Black Leotard Front - "Casual Friday"

Black Leotard Front - "Casual Friday": "Being in France also makes me think of French songs...or, rather, songs featuring French, like this one. This song also makes me think of my hubby, who I miss right now."

M83 - "OK Pal"

M83 - "OK Pal": "Being in France and staying near the Rue d'Antibes in particular, I can't help but think of M83 songs. (M83's Anthony Gonzalez is from Antibes, for those of you who didn't get the connection.)"

Idlewild - "Readers & Writers"

Idlewild - "Readers & Writers": "Frontman Roddy Woomble still can't get past his fascination with writers and poets, but with the music lurching around like a marching band on a joyous road to nowhere, all you care about is wanting to follow along. Yet another great track from the perpetually underloved Idlewild."

True Widow - "Duelist"

True Widow - "Duelist": "This is actually older True Widow than what you may have heard me rave about (last year's As High As The Highest Heavens...). It's also less heavy-sounding, but no less expansive or powerful. I can't be the only one who digs this band."

Helium - "Vibrations"

Helium - "Vibrations": "After the other day's Wild Flag post, it was only a matter of time before I would find myself listening to Helium again...and here we are. I'm happy Mary's back in action in Wild Flag, but could we perhaps get a short Helium reunion too?"

Wild Flag - "Something Came Over Me"

Wild Flag - "Something Came Over Me": "It's got the right melodic elements of classic Helium, but it's sweeter than anything Helium ever did. I love Helium deeply, but it always felt sad, heavy, angry, strange...not light, like this. It still feels like the Helium I missed, but back in a newly structured environment (to its advantage) and not as a 90s retread. A belated welcome back Mary Timony. I'm happy this is also my New Year's Eve post - it's a look back, a look ahead, a mix of old and new, nostalgia mixing with wanting something fresh - which is kind of how I feel today as well. Hope everyone is sending 2011 out in style tonight."

Best Coast - "The End"

Best Coast - "The End": "I still haven't gotten over this record. I remember being in a London hotel, soaking in a bathtub (I so rarely find a tub that truly fits me, I have to take advantage of them when I find them), right after picking up the album, and listening to the whole thing all the way through. It had been cold and grey outside, plus I was loopy from jetlag, and I just lay there, losing myself in the tunes. It's hard for me not to think of that time when I play these songs back now."