Weekly Top 10: Songs Under Two Minutes Long

Another playlist this week, however it's of the shorter variety-- Our favorite songs that clock in at under two minutes. Unfortunately, we were unable to include some of our favorite selections from The Beatles, The Olivia Tremor Control and Animal Collective, but we still made due with what we had. Enjoy the list below. It shouldn't take long.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Songs About Baseball]

Weekly Top 10: Cover Songs

Many apologies for not having this up in its usual Thursday spot. Things get hectic occasionally, and this was one of them. For those who've been with us since the beginning, we've actually used this theme before. However, with a different staff, and over a year under our belts, we figured it was worth tackling again. Some songs will probably be extremely familiar to you, while others, perhaps not so much. Anyway, for your enjoyment-- this week's top 10: cover songs.

[Previously on Animal Noises: Weekly Top 10: Best Songs Named for Geographic Locations]

John's Track of the Week: "Love Me"

Song: Love Me

Artist: Department of Eagles

Album: Sweetheart

Year: 2009

Contrary to my original beliefs going into this article, this is not the first time we've had a cover song as a track of the week.  Still, back in February, many readers may remember Starbucks' Valentine's Day mixtape, Sweetheart, which featured indie artists covering their favorite love songs for hipsters and others to enjoy.  Ever since, I've been listening to the best track on the record, "Love Me," an Elvis Presley cover by Department of Eagles.  On this particular song, Daniel Rossen's haunting, doo-woppy voice becomes the perfect substitute for The King, complete with a few falsetto jumps that Elvis himself may have struggled to reach.

If you enjoy the new sounds of Grizzly Bear and Department of Eagles, I can pretty much guarantee you'll like this one.  As covers go, I feel it does what's asked of it- re-imagining and reworking a song in their own vision, rather than just playing an exact copy of the original work.   Since DoE is less about lyrics and more about the music behind it, this one becomes a bit more intriguing, since it sets lyrics into the forefront of a fairly simple background.  The band passes with flying colors, of course, so I'd recommend checking this one out, to those who have not done so already.

New Department of Eagles Video, "No One Does It Like You"

Well this took quite awhile.  Trust me though, I'm not complaining.  By now, most readers know all about Grizzly Bear side-project, Department of Eagles, and their contribution to "best of" lists everywhere last year, In Ear Park.  The most notable, and universally liked song from said album is, of course the subject of the video below, "No One Does It Like You".  It's been about six months or so since In Ear Park came out, but I'd say this odd video is still welcomed as it would have been at the album's release.  For anybody who hasn't heard the song, check the deal on the video below, and if you like it enough, also grab the song link, courtesy of Stereogum.

Department of Eagles- "No One Does It Like You"

John's Track of the Week: "No One Does It Like You"

Track: "No One Does It Like You"

Artist: Department of Eagles

Album: In Ear Park

Year: 2008

In starting this new segment, running parallel with Matt's similar feature, I wanted to just talk about a track which I've been particularly enjoying throughout the week.  It can be old or new, but the point is just to talk about it quickly.  In the future, I'll try to avoid talking about songs from artists/albums I've already discussed, but for this post, I'll make a small exception.

"No One Does It Like You" possesses that retro, almost distant feel that I enjoyed so much from various artists in 2008, Department of Eagles being one of them.  It's got a moving, interesting beat grabs you in, and almost presents a happier tone than the subject matter of the song- the consequences of cheating on, or leaving someone, it would seem.  If you didn't hear it last year, it's worth a listen now.

Best of 2008: #18, Department of Eagles

Rank: #18

Album: In Ear Park

Artist: Department of Eagles

Label: 4AD

The countdown rolls on at #18, with Department of Eagles' In Ear Park.  This album departs from the heavy use of electronics seen on the band's previous recordings, perpetuating their sound to an enjoyable indie-folk rock buzz, with an electronic backing.  Call it "folktronica" if you must, though I hate the ever-growing list of genre classifications, but the fact is that this record is an expansive and memorable exploration into the mind of Daniel Rossen, whom you probably know from Grizzly Bear.  Though Rossen was part of DoE first, due to the time gap between DoE full-lengths (over three years) and Grizzly Bear's heightened visibility on the indie rock scene and beyond, this band is considered the side project.

What captures me about this album is the mood is able to capture the listener.  The record opens up with the title track, "In Ear Park", a somber and active piece that uses a simple piano and percussion beat to perfection, while creating a sort of airy backwoods atmosphere- alluding to the cover of the album.  It's almost throught-provoking, really.  As it fades out, it immediately changes gears to "No One Does It Like You", which has a nostalgic quality all its own, with its tambourine and bass backing.  I could see the intro of this one ending up on an Itunes commercial, but let's hope not.  The fact that this album took nearly four years to record is none too surprising, as it was obviously constructed by attention to careful detail, and a real focus on creating an ambient, thoughtful, and relaxed mood.  If you're looking for comparisons on this one, check out Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective and Deerhunter.  I won't stretch and say that this applies to ALL of Animal Collective's stuff though- I think Feels or Sung Tongs more than anything else.  Maybe it's just me.

Best Track: "No One Does It Like You"