#15. Panda Bear – Comfy In Nautica

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Artwork by Adam Sarpalius

As 2009, and the decade come to a close, PMA will be looking back at our favorite songs of the last ten years. We will update a list with 75 empty slots until we reach that song that changed everything. You can keep track of this list by keeping an eye on this page. We make these lists in hopes that you guys will chime in the comments and share your favorite musical moments of the noughties.

“Comfy In Nautica”, the first single and opening track to one of the most elusive albums in recent memory, helps prepare you to forget everything you know about indie-rock and pop music. Panda Bear sets in a hazy atmosphere with a stomp and chant intro, looping eerie “try”‘s over rattling chains, an animal’s roar. Then, suddenly Noah Lennox sounding very much like Brian Wilson, chimes in with one of the cheesiest, most brilliant indie-rock refrains I’ve ever heard: “try to tell me how to do it/ only because i’m new to it/ coolness is having courage/ courage to do what’s right/ I’ll try to remember always/ just to have a good time”

Have a good time; that was all you needed to know about Panda Bear and “Comfy In Nautica” and Person Pitch. There is no pretense here. Instead of attempting to write a heartbreaking epic or politically-charged opus, Panda Bear’s straight-forward, simple songwriting has made “Comfy In Nautica” transcendent in genre and universal in its message.

#16. Arctic Monkeys – Leave Before The Light Comes On
#17. Kanye West – Jesus Walks
#18. Beyonce – Crazy In Love
#19. LCD Soundsystem – Losing My Edge
#20. Radiohead – Jigsaw Falling Into Place
#21. The Strokes – The Modern Age
#22. Jay-Z & The Beatles – 99 Problems (Danger Mouse)
#23. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
#24. The Knife – Heartbeats
#25. Lil Wayne – A Milli
#75-26: Various

by Luis Tovar on December 11, 2009 ‡ 0 reactions