Top 10 Songs of 2009 ... So Far

So, last week I know I teased with the fact that I had a put together a list of the 10 Best Songs of '09 so far and I just now realized because of all the BBQ and beers and such, I forgot to share it with the world. How terrible of me. So, anyway, here we are again in the fairest of orders which is alphabetical, here's the Top 10 Songs of 2009 .. so far?

"Brothersport" - Animal Collective
"And The Hazy Sea" - Cymbals Eat Guitars

"Stillness Is The Move" - Dirty Projectors


"Vacationing People" - Foreign Born
"Two Weeks" - Grizzly Bear

"Tunnelvision" - Here We Go Magic


"Lalita" - The Love Language
"Little Secrets" - Passion Pit
"Actor Out Of Work" - St. Vincent

"Awkward Kisser" - Telekinesis

New Passion Pit Video: "The Reeling"

When the video for Passion Pit's "Sleepyhead" came out it was all about the head of Michael Angelakos and how it spun around in that nifty looking cube. And now there's the new video for "The Reeling", the first single from their upcoming full-length Manners. Angelakos' head is back in the forefront, but instead of being sleepy this time, it's all about being more paper mache. And there are some girls running around at night in Brooklyn. Maybe some confetti, too. Maybe it's like Nick & Norah but not really at all. Either way, it just gets me even more excited for the new album.

Passion Pit Ready Manners, Reveal "The Reeling"

More than anyone, for reasons unannounced, have I spent a lot of time with Passion Pit. Not with the guys, but with their music. Chunk of Change, the Boston-based band's debut EP, is something that was on repeat for all of the fall. They were the one band I saw at CMJ more times than any other, frankly because they were everywhere.

And after running amok in the US and the UK and at SXSW, the band is currently taking a siesta before their debut full-length, Manners, is before us on May 19th. The 11-song set features lots of hand bells, lots of grooves, trumpets, a sleepyhead and a children's choir to boot.

Manners
1. Make Light
2. Little Secrets
3. Moth's Wings
4. The Reeling
5. Eyes As Candles
6. Swimming in the Flood
7. Folds In Your Hands
8. To Kingdom Come
9. Sleepyhead
10. Let Your Love Grow Tall
11. Seaweed Song

To give you a taste - with those trumpets and the children's choir in tow - check out "The Reeling" on the band's MySpace.

Passion Pit: '09 Tour Dates, Remix Contest

Everything just keeps looking up for Boston's Passion Pit. The video for "Sleepyhead" just got aired on MTV2 last week amidst them wrapping up final sessions for their hotly anticipated full length which will drop next spring. MTV also said they were probably the biggest band at this year's CMJ conference as they packed the club at every performance they had.

The band now hopes to keep the clubs packed with their first tour of the New Year. The band will be playing in cities and venues they have yet to visit, so do check them out on their maiden voyage in to your town. All dates are with Cale Parks of Aloha fame and Paper Route, save for the two remaining dates on their 2008 calendar:

12.05 Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands
12.31 Allston, MA @ Great Scott
01.22 Montreal, QC @ Divan Orange
01.23 Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
01.24 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
01.26 Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot
01.27 Chicago, IL @ Schuba's
01.28 Cleveland, OH @ The Spot at Case University
01.29 Cincinnati, OH @ Northside Tavern
01.30 Columbus, OH @ Summit
02.02 Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar
02.03 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
02.07 Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall

To tide you over, the Pit has teamed up with Fingers on the Pulse to bring you the "Sleepyhead" remix contest. To enter, download these here parts of the song and e-mail your entry by December 2nd with the subject line Passion Pit Remix. Godspeed and best of luck.

SIS @ CMJ

So the lack of internet at my hotel has really put a damper on me getting to let you all in on what I've seen so far at this year's CMJ Festival.

Tuesday night had easily the highlight and low light between Passion Pit and Jens Lekman. The Pit were on top of their game, best performance yet, delighting the sold out crowd at the Music Hall of Williamsburg at the Brooklyn Vegan party. But afterwards, "Singing DJ" Jens Lekman came out and did the most bizarre DJ set, where he sang along to songs that were not his own. Sadly, I left unimpressed and marched out and on to the Stereogum party where I saw Gang Gang Dance and Ponytail for the third and second times, respectively.

Last night was Wednesday, and Hot Lava tore up a late night 1AM set at the Delancey, showcasing material from their recent Bar None debut, Lavalogy. Before that I was able to catch GBV guitarist Doug Gillard at the Alphabet Lounge, previewing material from his upcoming solo album, Call From Restricted.

Tonight there's Koufax, and there's also Janelle Monae (guilty pleasure? Yeah, sure.)

Oh, and were you at the SIS party last night? Do let us know if you were and if you took and pics or would care to give us an awesome quote or four for an upcoming blog post.

New Passion Pit Video: "Sleepyhead"

Since Passion Pit released their debut EP, Chunk of Change, I find myself listening to it constantly. And every time I put it on, I find a new favorite song, a new number to just play on repeat for days. First it was "Better Things," then it was "I've Got Your Number," and now it's "Sleepyhead". Adding to this ever lasting repeat playing is the band's first ever music video for said "Sleepyhead," which is way more mechanically advanced than I am. And then you get Michael Angelakos' hands and feet and head trapped in cubes spinning around. It's more like dizzyhead rather than sleepyhead by the time it's over, and I am fine with that.

Catch the P-Pit as I like to call them next week at CMJ if you are going to be in New York:
10.21 New York, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Brooklyn Vegan)
10.23 New York, NY @ Fader Lounge
10.23 New York, NY @ Annex (Club NME)
10.24 New York, NY @ Piano's (Planetary Skewer)
10.25 New York, NY @ The Yard

Download: "Sleepyhead" [mp3] // [Buy Here]