Too Early To Call?

Someone told me, when I complained of a lack of inspiration regarding this blog at the moment, that I should list my top ten gigs of the year. Since I've been to (on my count) 11 all up, I can't really do this and be fair. I could make it up, as Mark suggested, but that would be cheating and I've never lied on my blog, intentionally anyway. So instead I thought I'd list my top ten songs of the year so far. By the way, if the Spicks and Speck-tacular counts as a gig, I'll have been to 17 by the end of the year, doubling my previous efforts. Not sure if that's sad or a good thing. And if I lived in Melbourne would it be higher or lower? Hmmm. We'll see next year. This will be a split entry, by the way.

1. Red Rabbits, The Shins
I loved this from the first listen, way back in January. Still has one of the best lines of the year, I reckon: 'I still owe you for the hole in the floor and the ghost in the hall'.

2. You Are My Face, Wilco
Best track on Sky Blue Sky, narrowly ahead of Hate It Here. A great song with contrasting sections and a beautiful melody, with soft lyrics in the intro/ending.

3. Hate It Here, Wilco
Falling in slightly behind You Are My Face. Just plain addictive and funny, especially the line about: 'I call your Mom, she says you're not there... and I should take care!'

4. Real Love, Regina Spektor
This is a big call, since it's only been out for a little while but it's a fantastic cover. I'd get away with her other songs if the album Begin to Hope hadn't come out last year.

5. Turn On Me, The Shins
It's becoming a theme, isn't it? It will be a real toss up at the end of the year between this album and Sky Blue Sky for top album of the year. Every time I hear this on the radio I have to sing along.