The Top 100 Songs of 2011 -- #90: "Words" - The Farewell Drifters

The Farewell Drifters are a country-tinged folk act based in Nashville that is poised to break out in a big way, and they took a step in that direction with 2011's Echo Boom, which debuted at No. 6 on Billboard's Bluegrass Album chart.

"Words" is hands-down the best song on that record, and perhaps the most beautiful the band has ever sounded, save for their cover of The Beatles' "For No One."

A fairly introspective tune, "Words" presents many of the elements that make The Farewell Drifters artists at the top of their game. A sweet tenor vocal, a lofty, meandering fiddle, and lyrics to which many can relate.



Plus, I'm a sucker for a nice low-tempo song -- you'll see that as a recurring theme in this countdown. The Drifters utilize the instrumentation they possess (here, a plethora of stringed instruments) to full effect in creating a song that exudes simple, pastoral allurement.

"The wicked words just fall out of my mouth / I don't mean to shout," sings Zach Bevill at song's end. Tell me who hasn't felt that way at some point in their lives. The song is apologetic, reflective and altogether endearing -- a recipe for success.