Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Best Of 2010: 5-1
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Honorable Mentions : 25-21 : 20-16 : 15-11 : 10-6
#5 Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo
Purchase Avi Buffalo here.
Read my original review here.
This album is another big surprise in its staying power for me.There is nothing that truly stands out upon first listen to this debut LP from a band of (mostly) teenagers. When it first came out, many dismissive critics connected the dots to sound-alike The Shins. The dirty little secret is that this is so much better. Getting past the sweet pop glaze of their indelible hooks, you get to the meat of the songs that center around the awkwardness of young love and sex and crackle with their puerile energy. The vocals snap with squeaking falsetto and are delivered with a slathering of dirty innuendo, but that only adds to the fun imagery. The secret weapon on Avi Buffalo is the soaring 70's anthemic guitar solos that are the quadruple bows on the these well-wrapped gifts. Oh, and did I mention that the entire band was under 21 when they made this album?
Avi Buffalo - Remember Last Time
#4 The National - High Violet
Purchase High Violet here.
Read the original review here.
I have been a flag carrier for this band since their critical breakthrough Alligator back in 2005. Yet, each new album keeps giving this deserving band even more fans and accolades. I have always felt The National were that band that has all of the tools to be huge in a mainstream sort of way. Of course, the thick baritone vocals that croon through sculpted ballads and bellows through upbeat rockers with unabated intensity must be given proper reverence. Couple this with a collection of talented and varied musicians led by one of the most underrated drummers in rock and you have, in my opinion, the best and most accomplished band in America at their creative peak. High Violet is their most thematic album to date. Where most albums chronicle the actions leading to heartbreak, The National are covering the fragile moments afterward. Memories causing fear, anger, pain and finally acceptance and the abdication of the past all take place over the tracks like chapters in a book. The best part of the story of The National is that there is no foreseeable end to their consistently awesome output in sight.
The National - England
#3 Gold Panda - Lucky Shiner
Purchase Lucky Shiner here.
Read the original review here.
I make no apologies for being an indie rock guy. Being a fan means that you get to be part of a culture of music that is interesting, smart, creative and constantly in a state of flux. Over the past 30 years or more of music that I consider, there has been a never-ending cycle of peaks of genres, bands, movements and sounds that you have to recognize for its greatness and ineradicable influence. The proliferation of electronic music has had its own storied lineage. Recently their has been a rise in musicians that explore the organic nature of electronica and take samples of acoustic instruments and the natural ambiance of the world around them and construct a new, singular and beautiful piece of art. Gold Panda has had many eras and ascendants that paved the way to making his debut Lucky Shiner. Like other great moments in art, this takes nothing away come the near perfection this album is. Who knows, Derwin Panda may make greater albums than this one or never make a full length again. Whatever the case, when music historians look back on music, specifically the genre of "indie", 2010 will cite this as a important moment because of Lucky Shiner. Go ahead, give the whole thing a listen below. And in 20 years or so, I will be saying "I told you so" to absolutely no one.
#2 The Morning Benders - Big Echo
Purchase Big Echo here.
I have to admit that I totally missed the boat on this one. Don't demonize me yet because I have a good reason. I started blogging in the middle of February and began utilizing Twitter later in the game. Big Echo was released somewhere in the middle of that, but I had too quickly written if off based on the hype of other, less worthy albums that had come out around that time. The sugary pop sensibility of the first two tracks in "Excuses" and "Promises" are inarguable. Heck, one was even use to sell Snickers candy bars. However, a couple of catchy numbers do not make it to #2 on my list. It is the strength of the rest of Big Echo that makes this album indisputably great. Check out the simple melody and firecrackers of percussion on "Wet Cement". Listen to them make a point quickly with a Latin groove on "Cold War" then get all epic with the noisy shoegazing exercise on "Stitches". Give notice to the should-have-been-the-single "All Day Day Light" that shamefully gets overshadowed by the hit tracks. They can even get tender without losing credibility in their balladry on "Pleasure Sighs". I could mention all of the 10 songs on Big Echo because they are all great. Every. Single. One.
The Morning Benders - All Day Day Light
#1 Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Purchase Halcyon Digest here.
Read the original review here.
Understandably, Halcyon Digest is going to gather lots of conflicting opinions and fiery debates among Deerhunter fans based on the fact that this sounds like the past efforts in only the vaguest of ways. Their is some clatter, distortion, muddled vocals and extended riffs, but this is miles away from Turn It Up, Faggot. However, we all need to mature sometime and Bradford Cox and co. have done exactly that. No longer is he merely an angry, undisclipined kid stricken with Marfan Syndrome. He is a settled, confident, full-fledged musician who has skills to burn and refuses to do any less than make the best album he and his band can. This is a moment-to-moment burning realization of this culmination of greatness from the deliberate opener "Earthquake", the quickie single "Revival" and the melancholy isolation of "Sailing" that leads into the best parts of Halcyon Digest. The drawn out, awe-inspiring finish of "Desire Lines" makes this my favorite track of the year. The fragile beauty of "Helicopter" puts it among the top songs as well. At the end of Halcyon Digest is the yin-yang of "He Would Have Laughed" that not only acts as an ode to the early passing of Jay Reatard, but brings the entire history of Deerhunter full circle with an abrupt end, laying to rest the worries, mistakes and inferred drug use of the past. The future is bright and with this album there is only looking forward, now and forever.
Deerhunter - Helicopter
Honorable Mentions : 25-21 : 20-16 : 15-11 : 10-6
Purchase Avi Buffalo here.
Read my original review here.
This album is another big surprise in its staying power for me.There is nothing that truly stands out upon first listen to this debut LP from a band of (mostly) teenagers. When it first came out, many dismissive critics connected the dots to sound-alike The Shins. The dirty little secret is that this is so much better. Getting past the sweet pop glaze of their indelible hooks, you get to the meat of the songs that center around the awkwardness of young love and sex and crackle with their puerile energy. The vocals snap with squeaking falsetto and are delivered with a slathering of dirty innuendo, but that only adds to the fun imagery. The secret weapon on Avi Buffalo is the soaring 70's anthemic guitar solos that are the quadruple bows on the these well-wrapped gifts. Oh, and did I mention that the entire band was under 21 when they made this album?
Avi Buffalo - Remember Last Time
Purchase High Violet here.
Read the original review here.
I have been a flag carrier for this band since their critical breakthrough Alligator back in 2005. Yet, each new album keeps giving this deserving band even more fans and accolades. I have always felt The National were that band that has all of the tools to be huge in a mainstream sort of way. Of course, the thick baritone vocals that croon through sculpted ballads and bellows through upbeat rockers with unabated intensity must be given proper reverence. Couple this with a collection of talented and varied musicians led by one of the most underrated drummers in rock and you have, in my opinion, the best and most accomplished band in America at their creative peak. High Violet is their most thematic album to date. Where most albums chronicle the actions leading to heartbreak, The National are covering the fragile moments afterward. Memories causing fear, anger, pain and finally acceptance and the abdication of the past all take place over the tracks like chapters in a book. The best part of the story of The National is that there is no foreseeable end to their consistently awesome output in sight.
The National - England
Purchase Lucky Shiner here.
Read the original review here.
I make no apologies for being an indie rock guy. Being a fan means that you get to be part of a culture of music that is interesting, smart, creative and constantly in a state of flux. Over the past 30 years or more of music that I consider, there has been a never-ending cycle of peaks of genres, bands, movements and sounds that you have to recognize for its greatness and ineradicable influence. The proliferation of electronic music has had its own storied lineage. Recently their has been a rise in musicians that explore the organic nature of electronica and take samples of acoustic instruments and the natural ambiance of the world around them and construct a new, singular and beautiful piece of art. Gold Panda has had many eras and ascendants that paved the way to making his debut Lucky Shiner. Like other great moments in art, this takes nothing away come the near perfection this album is. Who knows, Derwin Panda may make greater albums than this one or never make a full length again. Whatever the case, when music historians look back on music, specifically the genre of "indie", 2010 will cite this as a important moment because of Lucky Shiner. Go ahead, give the whole thing a listen below. And in 20 years or so, I will be saying "I told you so" to absolutely no one.
Purchase Big Echo here.
I have to admit that I totally missed the boat on this one. Don't demonize me yet because I have a good reason. I started blogging in the middle of February and began utilizing Twitter later in the game. Big Echo was released somewhere in the middle of that, but I had too quickly written if off based on the hype of other, less worthy albums that had come out around that time. The sugary pop sensibility of the first two tracks in "Excuses" and "Promises" are inarguable. Heck, one was even use to sell Snickers candy bars. However, a couple of catchy numbers do not make it to #2 on my list. It is the strength of the rest of Big Echo that makes this album indisputably great. Check out the simple melody and firecrackers of percussion on "Wet Cement". Listen to them make a point quickly with a Latin groove on "Cold War" then get all epic with the noisy shoegazing exercise on "Stitches". Give notice to the should-have-been-the-single "All Day Day Light" that shamefully gets overshadowed by the hit tracks. They can even get tender without losing credibility in their balladry on "Pleasure Sighs". I could mention all of the 10 songs on Big Echo because they are all great. Every. Single. One.
The Morning Benders - All Day Day Light
Purchase Halcyon Digest here.
Read the original review here.
Understandably, Halcyon Digest is going to gather lots of conflicting opinions and fiery debates among Deerhunter fans based on the fact that this sounds like the past efforts in only the vaguest of ways. Their is some clatter, distortion, muddled vocals and extended riffs, but this is miles away from Turn It Up, Faggot. However, we all need to mature sometime and Bradford Cox and co. have done exactly that. No longer is he merely an angry, undisclipined kid stricken with Marfan Syndrome. He is a settled, confident, full-fledged musician who has skills to burn and refuses to do any less than make the best album he and his band can. This is a moment-to-moment burning realization of this culmination of greatness from the deliberate opener "Earthquake", the quickie single "Revival" and the melancholy isolation of "Sailing" that leads into the best parts of Halcyon Digest. The drawn out, awe-inspiring finish of "Desire Lines" makes this my favorite track of the year. The fragile beauty of "Helicopter" puts it among the top songs as well. At the end of Halcyon Digest is the yin-yang of "He Would Have Laughed" that not only acts as an ode to the early passing of Jay Reatard, but brings the entire history of Deerhunter full circle with an abrupt end, laying to rest the worries, mistakes and inferred drug use of the past. The future is bright and with this album there is only looking forward, now and forever.
Deerhunter - Helicopter
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Best of 2010: 10-6
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Honorable Mentions : 25-21 : 20-16 : 15-11 : 5-1
#10 Lower Dens - Twin Hand Movement
Purchase Twin-Hand Movement here.
Read the original review here.
This album was truly the unexpected treasure of the year for me. When I first gave it a listen, I was struck by the reserved nature of the band and the power that was accrued from that ideal. Most recently as I started making my "Best Of" list, this album kept creeping up the ranks after each reshuffle. The entirety of Twin Hand Movement is like when someone speaks softly to you with conviction, so you have to lean in close to absorb every single word. The minor chords from the guitars chime like the echo of an alley as frontwoman Jana Hunter breathes life into her bereft lyrics. The stark nature of "Tea Lights", the sultry sway in "I Get Nervous" and the near pop shimmer on "Hospice Gates" are all glittering gems in this bountiful, newly discovered trove of riches.
Lower Dens - 2 tracks from Twin Hand Movement
#9 Twin Shadow - Forget
Purchase Forget here.
Read my original review here.
After all the talk of the comeback of 80's glam in 2010, with LCD Soundsystem's Bowie album to new LP's former Roxy Music members Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno, the era was best captured on a debut full length from a New Yorker born in the Dominican Republic. George Lewis Jr. took on the pseudonym Twin Shadow and provides in Forget a rollercoaster love story where he shoulders all of the blame for its inevitable finish. Couple that with being taken under the wing on the production end by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor and you have a pulsing, swirling album of pure romance for the 21st century. From the bloodletting confessional of opener "Tyrant Destroyed" to the new wave steppers "I Can't Wait" and "At My Heels" to the darker feel of seducers of "Tether Beat" and "Castles In The Snow", this debut set the bar high not only for Twin Shadow but for the entire nouveau new wave genre. (Hi, chillwave!)
#8 The Besnard Lakes - Are The Roaring Night
Purchase Are the Roaring Night here.
Read my original review here.
The big prog rock clatter of The Besnard Lakes started with 2007's Are The Dark Horse. In 2010, the band decided to go bigger than they had previously before, constructing epic tracks that are laid out like stormy oceans and fiery landscapes with each power chord strum. On my shortlist for best song of 2010 is the first song (split into two tracks, because it is so damn BIG) "Like The Ocean, Like The Innocent" which slowly builds from broken transmissions to raging fury. Other massive numbers on Are The Roaring Night include the 70's anthem (and other two-parter) "Land Of Living Skies", the anti-pop single "Albatross" and the futuristic Western "And This Is What We Call Progress". If you like you rock music to move mountains, this may do the trick.
The Besnard Lakes - 2 tracks from Are The Roaring Night
#7 Beach House - Teen Dream
Purchase Teen Dream here
Read my original review here.
This album came out early in the year and because of that Teen Dream was my first "Best Album" of 2010. Beach House took their shimmering, hazy sound from earlier efforts and gave the whole production some muscle and clarity. The result is an intense and nuanced album where the shimmers become blinding flashes and the haze is now an engulfing cloud. The newly epic nature of Beach House was necessary because Victoria LeGrand's voice and lyrics never commanded so much attention and been delivered with so much power. At the front end of Teen Dream is an amazing trio of grabbers in the airy "Zebra", the haunting slide guitar of "Silver Soul" and the breathy beauty of "Norway". The album finishes with raw emotion in the plaintive "Real Love" and the moving "Take Care", completely unfurling the amazing band that Beach House has become.
Beach House - Norway
#6 !!! - Strange Weather, Isn't It?
Purchase Strange Weather, Isn't It here.
Read my original review here
I understand that this is not the prototypical best album for this year as many don't have it on their lists at all. On Strange Weather, !!! chose not to follow their previous dub formula, shortening their songs and opting for a disco blowout. However, I have three strong reasons for placing this album in the rarefied air of my Top 10. For starters, the live show this year was, as usual, a shoulder-shimmying freakout. I mean, you can't help but dance at a !!! show. Next, if this album came out five years ago during the dance rock peak or was released by some unknown band who burst on the scene with these fresh, funky grooves, you would have to beat off the love the album would get with a big stick. It is tough to compartmentalize an album and avoid comparing it to the entire catalog. Strange Weather, Isn't It? is simply a different album from the rest by !!! and stands up well on its own. The third reason is simple. Despite all the other new stuff that kept coming out throughout the year, I kept on listening to this album. A lot. You can't argue with that.
!!! - 3 tracks from Strange Weather Isn't It?
Honorable Mentions : 25-21 : 20-16 : 15-11 : 5-1
Purchase Twin-Hand Movement here.
Read the original review here.
This album was truly the unexpected treasure of the year for me. When I first gave it a listen, I was struck by the reserved nature of the band and the power that was accrued from that ideal. Most recently as I started making my "Best Of" list, this album kept creeping up the ranks after each reshuffle. The entirety of Twin Hand Movement is like when someone speaks softly to you with conviction, so you have to lean in close to absorb every single word. The minor chords from the guitars chime like the echo of an alley as frontwoman Jana Hunter breathes life into her bereft lyrics. The stark nature of "Tea Lights", the sultry sway in "I Get Nervous" and the near pop shimmer on "Hospice Gates" are all glittering gems in this bountiful, newly discovered trove of riches.
Lower Dens - 2 tracks from Twin Hand Movement
Purchase Forget here.
Read my original review here.
After all the talk of the comeback of 80's glam in 2010, with LCD Soundsystem's Bowie album to new LP's former Roxy Music members Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno, the era was best captured on a debut full length from a New Yorker born in the Dominican Republic. George Lewis Jr. took on the pseudonym Twin Shadow and provides in Forget a rollercoaster love story where he shoulders all of the blame for its inevitable finish. Couple that with being taken under the wing on the production end by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor and you have a pulsing, swirling album of pure romance for the 21st century. From the bloodletting confessional of opener "Tyrant Destroyed" to the new wave steppers "I Can't Wait" and "At My Heels" to the darker feel of seducers of "Tether Beat" and "Castles In The Snow", this debut set the bar high not only for Twin Shadow but for the entire nouveau new wave genre. (Hi, chillwave!)
Purchase Are the Roaring Night here.
Read my original review here.
The big prog rock clatter of The Besnard Lakes started with 2007's Are The Dark Horse. In 2010, the band decided to go bigger than they had previously before, constructing epic tracks that are laid out like stormy oceans and fiery landscapes with each power chord strum. On my shortlist for best song of 2010 is the first song (split into two tracks, because it is so damn BIG) "Like The Ocean, Like The Innocent" which slowly builds from broken transmissions to raging fury. Other massive numbers on Are The Roaring Night include the 70's anthem (and other two-parter) "Land Of Living Skies", the anti-pop single "Albatross" and the futuristic Western "And This Is What We Call Progress". If you like you rock music to move mountains, this may do the trick.
The Besnard Lakes - 2 tracks from Are The Roaring Night
Purchase Teen Dream here
Read my original review here.
This album came out early in the year and because of that Teen Dream was my first "Best Album" of 2010. Beach House took their shimmering, hazy sound from earlier efforts and gave the whole production some muscle and clarity. The result is an intense and nuanced album where the shimmers become blinding flashes and the haze is now an engulfing cloud. The newly epic nature of Beach House was necessary because Victoria LeGrand's voice and lyrics never commanded so much attention and been delivered with so much power. At the front end of Teen Dream is an amazing trio of grabbers in the airy "Zebra", the haunting slide guitar of "Silver Soul" and the breathy beauty of "Norway". The album finishes with raw emotion in the plaintive "Real Love" and the moving "Take Care", completely unfurling the amazing band that Beach House has become.
Beach House - Norway
Purchase Strange Weather, Isn't It here.
Read my original review here
I understand that this is not the prototypical best album for this year as many don't have it on their lists at all. On Strange Weather, !!! chose not to follow their previous dub formula, shortening their songs and opting for a disco blowout. However, I have three strong reasons for placing this album in the rarefied air of my Top 10. For starters, the live show this year was, as usual, a shoulder-shimmying freakout. I mean, you can't help but dance at a !!! show. Next, if this album came out five years ago during the dance rock peak or was released by some unknown band who burst on the scene with these fresh, funky grooves, you would have to beat off the love the album would get with a big stick. It is tough to compartmentalize an album and avoid comparing it to the entire catalog. Strange Weather, Isn't It? is simply a different album from the rest by !!! and stands up well on its own. The third reason is simple. Despite all the other new stuff that kept coming out throughout the year, I kept on listening to this album. A lot. You can't argue with that.
!!! - 3 tracks from Strange Weather Isn't It?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Best of 2010: 15-11
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Honorable Mentions : 25-21 : 20-16 : 10-6 : 5-1
#15 The Walkmen - Lisbon
Purchase Lisbon here.
The latest LP from these inebriated troubadours is brimming with simple tales of love lost and economical melodies that are deceptively charming. I have always felt that Walkmen songs were the ramblings and snapshots of a guilt ridden drunk. On Lisbon, lead singer Hamilton Leithauser's lyrics are empowered as rather than shameful and angry. He is still a drunk, but aware that this time around he was the one who was wronged. Now steely in righteousness, he spills out tongue in cheek rants and melancholy croons as his boys ably back him up with graceful stomps and stumbles. Look to single "Angela Surf City", the peppy "Woe Is Me" and the soaring "Victory" for the highest points and the boozy title track as a fitting epilogue. This new stately persona The Walkmen have embraced is a welcome change, making this year's effort even more surprising and special.
The Walkmen - Victory
#14 No Age - Everything In Between
Purchase Everything in Between here.
Read my original review here.
The power rock duo was ever so prolific over the past year with No Age making the most glorious noise of them all in full length form. The boys from L.A. have definitely cleaned up their act from their fuzz box standout Nouns. To be honest, there are times when that noise is sorely missed. As parents do with children, we should treat album's all as individuals and love them for what they are. In this case Everything In Between is a great album in a totally different and accessible way. It is overflowing with positivity and shows new facets and influences. I still nominate the first four tracks from "Life Prowler" to "Depletion" for the 2010's most rocking album kick off.
No Age - Glitter
#13 Crocodiles - Sleep Forever
Purchase Sleep Forever here.
I feel this album wins the award for underappreciation this year, as Sleep Forever has flown way under the radar based on how good it was. Another duo from California (who actually counts No Age as huge supporters), Crocodiles takes a slicker production to its 60's psych-throwback sound and the result is a humming dissonance that straddles shoegaze and retro with efficiency and style. Being blessed with the full album for listening at your leisure, direct your mouse to the furious opener "Mirrors", the druggy downer "Girl In Black", the slinky, scuzzy "Billy Speed" and the Beach Boys sourcing by way of Jesus and Mary Chain "Hearts Of Love". I know what you are thinking and I am not sure how this slipped past you as well.
Crocodiles - Sleep Forever (full album)
#12 Les Savy Fav - Root For Ruin
Purchase Root for Ruin here.
Read my original review here.
These indie punk stalwarts have carved out quite the legacy for themselves, but have never sounded so unencumbered. For the past 13 years or so, Les Savy Fav has been equal parts art rocker and punk rocker while letting it all hang out for their storied live shows. However, Root For Ruin cuts out the middleman and brings all of the reckless abandon right into the studio and rolls it out without much consideration for that artsy fartsy stuff. Not to say that this album lacks in smarts or savvy. Root For Ruin chooses to attack head on by showcasing snickering barnburners like "Appetites", "Dirty Knails", "High and Unhinged" and "Calm Down". The point is duly noted guys, you unequivocally rock.
Les Savy Fav - High and Unhinged
#11 LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
Purchase This Is Happening here.
Read my original review here.
James Murphy has carved out quite the role for himself. To paraphrase something I wrote earlier, he has become an accidental spokesperson for my generation by impersonating the collective conscious of the aging hipster. On This Is Happening, he is setting his sights on the best things in life while showcasing his music tastes through crafty homages of the heroes from his record collection.The results are epic songs that are much more about the journey than the destination that traverse through the history of cool music. Personally, the best tracks on This Is Happening such as "Dance Yrself Clean", "You Wanted A Hit" and "Home" are the ones where LCD Soundsystem doesn't sound like anything less than themselves. Early in the game, Murphy said that he would stop focusing on full lengths after three albums, with this being his last. Throughout the year, he may have softened his position a bit. I say take yr time.
LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted a Hit
Honorable Mentions : 25-21 : 20-16 : 10-6 : 5-1
Purchase Lisbon here.
The latest LP from these inebriated troubadours is brimming with simple tales of love lost and economical melodies that are deceptively charming. I have always felt that Walkmen songs were the ramblings and snapshots of a guilt ridden drunk. On Lisbon, lead singer Hamilton Leithauser's lyrics are empowered as rather than shameful and angry. He is still a drunk, but aware that this time around he was the one who was wronged. Now steely in righteousness, he spills out tongue in cheek rants and melancholy croons as his boys ably back him up with graceful stomps and stumbles. Look to single "Angela Surf City", the peppy "Woe Is Me" and the soaring "Victory" for the highest points and the boozy title track as a fitting epilogue. This new stately persona The Walkmen have embraced is a welcome change, making this year's effort even more surprising and special.
The Walkmen - Victory
Purchase Everything in Between here.
Read my original review here.
The power rock duo was ever so prolific over the past year with No Age making the most glorious noise of them all in full length form. The boys from L.A. have definitely cleaned up their act from their fuzz box standout Nouns. To be honest, there are times when that noise is sorely missed. As parents do with children, we should treat album's all as individuals and love them for what they are. In this case Everything In Between is a great album in a totally different and accessible way. It is overflowing with positivity and shows new facets and influences. I still nominate the first four tracks from "Life Prowler" to "Depletion" for the 2010's most rocking album kick off.
No Age - Glitter
Purchase Sleep Forever here.
I feel this album wins the award for underappreciation this year, as Sleep Forever has flown way under the radar based on how good it was. Another duo from California (who actually counts No Age as huge supporters), Crocodiles takes a slicker production to its 60's psych-throwback sound and the result is a humming dissonance that straddles shoegaze and retro with efficiency and style. Being blessed with the full album for listening at your leisure, direct your mouse to the furious opener "Mirrors", the druggy downer "Girl In Black", the slinky, scuzzy "Billy Speed" and the Beach Boys sourcing by way of Jesus and Mary Chain "Hearts Of Love". I know what you are thinking and I am not sure how this slipped past you as well.
Crocodiles - Sleep Forever (full album)
Purchase Root for Ruin here.
Read my original review here.
These indie punk stalwarts have carved out quite the legacy for themselves, but have never sounded so unencumbered. For the past 13 years or so, Les Savy Fav has been equal parts art rocker and punk rocker while letting it all hang out for their storied live shows. However, Root For Ruin cuts out the middleman and brings all of the reckless abandon right into the studio and rolls it out without much consideration for that artsy fartsy stuff. Not to say that this album lacks in smarts or savvy. Root For Ruin chooses to attack head on by showcasing snickering barnburners like "Appetites", "Dirty Knails", "High and Unhinged" and "Calm Down". The point is duly noted guys, you unequivocally rock.
Les Savy Fav - High and Unhinged
Purchase This Is Happening here.
Read my original review here.
James Murphy has carved out quite the role for himself. To paraphrase something I wrote earlier, he has become an accidental spokesperson for my generation by impersonating the collective conscious of the aging hipster. On This Is Happening, he is setting his sights on the best things in life while showcasing his music tastes through crafty homages of the heroes from his record collection.The results are epic songs that are much more about the journey than the destination that traverse through the history of cool music. Personally, the best tracks on This Is Happening such as "Dance Yrself Clean", "You Wanted A Hit" and "Home" are the ones where LCD Soundsystem doesn't sound like anything less than themselves. Early in the game, Murphy said that he would stop focusing on full lengths after three albums, with this being his last. Throughout the year, he may have softened his position a bit. I say take yr time.
LCD Soundsystem - You Wanted a Hit
Friday, December 17, 2010
Best of 2010: 20-16
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Honorable Mentions : 25-21 : 15-11 : 10-6 : 5-1
#20 Tokyo Police Club - Champ
Purchase Champ here.
Read my original review here.
Toronto's Tokyo Police Club became the reigning kings of the two minute punk pop nugget by releasing EP's and singles that are fun and fleeting. The downside was that they were often finishing well before your internet surfing was finished. Their second full length Champ has them bulking up their songs by an extra minute or so, but added a level of maturity and focus that never takes away from the main objective of laying out the hooks and sinking them into your memory. From the slow build of "Favorite Food", the swaying "Breakneck Speed" and the rocker "Wait Up (Boots of Danger), Champ delivers the good times even when they take more time to do get the job done.
Tokyo Police Club - Favourite Food
#19 Weekend - Sports
Purchase Sports here.
Read my original review here.
From the first listen of Sports, there is something that goes deeper and beyond the murky production and wailing vocals. There is a echoing, throbbing fury filtered through a basement of shadowy stories of lost hope while this new trio from San Francisco imputes early Sonic Youth, Joy Division and darker new wave without a stolen note to be found. It is rare when a band sounds like your old favorites, but the new stuff doesn't directly refer to the actual songs. These are best realized on the decided changes in the opener "Coma Summer", the bloody road movie of "Youth Haunts" or the well worn riffs on "Age Class" or "End Times". There is a lot of promise found here from Weekend's debut. I look forward to the inevitable sophomore followup, whatever it may hold.
Weekend - Coma Summer
#18 Four Tet - There Is Love In You
Purchase There Is Love in You here.
Kieran Hebden, better known as Four Tet, has methodically honed his sound from the dissonant and experimental sounds of Rounds and Everything Ecstatic to this lovely and touching, but no less impacting release. Many of his earlier work may be more challenging, but he has never made an LP that consistently moves the listener. There Is Love In You connects the dots like a love story, providing the soundtrack to the coolest, more difficult and triumphant moments in your life. In addition, Four Tet's forbearing influence is the inspiration for one of the Top Ten albums of 2010.
Four Tet - Plastic People
#17 Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
Purchase Forgiveness Rock Record here.
There is so much to love about the idea of what Broken Social Scene is. A collective of several (31 for this album including "guest" appearances) Canadian musicians from different indie outfits coming together to make music feels like what any grass roots artistic endeavor should be; a communal meeting born of late night drinking, camaraderie, mutual respect and a common goal of making stadium sized music for the small stage. The epic length of Forgiveness Rock Record allows for every member to get his say and at its best, finds a synchronized acme when the stars are aligned. Unlike the raw emotions and the strong lead of Kevin Drew in the past two albums, the best tracks are the ones that keep it simple and employ the power trio of female vocals from Emily Haines, Leslie Feist and Amy Millan. Tracks "All to All" and "Sentimental X's" are truly revealing an underused weapon in their ensemble, while the bliss out quirks of "Ungrateful Little Father", the fragile "Sweetest Kill", the obviously John McEntire produced "Romance to the Grave" and the mighty instrumental "Meet Me In The Basement" make you want to wrap your arms around and sing at the top of your lungs with this potent community of friends, if only for the big finale.
Broken Social Scene - Sentimental X's
#16 Sleigh Bells - Treats
Purchase Treats here.
This first full length from Sleigh Bells is not a prototypical "Top" album for me. I am not sure I would listen to Treats at any given time or even finish the entire album at one sitting. However, this is a "special cases" record in the truest sense. Sure, throwing on Treats at a party or blaring it your car en route to a late night adventure is a no-brainer. Maybe there is a moment where no lesser album will do. However, the singular, blown-out-beyond-the-red sound of Sleigh Bells holds the promise of a new "more-is-more" movement. Hopefully there will be more bands that follow this aesthetic and we won't have to wait such a long time for the next album.
Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill
Honorable Mentions : 25-21 : 15-11 : 10-6 : 5-1
Purchase Champ here.
Read my original review here.
Toronto's Tokyo Police Club became the reigning kings of the two minute punk pop nugget by releasing EP's and singles that are fun and fleeting. The downside was that they were often finishing well before your internet surfing was finished. Their second full length Champ has them bulking up their songs by an extra minute or so, but added a level of maturity and focus that never takes away from the main objective of laying out the hooks and sinking them into your memory. From the slow build of "Favorite Food", the swaying "Breakneck Speed" and the rocker "Wait Up (Boots of Danger), Champ delivers the good times even when they take more time to do get the job done.
Tokyo Police Club - Favourite Food
Purchase Sports here.
Read my original review here.
From the first listen of Sports, there is something that goes deeper and beyond the murky production and wailing vocals. There is a echoing, throbbing fury filtered through a basement of shadowy stories of lost hope while this new trio from San Francisco imputes early Sonic Youth, Joy Division and darker new wave without a stolen note to be found. It is rare when a band sounds like your old favorites, but the new stuff doesn't directly refer to the actual songs. These are best realized on the decided changes in the opener "Coma Summer", the bloody road movie of "Youth Haunts" or the well worn riffs on "Age Class" or "End Times". There is a lot of promise found here from Weekend's debut. I look forward to the inevitable sophomore followup, whatever it may hold.
Weekend - Coma Summer
Purchase There Is Love in You here.
Kieran Hebden, better known as Four Tet, has methodically honed his sound from the dissonant and experimental sounds of Rounds and Everything Ecstatic to this lovely and touching, but no less impacting release. Many of his earlier work may be more challenging, but he has never made an LP that consistently moves the listener. There Is Love In You connects the dots like a love story, providing the soundtrack to the coolest, more difficult and triumphant moments in your life. In addition, Four Tet's forbearing influence is the inspiration for one of the Top Ten albums of 2010.
Four Tet - Plastic People
Purchase Forgiveness Rock Record here.
There is so much to love about the idea of what Broken Social Scene is. A collective of several (31 for this album including "guest" appearances) Canadian musicians from different indie outfits coming together to make music feels like what any grass roots artistic endeavor should be; a communal meeting born of late night drinking, camaraderie, mutual respect and a common goal of making stadium sized music for the small stage. The epic length of Forgiveness Rock Record allows for every member to get his say and at its best, finds a synchronized acme when the stars are aligned. Unlike the raw emotions and the strong lead of Kevin Drew in the past two albums, the best tracks are the ones that keep it simple and employ the power trio of female vocals from Emily Haines, Leslie Feist and Amy Millan. Tracks "All to All" and "Sentimental X's" are truly revealing an underused weapon in their ensemble, while the bliss out quirks of "Ungrateful Little Father", the fragile "Sweetest Kill", the obviously John McEntire produced "Romance to the Grave" and the mighty instrumental "Meet Me In The Basement" make you want to wrap your arms around and sing at the top of your lungs with this potent community of friends, if only for the big finale.
Broken Social Scene - Sentimental X's
Purchase Treats here.
This first full length from Sleigh Bells is not a prototypical "Top" album for me. I am not sure I would listen to Treats at any given time or even finish the entire album at one sitting. However, this is a "special cases" record in the truest sense. Sure, throwing on Treats at a party or blaring it your car en route to a late night adventure is a no-brainer. Maybe there is a moment where no lesser album will do. However, the singular, blown-out-beyond-the-red sound of Sleigh Bells holds the promise of a new "more-is-more" movement. Hopefully there will be more bands that follow this aesthetic and we won't have to wait such a long time for the next album.
Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill
Monday, December 13, 2010
RFC Article: Wiping Off The Dust: Ride - Nowhere
The following is an excerpt from my article for Radio Free Chicago.
Back in the waning years of the 80's, the music genre known as shoegaze had sprouted from the the roots of different bands, labels and movements. The beginnings can be traced through many different roots. The punishing pedal work and feedback of Jesus and Mary Chain, the delicate swirls of 4AD pillars Cocteau Twins and the distant harmonies of 60's British Invasion and psychedelica can all be excavated in this musical movement. The reigning champion of shoegaze was My Bloody Valentine despite putting out two LP's and a handful of singles and EP's. Of course, one of those albums was Loveless, which still is a tour de force in beauty and cacophony. There were many other great shoegaze bands such as Lush, Slowdive, Chapterhouse and later The Verve and The Catherine Wheel. So many amazing albums from the annals of Brit-pop that were birthed by shoegaze as well: Primal Scream - Screamadelica, The Charlatans UK - Some Friendly, Swervedriver - Duel and the self titled debut album from The House of Love all immediately come to mind. In my opinion, none of these bands or albums found that perfect balance in amazing songs, incredible musicianship and fiery passion that the Oxford quartet Ride captured on the 1990 album Nowhere.
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Read the rest of the article and listen to more tracks at Radio Free Chicago.
Pre-order the 20th anniversary edition of Nowhere here.
Ride - Taste
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Read the rest of the article and listen to more tracks at Radio Free Chicago.
Pre-order the 20th anniversary edition of Nowhere here.
Ride - Taste
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Best of 2010: 25-21
This is my first year end list, so I went into sorting and ranking my favorite albums without any preconceived notions or arbitrary criteria. I was not even sure what amount of "best" albums should even make the list. Rather than choose a number and force myself to whittle down my favorites to ultimately eliminate some really great artists and their work, I let my what I felt was the most deserving set the value at 25. Of course, even the last spot was difficult to decide and could easily have been one of a few albums in my Honorable Mentions. As far as my criteria for ranking the best albums, I tried to place them based not only how much I liked the work and how much I found myself listening to each album in it's entirety, but tried my darnest to quantify the album's staying power. Trying to predict what you would like in the future is not so easy, but it is strangely comforting. Music is always changing and evolving. As a critic, staying grounded in the present while having my eyes on the future and my consideration on the historical lineage from the past is the only way to do this properly. Enjoy the list as I enjoyed making it!
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Honorable Mentions : 20-16 : 15-11 : 10-6 : 5-1
#25 The Chemical Brothers - Further
Purchase Further here.
Read my original review here.
Their first album came out in 1995 and they were dropping 12 inches as far back as 1989, but Tom and Ed of The Chemical Brothers have never sounded so fresh and vital as they did on this year's release. Sure, these Godfathers of Big Beat paved the way for the mainstreaming of electronica (for better or worse), but they always were weighted with all star vocalists and syrupy samples that stood out over the music itself. The feel of Further is like the shackles have been released and The Bros. took a gamble on exploring new territories. Look no further than the quirky squelch in "Another World", the joyous club pleaser "Swoon" or the 12 minute centerpiece "Escape Velocity" to see what I mean.
Chemical Brothers - Further (full album as one track)
#24 Maximum Balloon - Maximum Balloon
Purchase Maximum Balloon here.
Read my original review here.
Dave Sitek's side project from TV on the Radio received a lot of hype sporting big name guest vocalists and major label cred. The album sounds more like a singles collection and never aspires for a theme or common thread. Instead their is a varied abundance of indie pop songs that, at their best, challenges with Sitek's aggressively futuristic style. Look to the two tracks with his TV on the Radio bandmates on vocals for the buzzing "Absence of Light" and neo-soul of "Shakedown" for the most powerful pieces. He makes strong statements with his female guest vocalists on "If You Return" and "The Lesson" allowing the sweetness to seduce as the music slithers around, gripping tighter as the sirens whisper.
Maximum Balloon - Maximum Balloon (full album)
#23 Matthew Dear - Black City
Purchase Black City here.
Read my original review here.
Definitely taking a dark turn, Black City is quirky and uncomfortable in comparison to 2007's (and one of my favorites) Asa Breed. Still, the beats are compelling and motivated on singles "Soil To Seed", "I Can't Feel" and the epic "Little People (Black City). Yet the other surrounding tracks fluctuate between somber and eerie either as the prey of a seductive black widow on "You Put A Smell On Me", the slinky Beatles bassline grab of "Shortwave" or the last gasping breaths on "Slowdance". Claustrophobic and ominous is what Matthew Dear was going for on Black City. In my eyes, his mission was surely accomplished.
Matthew Dear - 4 Tracks from Black City
#22 Small Black - New Chain
Purchase New Chain here.
Read my original review here.
This is what chillwave should sound like. Of course it should be thick with hazy synths and icy beats with shadowy reminders of pop's 30 year long legacy. However the vocals, although nuanced with reverb, should be clear enough, just enough, to decode the lyrics while basking in their steely breeze. The 80's inspired hooks are especially strong on "Search Party", title track "New Chain", "Crisp 100s" and the single "Photojournalist". It is the first full length album for Small Black, making the list for ones to watch in the new decade.
Small Black - 7 Tracks from New Chain
#21 Teenage Fanclub - Shadows
Purchase Shadows here.
Another throwback to the late 80's still making waves in the new millennium, Teenage Fanclub has never gained more than a cult following, including me as an early member. I was suckered in by the shimmering power pop magic of their 1991 LP Bandwagonesque before I knew who Big Star even was. Now almost 20 years on, I have the requisite historical perspective to trace the characteristics to those 70's touchstones. In that time, I realized that Teenage Fanclub would never repeat perfection. Luckily so did they as the simplicity in Shadows allows this collection of soaring harmonies and folk-tinged guitar strums stand out like a lost classic from some obscure rock n' roll legend that no one else knew about but vinyl geeks. Listen to tracks like "The Fall", "Into The City", "Shock and Awe", "Today Never Ends" and the song given below and you will understand.
Teenage Fanclub - Sometimes I Don't Need to Believe in Anything
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Honorable Mentions : 20-16 : 15-11 : 10-6 : 5-1
Purchase Further here.
Read my original review here.
Their first album came out in 1995 and they were dropping 12 inches as far back as 1989, but Tom and Ed of The Chemical Brothers have never sounded so fresh and vital as they did on this year's release. Sure, these Godfathers of Big Beat paved the way for the mainstreaming of electronica (for better or worse), but they always were weighted with all star vocalists and syrupy samples that stood out over the music itself. The feel of Further is like the shackles have been released and The Bros. took a gamble on exploring new territories. Look no further than the quirky squelch in "Another World", the joyous club pleaser "Swoon" or the 12 minute centerpiece "Escape Velocity" to see what I mean.
Chemical Brothers - Further (full album as one track)
Purchase Maximum Balloon here.
Read my original review here.
Dave Sitek's side project from TV on the Radio received a lot of hype sporting big name guest vocalists and major label cred. The album sounds more like a singles collection and never aspires for a theme or common thread. Instead their is a varied abundance of indie pop songs that, at their best, challenges with Sitek's aggressively futuristic style. Look to the two tracks with his TV on the Radio bandmates on vocals for the buzzing "Absence of Light" and neo-soul of "Shakedown" for the most powerful pieces. He makes strong statements with his female guest vocalists on "If You Return" and "The Lesson" allowing the sweetness to seduce as the music slithers around, gripping tighter as the sirens whisper.
Maximum Balloon - Maximum Balloon (full album)
Purchase Black City here.
Read my original review here.
Definitely taking a dark turn, Black City is quirky and uncomfortable in comparison to 2007's (and one of my favorites) Asa Breed. Still, the beats are compelling and motivated on singles "Soil To Seed", "I Can't Feel" and the epic "Little People (Black City). Yet the other surrounding tracks fluctuate between somber and eerie either as the prey of a seductive black widow on "You Put A Smell On Me", the slinky Beatles bassline grab of "Shortwave" or the last gasping breaths on "Slowdance". Claustrophobic and ominous is what Matthew Dear was going for on Black City. In my eyes, his mission was surely accomplished.
Matthew Dear - 4 Tracks from Black City
Purchase New Chain here.
Read my original review here.
This is what chillwave should sound like. Of course it should be thick with hazy synths and icy beats with shadowy reminders of pop's 30 year long legacy. However the vocals, although nuanced with reverb, should be clear enough, just enough, to decode the lyrics while basking in their steely breeze. The 80's inspired hooks are especially strong on "Search Party", title track "New Chain", "Crisp 100s" and the single "Photojournalist". It is the first full length album for Small Black, making the list for ones to watch in the new decade.
Small Black - 7 Tracks from New Chain
Purchase Shadows here.
Another throwback to the late 80's still making waves in the new millennium, Teenage Fanclub has never gained more than a cult following, including me as an early member. I was suckered in by the shimmering power pop magic of their 1991 LP Bandwagonesque before I knew who Big Star even was. Now almost 20 years on, I have the requisite historical perspective to trace the characteristics to those 70's touchstones. In that time, I realized that Teenage Fanclub would never repeat perfection. Luckily so did they as the simplicity in Shadows allows this collection of soaring harmonies and folk-tinged guitar strums stand out like a lost classic from some obscure rock n' roll legend that no one else knew about but vinyl geeks. Listen to tracks like "The Fall", "Into The City", "Shock and Awe", "Today Never Ends" and the song given below and you will understand.
Teenage Fanclub - Sometimes I Don't Need to Believe in Anything
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