good morning and welcome to the FINAL HODDLE OF THE YEAR !!!!!
Let’s end the year by wrapping up our countdown of Fitzie’s Top Songs of 2024.
I have to say, looking at this list, it’s really tough to rank them 10 through 1. But that’s the task that I’ve assigned myself and I’m not going to shy away from it. So let’s get to it.
Where the hell did Sports Team come from? I’m not sure, but they delivered an absolute banger in Condensation.
Fitzie’s track of the day, part one: Condensation, by Sports Team
This is everything you’d want from St Vincent. After returning to 70s sultry rock, St Vincent is back with a more experimental collection of songs. The best of which is Broken Man.
Fitzie’s track of the day, part two: Broken Man, by St Vincent
Not every Track of the Day grabs Menno’s attention so much that he has to comment on it and declare his newfound love for the artist. This country-rock romper is that good and deserves its place in Fitzie’s top 10.
Fitzie’s track of the day, part three: Sunshine Getaway, by JD McPherson
TLDP is one of my favourite groups out there right now. I adore their baroque pop sound. And The Feminine Urge shows TLDP at their very best.
Fitzie’s track of the day, part four: The Feminine Urge, by The Last Dinner Party
Sometimes you listen to a song and you know it’s important. This might not be my favourite song this year (it’s close), but I think it’ll have the greatest impact. The lyrics ween between nonsensical and deep, and the momentum builds and builds.
Fitzie’s track of the day, part five: Starburster, by Fontaines DC
Haunting lyrics carry this one all the way to No. 5. I’ve played this song many times this year, and it always feels fresh. It’s got this electronic beat, an almost ghostly vocal performance from SVE that is always incredible to listen to.
Fitzie’s track of the day, part six: Afterlife, by Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
That’s the Jack White we know. The only thing better than listening to this for the first time on the radio was listening to it at The Atlantis in DC.
Fitzie’s track of the day, part seven: That’s How I’m Feeling, by Jack White
How do you choose just one Yard Act song? They released one of my favourite records this year in Where’s My Utopia? It was hard to select just one song from their record to place in the list.
The best song on that album is Blackpool Illuminations, which almost defies the sarcastic reckoning the band faces with its newfound critical acclaim. After some cheeky songs like Dream Job and We Make Hits, we get an honestly reflective song that harkens back to a tourist attraction in the coastal town.
Or is it all a joke that only Yard Act are in on? Pull up the lyrics and listen to an incredible piece of writing.
Fitzie’s track of the day, part eight: Blackpool Illuminations, by Yard Act
The Linda Lindas burst onto the scene a couple years ago with Oh! They return this year with something far more sophisticated in All In My Head.
Not just in the subject matter, but in their musicianship as well. Hard to believe they’re just teenagers still.
(If anyone has a spare ticket and wants to bring a hoddler-in-chief to The Linda Lindas’ gig at the Black Cat on April 18, let fitzie know.)
Fitzie’s track of the day, part nine: All In My Head, by The Linda Lindas
There were huge expectations for The Cure’s long-awaited album Songs of a Lost World this year. And they delivered. There’s some exceptional songs here including Drone No Drone, I Can Never Say Goodbye and Love’s A Fragile Thing.
Safe to say The Cure dominated this year for me. They delivered my favourite record and my favourite song. No one does goth, melancholic rock better than them.
Fitzie’s track of the day, part ten: Alone, by The Cure
And now for your links:
NME: Robert Smith on why he dislikes 4:13 Dream
The Los Angeles Times ($$): The Linda Lindas grow up while reaching stadium-level status
The Guardian reviews a Jack White concert