A large portion of what we’ll
talk about on Two Cold Pops revolves around music. With that in mind, I thought
it would be fun to share some of my favorite jams from 2019. The internet is
full of Best of 2019 lists right now, why not add another to the never ending
noise.
Kevin and I are both avid
listeners of music and have found over the years that we have a similar taste –
most of the time. It’s funny, when we first became friends, we thought music
would be the one thing we didn’t agree on. Kevin knew I liked acts like Bob
Seger and The Beatles and I knew he was into heavy prog stuff like King Crimson
and we didn’t take the time to look any deeper. As time went by we both
realized there was more to each other’s musical tastes than just a few bands
and slowly found groups we both liked. We called it our music Venn diagram. If
you’re not familiar with a Venn diagram, it’s one of those things that looks
like a Mastercard logo where you each put things you like in your individual
circle and put the shit you both like in the overlapping part in the middle.
You know what, if you don’t know what a Venn diagram is, you’re probably not
smart enough to enjoy our blog. Go back to elementary school.
Anyway, the middle part of our
diagram grew and grew over time to the point that it is now larger than either
of the individual parts. Bands like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Pink
Floyd, and Led Zeppelin were there all along. Over time we have introduced each
other to new acts we may not have found on our own. I got Kevin to listen to
Arcade Fire (maybe my favorite band going right now) and we ended up seeing
them live at DTE. It was definitely my favorite concert experience of all time.
Seriously, go see Arcade Fire if you get the chance. Kevin has turned me onto a
number of bands, including All Them Witches, who we have seen multiple times
and always enjoy.
The meatiest part of our Venn
diagram has to be a band that will make an appearance below, Kalamazoo’s own,
The Go Rounds. We saw them randomly at some free show in Ann Arbor in 2017 and
have been obsessed ever since. We go see them every chance we get, which is
often since they are local, and have both contributed money to the cause of
getting their music out there. They really are a phenomenal band with a large
catalog of eclectic songs. Listen to The Go Rounds, you will not be disappointed.
Do it now.
History lesson complete, here are
my five favorite songs from 2019.
1. Social Cues – Cage the Elephant
This song is a
banger. Many people have caught me dancing in may car to this song at stop
lights. I have been a sort of tertiary fan of these guys for a while now. I
knew some of their radio stuff, and liked it, but never went much deeper. This
song got me into them in a real way and I will be exploring their entire
catalog now.
2.
Bali – The Go Rounds
I think I’ve
already expressed how much I love this band. Whatever You May Be is
hands down my favorite album of 2019. There are a few songs from that record
that could be in this spot, but Bali was one I always came back to when
thinking about these guys. There is something mystical and catchy about it that
really gets me going. Probably the best way to describe most of their music.
3.
Running Up That Hill – Meg Myers
This is a cover of
a Kate Bush song from the eighties. I didn’t know that. I didn’t even know who
Kate Bush was before hearing this song. I do know that the 2019 version of this
song is a powerful, synthy delight.
4.
Lo/Hi – The Black Keys
Another banger.
Everyone knows about The Black Keys, so just listen to them do their thing and
enjoy. Car dancing is encouraged.
5.
Poison the Well – Modest Mouse
I love this band.
I love everything they do. There were other songs I might have put here, but I
couldn’t leave Modest Mouse off my list. Everything these guys do just gets
into me and stirs up all kinds of shit.
Honorable Mention
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