Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 2

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2013's playlists for our twelfth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The next four:



5. Kangaroo Court -- Capital Cities

Of course we still can't get enough of Capital Cities' "Safe and Sound," including the wonderful music video shot at downtown's Los Angeles Theatre. But the follow-up, "Kangaroo Court," is catchy in its own right, and Blogger Kid 2.0 is even more enthralled with this video (perhaps it's because of the disturbing end).




6. Trouble (Mr Bird Remix) -- Jose James

Jazz musician Jose James, known for infusing hip-hop into his sounds released his first CD this year on the famed Verve label. Says Billboard: "James grew up in Minneapolis, the son of a Panamanian saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, and by his early teens was a fixture on the local jazz scene, performing with a variety of lineups and players. He attended the jazz program at the New School, studying with jazz elders Junior Mance and Chico Hamilton. But it was a chance encounter with Gilles Peterson, an influential U.K. radio personality and crate-digger with a knack for discovering raw talent, that helped move his career into high gear."



7. Recover -- CHVRCHES

It was a big year for Chvrches, which hit mainstream alternative big this year with "Recover." Funny enough, they were also known this year for covering Haim's "Falling," another one of our Choice Cuts 2013 selections.



8. Dance Apocalyptic -- Janelle Monáe

Go ahead, get up and dance. Janelle Monáe commands you to.

Tomorrow: The next four!

Also on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 1

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 3

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 4

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 5

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 1

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2013's playlists for our twelfth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The first four:



1. Falling -- HAIM

I was a bit late to getting into Haim, and only in the last few months realized that you don't pronounce their name like Corey. But the three sisters from the Valley are now inescapable. "Saturday Night Live" appearance aside, I can't pick up a magazine or read a music blog without encountering some sort of Haim love. And that's just fine by me. Their songs are so incredibly catchy, and the sisters have such a stage presence (especially the weird faces that bassist Este makes) that it's exciting to see them really take off. There were plenty of strong selections from their CD "Days Are Gone," but the lead track, "Falling," is a groove that I don't think I'll tire of.



2. Sonsick -- San Fermin

By sheer coincidence, I just learned that San Fermin composer and songwriter Ellis Ludwig-Leone wrote the band's first album in Banff, Canada. That just happens to be where the Franklin Avenue family took an awe-inspiring vacation this year. I was hooked on San Fermin's "Sonsick" months ago thanks to the catchy, high pitched vocals. Like the Haim song, "Sonsick" is a infectious lead single that made me want to hear more.



3. Love Don't Go -- The Family Crest

How fascinating is San Francisco-based music collective The Family Crest? Here's how they describe themselves: "We are The Family Crest, a fully independent orchestral rock band made up of people who believe that everyone can be musical when given the opportunity. 
Since we formed in 2010, our mission has been to involve as many people as possible in our music, regardless of their instrument or genre, whether they are professionals, amateurs or have never played music before at all. Presently, we have over 250 members in our Extended Family of artists. We find a place in our sound for everyone, from conservatory-trained orchestral players, to jazz musicians, metal heads and even shower singers. We believe that there's a place in music for everyone, and we've proven it by incorporating artists in hundreds of unique musical configurations." Watch the video for a good idea of how it's done.



4. Was It You -- Joy Kills Sorrow

Who let banjo into our year-end mix? Sorry, Mumford, but the truly captivating bluegrass sounds of this year came from Joy Kills Sorrow. Just listen to vocalist Emma Beaton beat out the lyrics to "Was It You."

Tomorrow: The next four!

Also on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 2

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 3

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 4

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2013, Part 5