for an album to be good, it needs a few things. good songs are usually a must. some good musicianship always helps. maybe it tells a story. every story has an end and this top ten deals with the endings of the stories. without further bullshit, here are my ten favorite albums closers.
10.
Colorado - Grizzly Bear (album: Yellow House)
what better way to close the beautiful, ambient Yellow House than with the coup de grace of all tracks. Swooping, mysterious, full of vocal melody and intrigue. I have no idea the relevance of the track's lyrics but I feel as though I'm immersed nonetheless. All together now: Coooollloooooorraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadooooooooooooooooo.
9.
Re: Stacks - Bon Iver (album: For Emma, Forever Ago)
this is not the sound of a new man or crispy realization/it's the sound of the unlocking and the lift away/your love will be/safe with me
bon iver closes for emma with words of determination, security, resignation, and acceptance, bringing ultimate closure to a cold, dark record often full of uncertainty and isolation. hearing vernon singing those last lines makes the listener feel as though their journey with him (one longing for recognition/understanding of the self and belonging) has been entirely worth it.
8.
All You Need Is Love - The Beatles (album: Magical Mystery Tour)
whimsical, repetitive, but full of life and hands down one of the best messages in the history of music. lennon refined his thoughts started in previous tracks ('the word' most of all) into one line that defined a generation, and still continues to resonate to this day. the clusterfuck at the end of the song of background sounds and vocals accompanied by lennon's haphazard singing is still one of the best moments in song, period.
7.
Two Headed Boy Pt. II - Neutral Milk Hotel (album: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea)
rife with lyrical imagery (albeit wacked), musical and instrumental mastery, and wonderful production, neutral milk hotel's opus 'in the aeroplane over the sea' set a new standard for 'indie' rock music in the 90s (alongside ok computer). two headed boy pt. II closes the disc by retaining various motifs and lyrics from previous songs, and ends with one of my personal favorite lines "but don't hate her/when she gets up to leave." I never want this album to end, but since it has to, this track is the only way to do it.
6.
When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin (album: Led Zeppelin IV)
I feel as though Led Zeppelin crammed so many genres into their music that they transcend all genre and inhabit a plane of their own. IV was a perfect example of this, from the subdued folk vibes of the first half of 'stairway to heaven' to the progressive drone of 'battle of evermore' to the blues domination of the closer 'when the levee breaks.' the song is huge sounding, complete, and begging for attention. it's zeppelin at their most groovy: harmonica loops, perfect drumming, epic bass, and as usual wonderful vocals from plant.
5.
In the Backseat - Arcade Fire (album: Funeral)
how the fuck do you end an album born from the loss of the people closest to you? I never would have imagined it possible to do it well until I heard the closer of funeral. sure it's a song about death, but it's also a song about life. passionately sung, wonderful instrumentation, a song that feels 'real' amongst the trite nonsense of the day. I defy anybody that understands this song/band to not have their emotions stirred when regine sings "my family tree's/losing all its leaves." simply one of the best, most gut-wrenching lines in a song I've had the pleasure of listening to.
4.
Tomorrow Never Knows - The Beatles (album: Revolver)
I honestly boggle my own mind when I consider what tthe 60s audience must have thought when they heard this track. it's unlike most things around during that time, a precursor to the electronica genre and lennon writing some of his most surreal lyrics. if anything, this track is the embodiment of the growing power of the drugs (lsd) the beatles were immersing themselves into, but also a mind-bending, time-defying, genre-warping pleasure for the ears.
3.
Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine (album: The Shepherd's Dog)
I like folk music, and here's why: when done right, it's beautiful, inspirational, poignant, and makes the listener feel utterly connected with the artist, as if we're painting the story hand in hand. the shepherd's dog was a triumph in all regards, and no track more so than the closer. unbelievable vocals and drop-dead melodies riddle this track, a track so beautiful that many (me included) cannot believe that it's NOT a love song but one about the corruption of the political spectrum in america. this is a song that makes me want to close my eyes and just listen, just fall into when it's on.
2.
Videotape - Radiohead (album: In Rainbows)
'no matter what happens next/you shouldn't be afraid/because I know today has been/the most perfect day I've ever seen.' I feel as though words can only detract from the beauty of this song. at its core simple, videotape closes in rainbows by posing challenging questions about death, morality, the afterlife, and redemption IN ONLY A FEW LINES and also features some of the most haunting/enveloping/simply friggin controlling piano/instrumentation work I've ever heard. I can't help going through a myriad of emotions while listening to this track: sadness, fear, loss, nostalgia, happiness, and finally hope. the final minute when the vocals end and the piano continues on is simple bliss. that's all there is to it. I sometimes struggle with the fact that humans made this song, and that I was lucky enough to live to hear it.
1.
A Day in the Life - The Beatles (album: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band)
the obvious choice amongst dozens of wonderful songs. no matter how much I love videotape, or any of the rest, none can ever hope to touch this one. it's the best song by the best band of all time, a mindfuck like no other. THIS WAS WRITTEN IN THE 60S. BANDS TODAY STILL AREN'T DOING HALF THE STUFF IN THIS SONG. the orchestration! the verses! the instrumentation! unbelievable in every note. every time I hear this song it gets harder and harder to believe that any band could ever write anything like this. it singlehandedly made sgt. peppers the best album ever. it singlehandedly defined music. it singlehandedly made having three pianos play the same massive note at the end of a song a good idea. there could be a book written on this song.
The End. I'd love to hear your thoughts about your own choices. thanks for reading. love you all.
Iron & Wine
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Generated on 30 Nov 2009
