This post brings to an end the weeklong 5 Years/5 Songs series I’ve been running to commemorate 5 years of music blogging here on Pop Headwound. Five overlooked gems from each of the past five years – I hope you found yourself a couple of new favorites this week that you previously missed. For this 2011 edition I thought it better to steer clear of anything I shared on my recent Favorite 2011 Songs and Albums lists and highlight a few songs that were very close, a few I recently discovered, and one that should have been included but was forgotten. And there are 6 today because I couldn’t decide which one to cut. Once again, here are the 2007, 2008, 2009, & 2010 posts to check out.
Apache Dropout / I’m So Glad
Here’s the lead off track from the self-titled debut of Apache Dropout, the most discordant garage rock revivalists I’ve heard yet. “I’m So Glad” plays it moderately straight though, and sounds like a rescue from the White Light/White Heat cutting room floor. I can’t think of a higher compliment.
Family Portrait / Other Side
Somehow I totally forgot about Family Portrait’s propulsive blast of psyche/folk when I compiled my 50 Favorites list a few weeks back. What an absolutely killer song.
Just Another Snake Cult / I Know She Does
Just Another Snake Cult is the recording project of Iceland’s Thor Bogason, and this positively soaring indie-pop gem, recorded in his bedroom, is from an album called Ghosts.
Young Adults / Let Us Out
This is one huge, sinister-sounding, punk-as-fuck jam right here.
The Capstan Shafts / Degenerate Era Sweetheart
Vermont’s Dean Wells has been churning out super lo-fi, Propeller-era GBV inspired albums for over a decade now. Somehow I never got around to posting about his fine 2011 collection Kind Empires, and re-listening to opener “Degenerate Era Sweetheart” makes me think I missed the boat on that one.
Total Control / Carpet Rash
In the wake of discovering the phenomenal Royal Headache LP a few weeks back, I’ve just recently caught up with another of Australia’s up-and-coming bands, Total Control. Like Weekend’s “Coma Summer” from 2010, “Carpet Rash” is an extended, intense psyche/rock marathon.
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