I Got Two Sets of Headphones

I was thinking today about how writing about music has changed the way I listen to music. Before this, listening was a totally selfish experience--I listened to what I wanted to because I wanted to listen to it. Which, I guess, is self-evident and usually the case for most people.

Now, I feel compelled to listen to things, even if I hate them (ahem, U2). As a result, I almost feel guilty going back and listening to things I've really enjoyed (Neko Neko Neko) when I know I need to keep checking out some new music.

All that said, we're 1/4 of the way through the year (is my Math right B-Man?), so here's an initial list of my favorite songs of the year in alphabetical order by artist:

A.C. Newman: There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve, The Changeling, Submarines of Stockholm

Andrew Bird: Oh No, Fitz and the Dizzyspells, Effigy, Not a Robot but a Ghost, Natural Disaster

Animal Collective: My Girls, Daily Routine, Bluish, Brothersport

Beirut: The Shrew, My Wife

Bon Iver: Blood Bank

Coconut Records: Drummer, Any Fun, The Summer

Cymbals Eat Guitars: And the Hazy Sea

Dan Auerbach: Trouble Weighs a Ton, Heartbroken in Disrepair, Mean Monsoon

Grizzly Bear: Two Weeks

M. Ward: For Beginners, Never Had Nobody Like You, Rave On

Miniature Tigers: Cannibal Queen, Like or Like Like, The Wolf

Neko Case: This Tornado Loves You, Vengeance is Sleeping, Middle Cyclone, The Pharoahs, People Gotta Lotta Nerve

Nobunny: Nobunny Loves You, Mess Me Up


Bonus points to the person naming the song/artist for the title of the post.