Changing Horses)
Oh my gosh, y’all, Ben Kweller is so cool. His sound changes quite a bit from record to record, and this one is pretty twangy. It completely rules. This song brings me so much joy.
12. Draw the Line – David Gray (from Draw the Line)
David Gray is a Manes family all-time favorite, but I am not in love with this record. Aaron chose this song, which I do agree is the best on the album. It has a good feel and it is still David Gray, who is awesome even when his records are not.
13. Bohemia – Lyle Lovett (from Natural Forces)
Another Manes family favorite. This is a great record, very straight-up Lyle. I like it when an artist’s albums just make sense. This one makes sense. It’s kind of bluesy and gets almost gospely in the end. So good.
14. Maybe – Ingrid Michaelson (from Everybody)
This one, shockingly, was an Aaron pick. It’s so far outside of his usual taste that I kind of think he was messing with me. Good song, though.
15. We’ll Be Fine – Matt Pryor (from Confidence Man)
I really like the message of this song, and I thought the idea would be a good ending. Don’t worry about us, y’all. We’ll be fine.