5. Carla Morrison - Maleza
"Regresate a mi,
Yo te cuidaré,
De todo lo malo.
Lo bueno pescaré.
En tu corazon depositaré
Todo ese amor que necesitas tener."
The movement in Carla Morrison songs is something few other artists capture. Both with her voice and the backing instrumental medley, each verse slowly builds to a chorus that grasps your attention and makes you realize the complexity behind its simple words.
4. Alabama Shakes - Be Mine
23 year old Brittany Howard has some of the most powerful pipes in the music scene. The way the bluesy guitar and bass move her voice along in this song is incredible. Getting you up out of your seat and grooving from the get-go, when Brittany goes into succinct, rapid-fire repetition of the simple words "be mine" at the end of the song, you're not sure you've heard a better song.
3. M. Ward - Crawl After You
"And when I came of age,
I sailed away,
A pine cone on the Rio Grande.
Now I gotta crawl after you,
Tell you who I am."
Simple lyrics put to a simple piano melody makes for the most simplistically gorgeous song I've heard this year. Not to mention entry of the violin halfway through the song adding to its beauty.
2. Delta Spirit - Money Saves
"I alone, yes, I alone with you."
If you haven't heard of 'em, you best get on it, Delta Spirit is one of the most lively rock 'n' roll bands around. While lead singer Matt Vasquez puts sufficient stress on his vocal chords to make you wonder if the band will be around in a few years, it works wonderfully with the incredible guitar tones behind it. Their song structure allows for emphasis of simple one-liners that stick to your brain like gum.
1. Bruce Springsteen - Rocky Ground
"Forty days and nights of rain have washed this land
Jesus said the money changers in this temple will not stand
Find your flock, get them to higher ground
Flood waters rising and we're Canaan bound."
What can't the boss do? Here, Bruce writes an incredibly poignant modern gospel number. To assist him in singing it, he recruits the talented Michelle Moore. Who raps for one of the verses. Awesome.
