We're nearing the end of the road now. Before we reach The Metaphorical Boat's favourite song of 2012, here are the four tracks that just fell at the final hurdle.
5. Wonder Villains - Ferrari
Wonder Villains first released "Ferrari" as part of a compilation CD curated by the Oh Yeah Centre. When it came to recording their second official single, the track was re-recording with a more prominent guitar riff, to make it the wonderful exercise in energy-soaked pop that it is today. It contains one of the most playfully fun lyrics of the year, and one that hits home with a 90s child like myself: "I swapped my brother for a Pokémon card, shiny Charizard.
4. Japandroids - The House That Heaven Built
Canadian rock duo Japandroids had an rock monster on their hands when they unleashed "The House That Heaven Built" to the unsuspecting public. It was one of those songs that crossed so many boundaries for so many people. The hard rock fans loved the loud guitars, the NME/indie crowd loved the hooky "oh oh's", the likes of which hadn't been used so effective since The Futurehead's cover of "Hounds of Love", whilst the classic rock purists were in it for the Springsteen-y overtones to the tune. It's a tune that struck a chord with so many people. It just a shame that after they played this song live in Belfast, half the audience promptly left.
3. Public Service Broadcasting - Spitfire
Taking public information films and turning them into electro-rock masterpieces? Only Public Service Broadcasting could have pulled it off with such aplomb. "Spitfire" takes samples from a propaganda film from World War 2, and somewhat ironically adds a krautrock backing to the proceedings. Who said that learning couldn't be fun?
2. Little Comets - Jennifer
And falling at the final hurdle is Newcastle based group Little Comets, with "Jennifer". The band combined elements of afrobeat and 80s mainstream pop music to create a song brimming with pathos, impassioned pleas, and a chorus that really sticks in your brain.
On a separate note, lead singer Robert Coles never replied to the open letter I wrote him back in May. Perhaps knowing that I thought that only one song this year was better than one of his compositions might spur him into action?
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