In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from this year's monthly playlists for our tenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The final four:
19. "Ffunny Ffriends" -- Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Whatta great hook. Portland-based Unknown Mortal Orchestra's analog sound makes "Ffunny Ffriends" deceptively simple. But like the song title's strange spelling, "Ffunny Ffriends" surprises.
20. "Warm Heart of Africa (Featuring Ezra Koenig)" -- The Very Best
Another semi-cheat -- this track actually came out in 2009, but I only discovered it in 2011, while listening to newer music from The Very Best. But it's a good way to first meet the band, a mix of Afropop and Western sounds. Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend duets with Malawi-born Esau Mwamwaya of the band provide the vocals here.
21. "No One's Gonna Love You" -- Cee Lo Green
It was quite a year for Cee-Lo, between "F**k You" and his turn as a coach on NBC's "The Voice." My favorite output from Cee-Lo, however, was his soulful take on Band of Horses' "No One's Gonna Love You."
22. "Helplessness Blues" -- Fleet Foxes
The title track from Fleet Foxes' second album, "Helplessness Blues" builds on the back of a drum cadence before ending on a quiet note. I thought it was the perfect way to end this year's Choice Cuts mix.
To check out all of my monthly playlists, dating back to 2001, head here.
Previously on Franklin Avenue:
Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 1
Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 2
Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 3
Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2011, Part 4
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