Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 5

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2015's playlists for our fourteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. Here are the final songs:



17. Feeling Ok -- Best Coast

As the Los Angeles Times noted, "Feeling Ok" (yes, the "k" is not capitalized here) seems on the surface to be celebrating life in California, a.k.a. the Best Coast. Yet singer Bethany Cosentino doesn't seem 100% convinced -- and that says a lot about the conflict and contradictions that come from living in our sunny SoCal world.



18. O Mother -- Son Little

2015 will be remembered for a lot of things, including how the #BlackLivesMatter movement helped finally once again shine a spotlight on the plight of young African American men and women. Son Little, who hails from Philadelphia, wrote "O Mother" while touring in Europe while headlines in the States were focused on the fates of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. “Racism and violence are global problems,” he told the New Yorker. “But our particular brand in America is what makes it hard for black men to breathe.”



19. 1998 (feat. Banks) -- Chet Faker

Producer Chet Faker originally released "1998" in 2014; this reworked version includes the equally soulful Banks picking up a verse as well. (Sorry, no relation to Taylor Swift's "1989.")



20. TV -- Colleen Green

I suppose this should be my anthem, right? "TV is my friend/ And it has been with me everyday/ From an early age/ TV is my friend/ And it has been always there for me/ In time of need"



21. Madre Tierra (Oye) -- Chayanne

Puerto Rican Latin pop star Chayanne has sold more than 30 million albums, yet I'm sure you probably haven't heard of him. I was introduced to "Madre Tierra (Oye)" because the Blogger Kid's 4th grade class at his Spanish immersion school sang the song in the spring. I figured it was appropriate to end this year's mix with the song... followed by a bonus track, below!



22. Madre Tierra (Oye) -- Franklin Spanish 4th Graders

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 4

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2015's playlists for our fourteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. The next four:

13. Hard Time -- Seinabo Sey

Writes The Guardian: "Seinabo Sey, with her motley take on pop, surely puts up with a lot of hyphenated descriptors. The singer-songwriter is Swedish-Gambian for starters, daughter of late musician Maudo Sey and his partner Madeleine Sundqvist. Then, there’s the issue of categorising her sound. As is the case with so many musicians of her age, the 25-year-old rummages around in a grab-bag of influences to make this tightly performed, if not slightly over-polished, debut." I found "Hard Time" in a blog post of songs that "public radio can't get enough of."



14. Chains of Love -- The Arcs

Dan Auerbach, the singer-guitarist-songwriter of the modern-blues duo the Black Keys, finds a lower-key (pun intended) but still soul-infused sound with side project The Arcs. Rolling Stone writes: "the bleak R&B beauty "Chains of Love," Auerbach hands the chorus to the female singers Mariachi Flor de Toloache, who haunt the space behind the beat and spindly guitars like a ghostly Shangri-Las.



15. Never Ending Circles -- CHVRCHES

From the second release from Scottish synthpop band Chvrches -- sorry, CHVRCHES -- I fell in love with lead vocalist Lauren Mayberry's sound all over again.



16. Ocean To City -- High Highs

One of my favorite songs of all time is Ocean Blue's "Ballerina Out of Control." Perhaps it's just a weird coincidence, but High Highs' "Ocean to City" has a very similar beautiful-yet-melancholy sound to it.

The final tracks tomorrow!

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 3

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2015's playlists for our fourteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. The next four:



9. The Scene Between -- The Go! Team

Ten years ago, I was intrigued by The Go! Team's use of sampling and odd vocals on catchy tunes like "Huddle Formation." In 2015, "The Scene Between" kept the fun cut-and-paste sound but added more depth and maturity to the mix.



10. 40 Watt -- Elel

Technically from 2014, but "40 Watt" and Nashville's Elel reached me in 2015. One blog calls it "indie-pop cotton candy for the ears." Hey, nothing wrong with that!



11. Pay No Mind (ft. Passion Pit) -- Madeon

Passion Pit had a new CD this year, and it was... just OK. I was much more excited by the band's collaboration with French producer Madeon, "Pay No Mind." The video is trippy too.



12. Long Way Down -- Robert DeLong

On a rare date night this year, Maria and I saw Robert DeLong perform at the Natural History Museum last February as part of its "First Fridays" series of events. Perhaps that makes me a little partial to "Long Way Down," but it's also just a strong track.

The next four tomorrow!

Also on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 1

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 2

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 2

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2015's playlists for our fourteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. The next four:



5. Monster (feat. Avelino) -- Jacob Banks

Jacob Banks is part of a new wave of soul artists with a throwback '60s sound. "Monster," with its hypnotic chant, is a little more modern, and a song that will stick with you.



6. Greek Tragedy -- The Wombats

"Greek Tragedy" may be better known for its disturbing video, in which every member of the Liverpool-based band is brutally murdered. I decided to post a live-- and less graphic -- video here instead.



7. Multi-Love -- Unknown Mortal Orchestra

I don't think the term "psych-rock" does Unknown Mortal Orchestra justice. I've been a big fan of the band, led by Ruben Nielson, in the past, and their third album is well worth picking up.



8. The Emotion -- BØRNS

Spin calls "The Emotion" a "twinkling, gorgeous soliloquy." The pained chorus from Borns -- sorry, BØRNS -- is indeed beautifully haunting.

Come back tomorrow for the next four!

Also on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 1

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 3

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 1

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2015's playlists for our fourteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. The first four:



1. Overboard -- The Silver Lake Chorus

Ben Lee wrote and performs the solo in this song, from The Silver Lake Chorus-- which "performs choral arrangements of indie music." Yeah, I know, sounds so very Silver Lake-y. But Ben Lee knows how to craft an infectious pop tune, and this is one of them -- attached to a striking multi-part chorus. (Thanks to TSLC for correcting me -- that's not Ben Lee doing the solo, but one of their talented members!)



2. Wild Things -- Alessia Cara

I've been listening to a lot of top 40 radio toward the end of this year, and during a recent drive up to Sacramento, Alessia Cara's "Here" was in heavy rotation. I was drawn to the song's sample -- Isaac Hayes's "Ike's Rap II," which was the core of one of my favorite tracks of the 1990s, Portishead's "Glory Box." Cara's voice is remarkable, and "Wild Things" is a fantastic follow-up.



3. Don't Wanna Fight -- Alabama Shakes

Brittany Howard does it again -- that raw grit in her voice as she screams, "I don't wanna fight no more!" is powerful.


4. Flesh Without Blood -- Grimes

Claire Elise Boucher, better known as Grimes, has a sound that one magazine described as an "alien love-child of Aphex Twin and ABBA." I'm not sure if that's a good thing, but this song is.

The next four tomorrow!

Also on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 2

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2015, Part 3

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2014, Part 5

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2014's playlists for our thirteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The final four:



17. A Little Lost -- Sufjan Stevens

Yes, "indietronica" is a word, and perhaps best describes this track from the singer/songwriter.



18. Black Out Days -- Phantogram

It was a breakthrough year for the duo, which had a breakout hit with the song "Fall In Love." I considered putting that on this playlist, but considering how overplayed that song became, I settled with "Black Out Days."



19. Coffee -- Sylvan Esso

From the debut album by the North Carolina duo. It was either this song or "Hey Mami," but I think my love for coffee won out.



20. Always Winnin -- Shad & DJ T.LO

How can you not love a song that references "Homeland," the NBC peacock, "30 Rock" and EGOT winners, among many other things? Oh, and it's also a catchy track.



21. Myth of Myself (A Ruse to Exploit Our Weaknesses) -- Fanfarlo

The epic nature of this song, complete with flute, made it the natural way to end this year's Choice Cuts mix. Until next year!

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2014, Part 4

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2014's playlists for our thirteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The next four:



13. Milkman -- Bully

You may have figured out over the years that I love female-fronted garage pop-punk, and Bully -- a new four-piece band out of Nashville -- fits the bill. "Milkman" is the lead track from their EP.



14. Artifice -- SOHN

SOHN is British musician Christopher Taylor, who has also worked with artists such as Banks (who also makes an appearance on this year's mix). "Artifice" was the lead single from SOHN's 2014 debut album, "Tremors."

15. On My Mind -- Liam Bailey

"On My Mind" is the lead single from British singer Liam Bailey's US debut album, "Definitely Now." Mother Jones calls Bailey and his unique mix of R&B, reggae and rock "sneakily addictive."



16. Looking Too Closely -- Fink

Per Wikipedia, "Buoyed by the radio success of the single 'Looking Too Closely,' the album charted in several territories, including a top 10 appearance in the Netherlands (number 8), number 25 in Germany, and at Top 30 slot on the Billboard Heatseekers album chart in the US."

Stay tuned for the final five tomorrrow!

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2014, Part 3

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2014's playlists for our thirteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The next four:



9. Ashes -- The Belle Brigade

Another good year for sibling duo Barbara Gruska (guitar, drums, vocals) and Ethan Gruska (guitar, piano, vocals). I really like the opening and close of this song, which almost sounds like it was performed on the railroad.



10. Brain -- Banks

It was either "Brain" or "Beggin' for Thread" that would make the cut from Banks, but either way, Los Angeles-based Banks (full name: Jillian Rose Banks) was going to make the Choice Cuts mix.



11. Elevate -- St. Lucia

Originally from South Africa, St. Lucia (aka Jean-Philip Grobler) now calls Brooklyn home. This is a bright, sunny, summer song.



12. New Romance -- Azekel

According to Wikipedia, both Prince and Bastille have thrown their support behind "New Romance" and Azekel (full name: Azekel Adesuyi). I just like the sound.

Stay tuned for the next four tomorrrow!

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2014, Part 2

In no particular order, I've selected the favorite tracks from 2014's playlists for our thirteenth annual Choice Cuts end-of-year mix. I'm revealing them throughout the week. The next four:

5. Little Numbers -- Boy

This song, from the Swiss/German pop duo Boy, was actually a hit in Europe a few years ago, and even a part of a Lufthansa Airlines commercial. Boy's first album was released in the U.S. in 2013, but I only came across "Little Numbers" last year. It almost didn't make this year's cut, but I can't resist the chorus.



6. Luna -- Bombay Bicycle Club

I've included several Bombay Bicycle Club songs on regular playlists over the years, but "Luna" may be one of my favorites from this English indie rock band.



7. Archie, Marry Me -- Alvvays

Pronounced "Always," the Canadian duo consists of Molly Rankin and Kerri MacLellan. Yes, perhaps there's something a bit precious about this song, but it's also extremely catchy.



8. i -- Kendrick Lamar

I've been pretty frustrated that the "Saturday Night Live" performance of "i" by Kendrick Lamar isn't available for download. The SNL version was more raw and contemporary... I don't mind the original, but there was so much more urgency with the SNL performance. You be the judge: above is the original version, and below is the version from SNL.



Stay tuned for the next four tomorrrow!

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's July and August 2013 Playlists

Looking for a few playlists to get you through the end of summer? We've got you covered. Over at Choice Cuts I've finally posted our Franklin Avenue playlists for 2013 so far, and the songs are also up at my Spotify page. Or, just click on the playlists below! Hope you like.

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2012, Part 5

Rounding out Franklin Avenue's round up of favorite 2012 tracks, the final five:



17. Born To -- Jesca Hoop

For once I agree with the comments on a YouTube video post. "Her voice is powerful and sensitive at the same time," one writes. Another: "I'd love to just spend one day with jesca hoop having a nice chat drinking a coffee." And another: "Can everybody else just stop making music? This is all I ever need."



18. Who Do You Like? -- Joywave

The "Live at the Strasenburgh Planetarium" version of Joywave's "Who Do You Like?" is a pretty faithful rendition of the recording. From their 2012 EP "Koda Vista," a nice slice of 80s-inspired pop. Criminal that this song isn't better known.



19. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) (Arcade Fire Cover) -- Meklit Hadero & Quinn DeVeaux

I could listen to Meklit and Quinn's quiet cover of Arcade Fire's "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" over and over again. As a matter of fact, I do. And I never get tired of it.



20. Warrior -- Mark Foster + A-Trak + Kimbra

OK, so I wasn't about to put "Someone I Used To Know" on this end-of-year roundup -- I figure we've all heard that song enough for a lifetime. But here's nonetheless your dose of Kimbra, along with Foster the People's Mark Foster and DJ A-Trak. And OK, so this song comes out of Converse's "3 Artists, 1 Song" promotion -- but other than a few glimpses of Converse shoes in the video, it's not all intrusive. It's just a catchy jam. Don't overthink it!



21. Not Giving In -- Rudimental ft. John Newman & Alex Clare

Alex Clare dominated the charts this year with "Too Close" (thanks to that ubiquitous Microsoft commercial), yet his collaboration here with Rudimental and John Newman is much more powerful. Perhaps it's because of this video, a "Slumdog Millionaire"-like tale that's based on a true story about b-boy star "Mouse's" rags-to-riches experience and shot on location outside Manila. Read more about the video here.

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2012, Part 1

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2012, Part 2

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2012, Part 3

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2012, Part 4

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2012, Part 4

13. Constant Conservations (St. Lucia Remix) -- Passion Pit

I liked the Passion Pit track "Take A Walk," but it's now being heard everywhere, and I can see where it might get old fast. This St. Lucia remix of "Constant Conversations" brings the tempo of the original down a bit, allowing for a more haunting, yet anthemic, quality.



14. Losing You -- Solange

Apologies, Beyonce, but Solange may be fast becoming my favorite Knowles sister. Watching her energetically perform in various South African street scenes makes for a fantastic video, and pairs nicely with the unexpected sounds of "Losing You."



15. High For This -- Ellie Goulding

I could have picked a number of Ellie Goulding tracks for my end-of-year collection, with "My Blood" a close second. But there's something about Goulding's cover of The Weeknd's "High For This" that convinced me to go this route.



16. Trip -- Vacationer

Vacationer had me the second "Trip" opens with that Martin Denny, "Exotica"-like riff. Quick, dark song that makes me want to, well, take a trip.

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2012, Part 1

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2012, Part 2

Choice Cuts: Franklin Avenue's Favorite Tracks of 2012, Part 3