Feels
Top Closing Tracks
No music list is completely comprehensive. I think it a bit silly that magazines like Rolling Stone compile lists like, “The 500 greatest albums of all time.” Or, “The 50 greatest guitarists of all time.” Especially since they give great albums mediocre reviews until the realize that the rest of the critics think it’s great. And then they “revisit” a few years down the road. That’s a post for another day though. Music is art. Art is just that…art. Nobody has infinite knowledge of everything released. Art is, and specifically music, completely opinion based. Some people love Limp Bizkit. It’s not really for me, to say the least, but I can’t exactly say that they are wrong for liking it either.
Those things said, this is a list (In no particular order) of some of my favorite songs that close out albums. Mostly I feel a great closing song completes the album, but leaves you also hungry for what is to come next.
Band / Album - Song
Battles / Mirrored - Race Out
Strap the headphones on for this. Battles are some of the most talented rock musicians on the planet. This song just continues the intensity throughout the whole album right till the fade out. It makes me think that this song was just a brainstormed idea, all the guitarists playing a similar lick throughout the whole song. It works extremely well. John Stainer is a complete badass on drums.
Deerhunter / Microcastle - Twilight at Carbon Lake
Deerhunter are known for making almost hypnotic music with this one being a highlight of how they can just lull you into losing your self within the song. Great build up to a wonderful pay off that makes Microcastle a complete album.
The Dirty Projectors / Bitte Orca - Fluorescent Half-Dome
Dave Longstreth’s voice is simply incredible. One of my favorite songs to sing loudly when no one is around. The track has everything that makes the rest of this album wonderful in a beautiful soft closer. (Everything except his manic guitar playing, which is also brilliant) Also, some of the most creative and out there drum playing that I could imagine for a track like this.
Franz Ferdinand / You Could Have It So Much Better - Outsiders
One of my all time favorite songs of all time. This live performance should be summary enough.
My Morning Jacket / Z - Dondante
No one sings like Jim James. He absolutely pours his heart into this song and it is fucking mesmerizing. Live footage from the Okonokos show.
The Walkmen / Bows + Arrows - Bows + Arrows
I read an interview with The Walkmen where they said this was probably their favorite song that they had written. After I read that I grew extremely fond of it and started to hear all the nuances in it that makes it an incredible track. Absolutely wonderful lyrics.
Tom Waits / Rain Dogs - Anywhere I Lay My Head
The ultimate end of a drinking night song. I almost always make this the last song I play on the jukebox down at the bar. Typically great composition by Tom Waits. I’m a sucker for a good drunken trumpet too.
The Walkmen - Angela Surf City
You took the high road
I couldn’t find you
The Walkmen covering R.E.M.’s “Driver 8”
I’ll be hanging from a ceiling fan
Maybe you’re right…
The Walkmen - Red River
The Walkmen - In the New Year
From a series of videos called It Came From Brooklyn by Ray Concepcion.
